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THE 

AMEEICAIf  AGRICULTURIST 

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ABBKEYIATIOlSrS 

USED    IN    THE    FOLLOWING    PAGES. 


abt— About. 

A.  x>.— Anno  Domini  (in  the  Tear  of  Our 
Lord). 

Ala.—Alabama. 

Anc.  Geog. — Ancient  Geography. 

Arch. — Architecture. 

Archseol. — Archaeology, 

Ark. — Arkansas. 

Astron . — Astronomy. 

B. — Born. 

Bart.—Baronet. 

B.  c. — Before  Christ. 
Bot. — Botany. 

Cal. — California, 

Cap. — Capital. 

Chem . — Chemistry. 

Co. — County. 

Comp.  Anat.— Comparative  Anatomy. 

Conn. — Connecticut. 

». — ^Died. 

Del. — Delaware. 

E. — East  ;  eastern 

fam. — Family. 

Fla.— Florida. 

ft.— Feet. 

Ga. — Georgia. 

gen. — Genus. 

Geog.— Geography. 

Geol.— Geology. 

Geom. — Geometry. 

Gk.— Greek. 

Her.  Hist.— Heroic  History. 

Ilort. — Horticulture. 

111.— Illinois. 

I»d.  Ter. — Indian  Territory. 

Ky.— Kentucky. 

La. — Louisiana. 

lb.  (hbra)— A  pound. 

m. — Mile  or  miles  ;  married. 

Mach. — Miichin  cry. 

Mass.— Massachus«tta. 


Md.— Maryland. 

Me. — Maine. 

Mich. — Michigan. 

Minn. — Minnesota. 

Miss.— Mississippi. 

Mo. — Missouri. 

Mt.— Mount. 

Myth.— Mythology. 

N.— North. 

Nat.  Hist.— Natural  History, 

N.  C— North  Cai-olina. 

Neb. — Nebraska. 

N.  H.— New  Hampshire. 

N.  J. — New  Jersey. 

Numis. — Numismatics. 

N.  Y.— New  York. 

ord. — Order. 

Ornith. — Ornithology. 

Pcnn. — Penn  sylvania. 

pop.— Population. 

K.  C. — Eoman  Catholic. 

E.  I.— Ehode  Island. 

Eom.  Ant.— Eoman  Antiquities. 

8.— South. 

8.— Succeeded ;  successor. 

S.  C— South  Carohna. 

Scrip.— Scripture. 

Sculp. — Sculpture. 

sq.  m. — Square  miles. 

St.— Saint. 

Tenn. — Tennessee. 

Tex. — Texas. 

Theol.— Theology. 

IT.  S.— United  States  of  America. 

Ya. — Virginia. 

Vt. — Vermont. 

W.— West. 

W.  I.— West  Indies. 

Wis.— Wisconsin. 

W.  Ya.— West  Ykginia. 

ZooX.— Zoology. 


A    DICTIONARY    OF 


LITERATURE,  THE  SCIENCES  AND  THE  ARTS, 


FOR    POPULAR   USE. 


\" 


13  E 

OS" 


A  THE  first  letter  in  the  English  alpha- 
I  bet  and  most  of  tlie  parent  tongues. 
It  has  four  independent  sounds,  as  in 
same,  tall,  can,  rather.  In  Grammar,  as 
the  indefinite  article,  it  stands  for  one  or 
any.  Before  a  word  beginning  with  a 
vowel,  or  a  silent  h,  it  is,  for  the  sake  of 
euphony,  changed  to  an.  As  a  prefix  it  is 
equivalent  to  in,  or  on,  as  asleep,  afoot. 
The  Romans  used  A  as  a  symbol  for  600, 
and  with  a  dash  above  it  as  5,000  ;  among 
the  Greeks  a'  stood  for  1,  and  with  a  dot 
beneatli  it  for  1,000.  As  an  abbreviation  A. 
stands  for  Anno,  In  Anno  Domini — in  the 
year  of  our  Lord ;  and  Anno  Mundi — in  the 
year  of  the  world;  for  Artium,  in  Artiuin 
Magister— Master  of  Arts ;  for  Ante,  in 
Ante  Meridiem— before  noon.  In  Medicine 
A  with  a  dash  above  it  stands  for  Ana — of 
each.  In  Chemistry  A  A  A  is  the  symbol 
for  Amaigama — to  mix.  In  Music  A  is  the 
nominal  of  the  major  sixth,  or  6th  diatonic 
interval  of  the  gamut,  or  1st  octave  of  the 
modern  scale ;  a  mai-ks  the  same  interval 
in  the  second  octave.  A  is  the  open 
note  of  the  2d  string  of  the  kaolin,  and  gov- 
erns the  chords.  In  Algebra  a,  b,  c  are 
symbols  of  known  quantities,  the  oppo- 
sites  of  X,  y,  z,  representing  unknown 
quantities.  In  Commerce  A  is  the  abbre- 
viation of  Accepted  on  bills  of  exchange ; 
Al  indicates  vessels  registered  as  first-class 
at  Lloyd's. 

Aam,  am.  A  measure  of  liquids  still  in 
use  in  northern  Europe,  containing  about 
80  gals. 

Aar,  ahr.  A  river  of  Smtzerland,  cele- 
brated for  the  falls  of  the  Ilaadeck,  near 
Meiringen,  225  feet  in  height. 

Aardvark,  ard'vark.  The  ground-hog 
or  earth-pig  of  South  Africa. 

Aard-wolf,  ard'wulf.  The  earth- wolf  of 
South  Atrlca. 


Aarou,  air'un.  The  elder  brother  oi 
Moses,  the  Jewish  law-giv«r,  and  first  high 
priest.     Died  on  Mt.  Hor,  A^..  123. 

Aaron's-beard,  a'ronz-bcrd.  A  popu- 
lar name  for  Hyfiericum  calycinum,  a 
dwarf  evergi-een  shrub  with  trailing  un- 
dergi'ound  stems. 

Aaron's-rod,  a'ronz-rod.  A  rod  \vith 
one  serpent  twined  round  it. 

Ab,  ab.  The  11th  month  of  the  Jewish 
civil  year,  and  the  5th  of  the  ecclesiastical 
year,  answering  to  a  part  of  July  and  a 
part  of  August.  In  Syriac,  the  last  sum- 
mer month. 

Abaca,  ab'a-ka.  The  Philfippino  name 
of  the  plant  Musa  textilis,  Avhich  fields 
the  Manilla-hemp. 

Abaciscus,  -a-sis'kus.  The  square  com- 
partment or  one  of  the  tesseraa  u>sed  in 
mosaic  pavements. 

Abacus, 

'a-kus.  A 
tray  that 
was  strewn 
vnih  dust 
or  sand, 
anciently 

used  for  calculating  by  the  Greeks 
and  Eomans;  also  by  the  Chinese,  who 
call  it  shawnpan,  and 
also  in  modern  schools  ] 
for  teaching  the  ele- ' 
mentary  operations  of 
arithmetic.  It  con- 
sists of  an  oblong 
frame,  across  which 
are  stretched  wires,  Doi.ic  Capital, 
strung  with  ten  baUs, 
one  representing  units,  the  next  tens,  and 
so  on  to  hundreds,  thousands,  «fec.  In 
Ai-ch.,  a  table  constituting  the  upper  mem- 
ber or  crowning  of  a  column  and  its  capital. 


Abacus,  for  Calculations. 


ABACOT 


ABDOMITTAL 


Abacot,  'a-kot.  A 
kind  of  peaked  or 
pointed  cap  or  hood, 
probably  with  two 
points,  anciently  Aoacot,  from  Great 
Avorn  by  men  of  Seal  of  Heniy  VII. 
rank. 

Abaculus,  -ak'u-Ius,  A  small  tile  of 
glass,  marble,  or  other  substance,  used  for 
patterns  in  mosaic  pavement. 

Abaddon,  a-bad'don.    The  destroying 

angel. 

Abaka  Khan,  ab'a-ka'  Kan.  Emperor 
of  Persia  from  12G5  till  1282  ;  he  consoh- 
dated  nearly  the  whole  of  western  Asia ; 
was  poisoned. 

Abaiser,  a-ba'ser.  Ivory  black  or  ani- 
mal charcoal. 

Abanga,  ab-ang'ga.  Fruit  of  a  species 
of  palm  ill  the  island  of  St.  Thomas,  West 
Indies,  having  medicinal  properties. 

Abas,  a-bas'.  A  Persian  coin,  worth 
about  20  cents.  An  Eastei-n  weight  for 
pearls  equal  to  2t  gi-ains  troy,  or  one- 
eiglitii  less  than  a  carat. 

Abarim,  ab'a-rim.  A  mountain  range 
in  India,  between  rivers  Jordan  and  Am- 
nion. Moses  died  on  Nebo,  one  of  its 
highest  peaks. 

Abatis,  ab-a-tis.  A  fence  in  front  of  a 
tortilication,  to  impede  an  attacking  party; 
usually  made  by  felling  trees,  branches 
outward. 

Abatjour,  ab-a-zhoor'.  A  skylight  or 
sloping  ai)ertiu-e  in  a  wall. 

Abattoir,  a-bat-wor'.  A  public  slaughter- 
house under  control  of  municipal  authori- 
ties. 

Abb,  ab,  Yai-n  for  the  warp  in  weaving. 
The  name  given  in  sorting  wool,  as  coarse 
abb  and  line  abb. 

Abba,  'ba.  A  title,  equivalent  to  Father, 
applied  to  monks  and  other  ecclesiastics. 
In  the  Syriac,  Coptic  and  Ethiopic 
Churches,  given  to  bishops,  who  in  turn 
bestow  it  on  the  bishop  or  patriarch  of 
Alexandria. 

Abbacinate,  -ba'sin-at.  To  deprive  of 
sigh  t  by  ai)plying  a  red-hot  copper  basin 
close  to  the  eyes;  a  punishment  employed 
in  the  middle  ages. 

Abbas,  Ben-Abdul-Mottalib.  The 
imcle  of  Mohamet,  r>.  50(5,  n.  052  ;.was  at 
first  hostile  to  the  Prophet,  but  was  cap- 
tured at  the  battle  of  the  well  of  Bedr,  and 
afterward  became  his  zealous  partisan. 

Abbas  the  Great.  A  Persian  king,  b. 
1557,  I).  162S;  murdered  his  two  brothers 
to  reach  the  throne, but  ruled  with  wisdom. 


Abbassides,  ub-bas'i-dez,  A  race  of 
Arabian  Caliphs  descended  from  Abbas, 
Mohamet's  uncle ;  they  reigned  from  744 
to  1257,  the  most  illustrious  being  If  aroun- 
il-Kaschid.  This  period  the  Mahommedans 
regard  as  the  golden  era  of  their  nation. 

Abbe,  ab-ba.  In  France,  a  title  given  to 
all  who  devoted  themselves  to  divinity,  or 
piu-sued  a  course  of  study  in  a  theological 
seminary,  in  the  hope  that  the  king  would 
confer  on  them  an  abbey,  that  is,  a  certain 
part  of  the  i-eveuues  of  a  monastery.  The 
name  is  also  applied  to  persons  holding  a 
semi-clerical  position  in  other  K.  C.  coim- 
tries. 

Abbess,  ab'bes.  The  female  governor 
of  a  convent  or  nunnery,  Avho  must  be  40 
years  of  age,  and  8  years  a  nun. 

Abbey,  ab'be.  A  monastery  or  convent; 
a  society  secluded  from  the  world,  and 
devoted  to  religion  and  celibacy.  The 
males  are  called  monks,  and  are  governed 
by  an  abbot ;  the  females  nuns,  and  gov- 
erned by  an  abbess. 

Abbot,  ab'bot.  The  governor  of  an  ab- 
bey or  monastery ;  originally  subject  to 
the  bishops,  they  gi-adually  threw  oil"  this 
restraint,  and  assumed  both  the  authority 
and  insignia  of  the  episcopal  office;  of  late 
years  they  have  again  become  subject  to 
the  du-ection  of  the  bishops.  The  Abbot 
of  Unreason  in  Scotland,  and  the  Lord  of 
Misrule  in  England,  were  historic  charac- 
ters, before  the  Iteformation,  who  super- 
intended Christmas  diversions. 

Abd,  abd.  An  Arabian  prefix,  as  Abdal- 
lah,  servant  of  God;  Abd-el-Kader,  ser- 
vant of  the  mighty  God. 

Abdal,  ab'dal.  A  dervish;  one  of  the 
class  of  Persian  reUgious  devotees. 

Abdallah,  -dal'lah.  Father  of  Mo- 
hamet, the  founder  of  Islamism;  b.  545, 
I).  570. 

Abderite,  -der-it.  An  inhabitant  of  Ab- 
dera,  Thrace,  and  equivalent  to  a  stupid 
person.  The  A.,  Democritus  of  Abdera, 
was  called  the  Laughing  Philosopher. 

Abdest,  'dest.  Purificati  n  or  ablution 
before  prayer ;  a  Mohammedan  rite. 

Abdevenham,  ab-dev'n-ham.  The 
head  of  the  12th  house  in  a  scheme  of  the 
heavens. 

Abdomen,  -do'men.  That  part  of  the 
human  body  which  hes  between  the  thorax 
and  the  pelvis. 

Abdominal,  -dom'in-al.  A  gi-oup  of 
malacopterygian  fishes,  wth  the  ventral 
fins  posterior  to  the  pectorals,  including 
salmon,  mullet,  flying-fish,  heriing  and 
carp. 


ABDITOKY 


ABORIGINES 


Abditory,  'tli-to-ri.  A  place  for  hiding 
goods,  plate  or  money. 

Ab'dul-A'ziz.  The  first  Turkish  Sul- 
tan who  visited  the  courts  of  W.  Europe 
and  inaugurated  modern  reforms ;  b. 
1830  ;  crowned,  1861 ;  deposed  and  b.  by 
suicide,  1867.  His  brother,  Ab'dul-Med- 
jid  Khan,  who  preceded  him  as  Sultan, 
was  on  the  throne  during  the  Ciimean 
war. 

Abecedarian,  a'be-se-da"ri-an.  One 
who  teiichos  the  alphabet,  or  a  learner  of 
the  letters.  A  follower  of  Stork,  an 
Anabaptist,  in  the  16th  century,  so  called 
because  he  rejected  even  the  learning  of 
the  alphabet.  A.  psalms,  hymns,  &c.,  in 
Avhich  distinct  portions  have  the  verses 
begin  with  successive  letters. 

Abel,  u'bel.  Second  son  of  Adam  and 
Eve;  murdered  by  his  envious  elder 
brother  Cain. 

Abelard,  Pierre,  ah-ba-lar.  A  dis- 
tinguished French  scholar  and  genius,  b. 
1079,  D.  1142  ;  the  first  philosoi)hical  critic 
of  theology,  but  best  known  for  hia  ro- 
mantic liason  with  Heloise. 

Abelian,  a-bel'yan.  A  sect  in  Africa 
which  arose  in  the  4th  century.  They 
married,  but  lived  in  continence,  adopt- 
ing the  children  of  others.  Of  or  pertain- 
ing to  the  mathematician  Abel. 

Abelmoschus,  a-bel-mos'kus.  A  gen. 
of  plants,  ord.  Malvaceaj.  A.  moschatus 
is  an  cvergi-een  shrub  of  tropical  Asia 
and  America;  its  seeds  have  a  musky 
odor,  and  the  Arabs  mix  them  with  cof- 
fee. A.  esculentus  is  an  Indian  annual ;  it 
yields  a  mucilaginous  li-uit,  used  in  soups 
and  pickles. 

Aberdeen,  ab-er-dene'.  A  Scottish  sea- 
port, at  mouth  of  river  Dee,  118  m.  N.  N. 
E.  of  Edinburgh,  with  extensive  iron  and 
textile  manufactories  and  shipyai-ds:  pop. 
74,000. 

Aber,  a'ber.  A  Celtic  word  prefixed  to 
many  places  in  Great  Britam,  and  signify- 
ing a  confluence  of  waters,  as  Abei'deen, 
Aberystwith. 

Aberdevine,  'de-vTne,  The  Fringilla 
spiuus  or  siskin,  a  Avell-known  song-bird, 
of  the  finch  fam.  (Fringillidse),  resem- 
bling the  green  variety  of  the  canary. 

Abib,  a'bib.  The  1st  month  of  the 
Jewish  ecclesiastical  year,  called  also 
Nisan.     It  begins  at  the  spring  equinox. 

Abietinse,  et-I"ne.  The  firs  and 
spruces,  a  sub-ord.  of  plants,  ord.  Conif- 
era\  having  the  fertile  flowers  in  cones, 
with  one  or  two  inverted  cvales  at  the 
base  of  each  scale. 


Abies,  ab'i-es.  The  fir,  a  gen.  of  trees, 
sub-ord.  Abietina;,  ord.  Coniferaj. 

Abietites,  -I"tez.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
plants,  ord.  Conifers,  occurring  in  the 
Wealden  and  lower  greensand  strata. 

Abig-ail,  -giil.  A  general  name  for  a 
waiting  woman  or  lady's-maid. 

Abkar,  ab-kar.  An  East  Indian  Avho 
makes  or  sells  spirituous  hquors. 

Abkari,  ah-kiir'c.  lievenues  in  the  East 
Indies,  derived  from  duties  or  hcenses  on 
Bphits,  opium,  gaming-houses,  «kc, 

Ablepbarus,  a-blefar-us.  A  gen.  of 
harmless  lizards,  fam.  Scincidag,  with  live- 
toed  feet  and  only  rudimentary  eyehds. 

Ablet,  ab'let.  A  small,  fresh-water  fish, 
the  bleak,  the  scales  of  which  are  used  in 
making  artificial  pearls. 

Abluents,  ab'lu-ents.  Diluent  medi- 
cines, which  dissolve  and  remove  impuri- 
ties. 

Ablution,  -lu'shun.  A  religious  bath, 
practiced  by  Mohammedans,  originating 
in  the  necessity  for  cleanliness  for  the 
prevention  of  disease  in  hot  chmates,  and 
typical  of  soul-pmity. 

Abnet,  ab'net.  The  gh-dle  of  a  Je^vish 
priest. 

Abolitionists,  5b-o-lish'un-ists.  A 
name  apphed  to  Americans  who  advocated 
the  abohtion  of  slavery;  first  given  mem- 
bers of  the  American  Anti-Slavery  So- 
ciety, at  its  meeting  in  Boston  in  1852  ;  it 
was  merged  into  Kepublican  at  the  forma- 
tion of  that  party. 

Abolla,  a-bol'a. 
A  cloak  of  thick 
woollen  stuff  worn 
by  lloman  sol- 
diers. It  was  also 
worn  by  i»hiloso- 
phers,  especially 
by  the  Stoics,  who 
aft'ected  gi-eat  aus- 
terity of  life. 

Aboma,  -bo'ma. 
A  large  species  of 
S.  American  ser- 
pent (Boa  Abo- 
™^)'  Komans  Wearing  the 

Abomasus,    ab-  Abolla. 

o-ma'sus.  The  fourth  stomach  of  rumina- 
ting animals. 

Abomey,  ah-bo-ma''.  Cap.  of  Dahomey, 
W.  Afiica  ;  pop.  24,000. 

Aborigrines,  ab^o-rij^i-nez.  Original  in- 
habitants of  a  country;  original  fauna  and 
flora  of  a  geographical  area. 


ABOU-IIAimES 


ACACIO 


Abou-haiines,  ^o-han'nez.  The  Arab 
name  for  the  tnie  Egyptian  ibis. 
Aboukir  (Bay  of),  a-boo-keer'.  In 
Egypt,  W.  of  mouth  of  Nile,  celebrated 
for  Lord  Nelson's  victory  over  the  French 
fleet,  known  as  the  battle  of  the  NUe, 
Aug.  1,  1798. 

Abracadabra,  'ra-ka-dab"ra.     A  word 
of  Eastern   origin  used  in  incantations. 
When  va-itten  as  many  times  as  it  con- 
tained letters,  the  last  letter  being  omitted 
each  time  xmtil  only  one  letter  remained, 
ABliACADABRA 
^ABPwACADABE 
ABKACADAB 
ABEACADA 
A    B    K     A    C    A    D 
A    B    E    A    0    A 
A    B    E    A    0 
A    B    E    A 
ABE 
A    B 
A 
and  worn  as  an  amulet,  it  was  believed  to 
be  a  jireventive  of  certain  diseases. 
Abrabam,  a'bra-ham.    The  progenitor 
of    the    Hebrew    nation,    descendant    of 
Shem,  B.  1996  r..c.  in  Mesapotamia,  d.  at 
the  age  of  1T5  years  ;  was  buried  in  the 
cave  of  Machpelah.     Isaac  and   Ishmael 
were  his  sons,  by  Sarah  and  Hagar,  the 
latter  being  a  slave. 

Abrabamite,  -Tt.  A  sect  of  Bohemian 
deists,  which  sprang  up  in  1782,  profess- 
ing to  hold  the  faith  of  Abraham,  and 
denying  the  divinity  of  Chi-ist ;  they  ac- 
cepted notlung  of  the  Bible  save  the 
Lord's  Prayer.  A  sect  of  Syrian  deists 
of  the  9th  century. 

Abramis,  ab'ra-mis,    A  gen.  of  fresh- 
water malacopterygian  fishes,  fam.  Cyp- 
rinidaj,  containing  the  common  bream. 
Abrancbia,  a-brang'kl-a.     An  order  of 
Annelida  without  gills  or  branchiae ;  the 
earthworm  and  leech. 
Abraxas,  ab-raks'as.  A  word  denoting 
a  power  which  presides  over  305  others, 
and  used  as  a  mystical  term  to  express 
the  Supreme  God,  under  whom  the  Bas- 
iUdians  supposed  3G5  dependent  deities ; 
the  jn-inciple  of  the  Gnostic  hierarchy.     A 
gem  or  stone,  with  the  word  abraxas  en- 
graven on  it.     A  gen.  of  lepidopterous  in- 
sects, containing  the  magpie-moth. 
Abrocoma,  -ro'ko-ma.    A  gen.  of  small 
rodents,  natives  of  S.  America. 
Abroma,  -ro'ma.    A  gen.  of  i)lants,  ord. 
Stercullaceaj,  tribe  Buttnerieae. 
Abrotanoid,  a-brot'an-oid.     An   East 
Indian  sclerodermatous  coral. 


Abrotanunx,  a-brot'an-um.  An  ever- 
green plant,  gen.  Artemesia. 

Abrvis,  ab'rus.  A  gen.  of  leguminous 
plants. 

Absalom,  ab-sa-lom.  Third  and  favorite 
son  of  David,  King  of  Israel.  He  rebelled, 
and  seized  the  thi-one,  but  was  defeated 
and  slain  by  Joab,  David's  general. 

Abscissa,  ab-sis'sa.  Any  part  of  the 
diameter  of  a  conic  section  intercepted  be- 
tween the  vertex,  or  fixed  point  where 
the  abscissae  begin,  and  another  line  called 
the  ordinate,  which  terminates  in  the 
cm-ve. 

Absinthe,  ab'sint.  An  extract  of  worm-' 
wood,  distilled  -svith  water;  agreeable  to  the 
taste,  but  intoxicating  and  injurious  to 
health. 

Absolution,  ab-s6-lu'shon.  The  act  of 
absolving  or  state  of  being  absolved ;  in 
E.  C.  and  some  other  churches,  a  remis- 
sion of  sins  pronounced  by  a  priest.  Pi-ot- 
estants  ascribe  a  declarative,  but  not  an 
eflicient  power  to  absolution. 

Absorbtiometer,  -sorp'shi-om"  et-er. 
An  insti-ument  to  determine  the  amount 
of  gas  absorbed  by  a  unit  volume  of 
Uquid. 

Abtbane,  'than.  A  lower  kind  of  no- 
bility existing  in  Scotland  at  a  very  early 
period. 

Abuna,  a-bO'na.  The  head  of  the  Chris- 
tian church  in  Abyssinia. 

Abu  Bekr,  a'bu  ba'ker.  Father-in-la-w 
and  successor  of  Mohamet,  b.  571,  D.  634. 
He  was  elected  Caliph  over  Ali,  son-in- 
law  of  Mohamet,  ana  the  contest  caused 
a  schism  in  the  church  which  still  exists. 

Abutilon,  ab-u'ti-lon.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Maloaceae,  the  Indian  mallows. 

Abyss,  a-bis'.  A  bottomless  gulf;  any 
deep  immeasurable  space;  anything  j^ro- 
found  and  unfathomable. 

Abyssinia,  ab-is-sin'yah.  An  E.  African 
kingdom,  lying  between  85°  and  43°  E. 
Ion.,  and  7°  30'  and  15°  40'  N.  lat. 

Acacia,  a-ka'shi-a,  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Leguminosse,  sub-ord.  Mimosea3, 
usually  of  striking  beauty.  Some  of  the 
species  produce  catechu,  some  exude  gum 
arable. 

Acacian,  -an,  A  member  of  certain 
sects  of  the  5th  century,  led  by  Acacius, 
bishop  of  Ca?sarea,  and  Acacius,  pati-iarch 
of  Constantinople. 

Acacio,  -6.  A  heavy  durable  wood  of 
the  red-mahogany  character,  but  darker 
and  plainer. 


ACADEMICS 


ACCIDENTAL 


Academics,  fik-a-dem'iks.  Ancient  Gre- 
cian  philosopliers  who    taught  the  doc- 
trines of  Socrates   and  Plato  as  to  the 
uncertainty  of  knowledge  and  the  incom- 
prehensibility of  truths. 
Academy,  a-kad'e-me.    Derived  from  a 
garden  or  villa  of  Academns,  near  Athens, 
in  which  Plato  held  his  philosophical  con- 
ferences.    Its  present  meaning  is  an  asso- 
ciation of  persons  for  purposes  of  study, 
or  schools  of  medium  rank. 
Acadian,  a-ka'di-an.  A  native  of  Acadia 
or  Nova  Scotia. 
Acajou,  ak'a-jo.    A  gum  from  the  ma- 

hoganj'-tree. 
Acaleph,  lef.  A  member  of  the  ord. 
Acalepha?,  or  sea-nettles. 
Acalephae,  a-ka-lc'fo.  A  name  applied 
to  marine  animals  of  the  sub-kingdom 
Ccelenterata,  and  represented  by  the  Me- 
dusidje  and  their  allies,  known  as  sea- 
nettles,  sea-blubbers,  jelly-fish,  &c.  The 
Medusidae  are  gelatinous,  consisting  of  an 
umbrella-shaped  disk  containing  canals 
■which  radiate  from  the  center ;  all  have 
thread  urticating  organs  Avhich  discharge 
minute  barbed  structm-es  that  irritate  like 
the  sting  of  a  nettle. 

Acanaceous,  ak-a-mVshus.  Armed 'vvith 
pi-ickles  ;  rigid  prickly  plants,  such  as  the 
pine-apple. 

Acanth.oceph.ala,  a-kan'tho-sef'a-la. 
An  ord.  of  mouthless  Entozoa,  having 
curved  hooks  on  a  retractile  proboscis  to 
attach  themselves  to  the  tissues  of  ani- 
mals. 

Acantho-derma,  -der"ma.  A  gen.  of 
fossil  fishes,  ynth.  strong  fin-spines,  allied 
to  Balistes. 

Acanthodidae,  ak-an-tho'di-do.  A  fam. 
of  fossil  fishes,  including  the  gen.  Acan- 
thodes. 

Acanthophis,  a-kan'tho-fis.  A  gen.  of 
small  venomous  colubrine  snakes,  the  tail 
of  which  is  fm'nished  with  a  horny  spur  at 
the  end 

Acanthopteri,      ak-an-thop'tcr-T.        A 
group  of  spine-finned  osseous  fishes. 
Acanthoteuthis,  a-kan'tho-tu"this.   A 
gen.  of  fossil  cuttle-fishes  occurring  in  the 
oohte. 

Acantlmrus,  ak-an-thu'rus.    A  gen.  of 
acanthopterygious  fishes. 
Acanthylis,  'thi-hs.     A  gen.  of  bfrds  of 
the  swallow  family. 

Acarida,  a-kar'i-da.  A  division  of  Arach- 
nida,  including  mites,  ticks  and  water- 
mites,  the  cheese-mite  and  the  itch-mite 
being  examples. 


Acanthus,  a-kan'thus.  Bear's-breech 
or  brankursine,  a  gen.  of  prickly  plants, 
ord.  Acantha- 
ceae.  An  orna- 
ment r  e  s  e  m- 
bling  the  foliage 
of  the  acanthus, 
said  to  have 
been  invented 
by  CaUimachus, 
who    took    the  . 

idea  of  the  Cor-  Acanthus, 

inthian  capital  from  obser\ing  an  A.  sur- 
rounding a  basket  placed  over  a  tomb. 
Acapulco,  a-ka-pool'ko.  Tho  principal 
Mexican  port  on  the  Pacific  ;  pop.  5,000. 
Acamar,  -kar'niir.  A  bright  star  of  the 
first  magnitude  in  the  constellation  Erid- 
anus. 

Acatalectic,  Htat-a-lek^tik.  A  verse 
which  has  tho  complete  number  of  syl- 
lables. 

Acathistus,  ak-a-this'lns.    In  the  eariy 
Greek  Ch.  a  thanksgiving  hymn  to  tho 
Virgin,   sung    at  Constantinople  on   the 
Saturday  c  "  the  5th  week  of  Lent. 
Acaules,   a-kal'ez.     Plants  which  have 
cither  a  very  indistinct  or  no   stalk,  as 
lichens,  fungi,  algae,  &c. 
Accentor,  ak-sent'er.  One  that  sings  the 
leading  part.    A  gen.  of  insessorial  birds, 
fam.  Sylvlidae,  sub-fiim.  Accentorinse. 
Acciaccatura,     at'chak-ka-to"ra.      A 
gi-ace-note  one  semitone  below  the  note  to 
which  it  is  prefixed. 

Accidence,  ak'sWens.  That  part  of 
grammar  which  treats  of  the  accidents  or 
inflection  of  words.  A  small  book  contain- 
ing the  rudiments  of  grammar. 
Accident,  ak'si-dent  Chance,  or  what 
happens  by  chance  ;  an  event  which  pro- 
ceeds from  an  unknown  cause,  or  is  an 
unusual  elfect  of  a  known  cause,  and 
therefore  not  expected;  anything  which 
takes  place  or  begins  to  exist  without  an 
eflUcient  intelligent  cause  and  -vvithout  de- 
sign. 

Accidental, 'al. 
Happening  b  y 
chance  or  a  c  c  i- 
dent,  or  u  n  o  x- 

pectedly.A. point  .  . ,  ,,,,.. 
is  that  point  in  Accidental  Pomt. 
which  a  right  line  drawTi  from  the  eye 
parallel  to  another  given  right  line  cuts 
the  picture  or  plane.  Thus,  suppose 
A  B  to  be  the  line  given  in  perspective, 
0  F  E  the  perspective  plane,  d  the  eye,  c  d 
the  line  parallel  to  A  b;  then  is  o  the  acci' 
dental  point. 


ACCIPITEES 


10 


ACETIFIER 


Accipitres,  -sip'i-trSz,  The  name  ^ven 
by  Linnaeus  and  Cuvier  to  the  rapacious 
birds,  now  called  Eaptores. 

Accipitrinse,  -triune.  The  hawks,  a 
sub-fam.  of  raptorial  birds,  fain.  Falco- 
nidfB. 

Accolade,  -ko-lad'.  A  ceremony  used  in 
conferring  knighthood,  anciently  consist- 
ing in  putting  the  hand  on  the  knight's 
neck,  afterwards  in  giving  a  blow  with 
the  naked  fist,  and  still  later  -with  the  flat 
ofasword,  the  form  now  observed.  In 
music,  a  brace  or  couplet  connecting  sev- 
eral staves. 

Accolent,  -lent.  One  who  dwells  on  or 
near  the  border  of  a  country. 

Accomplice,  -kom'plis.  An  associate  In 
crime;  a  partner  in  guUt;  an  accessory  or 
confederate. 

Accordeon,  -kord'i-on.  A  small  keyed 
wind-instrument. 

AcoountaxLt,  -kount'ant.  One  who 
makes  the  keeping  or  examination  of  ac- 
counts his  profession.  An  office  who 
has  charge  of  the  accounts. 

Accoutre,  -ko'ter.  To  dress;  to  array  in 
a  military  dress,  or  equip  for  military  ser- 
vice. 

Acco-ofcrements,  -ments.  Military  dress 
and  arms. 

Accubation,  -ku-ba'shon.  Lying  or  re- 
clining on  a  couch,  as  practiced  by  the 
ancients  at  meals. 

Ace,  as.  A  unit ;  specifically,  a  single  pip 
on  a  card  or  die,  or  the  card  or  face  of  a 
die  so  marked.    A  very  small  quantity. 

Aceldama,  a-sel' da-ma,  A  field  south 
of  Jerusalem  purchased  with  the  bribe 
which  Judas  took  for  betraying  his  mas- 
ter, called  the  field  of  blood.  Used  'figm*- 
ati  vely  of  any  place  stained  by  slaughter. 

Acephala,  a-sef'a-la.  A  division  of 
molluscous  animals,  like  the  oyster  and 
scallop. 

Acephali,  -IT.  An  Egyptian  sect  of  the 
5th  century,  who  renounced  communion 
with  the  Patriarch  of  Alexandria.  Clergy 
not  living  under  episcopal  jurisdiction, 
and  bishops  exempt  from  patriarchal  ju- 
risdiction. A  council  summoned  Avithout 
the  authority  of  the  pope.  A  class  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  I.  who  would  acknowledge 
no  head.  A  fabulous  nation  in  Africa  re- 
ported by  ancient  writers  to  have  no  heads. 

Acephalocyst,  'al-o-sist.  A  dydatid,  or 
round  or  oval  sac,  filled  with  fluid,  occur- 
ring in  the  viscera  of  animals ;  they  were 
formerly  regarded  as  Entozoa,  but  more 
probably  they  are  merely  morbid,  drop- 
sical cells. 


Acephalotis,  -us.  Without  a  head; 
wanting  something  essential;  without  a 
leader  or  chief.  ^ 

Ace-point,  as'point.  The  single  spot  on 
a  card  or  die;  the  side  of  a  die  that  has 
but  one  spot.  . 

Acera,  as'era.  A  fam.  of  apterous  in- 
sects without  antennae.  A  fam.  of  gas- 
teropod  molluscous  animals,  akin  to  tho 
Aplysias,  comprehending  the  gen.  Bulla. 

Aceraoese,  u-ser-a'se-e.  An  ord.  of 
plants,  comprehending  the  maples,  and 
belonging  to  the  thalamifloral  division  of 
dicotyledonous  plants ;  there  are  about 
fifty  species,  in  three  genera ;  they  are  all 
trees  or  shrubs,  and  yield  a  sweet,  mucil- 
aginous sap,  from  which  sugar  is  often 
made.  The  bark  is  astringent,  and  yields 
yellow  and  reddish  dyes. 

Acerina,  as-er-i'na.  A  gen.  of  acan- 
thopterygious  fishes,  fam.  Percidce,  or 
perches;  tho  rufle  or  pope  (A.  cernua)  is  a 
type. 

Acerous,  'er-us.  Chafly;  resembling 
chaft'.  Narrow  and  slender,  with  a  sharp 
point,  as  the  leaf  of  the  pine. 

Acetabulifera,  -e-tab'u-lif'er-a.  An 
ord.  of  cephalopodous  mollusks,  with 
rows  of  little  cups  or  suckers  on  their 
tentacles. 

Acetabulum,  -lum.  A  Eoman  vessel  in 
which  sauce  was  served  ;  a  measure  about 
i^  of  a  pint.  The  cavity  of  a  bone  for  re- 
ceiving the  protuberant  end  of  another 
bone.  A  term  applied  to  the  cotyledons 
of  the  placenta  of  ruminating  animals.  In 
insects,  the  socket  in  which  the  leg  is  in- 
serted. 

Acetal,  a-se'tal.  A  colorless,  mobile 
liquid,  produced  by  the  imperfect  oxida- 
tion of  alcohol,  under  the  influence  of  pla- 
tinum black.  Slow  combustion  converts 
it  into  acetic  acid. 

Acetam.ide,  -set'a-mid.  A  white  crystal- 
line solid,  produced  by  distilling  ammo- 
nium acetate,  or  by  heating  ethyl  acetate 
with  strong  aqueous  ammonia. 

AcetarioiXS,  as-e-ta'ri-us.  A  term  ap- 
plied to  plants  containing  acetary,  or  used 
in  making  salads,  as  lettuce,  mustard  and 
cress. 

Acetic,  a-set'ik.  Having  the  properties 
of  vinegar ;  sour.  Common  acetic  ether  is 
a  colorless,  volatile  fluid,  a  flavoring  con- 
stituent in  wines.  It  is  made  by  distilling 
a  mixture  of  alcohol,  oil  of  vitriol  and 
acetate  of  potash. 

Acetifier,  'i-fl-er.  An  apparatus  for 
hastening  the  acidification  of  fermented 
liquors. 


ACETIMETER 


11 


ACOLYTE 


Acetiineter,  as-et-im'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  ascertaining  the  strength  or 
purity  of  acids. 

Acetone,  'et-on.  A  limpid,  mobile  liquid, 
A^ith  aji  agreeable  odor  and  peppermint- 
like taste,  produced  by  the  destructive 
distillation  of  acetates.  The  general  name 
for  a  class  of  compounds,  built  up  of  an 
acid  and  alcoholic  radical. 
Achatina,  a-ka-ti'na.  A  gen.  of  pul- 
monate  gasteropodous  Mollusca,fam.  Heh- 
cida3 ;  agate-snaUs  ;  some  have  shells. 
Achean,  -ke'an.  Pertaining  to  Achaia 
in  Greece,  and  a  celebrated  league  estab- 
lished between  twelve  of  its  cities,  and 
which  finally  extended  thi-oughout  the 
Peloponnesus. 

Achelous,  ach-el'us.  Son  of  Oceanus 
and  Terra  or  Tethys,  god  of  the  liver  of 
the  same  name  in  Episus. 
Achene,  a-ken'.  A  small  dry  carpel, 
containing  a  single  seed,  which  does  not 
open  or  dehisce  when  ripe.  It  is  exempli- 
fied in  the  Kanunculacese,  Boraginacese, 
Composite,  &Ci 

Aclierontia,   ak-er-on'shi-a.    A  gen.  of 
nocturnal     lepidopterous     insects,    fam. 
Sphingidre  ;  the  death's-head  moth. 
Acherset,  ak'er-set.  An  ancient  measure 
holding  about  8  bushels. 
Achilles,  a-kil'hez.  The  hero  of  the  Iliad  ; 
son  of  Peleus  and  Thetis,  and  most  valiant 
of  Grecian  chiefs  at  the  siege  of  Troy;  he 
was  killed  by  Paris,  Avho  shot  him  in  the 
heel,  his  only  vulnerable  part. 
Achilleid,  -kil'le-id.    A  name  given  to 
those  books  of  the  Iliad  in  which  Achilles 
is  prominent. 

Achillis  tendo,  Tis  ten'do.  The  strong 
tendon  of  the  gastro-cnemius  and  soleus 
muscles  inserted  in  the  heel. 
Achimeiies,  -kim'e-nez.  A  gen.  of 
American  plants,  ord.  Gesneraceae,  very 
ornamental. 

Acllira,  ii-che'ra.  A  plant  of  the  gen. 
Canna,  Avith  a  large  esculent  root,  jielding 
tous-les-mois,  a  starch  superior  to  the  or- 
dinary arrow-root.  Its  tubers  are  eaten 
as  food  in  Chili  and  Peru. 
Achirite,  ak'l-rit.  Emerald  malachite. 
Achirus,  a-ki'rus.  A  gen.  of  fishes, 
fam.  Pleuronectidse  (flat-fishes),  lacking 
pectoral  fins. 

Achlamydeae,  -kla-mid'e-e.  A  group 
of  dicotyledonous  plants  which  want  both 
calyx  and  corolla,  as  the  willows,  oaks  and 
birches. 

Achmite,  ak'mlte.  Double  siUcate  of 
iron  and  Boda. 


AcMya,  ak'li-a.  A  remarkable  group  of 
water  plants  supposed  to  be  aquatic  f<)rm3 
of  fungi ;  they  grow  parasitically  on  dead 
flies,  fish,  frogs,  or  decaying  plants. 
Adiromatism,  ak-rom'a-tizm.  The 
preservation  of  the  white  rays  of  light  by 
the  use  of  compound  lenses  of  glass  hav- 
ing dift'erent  dispensive  power. 
Achor,  a'kor.  Scald-head,  a  disease  of 
infants. 

AchJtras,  ak'ras.  A  gen.  of  tropical  trees, 
ord.  Sapotacea3,Avith  entire  leathery  leaves, 
and  yielding  a  milky  fluid. 
Achroxaatic,  -ro-mat'ik.  Destitute  of 
color ;  transmitting  light  Avithout  decom- 
posing it  into  its  primary  colors. 
Acidiferous,  as-id-if'er-us.  Bearing, 
producing,  or  containing  an  acid.  A. 
minerals  consist  of  an  earth  combined 
Avith  an  acid. 

Acidimeter,  -im'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  determining  the  purity  or  strength  ol 
acids. 

Acinaces,  a-sin'a-sez.  A 
short,  straight  dagger, 
worn  on  the  right  side, 
peculiar  to  the  Scythians, 
Medes  and  Persians. 
Acinaciform,  as-in-as'i- 
form.  Formed  hke  a 
scimetar;  as,  an  A.  leaf,  : 
Avhich  has  one  edge  con- 
A'cx  and  sharp  and  the 
other  straight  and  thick. 
Acineta,  a-sin-G'ta.  A 
gen.  of  noble  epiphytal 
orchids  of  C.  America. 
Acipenser,  as-i-pen'ser. 
A  gen.  of  cartilaginous 
ganoid  fishes,  fam.  Aci- 
penseridfe  or  Sturionidae,  distinguished 
by  the  bony  scales  or  plates  arranged  at 
intervals  along  the  body  in  Aa'o  longitudinal 
rows;  it  includes  the  sturgeon,  sterlet,  &c. 

Aclide,  ak'lid.  An  ancient  Aveapon,  con-| 
sisting  of  a  short  thick  club  studded  Avith 
sharp  points,  attached  to  a  9ord  Avhich 
enabled  the  soldier  to  draw  it  back  after 
having  launched  it  against  an  enemy. 

Aclinic,  a-klin'ik.  HaAing  no  inclina- 
tion. A.  line,  an  irregular  curve  in  tho 
neighborhood  of  the  terrestrial  equator, 
Avhere  the  magnetic  needle  balances  itself 
horizontally. 

Acolyte,  ak'o-lTt.  One  who  Avaits  on  a 
person.  In  the  K.  C.  Church,  the  second 
of  the  inferior  orders  of  clergy.  In  Astron; 
an  attendant  or  accompanying  star. 


Acinaces. 


ACONCAGUA 


12 


AGROTEEIUM 


Aconcag-ua,  ali-kon-kah'gwah.  The 
highest  peak  of  the  Andes  Mountains ; 
23,910  feet. 

Aconitum,  -on-i'tum.  A  gen.  of  poison- 
ous herbaceous  plants,  ord.  Eanuncula- 
eeie. 

Acontiadse,  a-kon-ti'-a-de.  A  fam.  of 
saurian  reptiles,  of  which  the  gen.  Acon- 
tias  is  the  type. 

Acontias,  'ti-as.  A  gen.  of  timid  lacer- 
tian  reptiles,  group  Scincoidei,  with  rudi- 
ments only  of  the  hind  hmbs,  aUied  to  the 
slow-worm  of  Britain. 

Acoraceee,  kor-a'se-c.  Sweet-flags  ;  a 
nat.  ord.  of  herbaceous  plants,  of  Avhich 
the  gen.  Acorus  is  the  tj^pe. 

Acorn,  a'korn.  The  seed  or  nut  of  the 
oak  tree. 

Acosmism,  -koz'mizm.  The  denial  of 
the  existence  of  an  eternal  Avorld. 

Acosmium,  'mi-um,  A  group  of  Bra- 
zilian plants,  ord.  Leguminosaj. 

Acotyledon,  -kot-il-e"don.  A  plant 
whose  spores  are  not  furnished  with  coty- 
ledons or  seed-lobes. 

Acoucliy,  -kosh-i.  The  olive  cayy  or  Su- 
rinam rat,  a  small  species  of  agouti. 

Acoumeter,  -koum'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  the  acuteness  of  the 
sense  of  hearing. 

Acoustic,  -kous'tik.  Pertaining  to  the 
sense  or  organs  of  hearing.  A  name  given 
to  such  of  the  disciples  of  Pythagoras  as 
had  not  completed  then-  five  years'  proba- 
tion. 

Acre,  a'ker.  Originally,  an  open, 
ploughed,  or  sowed  field.  A  quantity  of 
land,  containing  160  square  rods  or 
perches,  or  4,840  square  yards.  The 
Scotch  acre  is  larger  than  the  English,  48 
Scotch  acres  being  equal  to  61  English 
acres.  The  Irish  acre  is  also  larger  than 
the  English,  100  Irish  acres  being  nearly 
equivalent  to  162  EngUsh  acres. 

Acre-fLg-M,  -fit.  A  duel  formerly 
fought  by  single  combatants,  English  and 
Scotch,  on  the  debatable  land  between  the 
frontiers. 

Acrldidse,  a-krid'i-de.  A  fam.  of  or- 
thopterous  insects  containing  the  grass- 
hoppers. 

Acrobat,  'ro-bat.  A  rope-dancer;  one 
who  practices  high  vaulting. 

Acrocarpi,  ak-rd-karp'I,  A  division  of 
mosses  containing  the  s-pecies  in  which 
the  capsule  terminates  the  growth  of  a 
primary  axis. 

Acrooephalic,  'rfl-sS-far'ik.  A  term 
appned  to  the  high^skulled  tribes  of  men. 


Acrobates,    a- 

krob'at-cz.  A  \ 
sub-gen.  of  Pet- 
aurus,  a  gen.  of 
marsupial  ani- 
mals, fam.  Phal- 
angistidse,  indig-  Opossmn  Mouse, 
enous  to  Aus- 
tralia, containing  the  opossum  mouse, 
one  of  the  smallest  of  the  Marsupialia. 

Acrocinus,  -si'nus.  A  gen.  of  longl- 
corn  coleopterous  insects,  fam.  Ceramby- 
cida%  having  the  spine  on  each  side  of  the 
thorax  movable  ;  the  harlequin  beetle  of 
S.  America  is  the  type. 

Acrocomia,  -ko'mi-a.  A  gen.  of  Amer- 
ican plants,  ord.  Palmace«,  allied  to  the 
cocoa-palm ;  includes  some  of  the  most 
niiijestic  palms. 

Acrodus,  -dus.  A  gen.  of  placoid  fossil 
fishes,  with  large  cn.ameled  striated 
teeth,  common  in  the  chalk  and  oolite. 

Acrogren,  -jen.  An  acrogeneous  plant, 
a  division  of  the  Cryptogaraia,  distin- 
guished by  the  mode  of  impregnation 
from  the  Thallogens.  The  age  of  A.  in 
Geol.,  the  carboniferous  era,  when  thoy 
were  the  characteristic  vegetable  forms. 

Acrog-nathus,  a-krog'na-thus.  A  gen. 
of  fossil  fishes  of  the  salmon  familj',  oc- 
curring in  the  lower  chalk. 

Acrograpliy,  'ra-fl.  The  art  of  pro- 
ducing designs  in  relief  on  metal  or  stone 
by  etching. 

Acro-narcotics,  ak^ro-nar-kot'-'iks.  A 
division  of  poisons  of  vegetable  origin, 
which  produce  stupor,  coma,  paralysis  and 
convulsions. 

Acronyc,  a-kron'ik.  Culminating  at  mid- 
night :  said  of  a  star  which  rises  as  the  sun 
feets,  and  sets  as  the  sun  rises  ;  opposed  to 
cosmical. 

Acrolein,  -kro'Ie-in.  A  colorless  limpid 
hquid  obtained  by  distilling  glycerine 
with  acid  potassium  sulphate.  A,  is  the 
aldehyde  of  the  allyl  series. 

Acropolis,  -lu-op'o-lis.  The  citadel  of  a 
Grecian  city  ;  that  of  Athens  contained 
some  of  the  finest  buildings  of  the  city. 

Acrosaurus,  ak'ro-aa-rus.  An  extraor- 
dinary fossil  reptile,  Avith  thirty  or  fortj^ 
teeth,  occurring  La  the  trias  sandstones  of 
S.  Africa. 

Acroterium,  ak-ro-te'ri-um.  An  orna- 
ment, the  apex  or  angles  of  a  pediment ; 
the  pinnacles  or  other  ornaments  on  the 
horizontal  copings  or  parapets  of  build- 
ings. In  Anat.  an  extremity  of  the  human 
body,  as  a  hand,  a  foot. 


ACEOSPIPvE 


13 


ADAMS 


Acrospire,  -spTr.    The  first  leaf  which 
rises  above  the  ground  ^Vhen  corn  gei-min- 
ates  ;  also  the  rudimentary  stem  or  first 
leaf  which  appears  in  raalted  grain  ;  the  de- 
veloped pluuiule-of  the  seed. 
Acrostic,  a-kros'tik.    A  composition  in 
verse,  in  which  the  first,  or  the  first  and 
last,  or  certain  other  letters  of  the  lines, 
taken  in  order,  form  a  name,  motto,  &c. 
A  Hebrew  poem  of  which  the  initial  let- 
ters of  the  lines,  or  stanzas,  were  made  to 
[  run   over  the  letters  of  the  alphabet  in 
their  order.    Twelve  of  the  psalms  are  of 
this  character. 
Acta,  'ta.    A.  Sanctorum,  the  Acts  of  the 
Saints  :  appUed  to  all  collections  of  ancient 
saints  and  martxTS  ;  the  name  of  a  work 
begun  by  the  Bollandists,   a  society  of 
Jesuits,  m  1643,  and  not  yet  comjileted. 
Actsea,  -te'a.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Kan- 
unculaceai,  called  rattle-snake  herbs. 
Actian,  'shi-an.    Eelating  to  Actium,  a 
town  of  Ei>iru3,  as  A.  games,  instituted  by 
Augustus  to  celebrate  his  naval  >ictory 
over  Antony  and    Cleopatra,  near    that 
town,  Sept.  2,  b.  c.  31 ;  they  were  cele- 
brated every  five  years.     Hence  A.  years, 
reckoned  from  that  era. 
Actinia,  -tin'i-a.    A  gen.  of  zoophytes, 
Kadiata,  type  class  Actinozoa,   sub-king- 
dom Cceleriterata,  the  mouth,  when  spread, 
resembling  the  petals  of  a  flower. 
Actiniadae,  -i'a-de.    A  fam.  of  Ccelente- 
rata,  ord.  Helianthoida,  of  which  the  gen. 
Actinia  is  the  tj^pe. 

Actinism,  -izm.  The  radiation  of  heat 
or  light,  or  that  branch  of  natural  philoso- 
phy which  treats  of  such  radiation.  The 
property  of  the  chemical  part  of  the  sun's 
rays  which  produces  chemical  combina- 
tions and  decompositions. 
Actinocarpus,  -6-kar''pus.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Alismaceaj ;  star-fi-uit. 
ActinogTaph.,  -graf.  An  instrument  for 
measuring  and  registering  the  variations 
of  actinic  or  chemical  influence  in  the  solar 
rays. 

Actinolite,  -lit.  A  mineral,  nearly  al- 
lied to  hornblende,  consisting  of  silica, 
calcium,  magnesium  and  u-on.  A.  schist, 
a  metamorphic  rock  consisting  of  actino- 
Ute,  mica,  quartz  or  feldspar. 
Actinosoma,  ''o-so'''ma.  A  term  em- 
ployed to  designate  the  entu-e  body  of  any 
actinozoun. 

Actinote,  -6t.     A  radiated  mineral,  con- 
sisting of  silicate  of  calcium  and  magne- 
sium. 
Acuminate,      a-ku'min-at.       Pointed ; 
acute  ;  applied  to  leaves. 


Actinozoa,  'o-zo"a.  A  class  of  radiated, 
solt  marine  zoophytes,  the  soa-anemones, 
corals,  sea-pens,  &c.  They  present  that 
sti-ango  generative  phenomenon  known  as 
metagenesis  or  alternation  of  generation. 

Acton,  'ton.  A  tunic  made  of  taffeta  or 
leather  worn  under  the  coat  of  mail,  and 
sometimes  alone  like  a  buffcoat. 

Acts  of  the  Apostles.  One  of  the 
books  of  the  New  Testament,  the  author- 
ship of  which  is  ascribed  to  St.  Luke.  It 
begins  with  the  ascension,  details  the  mis- 
sionary work  of  SS.  Peter  and  Paul,  end- 
ing -with  Paul's  arrival  at  Eome  as  a 
prisoner,  62  a.d. 

Actuary,  ak'tii-a-ri.  A  registrar  or  clerk. 
An  oflicial  in  a  joint-stock  company  whoso 
duty  It  is  to  make  computations  required 
in  the  business. 

Acupuncture,  ak-ii-ptmgk'ti\r.  A  sur- 
gical operation  resorted  to  in  headaches 
and  lethargies,  consisting  in  the  insertion 
of  a  needle  beneath  the  tissues ;  in  high 
repute  in  China,  Jjipan  and  India;  it  is 
now  employed  chieliy  to  relieve  neuralgic 
and  rheumatic  pains.  A  mode  of  infanti- 
cide in  some  countries,  a  needle  being 
forced  into  the  brain  through  the  spinal 
marrow, 

Acutenaculum,  ^u-t6-nak"u-lum.  A 
needle  with  a  handle,  used  in  stitching  a 
wound, 

Adam,  ad'am.  The  name  of  the  first 
man  ;  the  progenitor  of  the  human  race. 
A  sergeant  or  bailitf,  explained  as  referring 
to  the  fact  that  the  buff  worn  by  the  bailiff 
resembled  the  native  buff  of  our  first 
parent. 

Adamite,  ad'am-It.  A  sect  of  vision- 
aries of  the  2d  centiuy,  who  pretended 
to  establish  a  state  of  innocence,  and  like 
Adam,  went  naked.  They  abhorred  mar- 
riage, holding  it  to  be  the  effect  of  sin. 

Adar,  a'dar.  The  12th  sacred  and  6th 
cixil  Hebrew  month,  answering  to  the 
latter  part  of  February  and  the  beginning 
of  March. 

Adams,  John.  The  2d  President  of 
U,  S,;  B.  1735,  D.  July  4,  1S26 ;  native  of 
Massachusetts  ;  elected  Vice-President  In 
1787,  re-elected  in  1792,  and  succeeded 
George  Washington  in  1797;  held  the 
Presidency  but  one  term,  being  defeated 
by  Thoa.  Jefferson. 

Adams.  John  Q,uincy.  Son  of  above,* 
6th  President  of  IT.  S.  ;  b.  1767,  d.  1548  ; 
succeeded  James  Madison  as  President  in 
1S25  ;  defeated  by  Gen.  Jackson  in  1828  ; 
elected  to  House  of  Eepresentatives  in 
1830,  and  held  the  scat  uniil  lji»  death. 


ADAMANTINE 


14 


ADJUTANT-GENERAL 


Adianantine,  ad-a-mant'in.  Extremely 

hard  and  brittle.    A.  spar  is  a  variety  of 

corundum  of  extreme  hardness. 
Adamic,  a-dam'ik.   Pertaining  to  Adam. 

A.  earth,  common  red  clay,  from  a  notion 

that  Adam  means  red  earth. 
Adausonia,  ad-an-sG'ni-a.     A  gen.  of 

plants,    ord.    Sterculiacesc ;    the   African 

calabash-tree,  or  baobab-treo  of  Senegal. 
Adapts,   'a-pis.    An  extinct  mammal  of 

the     tertiary     formation,    resembling    a 

hedgehog,  but  about  three  times  its  size. 
Adarce,   a-dar'ei.    A  saltish  concretion 

used  to  cleans©  tiie  skin  in  leprosy,  tet- 
ters, &e. 
Adarcon,  ton.    In  JcAvish  antiq.  a  gold 

coin  Avorth  about  25s.  sterling. 
Adawlet,     a-da' 

let.    In  the  East 

Indies,  a  court  of 

justice,     civil    or 

criminal. 
Addax,     ad'aks. 

A  species  of  ante- 
lope, the  siae  of  a 

large    ass ;     the 

horns  of  the  male 

are       particularly 

magnificent ;  it  is 

the     twisted-horn 

of  the  older  writ- 
ers. 

Adder,  'er.  A  venom- 
ous serpent  or  viper, 
an  ophidian  reptile, 
fam.Viperida;.  Its  bite 

is  rarely  fatal  to  man. 
Great  sea- adder,  an 
acanthopterygian  fish, 
the  sea  stickleback. 

Adder-stone,    -ston. 
The  name  given  to  certain  rounded  per- 
forated stones  or  glass  beads,  supposed  to 
have  a  kind  of  supernatural  efficacy  in 
cm-ing  the  bite  of  adders. 

Addison,  Joseph.  The  celebrated 
English  essayist ;  u.  1672,  d.  1T19. 

Addition,  ad-dish'un.  Joining  several 
things  together.  In  Arith.,  first  of  the 
four  fundamental  rules. 

Aden  a'den.  An  Arabian  seaport,  be- 
lonsfing  to  Great  Britain  ;  coaling  station 
for  E.  Indian  steamers  ;  pop.  40,000. 

Adelantadillo,  ad-a-lan-tii-del'y«>-  A 
Spanish  red  wine  made  of  the  earliest  ripe 
gi-apes. 

Adelite,  'e-llt.  A  class  of  Moorish  con- 
iurers  in  Spain,  who  predicted  fortunes  by 
the  flight  and  siuging  of  birds. 


Head  of  Addax. 


Adder. 


Adelaide,  iid-e'iad.  Cap.  of  S.  Austra- 
lia, on  Gulf  of  St.  Vmcent ;  pop.  70,000. 
AdelpMa,  a-del'fi-a.  A  collection  of 
stamens  into  a  bundle;  those  plants  in 
which  the  stamens,  instead  of  growing 
singly,  combine  by  the  filaments  into  one 
or  more  jiarcels. 
Adenanthera,  ad'en-an-tho''ra,  A  gen. 
of  trees  and  shrubs,  ord.  Legumhiosa>, 
Kub-ord.  Mimosca) ;  the  gland  flowers.  A. 
pavonina  yields  red  sandal-wood.  The 
bright  scarjet  seeds,  from  their  equality 
in  weight,  are  used  by  goldsmiths  in  the 
East  as  weights. 

Ades,  or  Hades.  The  god  of  Hell 
amongst  tlio  Greeks,  often  used  as  the 
name  for  Hell  itself. 

Adiantum,  ad-i-an'tum.  A  gen.  of 
ferns,  of  beautiful  forms  ;  the  maiden-hair. 
Adipic,  a-dip'ik.  Of  or  belonging  to  fat. 
A .  acid  is  got  by  treating  oleic  acid  or 
fatty  bodies  with  nitric  acid. 
Adipocere,  ad'i-po-ser.  A  soft,  unc- 
tuous, or  waxy  substance,  into  Avhich  the 
muscular  fibres  of  dead  animal  bodies  are 
converted  when  protected  from  atmos- 
pheric air,  and  under  certain  circumstances 
of  temperature  and  humidity.  It  consists 
of  mai'garates  of  ammonia,  potassium 
and  calcium.  A.  mineral,  a  fatty  matter 
found  in  some  peat-mosses,  and  in  the 
argillaceous  iron-ore  of  Merthyr ;  adipo- 
cerite. 
Adipsia,  a-dip'si-a.     The  total  absence 

of  thirst. 

Adirondack  Mountains,  ad-e-r5n  - 
dak.  A  spur  of  the  Appalachians,  in  N. 
E.  New  York,  S.  of  Lake  Champlain ; 
Mt.  Marcy,  the  highest  peak,  is  5,4(57  feet 
above  the  sea. 


Adit,    ad' it. 

An  entrance  or 

m-n» 

^^js!?a?«.|i,-.^^^^ 

passage;  in 
mining,     t  h  c 
horizontal  op- 
ening givin:: 

1 

access   to  the 
shaft,   or   by 
Avhich  wat el- 
and  ores    can 
be    carried, 

Adjutant, 

Section  of  Mineral  Mine. 

'ju-tant.  An  oflicer  whose  business  is 
to  assist  the  commanding  officer  byreceiv» 
ing  and  communicating  orders. 
Adjntant-greneral,  -jen'cr-al.  A  staif- 
oflieor,  next  in  rank  to  the  comm.ander- 
in-cliief.  He  superintends  the  details  vi 
all  the  dispositions  ordered  by  the  com- 


ABJUTAXT-BIED 


15 


ADPEESSED 


mander  and  communicates  general  orders. 
A  title  formerly  given  to  each  one  of  a 
Belest  number  of  Jesuit  fathers,  who  re- 
sided with  the  general  of  the  order,  and 
had  a  province  or  coujatry  assigned  to  his 
care. 

Adjutant- 
bird,  -herd. 
A  large  gral- 
latorial  bird 
allied  to  the 
storks  and  in- 
cluded in  the 
fam.  Arde- 
idje ;  its  ex- 
panded wings 
measure  14 
feet  from  tip 
to  tip.  It  is 
one  of  the 
most  vora- 
cious carnivo-  Adjutant-bird, 
rods  birds  known,  and  in  India  is  pro- 
tected by  law.  From  the  N^ings  and  tail 
are  obtained  the  fine  feathers  known  as 
marabou,  which  are  also  obtained  from 
an  allied  W.  AMcau  species,  the  marabou 
stork. 

Admiral,  'mi-ral.  A  naval  officer  of  the 
hig'hest  rank.  Vice-admiral  is  next  in  rank 
and  command  to  the  A.  Eeai--admiral, 
an  officer  next  in  rank  to  the  Yice-A. 
In  the  U.  S.  service,  the  A.  ranks  with 
General,  Eear  A.  witli  Lieutenant-General, 
and  VicG-A.  with  Major  General. 

Admiralty,  -ti.  The  office  and  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  lords  commissioners  of  Great 
Britain,  the  officers  appointed  for  the  ad- 
ministration of  naval  affairs.  The  lords 
commissioners  of  the  A.  are  now  four  in 
number,  exclusive  of  a  civil  lord.  The 
building  in  which  the  A.  transact  business. 
A.  court,  a  tribunal  ha\'ing  jurisdiction 
over  all  maritime  causes. 

Admiralty  Islands.  A  Pacific  group 
numbering  40  ;  between  2°  and  3°  S.  lat., 
and  14G°  18'  and  14T»  46'  E.  long. 

Admonitionist,  -mo-ni'shon-ist.  One 
©fa  body  of  Puritans  who  in  1571  sent  an 
admonition  to  Parliament  condemning 
everything  in  the  English  Church  not  in 
accord  with  the  principles  and  practice  of 
that  of  Geneva, 

Adnascent,  -nas'ent.  Growing  to  or  on 
something  else. 

Adopter,  a-dopt'er.  One  who  or  that 
which  adopts.  In  Chem.  a  large  round 
receiver,  wth  two  necks,  used  in  distilla- 
tions to  give  more  space  to  elastic  vapors, 
or  to  iacrease  the  length  of  the  neck  of  a 
retort, 


Adnate,  ad'nat.  Grooving  attached  ;  at- 
tached by  cartilage ;  having  the  character 
of  an  epiphysis.  In  Bot.  applied  to  a  part 
of  an  organism  attached  to  another  by  its 
whole  length.  Tims  stipules  A.  grow  to 
the  petiole,  as  in  the  rose.  A.  anthers  are 
united  to  their  filaments  as  in  the  ranun- 
culous.  A.  leaves  are  erect  and  closely- 
applied  to  their  stem. 

Adobe,  a-do'be,  A  sun-dried  brick  ;  built 
of  sun-dried  bricks. 

Adolescence,  ad-o-les'ens.  The  state  of 
growing;  appliedalmost  exclusively  to  the 
young  of  the  human  race. 

Adoptian,  -dop'shi-an.  Of  or  pertaining 
to  the  doctrine  of  adoption.  A  contro- 
versy originated  in  Spain  in  the  8th  cen- 
tury vith  tlie  Archbishop  of  Toledo,  who 
maintained  that  although  Christ,  in  respect 
of  his  divine  nature,  was  by  generation  tho 
son  of  God,  yet  that,  as  regards  his  human 
nature,  he  was  only  a  declared  and  adopt- 
ed son. 

Adolode,  ad'O-lod.  An  apparatus  for 
detecting  fraud  in  distillation. 

Adonia,  a-do'ni-a.  A  festival  of  two 
days'  duration  celebrated  anciently  in 
honor  of  Adonis,  by  females.  The  first 
day  was  spent  in  mourning,  the  secoad  in 
merry-making. 

Adonis,  -do-nis.  In  Greek  myth,  the 
favorite  of  Aphrodite  (Venus),  said  to  bo 
tho  son  of  Cinyras,  king  of  Cyprus.  Ho 
received  a  mortal  wound  from  a  wild  boar. 
Aphrodite  changed  him  into  the  plant 
which  bears  his  name.  In  Bot.  a  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  llanuncuLocea?. 

Adonist,  -don'ist.  One  of  a  party  of 
Biblical  critics  Avho  maintain  that  thd 
Hebrew  points  annexed  to  the  consonant* 
of  the  word  Jehovah  do  not  express  truo 
pronunciation  ;  but  that  they  are  vowel- 
points  belonging  to  the  words  Adonai  and 
Elohim,  apphed  to  the  ineffable  name  Je- 
hovah, whldi  the  Jews  were  forbid  to 
utter,  and  tho  truo  pronunciation  of  which, 
was  lost ;  they  Avere  therefore  alwaj^s  to 
pronounce  the  word  Adonai  instead  of 
Jehovah. 

Adorsed,  -dorst'.  In  Her.  applied  to  any 
two  animals,  birds,  fishes,  or  other  bear- 
ings, placed  back  to  back. 

Adnata  Txmica,  ad-na'tah.  Tho  tu- 
nic, known  as  tho  white  of  the  eye. 

Adoxa,  a-doks'a.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Caprifoliaceae ;  the  flowers  hare  a  musky 
soent. 

Adpressed,  ad-prest'.  Branches  or 
leaves  which  rise  parallel  and  dose  to  th« 
Btem,  without  adhering  to  it. 


ADEIAN 


16 


^GIS 


Adrian,  or  Hadrian,  Publius 
JSlius.  A  Eoman  emperor,  successor 
of  Trojan,  b.  76,  d.  138 ;  he  was  energetic, 
public  spiiited  and  learned,  but  a  cruel 
persecutor  of  Jews  and  Christians.  The 
name  of  6  popes,  the  most  noted  of  whom 
was  A.  IV.  (Mcholaa  Brakespeare),  an 
Englishman,  who  put  an  end  to  the  re- 
public established  in  Rome  by  Arnold  of 
Brescia,  and  compelled  Frederick  Bar- 
barossa,  the  German  Emperor,  to  hold  his 
stirrup  while  he  mounted  his  horse; 
date  of  birth  unknown ;  elected  pope 
1154-,  D.  1159. 

Adrianople,  ad-ri-an-6'pl.  The  second 
largest  city  of  European  Turkey,  137  m. 
N.  W.  of  Constantinople ;  manufactures 
silks  and  dye  stuffs ;  pop.  100,000. 

Adrianople-red,  -red.  Turkey-red  : 
red  obtained  from  madder. 

Adriatic,  -at-ik.  The  Gulf  of  Venice ;  a 
sea  that  washes  the  eastern  coast  of  Italy. 

Adrianus.  A  German  Emperor  who 
visited  Great  Britain  and  built  the  wall 
between  what  are  now  the  towns  of  Car- 
lisle and  Kewcastle-on-Tyne,  to  limit  the 
predatory  excursions  of  the  Caledonians. 

Adrog-ation,  -ro-gu'shon.  A  species  of 
adoption  in  ancient  Eome,  by  which  a 
person  capable  of  choosing  for  himself 
was  admitted  into  the  relation  of  a  son. 

Adscriptns  gletise,  -skrip'tus  glC'be. 
Belonging  to  the  soil,  as  a  serf.  In  Rome 
apphed  to  a  class  of  slaves  transferred 
with  the  land  they  CTlltivated.  Colliers 
and  salt-workers  in  Scotland  were  in  a 
similar  position  tiU  the  passing  of  15  Geo. 
III.  xxviii. 

Adularia,  -u-la'ri-a.  A  pure,  limpid, 
translucent  variety  of  felspar,  called  by 
lapidaries  moonstone. 

Adulterer,  'ter-er.  A  married  man  who 
has  sexual  commerce  -svith  any  woman 
except  his  wife.  In  Scripture,  an  apostate. 

Ad  valorem,  ad  va-lo'rem.  According 
to  A'alue. 

Advent,  'vent.  A  coming;  approach; 
-visitation.  The  coming  of  our  Saviour. 
A  period  including  four  Sundays  before 
Christmas,  beginning  on  St.  Andrew's 
day,  or  on  the  Sunday  nearest  to  it  either 
before  or  after  it,  appointed  by  the  Synod 
of  Lerida,  624  ad.,  and  still  generally  ob- 
served ;  it  has  reference  to  the  coming  of 
Christ  in  the  flesh. 

Adventurer,  -ven'tur-er.  One  who 
takes  part  in  bold  or  extraordinary  enter- 
prises ;  one  who  tries  to  keep  up  a  certain 
status  in  society,  and  advance  hia  fortune 
by  discreditable  or  crimiaal  expedients. 


Adverb,  'verb.  One  of  the  indeclinable 
parts  of  speech,  so  called  from  being  fre- 
quently joined  to  verbs  for  the  purpose  ol 
hmiting  or  extending  their  signification; 
they  qualify  adjectives. 

Adversifoliate,  -vers'i-f5"li-at.  Hav- 
ing opposite  leaves ;  applied  to  plants 
where  the  leaves  are  opposite  each  other. 

Advowson,  -vou'sn.  The  right  of  pre- 
sentation to  a  vacant  benefice ;  they  are  ol 
three  kinds,  presentative,  collative  and 
donative :  they  are  also  appendant,  that  is, 
annexed  to  a  manor ;  or  in  gross,  that  is, 
annexed  to  the  person  of  the  patron. 

Advoyer,  a-voi'er.  A  chief  magistrate 
of  a  Swiss  town  or  canton. 

Adynamon,  -din'a-mon.  A  factitious 
wine  made  of  must  boiled  down  with 
water,  or  of  new  white  wine  with  water. 

Adytum,  ad'i-tum.  A  secret  place  in 
ancient  temples  from  which  the  oracles 
were  given,  and  none  but  priests  were  per- 
mitted to  enter.  The  Jewish  Holy  of 
Holies  was  a  similar  part  of  the  temple  of 
Jerusalem. 

Adze,  adz.  A  cutting  instrument  con- 
sisting of  a  blade  of  iron  forming  a  por- 
tion of  a  cylindrical  surface,  ground  to  an 
edge  from  the  concave  side  outwards  at 
one  end,  and  having  a  hole  or  socket  at 
the  other  end  for  the  handle. 

-ffi.  The  symbol  used  to  denote  the  third 
class  of  wooden  and  composite  ships  in 
Lloyd's  register. 

iEch.modus,  ek'md-dus,  A  gen.  of  fos- 
sil ganoid  fishes,  fam.  Lepidoidei. 

JEgagras,  c-gag'rus.  A  wild  species  of 
ibex  found  on  Asiatic  mountains,  believed 
to  be  the  original  of  the  domestic  goat. 

iEgrean  Sea.  Part  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean now  called  the  Grecian  Archipelago. 

-ZEgris,  6 Mis.  In 
Greek  myth,  origin- 
ally the  skin  of  the 
goat  Amalthea  which 
suckled  Zeus,  and 
afterwards  worn  by 
him  as  a  covering  of 
his  shield  ;  also  the 
shield  itself.  In  lat- 
ter times  as  part  of 
the  armor  of  Pallaaf 
Athena,  covered 
with  metal  scales, 
and  made  terrible  by 
the  head  of  the  Gor- 
gon Medusa,  and 
fringed  with  serpents, 
protects. 


Pallas  Wearing  the 
iEgis. 

Anything   that 


^GERIIDJE 


17 


^SOP 


-ffigreriidse,  e-jer-I'i-dS.  A  fam.  of  Lepi- 
doptera,  sec.  Ileterocera. 

iEgiceras,  -jis'er-as.  A  gen.  of  small 
trees,  ord.  MjTsmacese,  natives  of  India 
and  Australia,  Their  seed  germinate 
while  still  on  the  trees,  and  send  do^vn 
perpendicular  roots  into  the  mud,  and 
thus  form  impenetrable  thickets. 

iSg'ilops,  ej'i-lops.  An  abscess  in  the 
canthus,  or  corner  of  the  eye.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Graminaceae. 

^g'le,  'gle.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Au- 
rantlaceie,  -with  separate  stamens. 

^mileus,  Paulus,  mil'yus.  A  So- 
man general  who  conquered  Macedonia 
and  made  it  a  lioman  province ;  d.  160 
B.  c. 

.^neas.  A  prince  of  Troy,  son  of  An- 
chise^  and  the  goddess  Venus.  With  the 
fall  of  Troy  he  settled  in  Latium  ;  tradi- 
tion ascribes  to  him  the  commencement 
of  the  Eoman  Empire. 

.^neid,  -nc'id.  An  epic  poem  written 
by  Yirgil,  of  which  iEneas  is  the  hero.  It 
describes  the  taking  of  Troy,  the  wander- 
ings of  -Eneas,  and  the  final  settlement  of 
himself  and  companions  in  Italy. 

.Molina,  -o-li'na.  A  modification  of  the 
accordeon. 

.ffipyornis,  -pi-or'nis.  A  gen.  of  gigantic 
bh-ds  found  fossil  in  Madagascar. 

iEra  or  Era,  e'rah.  A  division  of  time. 
Christians  reckon  from  the  date  of  Christ's 
birth,  which  is  fixed  in  the  4th  j-ear  of  the 
Olympial,  and  the  758d  year  of  the  found- 
ing of  Eome.  There  are  eleven  principal 
eras  in  history. 

^rarian,  -ra'ri-an.  A  Eoman  citizen  of 
the  lowest  class  of  free-men,  who  paid 
only  a  poll-tax,  and  had  not  the  sufirage. 

Aerate,  a'er-at.  To  combine  with  car- 
bonic acid  or  other  gas,  or  Avith  air  ;  to 
change  the  circulating  fluids  of  animals  by 
the  agency  of  the  air.  A.  waters,  acidu- 
lous and  alkaUne  beverages,  impregnated 
■with  carbonic  acid ;  it  is  the  most  common 
carbonic  acid  water,  called  soda-water. 

Aerian,  -G'ri-an.  One  of  a  branch  of 
Arians,  so  called  from  Aerius,  who  main- 
tained that  there  is  no  difference  between 
bishops  and  priests. 

Aerides,  -er'i-dez.  A  gen.  of  epiphytal 
plants,  ord.  Orchidaceae. 

Aerodynamics,  'er-o-di-nam'-'iks.  The 
science  of  the  motion  of  the  air  and  other 
gases. 

Aerohydrodynamic,  -hi'dro-di-nam''- 
Ik.  Acting  by  the  power  of  air  and  water. 
A.  wheel,  an  apparatus  for  transmitting 
power  to  a  great  distance. 


Aerolite,  -lit.  A  stone  falling  from  the 
au"  or  atmospheric  regions ;  a  meteoric 
stone ;  some  suppose  them  to  be  pro- 
jected by  lunar  volcanoes,  by  others  they 
are  thought  to  be  formed  in  the  air  by  the 
imion  of  simpler  forms  of  matter  volatil- 
ized from  the  earth's  surface ;  but  they 
are  doubtless  cosmical  bodies  of  the  same 
nature  as  shooting-stars,  revohnng  round 
the  earth,  and  faUiug  when  they  come 
within  its  attraction.  Analyzed  they  ar» 
found  to  consist  of  tAventy-two  of  the  ele- 
ments found  in  terresti-ial  minerals,  the 
most  prominent  being  malleable  metallic 
iron  and  nickel. 

Aerology,  -ol'o-ji.  That  branch  of  phys- 
ics which  treats  of  the  air. 

Aeromancy,  -o-man'^si.  Divination  by 
means  of  the  air  and  -winds  or  atmos- 
pheric substances. 

Aerometer,  -er-om'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  ascertaining  the  density  of  air 
and  gases. 

Aeronaut,  a'er-6-nat.  An  aerial  navi- 
gator or  balloonist. 

Aerophobia,  -fo"bi-a.  A  dread  of  air 
common  in  hydrophobia. 

Aerophyte,  -fit.  A  plant  which  live* 
exclusively  in  au-. 

Aerosite,  -sit.  Dark  red  silver  ore-, 
pyrargyrite. 

Aerostat,  -stat.  A  machine  or  vessel 
sustaining  weights  in  the  air ;  air  bal- 
loons. 

iEschylus,  es-ki'lus.  The  first  of  the 
three  eminent  tragic  Grecian  poets,  and 
inventor  of  the  trilogy  ;  author  of  Prome- 
theus Bound.  Also  distinguished  as  a 
warrior,  b.  525  b.  c.  Was  killed  by  a  tor- 
toise dropped  by  an  eagle,  b.  c.  456. 

iBEscliynantlius,  es-kin-an'thus.  A  gen. 
of  epiphj^tal  plants,  ord.  Gesneraceje. 

JSsculacede,  -ku-la'se-e.  A  group  of 
plants,  Hippocastanese,  included  in  the 
Sapindacea?.  The  horse-chestnut  belongs 
to  this  group. 

-ffisculapius,  'pe-us.  The  God  of 
Medicine,  son  of  Apollo  and  Coronis  (or 
Larissa) ;  Hygeia,  one  of  his  daughters  by 
Epione,  was  the  most  celebrated  of  his 
six  children,  all  famous  in  the  medical  art. 

iEsculus,  es'ku-lns.  A  gen.  of  trees 
and  shi-ubs,  ord.  Sapindace^e ;  the  horse- 
chestnut  and  allied  species. 

.SJsir,  c'ser.  The  general  name  for  the 
heathen  gods  of  Scandinavia. 

-ffisop,  'sop.  A  famous  Greek  fabulist, 
b.  in  Phrygia  in  the  6th  century  b.  c; 
sold  into  slavery  ho  obtained  his  freedom. 


ESTHETICS 


18 


AGALMATOLITE 


and  made  his  home  at  the  court  of  CrcD- 
Bus,  King  of  Lydla ;  sent  on  a  mission  to 
Delplii  in  Greece,  by  the  king,  he  offended 
the  citizens  by  his  tables,  and  Avas  assassi- 
nated. His  fables  were  not  reduced  to 
Avriting,  but  Mere  transmitted  througli 
tradition,  and  liave  come  down  to  the 
present  in  questionable  purity. 
..aEsthetics,  os-thet'iks.  The  science  of 
deducing  from  nature  and  taste  the 
rules  and  principles  of  art ;  that  branch  of 
philosophy  which  deals  with  the  beautiful. 
-ffistho-physiology,  'tho-flz'i-or'o-ji. 
The  physiology  of  sensation ;  which  treats 
of  the  organs  of  sense  and  the  parts  of  the 
body  which  exercise  subsidiary  functions. 
Aetheogaraous,  ri-e'the-og"a-mu3.  A 
term  apphed  to  such  plants  as  propagate 
themselves  in  an  unusual  manner,  as 
ferns,  lycopodiums,  and  their  allies. 
iEthrioscope,  eih^ri-o-skop.  An  In- 
strumout  for  measming  the  minute  varia- 
tions of  temperature  due  to  different  con- 
ditions of  the  sky. 

^thusa,  e-thii'sa.    A  gen.  of  poisonous 
plants,  ord.  Umbelliferae. 
Aetius,    a-e'shus.      A    Eoman    general 
who  defeated  the  Burgundians  and  Franks 
on    several  occasions,  and  forced    Stilla 
across  the  Rhine  ;  becoming  an  object  of 
jealousy  to  Yalentinianlll.,  the  Emperor, 
the  latter  slew  him  -with  his  own  hand,- 
A.  D.  454. 
Affluent,  af  flu-ent.     A  tributary  stream 
flowing  into  a  larger  one. 
Afflatus,   -flfi'tus.       Inspiration  ;    com- 
munication of  divine  knowledge  or  the 
power  of  prophecy ;  the  inspiration  of  the 
poet. 

Afforest,  -for' est.  To  convert  tillable 
gi'ound  into  forest,  as  was  done  by  the 
first  Norman  kings  of  England. 
Affronte,  -frunt-e.  Front  to  front ;  ani- 
mals that  face  each  other  aspoctant  on  an 
escutcheon,  a  bearing  otherwise  called 
confronte,  and  opposed  to  adorsed.  Fac- 
mg  the  spectator,  as  the  lion  in  the  crest 
of  Scotland. 

Afg'h.an,  'gan.  A  native  of  Afghanistan  ; 
a  kind  of  carriage  robe. 
Afgrhanistan,  -gan-is-tan'.  An  inland 
Asiatic  country,  lying  betwixt  78°  50'  and 
80°  30'  N.  lat.,  and  C2°  and  72°  80'  E.  Ion., 
containing  225,000  sq.  m.;  the  Cabul  and 
Helmund  are  the  principal  rivers.  The 
Afghans  area  proud  and  warlike  race,  and 
their  country  is  threatened  by  both  Russia 
and  England.  The  latter  invaded  A.  in 
187S-9,  and  after  severe  fighting  succeeded 
in  secm-ing  the  concessions  demanded. 


Africa,  af're-kah.  One  of  the  five  great 
divisions  of  the  earth,  bounded  N.  by  the 
Mediterranean  and  Strait  of  Gibraltar ;  E. 
by  Isthmus  of  Suez,  Red  Sea  and  Indian 
Ocean  ;  S.  by  Southern  Ocean  ;  W.  by  the 
Atlantic.  It  extends  from  lat.  87°  20'  N. 
to  34°  60'  S.,  about  5,000  m.,  and  from 
Ion.  67°  22'  E.  to  17°  32'  W.,  nearly  the 
same  distance,  its  area  being  12,000,000 
sq.  m.  It  has  14  principal  island  groups ; 
its  principal  mountain  ranges  are  the  Atlas 
and  Mountains  of  the  Moon  ;  its  largest 
rivers  the  Nile,  Niger  or  Quorra,  Senegal, 
Gambia,  Zaire,  Orange,  Zambesi  and  J  uba; 
its  knowTi  lakes,  Tchadda,  Dembca,  Lon- 
dieh,  Nyassa,  Victoria  and  Albert  N'yanza. 
The  inhabitants  include  Hottentots  and 
Caffres  in  the  S.,  negroes  in  the  center 
and  interior.  Moors  in  the  N.,  and  Oopts 
in  Egypt.  Its  principal  cities  are  Cairo, 
Alexandria,  Algiers  and  Tripoli  in  the  N., 
and  Capo  Town  in  the  S.  The  population 
is  estimated  at  150,000,000,  Central  A.  is 
almost  unknown  to  Europeans,  but  ia 
at  present  being  rapidly  explored  by  par- 
ties under  Stanley  and  others. 
African,  af'rik-an.  Pertaining  to  Africa. 
A.  hemp,  the  fiber  obtained  from  the  leaves 
of  the  Sanseviera  guineensis,  ord.  Lili- 
aceae.  A.  teak,  a  valuable  ship-building 
wood. 

Aftcastle,   aft'kas-1.      An  elevation    on 
the  after-part  of  ships  of  war. 
After-body,  aft'er-bo-di.    That  part  of 
a  ship's  hull  abaft  the  midships. 
After-cabin,  aft'er-kab-in.     The  best  or 
stern  cabin  of  a  vessel. 
After-damp,  aft'er-damp.   Choke-damp 
or  carbonic  acid,  found  in  coal  mines. 
After-grrowth.,  aft'er-groth.    A  second 
growth  or  crop  springing  up  after  a  pre- 
vious one  has  been  removed. 
After-peak,  aft'er-pek.    The  part  of  a 
vessel's  hold  which  lies  in  the  run  or  after- 
most part  of  the  hold. 
Agra,  a'ga.     A  Turkish  commander  or 
chief  ofiicer.    The  title  is  given  to  various 
officers  and  to  great  landholders,  and  to 
the  higher  officers  of  the  sultan's  seraglio. 
Agrallocbum,  a-gal'lok-um,     A  name 
given  to  two  kinds  of  fragrant  wood  used 
by  the  Orientals  for  perfume.    The  agal- 
lochum  of  Cochin-China  is  obtained  from 
Aloexylon  Agallochum  ;  while  the  Indian 
variety  is  the  Aquilaria  Agallocha.     Both 
vield  resin  and  an  essential  oil  which  is 
the  highly  esteemed  perfume  used  as  in- 
cense in  religious  ceremonies. 
Ag"almatolite,  a-gal-mat'o-llt.    A  soft 
clay-slate  stono  found  in  China,  resem- 
bling steatite. 


AGAMA 


19 


AGEKDITM 


Agrazaa,  ag'a-ma.  A  gen.  of  small  sau- 
rian reptiles,  fam.  Iguanidae, 

Ag'axni,  ag'a-mi.  The  Psophia  crepitans; 
agrallatorialbird,  fam.  Gruidse,  the  golden- 
breasted  trumpeter. 

Agraroic,  a-gam'ik.  Applied  to  reproduc- 
tion without  the  congress  of  individuals 
of  the  opposite  sex. 

Ag'aiaidae,  a-gam'i-de.  A  fam.  of  lacer- 
tyian  reptiles,  alUed  to  the  Iguanidffi. 

Asamist,  ag'am-ist.  One  "wlio  refuses 
or  rejects  marriage. 

As'apanthus,  ag-a-pan'thus.  A  smull 
gen.  of  perennial  plants  belonging  to  the 
ord.  Liliaceae. 

Agrapa,  ag'a-pe.  Among  the  primitive 
Ciu-istians  a  love-feast  or  feast  of  charity, 
■Nv^hen  contributions  were  made  for  the 
poor.  Such  feasts  were  held  at  first  with- 
out scandal,  but  afterward  being  abused, 
they  Avere  condemned  at  the  Council  of 
Carthage,  a.  d.  39T. 

Agramexunon,  ag-a-mem'non.  The 
commanding  Greek  general  at  the  siege 
of  Troy,  murdered  by  his  wife  Clytemnes- 
tra  and  her  paramonr  Agethus,  after  his 
return  from  the  destruction  of  Troy. 

Ag-apemone,  ag-a-pem'o-ne.  The  abode 
of  love  ;  an  association  of  men  and  wo- 
men hving  promiscuously  on  a  common 
fund. 

Agar-agrar,  ii'gar-a'gar.  [N^ative  name 
of  Ce\-lon  moss  or  Bengal  isinglass. 

Agraric,  a-gar'ik.  One  of  the  fungi  that 
form  the  gen.  Agaricus.  A.  mineral,  or 
moimtein-meal,  native  carbonates  of  lime  ; 
a  stone  of  loose  consistence  found  in  Tus- 
cany, of  which  bricks  may  bo  made  so 
light  as  to  lloat  in  water.  A  hydratcd 
silicate  of  magnesium,  mixed  mth  lime, 
alumina  and  iron. 

Agraricia,  a-ga-rish'i-a.  The  mushroom 
madrepore,  a  gen.  of  coral  madrepores. 
Agraricini,  a-gar'i-sr'ni.  A  group  of 
fungi  having  the  fruit-bearing  surface  ar- 
ranged in  radiating  gills,  as  mushrooms 
and  toad-stools. 

Ag"aricus,  a-gar'ik-us.  A  large  gen.  of 
ftingi,  characterized  by  having  a  fleshy 
cap  or  pileus,  and  radiating  plates  or  gills 
on  which  are  produced  the  naked  spores. 
Over  a  thousand  species  are  known,  ar- 
ranged in  five  sections  according  to  the 
color  of  their  spores.  Many  are  edible, 
liko  the  common  mushroom,  while  others 
are  deleterious  and  even  poisonous. 
Agrassiz,  Louis,  ag'gas-se.  An  eminent 
Swiss  naturalist,  b.  1S07,  immigrated  to 
America  in  1S4C,  and  in  1847  became  Prof. 


of  Zoology  and  Geology  at  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, later  a  non-resident  professor  of 
Cornell  College,   Ithaca,   N.  Y.     He  was 
the  author  of  several  standard  works  on 
Natural  History,  Fishes,  and  Comparative 
Physiology  ;  d.  Dec.  14,  1873. 
Agrate,  ag'at.    A  siliceous,  semi-pellucid 
compound  mineral,   consisting  or  bands 
or  layers  of  various   colors  blended   to- 
gether, the  base  generally  being  chalced- 
ony, and  mLxed  >dth  jasper,  amethyst, 
quartz,  opal,  heliotrope  and  carnelian  ;  in 
some  agates  vegetable  or  animal  remains 
are  imbedded.     Agato  is  chiefly  found  in 
trap-rocks  and  serpentine,  often  in  the 
form  of  nodules,  called  geodes ;  they  .'•ro 
the  least  valuable  of  the  precious  stones  ; 
an  instrument  used  by  goid-Avire  drawers  ; 
the  cap  for  the  pivots  of  the  compass- 
cards,  formed  of  a  hard  sUiceous  stone,  a 
chalcedony  or  carnelian.    In  printing,  a 
size  of  type. 
AgrathodeeinoZL,  ag'ath-6-de''mon.  The 
good  genius  or  spirit,  to  whom  the  an- 
cient   Greeks   drank  a  cup  of  unmixed 
wine  at  the  end  of  every  repast. 
Agratliosma,  a-ga-thoz'ma.    A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  liutaceae. 
Agrathotes,     a-gath'o-tez.  ,  A    gen.     of 
plants  found  m  India,  ord.  Gentianaceai. 
Agave,  a-ga'- 
v6.    A  gen.  of 
plants,    ord. 
Amary  1 1 1  da- 
ce,"©,  compre- 
hending   the 
American 
aloe.  The  best 
known    spe- 
cies   is    A. 
americana, 
which    jields 
many  Import- 
ant products. 
The  sap  pro- 
duces,   when 
fermented,    a 
beveriigo    re- 
sembling   ci- 
der, called  by 
the  Mexicans 
pulque.    The 
fibers  of  the 
leaves  are  formed  into  thread  and  ropes, 
and  an  extract  of  the  leaves  is  used  as  a 
substitute  for  soap  ;  the  flower-stem,  Avhen 
A%itliered,  is  cut  up  into  razor-strops. 
Agrendum,  a-jen'dum.  Something  which 
a  man  is  bound  to  perform,  in  opposition 
to  credendum,  Koraoihing  he  U  bound  to 
believe.    A  church  ritiuU  or  liturgy. 


American  Aloe. 


AGEEATUM 


20 


AGOUTI 


Agreratum,    a-jor'a-tu7n.      A    gen,    of 
plants,  ord.  Compositoe. 
Agg-lomerate,  ag-glorn'or-fit.    A  collec- 
tive name  for  angular  fragments  ejected 
from  volcanoes  ;  when  worn  and  rounded 
by  water  it  is  called  a  conglomerate. 
Agrincoxxrt,    ah-zhan'koor.      A    French 
village,  Dep't  of  Pas-de-Calais,  celebrated 
for  the  great  -victory  gained  by  Henry  V. 
of  England  over  the  French  in  1415. 
Ag-io,  a'ji-o.     The  difference  in  value  be- 
tween paper  money  and  metallic  coin. 
Ag-iosymandron,    a'ji-o-si-man"dron. 
An  instrument  of  wood  or  metal  used  by 
Christians  in  place  of  bells,  in  countries 
subject  to  the  Turks,  who  forbid  then- 
use. 

Ag"laia,  ag-la'i-a.  One  of  the  three 
Graces.  A  small  planet  or  asteriod  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 
Ag-let,  ag'let.  A  tag  or  metal  sheathing 
of  a  lace  or  of  the  points  or  ribbons,  used 
in  the  16th  and  ITth  centuries  to  fasten  or 
tie  dresses,  and  are  still  used  in  the  form 
of  tagged  points  or  braid  hanging  from  the 
shoulder  in  some  military  uniforms.  A 
pendant  at  the  ends  of  some  stamens  of 
flowers,  as  in  the  rose  and  tulip. 
Ag-nation,  ag-na'shon.  Eolation  by  the 
father's  side  only;  distinct  from  cognation, 
which  includes  descent  in  the  male  and 
female  lines. 
Ag-noetae,  ag-nc'te.  A  sect  of  the  4th 
century,  followers  of  Theophronius  the 
Oappadocian,  who  questioned  the  om- 
nLscience  of  God.  A  sect  o;  the  6th  cen- 
toiir,  followers  of  Themistius,  deacon  of 
Alexandria,  who  held  that  Christ,  as  man, 
was  ignorant  of  many  things,  and  specifi- 
cally of  the  time  of  the  day  of  judgment. 
Agnus  Dei, 
ag'n us  d e ' i . 
One  of  the  titles 
of  Christ.  In  E. 
C.  Church  a 
medal,  or  cake 
of  wax,  conse- 
crated by  the 
pope,  stamped 
with  the  ligure 
of  a  lamb  sup- 
porting  the 
banner  of  the 
cross.  A  pray-  Agnus  Dei  that  belonged 
er  in  the  office  to  Carlemagne. — From 
of  the  mass  be-  Aix-la-Chapelle  Cathe- 
ginning  with  dral. 
these  words.  In 

the  Greek  Church,  the  cloth  which  covers 
the  communion  service,  bearing  the  figure 
of  a  lamb. 


Agnel,  ag'nel.  An  ancient  French  coin, 
value  12  sols,  6  deniers,  bearing  the  figure 
of  the  [tascal  lamb. 

Agnomen,  ag-no'men.  An  additional 
name  given  by  the  Ilomans  to  an  indi- 
vidual in  allusion  to  some  quality,  circum- 
stance, or  achievement  b\^  which  he  was 
distinguished,  as  Africanus  added  to  P. 
Cornelius  Scipio. 

Agnostic,  ag-nos'tik.  One  of  a  school 
who  disclaim  any  knowledge  of  God  or  of 
the  origin  of  the  universe. 

Agnus  Castus,  ag'nus  kas'tus.  A 
species  of  Vitex,  ord.  Verbenaceap,  called 
chaste,  and  having  attributed  to  it  th* 
imagined  virtue  of  preserving  chastity. 

Agnus  Scjrtliicus,  ag'nus  sith'ik-us. 
The  Scythian  lamb,  a  name  applied  to  the 
rhizome  of  the  fern  Cibotium  barometz, 
which  is  covered  viith  silky  fibrous  hairs. 
When  inverted  and  artificially  trimmed  it 
somewhat  resembles  a  small  lamb. 

Agonic,  a-gonik.  Not  forming  an  an- 
gle. A.  lines,  two  lines  on  the  earth's 
surface,  on  which  the  magnetic  needle 
points  to  the  true  north,  or  where  the 
magnetic  meridian  coincides  with  the 
geographical.  Although  they  extend 
from  south  to  north,  they  do  not  coincide 
■svith  the  meridians,  but  intersect  them 
under  diflferent  angles. 

Agonist,  ag'o-nist.  One  who  contends 
for  the  prize  in  public  games ;  a  combat- 
ant; a  champion.  A  name  given  by 
Donatus  to  such  of  his  disciples  as  he 
sent  to  contend  for  the  truth  by  preach- 
ing at  markets  and  fairs. 

Agonothete,  a-go'no-thet.  An  oflicial 
who  presided  over  the  public  games  in 
Greece. 

Agora,  ag'd-ra.  The  public  square  and 
market-place  of  a  Greek  town,  answering 
to  the  forum  of  the  Eomans. 

Agosta,  ah-gos-tah.  A  seaport  of  Sicily, 
off  which  the  Dutch  fleet  under  DeEuy- 
ter  were  defeated  by  the  French  under 
Duquesne,  1676. 

Agouara,  a-go'a-ra.  A  species  of  rac- 
coon, called  also  the  crab-eating  raccoon, 
from  its  habit  of  eating  crustaceans  ^nd 
mollusks. 

Agouti,  -go'ti.  The  Indian  name  of  sev- 
eral species  of  rodent  mammals,  fam. 
Cavida?,  gen.  Dasyprocta  or  Chloromys. 
The  common  agouti,  or  yellow-rumped 
cavy,  is  the  size  of  a  rabbit.  It  burrows, 
lives  on  vegetables,  is  voracious  as  a  pig, 
and  makes  a  similar  gi-unting  noise.  It 
holds  its  food  in  its  fore-paws  like  a  squir- 
rel.   Its  flesh  is  white  and  delicate. 


AGOUTA 


21 


AIE-CHAMBER 


Ag'outa,  -{?i)'ta.    Au  insectivorous  mam- 
mal, fain.  Talpidse,  and  tiie  sole  member 


Agouta. 

of  the  gen.  Solenodon.  It  is  so  puzzling 
to  naturalists  that  it  has  received  the 
name  of  S.  imradoxus.  It  has  the  fur, 
ears  and  tail  of  the  opossum,  but  the 
teeth  and  elongated  nose  of  the  shrew.  It 
is  of  the  size  of  a  rat,  and  not  imlike  one. 

A&raphis,  'ra-fis.  A  gen.  of  plants  be- 
longing to  the  Liliacete,  and  nearly  allied 
to  tlie  squills  and  hj^  acinths. 

Ag-rimonia,  -ri-mo'ni-a.  A  gen.  of  per- 
ennial plants,  ord.  Ilosaceae ;  agrimony. 
Its  leaves  and  root-stock  are  astringent, 
and  the  latter  yields  a  yellow  dye. 

Agriopes,  -gri'6-pes.  A  gen.  of  acan- 
thopterygious  fishes,  fam.  Cataphracti, 
distinguished  from  most  other  genera  by 
having  only  nine  rays  in  the  pectoral  fins. 

Ag-rippinian,  -grip-pin'i-an.  A  follow- 
er of  Agrippinus,  bishop  of  Carthage  in 
the  3d  century,  who  first  taught  and  de- 
fended the  doctrine  of  rebaptism. 

Agrippa,  Marcus  Vipsaniiis,  ah- 
grip'pah.  A  Koman  general  and  states- 
man to  whom  Augustus  was  indebted  for 
the  victory  at  Actium,  which  made  him 
master  of  the  Avorld  ;  u.  63  n.c,  n.  12. 

AgTOStis,  a-gros'tis.  A  gen.  of  grasses, 
valuable  as  pasture  grasses,  and  distin- 
guished by  having  membranous  and  awn- 
loss  empty  glumes. 

AgTiardiente,  a'gwar-de-ent"a.  A  sec- 
ond-class brandy  made  from  the  red  wines 
of  Spain  and  Portugal,  or  refuse  of  the 
grapes  left  in  the  wine-press,  the  scrapings 
of  casks  and  vats,  and  deposits  in  bottles. 
A  Mexican  drink  distilled  from  the  agave. 

AgTia-toad,  a'gwa-tod.  A  gigantic  spe- 
cies of  toad  found  in  intertropical  America 
and  the  West  Indies ;  it  utters  a  loud 
snoring  kind  of  bellow. 

Agrue,  a'gu.  The  cold  fit  or  rigor  which 
precedes  a  fever  or  a  paroxvsm  of  fever  in 
intermittents.  A  periodical  fever,  quotid- 
ian, tertian,  or  quartan. 

Affue-drop,  a'gu-drop.  A  solution  of 
the  arsenite  of  potassiiim  ;  also  known  as 
Fowler's  Solution. 


Ag^nious,  a'jin-us.  Applied  to  plants 
having  no  female  organs. 
Ahab,  a'hab.  An  idolatrous  King  of 
Israel,  husband  of  the  wicked  Jezebel,  who 
was  defeated  and  slain  by  the  Syrians ; 
reigned  from  980  to  909  b.  c. 
Ahriman,  ii'ri-man.  The  evil  genius  or 
demon,  according  to  the  dualistic  doctrine 
of  Zoroaster  ;  the  king  of  darkness  and  of 
death,  and  the  eternal  foe  of  Ormuzd  and 
his  kingdom  of  light  and  life. 

Aide-de-camp,  ad-de-kon.  An  officer 
whose  duty  it  is  to  receive  and  communi- 
cate the  orders  of  a  general  oflicer. 

Aigremore,  fi'ger-mor.  Charcoal  when 
prepared  for  the  making  of  gunpowder. 

Aignille,  a'gwil.  An  instrument  used 
for  piercing  a  rock,  for  the  lodgment  oi 
gunpowder  in  a  mine  or  blast-hole.  The 
needle-like  points  or  tops  of  granite  and 
other  crystalline  rocks  and  mountain 
masses,  and  ice  on  glaciers. 

Aignillette,  a'gwil-et.  A  point  or  tag 
at  the  end  of  a  fringe  or  lace.  A  tagged 
point  hanging  down  ft-om  the  shoulder  ; 
also,  a  braid  or  cord  worn  from  shoulder 
to  shoulder  in  miUtary  uniforms. 

Aigruise,  ii-gwez-a.  In  Her.  applied  to  a 
cross  with  its  four  ends  sharpened,  but 
so  as  to  terminate  in  obtuse  angles. 

Ailanthus,  a-lan'thus.  A  gen.  of  large 
timber  trees,  ord.  Simarubacete. 

Ailette,  al-let'.  One  of  the  small  square 
shields  of  arms  worn  upon  the  shoulders 
of  knights  during  the  middle  ages  ;  the 
prototype  of  the  modern  epaulet. 

Ailums,  al-ii'rus.  A  gen.  of  carnivorous 
quadrupeds,  fam.  Ursida\  A.  refulgens, 
the  only  known  species,  is  the  panda. 

Air,  ar.  The  fluid  which  we  breathe.  At- 
mospheric A.  is  composed  by  volume  of  20 
or  21  oxygen  and  80  or  T9  nitrogen ;  by 
weight,  of  23  oxygen  to  77  nitrogen.  The 
body  of  A.  surrounding  the  earth  is  called 
the  atmosphere. 

Aira,  ar'a.  Hair-grass,  a  gen.  belonging 
to  the  ord.  Gramtnea?. 

Air-casing,  ar'kas-ing.  An  au--tight 
casing  of  sheet-iron  around  a  pipe  to  pre- 
vent undue  transmission  of  heat  or  cold. 

Air-cell,  ar'sel.  One  of  the  cavities  in 
the  leaves,  stems,  or  other  parts  of  plants, 
containing  air.  The  bronchial  cells  con- 
stituting the  texture  of  the  lungs.  The 
dilatations  of  the  trachea  in  insects  form- 
ing the  respiratory  apparatus. 

Air-diamber,  ar'cham-ber.  A  cavity 
in  a  hydraulic  machine,  as  a  fire-engine, 
the  air  in  which,  on  being  compressed  by 


AIR-CONDENSEK 


ALABAMA 


the  admission  of  water,  acts  as  a  spring, 
and  equalizes  the  flow  of  the  liquid. 

Air-condenser,  ar-kon-dens'er.  An  ap- 
paratus for  condensing  air. 

Air-cone,  ar'lvon.  A  cone  in  a  marine 
engine  to  receive  the  gases  which  enter 
the  liot-well  from  the  air-pump. 

Air-course,  ar'kors.  A  general  name 
for  the  ])assages  in  a  coal-mine  intended 
for  ventilation. 

Air-eng-ine,  ar'en-jin.  An  engine  in 
wliich  air,  heated  or  compressed,  is  em- 
ployed as  a  motive  power. 

Air-g'as,  rir'gas.  An  inflammable  illu- 
minating gas  made  by  charging  atmos- 
pheric air  with  vapors  of  petroleum,  naph- 
tha, or  similar  substance,  called  gasoHne, 
which  must  evaporate  yvith.  great  readi- 
ness. 

Air-gun,  ar'gim.  A  gwa  in  which  highly- 
condensed  air  is  used  to  project  the  ball ; 
it  is  shaped  lilce  a  rifle,  a  hollow  spherical 
ball,  into  which  air  has  been  forced  by  a 
condensing  syringe,  being  attached  to  it 
and  serving  as  a  reservoir. 

Air-lock,  ar'lok.  An  air-tight  cham- 
ber in  a  caisson  in  which  operations 
are  being  carried  on  under  water. 

Air-machine,  ar'ma-shen.  The  appa- 
ratus by  which  pure  air  is  forced  into  parts 
of  mines  badly  ventilated. 

Air-port,  ar'pdrt.  Large  scuttles  in 
ships'  bows  or  sides  for  the  admission  of 
air. 

Air-pump, 
ar'pump.  A 
pn  e  u  m  a  t  i  c 
machine  for 
the  purpose 
of  exhausting 
the  air  from 
a  closed  ves- 
sel called  a 
receiver,  and 
thereby  pro- 
ducing a  vac- 
uum, which,  Air-pump, 
however,    is 

only  partial.  It  exhausts  the  air  from  the 
receiver  by  means  of  a  piston,  Avith  valve, 
working  in  a  cylindrical  tube,  after  the 
manner  of  a  common  pump.  The  A.  P. 
of  a  steam-engine  is  used  to  draw  the  con- 
densing Avater  and  condensed  steam  otf 
from  the  condenser. 

Air-sac,  ar'sak.  One  of  the  membranous 
i-eceptacles  of  air  lodged  in  the  hollow 
bones,  the  cavities  of  the  body  and  quifls 
of  birds,  and  communicating  with  the 
lungs. 


Air-shaft,  ar'shaft.  A  passage  for  air 
into  a  mine,  usually  perpendicular,  and 
meeting  tiie  horizontal  passages,  causing 
a  free  circulation. 

Air-thermometer,  ar'tluT-mom"et-cr, 
A  thormometor  in  whicli  air  is  employed 
as  a  substitute  for  mercury  and  spirit  ol 
Avine. 

Aisle,  n.  The  Aving  of  a  building  ;  tho 
lateral  divisions  of  a  cathedral  or  church, 
separated  from  the  central  })art,  called  tho 
nave  and  cJioir,  by  pillars  or  piers. 

Aix-beds,  as'bedz.  Thick  fresh-Avater 
tertiary  strata,  consisting  of  calcareous 
marls,  calcareo-siliccous  grits  and  gyp- 
sum, and  full  of  fossil  fishes,  insects  and 
plants. 

Aix-la-Chapelle.  A  frontier  city  of 
W.  Prussia,  celebrated  from  the  5th  cen- 
tury ;  its  cathedral,  built  in  796,  Avas  the 
scene  of  the  coronation  of  the  German 
Emperors  down  to  the  16tli  century,  and 
many  of  the  most  celebrated  treaties  of 
history  Avere  concluded  Avithin  it.  It  was 
the  favorite  residence  of  Charlemagne, 
and  is  noted  for  its  hot  baths  ;  pop.  76,000. 

Aizoon,  a-zo'on.  A  gen.  of  prostrate 
herbaceous  plants,  ord.  Eicoidea;,  contain- 
ing about  twenty  species. 

Ajaccio,  ah-yat'cho.  Napoleon's  birth- 
place, on  tlie  island  of  Corsica. 

Ajax,  a'jiiks.  The  name  of  tvA'O  Grecian 
heroes  at  the  siege  of  Troy.  One,  son  of 
Telamon,  king  of  Salamis,  having  unsuc- 
cessfully contended  with  Ulysses  for  the 
arms  of  Achilles,  became  insane  and  com- 
mitted suicide.  The  other,  son  of  Oilus, 
king  of  Locris,  Avas  only  second  to  Achilles 
in  tieetness ;  he  Avas  drowned  Avhile  re- 
turning from  Troy  through  having  of- 
fended Neptune  and  Minerva. 

Ajuga,  a-ju-ga.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Labiatfe. 

Akbar,  ak'bar.  The  most  distinguished 
of  Mogul  sultans,  who  began  his  reign 
over  the  Punjaub  at  the  age  of  14;  he 
endeavored  to  imite  all  the  Ilindu  nations, 
and  after  long  and  seAcre  wars  succeeded 
in  extending  his  dominion  over  15  prov- 
inces, nearly  the  Avhole  of  India:  b. 
1542,  D.  1605. 

Akheer,  ak'ber.  A  red  poAvder  throAvn 
oji  the  clothes  and  person  at  Hindu  fes- 
tivals. 

Akee,  a-kC.  The  fruit  of  Blighia  sapida, 
ord.  Sapindacea3. 

Alabama,  a-lil-bah-mjih.  One  of  tho 
southern  United  States,  originally  a  part 
of  Georgia,  but  admitted  as  an  independent 
state  in  1809 ;  A.  seceded  Jan.  11, 1861, 


ALABANDINE 


AIDANT 


and  the  first  Confederate  Congress  met  in 
Montgomery,  its  capital,  electing'  Jefl'erson 
Davis  President,  and  Alexander  H. 
Stephens  Vice-President.  She  was  re- 
admitted to  the  Union  npon  the  adoption 
of  a  new  constitution  in  1S67.  Her  popula- 
tion in  1880  was  1,262,505 ;  661,030  white ; 
600,103  negroes;  1,372  Indians.  Her 
principal  rivers  are  the  Alabama,  Tennes- 
see and  Tombigbee ;  principal  cities,  Mo- 
bile, Montgomery,  Sclma  and  Huntsville. 
The  Alleghany  Moimtains,  in  the  western 
part,  extend  to  AvlthLa  60  m.  of  the  Gulf 
coast. 

Alabandine,  al-a-ban'din.  Manganese 
glance  or  blende  ;  a  sulphide  of  manganese. 

Alabarch.es,  al-a-bar'kcz.  In  ancient 
times,  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  Jews  in 
Alexandria,  whose  duty  lay  chielly  in  rais- 
ing and  pa>ing  taxes. 

Alabaster,  al'a-bas-ter.  A  marble-like 
mineral  of  which  there  are  two  well-known 
varieties — the  gypseous  and  the  calcareous; 
the  former  a  crystalUne  granular  variety 
of  sulphate  of  calcium  or  gypsum.  Being 
soft  it  can  be  formed  by  the  lathe  or  knife 
into  small  works  of  art.  Calcareous  A. 
is  a  variety  of  carbonate  of  hme  occurring 
as  a  stalactite  or  stalagmite  in  caverns  of 
limestone  rocks.  A  vessel  for  holding 
odoriferous  liquors  or  ointments. 

Alactagra,  a-lak-ta'ga.  The  jumping 
rabbit  of  Siberia,  a  rodent,  fam.  Dipodida?. 

Aladinist,  a-lad'in-ist.  A  free-thinker 
among  the  Mohammedans. 

A-la-grecque,  a-lii-grek.  A  name  for 
one  of  the  varieties  of  the  fret  ornament, 
used  for  running  freizes,  borders,  &c.,  and 
frequently  seen  in  ancient  lioman  pave- 
ments. 

Alameda,  a-la-me'da.  A  public  walk  in 
Spain,  planted  wth  trees. 

Alant,  aFant.  In  Her.  a  mastiff  dog  with 
short  ears. 

Alaria,  a-la'ri-a.    A  gen.  of  Algse.    The 

,  membranous  frond  Is  from  3  to  20  feet 
long  and  has  a  thick  midrib. 

Alaric  I.,  al'ah-rik.  King  of  the  Visi- 
goths, who  captured  and  plundered  Eome 
in  410  ;  b.  350,  d.  410.  A.  II.  was  crowned 
in  484,  and  killed  in  a  battle  with  Clovis, 
king  of  France,  in  507;  he  formulated 
the  body  of  laws  known  as  the  Brevarium 
Alaricianum. 

Alarm-g-aug-e,  a-larm'gaj.  An  auto- 
matic contrivance  in  a  steam-engine  by 
which  notice  is  given  when  the  pressure 
of  steam  becomes  too  high,  or  the  water 
too  low  in  the  boiler. 


Alaska,  a-las'kah.  The  extreme  N.W. 
territory  of  the  U.  8.,  purchased  from 
Russia  in  1868  for  $7,500,000,  the  Aleutian 
Island  being  included  in  the  Iran  sfer.  The 
total  population,  Russians,  Aleuts,  In- 
dians and  a  few  Americans,  is  estimated 
at  150,000.  Congress  is  now  (1883)  con- 
sidering a  bill  providing  for  a  tei-ritorial 
government. 

Alasmodon,  a-las'mo-don.  A  gen.  of 
bivalve  mollusks,  the  river  pearl-mussels. 

Ala-Tag'h.,  ah-lah-dag'.  Principal  moun- 
tain range  in  Asiatic  Turkey,  extending 
from  Mt.  Ararat. 

Alated,  a'lat-ed.  "Winged;  having  mem- 
branous expansions  like  wings.  Shells 
having  an  expanded  lip. 

Alauda,  a-la'da.  The  gen.  of  insessorial 
birds  to  which  the  lark  belongs,  distin- 
guished for  their  ^^gilance  and  their  sing- 
ing on  the  wiag. 

Alb,  alb.  A  clerical 
vesment  worn  by  R.  C. 
priests  while  officiating 
in  the  more  solemn 
functions  of  the  divine 
office.  It  is  a  long  robe 
of  white  linen,  bound 
round  the  waist  by  a 
cincture.  In  front  at 
the  foot,  embroider}'  or 
orphrey-work  is  attach- 
ed, and  at  the  -svrlsts 
several  enrichments  ap- 
pear. It  was  originally 
the  common  dress  of 
ecclesiasts. 

Alba,  or  Alba,  Fer- 
dinand Alvarez 
de  Toledo,  Duke  of.  A  distinguished 
Spanish  General,  governor  of  the  Nether- 
lands, whose  cruel  rule  led  to  the  inde- 
pendence of  that  country ;  b.  1508,  i>. 
1582.     He  was  never  defeated  in  battle. 

Albacore,  'ba-kor.  A  name  given  to 
several  fishes  of  the  tunny  or  mackerel 
kind. 

Albadara,  -ba-da'ra.  The  Arabian  cabal- 
istic name  for  the  sesamoid  joint  of  the 
great  toe,  to  which  extraordinary  gifts 
were  anciently  ascribed. 

Albany,  al'ba-ne.  A  county  and  city  of 
the  State  of  New  Tork,  the  latter  being 
the  capital ;  situated  at  the  junction  of  the 
Erie  Canal  and  Hudson  River,  141  m.  N.  of 
N.  Y.  aty ;  it  has  a  population  of  100,000  ,• 
the  capitol  building,  still  unfinished,  wUl 
cost  when  completed  about  $20,000,000, 
and  will  be  one  of  the  largest  and  finest 
public  buildings  in  the  world. 


Alb. 


ALBANS,  ST. 


24 


ALCHEMY 


Albatross. 


Albans,  St.,  aul'bans.  A  borough,  of 
ILcrtford  Co.,  England,  celebrated  for  the 
victory  of  lilchard,  Duke  of  York,  over 
Henry  VI.,  May  22,  1456,  and  the  defeat 
of  Warwick  by  Margaret  of  Anjou,  Feb.  2, 
14G1.  It  also  possesses  an  abbey,  found- 
ed in  79G  in  honor  of  St.  Alban,  the  first 
Christian  martyr  in  Britain. 

Albata,  -bfi'ta.  An  alloj-  of  nickel,  zinc, 
tin  and  copper,  often  -with  antimony  and 
silver,  mMo  into  spoons,  forks,  teapots, 
&c. 

Albatross,  'ba- 
tros.  An  aquatic 
natatorial  bird, 
fam .  Procellariadas, 
of  which  the  wan- 
dering albatross  is 
the  best  known 
species.  It  is  the 
largest  sea-bird, 
and  has  been 
known  to  accompany  ships  for  whole  days 
without  ever  resting  on  the  waves.  It  is 
regarded  with  feelings  of  attachment  and 
superstitious  awe  by  sailors. 

Abigrenses,  -bi-jens'ez.  A  party  of  re- 
formers who  separated  from  the  Church 
of  liome  in  the  12th  centmy,  and  were 
ruthlessly  persecuted  ;  so  called  from  Al- 
bigeois,  a  small  territory  round  Albi,  a 
town  of  Languedoc  in  France. 

Albin,  ''bin.  A  mineral  of  an  opaque 
white  color,  a  variety  of  Bohemian  apo- 
phylite. 

Albino,  -bl'no.  A  person  of  pale,  milky 
complexion,  with  hght  hair  and  pink  eyes, 
occasionally  found  among  aU  races  of  men ; 
apphed  to  animals. 

Albion,  al'bi-on.  An  ancient  name  of 
Britain,  gradually  restricted  to  Scotland. 

Albite,  al'blt.  Tetrartoprismatic  fels- 
par ;  soda  felspar. 

Alborak,  al-bo'rak.  The  white  mule 
on  which  Mohammed  is  said  to  have 
ioimieyed  from  the  temple  of  Jerusa- 
lem to  heaven. 

Albtig-inea,  al-bu-jin'e-a.  The  white 
fibrous  coating  of  the  eye;  also,  the 
tough  fibrous  coating  of  the  testacies. 

Album,  al'bum.  In  Eom.  antiq.  a 
wliite  tablet,  on  which  the  names  of  public 
officers  and  also  public  transactions  were 
written  do-\ra.  A  blank  book  in  which 
may  be  inserted  autographs  or  pieces  of 
poetry  or  pi-ose.  A  book  for  preser\-ing 
photographic  views,  cartes  de  xisite,  <kc. 

Albumen,  al-bu'men.  A  proximate 
principle,  entering  into  the  composition 
of  the  animal  and  vegetable  fluids  and 


sohds,  composed  of  carbon,  hydrogen, 
nitrogen  and  oxvgen,  vdih.  a  httle  sul- 

i)hur.  It  abounds  in  the  serum  of  the 
)lood,  the  humors  of  the  eye,  the  fluid  of 
dropsy,  the  coagulablc  lymph,  in  nutritive 
matters,  the  juice  of  flesh,  &c.  i 

Album  Grsecunx,  al'bum  gre'kura.  ■ 
The  excrement  of  dogs,  Avolves,  &c., 
Avhich,  from  exposure  to  the  au-,  becomes 
white  like  chalk.  It  was  formerly  used 
as  a  medicine,  and  is  stfll  used  by  tanners 
to  soften  leather. 

Albuminin,  al-bu'min-in.  Oonin;  the 
substiinco  of  the  cells  inclosing  the  white 
of  birds'  eggs.  It  contains  no  nitrogen, 
and  dissolves  in  caustic  potash. 

Albuera,  al'bwa-rah.  A  Spanish 
town,  prov.  of  Estremadura,  the  scene  of 
the  sanguinary  battle  between  the  French 
under  Marshal  Soult  and  the  British  and 
Spanish  under  Lord  Beresford,  ISll. 

Alcaic,  al-kil'ik.  Pertaining  to  Alcaeus, 
a  lyric  poet  of  Mitylene,  in  Lesbos,  who 
flourished  about  the  close  of  the  7th  and 
beginning  of  the  6th  century  b.  o. 

Alcaid,  al-kad'.  In  Spain,  Portugal, 
&c.,  a  commander  of  a  fortress  ;  the  chief 
civil  magistrate  of  a  city ;  also,  a  jailer. 

Alcala  de  Henares,  ul-kah'lah  da 
ain-air'ez.  The  birthplace  of  Cervantes, 
prov.  of  New  Castelo,  Spain  ;  also  noted 
as  the  place  where  Cardinal  Ximenes' 
Potyglot  Bible  was  printed. 

Alcalde,  al-kii-da.  A  Spanish  magis- 
trate. 

Alcarraza,  al-ka-ra'za.  A  vessel  of  po- 
rous pottery  manufactured  in  Spain  and 
used  for  cooling  water. 

Alcazar,  al-ka-zar.  A  fortress :  ap- 
phed also  to  the  royal  palaces  in  Spain. 

Alcedinidae,  al-se-diu'l-de.  A  fam.  of 
fissirostral  insessorial  birds,  the  king- 
fishers, typical  gen.  Alcedo. 

Alces,  al'scs.  A  gen.  of  the  Cervida)  or 
deer  fam.,  the  elk.  It  is  the  size  of  a 
horse, 

Alcbemilla,  al-ke-mil1a.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  liosaceos ;  lady's  mantle, 

Alcbemy,  al'ke-mi.  Ancient  chemistiy, 
the  students  of  which  were  deficient  In 
theoretical  views,  and  pm-sued  in  their 
experiments  delusive  ends,  such  as  the 
discovery  of  the  phflosopher's  stone, 
which  was  to  transmute  base  metals  into 
gold,  to  be  a  panacea  for  diseases,  and  an 
alkahest  or  universal  solvent.  The  doc- 
trines and  practice  of  those  who  dabbled 
in  sxich  arts.  Formerly  a  mixed  metal 
Tised  for  utensils,  a  modification  of  br'ass. 


'ALCIBLiDES 


25 


^  ALEMBERT 


Alcibiades,  al-se-bi'a-diz.  A  celebrated 
Athenian  warrior  and  statesman,  the  fav- 
orite pupil  of  Socrates  ;  b.  450,  n.  404  b.  o. 
Alcinae,  al-si'nc.  The  auks,  a  sub-fam. 
of  natatorial  sea-birds,  fam.  ^ilcidse.  It 
comprehends  the  genera  Alca  or  auks 
proper,  and  fraterciila  or  puffins. 
Alcmanian,  alk-mu'ni-an.  Pertaining 
to  Alcman,  a  Greek  lyric  i)oet  of  the  Tth 
century  b.  o.,  celebrated  for  his  amorous 
verses. 

Alco,  al'ko.  A  variety  of  dog  with  a 
small  head  and  Large  pendulous  ears, 
foimd  in  Mexico  and  Peru. 
Alcohol,  arko-hol.  A  liquid  forming  the 
intoxicating  principle  of  all  vinous  and 
spirituous  Squors,  formed  by  the  fenp<',n- 
tation  of  aqueous  sugar  solutions,  ana  6y 
the  destructive  distillation  of  organic 
bodies,  as  coal.  Absolute  or  pure  A.  is 
a  transparent  fluid,  of  a  pleasant  or 
spirituous  smell  and  burning,  taste ;  it 
has  never  been  frozen,  but  becomes  vis- 
cid at  very  low  temperatures.  It  is  ver)- 
inflammable,  solvent  of  all  bodies  rich  In 
hydrogen,  and  is  a  powerful  stimulant  and 
antiseptic.  By  volume  55  parts  of  A.  and 
45  of  water,  or  49.2  parts  by  weight  of  A. 
and  50. 8  of  water,  form  proof  spirit.  Un- 
der-proof and  over-proof  are  the  designa- 
tions of  weaker  or  sti'onger  solutions.  A. 
mixed  A\ith  various  proportions  of  water, 
essential  oils,  sugar  and  extracts,  forms 
the  differen  t  kinds  of  intoxicating  drinks. 
Alcoh-Olometer,  al'ko-hol-om'et-er.  An 
instrument  for  determining  the  quantity 
of  pure  alcohol  in  any  liquid. 
Alcove,  al'kdv.  A  recess  in  a  room, 
usually  separated  from  it  by  a  screen  of 
columns,  by  a  balustrade,  or  by  draperies, 
and  intended  for  the  reception  of  a  bed  of 
state  or  seats.  A  lateral  recess  in  a  library 
for  the  reception  of  books.  An  arched  or 
covered  seat  in  a  garden. 
Alcyonaria,  al'si-o-na"ri-a.  An  ord.  of 
actlnozoan  corals,  distinguished  by  six  or 
eight  broad  leaf-hke  tentacles,  arranged 
round  the  mouth  hke  the  rays  of  a  star- 
fish. Some  resemble  sponges ;  others 
fans,  feathers,  &c. 
Alcyone,  al-si'ono.    The  brightest  of  the 

Pleiades. 
Alcyonidee,  al-si-on'i-de.       A  fam.  of 

asteroid  ^jolj-pes,  resembling  sponges. 
Alcyonite,al'si-Gn-it.  A  fossil  alcyonium; 
one  of  the  spongifcrous  fossUs  common  in 
the  chalk  formation. 

Aldan  Mountains.  A  range  in  X.  E. 
Asia,  extending  from  the  Altai  Chain  to 
Behrings  Strait. 


Aldebaran,  al-deb'ar-an .  A  star  of  the 
first  magnitude  in  the  constellation  Tau- 
rus. Vulgarly  called  the  Bull's  Eye.  It 
is  the  bright  star  in  the  gi-oup  of  five 
called  the  Hyads. 

Aldeh.yde,  al-dG-hld.  A  transparent 
colorless  liquid  produced  by  the  oxidation 
of  pure  alcohol.  It  is  alcohol  minus  two 
atoms  of  hydrogen.  It  has  a  suffocating 
odor,  and  is  so  volatile  that  it  boils  by  the 
warmth  of  the  hand.  When  exposed  to 
air  or  oxygen  it  becomes  entk-ely  con- 
verted into  acetic  acid  or  vinegar,  by  the 
addition  of  one  atom  of  oxygen. 

Alder,  al'der.  The  popular  name  of 
plants  of  the  gen.  Alnus,  ord.  Betulacesc. 
A.  glutinosa  is  the  common  alder,  usually 
growing  in  moist  kmd. 

Aldernxan,  al'der-man.  Among  Anglo- 
Saxons  a  prince  or  nobleman.  It  was 
originally  used  as  a  name  of  dignity  un- 
connected with  office,  but  in  later  times 
Avas  apphed  to  the  members  of  the  no- 
bility next  in  rank  to  the  king.  In  pres- 
ent usage,  an  officer  of  a  town  corporate, 
next  in  rank  below  the  mayor,  possessing 
municipal  administrative  powers. 

Aldine,  al'dln.  A  term  apphed  to  those 
editions,  chiefly  of  the  classics,  which  pro- 
ceeded from  the  press  of  Aldus  Manutius, 
of  Venice,  and  his  family,  from  1490  to 
1597.  The  term  has  been  also  applied  to 
certain  editions  of  modern  works. 

Ale,  fd.  A  hquor  made  from  an  inftision 
of  malt  by  fermentation. 

Ale-conner,  al'kon-er.  Originally  an 
Enghsh  officer  appointed  to  assay  ale  and 
beer.  Their  duty  now  is  to  inspect  the 
measures  used  in  pubhc-houses. 

Alector,  a-lek'ter.  A  gen.  of  gaUinaceous 
birds,  fam.  Cracidae.  They  resemble  tur- 
keys. 

Alectoria,  a-lek-to'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  lichens. 
A.  jubata,  or  rock  hafr,  aflbrds  food  for 
the  reindeer  during  deep  snow. 

Alectryomancy,  'tri-o-man-si.  An 
ancient  practice  of  foretelling  events  by 
means  of  a  cock. 

Alemannic,  al-c-man'ik.  Belonging  to 
the  Alemanni,  a  military  confederacy  of 
several  German  tribes  of  the  8d  century. 

Alembdar,  a-lem'diir.  A  Turkish  offi- 
cer who  bears  the  green  stajidard  of  Mo- 
hammed when  the  Sultan  appears  in 
pubUc. 

Alembert,  Jean  le  Rond,  d',  dah- 
loug'bair.  A  celebrated  French  geome- 
trician and  philosopher;  b.  1717,  i).  178:3. 
A  deserted  babe  and  charity  child,  he  be- 
came the  most  distingmshed  Avriter  and 


ALEMBIC 


26 


ALEXAimEINE 


il-  \  > 


r^ 


teacher  of  his  day,  refusing  offers  from 
the  courts  of  Prussia  and  Berlin  ;  the  in- 
timate friend  of  Voltaire,  he  was  doubt- 
less a  skeptic,  but  nothing  reflecting  upon 
Christianity  appears  in  his  works. 

Alembic,  a-lem'bik.  A  vessel  formerly 
used  in  distillation,  usually  made  of  glass 
or  copper,  now  superseded  by  the  retort 
and  worm-still. 

Alembroth.,  a-lem'broth.  The  salt  of 
wisdom  of  the  alchemists  ;  a  double  chlo- 
ride of  mercuiy  and  ammonia.  Although 
poisonous  it  was  formerly  used  as  a  stim- 
ulant. 

Alencon  Liace,  ii-liin'son  las.  A  kind 
of  French  lace  made  of  hand-spun  linen 
thread,  the  most  expensive  of  the  French 
laces,  and  surpassed  only  by  Brussels.  It 
receives  its  name  from  Alenf  on. 

Alepidote,  a-lep'i-dot.  Any  fish  whose 
skin  is  not  covered  with  scales 

Alette,  a- 
let'.  A 
small  wing 
of  a  build- 
ing ;  a  pil 
aster  or 
b  u  ttress ; 
the  face  of 
the  pier  of 
an  arch, 
e  xtending 
from  the 
edge  of  the 
opening. 

Aleurites 

a-lu-rl'tGz.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Euphor- 
biaceaj.  The  nuts,  which  abound  in  oil, 
are  used  as  a  substitute  f  jr  candles. 

Aletirometer,  -lur-om'e-ter,  Ani  nstru- 
raent  for  indicating  the  bread-making 
qiiahties  of  wheateu  flour. 

Ale"wlfe,  al'wif.  A  fresh-water  fish  re- 
sembling the  shad. 

Alexander  III.,  the  Great.  Son 
and  S.  of  Philip  II.  of  Macedon  ;  b.  356,  p. 
823  B.  c.  lie  was  crowned  in  the  20th 
year  of  his  age,  and  at  once  entered  upon 
his  wonderfid  miUtary  career,  conquering 
Darius,  King  of  Persia,  and  overrunning 
nearly  the  whole  of  Asia.  He  died  during 
a  second  invasion  of  Persia,  at  Babylon, 
the  immediate  cause  being  a  prolonged 
debauch.  His  character  was  a  compound 
of  generosity  and  brutality,  his  usual  mag- 
nanimity toward  conquered  foes  being 
followed  by  violence  toward  his  intimates, 
an  instance  of  the  latter  being  the  murder, 
vnth.  his  own  hand,  in  a  drunkeu  rage,  of 
Clitus,  his  foster  brother. 


A,  Arch.    B  B,  Pillars.     C  C, 

Alettes. 


Alexander.  The  name  of  eight  Popes. 
A.  1.,  elected  109,  was  martyred  119.  A. 
II.,  s.  Nicholas  IL,  lOGl ;  d.  1073.  A.  III. 
(BandinelU),  s.  Adrian  IV.,  1159 :  d.  1181. 
A.  IV.,  8.  Innocent  IV.,  1254;  d.  1261. 
A.V.,  8.  Gregory  XII.,  1409  ;  d.  14iO.  A. 
VI.  (Eoderigo  Borgia),  s.  Innocent  III., 
1492,  seeming  his  election  by  the  most 
scandalous  bribery,  and  living  a  dissolute 
life,  dying,  it  is  believed  from  poison,  1503. 
He  was  the  father,  by  Kosa  Vanozza,  of 
the  two  notorious  Borgias,  Lucretia  and 
Caesar.  A.  VII.  (Fabio  Chigi),  s.  Inno- 
cent X.,  1665;  ».  1667.  A.  VIII.  (Al- 
toboni),  8.  Innocent  XI.,  16S9  ;  v.  1691. 

Alexander.  A  popular  name  for  Kings 
and  Emperors.  The  first  of  note  in  history 
is  A.  I.  (surnamed  Bales),  K.  of  Syria,  who 
pretended  to  bo  the  son  of  Antiochus 
Epipharus,  and  reigned  from  150  to  145  b. 
c. ;  defeated  by  the  lawful  heir,  Demiti-ius 
Nicator,  he  fled  to  Arabia,  where  he  was 
killed.  A.  II.  (surnamed  Zabina,  the 
Slave),  also  a  usm-per  of  tho  throne  of 
Syria,  reigned  from  128  to  122  b.  c, 
and  died  a  violent  death.  A.,  Emperor 
of  Constantinople,  b.  870  A.  D.,  s.  his 
brother  Leo,  the  Philosopher,  911,  ».  912. 
A.  I.,  K.  of  Scotland,  s.  his  brother  Edgar, 
1109,  ».  1124.  A.  II.,  B.  1198,  s.  his 
father,  Wflliam  the  Lion,   1214,  ».  1249. 

A.  III.,  B.  1241,  son  and  8.  the  proceed- 
ing; D.  1286.  A.,  Jaggelon,  son  of 
Casimir  IV.,  King  of  Poland ;  b.  1461 ;  s. 
his  brother  John  Albert,  1501 ;  d.  1506. 
A.,  Newsky,  sou  of  Jaroslar  II.  of  Kussia; 

B.  1219 ;  s.  his  father,  1245 ;  d.  1264 ;  he  i» 
venerated  as  a  saint  in  Eome,  and  au 
order  of  knighthood  was  founded  in  his 
name  by  Peter  the  Great.  A.  I. ,  Emperor 
of  llussia,  B.  177T,  s.  his  father,  Paul  I., 
1801,  ]>.  1825.  A.  II.  (Nicolaevitch),  b. 
1818,  s.  his  father,  Nicholas  1.,  1855 ;  died 
1S78. 

Alexandria.  The  most  important 
city  in  Egypt,  founded  by  Alexander  tho 
Great;  pop.  100,000. 

Alexandrian,  al-egz-an'dri-an.  Pertain- 
ing to  Alexandria :  to  one  who  taught  in 
connection  with  Alexandria,  in  Egypt. 
A.  Codez,  an  important  manuscript  ol  the 
Scriptures,  in  the  British  Museum;  its 
probable  date  the  5th  or  6tb  centur}\ 
A.  Library,the  largest  collection  of  books  of 
tlie  ancient  world,  founded  by  Ptolemy 
Soter  at  Alexandria,  and  said  to  have  con- 
tained 700,000  volumes,  destroyed  by  fan- 
atic Arabs  A.  v.  641. 

Alexandrine,  al-egz-an'drln.  A  kind 
of  vorso  consisting  of  twelve  syllables  in 
English  poetry,  or  in  French  of  twelve  and 
thu'teeu  in  alternate  couplets,  and  proper- 


ALEXAOT)RITE 


27 


ALTOTH 


ly  having  tno  pause  or  break  at  tho  end  of 
mc  third  foot.  The  namo  of  several  ancient 
medical  preparations. 

Alexandrite,  al-egz-an'drlt.  A  variety 
of  chrysoberyl  found  in  the  mica-slate  of 
the  Urals. 

Ale-yard,  ai'yiird.  An  elongated  drink- 
ing glass  and  measure  for  ale. 

Alexis,  al-eks'is.  The  name  of  several 
more  of  less  distinguished  royal  person- 
ages. A.  I.  ((Jomneus),  B.  1048,  was 
made  Emperor  of  Constantinople,  1080 ;  d. 
1118;  the  lu-st  Crusade  took  place  duiing 
his  reign.  A.  II.,  son  of  Manuel,  b.  11C8, 
became  emperor  in  1180,  and  was  deposed 
and  strangled  by  Andronicus,   1183.    A. 

III.  (Angelus),  usurped  the  throne  of  his 
brother  Isaac  Angelus,  1195 ;  he  fled  li-om 
Constantinople  on  its  capture  by  the 
Crusaders,  1208,  and  d.  in  exile,  1210.     A. 

IV.  (Angelus),  son  of  Isaac  A.,  reigned  less 
than  a  year,  1204,  and  was  put  to  death  by 
Alexis  "Ducas.  A.  V.  (Ducas),  usurped 
the  throne,  1204 ;  the  city  Avas  again  taken 
by  the  Crusaders,  A.  was  ti-ied  for  the 
murder  of  A.  IV.,  convicted  and  executed. 
A.  (Michaelovitsch),  Czar  of  Russia,  b. 
1030,  8.  his  father  Michael,  1&46 ;  d.  16T7  ; 
he  was  the  father  of  Peter  the  Great.  A. 
(Petro\-itch),  son  of  Peter  the  Great,  b. 
1G90,  condemned  to  death  as  a  traitor,  but 
D.  in  prison,  it  is  supposed  fi-om  poison, 
1718 ;  his  son  Peter  became  Czai-,  1727. 

Alfet,  al'fet.  A  vessel  of  boiling  water 
into  which  an  accused  person  plunged  his 
arm  as  a  test  of  his  innocence  or  guilt. 

Alfred  the  G-reat.  Son  of  Ethelwolf, 
Kmg  of  tlie  W.  Saxons,  b.  849,  s.  his 
father,  871,  drove  the  Danes  from  Britain, 
dci'eated  the  Northmen's  invasion  aftei*  56 
battles  on  land  and  sea,  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  England's  naval  supremacy,  codi- 
fied the  laws  and  enacted  new  and  impor- 
tant statutes,  and  founded  Oxford  Univer- 
sity ;  D.  901. 

Algrse,  al'je.  An  ord.  of  cryptogamic  or 
tliallogenous  plants,  comprising  sea- weeds. 

Algebra,  al'je-bra.  That  branch  of 
mathematical  analysis  in  which  signs  are 
employed  to  denote  arithmetical  opera- 
tions, and  letters  are  made  to  represent 
numbers  and  quantities.  This  science 
was  of  Oriental  discovery ;  but  whether 
by  the  Arabians  or  Indians  is  uncertain. 

Algebraic,  al-je-brii'ik.  Pertaining  to 
algebra.  A.  curve,  a  figure  whose  inter- 
cepted diameters  bear  always  the  same 
proportion  to  their  respective  ordinates. 
A.  equation,  an  equation  of  which  the 
terms  contain  only  algebraic  quantities. 


A.  geometry,  the  application  of  algebra  to 
the  solution  of  geometrical  problems.     A. 
signs,  certain  signs  or  characters  used  in 
algebraical  and  mathematical  operations. 
Algerine,  al-je-ren'.    A  native  or  inhabi 
tant  of  Algiers.     Also,  from  the  Algeriueti, 
being  much  addicted  to  pu-acy,  a  pirate. 
Algeiba,     al-je-i'bah.      The     beautiful 
double  star  Gamma  in  the  constellation 
Leo. 
Algenib,  al-jen'ib.    The   star  Nu  of  tho 
constellation  Pegasus. 
Algeria,   al-je're-ah.     A  coimtry  of  N". 
Africa,  at  present  a  French  dependency ; 
pop.  3,000,000;     capital,    Algiers;    pop. 
GO.OOO. 

AlgonquixLS,  al-gon'kwinz,  A  once 
powerful  but  now  extinct  tribe  of  Ameri- 
can Indians,  who  occupied  the  section 
just  S.  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  lakes. 
Algol,  al'gol.  A  bright  star,  Beta  Persel, 
called  also  Beta  Medusae,  remarkable  aa 
being  a  variable  star,  changing  from  the 
2d  or  3d  magnitude  to  the'  5th  in  2  days 
20  hours  50  minutes. 

Alguazil,  iil-gAva-zel".  In  Spain,  an  in- 
ferior officer  of  justice ;  a  constable. 
Alh.agi,  al-ha'jT.  A  gen.  of  Leguminosaa, 
sub-ord.  PapiHonacea?.  A.  Camelorum  is 
the  true  camel's-thorn.  A  sweet  secre- 
tion of  the  Persian  and  Bokharan  plant  is 
prized  as  food  for  cattle,  camels  especially 
being  fond  of  it. 

Alhambraic,  al-am-bra'ik.  Of  or  per- 
tJiiniug  to  the  Alhambra;  built  or  deco- 
rated after  tho  fanciful  manner  of  the  Al- 
hambra, all  animal  forms  being  omitted, 
and  vegetable  or  floral  ones  modified  to 
resemble  nature. 

Alicante,  al-i-kan'ta.  A  strong,  swoct, 
dark -colored  Spanish  wine. 
Alidade,  al'i-dad.  The  movable  arm 
of  a  gi-aduated  instrument,  as  a  quadrant. 
Alien,  rd'yen.  A  foreigner ;  one  born  in 
or  belonging  to  another  country  ;  not  en- 
titled to  the  privileges  of  a  citizeiu 
Aliped, 
si'li-pCd.An 
animal 
whose  toes 
are  c  o  n- 
nected  by  a 
membrane, 
serving  for 
a  viing ;  a 
c  heiropter, 
as  the  bat. 

Alioth,  al'i-oth.  A  star  m  the  tail  of  the 
Great  Bear,  much  us^ed  in  finding  the  latl- 


Aliped. 


ALISMA 


ALLEMAJTDE 


tude.  Also  the  very  brig'ht  star  Capella 
(Alpha  Aurigffi),  in  the  constellation  Auri- 
ga, or  charioteer. 

Alisma,  a-liz'ma.  A  gen.  of  aqnatic 
plants,  ord.  Alismacea} ;  water-plantain. 

Alison,  Sir  ArcMbald,  Bart.  An 
English  historian,  n.  1792,  d.  1S67 ;  his 
principal  work  is  "  A  History  of  Europe 
from  the  Commencement  of  the  French 
lievolution  to  the  Accession  of  Louis  Na- 
poleon, in  1852." 

Alizarine,  al'i-za-rin.  A  peculiar  red 
coloring  matter  obtained  from  madder, 
and  prepared  artificially  from  coal-tar  resi- 
dues, which  contain  anthracene. 

Alk,  alk.  A  resin  obtained  from  Pis- 
tacia  terebinthus. 

Alkahest,  al'ka-hest.  The  pretended 
universal  solvent  or  menstruum  of  the 
alchemists. 

Alkaid,  al'kad.  The  star  Eta  of  the 
constellation  Ursa  Major. 

Alkali,  al'ka-li.  A  term  applied  to 
bodies  having  the  following  properties : 
Solubility  in  water ;  the  power  of  neutral- 
izing acids,  and  forming  salts  with  them ; 
of  corroding  animal  and  vegetable  sub- 
stances; of  altering  the  tint  of  coloring 
matters.  They  are  hydrates,  or  water  in 
which  half  the  hydrogen  is  replaced  by  a 
metal  or  comi>ouud  radical. 

Alkalimeter,  al-ka-Iim'et-er.  An  in- 
strument for  ascertaining  the  strength  of 
alkalies. 

Alkalinxide,  al-kal'i-mld.  Ammonia  in 
Avhich  two  or  moro  atoms  of  hydrogen 
are  replaced  by  acid  and  base  radicals. 

Alkaloid,  al'ka-loid.  A  class  of  nitro- 
genized  compounds  foimd  in  living  plants, 
and  containing  their  active  principles, 
usually  in  combination  with  organic  acids, 
as  morphine,  quinine,  aconitine,  caflfcine, 
&c.  Their  alkaline  character  depends  on 
the  nitrogen  they  contain. 

Alkanet,  al'ka-net.  A  boraginaceous 
plant,  Alkanna  tinctoria,  sometimes  em- 
ployed in  the  adulteration  of  port-Mine. 

Alkanna,  al-kan'na.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  BoraginacesB. 

Alkarsine,  al-kar'sin.  An  extremely 
poisonous  liquid  containing  kakodyle,  for- 
merly known  as  Cadet's  fuming  liquor, 
v.-hioh  it  has  been  proposed  to  employ  as 
a  deadly  agent  in  war.  A  shell  filled  with 
it  would,  in  bursting,  involve  a  ship  in 
fire  and  destroy  the  crew  by  its  vapor. 

Alkekengrl,  al-ks-ken'ji.  The  winter- 
cherry,  a  solanaceous  plant.  The  fruit  is 
edible.  | 


Alkes,  al'kes.  The  star  Alpha  of  the 
Constellation  Crab. 

Alkoran,  al'ko-ran.  The  book  which 
contains  the  religious  and  moral  code  of 
the  Mohammedans,  the  Koran.  It  was 
Avritten  by  Mohammed,  and  is  considered 
to  present  the  purest  specimen  of  the  clas- 
sical Arabic. 

Alkoran.  A  high  tower  on  Persian 
buildings. 

Alkoranist,  al-ko-ran^'ist.  One  who 
adheres  strictly  to  the  letter  of  the  Koran, 
rejecting  all  comments. 

Allag'ite,  al'la-jit.  A  mineral,  broviTi  or 
green,  massive,  with  a  flat  conchoidal 
fracture,  and  nearly  opaque. 

Allall,  al'la.  Arabic  name  of  the  Supreme 
Being  used  by  all  Mohammedans. 

Allanite,  al'lan-It.  An  ore  of  the  metals 
cerium  and  lanthanium. 

Allantois,  al-lan'tois.  A  pyriform  sac 
developed  from  the  posterior  end  of  the 
abdominal  cavity  in  vetebrate  embryos. 
In  mammals,  as  man,  it  elongates  and  be- 
comes the  stalk  of  the  placenta,  or  the 
umbilical  cord  along  which  vessels  pasa 
connecting  the  circulation  of  mother  and 
offspring. 

All  a  prima,  alia  pre'ma.  A  method  of 
painting  in  which  the  pigments  are  ap- 
phed  all  at  once  to  the  canvas. 

AUecret,  al'le-kret. 
A  light  armor  used 
in  the  ICth  century, 
consisting  of  a  breast- 
plate and  back-plate, 
with  tassets  reaching 
nearly  to  the  knee. 

AUegh-eny,  al-le-ga'- 
ne.  A  river  in  W. 
Pennsylvania,  which 
unites  with  the  Monon- 
gahela  at  llttsburgh, 
forming  the  Ohio.  The 
name  of  counties  in 
New  York,  Pennsylva- 
nia, Maryland  and'Vir-  .„  ,  . 
ginia ;  also  of  a  city  op-  ^^'ecret  Armor. 

gssite,  but  connected  by  a  bridge,  with 
ittsburgh.  The  Appalachian  Mountain 
range  is  also  called  the  Alleghenies. 

Alleg'ro,  al-la'gro.  In  music,  a  spiightly 
part  or  strain  ;  the  quickest  except  presto. 

Alleluia,  al-lo-lu'ya.  Praise  Jehovah ;  a 
word  used  to  denote  pious  exultation 
chiefly  in  hymns  and  anthems. 

Allemande,  al-lo-mand'.  A  slow  air  in 
double  time;  grave,  solemn  music;  a 
moderately  quick  dance,  written  in  two- 
fourth  time ;  a  figure  in  dancing. 


ALLEN 


ALLSTON 


Allen,  Ethan.  An  officer  of  the 
American  Eyvolution,  b.  1744,  d.  1789. 
He  planned  and  captured  Forts  Ticonder- 
oga  and  Crown  Point  at  tho  opening?  of 
the  war.  His  troops  were  mostly  from 
Yemiont,  and  were  called  "Green  Moun- 
tain Boys." 

Alleiion,  al-le'ri-on.  In  Her.  an  eagle 
without  beak  or  feet. 

Alley,  al'li.  A  passage ;  an  aisle,  or  any 
I)art  of  a  chm-ch  left  open  for  access  to 
another  part.  An  inclosed  walk  in  a  gar- 
den. 

All-fools'-day,  aVfolz-da,  The  first 
day  of  April. 
All-fours,  al-forz'.  A  game  at  cards, 
named  from  the  four  chances  for  each  of 
which  a  point  is  scored — ^high,  low,  jack 
and  game. 

AU-hallo-W,  al-hal'lo.      All-saints'-day, 
the  first  of  November ;  a  feast  dedicated 
to  all  the  saints  in  general. 
All-hallowmas,     ai-hal'16-mas.      All- 
hallow-tide. 

Allier,  ahl-le-a',  A  river  of  France, 
which  gives  its  name  to  an  interior  de- 
partment, Avhich  contains  tho  mineral 
springs  of  Yichy,  Bourbon-l'Archam- 
bault  and  jSTeris. 
Allig-ator,  al'li-ga- 
ter.  A  gen.  of  saurian 
reptiles,  fam.  Croco-i 
dihdaj,  sub-fam.  Alli- 
gatoridiB.  They  dif- 
fer from  the  true 
crocodiles  in  having 
a  shorter  and  flatter 
head,  cavities  or  pits 
In  the  upper  jaw,  into 
■which  the  long  CAnioe 
teethof  the  under  jaw  fit,  and  feet  much 
less  webbed.  Their  habits  are  less  per- 
fectly aquatic.  The  largest  grows  to  the 
length  of  17  or  18  feet.  The  female  lays 
her  eggs  in  the  sand,  to  be  hatched  by  the 
heat  of  the  sun.  They  are  found  only  in 
tropical  America.  Among  the  fossils  of 
the  south  of  England,  however,  are  re- 
mains of  a  true  alligator. 
Alligator-apple.  al'Ii-ga-ter-ap-l.  The 
fruit  of  Anona  palustris,  a  West  Indian 
tree. 

Allig-ator-tortoise,  alli-ga-ter-tor'tois. 
A  species  of  chelonian  reptile,  fam. 
Emydaj,  with  long  tail  and  limbs. 
AllodiTim,  al-lo'di-um.  Freehold  es- 
tate; real  estate  held  in  independence 
without  being  subject  to  rent,  6er\ice,  or 
acknowledgement  to  a  superior,  and  thus 
opposed  to  feud. 


Alligator. 


Allium,  al'li-um.  A  gen.  of  bulbous 
plants,  ord.  Liliaceae,  remarkable  for  their 
pungent  odor ;  the  onion,  leek,  garBc, 
chive  and  shallot. 

Allocliroite,  al-16-kro'it.  A  massive, 
fine-gi-alaed  variety  of  U'on  garnet,  which 
changes  color  before  the  blowpipe. 

Allocution,  al-lo-kji'shon.  An  address, 
especially  a  formal  address,  as  that  of  a 
pope  to  his  clergy. 

Allopathy,  al-lop'a-thi.  That  method 
of  treating  disease  by  "which  it  is  en- 
deavored to  produce  a  condition  of  the 
system  different  from  or  incompatible 
with  the  condition  essential  to  tho  dis- 
ease ;  opposed  to  homoeopathy. 

AUophane,  al'lo-fan.  A  hydro-silicata 
of  aluminium,  occurring  in  amorphous, 
botryoidal,  or  reniform  masses. 

Allophylian,  al-lo-fil'i-an.  Pertaining 
to  the  pre-Ar3'an  inhabitants  of  Europe ; 
also  to  various  tribes  of  tongues  which 
have  not  been  classified.  The  native  dia- 
lects of  America,  Australia,  most  of  Africa, 
the  Polynesian,  Old  Etruscan,  Basque, 
«&c.,  are  A. 

Allotropy,  al-lot'ro-pi.  The  capability 
exhibited  by  some  elements  of  existing  in 
more  than  one  fonn,  with  different  char- 
acteristics. 

Alloxan,  al-loks'an.  One  of  the  products 
of  the  decomposition  of  uric  acid  by  nitric 
acid. 

Alloxantin,  al-loks-an'tin.  A  white 
crystalline  substance  obtained  when  al- 
loxim  is  brought  into  contact  with  zinc 
and  hydrochloric  acid,  with  -  chloride  of 
zinc,  or  sulphureted  hydrogen. 

Alloy,  al-loi'.  A  baser  metal  mixed  with 
a  finer ;  tho  cheapest  metal  of  a  mtKture. 
Most  metals  may  bo  alloyed  together  in 
varying  proportions.  "When  mercury  is 
one  of  the  component  parts,  the  alloy  ia 
called  an  amalgam. 

All-saints'-day,  al'sOnts-da.  All-Hal- 
lowmas or  Hallowmas,  a  festival  of  the  E., 
C.  Church,  instituted  by  Pope  Gregory 
IV.,  in  835,  and  dedicated  to  all  tho  saints 
in  general ;  celebrated  on  the  1st  Novem- 
ber, because  this  was  the  date  of  one  of 
the  four  great  heathen  festivals  of  the 
northern  nations. 

All-souls'-day,  al's6lz-da.  The  2d  No- 
vember, a  festival  "in  the  E.  C.  Church, 
when  prayers  are  publicly  offered  up  for 
the  release  of  souls  from  purgatoiy. 

Allston,  ■Washing1;on.  An  American 
painter,  b.  in  Chaiieston,  S.  C,  1779  ;  ». 
1843;  he  is  often  styled  the  "American 
Titian." 


ALLSPICE  ? 

Allspice,  al'spls.  The  fruit  of  Eugenia 
PiuRiitii;  a  Bpice  of  a  mildly  pungent 
taste,  and  agreeably  aromatic. 

Allumee,  al-lum-e'.  In  Her.  applied  to 
the  eyes  of  a  bear  or  other  beast,  when 
they  are  drawn  red  and  sparkling. 

Alluvion,  al-lii'vi-on.  The  washing  up 
of  sand  or  earth  so  as  to  form  new  soil. 

Alluvium,  al-lii'vi-um.  A  deposit  col- 
lected by  means  of  the  action  of  water. 

'Allyl,  al'lil.  A  radical  which  cannot  ex- 
ist in  a  free  state.  At  the  moment  of  its 
liberation  two  molecules  combine  to- 
gether to  form  diallyl. 

Allylamine,  al-lil'a-min.  A  mobile  liq- 
uid having  a  sharp  burning  taste,  pro- 
duced by  the  action  of  potash  on  allyl- 
cyanate. 

Almaden,  al-mah'den,  A  town  in  New 
Castile,  Spain,  celebrated  for  the  oldest 
and  most  productive  quicksilver  mines  in 
the  world. 

Almadie,  al'ma-di.  A  boat  used  in 
India,  shaped  hke  a  shuttle  ;  also,  a  small 
African  canoe. 

Almag-est,  al'ma-jest.  A  book  of  prob- 
lems in  astronomy  and  geometry,  drawn 
by  Ptolemy.  A  title  given  to  other  works 
of  a  like  kind. 

Almagra,  al-ma'gra.  A  red  ocher,  used 
in  India  for  staining  the  person.  Also 
used  as  a  paint,  and  for  polishing  silver 
and  glass,  under  the  name  of  Indian  red. 

Alma  Mater,  al'ma  ma'ter.  An  epi- 
thet first  given  to  the  earth  as  the  mother 
of  all;  now  applied  by  students  to  the 
university  where  they  have  been  trained. 

Al-Mamum.,  al-mah'mum.  Son  aud  s. 
of  Ilaroun-al-Easchid,  caliph  of  Bagdad, 
B.  TSG,  D.  83B ;  his  reign  was  celebrated  as 
the  commencement  of  Saracenic  literary 
activity. 

Alxaanac,  al'maruak.  A  table  or  publi- 
cation comprising  a  calendar  of  days, 
weeks  and  months,  with  the  times  of  the 
rising  of  the  sun  and  moon,  changes  of 
the  moon,  eclipses,  hom-s  of  full  tide, 
Btated  festivals,  &c. 

Alxaaudine,  al'man-dln.  Precious  gar- 
net, a  beautiful  red  mineral  ot  various 
shades,  commonly  translucent,  some- 
times transparent.  It  occiu-s  crystallized 
in  the  rhombic  dodecahedron. 

Alman'zor,  Abu  Moliam.nied.  Re- 
gent of  Cordova,  Spain,  n.  939,  n.  99S.  A. 
was  a  famous  general,  being  defeated  in 
but  one  battle  out  of  fifty,  during  23  years 
of  warvdth  the  Christian  princes  of  Spain; 
this  was  the  decisive  battle  of  Calatanazor, 
99S,  just  before  his  death. 


•  ALKTJS 

Almayne-rivet,  al-man'riv'et.  One 
of  a  series  of  rivets  sliding  in  slot-holes  la 
plates  of  armor,  so  that  they  Mould  yielu 
to  the  motion  of  the  body ;  afterward  ap- 
lilied  to  suits  of  armor  constructed  in  this 
manner. 

Alm.e,  al'me.  The  name  given  in  some 
parts  of  the  East,  and  especially  in  Egypt, 
to  girls  whose  occupation  is  to  amuse 
company  with  singing  and  dancing,  or  to 
sing  dirges  at  funerals. 

Almena,  al-me'na.  A  weight  of  2  lbs., 
used  in  parts  of  Asia. 

Alm.ond,  ii'mund.  The  seed  of  Amyg- 
dalus  communis,  or  almond-tree.  There 
are  two  varieties,  sweet  and  bitter  ;  both 
produced  from  A.  communis,  though  from 
different  vai-ieties.  In  lapidary  work,  a 
piece  of  rock  crystal  used  in  adorning 
branch  candle-sticks. 

Almond-furnace,  a'mund-fer-nis.  A 
furnace  in  which  the  slags  of  litharge,  left 
in  refining  silver,  are  reduced  to  lead. 

Almond-oil,  il'mund-oil.  A  bland, 
fixed  oil  obtained  from  almonds. 

Almond-paste,  ii'mond-paste.  A  cos- 
metic to  soften  the  skin,  composed  of 
bitter  almonds,  white  of  egg,  rose-water, 
and  rectified  spirit. 

Almond-tree,  ii'mund-tre.  A  species  of 
Amygdalus  which  produces  the  almond. 

Almond-willow,  ii'mund-wil-lo.  The 
Salix  amygdalina,  the  leaves  of  which  re- 
semble those  of  the  almond-tree. 

Almoner,  al'mon-er.  A  dispenser  of 
alms  or  charity  in  connection  with  relig- 
ious communities,  hospitals,  or  alms- 
houses. In  England  there  is  a  lord-A.,  or 
lord  high-A.,  an  ecclesiastical  officer,  gen- 
erally a  bishop,  who  distributes  twice  a 
year  the  sovereign's  bounty.  There  is 
also  a  sub-A.,  and  a  hereditary  grand  A. 

Alms-g-ate,  amz'gat.  The  gate  of  relig- 
ious or  great  houses,  at  which  alms  Avere 
distributed  to  the  poor. 

Alms-house,  amz'hous.  A  house  ap- 
propriated for  the  use  of  the  poor  who 
are  supported  bj'  the  public ,  a  poor-house. 

Almuce,  al'mus,  a'mus.  A  furred  hood 
having  long  ends  Banging  down  in  front 
of  the  dress,  something  like  the  stole; 
worn  by  the  clergy  from  the  13th  to  the 
15th  centuries  when  officiating  during 
inclement  weather. 

Almude,  al-miid'.  A  variable  measure 
in  Spain  and  Portugal,  ranging  for  liquids 
fromSi  to  5^- English  gallons;  for  grain 
from  8|  to  11  pints. 

Alnus,  al'nus.  The  alder,  gen  of  plants, 
ord.  Betulaceae.    A.  glutinosa   is  k  well- 


ALOE 


81 


ALPHONSO 


known  tree,  which  supplies  charcoal  for 
gunpowder ;  the  bark  is  valuable  for  tim- 
ning,  and  liie  young  shoots  €or  dyeing 
various  colors. 

Aloe,  al'o.  The  common  name  of  the 
gen.  Alo,  ord.  Liliacea?.  Among  the  Mo- 
hammedans the  A.  is  a  sjTubohc  plant, 
and  everyone  who  returns  from  a  pilgi-im- 
age  to  Mecca  hangs  it  over  his  §treet  door, 
as  a  token  that  he  has  performed  the  jour- 
ney. Several  species  yield  aloes,  the  well- 
known  bitter  pm-gative  medicine.  A  drug, 
the  juice  of  several  species  of  aloe,  is  a 
stimulating  stomachic  purgative.  The 
chemical  principle  is  called  aioin. 

Aloexylon,  -eks'i-lon.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  LeguminosjB.  A.  Agallochimi,  the 
only  species,  is  a  tree  GO  feet  high. 

Alogian,  a-lO'ji-an.  One  of  a  sect  of  an- 
cient heretics,  who  denied  Jesus  Christ  to 
be  the  Logos,  and  consequently  rejected 
the  Gospel  of  St.  John. 

Aloin,  al'o-in.  A  ciystaUine  bitter  princi- 
ple got  from  aloes  in  pale  yellow  prismatic 
needles,  grouped  in  stars. 

Alomancy,  al'o-man-si.  Divination  by 
salt. 

Alopecurus,  a-16-pe-ku'ms.  Foxtail- 
gi-ass,  a  gen.  of  grasses,  some  being  trouble- 
some Aveeds,  others  good  fodder  plants. 

Alopecy,  al'o-pe-si.  A  disease  called 
fox-evil  or  scurf,  accompanied  by  a  falling 
off  of  the  hau-. 

Alosa,  a-lo'sa.  A  gen.  of  fishes,  fam. 
Olupeidaj,  including  the  shad. 

Aloysia,  a-loi'si-a.  A  gen.  of  plauts,  ord. 
Verbenaceae,  to  which  belongs  a  shrub, 
A.  Citriodora,  popiilarly  known  as  Ver- 
bena. 

Alpaca,  al-pak'a.     A  ru- 
minant   mammal,    of    the 
camel  tribe,  and  gen,  Auch- 
enia ;  so  closely  allied  to  the 
llama  that  by  some   it  is 
regarded  rather  as  a  smaller 
variety    than    a   distinct 
species.     It  is  valued  chiefly      Alpaca, 
for  its  Avool.     Its  llesh  is  pleasant  and 
Avholesome.    A  fabric  manumctured  from 
the  hair  or  avooI  of  the  alpaca. 
Alpen-stock,    al'pen-stok.      A    strong 
stick,  iron  pointed,  used  in  climbing  the 
Alps  and  other  high  mountains. 
Alpha,    al'fa.    The    first   letter   in    the 
Greek  tdphabet,  .inswering  to  A,  and  used 
to  denote  first  or  beginning. 
Alphabet,  al'fa-bct.  The  letters  of  a  lan- 
guage arranged  in  the  customary  order. 
A  seiies  of  dashes,  dots,  &c.,  used  in  teleg- 


raphy ;    first    elements ;    simplest    rudi- 
ments. 

Alpen-hom,  .al'pen-hom.  A  very  long, 
nearly  straight  horn,  curving  slightly  and 
ATidening  toward  its  extremity,  used  on 


Alpen-hom. 
the  Alps  to  convey  signals,  and  formerly 
by  the  Swiss    to    sound    the  charge  in 
battle, 

Alphitomancy,  al-fit'o-man-si.  Divin- 
ation by  means  of  barley-meal. 

Alphonsin,  al-fon'sin.  A  surgical  in- 
strument for  extracting  buUets  from 
Avounds, 

Alphousine,  al-fon'sin.  Of  or  pertaining 
to  any  person  of  tho  name  of  Alphooso. 
A.  tables,  astronomical  tiibles  published  in 
14S3  and  succeeding  years,  under  the  x>at- 
ronage  of  Alphonso  X.,  king  of  Castile 
and  Leon. 

Alphos,  al'fos.  That  species  of  leprosy, 
called  also  vitiligo,  in  Avhich  tho  skin  is 
rough,  with  Avhite  patches  and  rose-col- 
ored areolae. 

Alpist,  al'pist.  The  seed  of  the  canarj'- 
grass ;  the  seed  of  various  si^ecies  *ol 
Alopecurus,  or  foxtail-grass. 

Alquier,  al'ker.  A  measure  in  Portu- 
gal, containing  half  an  almude,  or  about  2 
gallons. 

Alsatian,  al-sa'shi-an.  Of  or  pertaining 
to  the  province  of  Alsace  in  Germany. 
Of  or  pertaining  to  Alsatia,  formerly 'a 
cant  name  for  Whitefriars,  a  district  in 
London  Avhich,  possessing  certain  privi- 
leges of  sanctuary,  became  a  nest  of  mis- 
chievous characters.  They  were  abolished 
in  1(597. 

Alphonso,  al-fon'zo.  A  royal  name.  A, 
1. ,  King  of  Aragon  and  Navarre  (surnamed 
tho  Battabador),  c.  1104 ;  d.  1134,  A. 
II,,  c.  1163 ;  j>.  1196.    A.  Ill,,  son  and  s. 


ALPS  S 

of  Pedro  III.,  c.  1285 ;  d.  1291.  A.  IV.,  c. 
1327;  B.  1836.  A.  I.,  King  of  Leou  and 
Astnrias,  c.  739;  d.  756.  A.  II.  (the 
Chaste),  c.  791;  d.  842.  A.  III.  (the 
Great),  s.  his  father,  Ordofto,  86G  ;  ».  910. 
A.  IV.  (the  Monk),  c.  924;  abdicated 
930;  D.  932.  A.  V.,  c.  999;  j>.  1028. 
A.  VI.  and  VII.  (see  A.  I.  and  II.  of 
Castile).  A.  IX.,  c.  1188;  ».  1230.  A. 
I.,  King  of  Castile  and  Leon  (the  Brave), 
son  of  Fernando  I.,  s.  to  the  throne  of 
Leon  1065,  and  of  Castile  1073;  v.  1109. 
A.  II.  (A.  VII.  of  Leon),  s.  1126;  assumed 
the  title  of  Emperor  1135;  d.  1157.  A. 
III.  (A.  VIII.),  s.  1158,  when  but  3  years 
old;  D.  1214;  A.,  Avith  his  allies,  the 
kings  of  Aragon  and  Navarre,  won  a  great 
victory  over  the  Almonade  Sultan  Moham- 
med Au-Nasu-.  A.  IX.,  s.  1312,  when  but 
1  year  old  ;  in  1340  gained  a  great  Aictory 
over  the  Moors  at  Tarifa;  d.  1350.  A. 
X.,  King  of  Leon  and  Castile  (the  Wise), 
6.  1252  ;  D.  1284 ;  he  invented  the  valua- 
ble Alphonsine  astronomical  tables.  A. 
I.,  King  of  Naples,  b.  1385;  s.  his 
father  Fernando  I.  as  king  of  Aragon, 
1416,  and  adopted  as  the  heir  of  Queen 
Joanna  of  Naples,  1442;  d.  1458.  A.  II., 
son  of  Ferdinand  I.,  b.  1448;  s.  1494;  ab- 
dicated 1495  ;  cruel  and  avaricious.  A. 
I.,  Henriquez.  Count  and  first  king  of 
Portugal,  s.  his  ftither,  Henry  of  Bur- 
gundy, 1811 ;  obtained  a  signal  victory 
v>ver  the  Moors  in  1139,  and  proclaimed 
king  by  the  ai-my ;  in  1148  took  Lisbon 
from  the  Moors,  and  made  it  the  capital; 
D.  1185.  A.  II.,  son  of  Sancho  I.,  b.  1185; 
8.  1211;  ».  1223.  A.  III.,  c.  1284;  v. 
1279.  A.  IV.  (the  Brave),  b.  1290;  s. 
1325;  D.  1357;  notorious  for  the  cruel 
treatment  of  his  natural  brother  and  the 
murder  of  Inez  de  Castro,  Avife  of  his  son 
Pedro.  A.  V.,  b.  1432  ;  s.  14:38 ;  d.  1481. 
A.  VII.,  B.  1643;  s.  1656;  abdicated 
1669  ;  D.  1683  ;  a  sensual  imbecile. 
Alps,  The,  alps.  The  great  Central 
European  range  of  mountains,  a  crescent- 
shaped  chain,  extending  from  the  Medit- 
teranean  to  the  Hungarian  plains,  nearly 
600  m.;  the  saveral  groups  are  designated 
as  the  Maritime,  from  tho  sea  to  the 
sources  of  the  Po ;  the  Cotlian,  Avhich 
carry  the  chain  to  Mt.  Cenis,  and  the 
Grecian,  Avhich  terminate  at  Mont  Blanc  ; 
these  may  be  called  the  W.  range,  and  run 
N.  and  S.  The  E.  range  extend  from  W. 
to  E.,  are  much  Avider,  and  are  separated 
into  a  N.  and  S.  series;  the  former  com- 
prise the  Bermese,  N.  of  the  Rhone ;  tho 
Bt.  Gall,  N.  W.  of  the  Phone  valley ;  the 
Norie,  extending  from  Lake  Constance  to 
Vienna,  and  the    Styrian,    between   the 


ALTAE 

Norie  and  the  Carnie  A.  The  8.  series 
include  tho  Pennine,  between  Mt.  Blano 
and  Monte  Bosa ;  the  Lepontine,  thence 
to  the  source  of  the  Upper  Rhine ;  the 
Ehoetian,  Avhich  terminate  at  the  head 
Avaters  of  the  Piare,  and  the  Carnie  reach- 
ing to  the  river  Mar,  Avhich  separates  them 
from  the  Bakong  range.  Mt.  Blanc,  15,- 
777  ft.,  is  the  highest  peak  in  Europe. 
The  Stelrio,  9,100  ft.,  is  the  highest  car- 
riage pass,  and  that  of  St.  Gothard  the 
only  one  Avhich  is  carried  over  the  crest  of 
the  mountains.  The  Mt.  Cenis  tunnel 
gives  a  railroad  passage  through  the  A. 
The  peaks  of  the  higher  A.  are  perpetually 
covered  Avith  snow ;  the  sides  and  valleys 
are  fruitful,  and  the  scenery  is  the  most 
imposing  and  picturesque  in  Europe. 
Alsace,  al'sass.  A  Rhine  province, 
Avhich  belonged  to  France  till  the  10th 
century ;  seized  by  the  Emperor  Otto  I., 
995;  ceded  back  to  France  1697,  and 
seized  by  Germany,  1870  ;  area,  3,640  fiq. 
miles.;  pop.  1,200,000. 
Alsike-clover,  al'sik-klo'ver.  A  species 
of  hybrid  clover  intermediate  between 
common  red  and  Avhite  or  Dutch  cloA'er. 
Alsirat,  alse'rat.  In  Mohammedan 
Theol.  tho  bridge  extending  over  the  abyss 
of  hell  Avhich  must  be  crossed  by  eA^ery 
one  on  his  journey  to  heaven. 
Alsophila,  al-so'fi-la.  A  gen  of  tropi- 
cal cyatheaceous  ferns,  haA-ing  no  indus- 
ium  to  the  sorus.  A.  excelsa  rises  to  the 
height  of  80  feet. 

Alstroemeria,  al-stre-me'ri-a.  A  beau- 
tiful gen.  of  S.  American  plants,  ord. 
AmaryUidaceas. 
Altai,  al'ti.  An  extensive  mountain  sys- 
tem of  N.  Asia,  forming  the  boundary  lino 
between  Siberia  and  China ;  length  nearly 
5,000  m.;  mean  average  height  3,000  to 
6,000  ft.;  Mt.  Bialukha,  near  the  sources  of 
tho  river  Obi,  is  10,800  ft. 
Altaic,  al-ta'ik.  Pertaining  to  the  Altai 
mountains.  A  family  of  languages  di- 
Aided  into  five  branches,  the  Finno-IIun- 
garian,  Samoyedic,  Turkic,  Mongolic,  and 
Tungusic. 

Altair,  al'ta-er.  The  Arabic  name  for 
Alf)ha  Aquilaj,  the  most  important  star  in 
tho  constellation  Aquila,  one  of  the  stai-s  by 
Avhich  the  lunar  distances  are  calculated. 
Altaite,  al-tfi'It.  A  mineral  lead  and  tel- 
lurium, Avith  a  small  proportion  of  silver. 
Altambour,  al-tam-bor'.  A  large  Span- 
iih  or  Moorish  drum. 

Altar,  al'ter.  An  elevated  place  on 
Avhich  sacrifices  Avere  offered  or  Incensa 
burned  to  a  deity.    When  temples  came 


ALTAR-BEEAD 


ALUM-SCHIST 


to  be  built  A.  were  made  of  stone  or  mar- 
ble, often  adorned  with  sculpture  of  the 
most  elaborate  description.  The  Jews 
had  the  A.  of  burnt-offering:,  of  incense, 
which  stood  in  the  holy  place.  In  some 
earlv  Christian  churches  the  term  applied 
to  the  communion-table,  but  with  the  in- 
troduction of  the  Gothic  art  the  simple 
table  developed  into  a  structure  pointinor 
heavenward,  raag-uiftcent  as  a  whole,  and 
full  of  symbolic  meaning. 
Altar-bread,  al'ter-bred.  Bread  pre- 
pared for  the  eucharist.  In  the  E.  C. 
Church  it  is  unleavened  and  stamped  with 
an  I  II  S  or  a  crucifix. 
Altar-cloth,  al'ter-kloth.  The  cloth 
thiit  covers  the  altar,  the  portion  hanging 
down  in  front  being  called  the  antepend- 
ium,  and  that  which  covers  the  top  the 
super- frontal. 

Altar-table,  al'ter-tii'bl.  A  table,  on 
which  the  communion  elements  are 
placed. 

Altazirauth.,  alt-az'i-muth.  A  tele- 
scope so  an-anged  as  to  be  turned  horizon- 
tally to  any  point  of  the  compass. 
Altendorf,  al'ten-dorf.  A  Bavarian 
village,  near  Bamberg,  where  the  Aus- 
trians  were  signally  defeated  by  the 
French  General  Kleber,  Aug.  9,  1T96. 
Altem,  al'tern.  Exhibiting  on  the  up- 
per and  lower  part  faces  which  alternate, 
but  which,  when  the  two  parts  are  com- 
pared, correspond  with  each  other.  A. 
base,  a  term  used  in  distinction  from  the 
true  base. 
Altemat,  al-ter-na.  In  diplomacy  a  right 
in  vu-tue  of  which  several  states  take 
each  in  turn  the  first  place. 
Alternate,  al-ter'nat.  Being  by  turns  ; 
following  In  succession  of  time  or  place. 
Placed  on  opposite  sides  of  an  axis  on  a 
different  level ;  as,  A.  leaves.  Placed  be- 
tween other  bodies  of  the  same  or  different 
whorls;  belonging  to  a  series  between 
every  pair  in  which  a  member  of  another 
eeries  intervenes.  A.  angles,  in  Geom., 
the  Internal  angles  made  by  two  lines 
with  a  thu-d,  on  ojiposite  sides  of  it.  A. 
quarters,  in  Her.,  the  first  and  fourth 
quarters,  and  the  second  and  third.  A. 
generation,  that  modification  of  genera- 
tion by  which  the  young  do  not  resemble 
their  i)arent,  but  some  remote  ancestor. 
Althaea,  al-thC-'a.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Malvaoeas,  including  the  hollj'hock 
and  the  marsh-mallow. 
Althein,  al-the'in.  A  white  cry.'italllza- 
ble  substance  contained  in  the  root  of  the 
mallow  and  asparagus. 


Altiraeter,  al-tim'et^er.  An  instrument 
for  taking  altitudes  by  geometrical  princi- 
ples. 
Altiscope,  al'ti-skop.  An  arrangement 
of  lenses  and  mirrors  in  a  vertical  tele- 
scojnc  tube,  by  means  of  which  a  person 
is  able  to  overlook  objects  intervening  be- 
tween himself  and  the  object  he  desires  to 
see. 

Altitude,  al'ti-tud.  Space  extended  up- 
ward ;  height.  The  elevation  of  a  star  or 
other  object  above  the  horizon,  measured 
by  the  arc  of  a  vertical  intercepted  be- 
tween such  point  and  the  horizon. 
Alto,  al'to.  High ;  a  common  element  in 
terms  in  music  and  art. 
Altorf,  al'torf.  Capital  of  Canton  of 
Uri,  Svritzerland.  Noted  for  its  proximity 
to  Beorgden,  the  reputed  birthplace  of 
Wilham  Tell. 
Alto-rilievo,  al'to-re-le-si"vo.  High  re- 
lief ;  a  term  applied  to  sculptured  figures 
which  stand  out  from  the  back-ground, 
projecting  more  than  half  then-  thickness 
without  being  entirely  detached. 
Altruism,  al'tro-izm.  A  term  first  em- 
ployed by  the  Positivists,  or  followers  of 
the  French  philosopher  Comte,  to  signify 
devotion  to  others  or  to  humanity ;  the 
opposite  of  selfishness. 
Alum,  al'um.  A  general  name  for  a  class 
of  double  sulphates  containing  aluminium 
and  such  metals  as  potassium,  ammonium, 
iron,  &c.  Common  or  potash  alum  is  pro- 
duced by  adding  potassium  sulphate  or 
chloride  to  crude  aluminium  sulphate ;  it 
is  of  great  use  in  medicine  and  the  arts. 
Alumina,  al-ii'min-a.  The  oxide  of 
aluminium,  the  most  abundant  of  the 
earths;  the  adamantine  spar,  the  ruby, 
conmdum  and  sapphire  are  alumina 
nearly  pure  and  crystallized.  In  these 
forms  A.  is,  next  to  the  diamond,  the 
hardest  substance  kno%vn.  It  forms  the 
base  of  the  lakes  in  dyeing,  and  acts  also 
as  a  mordant.  , 

Aluminium,  al-u-min'i-um.  The  me- 
tallic base  of  alumina ;  a  white  metal  vith 
a  luster  resembling,  but  far  inferior  to, 
that  of  silver,  extracted  fi-om  cryohte, 
largely  employed  in  the  preparation  of 
alloys  and  for  the  manufacture  of  articles 
for  which  silver  was  formerly  employed. 
A.  gold,  an  alloy  of  10  parts  aluminium  to 
90  copper,  harder  than  bronze,  and  sus- 
ceptible of  a  fine  polish. 
Alum-schist,  al'um -shist.  A  thin 
bedded  fissile  rock,  chiefly  composed  of 
silica  and  alumina,  from  which  Is  obtained 
the  largest  part  of  the  alum  of  commerce. 


AlUMINITE 


84 


AMBEE 


Aluminite,  al-u'min-Tt.  Hydrous  sul- 
phate of  {ilumiua,  a.  mineral  that  occurs  in 
small  roundish  or  reniform  masses. 

Aluzanus,  a-lum'nus.  A  pupil ;  a  ^ad- 
uate  or  undergraduate  of  a  university. 

Alunogren,  al'un-o-jen.  Native  sulphate 
of  aluminium,  found  in  volcanic  solfataras, 
in  clays  and  folspav  rocks  containing 
pyrites,  and  «s  an  efflorescence  on  the 
walls  of  mines  and  quarries. 

Alveolite,  al'vG-o-Ut.  A  gen.  of  De- 
vonian corals. 

Alyssum,  a-lis'sum.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Cruciferse,  much  employed  for  deco- 
rating rock-work. 

Ama,  a'ma.  The  vessel  used  for  holding 
the  -vvine  and  water  of  the  eucharist,  the 
body  being  sometimes  formed  of  glass  or 
agate,  mounted  in  gold,  and  jeweled. 
The  Avine  itself. 

Amadeus,  am-ah-de'us.  The  name  of 
nine  counts  or  Dukes  of  Savoy;  A,  V. 
(the  Great),  successfully  defended  Ehodes 
against  the  Turks,  128T. 

Axnadis  de  Gaul,  am'a-dis  da  gawl. 
A  romance  of  chivalry,  reciting  the  fabu- 
lous exploits  of  Amadi,  and  other  Palla- 
dins,  written  in  Spanish  by  Vasco  Sobeira, 
a  Portuguese,  in  the  14th"  century. 

Amadou,  am'a-do.  A  substance  used 
for  tinder,  consisting  of  the  silky  poi-tion 
of  fungus  found  growing  on  forest  trees ; 
sometimes  used  by  surgeons  as  a  styptic. 

Amalekites,  a-mal'e-kits.  A  tribe  of 
Edomite  Arabs,  the  first  to  assail  the  He- 
brews after  their  passage  through  the  Ked 
Sea ;  the  A.  were  annihilated  by  the  He- 
brews about  725  n.  c. 

Amalgram.,  a-mal'gam.  A  compound  of 
mercury  or  quicksilver  with  another 
metal ;  any  alloy  of  Avhich  mercury  forms 
a  part. 

Amalg'araate,  a-mal'gam-at.  United 
or  coalesced :  apphed  to  a  language  the 
words  of  which  are  formed  by  the  amal- 
gamation of  roots,  as  the  Aryan  or  Indo- 
European  languages.  To  compound  or 
mix,  as  quicksilver  with  another  metal. 

Amalphitan,  a-mal'fi-tan.  Pertaining 
to  Amalli,  a  town  of  Italy.  A.  code,  the 
oldest  existing  code  of  maritime  law, 
compiled  during  the  first  crusade. 

Amandola,  a-man'do-la.  A  green  mar- 
ble >\ith  white  spots,  having  the  appear- 
ance of  honey-comb. 

Amanuensis,  a-man'u-en"sis.  A  per- 
son whoso  employment  is  to  AAiite  what 
another  dictates,  or  to  copy  what  has  been 
irritten  by  another. 


Amaranth.aoe83,  am'a-ran-thii"sC-e. 
An  ord.  of  apetalous  plants ;  the  cock's- 
comb,  the  globe-amaranth,  the  prince's- 
feathcr,  and  the  love-lies-bleeding. 

Am aranthus,  am-a-ranth'us.  A  gen. 
of  plants,  ord.  Amaranthacete.  The  spe- 
cies are  all  annuals. 

Amaryllidacese,  am-a-rll'li-da"se-e. 
An  ord.  of  monocotyledonous  plants, 
with  six  stamens  and'  an  inferior  fruit, 
which  comprehends  the  daffodil,  the 
Guernsey  and  belladonna  lilies,  the  Bruns- 
vigias  and  blood-flowers  of  the  Oape  ol 
Good  Hope.  The  gen.  Ajnaryllis  gives 
the  name  to  the  order. 

Amarytlirin,  am-a-rith'rin.  The  bitter 
principle  of  erythric  acid. 

Amasthenic,  a-mas-then'ik.  In  Pho- 
tog.  a  superior  kind  of  lens  which  unites 
the  chemical  rays  of  light  into  one  focus ; 
amacratic. 

Amati,  Andrea  and  Antonio,  ah- 
mah'te.  Father  and  son,  celebrated  vio- 
lin makers  of  Cremona,  Italy,  in  the  17th 
and  ISth  centuries. 

Amaurosis,  am-a-ro'sis.  A  partial  or 
complete  loss  of  sig'ht  from  loss  of  power 
in  the  optic  nerve  or  retma,  without  any 
visible  defect  in  the  eye  except  au  immov- 
able pupil.     Sometirnes  it  is  periodical. 

Amazon,  am'a-zon.  The  largest  river 
in  the  world,  running  E.  and  W.  through 
S.America  nearly  4,000  m.,  and  160  m. 
■wide  at  its  mouth.  It  derived  its  name 
from  an  early  Spmiish  legend  which  lo- 
cated a  tribe  of  female  warriors  on  its  upper 
banks. 

Amazon,  am'a-zon.  One  of  a  fabled 
race  of  female  warriors,  said  to  have 
Ibunded  an  empire  in  Asia  Minor,  on  the 
Euxine.     A  masculine  woman  ;  a  virago. 

Amazon-ant,  am'a-zon-ant.  The  For- 
mica rufescens,  a  species  of  ant  which 
robs  the  nests  of  other  species. 

Ambarie,  am'ba-ri.  In  India,  an  oblong 
seat  furnished  -with  acanopvand  curtains, 
for  the  accommodation  of  elephant  riders. 

Ambassador,  am-bas'sa-dor.  A  min- 
ister of  the  highest  rank,  employed  by 
one  prince  or  state  at  the  court  of  another 
to  manage  the  public  concerns.  A.  are 
ordinaiy  when  they  reside  permanently  at 
a  foreign  court,  or  extraordinaiy  Avhen 
they  are  sent  on  a  special  occasion.  En- 
voys are  employed  on  si>ecial  occasions, 
and  are  of  less  dignity  than  ambassadors. 

Ambassadress,  am-bas'sa-dres.  The 
wfe  of  an  ambassador.  A  woman  sent 
on  a  public  message.  ' 

Amber,  am'bcr.    A  mineralized  rosin  of 


AMBERGEI3 


85 


AMBUET 


extinct  pine-trees.  It  is  a  hard  translu- 
cent substance,  brittle,  without  taste  or 
smell,  except  when  heated  it  emits  a  fra- 
grant odor.  It  becomes  negatively  elec- 
tric by  friction.  It  yields  bv  distillation 
an  empyreumatic  oil  consisting  of  a  mix- 
ture of  hydrocarbons  and  succinic  acid. 
It  is  used  chiefly  for  pipe  mouth  pieces 
and  beads,  and  in  the  arts  for  amber-var- 
nish. 

Ambergris,  am'ber-gres.  A  solid, 
opaque,  inflammable  substance,  variegated 
like  marble,  remarkably  light,  rugged  on 
its  surface,  and  having,  when  heated,  a 
fi-agrant  odor.  It  melts  into  a  kind  of 
yellow  resin,  and  is  highly  soluble  in 
spirit  of  wine.  It  is  a  morbid  secretion 
of  the  intestines  of  the  spermaceti  Avhale. 

Axnber-seed,  am'ber-sed.  The  seed  of 
Abelmoschus  moschatus,  resembling  mil- 
let, has  a  bitterish  taste,  a  smell  Uke 
musk,  and  is  used  for  perfuming. 

Amber-tree,  am'ber-tre.  The  English 
name  for  Anthospermum,  a  gen.  of 
Bhi'ubs  which,  when  bruised,  emit  a  fra- 
grant odor. 

Ambidexter,  am-bi-deks'ter.  A  per- 
son who  uses  both  hands  with  equal  facil- 
ity.   A  double-dealer. 

Amble,  am'bl.  A  pecnliar  pace  of  a 
horse  or  mule  in  which  both  legs  on  one 
Bide  are  moved  at  the  same  time. 

Amblygron,  am'bli-gon.  An  obtuse- 
angled  triangle ;  a  triangle  with  one  angle 
of  more  than  90  degrees. 

Amblyg-onite,  am-blig'on-it.  A  mine- 
ral consisting  of  phosphates  and  fluorides 
of  aluminium  and  lithium.  It  occurs 
massive  or  crystallized  in  oblique  four- 
sided  prisms,  in  granite,  vnth  topaz  and 
tourmaline. 

Amblyopsis,  am-bli-op'sis.  A  gen.  of 
fishes,  including  the  blind-fish. 

Ambljrpterus,  am-blip'tcr-us.  A  gen. 
of  ganoid  fishes,  with  heterocercal  tail, 
found  only  in  a  fossil  state. 

AmblyriiyTicllus,  am-bli-ringk'us.  A 
gen.  of  lizards  resembling  the  iguana.  A. 
cristatus,  in  length  vaiying  from  3  to  4 
feet,  is  the  only  known  existing  marine 
lizard. 

Ambo,  am'bo.  In  early  Christian 
churches  a  raised  desk  or  pulpit,  from 
which  were  read  or  chanted  certain  parts 
of  the  service. 

Amboyna-wood,  am-boi'na-wud.  A 
beautiful  mottled  and  curled  wood,  em- 
ployed in  cabinet  work. 

Ambreada,  am-bre-a'da.  A  fictitious 
amber,  sold  by  Europeans  to  the  Africans. 


Ambrein,  am'bre-in.  A  fatty  subsUuce 
obtained  from  ambergris  by  digesting  it 
in  hot  alcohol.  It  is  crystallized  and  has  an 
agreeable  odor. 

Ambrose  (St.),  am'broz.  A  Catholic 
Archbishop  of  Milan,  b.  340,  D.  397; 
noted  for  his  piety  and  boldness  in  rebuk- 
ing the  secular  rulers ;  he  was  in  conflict 
with  Yalentinian,  Maximus  and  Theo- 
dosius,  compelling  the  latter,  after  tha 
manner  of  Thessalonica,  to  perform  a 
humiliating  penance  before  receiving  the 
sacrament.  A.  was  author  of  the  "'To 
Deum  Laudamus." 

Ambrosia,  am-bro'zhi-a.  According  to 
the  beUef  of  the  ancient  Greeks,  the  food 
of  the  gods,  which  confen-ed  immortality 
on  those  who  partook  of  it ;  hence,  any- 
thing pleasing  to  the  taste  or  smell.  A. 
gen.  of  plants  belonging  to  the  ord.  Com- 
posite, consisting  of  annual  weeds  resem- 
bling wormwood. 

Ambrosin,  am'bro-sin.  A  coin  struck 
by  the  dukes  of  Milan  in  the  middle  ages, 
on  which  St.  Ambrose  was  represented  on 
horse-back. 

Ambrotsrpe,  am'bro-tlp.  A  picture  ta- 
ken on  a  plate  of  prepared  glass,  in  which 
the  lights  are  represented  in  silver  and  the 
shadows  by  a  dark  back-gi-ound  showing 
through  the  ti-ansparent  plata. 

Ambry,  am'bri.  A  place  where  alms  are 
deposited  for  distribiition  to  the  poor ;  a 
place  in  ancient  abbeys  and  priories 
where  the  almoner  lived.  A  niche  or  re- 
cess in  the  wall  of  ancient  churches  in 
which  the  sacred  utensils  were  deposited. 
A  place  in  which  are  deposited  the  uten- 
sils for  housekeeping. 

Ambs-ace,  amz'jis.  A  double  ace,  aa 
when  two  dice  turn  up  the  ace. 

Ambulance,  am'bii-Ians.  A  military 
hospital  establishment  of  a  temporary 
nature.  A  cart,  wagon,  or  litter  employeil 
to  convey  injured  or  sick  to  the  hospital. 

Araeer,  a-mer'.  An  Arabian  nobleman .• 
a  cliief. 

Am.eiva.  a-ml'va.  A  gen.  of  small  sau- 
x-ian  reptiles,  fam.  TeidS. 

Amen,  u'men'.  A  term  used  In  prayer, 
and  meaning  So  be  It.  At  the  end  of  a 
creed  it  is  equivalent  to  a  solemn  asser- 
tion of  beUef. 

Ambulator,  am'bu-lat-er.  One  who 
walks  about.  An  instrument  for  measur- 
ing distances.  A  name  sometimes  given 
to  the  original  form  of  the  velocipede. 

Ambury,  am'bu-ri.  A  tumor,  wart,  of 
swelling  on  a  horse,  full  of  blood  and  soft 
to  the  touch.    Club-root,  a  sort  of  excrea- 


AMENTACE^ 


AMEEIGO  YESPUCCI 


oence  ill  plants  of  the  ord.  Cruciferai,  pro- 
duced by  a  puncture  niado  by  the  ovipos- 
itor of  an  insect  and  deposition  of  its  eggs. 

Amentacese,  a-men-ta'sG-S.  A  gi-oup 
of  plants  whose  flowers  are  arranged  in  an 
amentum  or  catkin,  as  Cupuliferie,  Sali- 
caceae,  Betulaceae,  Platanacese,  and  Eyri- 
caceae. 

America,  a-mer'e-kah.  The  second  in 
size  of  the  five  great  divisions  of  the 
globe,  extending  from  lat.  71°  24'  N. 
to  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  lat.  53°  53'  7" 
8.  and  covering  an  area  of  about  15,000,- 
000  sq.  m.;  its  native  and  immigrant 
populations  include  every  race,  and  a 
majority  of  the  nations  and  tribes  of 
earth.  A.  is  often  called  the  new  world, 
from  its  recent  discovery  by  Europeans.  It 
is  about  equally  divided  into  two  sections, 
N.  and  8.  America,  joined  by  the  naiTOW 
Isthmus  of  Darieu  and  Central  America. 
N,  A.  properly  begins  at  the  upper  side  of 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  or  30°  N.  lat.,  and  ex- 
tends to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  its  gi-eatest 
length  being  4,000  m.,  and  its  greatest 
breadth  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific, 
8,500  m.;theE.  coast  is  indented  with 
numerous  bays,  gulfs  and  inlets,  and  ter- 
minates in  the  long  peninsula  of  Florida ; 
the  Western  coast  has  comparatively  few 
good  roadsteads,  but  is  broken  by  the  pen- 
insula of  8.  California,  and  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  There  are  two  main  mountain 
ranges,  one  parallel  to  the  E.  coast,  but  a 
considerable  distance  inland,  called  the 
Appalachian;  the  other  along  the  W.  coast, 
known  as  the  Sierra  Nevada,  the  latter 
being  much  the  higher.  These  grand 
ranges  are  each  divided  into  three  distinct 
chains,   those  on  the  E.  being  the  Alle- 

"  ghanies,  the  Green  and  White  mountains; 
in  the  W.  the  Sierras,  a  loftier  inner  chain, 
of  which  Mt.  St.  Elias,  17,900  ft.  above 
sea  level,  is  the  chief  peak,  and  the  great 
Eocky  Mountain  system.  Between  these 
mountais  ranges  lie  the  immense  prairies, 
the  valleys  of  the  Mississippi,  Ohio  and 
Tennessee ;  to  the  N.  are  the  five  great 
(Connected  lakes,  Superior,  Michigan, 
Huron,  Erie  and  Ontario,  covering  more 
than  120,000  sq.  m.,  and  making  an  open 
water-way  from  the  Atlantic  nearly  half 
way  across  to  the  Pacific ;  still  N.  of  these 
are  the  great  plains  stretching  to  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  and  surrounding  the  vast 
inland  sea  knowTi  as  Hudson's  Bay. 
The  chief  rivers  are  the  Connecticut, 
Hudson,  James,  Ohio,  Tennessee,  Mis- 
souri, Mississippi,  Red,  Eio  Grande,  Col- 
umbia and  Mackenzie,  which  empties  into 
the  Arctic  Ocean.  Central  America  may  be 
said  to  include  the  table-land  of  Mexico 


and  extend  8.  to  Guatemala,  the  vol- 
canic mountains  of  Avhich  are  connected 
through  the  Isthmus  range  with  the 
Sierras  of  N.  A.;  the  Eio  Del  Nortois 
the  most  important  river.  South  A.  is 
4,700  miles  in  exti-eme  length,  and  about 
8,200  in  width ;  the  Andes  mountains 
extend  along  the  W.  coast,  the  less  lofty 
ranges  of  Venezuela  in  the  N.,  those  of 
Brazil  in  the  N.  E.;  its  surface  consists  of 
vast  plains,  at  various  elevations,  the  prin- 
cipal divisions  of  whicli  are  knoAvn  as  the 
Pampas,  the  Silvas  and  the  Llanos ;  the 
largest  rivers  are  the  Amazon,  the  Orinoco 
and  the  Eio  de  la  Plata ;  the  inhabitants 
consist  of  the  native  tribes  in  the  interior 
and  Southern  portions,  Spaniards,  Portu- 
guese and  niixed  races  along  the  sea 
coast  and  throughout  the  N.  The  di\is- 
ions,  sub-divisions  and  populations  of  the 
Continent  are  as  follows :  N.  A. — Mexico, 
United  States,  Dominion  of  Canada,  New- 
foundland, Prince  Edwards  Island,  British 
Columbia,  Greenland,  Bennuda,  St.  Ilerr* 
and  Miquelon;  pop.  71,406,323.  C.  A.— 
Costa  Eica,  Nicaragua,  Honduras,  San 
Salvador,  Guatemala  and  British  Hon- 
duras; pop.  8,126,091.  Spanish  and 
British  W.  Indies,  Dutch  French  and 
Danish  possessions,  Hayti  and  San  Do- 
mingo; pop.  4,809,672.  8.  A.— Patagonia 
and  TeiTa-del-Fuego,  Uruguay,  Paraguay, 
Gran-Chaoo  and  Pampas  Argentine,  Ar- 
gentine Eepublic,  ChiU,  Bolivia,  Peru, 
Galapagos  (uninhabited),  Ecuador,  New 
Granada,  Venezuela,  British,  Dutch  and 
French  Guiana,  Brazil  and  Falkland  Is- 
lands ;  pop.  28,312,944.  The  discovery  of 
A.  by  Christopher  Columbus  in  1492-98, 
opened  it  to  European  exploration  and 
settlement,  although  Greenland  was  un- 
questionably visited  by  Scandina\ian 
rovers  in  the  6th  century,  and  it  is  be- 
lieved Iceland  voyagers  reached  the  coast 
of  New  England  in  the  10th  century.  The 
most  noted  A.  explorers  besides  Columbus 
were  Hendrick  Hudson,  Cortez,  De  Soto, 
Pizarro,  Cabot  and  Magellan. 

American,  a-mer'i-kan.  A  native  of 
America ;  originally  applied  to  the  abori- 
ginal races,  but  now  to  the  descendants  of 
Europeans  born  in  America  ;  and,  in  a  re- 
stricted sense,  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
United  States. 

Amerig-o  Vespucci,  vais-poot'chee. 
An  eminent  Italian  navigator,  it.  1451,  d. 
1512 ;  he  made  several  voyages  to  A.,  and 
was  finally  appointed  pilot  to  the  King  oi 
Spain,  his  principal  duty  being  to  preiiare 
maps  and  charts  of  the  Atlantic;  the 
continent  received  his  name,  an  honor 
which  certainly  belonged  to  Columbus. 


AMETABOLA 


AMMONIAC 


Anxetabola,  a-me-tab'o-la.  A  division 
of  apterous  or  wingloss  insects,  as  lice, 
spring- tails,  »tc.,  which  escape  from  the 
egg  under  the  form  whicli  they  preserve 
through  life. 

Amethyst,  aru'e-thist.  A  violet-blue  or 
purple  quartz,  crystallized  in  hexahedral 
prisms  or  pyramids ;  also  in  rolled  frag- 
ments, composed  of  imperfect  prismatic 
crystals.  It  is  wrought  into  various  arti- 
cles of  jewelry.  Oriental  A.,  a  rare  violet- 
colored  gem,  a  variety  of  alumina  or 
corundum.  In  Her.  a  purple  color  ;  the 
same  in  a  nobleman's  escutcheon  as  pur- 
puro  in  a  gentleman's  and  mercury  in 
that  of  a  prince. 

Amethystine,  a-me-thist'In.  Anciently 
applied  to  a  garment  of  the  color  of  ame- 
thyst.    Composed  of  amethyst,  as  a  cup. 

Amharic,  am-hii'rik.  The  vernacular 
language  of  Southwestern  Abyssinia,  a 
corrupt  Arabic. 

Amherst,  Jeffery*  Lord.  A  cele- 
brated British  general,  b.  1717,  d.  1798. 
In  1760,  wth  Gens.  Wolfe  and  Prideaux, 
he  took  the  whole  of  Canada  from  the 
Prench  ;  was  appointed  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  British  troops  in  America,  and 
was  made  governor  of  Virginia  in  1763. 

Amherstia,  am-herst'i-a.  A  gen.  of 
Burmese  plants,  ord.  Leguminosaj. 

Amia,  am'i-a.  A  gen.  of  ganoid  fishes 
constituting  the  fam.  Amiida. 

Amianth,  am'i-anth.  Fine,  flexible  as- 
bestos, earth-flax,  or  mountain-flax ;  a 
mineral  somewhat  resembling  flax,  com- 
posed of  delicate  filaments,  very  flexible, 
and  somewhat  elastic,  often  long  and  re- 
sembling threads  of  silk.  It  is  incombus- 
tible, and  is  wrought  into  cloth  and  paper 
by  the  aid  of  flax,  which  is  afterward  re- 
moved by  a  red  heat ;  also  used  as  lamp- 
wicks,  and  for  filling  gas-grates,  the  fibers 
xemaining  red-hot  without  being  con- 
«umed. 

Am  lanthinite ,  am-i-an'thin-it.  A 
species  of  amorphous  mineral,  a  variety  of 
actiuolite. 

Amianthoid,  am-T-an'thoid.  A  mineral 
which  occurs  in  tufts,  composed  of  long 
capillary  filaments,  flexible  and  very  elas- 
tic ;  a  variety  of  hornblende. 

Amice,  am'is.  A  flowing  cloak  formerly 
Avorn  by  priests  and  pilgrims.  An  oblong 
piece  of  linen,  falUng  down  tho  shoulders 
like  a  cope,  Avorn  imder  the  alb  by  priests 
of  the  R.  C.  Church  Avhen  engaged  in  the 
ser\ice  of  the  mass.  The  bands  worn  by 
some  Protestant  clergymen  are  a  relic  of 
the  amice. 


Amide,  Amine,  am'id,  am'in.  A  se- 
ries of  salts  jn-od  need  by  the  substitution 
of  elements  or  radicals  "for  the  hydrogen 
atoms  of  ammonia. 

Amidin,  am'id-in.  The  gelatinous  part 
of  wheat  and  potato  starch. 

Amidogen,  -mid'r)-jen.  A  basifying 
principle  composed  of  two  equivalents  of 
hydrogen  and  one  of  nitrogen. 

Amiidse,  am-i'i-dc.  A  fam.  of  recent 
ganoid  fishes,  approaching  ordinary  bony 
fishes. 

Amman,  am'man.  An  officer  of  Switz- 
erland and  parts  of  Germany,  who  exer- 
cises limited  judicial  functions. 

Ammi,  ani'mC*.  A  gen.  of  umbellifer- 
ous plants,  sometimes  called  bishop-weeds. 

Anunochryse,  am'mo-krls.  A  yellow 
soft  stone,  found  in  Germanj',  Avlifch  is 
pulverized  and  used  to  strew"  over  fresh 
writing  to  prevent  blotting. 

Ammoccetes,  am'mo-se-tez.  A  gen.  of 
cyclostomous  fishes,  fam.  Petromyzidae, 
closely  allied  to  tho  lampreys. 

Ammod3rtes,  am'mr)-dI-tGz.  A  gon.  of 
apodal  fishes,  tarn.  Ammodytidae,  sub-ord. 
Anacanthini ;  the  sand-eel. 

Ammon,  am'-mon. 
An  ancient  Ethiopian 
and  Egyptian  deity, 
called  by  the  Greeks 
Zeus  Ammon,  and  by 
the  Latins  Jujnter 
Ammon. 

Ammonalum,  am'- 
mon-al-um.  A  min- 
eral consisting  of  a 
h}-drosulphato  of  alu- 
mina and  ammonia. 

Ammonia,  am-mO'- 
ni-a.  The  modern 
name  of  volatile  alkali 
obtained  from  sal-am-  Ammon,  from  a 
moniac  by  the  action  of  Bronze  in  Brit- 
lime.  It  is  used  both  ish  Museum, 
in  medicine  and  scien- 
tific chemistry  in  solution  under  the  names 
of  liquid  A.,  aiqueous  A.,  or  spirits  of  harts- 
horn. It  is  procured  from  putrescent  ani- 
mal substances,  and  artificially  from  the 
distillation  of  pit-coal  and  reftise  animal 
substances,  such  as  bones,  clippings  of 
horn,  hoof,  &c.  The  air  contains  a  mi- 
nute quantity  of  ammonia. 

Ammoniac,  am-mo'ni-ak.  Pertairing  to 
ammonia,  or  possessing  its  properties.  A. 
gas,  ammonia  in  its  purest  form.  A.  gum, 
a  gum-resin  composed  of  tears,  an  exuda- 
tion from  an  umbelliferous  plant,  the 
Dorema  ammoniacum.    It  is  inflammable, 


AMMONIAN 


AMPHIBIOLITE 


soluble  in  water  and  spirit  of  wine,  and 
is  used  in  medicine  for  plasters. 

Ammonian,  am-mo'ni-an.  Eelating  to 
Ammonius,  surnamed  Saccas,  of  Alexan- 
dria, who  flourished  at  the  end  of  the  2d 
century,  and  was  the  founder  of  the  Neo- 
platonic  schoo  1  of  philosophy,  his  most 
distinguished  pupils  being  Longinus, 
Origen,  and  Plotinus. 

Ammonite,  am'mon-it.  One  of  the 
fossil  shells  of  an  extensive  gen.  of  extinct 
cephalopodous  mollusks,  fam.  Ammon- 
itida».  The  species  already  described  num- 
ber 500,  and  range  from  the  lias  to  the 
chalk  inclusive,  including  the  genera  Gon- 
iatites,  Ceratites,  Ammonites,  Scaphites, 
Hamites  and  others,  the  most  character- 
istic mollusks  of  the  secondary  rocks. 

Amtmomtes,  sim'mon-Ites.  Descend- 
ants of  Lot's  youngest  son.  They  were 
idolaters,  and  almost  constantly  at  war 
with  the  Israelites. 

Ammonium,  am-md-'ni-um.  The  hy- 
pothetical base  of  ammonia,  analogous  to 
a  metal,  as  potassium. 

Ammophila,  a-mofi-la.  A  gen,  of 
gi-asses;  the  sea-reed.  A.  arundinacea 
is  extensively  employed  for  preserving 
the  shores  from  inroads  of  the  sea ;  it  is 
also  manufactured  into  door-mats,  floor- 
brushes,  ropes,  mats,  bags  and  hats.  A 
gen.  of  fossorial  hymenoptera,  commonly 
called  sand-wasps. 

Ammunition,  am-mu-ni'shon.  Arti- 
cles used  in  the  discharge  of  firearms,  of 
all  kinds,  as  iwwder,  balls,  bombs,  &c. 

Ammunition-chest,  am-mu-ni'shon- 
chest.  A  chest  in  which  the  fixed  ammu- 
nition for  field  cannon  is  packed. 

Amnion,  am'ni-on.  The  innermost 
membrane  suri;ounding  the  fetus  of  mam- 
mals, birds  and  reptiles.  In  Bot.  a  gelat- 
inous fluid,  in  which  the  embryo  of  a 
seed  is  suspended  when  it  first  appears. 

Amoeba,  a-me'ba.  A  microscopic  gen. 
of  rhizopodous  Protozoa,  of  which  A. 
diffluens,  is  the  type.  It  exists  as  a  mass 
of  protoplasm.  Within  the  body  a  nu- 
cleus and  nucleolus  are  usually  perceived, 
also  certain  clear  spaces,  termed  contrac- 
tile vesicles,  from  then-  exhibitmg  rhyth- 
mical movements  of  contraction  and  dila- 
tion. There  is  no  distinct  mouth,  and 
food  is  seized  by  means  of  the  pseudopodia 
engulfed  Avithin  the  soft  sarcode  body 
and  by  any  portion  of  its  surface,  the 
apertures  closing  up  immediately  after 
reception  of  the  nutriment.  Eeproduc- 
tion  takes  place  in  several  ways ;  as,  by 
fission,  whereby  an  amoeba  simply  divides 
Into  two  portions,  each  of  which  becomes 


a  distinct  animalcule ;  or  by  a  single  pseu- 
dopodium  detaching  itself  from  the  pa- 
rent body,  and  developing  into  a  sepai-ate 
amceba. 
Amcebea,  am-G-be'a.     An  ord.  of  Khizo- 
poda,  of  which  the  gen.  Amoeba  is  the 
type. 
Amomum,    a-mo'mum.      A    gen.    of 
plants,  ord.  Zingibeniceaj.  Various  species 
yield  cardamon  seeds  and  grains  of  para- 
dise. 
Amontillado,  a-mon'til.a"d6.    A  dry 

sherry  of  a  light  color,  highly  esteemed. 
Amorean,  am-o-re'an.     One  of  a  sect  of 
Gemario  doctors  or  commentators  on  the 
Jerusalem  Talmud. 

Amorites,  am'o-rites.  Descendants  of 
Ham,  occupying  both  banks  of  the  Jor- 
dan, and  the  most  warlike  and  powerful 
of  Canaanitish  tribes;  they  were  repeatedly 
defeated  by  Josiah,  but  were  not  extermi- 
nated, as  they  are  mentioned  in  the  time 
of  Samuel. 

Amorpha,  a-mor'fa.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Leguminosie  ;  bastard  indigo. 

Amour,  or  Sagrhalien.  The  largest 
river  of  E.  Asia,  formed  by  the  junction 
of  the  Shilka  and  Argun,  the  latter  form- 
ing for  400  m.  the  dividing  line  between 
China  and  Siberia.  The  A.  is  2,000  m. 
long,  and  empties  into  the  Bay  of  Sagha- 
hen. 

Amoy.  One  of  the  five  Chinese  seaports 
open  to  foreign  commerce  ;  pop.  250,000. 

Ampac,  am'pak.  A  tree  which  yields  a 
highly  odoriferous  resin,  the  leaves  of 
which  are  used  to  medicate  baths,  a  spe- 
cies of  Xanthoxylon. 

Ampelis,  am'pel-is.  A  gen.  of  perching 
birds,  forming  the  type  of  the  fam.  Ampe- 
lidaj  or  chatterers,  as  well  as  the  sub- 
fam.  or  group  Ampelina).  It  includes  the 
Bohemian  wax-wing  or  waxen  chatterer. 

Ajnpelite,  am 'pel-it.  A  species  of  black 
eartli  abounding  in  pyrites.  The  name  is 
also  applied  to  cannel  coal  and  to  some 
kinds  of  schist. 

Ampelopsis,  am-pel-op'sis.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Vitaceai.  A.  hederacea  is  the 
Virginian  creeper,  a  fast  growing  cUmbiug 
shrub. 

Ampere's  Theory,  an-parz  the'o-ri. 
An  electro-dynamic  theory,  in  Avhich  the 
mutual  atti-action  and  repulsion  of  two 
magnets  is  refen-ed  to  the  mutual  action 
of  electric  currents  circulating  parallel  to 
each  other  and  in  the  same  direction 
round  tne  magnet. 

Amphibiolite,  am-fib'i-o-ht.  A  fossil 
amphibious  animal. 


AMPHIBIOUS 


AMPLITUDE 


Amphibious,  am-fib'i-us.  Animals 
which  liave  the  power  of  Mving  in  air  ana 
water  ;  any  lung-breathing  animal  which 
can  exist  imder  water,  as  the  crocodile, 
Avhale,  seal,  beaver,  &c. 
AmpMbolite,  am-fib'o-llt.  A  rock  with 
a  base  of  an^phibole  or  hornblende ;  trap, 
or  greenstone. 

Amphiboloid,  am-fib'ol-oid.     A  rock 
composed  of  amphibole    and  felspar ;    a 
variety  of  greenstone. 
Amphicentrunx,    am-fi-sen'trum.      A 
gen.   of  fossil  ganoid  fishes  wanting  ab- 
dominal  iins,  confined    to  carboniferous 
strata. 
Amphictyons,  am-fik'tl-onz.     An  as- 
sembly or  council  of  deputies  from  the 
different  states  of  Greece.    Tenor  twelve 
states  were  represented  in  this  assembly. 
Amphicyon,  am-fls'i-on.    A  large  fossil 
carnivorous  quadruped,  whose  teeth  com- 
bine the  characteristics  of  those  of  dogs 
and  bears. 
Amphidisc,  am'fi-disk.  One  of  the  spi- 
cules which    surround    the    reproductive 
gemmules  of  Bpongilla,  resemUjng  two 
toothed  wheels  united  by  an  axl  * 
Amphidroraical,         am-fl-drom'ik-al. 
Pertaining  to  the  ancient  Greek  festival 
amphidromia,   celebrated  when  a  child  re- 
ceived its  name. 
Amphidura,  am-fi-du'ra.     In  the  Greek 
Ch.   the  veil  or  curtain    separating    the 
chancel  from  the  rest  of  the  church,  cor- 
responding  to    the    cancellus    of  E.    C. 
churches. 
Amphigean,    am-fi-ie'an.      Extending 
over  all  the  zones  of  the  globe. 
Amphig-en,   am'fi-jen.     A  plant  which 
has  no  distinct  axis,  as  the  lichens. 
Ampliihexahedral,  am-  fi-heks'a-hc"- 
dral.     Said  of  a  crystal  in  which  the  faces, 
counted  in  two  different  directions,  give 
two  hexahedral  outlines,  or  are  found  to 
he  six  in  number. 

Amphion,  am'fe-on.  In  Myth,  a  son  of 
Jupiter  and  Antiope,  who  rebuilt  the 
walls  of  Thebes  by  playing  on  his  lyre, 
the  stones  moving  to  the  music  and  as- 
suming their  proper  places  in  the  wall. 
Amphipoda,  am-fip'od-a.  An  ord.  of 
the  sessile-eyed  malacostracan  crusta- 
ceans. The  sand-hopper  and  shore- 
jumper  are  examples. 
Amphiprostyle,  am-fip'ro-stll.  A 
structure  having  the  form  of  an  ancient 
Greek  or  Eoman  oblong  rectangular  tem- 
ple, -with  a  prostyle  or  portico  on  each  of 
its  fronts,  but  no  columns  on  its  sides. 


Amphisarca,  am-'fl-siir-ka.  A  com- 
pound, many-celled,  indehiscent,  superior 
fruit,  Avith  a  woodv  or  indurated  shell  in- 
closing an  internal  pulp,  as  seen  in  the 
baobab. 

Anxphisbaena,  am-fis-bc'na.  A  gen, 
of  serpentiform,  hmbless  reptiles,  fam. 
Amphisbftnid.ie,  ord.  Lacertilia. 

Ampliisbaenia,  am-fls-be'ni-a.  An 
ord.  of  lacertian  reptiles,  of  which  the 
gen.  Amphisbiena  is  the  type. 

Amphiscii,  am-fish'i-i.  The  inhabitants 
of  the  inter-tropical  regions,  whose  shad- 
ows at  noon  in  one  part  of  the  year  are 
cast  to  the  north  and  in  the  other  to  the 
south,  according  as  the  sun  is  in  the 
northern  or  southern  signs. 

Amphisile,  am-fis'i-le.  A  gen.  of  acan- 
thopterygious  fishes.  It  belongs  to  th© 
fam.  FistularidiB  or  sea-snipes,  and  is 
closely  allied  to  the  gen.  Centrlscus. 

Ampitheater,  am-fi-the'a-ter.  An  an- 
cient Eome  edifice  of  an  oval  form,  with 
rows  of  seats  rising  higher  as  they  re- 
ceded from  the  center.  The  ancient  thea- 
ter was  nearl}-^  semi-circular  in  shape,  with 
its  rows  of  seats  fronting  the  stage ;  the 
A.  was  always  elliptical  in  form.  The  Col- 
osseum at  Eome  is  the  largest  of  all  the 
ancient  amphitheaters. 

Amphitherium,  am-fi-the'ri-um.  A 
fossil  insectivorous  mammal  of  the  oolite. 
A.  Prevostii  is  the  only  species  yet  dis- 
covered. 

Amphitrite,  am-fi-trl'te.  The  name  of 
a  sea-nymph  in  Greek  mythology,  sister  of 
Thetis  and  wife  of  Neptune.     A  small 

Rlanet  or  asteroid  between  the  orbits  of 
[ars  and  Jupiter.  A  gen.  of  marine  an- 
nelids, ord.  Tubicote,  and  class  Annulata. 
Ain.phit3^e,  am'fi-tlp.  A  photographic 
process  by  which  light  produces  either  a 
positive  or  a  negative.  The  paper  is  pre- 
pared by  a  solution  of  ferro- tartrate  or 
ferro-citrate  of  protoxide  or  peroxide  of 
mercury,  followed  by  a  solution  of  am- 
monio- tartrate  or  ammonio-citrate. 
Amphiumidse,  am-fl-ffmi-de.  A  fam. 
of  tailed  amphibians  distinguished  by  a 
small  branchial  aperture  on  each  sida, 
within  which  are  the  branchial  arches  with 
small  laminae.  The  gen.  Amphiuma  is 
the  type. 

Amplitude,  am'pli-tud.  In  Astron.  an 
arc  of  the  horizon  intercepted  between  the 
east  or  west  point  and  the  center  of  the 
sun  or  star  at  its  rising  or  setting.  At  the 
rising  of  the  star  the  amplitude  is  eastern 
or  ortive ;  at  the  setting  it  is  western, 
occiduous,  or  occasive.    A.  of  the  range 


AMPHORA 


40 


ANABLEPS 


Amphorffi. 


of  a  projectile,  the  horizontal  line  sub- 
tending the  path  of  a  body  thrown,  or 
the  lino  which  measures  the  distance  it 
has  moved.  Magnetical  A.,  the  arc  of  the 
horizon  between  the  sun  or  a  star  at  ris- 
ing or  setting,  and  the  east  or  west  point 
of  the  horizon. 

Amph.ora,  am'fo-ra.  Among  the  Greeks 
and  Itomans,  a  vessel,  with  two  handles 
and  a  narrow  neck,  and  ending  in  a  point 
below  for  being  insert- 
ed in  a  stand  or  in  the 
ground.  The  stopper 
Avas  covered  with  gyp- 
sum, and  the  title  of  the 
wine  was  painted  on 
the  outside,  the  date  of 
tlie  vintage  being  mark- 
ed by  the  names  of  the 
consuls  then  in  office. 
A.  was  also  the  name 
of  a  fixed  measure,  the 
Greek  being  equal  to  8  gaiwlons,  7.365  jnnts 
imperial  measure,  and  the  Eoman  two- 
thirds  of  this. 

Ampulla,  am-pul'la.  In  Rom,  antiq. 
a  globular  bottle  used  for  carrying  oil  to 
the  bath  for  the  purpose  of  anointing  the 
body  after  bathing.  A  vessel  for  holding 
the  consecrated  oil  or  chrism  used  in  vari- 
ous church  rites  and  at  the  coronation  of 
kings.  The  hollow  leaves  formed  in  cer- 
tain aquatic  plants,  as  in  Utricularia. 

Ampyx,  am'piks.  A  broad 
band  or  plate  of  metal  en- 
riched with  precious  stones, 
worn  on  the  forehead  by  an- 
cient Greek  ladies  of  rank. 
The  head -band  of  a  horsu.  A 
species  of  trilobite  or  fossil 
crustacean,  found  in  lower 
Silurian  strata. 

Amuck,  a-muk'.  A  term 
employed  among  the  Malays 
by  such  of  them  as  rush  out  in  a  frantic 
state  with  daggers  in  their  hands,  yelling, 
"Amuck,  amuck,"  and  attacking  all  that 
come  in  their  way. 

Amulet,  am'ulet.  Something  worn  as  a 
remedy  or  preservation  against  evils  or 
mischief.  They  have  been  used  from  an- 
cient times,  and  are  still  worn  in  parts  of 
the  world.  The  early  Christian  A.  were 
commonly  inscribed  with  the  words 
ichthys,  lish,  or  with  the  shape  of  a  flsh, 
because  this  represented  the  initials  of  the 
Greek  words  for  Jesus  Christ. 

Amygrdalin.  A  crystalline  principle 
existing  in  bitter  almonds,  the  leaves  of 
the  common  laurel,  and  other  i)lants. 

Amygrdaloid.   a-mig'da-loid.     A  term 


Ampyx. 


applied  to  an  igneous  rock,  containing 
vesicles  filled  with  crystalline  nodules  of 
various  minerals,  particularly  calcareous 
spar,  quartz,  agate,  zeohte,  chlorite,  &c. 
When  the  imbedded  minei-als  are  de- 
tached, it  becomes  porous  like  lava. 

Am.yg:dalus,  a-mig'da-lus.  A  gen.  of 
trees  and  shrubs,  ord.  Rosacea?.  A. 
communis  is  the  almond-tree,  and  A.  per- 
sica  the  i>cach  and  nectarine. 

Amyl,  am'il.  A  hypothetical  radical,  said 
to  exist  in  many  compounds,  as  amylic 
alcohol.  &c.  Nitrite  of  A. ^  an  amber-col- 
ored fluid,  employed  as  a  resuscitator  in 
cases  of  drowning,  prolonged  fainting,  for 
relieving  paroxysms  of  colic,  spasms  of 
tetanus,  of  the  heart,  &c. 

Amylamine,  a-mil'a-min.  An  organic 
base  produced  by  treating  amyl  cyanate 
with  caustic  potash. 

Amylene,  am'il-en.  A  hydrocarbon  ob- 
tained by  the  dehydration  of  amylic  alco- 
hol by  means  of  zinc  chloride,  «fcc. 

Amyraldism,  am'i-rald-izm.  The  doc- 
trine of  universal  grace,  as  explained  by 
AmyraMus  in  the  17th  century.  He 
taught  "at  God  desires  the  happiness  of 
all  men,  and  that  none  are  excluded  by  a 
divine  decree,  but  that  none  can  obtain 
salvation  without  faith  in  Christ. 

Amyridaceee,  a-mii-'i-da"se-e.  An 
ord.  of  polypetalous  plants.  Myrrh, 
frankincense,  and  gum-elemi  are  among 
their  products. 

Ana,  an'a.  A  Greek  preposition  employ- 
ed as  a  prefix  and  implying  primarily  up, 
up  to,  motion  upward.*  In  Med.  used  in 
prescriptions  to  indicate  an  equal  quantity 
of  each. 

Anabaptist,  an-a-bap'tist.  One  who 
holds  the  doctrine  of  invalidity  of  infant 
baptism,  and  the  necessity  of  rebaptism 
at  an  adult  age.  With  this  is  generally  as- 
sociated the  doctrine  of  baptism  by  im- 
mersion. 

Anabasidse,  an-a-bas'i-do.  A  fam.  of 
acanthopterygious  fishes,  remarkable  in 
that  they  can  retain  sufficient  water  to  en- 
ble  the  fish  to  live  out  of  water  as  long 
as  six  days. 

Anabasis,  an-ab'a-sis.  Applied  to  the 
work  of  Xenophon  descriptive  of  the  ex- 
pedition of  Cyrus,  -with  the  view  of  de- 
throning his  brother  Artaxerxes,  king  of 
Persia,  and  including  an  account  of  the 
retreat  of  the  10,000  Greek  mercenaries 
under  Xenophon.  Any  expedition  from 
the  coast  inland. 

Anableps,  an'a-bleps.  A  gen.  of  mala- 
copterygian  fishes,  remarkable  for  their 


ANAOAMPSEROS 


41 


ANAMORPHOSIS 


eyes,  which  project  and  have  two  pupils, 
each  eye  appearing  as  if   double;   but 


Anableps  tetraophthalmus. 

there  is  only  one  crystalline  humor,  one 
vitreous  huinor,  and  one  retina. 

Anacampseros,  an-a-kamp'se-ros.  A 
plant  to  wuicli  the  ancients  attributed  the 
quality  of  restoring  or  inducing  the  re- 
turn of  tiie  passion  of  love.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.   Portulaceas. 

Anacanthini,  an'a-kan-thl"nl.  An  ord. 
of  osseous  lishes,  including  the  cod, 
plaice,  &c. 

Anacardiacese,  an-a-kar'di-a"se-e.  An 
ord.  of  polypetalous  plants,  the  sumach, 
the  pistacias,  the  mango,  the  cashew,  the 
marking-nut,  the  varnish  tree  of  Marta- 
ban  and  the.  Japan-lacquer.  Mastic  is  the 
produce  of  Pistacia  Lentiscus. 

Anacardium,  an-a-kar'di-um.  A  gen. 
of  plants,  ord.  Anacardiacese.  The  fruit 
of  A.  occidentale  is  roasted,  and  the 
kernels  having  their  acidity  thus  de- 
stroyed are  the  cashew-nuts.  This  tree 
yields  a  gum  resembling  gum-arabic. 

Anacharis,  an-ak'ar-is.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Hydrocharidaceae ;  water- 
thyme  or  water-weed. 

Anaclironisia,  an-ak'ron-izm.  An  er- 
ror in  computing  time. 

Anaclastic,  an-a-klas'tik.  Pertaining  to 
or  produced  by  the  refraction  of  light. 
A.  glass  or  phial,  a  glass  so  thin  that  when 
air  is  sucked  from  it,  the  bottom  springs 
into  a  concave  form  with  a  sharp  snap, 
and  when  air  is  blown  in,  springs  into  its 
former  convex  form. 

Anaconda,  an-a-kon'da.  The  popular 
name  of  two  of  the  largest  species  of  the 
serpent  tribe,  attaining  the  length  of  40 
feet.  Both  are  destitute  of  poison  fangs, 
and  kill  their  Aictims  by  constriction. 
?  Anacreontic,  a-nak're-on"tik.  Pertain- 
•  ing  to  Anacreon,  a  Greek  poet  whose  odes 
and  epigrams  were  celebrated  for  their 
graceful  air  and  truth  to  nature. 

Anadem,  an'a-dem.  A  band,  fillet,  or 
wreath  worn  on  the  head  by  women  and 
young  men. 

Anadromous,  a-nad'rom-us.  A  word 
applied  to  such  fish  as  pass  from  the  sea 
into  fresh  water  at  stated  seasons,  as  the 
salmon. 

Ansesthetic,  an-es-thet'ik.  Having  the 
power  of  depriving  of  feeling  or  sensation. 


Anag-allis,  an-a-gal'hs.  A  gen,  of  plants, 
ord.  Primulaceae;  the  pimpernel. 

Anaglyph.,  an'a-glif.  An  ornament  in 
relief  chased  or  embossed  in  precious 
metal  or  stone,  as  a  cameo. 

Anag-lyptograph,  an-a-glip'to-graf. 
An  instrument  for  making  a  medallion  en- 
graving of  an  object  in  relief,  as  a  medal 
or  cameo. 

Anagram,  an'a-gram.  The  letters  of 
words  read  backwards,  and  then  forming 
a  new  word  ;  thus,  evil  is  an  anagram  of 
live. 

AnagTOS,  an'a-gros.  A  measure  of 
grain  in  Spain,  containing  something  less 
than  two  bushels. 

Analcim,  a-nal'sim,  A  zeolitic  mineral 
found  in  cubic  crystals,  but  also  amorph- 
ous, and  in  reniform,  mammillary,  lami- 
nated, or  radiated  masses. 

Analenuna,  an-a-lem'ma.  A  form  of 
sun-dial,  now  disused.  A  projection  of 
the  sphere  on  the  plane  of  the  meridian, 
orthographically  made  by  straight  lines, 
circles,  and  ellipses,  the  eye  being  sup- 
posed at  an  infinite  distance,  and  in  the 
east  or  west  points  of  the  horizon.  A  tabu- 
lar mark,  usually  in  the  form  of  the  figure 
8,  depicted  across  the  torrid  zone  to  notify 
the  sun's  declination. 

Analogion,  an-a-loj'i-on.  A  reading- 
desk  or  lectern  ;  a  movable  pulpit. 

Anamesite,  a-nam'e-sit.  A  variety  of 
basalt  intermediate  between  the  very  fine- 
grained compact  form  (basalt),  and  the 
coarse-grained  conspicuously  crystalliae 
form  (dolerite). 

Anamirta,  a-na-mer'ta.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Menispermacese. 

Anamorphosis,  an- 
-a-mor'fo-sis.  A  draw- 
ing executed  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  present  a 
distorted  image  of  the 
object  represented,  but 
which,  when  viewed 
from  a  certain  point,  or 
reflected  through  a  pol- 
yhedron, shows  the  ob- 
ject in  its  true  propor- 
tions. An  anomalous 
or  monstrous  develop- 
ment of  any  part  of  a 
plant,  as  "when  the 
calyx  of  a  rose  assumes 
the  form  of  a  leaf.  The 
gradual  change  of  form, 
traced  in  animals  or 
plants,  the  members 
of  which  succeed  each 
other  in  point  of  time. 


Anamorpliosi». 


ANANASSA 


42 


ANCHORET 


an-a-nas'sa.  A  g'en.  of 
plants,  ord.  Bromeliaceai.  A.  sativa  pro- 
duces the  pine-apple. 

Ananchytes,  an-ang-kl'tez.  A  gen.  or 
subdi\ision  of  fossil  sea-urchins  belonging 
to  the  tribe  Spatangidaj,  characteristic  of 
the  upper  chalk. 

Anandrous,  an-an'drus.  A  term  ap- 
plied to  tlowers  that  are  destitute  of  a 
stamen  (female  flowers). 

Anantherous,  an-an'ther-us.  Destitute 
of  anthers. 

Ananthous,  an-an'thus.  Destitute  of 
liowers. 

Anapest,  an'a-pest.  A  poetical  foot  of 
three  syllables,  the  first  two  unaccented, 
the  last  accented  ;  the  reverse  of  dactyl. 

Anaphora,  an-af  o-ra.  A  term  applied 
to  tlie  oblique  ascensions  of  the  stars. 

Anaplasty,  an'a-plas-ti.  An  operation 
to  repair  superficial  lesions.  Artificial 
noses,  &c.,  are  thus  made. 

Anarrhiclias,  a-nar'ri-kas.  A  gen.  of 
acanthopterygian  fishes,  fam.  Biennioidae. 
A.  lujius  is  the  sea-wolf,  wolf  or  cat-fish. 

Anarthropoda,  an-ar-throp'o-da.  One 
of  the  two  great  divisions  of  the  Annu- 
losa,  or  ringed  animals,  including  the 
spoon-worms,  leeches,  earth-worms,  tube- 
worms,  and  sand-worms. 

Anarthrous,  -iir'thrus.  Having  neither 
wings  nor  legs,  as  worms,  leeches,  &c. 

Anas,  a'nas.  A  gen.  of  birds,  included  in 
the  ord.  Palmipedes  (or  web-footed  birds) 
and  divided  into  a  number  of  genera,  one 
of  which,  Anas,  contains  the  true  ducks. 

Anastatic,  an-a-stat'ik.  Furnished  ^vith 
raised  characters  ;  as,  A.  jilates.  A.  print- 
ing or  engraving,  a  mode  of  obtaining  fac- 
simile impressions  of  printing  or  engrav- 
ing by  transferring  it  to  a  plate  of _  zinc, 
which  on  being  subjected  to  the  action  of 
an  acid,  is 
etched  or  eat- 
en away,  with 
the  exception 
of  the  parts 
covered  with 
the  ink,  which 
are  left  in  re- 
lief. 

Anastatica, 
an-a-stat'i-ka. 
A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord. 
Cruci ferae.  A. 
hierochuntica 
is  the  Rose  of 

Jericho,  or  resurrection  plant,  remarkable 
for  the  power  the  dried  plant  possesses  of 


Rose  of  Jericho. 


absorbing  water  when  placed  in  it  and  ap- 
pearing to  live. 

Anatase,  an'a-t5s.  Octahedral  oxide 
of  titanium;  a  mineral  that  shows  a  varie- 
ty of  colors  by  reflected  light;  octahedrite. 
It  is  usually  crystallized  in  acute,  elongat- 
ed, pyramidal  octahedrons. 

Anathema,  a-nath'e-ma.  A  curse  or 
denunciation  pronounced  with  religious 
solemnity  by  eclesiastical  authority,  and 
accompanied  by  excommunication.'  Ab- 
juratory  A., the  act  of  a  convert  who  anathe< 
matizes  the  heresy  which  he  abjures. 

Anatidae,  a-nat'i-de.  A  fam.  of  web-foot- 
ed anserine  or  natatorial  birds,  of  which 
the  gen.  Anas  is  the  type. 

Anatinae,  an-a-tl'ne.  A  sub-fam.  of  tho 
Anatldaj,  comprehending  the  true  ducks, 
sometimes  divided  into  the  oceanic  ducks, 
the  lake  and  the  common  domestic  duck. 

Anatomist,  a-nat'o-mist.  One  who  dis- 
sects bodies ;  one  who  is  versed  in  the 
principles  of  anatomy. 

Anatomy,  a-nat'o-mi.  The  art  of  dis- 
secting or  artificially  separating  the  differ- 
ent parts  of  an  organized  body  to  discover 
their  situation,  structure  and  economy. 
Pathological  A.,  that  branch  of  anatomy 
which  treats  of  the  changes  in  structure 
of  organs  and  tissues  produced  by  disease, 
and  of  congenital  malformations.  Com- 
parative A.,  the  science  which  compares 
the  anatomy  of  different  classes  or  species 
of  animals,  as  that  of  man  with  quadrupeds. 
Surgical  A.,  that  branch  which  demon- 
strates the  relative  position  of  organs  or 
parts,  with  a  view  to  those  operations 
which  it  may  be  necessary  to  perform 
upon  them. 

Anatron,  an'a-tron.  Spume  or  glass  gall, 
a  scum  which  rises  upon  melted  glass,  and 
when  taken  ott'  coagulates  into  common 
salt.  The  salt  which  collects  in  vaults  ; 
saltpeter. 

Anchilops,  ang'ki-lops.  An  abcess  in 
tho  inner  angle  of  the  eye  ;  an  incipient 
fistula  lachrymalis. 

Anchitherium,  ang-ki-thc'ri-um.  A 
fossil  gen.  of  pachydermatous  mammals, 
from  the  upper  eocene  and  lower  miocene, 
fam.  Equidaj.  The  only  recognized  species 
was  about  tho  size  of  a  sheep,  and  was 
closely  allied  to  the  Palaiotherium. 
Anchored,  ang'kerd.  Held  at  rest  by 
an  anchor.  In  Her.  the  term  applied  to  a 
cross  whose  extremities  are  turned  back 
like  the  flukes  of  an  anchor. 
Anchoret,  ang'ko-re*,.  A  hermit  or  re- 
cluse ;  one  who  retires  from  society  into  a 


ANCHOR 


43 


ANDEOSPOKE 


desert  or  solitarj^  place,  and  devotes  liim- 
self  to  religious  duties. 

Anchor,  ang'ker.  An  iron  implement 
for  holding  a  ship  or  other  vessel  at  rest 
in  the  water, 
formed  with 
a  strong 
shank,atone 
extremit}'-  of 
which  is  the 

•  crown,  from  AucUor 

which  branch 

out  two  arms,  terminating  in  broad  palms 
ortluk.es,  the  sharp  extremity  of  which  Is 
ihe  peak  or  bill ;  at  the  other  end  of  the 
shank  is  the  stock,  behind  which  is  a  ring, 
to  which  a  cable  can  be  attached. 

Anchor-gate,  ang'ker-gilt.  A  heavy 
gate  in  canals. 

Anchor-watch,  ang'ker-woch.  A  sub- 
division of  the  watch  kejjt  constantly  on 
deck  during  the  time  the  ship  lies  at  single 
anchor. 

Anchovy,  an-cho'vi.  An  abdominal 
malacopterygious  iish  of  the  gen.  Engi-au- 
lis,  fam.  Clupeida;,  of  diminutive  size.  A 
sauce  is  made  by  i)0unding  the  fish  in 
water,  and  adding  cayenne  pepper. 

Anchovy-pear,  an-cho'vi-par.  The 
fruit  of  the  gen.  Grlas.  It  is  pickled  and 
oaten  hke  mango. 

Anchusa,  ang-ku'sa.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Boraginaceae. 

Anchusin,  ang-kii'sin.  The  red  color- 
ing matter  obtained  from  Anchusa  tiuc- 
toria. 

Ancile,  an-sl'le.  Among  the  ancient 
Eomans,  the  sacred  shield  of  Mars,  said 
to  have  fallen  from  heaven,  or  a  shield 
made  in  imitation  of  it. 

Ancon,  an'kon.  The  olecranon;  the 
upper  end  of  the  ulna  or  elbow.  A  carved 
drinking-cup  or  horn.  In  Arch,  a  console, 
or  other  stone  projection  contrived  for 
supporting  cornices. 

Ancon,  an'kon,  A  celebrated  breed  of 
sheep  with  short  crooked  legs  and  long 
back,  unable  to  leap  fences. 

Ancony,  an'ko-ni.  A  piece  of  cast-iron 
melted  off  and  hammered  at  a  forge  into 
a  mass  called  a  bloom  ;  then  carried  to  a 
finery,  and  worked  into  an  A. 

Ancylotome.  an-sil'6-tom.  A  crooked 
knife  or  bistoury  ;  also  a  knife  for  divid- 
ing the  frsenum  linguse  in  tongue-tied 
persons,  or  other  adhesions  and  contrac- 
tions. 

Anda,  an'da.  A  gen,  of  plants,  ord.  Eu- 
phorbiaceap,  the  only  known  species  of 
A.  braziliensis. 


Andalusite,  an-da-lu'sit.  A  pellucid 
mineral  of  the  garnet  fam.  found  crystal- 
lized in  imperfect  four-sided  prisms,  near- 
ly or  quite  rhombic ;  consisting  of  anhy- 
drous silicate  of  alumina  with  iron  per- 
oxide. 

Andante,  an-dan'ta.  In  music,  moving 
with  a  moderate,  graceful  progression. 

Andantino,  an-dan-te'no.  In  music, 
appUed  to  a  movement  quicker  than  an- 
dante. 

Andaquies-wax,  -da-koTis-waks.  The 
wax  of  a  bee  used  in  making  candles,  &c. 

Andesin,  an'dGz-in.  A  mineral  resem- 
bling felspar,but  containing  siUca,  alumina, 
soda,  lime,  potash  and  magnesia. 

Andesite,  an'dez-it.  A  trachytic  rock  con- 
tiiining  andesin,  glassy  felspar  (orthoclase), 
and  hornblende. 

Andira,  an-di'ra.  A  gen,  of  trees,  ord. 
Leguminosje,  with  fleshy  plum-Hke  fruits. 
The  A.  inermis,  or  cabbage  tree,  is  used 
in  medicine. 

Andiron,  and'T-em.  A  horizontal  iron 
bar  raised  on  short  legs,  with  an  upright 
standard  at  one  end,  used  to  support 
pieces  of  wood  when  burning  on  an  open 
hearth,  one  being  placed  on  each  side  of 
the  hearth. 

Andra,  an'dra.    A  North  African  gazelle. 

Andreeeacese,  an-dre'c-a^'se-e.  A  dis- 
tinct tribe  of  mosses  distinguished  mainly 
by  the  longitudinal  splitting  of  the  valves 
at  maturity 

Andrenidse.  an-dren'I-dc.  A  family  of 
soHtary  bees  in  which  the  tongue  is  short 
and  the  chin  elongated. 

Andreolite,  an'dre-o-Ht,  A  mineral, 
harmotome  or  cross-stone. 

Androgynal,  an-droj'in-al.  Having 
two  sexes  ;  being  male  and  female  ;  hei- 
maphroditical. 

Andromeda,  an-drom'e-da.  The  daugh- 
ter of  Cei)heusking  of  Ethiopia,  and  wife 
of  Perseus.  A  northern  constellation,  be- 
hind Pegasus,  Cassiopeia.  «nd  Perseus, 
supposed  to  represent  th,  figure  of  a 
woman  chained  ;  the  stars  number  eighty- 
four.     A  gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Ericacea;. 

Andron.  an'dron.  In  Greek  antiq.  the 
apartme  t  in  a  dwelling-house  appro- 
priated to  males,  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
house.  I 

Androphore,  an'dro-fr>r  A  stalk  sup- 
l)orting  the  stamens,  often  formed  by  a 
union  of  the  filaments.  The  medusiform 
zooid  in  which  the  male  elements  are  de- 
veloped. 

Androspore,  an'dro-spor.     A  8i>ore  of 


ANDEl^OGON 


44 


ANGIOSPERM 


Anelace. 


some  al<T«,  from   which  proceed  a  large 

number  of  smiUl  bodies  having  male  func 

tions. 
Andropog'on,  an-dr6-)yr>'gon,      A  gen. 

of  grasses,  yielding  a  lemon-scented  oil. 
Androsphinx,  an'dro-sfingks.     In  anc. 

Rciilp.  n  sphinx  with  a  human  head. 
Androtomy,  an-drot'o-mi.      Dissection 

of  the  human  body,  as  distinguished  from 

zootomy. 

Ane  lace, 

an'e-las.  A 
broad  knife 
or  dagger, 
worn  at  the 
girdle,  used 
from  an 
early  period. 
Anemometer,  an-e-mom'et-er.  An  in- 
strument for  measuring  the  force  and  ve- 
locity of  the  v\ind. 

Anemone,  a- 
nem'ono.  Wind- 
flower,  a  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  llan- 
unculacea>.  The 
wood  anemone 
has  white  flowers, 
sometimes  tinged 
with  j)urple  on 
the  outside. 

Anemosc  ope, 

a-nem'o-skop.    A  Yine-leaved  Anemone 

contrivance 

%vhich  shows  the  direction  of  the  wind  ;  a 

-weathercock  ;  a  contrivance  for  conveying 

the  indications  of  the  vaae  to  a  dial. 
Aneroid,  an'- 

e-roi(l.   Dispen- 
sing with  fluid, 

as  with  (juick- 

silver.     A .   ba- 
rometer, an  in 

strum  en  t       for 

indicating     the 

pressure  of  the 

atmosphere.an- 

swering        the 

purpose  of  the 

mercurial  barometer. 
Anethum.  n-ne'thum.    Agen.of])lants, 

ord.   Umbellifera?.     A.  graveolens  is  the 

common  dill. 
Aneurism,  an'u-rizm.    The  swelling  of 

an  artery,  or  the  dilatation  and  expansion 

of  some  ]iart  of  an  artery. 
Angrel,    nn'jel.     A    spiritual   being    em- 

plo\-ed  by  God  in  human  afiairs.  A 
.woman  of  adorable  qualities.  A  gold 
[coin,  formerly  current  in  England,  bear- 


Ajieroid  Uarometer. 


ing  on  its  obverse  a  figure  of  the  archan- 
gel Michael  piercing  a  dragon. 
Ang-elet,  fm'jel-et.  An  old  English  gold 
coin,  equal  to  half  an  angel.  ' 
Ang-el-fish,  an'jel-fisii.  A  plagiosto- 
mous  fish,  Squatina  angelus,  nearly  allied 
to  the  sharks  ;  it  connects  the  gen.  of  rays 
wth  that  of  the  sharks. 
Angrelica,  an-jel'ik-a.  A  gen.  of  umbel- 
liferous plants.  The  garden  name  for 
Archangelica  officinalis,  having  a  large 
aromatic  root,  and  a  strong-fuiTCwed 
branched  stem  as  high  as  a  man.  Its 
blanched  stems,  candied  with  sugar,  form 
an  agreeable  sweetmeat ;  the  roots  were 
formerly  employed  in  scrofulous  diseases. 
Angrelica-tree,  an-jel'ik-a-tre.  The 
American  name  of  Ai-aUa  spinosa,  ord. 
Araliacea-,  the  berries  of  w  hich  are  used 
for  relieving  rheumatism  and  colic. 
Angelite,  an'jel-it.  One  of  a  sect  of  her- 
etics near  the  close  of  the  5th  century, 
who  held  the  persons  of  the  Trinity  not  to 
be  the  same,  nor  to  exist  by  their  own  na- 
ture, but  each  to  be  a  God,  existing  by 
participating  in  a  deity  common  to  them 
all. 
Angrelophany,  an-jel-ofa-ni.  The  man- 
ifestation of  an  angel  to  man  by  actual 
appearance. 

Angrelot,  an'jel-ot.    An  ancient  English 
coin,  of  the  value  of  half  an  angel,  struck 
at  Paris    while   under  the  dominion    of 
England.    A  small  rich  cheese  made  in 
Normand}'.      An    instrument   of  music 
somewhat  resembling  a  lute. 
Angrelus,  an'jel-us.     In  the  R.  C.  Ch.  a 
solemn  devotion  in  memory  of  the  incar- 
nation.    The  bell  is  tolled  to  indicate  the 
time  when  the  A.  is  to  be  recited. 
Angina,  an-il'na.    Any  inflammatory  af- 
ection  of  the  throat  or  fauces.    A.  pectoris, 
a  disease  characterized  by  an  extremely 
acute  constriction  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
sternum,  and  extending  along  the  chest 
and  into  the  con-esponding  arm. 
Angriocarpous,  an'ji-o-kar"pus.     Hav- 
ing a  fruit  whose  seed-vessels  are  inclosed 
w ithin  a  covering  that  does  not  form  a  part 
of  themselves.  Having  the  seeds  or  spores 
covered,  as  certain  lichens. 
Angiopteris,  an-ji-op'ter-is.     A  gen.  of 
ferns,  ord.  Marattiaceaj. 
Angioscope,   an'ji-o-skiip.     An    instru- 
ment for  examining  the  capillary  vessels 
of  a  body. 
Anglosperm,   an'ji-o-sperm.      A  plant 
which  has  its  seeds  inclosed  in  a  seed-ves- 
sel. 


ANGIOSPOROUS 


45 


ANILINE 


Ang-iosporous,  an-ji-os'po-rus.  A  term 
applied  to  such  fungi  as  have  their  spores 
inclosed  in  a  bag,  as  Lycoperdon. 
Angiotomy,  an-jl-ot'o-mi.  Dissection 
of  tlic  vessels  of  a  body,  especially  of 
the  human  body. 

Angle,  ang'gl.  The  point  where  two  lines 
meet,  or  the  meeting  of  two  iHies  in  a  point; 
a  corner.  A  plain  ^ 
rectilineal  A.  is  the 
mutual  inclination  of/^  i 

two      straight    lines  ^  '^ 

which  meet  one  an- 
other, but  are  not  in 
the  same  straight  — 
line  ;  a  rectilineal  A.  Ee-entering  Angle 
is  the  degree  of  opening  or  divergence  of 
tsvo  straight  lines  which  meet  one  an- 
other, A  clear  idea  of  the  nature  of  an 
angle  is  obtained  by  gradually  opening  a 
carpenter's  rule  or  a  pair  of  compasses,  as 
the  angle  made  will  become  greater  as  the 
opening  widens. 

Angle-bar,  ang'gl-bar.    A  vertical  bar 
at  the  angles  of  the  faces  of  a  pol5'gonal  or 
bow   window.     A  rolled  bar  of  iron  for 
forming  the  edges  of  safes,  or  to  be  rivet- 
ed to  boilers,  tanks,  &c. 
Angle-brace,   ang'gl-bras.     An  instru- 
ment consisting  of  a  rectangular  crank- 
frame  like  the  carpenter's  brace,  but  much 
stronger,  and  carrying  a  parallel  tool-spin- 
dle terminating  in'a  bit-socket. 
Angle-iron,  ang'gl-i-ern.     A  piece   of 
iron   rolled  into  the  shape  of 
the  letter  L,  used  for  forming 
the    joints    of  iron  plates  in 
girders,  boilers,  &c. 
Anglemeter,  ang'gl-me-ter. 
Any  instrument  for  measur- 
ing   angles  ;    an  instrument  Angle-iron, 
used  by  geologists  for  meas- 
uring the  dip  of  strata. 
Angles,  ang'glz.    A  Low  German  tribe 
who  crossed  over  to  Britain  along  with 
bands  of  Saxons,  Jutes  and  Frisians,  and 
colonized  a  great  part  of  what  from  them 
has  received  the  name  of  England. 
Anglesite,   ang'gl-sit.     A    sulphate  of 
lead  occuring  in  prismatic  crystals. 
Anglican,  anrj-'glik-an.     A    member  of 
the  Church  of  England. 
Anglo,   ang'glo.       A    prefix    signif\ing 
English,     or    connected    with  England, 
as,  Anglo-American,  Anglo-Indian. 
Anglo-Saxon,  ang'glo-sak'son.     One  of 
the  nation   fi)rmcd   by  the  union  of  the 
Angles,  Saxons  and  other  early  Teutonic 
settlers  in  Britain,  or  one  of  their  descen- 
dants, as  an  inhabitant  of    the  United 


States,  Canada,  Australia,  &c.  The  earliest 
form  of  the  EngUsh  language. 
Angola,  an-go'la.    A  fashionable  cloth, 
made  from  the  wool  of  the  Angora-goat. 
Angola-cat,   an-go'Ia-kat.    One  of  the 
finest  varieties  of  the  domestic  cat. 
Angora-goat,  an-go'ra-got.    A  variety 
of  goat,  called  by  the  Arabs  chamal  goat, 
whence  comes  the  name  camlet,  applied 
to  a  fabric  manufactured  from  the  yarn 
made  from  its  wool. 

Angostura-bark,  an-gos-tii'ra-bark. 
The  bark  of  a  rutaceous  plant,  Galipea 
Cusparia,  formerly  prized  as  a  febrifuge, 
and  now  used  for  a  kind  of  bitters. 
AngTSecum,  an-grc'kum.  A  remarka- 
ble gen.  of  tropical  orchids.  A.  sesqui- 
pe<lale,  has  the  largest  orchideous  flower 
known.  The  leaves  of  A.  fragi-ans  are 
used  as  tea,  under  the  name  of  faham. 
Anguifer,  an'gwi-fer.  A  cluster  of  stars 
in  the  form  of  a  man  holding  a  serpent ; 
Serpentarius,  one  of  the  twelve  signs  of 
the  zodiac. 

Anguilla,  an-gwil'la.  A  gen.  of  apodal 
malacopterygious  fishes,  fam.  Muraenoidei, 
the  true  eels. 

Anguis,  an'gwis.  A  gen.  of  reptiles, 
fam.  Scincid*,  harmless,  but  held  in  great 
horror  by  the  vulgar. 

Angusticlave,  ang-gus'ti-klav.  A  nar- 
row, purple  stripe  or  band  reaching  from 
the  shoulder  to  the  bottom  of  the  tunic 
worn  by  Eoman  knights. 
Anhima,  an'he-ma.  A  Brazilian  aquatic 
bird,  the  Palamedea  cornuta,  horned- 
screamer  or  kamichi. 

Anhydride,  an-hi'drid.  One  of  a  class 
of  chemical  compounds,  formed  from 
molecules  of  water,  in  which  the  whole  of 
the  hydrogen  is  replaced  by  negative  radi- 
cals, while  the  corresponding  acids  repre- 
sent molecules  of  water,  in  which  the 
same  radicals  replace  one-half  of  tho  hy- 
drogen. 

Anhydrite,  an-hi'drlt.  Anhydrous  sul-|l 
phate  of  calcium,  presenting  several  vai-ie- 
ties  of  structure  and  color.  The  vulpinito 
of  Italy  is  the  variety  used  in  the  arts. 
Anigosanthus,  a-nI'go-san"thus.  A 
gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Hajmodoracefe,  natives 
of  Australia,  bearing  curious  woolly  flow- 
ers. 

Anil,  an'll.  A  shrub  from  which  West 
Indian  indigo  is  made.  It  belongs  to  the 
gen.  Indigofera. 

Aniline,  an'i-lin.  A  substance  which 
furnishes  a  number  of  brilliant  and  dura- 
ble dyes,  found  in  small  quantities  in  coal- 


ANIMAL 


46 


ANNELIDA 


tar,  but  g'enerally  obtained  from  benzole, 
another  product  of  coal-tar,  consisting  of 
hydrogen  and  carbon.  When  acted  on  by 
arsenious  acid,  bichromate  of  potassium, 
stannic  chloride,  &c.,  A.  produces  a  great 
Taricty  of  compounds  of  beautiful  colors. 

Animal,  an'i-mal.  An  organized  sen- 
tient living  being,  distinguished  from 
plants  by  the  property  of  sensation, 
power  of  voluntary  motion,  active  and 
intelligent  ability  of  nourishing  itself, 
by  the  predominance  of  nitrogen  in  its 
composition,  and  by  its  incapacity  to 
originate  protein  or  nitrogenous  com- 
pounds. An  inferior  or  irrational  being, 
in  contradistinction  to  man.  A.  heat, 
heat  or  temperature  possessed  by  animals, 
necessary  for  the  performance  of  vital  ac- 
tion. The  mean  heat  of  the  human  body  is 
about  99°  F.,  and  it  never  falls  much  be- 
low this  in  health.  A.  kingdom,  one  of 
the  three  principal  divisions  into  which  all 
natural  bodies  are  divided,  the  others  be- 
ing the  vegetable  and  mineral  kingdoms, 
the  study  of  which  is  termed  zoology. 

Animalcule,  an-i-mal'kul.  A  minute 
animal,  especially  one  that  Is  microscopic 
or  Invisible  to  the  naked  eye.  Animal- 
cules exist  abundantly  in  water,  running 
or  stagnant,  and  in  all  animal  and  vegeta- 
ble infusions. 

Anime,  an'i-me.  In  Her.  of  a  different 
tincture  from  the  animal  itself :  said  of  the 
eyes  of  a  rapacious  animal. 

Ajiime,  an'i-me.  A  resin  exuding 
from  a  tree,  gen.  Hymente,  called  locust- 
tree.  It  is  of  a  transparent  amber  color, 
with  a  light  agi-eeable  smell,  and  little  or 
no  taste.  Indian  copal  produced  by 
vateria  indica. 

Aninxetta,  an-i-met'ta.  The  cloth  which 
covers  the  cup  of  the  eucharist. 

Animism,  an'i-mlzm.  The  hypothesis 
of  Pythagoras  and  Plato  of  a  force  Imma- 
terial but  inseparable  from  and  giAong  to 
matter  its  form  and  movements.  The 
system  of  medicine,  in  which  it  was  in- 
ferred that  the  source  of  disease  must  be 
looked  for  in  the  soul.  The  general  doc- 
trine of  souls  and  other  spiritual  beings. 

Anion,  an'i-on.  The  element  of  an  elec- 
trotype, which  in  electro-chemical  decom- 
positions appears  at  the  positive  pole  or 
anode,  and  is  usually  termed  the  electro- 
negative ingredient  of  a  compound,  as 
oxygen,  chlorine  and  an  acid. 

Anisic,  a-nls'ik.  Of  or  pertaining  to 
anise.  A.  acid  is  obtained  from  aniseed 
by  the  action  of  oxidizing  substances. 

Anise,  aji'is.  An  annual  plant,  gen.  Pim- 
pinella,   ord.   Umbelliferse,   flowers   small 


and  white ;  fruit  ovate  -with  ten  narrow 
ribs,  between  which  are  oil  vessels.  A. 
seed  is  largely  employed  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  liquors. 

Anisodactyla,  an-i'so-dak"ti-]a.  One 
of  the  four  sections  into  which  the  pachy- 
dermatous or  thick-skinned  animals  have 
been  subdivided  with  reference  to  the  con- 
formation of  their  feet  or  paddles.  It 
comprehends  the  bulkiest  terrestrial  ani- 
mals, as  the  mammoth,  mastodon,  ele- 
phant,  tapir,  &c. 

Anjou,  Counts  and  Dukes  of.  A 
noble  family  of  France,  relattnl  to  the 
royal  house  of  Valois.  Foidques  A.  was 
king  of  Jerusalem  in  1131,  and  Geoffrey, 
his  son,  was  the  founder  of  the  house  ot 
Plantagenet.  The  title  was  also  borne  by 
several  sons  of  French  kings,  also  by  the 
grandson  of  Louis  XIV.,  who  became 
Philip  V.  of  Spain. 

Anjeela,  an-je'la.  A  floating-house  sup- 
ported upon  two  canoes,  connected  with 
planks,  used  by  the  Singhalese  for  a  habi- 
tation and  as  a  means  of  transportation. 

Anker,  ang'ker.  A  Dutch  liquid  meas- 
lu-e  containing  10  wine  gallons. 

Ankerite,  'ker-It.  A  crystallized  variety 
of  dolomite  consisting  of  cai-bonates  of 
lime,  iron,  magnesia  and  manganese. 

Anklet,  ang'klet.  An  ornament,  as  a 
ring  of  metal,  for  the  ankle.  A  frame- 
work for  the  leg  to  prevent  the  ankle  turn- 
ing sideways  in  skating.  An  article  of 
dress,  extending  above  the  top  of  the  shoe. 

Anna,  an'na.  In  the  East  Indies,  the 
sixteenth  part  of  a  rupee. 

Anna  Ivanowna.  Daughter  of  Ivan, 
brother  of  Peter  the  Great,  and  Empress 
of  Russia ;  s.  Peter  II.;  b.  1G94,  d.  1740. 

Annals,  an'nalz.  Ahistory  of  events  in 
chronological  order.  A  i)eriodical  publi- 
cation containing  records  of  discoveries, 
transactions  of  societies,  &c, 

Annats,  an'nats.  A  year's  income  of  a 
spiritual  living ;  the  first  fruits  originally 
given  to  the  pope,  upon  the  decease  of  a 
bishop,  abbot  or  parish  clerk. 

Anne.  Second  daughter  of  James  II.  of 
Great  Britain,  and  became  queen,  s. 
William  III.;  n.  16G4,  d.  1T12. 

Anneal,  an-nel'.  To  heat,  and  then  co  1 
slowly,  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  less 
brittle ;  to  temper ;  metals  ma(ie  brittle 
bj'  hammering  bj'  this  ])rocess  recover 
their  malleability;  to  heat,  in  order  to 
fix  colors. 

Annelida,  an-nel'i-da.  An  extensive 
division  of  Annulosa  or  articulate  animals, 
whose  bodies  are  formed  of  a  great  uura- 


AITNIHILATIONIST 


AXOMOKHOMTJOID 


In  Her, 


Annodated, 


ber  of  small  rinors,  as  the  earth-worm,  the 
lob-worm,  the  nereis,  and  tlie  leech. 

yVTiTn'hila.tin-nifit,  au-ni'hil-ri"f<hon-ist. 
One  who  believes  that  annihilation  Is  the 
fate  of  the  wicked. 

Anniversary,  an-ni-vers'a-ri  A  stated 
day  retm-ning  wth  the  revolution  of  the 
year.  In  the  II.  0.  Ch.  a  day  in  which  an 
office  is  yearly  performed  for  the  souls  of 
the  deceased. 

Annodated,  an'nod-at-ed. 
term  applied  to  anything 
bent  somewhat  in  the  form 
of  an  S.  The  serpents  in  the 
caduceus  of  Mercury  are  said 
to  be  A.,  or  entwined  about 
the  mace  or  staff. 

Annual,  an'nu-al.  Eeturn- 
ing  every  year  ;  lasting-  only 
one  year.  Performed  in  a 
year';   reckoned  by  the  yeai*. 

Annuity,  an-nu'i-ti.  A  periodical  pay- 
ment of  money,  amounting  to  a  tixed  sum 
.in  each  year,  and  continuing-  for  a  certain 
period,  called  a  certain  A. ;  or  for  an  uncer 
tain  period,  a  contingent  A.,  or  a  life  A. 
Tvhen  the  period  is  determined  by  the 
duration  of  one  or  more  lives.  A  deferred 
or  reversionary  A.  does  not  commence 
till  after  a  certain  period. 

Annular,  an'nu-ler.  Having  the  form 
of  a  ring.  A.  borer,  a  rock  or  earth  bor- 
ing tool,  usually  armed  at  the  boring  ex- 
tremity vith  diamonds.  A.  cell,  a  fibrous 
or  spiral  cell,  with  the  fiber  separating 
into   rings.      A.    crystal,    a    hexahedral 

Erism  having  sis:,  or  an  octohedral  prism 
aving  eight  marginal  faces  disposed  in  a 
ring  about    each    base.     A.   eclipse,  an 
eclipse  of  the  sun  in  which  a  ring  of  light 
is  \-isible  around  the  moon.    A.  engine,  a 
direct-action  marine  engine,  having  two 
concentric  cylinders.     A.  gear-wheel,  a 
wheel  Anthout  web  or  spokes,  and  having 
gearing  teeth  on  its  inner  circumference. 
Annulet,  an'nu-let.     The  fillets  or  bands 
.  which  encircle  the  lower  part  of  the  Doric 
'  capital  above  the  ti*achelium ;  indiscrimi- 
nately used    as    synonymous   \nth    list, 
listle,  cincture,  fillet,  tenia,  &c.    In  Her,  a 
ring  borne  as  a  charge  in  coats  of  arms, 
formerly  reputed  a  mai'k  of  nobility  and 
jurisdiction  ;  also  the  difierence  or  mark 
of  distinction  which  the  5th  brother  of  a 
family  ought  to  bear  on  his  coat  of  arms. 
Annuloida,  an-nu-loi'da.    In  some  zoo- 
logical classifications  a  division  of  animals, 
including  the  Eotifera,  Scolecida  (tape- 
worms, &c.),  and  the  Echinodcmaata. 
Annulus,     an'uQ-lus.     IUq    ring-like 


space  between  the  circumferences  of  tvro 
concentric  circles.  In  ferns,  tlie  elasti« 
ring  which  surrounds  the  spore  case.  In 
mosses,  the  layer  of  cells  by  which  tho 
lid  separates  from  the  theca.  In  fungi, 
the  membranes  sun-oundiag  the  stems  of 
Gomo  agarics  after  the  cap  has  expanded. 
A.  ctbaculum,  the  ring  and  pastoral  staff, 
tho  delivery  of  which  by  a  prince  was  tho 
ancient  mode  of  granting  investitures  to 
bishoprics. 

Ann-unciator,  an-nun'si-ut-er.  An  ofli- 
cer  ia  the  Greek  Chui-ch  whose  business 
is  to  inform  the  people  of  the  festivals  to 
bo  celebrated.  A  belI-telegTai>h  couslsting- 
of  an  apparatus  counectedby  wires  with  the 
bell-pulls  of  tho  different  rooms  of  a  hotel. 

Anoa,  an'o-a.  An  animal  closely  alUed 
to  tho  buffalo,  about  tho  size  of  a  sheep. 

Anobium,  a-no'bi-um.  A  gen.  cf  coleop- 
terous insects,  including  several  known, 
by  tho  name  of  death-watch. 

Anode,  an'od.  Tho  positive  polo  of  tho 
voltaic  current. 

Anodon,  an'o-don.  A  gen.  of  lamelh- 
branchiate  bivalves,  including  the  firesh- 
water  mussels. 

Anod3nie,  an'O-dln  Any  medicine 
which  allays  pain,  as  an  opiate  or  nar- 
cotic. 

Anoint,  a-noint'.  To  smear  or  rub  over 
with  oU  or  unctuous  substances.  To  con- 
secrate, especially  a  king,  priest  or 
prophet. 

Anolis,  an'o-lis.  A  gen.  oi  saurian  rep- 
tiles, belonging  to  that  section  of  Iguan- 
idie  having  teeth  in  the  palate  of  the 
mouth,  as  well  as  in  the  maxillary  bones. 

Anomaliped,  a-nom'a-li-ped.  A  bird 
whose  middle  toe  is  united  to  the  exten- 
or  by  three  phalanges,  and  to  the  interior 
by  one  only. 

Anomaly,  a-nom'a-li.  Deviation  from 
tho  common  rule ;  something  abnormal. 
In  music,  a  small  deviation  from  a  perfect 
interval  in  tuning  instruments  with  fixed 
notes ;  a  temperament.  In  Astron.  tho 
angular  distance  of  a  planet  from  its  per- 
ihelion, as  seen  from  the  sun.  The  anglo 
measuring  apparent  Irregularities  in  the 
motion  of  a  planet. 

Anomodontia,  a-nom'o-don"shi-a.  An 
ord.  of  extinct  reptiles  of  the  trias,  divided 
into  three  families. 

Anomoean,  an-o-me'an.  One  of  an  ex- 
treme sect  of  Arians  of  the  4th  century, 
who  denied  the  similitude  of  the  essence 
of  tho  Son  to  that  of  the  Father. 

Auoxaorliozuboid,  a-uom'o-rom^''b<iid. 


ANOMUEA 


AI*rr-EATER- 


An  irregular  rhomboidal  mass,  as  a  crystal 
of  this  form. 

Anomura,  an-o-mu'ra,  A  section  of  the 
cri.ist<'iceans,  ord.  Decapoda,  including  the 
hermit-crabs  and  others. 

Anona,  a-no'na.  A  gen.  of  plants,  the 
type  of  the  ord.  Anonacese.  A.  squamosa 
(sweet-sop)  yields  an  edible  fruit.  A. 
muricata  (sour-sop),  produce  a  pear- 
shaped  fruit. 

Anophyta,  an-o-fl'ta.  A  section  of 
cryptogamic  plants,  comprising  the  Hep- 
aticaj  (liverworts)  and  musei  (mosses), 
which  have  male  and  female  organs,  and 
free  spores  in  cases,  but  no  spiral  vessels. 

Anoplotheroidea,  an'op-lo-the-roid"e- 
a.  An  extinct  group  of  omnivorous  mam- 
mals, from  the  lowor  tertiary  rocks,  form- 
ing a  connecting  link  between  the  s-vvine 
and  the  true  ruminants. 

Anoplura,  an-6-plu'ra.  An  order  of 
minute  apterous  insects,  having  a  mouth 
formed  for  suction,  and  either  two  simple 
eyes  or  none.  They  are  parasitic,  and 
commonly  known  as  lice.  They  undergo 
no  metamorphosis  like  other  insects,  the 
young  dilfering  from  the  adult  in  size 
only. 

Anorthite,  a-nor'thit.  A  mineral  of  the 
felspar  family,  aUied  to  labradorite ;  a  sili- 
cate of  alumina  and  lime. 

Anorth-oscope,  an-or'tho-skop.  An 
insti-ument  tor  producing  a  pecuhar  kind 
of  optical  illusion  by  means  of  two  disks 
rotating  rapidly  opposite  each  other. 

Anous,  an'o-us.  A  gen.  of  sea-birds, 
fam.  Laridaa,  or  gulls. 

Anoxoluin,  an-oks-oFu-in.  One  of  the 
two  elements  of  libnn,  muscular  fiber,  al- 
bumen, casein,  &c.,  oxoluin  being  the 
other. 

Ansae,  an'se.  The  parts  of  Saturn's 
ring  seen  on  each  side  of  the  planet  through 
a  telescope. 

Ansellia,  an-sel'li-a.  A  gen.  of  orchids, 
with  great  panicles  of  greenish  flowers 
spotted  with  purple.  .^^ ^ 

Anser,  an'ser,  A  gen. 
of  birds,  fam.  Anseridffi. 
A  small  star  in  the  Milky 
way,  between  the  Swan 
and  Eagle. 

Anserated,     an'ser-at- 
ed.     In  Her.  a  term  ap- 
plied to  a  cross,  the  ex-       .  ^   , 
tremities    of   which    are      Anserated. 
formed  into  the  shape    of  the  heads  of 
beasts  or  birds. 

Anseridse,  an-ser'i-de.  A  fam.  of  web- 
footed  birds,  containing  the  geese  proper.  I 


Ant,  ant.  An  emmet;  a  pismire;  a  hy- 
menopterous  insect,  fam.  Formicidse,  gen. 
Formica,  which  live  in  communities,  con-/ 
sisting  of  males  ynih  four  wings;  of  fe-l 
males  much  larger  than  the  males,  and/ 
possessing  wings  only  during  the  pairing 
season;  and  of  barren  females,  called  neuf 
ters,  workers  or  nurses,  destitute  of  wingsi 
There  are  many  species,called  mining  ants, 
carpenters,  masons,  &c.  The  name  ant 
is  also  given  to  insects  of  the  neuropter- 
ous  gen.  Tormes. 

Anta,  an'ta.  ,  The  BraziHan  name  of  the 
common  or  American  tapir.  In  Arch,  a 
pilaster,  on  each  side  of  a  door  or  stixnding 
opposite  a  pillar  used  in  Greek  and  Itoman 
architecture. 

Antaeus,  an-te'us.  In  Myth,  a  famous 
giant,  son  of  Neptime  and  Terra,  killed  by 
Hercules. 

Antal,  ant'al.  A  -wine  measure  of  about 
116  gallons,  used  in  Tokay,  Hungary. 

Antalkali,  ant-al'ka-ll.  A  substance 
which  neutralizes  an  alkali,  used  medicin- 
ally. 

Antarctic,  ant-ark'tik.  Relating  to  the 
southern  pole,  and  especially  to  a  circle 
parallel  to  the  equator  and  distant  from 
the  pole  23°  28',  the  hne  between  light  and 
darkness  when  the  sun  is  on  the  Tropic 
of  Capricorn.  The  opposite  of  arctic  or 
northern. 

Antarctic  Ocean.  The  sea  extending 
from  the  A.  Circle,  66°  30'  S.  lat.,  to  the 
S.  Pole. 

Anthony,  St.,  an'to-ne.  The  founder 
of  monastic  orders  ;  n.  in  tipper  Egypt  in 
251 ;  Uved  to  105,  dying  in  856. 

Antcres,  ant-ar'Gz.  The  Arabic  name 
of  Alpha  Scorpii,  a  star  of  the  lirst  mag- 
nitude, in  the  constellation  Scorpio. 

Ant-bear,  ant'bar.  A  name  given  to  the 
large  species  of  ant-eaters,  but  generally 
restricted  to  Myrmecophaga  jubata.  It  is 
from  4  to  5  feet  in  length. 

Ante,  an'te.  A  Latiii  preposition  signi- 
fying before  in  place  or  time.  A.  meridi- 
em, before  mid-day,  contracted  a.  m. 

Ant-eater,  ant'et-er. 
mammals  that  ■  x 
prey  chiefly  .^^^ 
on    ants,    but  ^% 
usually  confin- 
ed to  the  eden- 
tate gen.  Myr- 
mocophaga. 
The  most  re- 
markable spe- 
cies is  the  Myr- 
mecophaga jubata. 


A  name  given  to 


ANTECEDENCi; 


ANTHOBIaN 


other  species,  M.  Tamandua  and  M. 
didactyla  are  smaller.  The  nauio  is  also 
given  to  the  pangolins  and  to  the  aard- 
yark. 

Antecedence,  an-tc-su'dens.  The  act 
or  state  of  going  before  in  time  ;  prece- 
dence. In  Astron.  an  apparent  motion  of  a 
planet  toward  the  west,  or  contrary  to  the 
order  of  the  signs. 

Ante-cliamber,  an'tG-chfim-ber,  A 
chamber  or  apartment  in  which  persons 
wait  for  audience. 

Antediluvian,  an'tc-di-lu"vi-an.  Be- 
fore the  Hood  or  deluge  in  Noah's  time. 

Antefixse,  an-tG-fiks'e.  Upright  orna- 
ments, of  marble  or  terra  cotta,  at  the 
eaves  of  a  tiled  roof  to  conceal  the  joining 
of  the  tiles.  Ornaments  placed  below  the 
eaves  through  which  the  water  escapes. 

Ant-egrgr,  ant'eg.  Little  white  bodies 
found  in  the  hillocks  of  ants,  usually  sup- 
posed to  be  their  eggs,  but  really  the 
young  in  a  state  of  larvae  or  pupje. 

Antelope,  an'tc-lop.  A  name  applied  to 
many  si)ecics  of  ruminant  mammals  close- 
ly resembing  the  deer,  bat  included  with 
Bheep  and  oxen  in  the  section  Cavicornia 
or  hollow-horned  ruminants.  Among  the 
A.  are  the  chamois,  the  saiga,  the  gazelle, 
the  addax,  the  eland,  the  koodoo,  the  gnu, 
the  sasin  or  Indian  antelope,  and  the 
prong-buck. 

Antelucan,  an-tc-lu'kan.  Being  before 
light;  preceding  the  dawn.  Applied  to 
assemblies  of  Christians,  in  ancient  times 
held  before  light  in  the  morning,  either  to 
escape  persecution,  or  to  commemorate 
the  hour  of  the  resurrection. 

Antemeridian,  an'to-me-rid"i-an.  Be- 
ing before  noon. 

Antemundane,  an-te-mun'dan.  Being 
before  the  creation  of  the  world. 

Antemural,  an-tc-mu'ral.  A  barbacan 
or  outwork  in  a  castle,  consisting  of  a 
strong  higli  wall,  ^vith  turrets  in  front  of 
the  gate  for  defending  the  entrance. 

Antenatal,  an-te-na'tal.  Existing,  or 
happening,  previous  to  birth. 

Antenna,  an-ten'na.  A  hornlike,  joint- 
ed, very  flexible  and  sensitive  filament, 
proceeding  by  a  ball-and-socket  joint  from 
the  head  in  insects,  Crustacea  and  myria- 
pods,  considered  as  the  organs  of  touch 
and  hearing. 

Antennaria,  an-ten-na'ri-a.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Composite,  nearly  allied  to 
the  Guaphalium  ;  the  everlastings. 

Antennula,  an-ten'nu-la.  One  of  the 
maxillary  feelers  or  palps  attached  to 
the  jaws  of  mandibulate  insects ;  appar- 


ently tactile  organs  adapted  to  distinguish 
foods. 

Antependium,  an-te-pen'di-um.  The 
hanging  with  which  the  front  of  an  altar 
is  covered  ;  the  frontal. 

Antepentllt,  an'te-pC-nult.  The  last 
syllable  of  a  word  except  two,  as  syl  in 
monosyllable. 

Anterides,  an-tcr'i-doz.  Buttresses  for 
strengthening  a  wall. 

Anteroom,  an'te-rom.  A  room  before  or 
in  front  of  another  ;  an  ante-chamber. 

Ante-solarium,  an'tG-so-la"ri-um.  A 
balcony  facing  the  sun. 

Ante-stomach.,  an'te-stum-uk.  A  cav- 
ity which  leads  into  the  stomach,  as  the 
crop  in  birds. 

Ante-temple,  an'te-tem-pl.  In  ancient 
churches  the  part  now  called  the  nave. 

Anth.em,  an'them.  A  hymn  sung  in 
alternate  parts ;  in  modern  usage,  a  sa- 
cred piece  of  music  set  to  words  taken 
from  the  Psalms  or  other  parts  of  the 
Scriptures  ;  a  developed  motet. 

Anthemion,  an-the'mi-on.  That  orna- 
mental series  in  Greek  and  Roman  deco- 
ration derived  from  the  honeysuckle. 

Anthemis,  an'the-mis.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Compositae,  sub-ord.  Corym- 
biferae.  A.  Cotula  is  the  may-weed ;  A. 
nobilis  the  common  chamomile. 

Anther,  an-ther.  In  Bot.  the  essential 
partof  the  stamen.  It  is  a  capsule,  dis- 
charging a  powder,  which  fertilizes  the 
ovules  by  falling  or  being  deposited  on 
the  stigma. 

Anthericum,  an-ther'i-kum.  A  large 
gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Liliacea?,  with 
racemes  or  panicles  of  white  flowers. 

Antheridium,  an-ther-id'i-um.  The 
organ  in  cryptogamic  plants  which  an- 
swers to  the  anther  in  phanerogams. 

Antherogenous,  an-ther-oj'en-us.  A 
A  term  applied  to  double  flowers,  in 
which  the  anthers  are  converted  into 
horn-like  petals,  as  in  the  double  colum- 
bine. 

Antherozoid,  an'ther-o-zo-id.  The 
minute  body  produced  in  the  antheridium 
of  cryptogams  by  which  the  female  organs 
are  fertiUzed. 

An  thesis,  an-thc'sis.  The  period  when 
flowers  expand. 

Ant-hill,  ant'hil.  A  little  tumulus 
formed  by  ants  for  their  habitation  ;  the 
nesta  of  some  species  of  the  Avhite  ant  are 
12  feet  high. 

Anthobian,  an-tho'bi-an.  A  beetle 
that  lives  on  flowers. 


ANTHOCARPOUS 


50 


ANTIBURGHEE 


Anthocarpous,  an-tho-kar'pus.  A 
term  applied  tx)  fruit  formed  by  masses  of 
inflorescences  adherin;?  to  eacti  other,  as 
the  lir-cone,  piiie-apple,  &c. 

Anthocliaera,  an'tho-ko-ra.  A  gen.  of 
Australian  iusessorial  birds,  fam.  Meli- 
phagidiu,  or  honey- suckers. 

Anthodium,  an-tho'di-um.  The  head 
of  flowers  of  composite  plants,  as  of  a 
thistle  or  daisy. 

Antholite,  an'tho-lit.  The  general 
name  for  the  impress  of  the  inflorescence 
of  plants  on  rocks. 

Antholysis.  an-thol'i-sis.  The  retro- 
grade change  of  the  parts  of  a  floral 
■whorl,  as  the  stamens  change  into  petals, 
or  the  petals  into  sepals. 

Anthomyia,  an-tho-mi'i-a.  A  gen.  of 
flies,  including  the  cabbage,  potato,  tur- 
nip, beet,  and  lettuce  flies. 

Anthoinyzidse,  an-tho-miz'i-de.  A  di- 
■visiou  of  the  Muscidae  (flies). 

Anthophyliite,  an-thof'il-Tt.  A  variety 
of  hornblende,  occurring  in  radiating  col- 
umnar aggregates;  tremolite. 

Anthosiderite,  an-tho-sid'er-It.  A  na- 
tive siUcate  of  iron,  having  a  fibrous  radi- 
ated structure. 

A n thoxanthum,  an-tho-zan'thum.  A 
gen.  of  grasses  the  flowers  of  wliich  have 
only  two  stamens. 

Anthracite,  an'thra-sit.  Glance  or  blind 
coal,  a  non-bituminous  coal  which  burns 
without  smoke,  but  with  intense  heat.  It 
consists  of  about  90  per  cent,  carbon,  3 
hydrogen,  and  5  ashes. 

Anthracometer,  an'thrak-om^et-er. 
An  instrument  for  measuring  carbonic 
acid  gas. 

Anthraconite,  an-thrak'on-it.  A  vari- 
ety of  marble  of  a  coal-black  luster.  It 
gives  ofl^'  a  fetid  sulphureo-bituminous 
odor  when  heated. 

Anthracosaurus,  an-thrak'6-sa"ru8.  A 
labyrinthodont  animal,  first  fouiid  in  the 
carboniferous  strata. 

Anthracotlieriuin,,  an'thra-ko-thG"ri- 
um.  An  extinct  pachydermatous  mammal 
resembling  a  hog,  allied  to  the  paaeotheria, 
first  found  in  the  miocene  lignite. 
Anthrax,  an'thraks.  A  carbuncle;  a 
malignant  ulcer.  An  ancient  name  for 
carbuncle,  ruby,  or  garnet,  lithanthrax  or 
stone  coal. 

Anthrenus,  an-thi-e'nus.    A  gen.  of  col- 
eopterous insects,  fam.  Dermestidse. 
Anthriscus,  an-thris'kus.     A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Umbeiliferas. 


Anthropic,  an-throp'ik.  Belonging  to 
man  ;  sprung  from  man. 

Anthropidas,  an-throp'i-de.  Huxley's 
name  for  the  highest  group  of  mammals, 
of  which  man  is  the  only  genus  and  spe- 
cies ;  the  Bimana. 

Anthropoglo^,  an-throp'o-glot.  An 
aninial  which  has  a  tongue  resembling 
that  of  man,  as  the  parrot. 

Anthropoid,  an'thro-poid.  Resembling 
man ;  appUed  to  such  apes  as  most  closely 
approach  the  human  race. 

AxLthropoides,  an-thro-poi'dCz.  A  gen. 
of  grallatorial  bu'ds,  fam.  Gruidse,  includ- 
ing the  demoiselle,  the  Stanley  and 
crowned  cranes. 

Anthropolatry,  an-thro-pol'a-tri.  The 
worship  of  man — a  charge  brought  by  the 
early  Christians  against  the  ancient  hea- 
thens, and  retorted  by  the  latter  on  the 
Christians  on  account  of  their  worship  of 
Christ.  Used  by  the  Apolllnarians  against 
the  orthodox  Cliristians  of  the  4th  and  5th 
centuries. 

Anthropolite,  an-thrO'po  lit.  A  petri- 
faction of  the  human  body,  by  theincrust- 
ing  action  of  calcareous  waters. 

Anthropology,  an-thro-poro-ji.  The 
science  of  man  and  mimkind,  including 
the  study  of  man's  place  in  nature.  It 
puts  under  contribution  archjeology, 
comparative  anatomy,  physiology,  psy- 
chologj'-,  climatology,  &,c. 

Anthropomorphite,  an-thro'po- 
morf  it.  One  who  beUeves  that  the  Su- 
preme Being  exists  in  human  form  with 
human  attributes  and  passions.  One  of  a 
sect  of  ancient  heretics. 

Ahthropophagi,  an-tliro-pof  a-ji.  Can- 
nibals ;  men  that  eat  human  flesh. 

Anthurium,  an-thu'ri-um.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Araceaj,  growing  epiphytically 
on  forest  trees. 

Anthus,  an'thus.  A  gen.  of  insessorial 
birds,  alUed  to  the  Alauda  (the  larks) ;  the 
pipits  or  tit-larks. 

Anthyllis,   an-thil'lis.    A  gen.  of  legu- 
minous plants,  to  which  the  kidney-vetch 
or  lady's-fingers  belongs. 
Antiar,  an'ti-ar.     The  milky  .iuice  of  th« 
upas-tree,  one  of  the  most  acrid  and  viru- 
lent vegetable    poisons,     paralyzing   the 
heart,  and  infallibly  causing  death  when 
introduced  into  a  wound. 
Antibasilican,  an'ti-ba-zil"i-kan.    Op- 
posed to  royal  state  and  magnificence. 
Antiburgrher,  an'ti-berg"er.  A  member 
of  one  of  the  two  sections  into  which  the 
Scotch  Secession  Church  was  split  in  1741. 


ANTICARDIUM 


51 


ANTIOCIIIAN 


a  a  a,    Anticlinal    Line, 
b  b,  Synclinal  Line. 


They  coalesced  in  1S20  into  the  United 
Associate  Synod. 

Anticardium,  an-ti-kar'di-um.  The 
Jiollow  at  the  bottom  of  the  breast  or  epi- 
gastrium.   The  pit  of  the  stomach. 

Antichlor,  an'ti-klor.  A  bleacher's 
term  for  the  reagents  employed  to  neu- 
tralize the  effects  of  the  free  chlorine  left 
in  articles  bleached  by  means,  of  alkaline 
hypochlorites. 

Anticlirist,  an'ti-krist.  A  person  or 
power  ant-agonistic  to  Christ. 

Antichthon,  an-tik'thon.  An  inhabit- 
ant of  an  opposite  hemisphere. 

Anticlinal,  an-ti-kll'nal.  Inclining  in 
opposite  di- 
rec  tions. 
A  line,  or 
axis,  the 
ridge  o  f  a 
wave  -like 
curve,  the 
strata  dip- 
ping from 
it  on  either  side  ;  opposed  to  synclinal. 

Anticnemion,  an-tik-ne'mi-on.  The 
shin-bone,  as  opposed  to  the  calf. 

Anticor,  an'ti-kor.  An  inflamed  swell- 
ing on  a  horse's  breast ;  a  sort  of  quinsy. 

Anticum,  an-ti'kum.  In  anc.  Arch,  a 
porch  to  a  front  door,  as  distinguished 
from  posticum,  a  porch  to  a  rear  door. 
The  space  between  the  front  columns  of 
the  portico  of  a  temple  and  wall  of  the 
cells. 

Antidesma,  an-ti-des'ma.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Euphorbiacea?.  The  leaves 
are  employed  in  native  medicine. 

Antienneahedral,  an'ti-en'nG-a-he" 
dral.  In  crystal  having  nine  faces  on  two 
opposite  parts. 

Antietam.,  an-te'tam.  The  scone  of  the 
great  battle  in  S.  Maryland,  Sept. IT,  1S62, 
between  the  Union  and  Confederate 
ai-mies,  the  first  commanded  by  Gen. 
Geo.  B.  McClellan,  the  latter  by  Gen. 
,  liobt.  E.  Lee.  The  name  is  taken  from  a 
creek  which  rises  in  S.  Pennsylvania,  and 
running  through  Maryland  empties  into 
the  Potomac  Elver. 

AntigTopelos,  an-ti-grop'el-os.  Spat- 
ter-dashes; long  riding  or  walking  boots 
for  wet  weather. 

Antig-one,  an-tig'o-ne.  Daughter  of 
(Edipus,  king  of  Thebes,  heroine  of  one 
of  Sofihocles'  tragedies  ;  she  was  buried 
alive  by  Croon. 

Anti-Iiibaniis.  an-ti-Iib-ba-nus.  A 
mountain  range  in  Palestine. 


Antileg-omena,  an'  ti  -  le  -  gom  "  c-  na. 
Things  spoken  against ;  specifically,  ap- 
plied to  books  of  the  New  Testament 
whoso  inspii-ation  was  not  universally  ac- 
knowledged ;  the  2d  Epistle  of  Peter, 
James,  Jude,  Hebrews,  the  2d  and  8d 
Epistlesof  St.  John,  and  the  Eevelation. 

Antilles,  ahn-teel'.  A  triple  cluster  of 
W.  Indian  islands,  called  the  Great,  4  in 
number,  Cuba,  Hayti,  Jamaica  and  Porto 
Eico,  the  Windward  and  Leeward  groups 
There  are  some  8(50  in  all. 

Antimacassar,  an'ti-ma-kas"ar.  A 
covering  for  chairs,  &c.,  of  open  cotton  or 
worsted  work. 

Antimason,  an-ti-ma'sn.  One  hostile 
to  Masonry  or  Freemasonry, 

Antimensium,     an-ti-men'si-um.      A 


Antlmensium  or  Portable  Altar, 
portable  altar  or  consecrated  table  used  In 
the  Eastern  Latin  Church. 

Antimeter,  an-tin^^et-er.  An  optical  in- 
strument for  measuring  angles  under  10°. 

Antiminsion,  an-ti-min'si-on.  A  cor- 
poral or  cloth  blessed  by  a  bishop  and 
used  in  the  Greek  Church  where  there 
was  no  consecrated  altar. 

Antimony,  an'ti-mo-ni.  A  brittle  metal 
of  scaly  texture,  occurring  in  two  forms, 
crystalline  and  amorphous,  sometimes 
found  native  or  alloyed  with  other  metals, 
used  in  the  construction  of  alloys,  as  Bri- 
tannia metal,  type  metal,  and  pewtei*.  In 
bells  it  renders' the  sound  more  clear,  and 
gives  to  printing  types -more  firmness  and 
smoothness.  The  salts  of  A.  are  very 
poisonous.  Tlie  protoxide  is  a  most  valu- 
able remedy  in  many  diseases. 

Antinomian,  an-ti-nO'mi-an.  One  of  a 
sect  who  maintain  that,  imder  the  gospel 
dispensation,  the  moral  law  is  of  no  use  or 
obligation,  which  originated  M-ith  John 
Agricola  about  the  year  1538. 

Antinous,  j-.n-tin'o-us.  The  beautiful 
favorite  of  the  Emperor  Adrian  ;  a  native 
of  Bithynia.  A.  was  drowned  in  the  Nile 
in  the  year  182.  Exquisite  Avorks  of  art 
consecrated  to  his  memoiy  by  Adrian  are 
still  extant. 

Antiochian,  an-ti-ok'i-an.  Pertaining 
to  Antiochus,  a  contemporary  of  Cicero, 


ANTIOCHIAN 


52 


ANTONIUS 


rvnd  the  founder  of  a  sect  of  philosophers. 
He  attempted  to  reconcile  the  doctrines 
of  the  dirt'erent  schools,  and  was  the  last 
preceptor  of  the  Platonic  school. 

Antiochian,  an-ti-ok'i-an.  Of  or  per- 
taining to  the  city  of  Antioch.  A.  epoch, 
a  method  of  coriiputing  time,  from  the 
proclamation  of  liberty  granted  to  the  city 
of  Antioch  about  the  "time  of  the  battle  of 
PLarsalia,  i$.  c.  48. 

Antiochus,  an-tl'o-kus.  A  favorite  royal 
name  in  ancient  Syria,  no  less  than  eleven 
of  her  kings  bearing  it.  The  most  noted 
was  A.m.,  tlie  G  reat,  contemporary  with 
Hannibal,  b.c.  223,  and  A.  IV.,  his  son. 

Antiparallel,  an-ti-pa'ral-el.  One  of 
two  or  more  lines  which  make  equal  an- 
gles with  two  other  lines,  but  in  a  contrary 
order. 

Antiperistasis,  an'ti-pe-ri8"ta-sis.  The 
opposition  or  antagonism  of  naturally  op- 
posed forces,  as  light  and  darkness,  lieat 
and  cold.  Thus,  sensible  heat  is  excited 
in  quicklime  by  mixture  with  water,  and 
cold  applied  to  the  human  body  may  in- 
crease its  heat. 

Antiphlogristic,  an'ti-flo-jis"tik. 
Counteracting  intlammation,  or  an  excited 
state  of  the  system.  A  theory,  a  system 
of  chemistry  showin§r  that  in  combustion, 
instead  of  phlogiston^  escaping,  oxygen  is 
absorbed,  and  that  wherever  phlogiston 
was  supposed  to  be  added,  oxygen  was 
removed. 

(^ntiphon,  an'ti-fon.  The  chant  or  alter- 
nate singing  in  choirs  or  cathedrals  ;  an- 
tiphony. 

A-ntiplionary,  an-tif  o-na-ri.  In  the  E. 
C.  Ch.  a  service-book,  compiled  by  Greg- 
ory the  Great,  containing  whatever  is  said 
or  sung  in  the  choir,  except  the  lessons. 
^Jltipodes,  an-tip'o-dC'z.  Those  who 
live  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  globe.  Any- 
thing diametrically  opposite  to  another. 
&.ntipope,  an'ti-pop.  One  who  usurps 
the  papal  power. 

A.ntiquary,  an'ti-kwa-ri.  One  devoted 
to  the  study  of  ancient  times  through 
their  relics  with  the  view  of  arriving  at  a 
knowledge  of  the  general  condition  of  the 
people  who  created  or  employed  them. 

Antirrhinura,  an-ti-rl'num.  Snap- 
dragon, a  gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Scrophul- 
ariaceaR,  producing  show}-^  Howers. 

Antisabbatarian,  an-ti-sab'ba-ta"ri- 
an.  One  of  a  sect  Avho  oppose  the  observ- 
ance of  the  (Christian  Sabbath,  maintain- 
ing that  the  Jewish  Sabbath  was  abolished 
by  Christ. 


Antiscian,  an-tish'i-an.  An  inhabitant 
of  one  side  of  the  equator,  whose  shadow 
at  noon  is  cast  in  a  contrary  direction  to 
that  of  an  inhabitant  of  the  other. 

Antiseptic,  an-ti-sep'tik.  Any  sub- 
stance  wliich  resists  or  corrects  putrefac- 
tion. 

Antithenar,  an-tith'e-nar.  A  muscle 
which  extends  the  thumb,  or  opposes  it  to 
the  hand ;  also,  the  adductor  muscle  of 
the  great  toe. 

Antitrinitarian,  an-ti-trin'i-ta"ri-an. 
One  who  denies  the  doctrine  of  the  Trin- 
ity, or  the  existence  of  three  persons  in 
the  Godhead. 

Antler,  ant'ler.  The  branch  of  the  horn 
of  a  deer  ;  one  of  the  horns  of  the  cervine 
animals,  as  the  stag  or  moose.  In  his 
sixth  year,  and  after,  the  male  deer  is 
called  a  hart,  or  stag  often.  The  stem  of 
the  horn  is  called  the  beam.  Thv. 
branches  are  called  also  tynes. 

Antler-moth.,  ant'ler-moth.  A  moth 
the  larva}  of  which  sometimes  desti-oy  the 
herbage  of  whole  meadows. 

Antlia,  ant'li-a.  The  spiral  tongue  or 
proboscis  of  lepidopterous  insects  by 
which  they  pump  up  the  juices  of  plants. 

A.  pneumatica,inAstron.  the  Air-pump; 
a  constellation  in  the  southern  hemis- 
phere, situated  between  Hydra  and  Argo 
Navis. 

Ant-lion,  ant'- 
ll-un.  The  larva 
of  a  neuropter- 
ous  insect,  fam. 
Myrmeleonida3 . 
It'digs  a  funnel- 
shaped  hole  in 
the  sand,  and 
when  the  pit  is 
deep  enough  the  perfc(.t  Insect  and  Larva 
A    burie^  Itself  (Ant-lion), 

at    the   bottom  ^  -' 

with  only  its  formidable  mandibles  pro- 
jecting, and  as  soon  as  a  victim  falls  in  it 
seizes  it  with  its  mandibles  and  sucks  its 
juices. 

Antonelli,  Giacomo,  an-to-nel'le.  The 
distinguished  Italian  Cardinal,  chief  ad- 
viser of  Pope  Pius  IX.;  b.  1S06,  d.  1S7G. 

Antoni'nus  Pius,  Titus.  Adopted 
son  and  s.  of  Hadrian,  Emperor  of  Rome  ; 

B.  86,  D.  161 ;  his  reign  of  *53  years  was 
powerful  and  prosperous. 

Antonius,  Marcus,  an-to'ne-us.  The 
celebrated  Koman  general  who  was  joined 
with  Octavius  and  Lepidus  as  the  trium- 
virate after  the  assassination  of  Julius 
Cassar.    He  fell  a  prey  to  the  charms  of 


ANTOSIANDEIAX 


APHELION 


Cleopatra,  the  dissolute  Queen  of  Egypt, 
-was  betrayed  by  her  and  defeated  by 
Octavins  (Augustus)  iii  the  naval  battle 
off  Actiura  ;  took  his  life  in  Egvpt,  is.  c. 
80. 

Antosiandrian,  an-tos'i-an"dri-an.  One 
of  a  sect  of  rigid  Lutherans  Avho  deny  that 
man  Is  made  just,  but  affirm  that  he  is 
onlj'  pronounced  so. 

Ant-thrush.,  ant'thrush.  Birds  of  the 
gen.  Pitta,  belonging  to  the  dentirostral 
section  of  the  ord.  Insessores,  and  allied 
to  the  Turdida>  or  thrush. 

Antwerp,  ant'wairp.  The  principal  sea- 
port of  Belgium,  in  the  I6th  century  the 
richest  and  greatest  commercial  center  in 
Europe ;  pop.  160,000. 

Anubis,  an-ii'bis.  An  Egyptian  deity, 
the  conductor  of  departed  spirits  from  this 
Avorld  to  the  next,  represented  by  a  human 
figure  with  the  head  of  ajackal.  He  pre- 
sided over  tombs,  and  in  the  lower  world 
weighed  the  actions  of  the  deceased  pre- 
vious to  their  admission  to  the  presence  of 
Osiris. 

Anura,  a-nii'ra.  An  ord.  of  batrachians 
Avhich  lose  the  tail  when  they  reach  ma- 
turity, as  the  frog. 

Anvil,  an'vil.  An  iron  block  vnth.  a 
smooth  steel  face,  on  which  metals  are 
hammered  and  shaped. 

Aonian,  a-O'ni-an.  Pertaining  to  Aonia, 
in  Boeotia,  or  to  the  Muses,  who  were 
supposed  to  dwell  there ;  poetical.  A. 
fount,  the  fountain  Aganippe,  at  the  foot 
of  Mount  Helicon,  sacred  to  the  Muses. 

Aorta,  a-or'ta.  The  great  arteiy  or  trunk 
of  the  arterial  sj'stem,  proceedmg  from 
the  left  ventricle  "of  the  heart. 

Aoudad,  ji-u'dad.  The  bearded  argali, 
a  bovine  quadruped,  allied  to  the  sheep, 
most  closely  to  the  mouflon. 

Apaches,  ap-pah'cha.  A  southwestern 
tribe  of  American  Indians,  very  warlike. 
Their  number  is  estimated  at  25,000,  with 
5,000  warriors. 

Apagynous,  a-paj'tn-us.  A  term  ap- 
plied to  a  plant  that  fructifies  but  once, 
perishing  thereafter;  monocarpous,  as 
annuals,  or  such  plants  as  the  American 
aloe. 

Apara,  ap'a-ra.  A  species  of  armadillo 
having  the  power  of  rolling  itself  into  a 
complete  ball. 

A  parte  ante,  A  parte  post,  a-par'te- 
an'te,  a-par'te-p6st.  Two  expressions  of 
scholastic  philosophy,  referring  to  eter- 
nity, consisting  of  two  parts,  the  one,  a 
parte  ante,  ■without  limit  in  the  past,  and 


Ape. 


the  other,  a  parte  post,  without  limit  in 
the  future. 

Apartment,  a-part'ment.  A  room  in  a 
building  ;  a  division  in  a  house  separated 
from  others  by  partitions. 

Apastron,  a-pas'tron.  That  part  in  the 
orbit  of  a  double  star  where  it  is  farthest 
from  its  primary. 

Apatite,  ap'a-tlt.  Native  phosphate  oi* 
lime,  generally  crystallized  in  low,  flat, 
hexahedral  prisms,  which  occur  in  meta- 
morphic  and  granite  rocks. 

Apatura,  ap-a-tu'ra.  A  gen.  of  diurnal 
Lepidoptera,  containing  many  beautiful 
exotic  species  of  buttertlies. 

Ape,  up.  One  of  a  fam.  (Simiadae)  of 
quadrumanous  an- 
imals now  limited 
to  such  as  have 
teeth  of  the  same 
number  and  form 
as  man,  and  pos- 
sess neither  tails 
nor  cheek-pouch- 
es; it  includes  the 
chimpanzee,  goril- 
la, orang-outang,  &c..  and  is  divided  into 
three  genera.  Troglodytes,  Simia  and  Hy- 
lobates. 

Apennine,  ap'en-nm.  A  chain  of  moun- 
tains which  extend  from  Piedmont, 
round  the  Gulf  of  Genoa  to  the  center  of 
Italy,  and  thence  southeast  to  the  ex- 
tremity. 

Apertor,  a-pert'or.  A  muscle  that 
raises  the  upper  eyelid. 

Aperture,  ap'er-tur.  An  opening;  a 
gap  or  chasm.  In  Geom.  the  spaca 
between  two  right  lines,  forming  an  angle. 
In  optics,  the  diameter  of  the  exposed 
part  of  the  object-glass  of  an  optical  instru- 
ment. 

Apex,  a'peks.  The  tip,  point,  or  summit 
of  anji.hing.  In  Bot.  the  end  farthest 
from  the  point  of  attachment,  or  base  of 
an  organ.  In  Geom.  the  angular  point  of 
a  cone  or  of  a  triangle  opposite  the  base. 

Aphanesite,  a-fan'C-sit.  A  mineral,  an 
arseniatc  of  copper. 

Aphaniptera,  af-an-ip'ter-a.  An  ord. 
of  apterous,  haustelLite  insects,  coexten- 
sive vrith  the  fam.  Pulicidae,  the  different 
species  of  fleas. 

Aphanite,  afan-It.  Compact  ampJii- 
bole,  a  mineral  consisting  of  hornblende, 
quartz,  and  felspar. 
Aphelion,  a-fC-'li-on.  That  point  in  the 
orbit  of  a  planet  or  comet  which  is  most 
distant  from  the  sun  ;  opposed  to  perihe- 
lion. 


APHELLAN 


M 


APODOSIS 


Aphellan,  a-fel'lan.  The  name  of  a 
bright  star  in  the  constellation  Gemini. 

Aphis,  a'fis.  A  plant-louse  ;  a  puceron 
or  vine-fretter  ;  one  of  the  insects  of  the 
gen.  Aphis,  fam.  Aphides.  The  species 
are  very  numerous  and  destructive.  The 
A.  illustrate  i)arthenogenesis  ;  hermaphro- 
dite forms  produced  from  eggs  produce 
viviparous  "wingless  forms,  which  again 
produce  others  like  themselves,  and  thus 
multiply  during  summer,  one  individual 
giving  rise  to  uiillions. 

Aplilog-istic,  af-lo-jis'tik.  Flameless; 
as,  an  A.  lamp,  in  which  the  -wick  is  kejjt 
hot  by  the  slow  combustion  of  aicohol. 

Aphnology,  af  nol'o-ji.  The  science  of 
wealth. 

Aphrite,  afrit.  A  sub-variety  of  car- 
bonate of  lime  or  calc-spar,  popularly 
known  as  foam  or  foam-spar. 

Aphrizite,  af  riz-it.  A  variety  of  tour- 
maline. 

Aphrodite,  af-ro-dl'te.  The  Greek  name 
of  the  Goddess  of  Love,  called  by  the  Ro- 
mans Venus.  She  Is  supposed  to  have 
originated  from  the  foam  of  the  sea.  A 
variety  of  meerschaum.  A  hj'drous  sih- 
cate  of  magnesia.  A  beautiful  gen.  of 
annelidans,  with  silky  hair  and  bristles. 

Aphyllose,  af  il-ds.  Destitute  of  leaves  : 
applied  tothegroupof  cr}'i)togamic  plants 
called  thallogens,  which  are  Avithout  true 
leaves ;  also  to  flowering  plants  destitute 
of  leaves,  like  some  euphorbias. 

Apiarian,  a-pi-ii'ri-an.  A  bee-keeper; 
an  apiarist. 

Apiin,  a'pi-in.  A  gelatinous  substance 
from  common  parsley  by  boiling  with 
water. 

Apiocrinites,  ri'])i-r)-kri-nT"tez.  A  sub- 
gen,  of  fossil  encrinites,  peculiar  to  the 
chalk  and  oohte  formations;  pear-encrinite. 

Apios,  a' pi-OS.  A  gen.  of  leguminous 
plants,  containing  three  species,  producing 
edible  tubers  on  undergi'ound  shoots. 

Apis,  ii'pis.  A  bull  to  which  divine 
honors  were  paid  by  the  ancient  Egyptians, 
as  a  symbol  of  Osiris.  At  Memphis  he 
had  a  splendid  residence.  He  was  not 
suftered  to  live  beyond  25  years,  being 
secretly  killed  by  the  priests  and  thrown 
into  a  sacred  well.  His  birth  was  annuallj' 
celebrated,  and  his  death  was  a  season  of 
public  mourning.  A  gen.  of  insects,  ord. 
Hymenoptera;  the  bees.  A.  musca,  a 
southern  constellation  of  4  stars. 

Apium.  a-pi-um.  A  gen.  of  umbelliferous 
plants,  among  which  is  the  celery. 

Aplacental,   ap-la-sental.      Applied   to 


mammals  the  young  of  which  are  desti- 
tute of  a  placenta,  comprising  the  Monotre- 
mata  and  Marsupialia,  the  lowest  orders, 
including  the  duck-mole,  the  porcupine, 
ant-eater,  kangaroo,  etc 

Aplome,  a-plom'.  A  rare  variety  of  gar- 
net, found  in  dodecahedrons,  with  rhom- 
bic faces. 

Apluster,  a-plus'ter.  An  ornament  car- 
ried on  the  stern  of  ancient  Greek  and 
Koman  ships,  shaped  like  a  plume  of 
feathers  ;  it  rose  immediately  behind  the 
steersman. 

Aplysia,  a-pliz'i-a.  The  sea-hare,  a  gen. 
of  gasteropodous  mollusks,  ord.  Tecti- 
branchiata. 

Apocalypse,  a-pok'a-lips.  Eevelation ; 
discovery,  disclosure;  specifically  applied 
to  the  last  book  of  the  New  Testament, 
containing  the  revelation  delivered  to  St. 
John  in  Patmos. 

Apocrisiary,  ap-d-kris'i-a-ri.  Anciently, 
a  resident  in  Constantinople,  representa- 
tive of  a  foreign  church  or  bishop. 

Apocrypha,  a-pok'ri-fa.  Hidden  or  se- 
cret things  ;  things  set  apart ;  specifically,  a 
name  in  the  earliest  churches  for  various 
writings  whose  authors  were  unknown, 
those  with  a  hidden  meaning,  such  as 
were  considered  objectionable.  The  name 
now  used  to  designate  those  books  of  the 
Old  Testament  not  having  a  place  among 
the  twentj^-two of  the  Jewish  canon,  but 
appearing  -vvith  them  in  theSeptuagint.  The 
Council  of  Trent  declared  them  inspired 
and  canonical.  The  Greek  Church  prohibits 
their  use.  The  Lutheran  and  EngUsh 
Churches  deny  their  inspiration,  but  con- 
sider them  to  contain  wholesome  instruc- 
tion. Most  evangelical  Protestants  prohibit 
their  use  in  worship. 

Apocynacese,  a-pos'i-nri"se-e,  A  nat. 
ord.  of  dicotyledonous  plants,  having  for 
its  type  the  gen.  Apoeynum  or  dog's-bane, 
nearly  allied  to  the  ord,  Asclepiadacea  ; 
several  yield  caoutchouc,  and  a  few  edible 
fruits. 

Apocynum,  a-pos'in-um.  Dog's-bane, 
a  gen.  of  i)erennial  herbs.  The  flowers 
of  A.  androsoemifolium  are  furnished  with 
five  irrit<nble  scales,  which  secrete  a  sweet 
liquid  that  tempts  insects  to  settle  on 
them,  and  which  then  close  on  and  kill 
them. 

Apodosis,  a-pod'o-sis.  The  latter  part 
of  a  conditional  sentence,  which  results 
from,  or  is  dependent  on,  the  protasis  or 
condition.  Thus  in  the  sentence.  If  it 
rain,  I  shall  not  go,  the  former  clause  is 
the  protasis,  the  latter  the  ai)odosis. 


A  POD  A 


55 


APOSTOLIC 


Sand-eel. 


Apoda,  ap'o-da.  A  term  given  to  cer- 
tain telcostean 
fishes,  from  being 
destitute  of  ven- 
tral fins,  as  the  eel 
sand-eel,  sword 
fish,  &c.  An  ord. 
of  amphibian  or 
batracJiian  r  e  p  - 
tiles,  without  ap- 
parent limbs,  of  a 
serpent-like  form. 
An  ord.  of  cirripeds,  destitute  of  loco- 
motive organs. 
Apodyterium,  ap'o-di-te"ri-um.  An 
apartment  in  Greek  and  Eoman  baths  or 
in  the  palaestra,  ^vhere  the  bathers  or  gym- 
nasts dressed  and  undressed. 
Apog'ee,  ap'o-jc.  The  point  in  the  orbit 
of  a  heavenly  body  which  is  at  the  great- 
est distance  from  the  earth  ;  properly  this 
particular  point  of  the  moon's  orbit. 
Apollinarian,  a-poFh-na'^ri-an.  Per- 
taining to  the  scenic  games  instituted  at 
Pwome  in  honor  of  Apollo,  after  the  battle 
of  Cann»,  216  b.  c.  One  of  a  sect  deriv- 
ing their  name  from  Apolltnaris,  bishop  of 
Laodicea  in  the  4th  century,  who  denied 
the  proper  humanity  of  Christ. 
Apollinaris  Water,  a-pol'li  na"ris 
wa'ter.  A  mineral  water  belonging  to  the 
class  of  acidulated  soda-waters,  fi-om  the 
Apollinarisbruunen,  a  spring  in  Ehenish 
Prussia. 
Apollo,  a-pol'lo.  In  Greek  and  Eoman 
Myth,  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Latona ;  the 
god  of  poetry,  music  and  prophecy ;  the 
patron  of  physicians,  shephei-ds  and 
founders  of  cities.  He  invented  the  harp, 
and  was  the  father  of  ^sculapius.  A. 
Belvidere,  a  celebrated  statue  of  Apollo 
in  the  Behidere  gallery  of  the  Vatican 
pjilace  at  Eome,  discovered  among  the 
ruins  of  Antium  in  the  reign  of  Nero. 
ApoUonius  Tyanseus.  Among  the 
last  and  most  distinguished  of  the  Pytha- 
gorean philosophers,  born  about  the 
time  of  the  death  of  Christ,  and  i>.  at 
Ephesus,  97 ;  his  followers  attributed  to 
him  miraculous  powers,  and  held  him  as 
a  rival  of  Christ. 
Apollyon,  a-pol'yon.  The  destroyer ;  a 
name  used  (Eev.  ix.  11)  for  the  angel  of 
the  bottomless  pit,  answering  to  the  He- 
brew Abaddon. 

Apologue,  ap'o-log.    A  moral  fable  ;  an 

allegory  ;  a  story  or  relation  of  fictitious 

events  intended  to  convey  useful  truths. 

Aporaecometer,      ap'o-me-kom"et-er. 

An  instrument  used  in  measuring  heights. 


Aponeurosis,  ap'o-nu-ru"8is.  A 
white,  shining,  and  very  resisting  mem- 
brane, composed  of  interlaced  fibers,  dif- 
fering from  a  tendon  only  in  being  flat. 

Apophyge,  a-pofi-je.  The  part  of  a 
column  where  it  springs  out  of  its  base, 
usually  molded  into  a  concave  sweep  or 
cavetto. 

Apophyllite,  a-pof'i-lit.  A  mineral  of 
the  zeolite  fam.  occurring  in  laminated 
masses  or  in  regular  prismatic  crystals, 
having  a  strong  and  pecuhar  pearly  luster, 
a  hydrated  silicate  of  lime  and  potash,  con- 
taining fluorine. 

Apoplexy,  ap'o-plek-si.  Being  dis- 
abled iii  body  or  mind  by  a  stroke.  Aboli- 
tion of  sensation  and  voluntary  motion, 
from  suspension  of  the  functions  of  the 
cerebrum,  resulting  from  congestion  or 
rupture  of  the  blood-vessels  of  the  brain. 

Aporosa,  ap-o-ro'sa.  A  group  of  corals 
of  the  sclerodermic  section,  haWng  the 
calcareous  cup  solid. 

Aporrhais,  ap-or-ra'is.  A  gen.  of  ma- 
rine gasteropod  mollusks,  fam.  Cerithiadffi, 
containing  the  pehcan's  foot  or  spout- 
shell. 

Apostate,  a-pos'tilt.  One  who  has  for- 
saken the  church  or  profession  to  which 
he  before  adhered,  in  the  E.  C.  Ch.  one 
who,  without  a  legal  disijensation,  for- 
sakes a  religious  order. 

Apostle,  a-pos'l.  A  person  deputed  to 
execute  some  important  business ;  specifi- 
cally, a  disciple  of  Christ  commissiojied  to 
preach  the  gospel.  Twelve  persons  were 
selected  for  this  purpose ;  and  Judas 
proving  an  apostate,  his  place  was  sup- 
plied by  Matthias.  In  the  primitive 
Church  other  ministers  were  called  A.  In 
law,  a  statement  of  a  case  sent  by  a  court 
whence  an  appeal  has  been  taken  to  a 
superior  court.  In  the  Greek  Ch.  a  book 
containing  the  epistles  of  St.  Paul,  printed 
in  the  order  in  which  they  are  to  be  read 
in  churches  throughout  the  year.  Apos- 
tle's creed,  a  confession  of  faith  supposed 
to  have  been  drawn  up  bji  the  apostles. 

Apostles'  Islands.  A  gi-oup  of  12 
islands  at  the  Pacific  end  of  the  Straits  of 
Magellan. 

Apostolic,  ap-os-tol'ik.  Pertaining  to  or 
characteristic  of  an  apostle.  A.  constitu- 
tions and  canons,  a  collection  of  regula- 
tions attributed  to  the  apostles,  but  sup- 
posed to  bo  spurious.  They  appeared  in 
the  4th  century.  A.  fathers,  the  Chris- 
tian writers  who  during  any  part  of  then- 
lives  were  contemporary  with  the  apos- 
tles. These  are  fiA^e — Clement,  Barnabas, 
Hermas,  Ignatius,  Polycarp.    A.  king,  a 


APOTACTITE 


56 


APPLIQUE 


title  granted  by  tlie  pope  to  the  kings  of 
Hungary,  first  conferred  on  St.  Stephen, 
the  founder  of  the  royal  line  of  Hungary. 
A.  see,  the  Church  of  Kome ;  so  called 
because  the  popes  profesa  to  bo  tho  suc- 
cessors of  Peter.  A.  succession,  the  un- 
interrupted succession  of-  bishops,  and, 
through  them,  of  priests  and  deacons  in 
the  church  by  regular  ordination  from  the 
first  apostles  down  to  tho  present  day.  A. 
church,  the  church  in  the  time  of  the 
apostles,  constituted  according  to  their  de- 
sign ;  the  churches  of  Eome,  Alexandria, 
Antioch  and  Jerusalem.  A  member  of 
one  of  certain  sects,  so  called  from  their 
pretending  to  imitate  the  practice  of  the 
apostles.  A  priest  who  obtained  u  letter 
from  the  popo  to  a  vacant  benefice.  An 
archbishop. 

Apotactite,  ap-o-tak'tlt.  One  of  a  sect 
©f  ancient  Christians,  who,  in  imitation  of 
the  first  believers,  renounced  all  their  ef- 
fects and  possessions. 

Apothecary,  a-poth'e-ka-ri.  One  who 
practices  pharmacy  ;  a  skilled  person  Avho 
prepares  drugs  for  medicinal  uses,  and 
keeps  them  for  sale.  Apothecaries'  Com- 
pany, a  London  company  incorporated  in 
160(j,  empowered  to  gi-ant  a  quahflcation 
to  practice  medicine.  Apothecaries'  Hall, 
the  hall  of  the  corporation  of  the  apothe- 
caries of  London  where  genuine  medi- 
cines are  prepared  and  sold  under  their 
direction.  Apothecaries'  weight,  the 
weight  employed  in  dispensing  drugs. 

Apotlieciura,  ap-o-the'si-um.  The  re- 
ceptacle of  hchens,  consisting  of  the  spore- 
cases  or  asci,  and  of  the  paraphyses  or 
barren  threads. 

Apotheosis,  ap'o-thc-6"6is.  Deification; 
consecration  ;  the  act  of  placing  a  prince 
or  other  distinguished  person  among  the 
heathen  deities.  A  place  in  the  chancel  in 
primitive  churches,  for  books,  vestments, 
&c. 

Appalachian,  ap-pa-la'ki-an.  A  chain 
of  mountains  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
United  States, galled  also  the  Alleghany 
Mountains.  A.  tea,  the  American  name 
for  the  leaves  of  plants  used  as  a  substitute 
for  Chinese  tea. 

Apparel,  ap-par'el.  Clothing,  vesture, 
dress  ;  an  appendage  worked  in  silk  and 
gold,  enriched  with  precious  stones,  worn 
from  the  13th  to  the  14th  century,  attached 
to  the  alb  and  other  ecclesiastical  vest- 
ments. 

Apparitor,  ap-par'it-or.  In  Eom.  antiq. 
any  officer  who  attended  magistrates  and 
judges  to  execute  their  orders.  A  mes- 
senger who  serves  the  process  of  a  spultual 


court;  the  lowest  ecclesiastical  officer. 
The  beadle  in  a  university,  who  cai-ries 
the  mace. 

Appendicularia,  ap-pen-dik'u-l:i"ri-a, 
A  gen.  of  tunicate    molluscoid  animals, 
which  presents  a  permanent  larval  foim, 
like  tho  proteus  among  Amphibia. 
Appentis, 
ap-pen'tis.  An 
architectural 
name     for     a 
lean-to  roof  or 
an  open   shed 
supported    on 
columns     or 
brackets  let  in- 
to the  wall,  or 
otherwise, 
with  a  view  of 
attbrding    pro-  Appentis. 

tection  from  the  weather  to  a  flight  ol 
steps,  &c. 
Appian,  ap'pi-an.  Pertaining  to  Ap- 
pius.  A.  "Way,  a  celebrated  pavtwi  road 
from  Home  south  through  Capua  to 
Brundusium  commenced  by  tho  censor 
Appius  Claudius  n.  c.  312.  It  is  above 
330  miles  in  length,  formed  of  hard,  hex- 
agonal stones,  resting  on  an  admirable  sub- 
structure. 
Apple,  ap'l.  The  fruit  or  pome  of  the 
apple-tree.  A  name  popularly  given  to 
various  exotic  fruits  having  little  or  noth- 
ing in  common  with  the  apple ;  as,  the 
balsam  apple,  the  pine-apple,  &c.  A.  of 
the  eye,  the  pupil.  Adam's  A.,  the  lime ; 
a  prominence  on  the  throat.  A.  of  dis- 
cord, cause  of  envy  and  contention,  in 
aUusion  to  the  story  In  Greek  mythology 
of  the  golden  apple  thrown  into  the  assem- 
bly of  tho  gods  by  the  Goddess  of  Dis- 
cord, bearing  the  inscription  "For  the 
fairest."  Aphrodite  (Venus),  HGra(Juno), 
and  Pallas  (Minerva)  became  competitors 
for  it,  and  its  adjudication  to  the  first  by 
Paris  so  inflamed  the  jealousy  of  llera 
that  she  did  not  cease  her  machinations  till 
Troy  was  destroyed. 

Apple-moth,  ap'1-moth.  The  Tortrix 
pomonana,  alepidopterous  insect,thelarvse 
of  which  take  up  their  abode  in  apples. 
Appleton,  Daniel.  Founder  of  the 
celebrated  American  publishing  house  ;  n. 
17S5,  D.  1S49. 

Apple-tree,  ap'l-tre.  A  tree  of  the 
gen,  Pyrus,  ord.  Rosacea;.  The  crab-ap- 
ple is  tho  original  from  which  all  others 
have  sprung. 

Applique  Lace,  ap-plek'  las.  Lace 
whose  pattern  has  been  cut  out  and 
sewed  on  a  foundation  of  net. 


APPOMATTOX 


5T 


AQUAEIA2? 


Appomattox,  ap-po-mat'toks.  A  river 
aud  county  in  Virginia.  A.  Court-house 
■was  the  scene  of  the  capitulation  of  the 
Confederate  army  under  Gen.  Lee  to  Gen. 
Grant,  April  !),  1865,  an  act  which  virtu- 
ally ended  the  Kebellion. 

Apprentice,  ap-pren'tis.  One  who  is 
bound  by  indenture  to  serve  for  a  specified 
time,  to'learn  some  art,  trade  or  profes- 
sion, in  which  his  master  becomes  bound 
to  instruct  him  ;  one  not  well  versed  in  a 
subject.  In  old  law,  an  English  barrister 
under  sixteen  years'  standing. 

Appui,  ap-pwc'.  A  support  or  prop.  In 
the  manege,  a  reciprocal  action  between 
the  mouth  of  the  horse  and  the  hand  of 
the  rider,  thus,  a  horse  with  a  sensitive 
mouth  may  be  said  to  have  a  good  appui, 
and  also  of  the  rider  if  his  hand  be  good. 
Point  d'A.,  a  position  suited  to  support  or 
ehelter  troops,  as  a  morass,  a  wood,  a 
rising  ground. 

Appulse,  ap'puls.  In  Astron.  the  ap- 
proach of  any  planet  to  a  conjunction  with 
the  sun  or  a  star. 

Apricot,  a'pri-cot.  A  pubescent  fruit  of 
delicious  ilavor,  the  produce  of  a  tree  of 
the  plum-kind,  Prunus  Armeniaca,  ord. 
Kosaceffi. 

April,  a'pril.     Fourth  month  of  the  year. 

A  priori,  a  prl-o'ri.  The  opposite  of  a 
posteriori,  a  mode  of  reasoning  by  which 
we  proceed  from  the  cause  to  the  effect; 
to  demonstrate  anything  on  grounds  or 
reasons  preceding  actual  knowledge  or 
independent  of  it,  as  mathematical  proofs. 

Apron,  a'prun.  A  piece  of  cloth  or 
leather  worn  on  the  forepart  of  the  body 
to  protect  the  clothes.  Part  of  the  dress 
of  an  English  bishop.  A  piece  of  leather 
or  oth^r  material  spread  before  a  person 
riding  in  a  vehicle  to  defend  him  from 
rain,  mud  or  dust.  The  abdomen  of  the 
short-tailed  decapod  crustaceans,  as  the 
crab.  A  riat  piece  of  lead  that  covers  the 
vent  of  a  cannon.  A  strengthening  tim- 
ber in  a  ship.  A  platform  of  plank  at  the 
entrance  of  a  dock.  The  sill  of  a  window. 
The  piece  that  holds  the  cutting  tool  of  a 
planer.  A  sti-ip  of  metal  which  leads  the 
di-ip  of  a  wall  into  a  gutter. 
Apse,  aps.  A  portion  of  any  building 
forming  a  termination  or  pi-ojection  semi- 
circular or  polygonal  in  plan,  and  having 
a  dome  or  vaulted  roof.  An  ai-ched  roof, 
as  sf  an  oveu. 

Apsis,  ap'sis.  One  of  the  ••-vvo  points  of 
the  orbit  of  a  heavenly  body  situated  at 
the  extremities  of  the  major  axis  of  the 
ellipse  formed  by  the  orbit,   one   being 


that  at  which  the  body  is  at  its  greatest 
and  the  other  at  its  least  distance  fi-om  its 
primary.  In  regard  to  the  earth  and  the 
other  planets,  these  points  con-espond  to 
the  aphelion  and  the  perihelion  ;  in  regard 
to  the  moon,  to  the  apogee  and  perigee. 
A  reliquary  or  case  in  which  the  relics  of 
saints  were  kept.  A.  gradata,  the  bishop's 
thi'one  in  cathedral  churches,  so  called 
from  being  raised  above  the  stalls  of  the 
other  clergy. 

Aptenodytes,  ap-tc'no-dl"tcz.  The 
penguins,  a  gen.  of  web-footed  diving- 
birds. 

Aptenodytid83,  ap-te'no-dit'i-de.  A 
fam  of  natatorial  birds,  including  th« 
gen.  Aptenodytes. 

Aptera,  ap'ter-a.  The  7th  order  of  in- 
sects in  Linaa?us'  system.  Later  zoolo- 
gists have  restricted  this  term  to  the  Suc- 
toria,  Epizoa  and  Thysanura,  which  hare 
no  wings. 

Apteryx,  ap'ter-iks.  A  nearly  extinct 
gen.  of  cursoi-ial  birds  constituting  the 
fam.  Apterygida;.  There  are  three  spe- 
cies. 

Aptomis,  ap-tor'nis.  A  fossil  bird 
found  along  with  the  remains  of  the  moa. 
Both  belong  to  the  same  family  (Struthi- 
onid.X')  of  cursorial  birds. 

Apuleius,  Lucius,  ah-pu-lo'yus.  Au- 
thor of  the  celebrated  Plutonic  satire  : 
"  Metamorphoses,  or  the  Golden  Ass,"  of 
which  the  delightful  story  of  Psyche  is  a 
part.   A.  lived  in  Africa  in  the  2d  century. 

Apus,  a'pus.  A  gen.  of  phyllopod  crus- 
taceous  animals  of  the  sub-class  Entomos- 
traca. 

Apyrous,  a-pi'rus.  Incombustible,  or 
capable  of  sustaining  a  strong  heat  ■v\ith- 
out  alteration  of  form  or  properties,  aa 
asbestos,  mica,  talc. 

Aqua,  ak'wa.  Water :  a  word  much 
used  in  pharmacy  and  old  chemistrj'.  A. 
fortis,  weak  and  impure  nitric  acid.  A. 
regia,  a  mixture  of  nitric  and  hydrochloric 
acids,  having  the  power  of  dissolving  gold 
and  other  meUils.  A.  Tofana,  a  poisonous 
fluid  made  in  the  17th  century  by  an  Ital- 
ian woman  of  the  name  of  Tofana,  who  is 
said  to  have  procured  the  death  of  no 
fewer  than  600  individuals  by  means  of  it. 
A.  -vitae,  native  distilled  spirits  :  the  whis- 
ky of  Scotland,  the  usquebaugh  of  Ire- 
land, the  eau  de  vie  of  France. 

Aquamarine,  ak'wa-ma-ren'.  A  name 
for  the  finest  bervl,  from  its  sea-green 
tint. 

Aquarian,  a-kwa'ri-an.  One  of  a  sect 
of  early  Chi'istians  who  consecrated  water 
in  the  Eucharist  instead  of  wine. 


AQUARIUM 


88 


AEABm 


Aquaritun,  a-kwa'ri-um.    An  artificial 

pond  for  cultivating'  aquatic  plants.    A 

vessel  of  glass  in  which 

live  animals  are  kept  in 

water,  with    rocks    or 

aquatic  plants. 
Aquarius,     a-kwa'ri- 

us.    The  water-bearer ;, 

a    sign   in  the    zodiac! 

which  the  sun   enters 

about  the  21st  of  Janu- 
ary. 
Aquatic,     a-kwat'ik. 


Aquarius. 


Pertaining  to 
water  ;  living  in  or  frequenting  water.  A. 
box,  an  accessory  to  the  microscope,  in 
which  algse  or  animalculte  are  placed  for 
observation. 

Aquatinta,  ak-wa-tin'ta,  A  method  of 
etching  on  copper  by  which  a  beautiful 
effect  is  produced,  resembling  a  fine  draw- 
ing in  water-colors  or  Indian  ink. 

Aqueduct,  ak'we-dukt.  sa^sjs^iara! 


A  conduit  or  channel  for  \ 
conveying  water  from  one 
place  to  another. 

Aqueous,  ak'we-us.  Par-v^ 
taking  of  the  nature  of  "^ 
water,  or  abounding  with  Aqueduct. 
or  formed  by  it.  A. 
humor  of  tho  eye,  the  watery  iluid  which 
fills  tho  space  between  the  cornea  and  the 
crystalline  lens  in  the  eye.  A.  rocks, 
mechanically  formed  rocks,  composed  of 
matter  de])osited  by  water.  A.  vapor, 
tho  gaseous  vapor  produced  from  the 
surface  of  water  by  evaporation. 

Aquifoliaceae,  ak'wi-fo'li-a"8e-c.  A 
nat.  ord.  of  polypetalous  exogens ;  the 
holly  tribe. 

Aquila,  ak'wi-la.  A  gen.  of  raptorial 
birds  containing  the  true  eagles.  A  north- 
ern constellation  containing  seventy-one 
stars. 

Aquilariaceas,  ak'wi-la-ri-a"8e-e.  A 
nat.  ord.  of  apetalous  exogens,  consist- 
ing of  three  genera — Aquilaria,  Ophiosper 
mum  and  Gyrinops. 

Aquilated,  ak'wil-at-ed.  In  Her. 
adorned  Avith  eagles'  heads ;  as,  a  cross 
aquilated. 

Aquilegia,  ak-wi-lo'.ii-a.  A  gen.  of 
acrid  plants,  ord.  Eanuhculaceae. 

Aquiline,  ak'wil-!n.  Of  or  belonging  to 
tho  eagle.  Eesembling  an  eagle's  bgak; 
prominent. 

Aquinus,  St.  Thomas,  a-kwi'nas.  One 
of  the  most  celebrated  of  Christian  philos- 
ophers and  preachers,  known  as  the 
"  Angel  of  the  Schools  ;"  b.  1227,  d.  12T4. 
His  great  work,  "  Summa  Theologiae,"  is 


an  imperishable  monument  of  jnons  erudi- 
tion. He  was  canonized  by  Pope  John 
XXII.,  in  1323,  and  declared  a  doctor  of 
the  Church  by  Pius  Y.  in  156T. 

Aquitanian,  ak-vri-tu'ni-an.  Pertaining 
to  Aquitania,  one  of  the  great  divisions  of 
Gaul,  now  called  Gascony. 

Arab,  ar'ab.  A  native  of  Arabia.  A 
neglected  outcast  of  the  streets,  particu- 
larly an  outcast  boy  or  girl. 

Araba,  ar'a-ba.    An  Indian  or  Turkisk 


Arabesque. 


Arabs, 
cart  dravm  by  oxen  or  cows;  tboae  for 
the  higher  classes  are  highly  ornamented. 
Arabesque,    ai'- 
ab-esk.    A  species 
of    ornamentation 
for   enriching   flat 
surfaces,    either 
painted,  inlaid,   or 
wrought  in  low  re- 
lief. 

Arabia,  a-ralbe- 
ah.  A  peninsula  in 
tho  the  8,  W.  of 
Asia,  1,500  m.  in  length  IT.  and  S.,  and  aver- 
age breadth  780  m.  Much  of  the  country 
is  a  desert  and  little  kno^vn.  Pop.  12,- 
000,000.  The  inhabitants  include  the 
Bedouins,  reputed  descendants  of  Ish- 
mael,  who  havo  maintained  their  roving 
and  warlike  character  for  centuries ;  a  dis- 
tinct and  quiet  race  settled  along  the  coasts, 
and  the  "VVahabees,  occupjingthe  interior. 
The  religion  is  lAohammedan,  which  had 
its  origin  in  A.  in  the  latter  part  of  tho 
6th  century.  The  vulgar  Arabic,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  that  of  tho  Koran,  i3 
among  the  most  -widely  spoken  languages, 
and  the  literary  Arabic  is  used  in  tko 
liturgy  of  all  Mohammedans.  It  was  for 
centuries  the  language  of  the  sciences, 
arts  and  civilization. 

Arabic,  ar'ab-ik.  Belonging  to  Arabia 
or  the  language  of  its  inhabitants.  A. 
figures  or  characters,  the  numeral  char- 
acters used  in  our  Arithmetic,  Introduced 
into  England  about  the  11th  centmy,  and 
probably  of  Indian  origin. 

Arabiu,  ar'a-bin.  A  variety  of  gum 
soluble  in  cold  water,  the  principal  con- 
stituent of  gum-arabic. 


AEABIS 


AEAUCAKITE 


Arabis,  ar'arbls.  A  gen.  of  plants  of 
tlie  cruciferous  ord. ;  wall  or  rock  cress. 

Arabo-tedesco,  ar'ab-d-ta-des'ko.  A 
style  of  art  composed  of  Moorish,  Eomaii 
aiid  German-Gothic. 

Aracanese,  ar'a-kan-ez".  A  native  or  an 
inhabitant  of  Aracan,  in  British  Burmah. 

Aracari,  a-ra-sa''ri.  A  name  of  the  birds 
belonging  to  the  gen.  Pteroglossus,  in- 
cluded in  the  Eamphastidfe  or  toucan 
fam.,  differing  from  the  true  toucans  by  a 
smaller  bill  and  smaller  size. 

Aracese,  a-ra'se-e.  A  nat.  order  of 
monocotyledonous  plants,  having  the 
gen.  Arum  as  the  type.  An-ow-root  is 
manuftictured  from  the  roots  of  Arum 
maculatum.  A  gigantic  species  (Goduinia 
gigas),  produces  but  one  leaf  supported  on 
a  stalk  10  feet  long. 

Arachis,  ar'arkis.  A  gen.  of  leguminous 
plants.  The  best-known  species  is  A. 
nypogflea.  Its  pod  (popularly  called 
gi-ound,  earth,  or  pea  nut),  when  mature, 
contains  two  seeds  the  size  of  a  hazel-nut, 
in  flavor  sweet  as  almonds,  and  jielding, 
when  pressed,  an  oil  not  inferior  to  that  of 
olives. 

Arachnida,  a-rak'ni-da.  A  class  of 
articulated,  annulose  and  wingless  ani- 
mals, intermediate  between  insects  and 
Crustacea,  including  spiders,  mites  and 
scorpions. 

Araeosystyle,  a-re'o-sis"tn.  An  ar- 
rangement in  which  columns  are  coupled 
or  placed  in  pairs,  with  an  interval  of  half 
a  diameter  betwixt  the  coupled  columns, 
and  of  three  diameters  and  a  half  betwixt 
the  pairs. 

Arag-o,  Francois  Jean  Dominique, 

ah-rah'go.  A  distinguished  French  as- 
tronomer, discoverer  of  the  diameters  of 
the  planets,  of  rotary  magnetism,  polariza- 
tion by  colors,  and  other  scientific  truths : 
B.  1TS6,  D.  1853. 

Aragonite.  ar'a-gon-Tt.  The  name 
given  to  carbonate  of  calcium  when  it 
occurs  in  trimetric  crystals.  It  is  essen- 
tially of  the  same  chemical  constitution  as 
calc-spar,  but  its  crystalline  form  is  a 
dimorphous  mineral. 

Aragnato,  a-rii-gwii'to.  The  Mycetes 
Ursinus,  or  ursine  howler,  the  largest  of 
New  World  monkeys. 

Arainae,  a-rfi-i'ne.  The  macaws,  a  svib- 
fam.  of  scansorial  birds,  fam.  PsittacidiE. 

Arak,  ar'ak.  An  alcoholic  drink  made 
in  Tartary  from  mare's  milk.     . 

Araki,  -e.  An  Egyptian  intoxicating 
drink  prepai-ed  from  dates. 


Aral,  a'ral.  The  largest  lake  in  Asia, 
covering  38,000  sq  m.;  Its  water  is  salt. 
It  lies  117  ft.  higher  than  the  Caspian  bea, 
and  h.13  no  outlet. 

Araliaceae,  a-ra'li-ri"8e-e.  A  nat.  ord- 
of  plants  nearly  related  to  the  FmbeUif- 
erae.  (A.  nudicaulis)  is  used  as  a  substi- 
tute for  sarsaparL'la.  The  true  rice  paper 
of  the  Chinese  is  made  from  the  pith  oi 
another  species,  A.  papyrifera. 

Aramaic,  ar-a-ma'ik.  Of  or  i)ertaining 
to  Aram,  a  son  of  Shem,  or  to  the  Chal- 
deans and  Syrians,  his  descendants ;  a 
term  appellative  of  the  northern  family  cf 
the  Semitic  class  of  languages,  comprising 
the  tongues  spoken  in  Syria  and  Assyria, 
the  earliest  specimens  "being  the  Chaldee 
passages  in  the  Old  Testament  and  Apoc- 
rypha, especially  in  Esdras  and  Daniel. 

AJraneidae,  a-ru-nu'l-dc.  The  spider 
family,  a  tribe  of  the  pulmonary  order  of 
arachnidans,  containing  the  true  spinning 
spiaers. 

Axaneiformia,  -for"mi-a.  An  ord.  of 
spider-like  Crustacea. 

Arapaima,  ar-a-pi'ma.  A  gen.  of  fresh- 
water malacopterygian  abdominal  fishes. 
The  largest  known  fresh-water 
some  being  15  feet  long. 

Arapung:a,-pung'- 
ga.  A  gen.  of  S. 
American  dentiros- 
tral  insessorial 
birds,  fam.  Ampeli-  j 
dae,  including  the 
curious  bell-bird  (A. 
alba),  remarkable 
for  its  clear, bell-like^ 
notes. 

Ararat  Mt.,  ar'ah- 
rat.  The  mountain 
in  Armenia,  W. 
Asia,  upon  which  Noah's  ark  is  said  to 
have  rested  when  the  flood  receded  ;  it  is 
situated  at  the  .innction  of  the  Eussian, 
Persian  and  Turkish  empires. 

Araucania,  ah-raw-ka'ne-ah.  A  S. 
American  province,  nominally  claimed  by 
Chili,  but  occupied  by  descendants  of  the 
aboriginal  inhabitants  who  have  success- 
fully maintained  their  independence. 

ArtvUcaria,  ar-a-ka'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  Co- 
nifer*, large  evergreen  trees  A%ith  verticil- 
late  spreading  branches,  and  bearing  large 
cones,  each  scale  ha>ing  a  single  large  edi- 
ble seed. 

Araucarite,  a-ra'ka-rlt.  The  name  given 
to  frairinents  of  plants  found  fossil  ii  strata 
of  different  ages,  and  believed  to  be  relat- 
ed to  living  araucaria. 


Head  of  Bell-bird. 


AEAUHA 


AECHCHANCELLOE 


Arauha,  a-ra'u-a.  The  native  name  for 
a  gig'antic  spider  of  the  g-en.  Mygale, 
found  on  the  Alvolhos  Islands,  Brazil. 

Arbalist,  ar'bal-ist.  A  cross-bow  of 
steel  set  in  a  shaft  of  wood.  The  shaft 
had  a  stirrup  at  the  end,  and  the  bow  was 
wound  up  by  a  moulinet  or  A\indlass  worn 
at  the  girdle.    It  threw  bullets,  arrows,  &c. 

Arbor,  iir'bor.  A  wood ;  a  perennial  plant 
havin<?  a  distinct  bole  or  trunk  from  which 
the  main  branches  grow.  The  principal 
spindle  or  axis  of  a  machine,  communi- 
cating motion  to  the  other  moving  parts. 
A.  Dianse,  or  tree  of  silver,  a  beautiful  ar- 
borescent precipitate,  produced  by  silver 
in  mercury.  A  seat  in  the  open  air,  shel- 
tered by  vines  or  trees. 

Arboretum,  ar-bo-re'tum.  A  place  in 
Avhich  trees  and  shrubs  are  cultivated  for 
scientilic  purposes. 

Arbor-vitse,  'bor-vi'te.  The  common 
name  of  the  species  Thuja,  ord.  Coniferae. 

Arbtiscle,  'bus-1.  A  dwarf  tree,  in  size 
between  a  shrub  and  a  tree. 

Arbutus,  'bii-tus.  A  gen.  of  evergreen 
shrubs,  ord.  Ericacese.  Trailing  A.,  the 
American  name  of  Epigaaa  repens. 

Arc,  ark.     Any  part  of  a  curve  line  which 
is    not     of    contrary 
curvature;  an  arc  of 
a  circle,  for  example, 
is  any  portion  of  its  ^j.^. 

circumference. 

Area,  ar'ka.  In  the  early  church,  a  chest 
for  receiving  pecuniary  offerings.  A  box 
or  casket  in  which  the  eucharist  Avas 
carried.  A  gen.  of  lamellibranchiatemol- 
lusca,  the  type  of  the  fam.  Arcadae ;  the 
ark-shells, 

Arcadse,  'ka-de.  The  ark-shells,  a  fam. 
of  lamellibranchiate  mollusks,  section 
Asiphonida.  Their  first  appeamnce  was 
in  the  Lower  Silurian  rocks.  Area  is  the 
tj^pical  gen.  of  the  family. 

Arcade,  -kad'.  A  series  of  arches  sup- 
ported on  piers  or  pillars.  In  the  archi- 
tecture of  the  middle  ages  more  common- 
ly applied  as  an  ornamental  dressing  to  a 
wall.  A  passage  containing  shops  or 
stalls,  usually  covered  with  glass.  A 
building  with'a  broad,  well-lighted  central 
hall  from  which  doors  and  windows  open 
into  business  places  or  offices. 

Arcadian,  -ka'di-an.  Pertaining  to 
Arcadia,  a  mountainous  district  in  the 
heart  of  the  Peloponnesus. 

Arcanum,  -kan'um.  A  secret ;  a  mys- 
tery, as  the  arcana  of  nature.  Eoyal  A., 
the .  title  of  a  recent  co-operative  life  in- 
surance organization. 


Arch,  iirch.  Any  part  of  the  circumfei\ 
ence  of  a  circle  or  other  curve  ;  an  arc.  In 
Arch,  a  structure  of  stone  or  brick  having 
the  shape  of  truncated  wedges,  airanged 
on  a  curved  line,  so  as  to  retain  their  posi- 
tion by  mutual  pressure.  There  are 
arches  of  equilibration,  equipollent,  ol 
discharge,  askew  and  reversed;  also 
Roman,  pointed,  and  Saracenic  arches. 
They  are  also  named  according  to  the 
curve  the  in trados  assumes,  as  segmental, 
semicular,  cycloidal,  elliptical,  parabolical, 
hyperbolical,  or  catenarian ;  or  from  the 
resemblance  of  the  whole  contour  of  the 
curve  to  some  familiar  object,  as  lancet 
and  horseshoe  arch ;  or  from  the  method 
used  in  describing  the  curve,  as  equilateral, 
three-centred,  four-centred,  ogee,  and  the 
like.  Triumphal  A.,  originally  a  simple 
arch,  under  which  a  victorious  general 
and  army  passed  in  triumph.  At  a  later 
period  it  was  a  richly  sculptured,  massive 
and  permanent  structure.  The  name  is 
now  given  to  an  arch,  generally  of  wood 
decorated  with  flowers,  erected  on  oc- 
casion of  some  public  rejoicing,  &c. 

Archaeocidaris,  ar'ke-6-sid"a-ris.  A 
gen.  of  fossil  sea-urchins  or  Cidaris,  found 
in  the  coal-measures  and  Permian  strata. 

Arch,8eologry,-ke-ol'o-ji,  The  science  of 
antiquities,  especially  prehistoric,  which 
investigates  the  history  of  nations  and 
peoples  by  means  of  the  remains.  A.  in- 
terprets Avithout  the  aid  of  Avritten  record 
or  trustworthy  tradition  ;  antiquarianism 
avails  itself  of  both. 

Archaeopteryx,  -op'ter-iks.  A  unique 
fossil  bird  from  the  oolitic  limestone  of 
Solenhofen. 

Archangrel,  Srk-an'jel.  An  angel  of  the 
highest  order,  occupying  the  eighth  rank 
in  the  celestial  hierarchy.  A  name  com- 
mon to  plants  of  the  genus  Lamium. 

Arcliang-elica,  'i-ka.  A  gen,  of  umbel- 
liferous plants.  A.  officinalis  is  used  in 
the  manufacture  of  gin. 

Arch-band,  arch'band.  That  portion 
of  an  arch  or  rib  seen  below  the  general 
surface  of  A'aulting. 

Archbishop,  -bish'op.  A  chief  bishop ; 
a  church  dignitary  of  the  first  class. 

Archbutler,  -but'ler.  A  chief  butler; 
an  officer  of  the  old  German  Empire  Avho 
presented  the  cup  to  the  emperor  on  sol- 
emn occasions. 

Archchamberlain,  -cham'ber-lin.  A 
chief  chamberlain  ;  an  officer  of  the  ©Id 
German  Empire. 

Archchancellor,  -chan'sel-ler.  A  chief 
chancellor ;  an  officer  in  the  old  German 


AECHCOUNT 


61 


AECHIYOLT 


Empire  who  presided  over  tlie  secretaries 
of  the  court. 

Archcount,  -kount'.  A  chief  count ;  a 
title  formerly  given  to  the  Count  of  Flan- 
ders. 

Archdapifer,  -dap'1-fer.  An  officer  in 
the  old  German  Empire  whose  office  was, 
at  the  coronation  of  the  emperor,  to  carry 
the  tirst  dish  of  meat  to  table  on  horse- 
back. 

Archdeacon,  -de'kn.  In  England,  an 
ecclesiastical  dignitary,  next  in  rank  be- 
low a  bishop. 

Archdruid,  dru'id.  A  chief  or  pontift 
of  t!ie  ancient  druids. 

Archduchess,  duch'es.  The  wife  of 
an  archduke ;  a  princess  of  the  reigning 
famihes  of  Eussia  and  Austria. 

Archduke,  -duk'.  A  prince  belonging  to 
the  reigning  families  of  Austria  or  Eussia. 

Archeg-onium, -ke-go'ni-um.  Thepi3 
tilHdium  or  the  female  organ  of  crytogamic 
plants,  ha\ing  the  same  function  as  the 
pistil  in  the  flowering  plants. 

Archeg-osaurus,  -sa"ru3.  A  fossil  rep- 
tile of  the  carboniferous  era,  having  a  near 
alliance  to  the  proteus,  lepidosiren  and 
other  peronnibranchiate  reptiles. 

Archencephala,  -ken-sefa-la.  The 
highest  of  the  primary  sub-classes  into 
Avhich  Owen  has  sub-divided  the  mam 
mals  in  accordance  with  the  structure  of 
the  Lrain.  It  includes  the  solitary  order, 
family,  genus  and  species,  Man. 

Archer-fish,  arch'er-fish.  A  name  given 
to  the  Toxotes  jaculator,  a  scaly-finned, 
acanthopterygian  fish. 

Arches  Court.  The  chief  and  most 
ancient  consistory  court,  belonging  to  the 
archbishopric  of  Canterbury,  for  the  de 
"bating  of  spiritual  causes,  and  held  in 
Westminster  Hall ;  its  jurisdiction  extends 
over  the  province  of  Canterbury.  The 
chief  judge  is  called  the  Dean  of  Arches 

Archetype,  Sr'kG-tlp.  A  model  or  first 
form.  In  coining,  the  standard  weight. 
In  Com.  Anat.  that  fundamental  pattern 
on  which  a  natural  group  of  animals  or 
system  of  organs  is  assumed  to  have  been 
constructed ;  as  the  vertebral  A. 

Archiater,  -kl'a-ter.  Chief  physician  ; 
a  term  applied  to  the  body  physician  of 
princes,  and  to  the  first  physician  of  some 
cities. 

Archierey,  'e-ri.  A  collective  term  for 
the  higher  order  of  ecclesiastics  in  the 
Greek  Church. 

Archil,  'kil.  A  rich  violet  or  purple  color- 
ing matter  obtained  from  certain  lichens. 


Dyers  rarely  use  A.  by  itself,  on  account 
of  its  dearriess  and  the  perishablenoss  of 
its  beauty,  but  employ  it  to  give  a  bloom 
to  other  colors. 

Archimagrus,  ki-ma'gus.  The  high- 
priest  of  the  Persian  Magi,  or  worshipers 
of  fire. 

Archimandrite,  -man'drTt.  In  the 
Greek  Ch.  an  abbot,  or  abbot-general, 
who  has  superintendence  of  many  abbots. 
In  Sicily  the  abbots  are  called  A.  because 
their  convents  were  originally  of  Greek 
institution. 

Archimedean,  -me-de"an.  Pertaining 
to  Archimides,  or  to  the  screw  invented 
by  him.  A.  propeller,  a  continuous 
spiral  vane  on  a  hollow  core  running 
lengthwise  of  the  vessel,  an  ampUficatiou 
and  extension  of  the  screw.  A.  screw, 
an  instrument  to  raise  Avater  formed  by 
Avinding  a  fiexible  tube  round  a  cylinder 
in  the  form  of  a  screw.  A.  principle,  the 
principle  that  a  lever  loaded  with  two 
weights,  on  opposite  sides  of  the  fulcrum, 
is  in  equilibrium  when  the  weights  are 
inversely  proportional  to  the  length  of 
the  arms  at  whose  ends  they  hang,  and 
that  the  pressure  on  the  fulcrum  of  the 
lever  is  exactly  equal  to  the  sum  of  the 
two-weights. 

Archimides,  'deez.  A  Sj^racusan.  and 
the  most  celebrated  of  ancient  mathe- 
maticians ;  B.  2S6,  D.  212  n.  c,  being  slain 
at  the  capture  of  his  native  city  by  the 
Eomans  under  Marcellus. 

Archipelago,  -pel'a-g6.  Originally  the 
Egean  Sea ;  any  body  of  water  inter- 
spersed with  islands ;  a  group  of  islands. 

iiLrchitecture,  -tek-tiir.  The  art  or 
science  of  building  or  constructing  houses, 
bridges,  &c.;  that  branch  of  the  fine  arts 
which  has  for  its  object  the  production 
of  edifices  pleasing  to  a  cultivated  taste. 
The  leading  styles  are  characterized  as 
Egyptian,  Indian,  Greek,  Gothic,  Byzan- 
tine, Eomanesque,  Norman,  Eenaissance, 
&c 

Architrave,  -trav.  The  lower  division 
of  an  entablature,  or  that  part  which  rests 
immediately  on  the  column.  The  ornar 
mental  molding  running  round  the  ex- 
terior curve  of  an  arch,  on  the  faces  of  the 
jambs  and  lintel  of  a  door  or  window.  A. 
cornice,  an  entablature  consisting  of  an 
architrave  and  cornice  only,  the  frieze  be- 
ing omitted. 

Archivolt,  -volt.  The  architrave  on  the 
face  of  an  arch  folloAving  the  contour  oil 
the  intrados.  A.  of  a  bridge,  the  curve 
formed  by  the  upper  sides  of  the  ard** 
stones  in  the  face  of  the  work. 


AEOHLUTE 


AEGALI 


Archlute,  tircli'lut.  A  Urge  lute,  a 
theorbo,  the  bass  strings  of  which  are 
doubled  with  an  octavo  and  the  higher 
strings  with  a  unison. 

Archmarshal,  -mar'shal.  The  grand 
marshal  of  the  old  German  Empire. 

Arch.on,  iir'kon.  One  of  the  chief  mag- 
istrates of  Athens,  chosen  to  superintend 
civil  and  religious  concerns. 

Archontic,  'tik.  One  of  a  branch  of  the 
Valeutiuians,  who  held  that  the  world 
was  not  created  by  God,  but  by  angels 
called  archontes. 

Arclioiits,  'konts.  One  of  the  groups 
into  which  some  naturahsts  have  classified 
mammals,  including  man  alone. 

Arch.-primate,  Jirch-prl'mat.  A  chief 
primate  ;  an  archbishop  over  other  arch- 
bishops. 

Arch.-treasurer,  -tre'zhur-er.  The 
great  treasurer  of  the  German  Empire. 

Archway,  'wa.  An  entrance  or  passage 
under  an  arch. 

Arc-indicator,  ark'in-di-kat-«r.'  An 
apparatus  for  measm*ing  the  space  inter- 
vening between  two  nodes,  or  parts  of 
the  stem  from  which  leaves  arise. 

Arcogrraph.,  'o-graf.  An  instrument 
for  drawing  a  circ  ular  arc  without  the  use 
of  a  central  point ;  a  cyclograph. 

Arctic,  'tik.  Pertaining  to  the  northern 
constellations  called  the  Great  and  Little 
Bears ;  northern,  as  the  A.  pole,  circle, 
region,  or  sea.  A.  fox,  a  small  species, 
fam.  CanidoB. 

Arctic  Ocean.  That  section  of  the  ocean 
north  of  66°  80'  N.  lat. 

Arctictis,  'tis.  A  gen.  of  ursine  carniv- 
ores, of  which  the  best  known  species  is 
A.  binturong. 

Arctiidee,  -tl'i-de.  a  fam.  of  lepidopter- 
ous  insects,  section  Heterocera ;  the  tiger- 
moths. 

Arctium,  'shi-um.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Composita).  In  Japan  the  burdock 
is  used  as  a  vegetable. 

Arctotis,  -to-tis.  A  gen.  of  composite 
plants,  having  heads  of  snowy  orange- 
colored  flowers. 

Arcttirus,  -tfi'rus.  A  fixed  star  of  the 
first  magnitude  in  the  constellation  Bootes, 
thought  to  be  the  nearest  to  our  system  of 
any  fixed  star.    It  has  a  proper  motion. 

Arcus  senilis,  ark'us  sen-i'lis.  The 
bow  of  old  age  ;  an  opacity  round  the  mar- 
gin of  the  cornea  occui-ring  in  advanced 
age. 

Ardeb,  ar'deb.    An  Egj'ptian  weight  and 


measure  equivalent  to  226  lbs.,  or  about 
40^  gallons. 

Ardeidae,  -de-i-de.  A  fam.  of  grallato- 
rial  or  wading  birds,  including  the  herons, 
cranes,  storks,  ibis,  &c. 

Ardisia,  dis'i-a.  A  gen.  of  tropical  ever- 
green plants,  ord.  Myrsinaceaj. 

Ardrigrh.,  -re'.  In  the  early  history  of 
Ireland  and  Scotland  a  chief  monarch  or 
king. 

Are,  ar  or  ar.  The  unit  of  French  super- 
ficial or  square  measure,  containing  100 
square  meters,  a  little  less  than  1,076.44 
Enghsh  square  feet. 

Areca,  a-rc'ka.  A  gen.  of  lofty  palms. 
A.  catechu  is  the  piang  or  betel-nut  tree, 
and  jnelds  catechu.  A.  oleracea  is  the 
cabbage-tree  or  cabbage-palm. 

Arena,  'na.  The  inclosed  space  in  the 
central  part  of  the  Eoman  amphitheaters, 
in  which  took  place  the  combats  of  gladi- 
ators or  wild  beasts.  The  scene  of  exer- 
tion or  contest  of  any  kind.  In  Med.  sand 
or  gravel  in  the  kidneys.  In  Arch,  the 
middle  of  a  temple  or  other  inclosed  place. 

Arendalite,  a-ren'dal-It.  A  lime  and 
iron  epidote,  consisting  of  silica,  alumina, 
iron-peroxide  and  lime. 

Arenicolite,  ar-en-ik'o-lit.  The  geolog- 
ical name  for  circular  holes  on  sandstones, 
the  burrows  of  some  annelid  resembling 
the  lug-worm. 

Areometer,  -e-om'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measm-ing  the  specific  gravity 
of  liquids;  a  hydrometer. 

Areopagrus,  -op'a-gus.  A  sovereign 
tribunal  at  Athens,  famous  for  the  Justice 
of  its  decisions.  By  a  law  of  Solon  no 
person  could  be  a  member  until  he  had 
been  archon  or  chief  magistrate. 

Ares,  a'rez.  In  Greek  mythology  the 
god  of  war,  Identified  by  the  Eomans 
with  Mars. 

Areth.usa,  ar-e-thii'sa.  A  gen.  of  orchids, 
consisting  of  a  single  species,  A.  bulbosa. 

Aretology,  -tol'o-ji.  That  part  of  moral 
philosophy  which  treats  of  virtue,  and  tho 
means  of  attaining  to  it. 

Arfwedsonite,  arf-wed'son-Tt.  A  fer- 
ruginous vai-iety  of  hornblende,  com- 
posed of  silicates  of  iron,  soda,  alumina 
and  lime. 

Argral,  fir'gal.  Unrefined  or  crude  tar- 
tar ;  a  hard  crust  formed  on  the  sides  of 
vessels  in  which  wine  has  been  kept ;  an 
impure  bitartrate  of  potassium. 

Argrali,  'ga-ll.  A  species  of  wild  sheep 
found  in  Siberia,  Central  Asia  and  Kam- 
tchatka.    The  horns  of  a  fiill  grown  A. 


AEGA3n)-LAMP 


aeia:?? 


are  nearly  4  feet  in  length  measured  along 
the  curve,  and  at  their  base  are  about  19 
inches  in  circximference.  The  name  is 
also  apphed  to  the  Eocky  Mountain  sheep 
or  bighorn. 

Arg-and-lamp,  'gand-lamp.  A  lamp 
with  a  circular  hollow  -wick,  allowing  an 
out.side  and  inside  cun-ent  of  air.  A.  burn- 
er, a  gas-burner  in  the  form  of  a  hollow 
cylinder,  admitting  a  current  of  air 
through  the  center. 

Argrel,  ''gel.  A  plant,  the  Solenostemma 
Argel,  ord.  Asclepiadacese. 

Arg'enioue,  -je-mo'nG.  A  small  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Papaveraceae.  From  the 
seeds  of  A.  mexicana  the  Mexicans  obtain 
a  painters'  oil. 

Argent,  ar'jent.  Whiteness,  like  that 
of  silver.  In  Her.  the  white  color  in 
coats  of  arms,  representing  silver,  or 
purity,  innocence,  beauty,  gentleness. 

Argrentan,  'jen-tan.  An  alloy  of  nickel 
"with  copper  and  zinc  ;  German' silver. 

Argentiferous,  -tif'er-us.  Producing 
or  containing  silver ;  as  A.  ore,  veins,  &c. 

Argentina,  -ti'na.  A  gen.  of  malacop- 
terygious  fishes,  belonging  to  the  salmon 
familj% 

Argentine,  -tin.  A  variety  of  calcspar, 
containing  a  little  siUca  with  laminfe  usual- 
ly undulated.  The  tetroxide  or  antimoniate 
of  antimony.  White  metal  coated  with 
silver. 

Argentine  Republic.  A  confedera- 
tion of  14  S.  American  provinces,  gov- 
erned by  a  jjresident  and  legislature  com- 
posed of  tvvo  houses.  Pop.  (18S0),  2,100,- 
000 ;  area,  603,271  sq.  m.  Eosario  is  the 
capital,  and  the  other  principal  towns  are 
Buenos  Ayres,  Concepcion  and  Corrientes. 
Principal'rivers,  the  Paraguay,  Parana 
and  La  Plata. 

Argentite,  -tit.  Sulphide  of  silver  oc- 
curring in  crystals,  in  crusts  and  massive; 
a  valuable  ore  of  silver  found  in  crystal- 
line rocks. 

Argentometer,  -tom'et-er.  A  graduat- 
ed glass  tube  for  ascertaining  the  quantity 
of  silver  in  a  solution  by  the  admission  of 
chloride  of  sodium. 

Argillaceous,  -jil-lfi'shus.  Partaking 
of  the  nature  of  argil  or  clay.  A.  earth, 
"White  cla}%  or  potter's  earth,  called  by 
chemists  alumina.  A.  rocks,  of  sediment- 
ary origin,  soft  in  texture,  clay  forming 
the  basis.  A  slate  or  schist,  a  metamor- 
phic  rock  characteristic  of  the  Silurian 
formation. 

Argive,  'jiv.        Eelating   to    Argos,    in 


Greece.  The  A.  tribe,  during  the  Trojan 
war,  was  the  most  powerful  in  Greece. 

Argo,  'go.  In  Greek  Myth,  the  name  of 
the  ship  which  carried  Jason  and  his  fif- 
ty-four companions  to  Colchis  in  quest  of 
the  golden  fleece. 

Argonaut,  'go-nat.  One  of  the  persons 
who,  according  to  the  Greek  legend,  sailed 
to  Colchis  with  Jason.  One  of  the  mol- 
luscous animals  belonging  to  the  gen. 
Argonauta,  fana.  Argonautidse,  class 
Cephalopoda,  or  cuttle-fishes.  The  gen. 
Argonauta  belongs  to  the  dibranchiate  or 
two-gilled  cuttle-fishes. 

Argonautidae,  -go-na'ti-de.  The  fam. 
of  cephalopodons  mollusks,  ord.  Tetra- 
branchiata,  which  contains  the  argonaut, 
paper -sailor,  or  paper-nautilus. 

Argo-Navis,  na'vis.  The  southern 
constellation  of  the  Ship,  containing  9 
clusters,  3  nebuLT,  13  double  and  540 
single  stars,  of  Avhich  about  G4  are  visible. 

Argot,  'got  or  ar-go.  The  conventional 
slang  of  thieves  and  vagabonds,  invented 
for  the  purpose  of  disguise  and  concea"- 
ment ;  cant;  slang. 

Argus, 'gus.  A 
fabulous  being 
of  a  n  t  i  q  uity, 
sajd  to  have- 
had  a  hundredil 
eyes,  placed  by 
Juno  to  guard 
lo.  Any  watch- 
ful person.  The 
A.  giganteus, 
fam,  Phasian-i 
idaj,  a  very  sin-, 
gular  species 
of  pheasant,  the 
secondary 
quills  of  the 
Anngs,  which 
are  longer 
than  the  pri- 
mary feathers, 
being  adorned  "with  a  series  of  oeellated 
or  eye-like  spots  of  brilliant  metallic  hues. 
It  is  the  only  species  of  the  genus. 

ArgTlS-sliell,  -shel.  A  species  of  porce- 
lain-shell, resembling  a  peacock's  tail. 

Arhizous,  a-ri'zus.  Destitute  of  root ; 
applied  to  parasitical  plants  "\vhich  adhere 
to  other  plants. 

Arian,  a'ri-an.  One  who  adheres  to  the 
doctrines  of  Arius,  who  held  Christ  to 
be  a  created  being,  inferior  to  God  the 
Father  in  nature  and  dignity,  though  the 
noblest  of  all  created  beings';  and  that  the 
Holy    Spirit   was    created   by    the  Son. 


Argns  Pheasant. 


AUiES 


64 


ARMADILLO 


l*'^ 


Arius,  n  priest  of  Alexandria,  promul^ted 
his  diK!trinc'8  in  the  4th  century.  They 
■wore  condemncil  by  tho  CouncU  of  Nice 

In  82o. 

Aries,  i'ri-ez.  The 
Itaiii,  a  northern  con- 
fiteilatlon  of  15<;  stars, 
ofwhicli  50  are  visi- 
ble ;  the  first  of  the 
twelve  eiiu'ns  in  tlie 
zodiac,  which  tho  phu 
enters  at   the  vernal  Aries. 

CQUiuox,  about  tho 
2lst  of  March.  Owinp  to  the  preces- 
sion of  tho  equinoxes  the  sipn  Aries  no 
longer  corresponds  with  the  constellation 
Aries,  which  it  did  2,(XX)  years  ago  ;  the 
present  M^'n  Is  in  the  constellation  Ilsces. 
The  battering  ram  of  theanclenta. 

Aril,  ar'il.  In  Bomo  plants,  as  the  nnt- 
ineg,  an  extra  covering  out:ilde  of  tho  true 
sce<l -coats. 

Ariosto  Ludovico,  ah-re-rts'to.  A  cel- 
ebrated lliJJian  poet,  author  of  "Orlando 
Furlosa,"  u.  14»4,  D.  1533. 

Arista,  a-ris'ta.  Awn ;  tho  long  beard 
which  issues  firom  the  glamo  of  some 
grasses. 

Aristides,  ar-is-ti'dfiT:.  A  poldler  and 
elatesmiui  of  Athens,  who  lived  in  the  4th 
century  u.c.  IIo  served  in  all  the  highest 
otlicosoftho  State,  and  was  so  puro  In 
character  that  ho  was  called  "Tho  Just." 

Aristocrat,  ar'ls-to-krat.  A  member  of 
tho  nristoeracy  ©r  men  of  rank  In  a  com- 
munity.    One  who  favors  an  aristocracy. 

Aristo-democracy,  a-ris'to-de-raok"- 
ra-si.  A  form  of  government  composed 
of  nobles  and  tho  commonalty. 

Aristolochia,  -lo"kl-a.  A  gen.  of  gyn- 
androus  jilants,  ord.  Arl8tolochiaceR>,Ve- 
qnirlng  tho  aid  of  Insects  to  produce  fer- 
tilization. 

Aristophanic,  -fen"lk.  Pertaining  to 
the  writings  or  style  of  Aristophanes,  the 
comic  poet  of  Athens  ;  shrewd  ;  wittj'. 

Aristotelia,  -tc"ll-a.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Tiiijicea,'. 

Aristotelian,  "li-an.  Pertaining  to 
Aristotle,  tiie  celebrated  Greek  philoso- 
pher, a  diseii)lo  of  Pl.ito,  and  founder  of 
the  sect  of  the  Peripatetics,  who  was  born 
at  StAcirain  Macedon  about  8S4  years  be- 
fore Christ. 

Arithinetic,  a-rith'met-ik.  The  science 
of  numbers  or  tho  art  of  computation  by 
figures  or  juunerals.  Decimal  or  common 
A.  employs  t*;n  symbols  or  digits  from  0 
to  9  inclusive,  which  are  usually  called  the 
Arabic  numerals,  but  originated  among 


the  Hindus.  Instrumental  A.,  a  mode  of 
computing  numbers  by  means  of  some 
instrument,  as  the  abacus,  Napier's 
bones,  &c. 

Arithmometer,  -mom'et-er.  An  in- 
strument for  assisting  in  making  arith- 
metical computations. 
Arizona,  ar-l-zo'nah.  A  territory  of 
the  United  States,  N.  and  formerly  part 
of  New  Mexico. 

Ark,  ark.  A  small  close  vessel  ;  cotT<  r. 
In  .'^crip.  the  repository  of  the  Jewish  co' 
enant  or  tablesof  the  law,  made  of  sliii 
tim-wood,  overlaid  within  and  witliout 
\\1th  gold,  over  Avhich  were  i>la»;ed  tho 
golden  covering  or  mercy-seat  and  the 
two  cherubim.  Tho  same  name  Is  given 
to  a  repository  in  modem  synagogues. 
The  largo  floating  vessel  in  v»hich  Noah 
and  his  lamily  were  preserved  during  tho 
deluge.  In  Zool.  a  common  name  to 
the  mollusca  of  the  fam.  Arcada?. 
Arkansas,  nr-kAn'saw.  Ono  of  tho 
Southern  United  Btates,  W.  of  tho  Mis- 
sissippi: capital,  Llttlo  IJock.  Principal 
rivers,  Arkansas,  Red  and  White.  Area, 
5'2,19H  sq.  m.;  pop.,  802,526,  of  whom 
21(i,f>fif»  aro  negroes. 

Arkose,  ar'kOs.  A  felspathic  sandstone 
formed  Itom  tho  disintegration  of  granite. 
Arm,  arm.  A  branch  of  tho  military  ser- 
vice, as  cavalry  or  artillery.  Armorial 
bearings ;  tho  devices  armorial  of  a  com- 
munity, office  or  family.  First  employed 
by  the  Crusaders,  and  became  hereditary 
In  families  at  tho  close  of  tho  li'th  cen- 
turj'.  In  Jjiw,  anything  which  a  man 
taken  in  his  hand  In  "anger  to  strike  or  as- 
sault another.  In  Bot.  anything  that 
serves  as  a  defense  to  a  plant,"a3  prickles, 
thorns,  or  spines.  In  Palconry,  tho  legs 
of  a  hawk  ft^om  the  thigh  to  tho  foot.  A. 
of  precision,  flre-arms  rifled,  furnished 
with  scientifically  graduated  sights,  and 
appllanc<'s  calcufatetd  to  enable  them  to 
act  with  great  precision,  rapidity  and  at 
great  distances.  Small  A.,  arms  that  can 
be  carried  by  those  who  tise  them.— A 
stand  of  A.,  a  complete  set  of  arms  for 
one  soldier. 

Armadillo, 

-ma-dll'ir>.  A  n 
edentate  mam- 
mal, gen.  Dasy- 
pus,  fam.  Daay- 
podlda»,    consist-  -.         ,,„ 

ing     of     various  Armadillo, 

species,  and  with  tho  allied  genera 
Chlamyphorjis  and  Orycteropus,  forming 
a  family  intermediate  between  the  slothg 
and  antpeaters. 


AEMADA 


65 


AEOPH 


Armada,  Sr-ma'da.  A  fleet  of  armed 
ship!*,  usually  apidled  to  the  Spanish 
fleet,  called  the  Invincible  A.,  lntende<l  to 
act  against  Eng^land  in  the  reign  of  Queen 
Elizabeth,  a.  «.  15^5. 

Arzuattire,  'ma-tur.  Armor ;  somethinR' 
■worn  t<j  defend  the  body.  Iron  framiii^f 
employed  to  strenfftheu  a  biiildinjr.  A 
piece  of  iron  connecting?  the  two  poles  of  a 
magnet  to  maintain  the  ma^etic  power. 

Armenian,  -mG'ni-an.  Perbiinlng  ti> 
Armenia,  a  country  In  Asia,  now  called 
Tiircomania.  A.  bole,  a  epeH("»  of  riny. 
A.  stone,  a  soft  blue  carb<iri.i  :  ; 

also  a  commercial  name  for  i 

Armeria,  Ma.    A  ir<n..'  i. 

PlumlMifiinaiX'.i  .  :.  >\ii   >u- 

tic«    by     the  ...!    rapitate 

flower.<<;  thrift  ■  ;   • 

ArmBt,  'met.  An  audtsut  helmet ;  when 
worn  with  tho  beaver  it  was  calleii  A. 
grand  ;  when  without,  and  supplied  with 
a  triple-barred  fuoc-(fuard,  it  was  called 
A.  petit. 

Armifper,  'mi-jer.  In  times  of  chivalry, 
a*  nrrnor-l)earer  to  a  knijrht ;  tho  piToiid 
in  rink  of  tho  ajspirants  to  knljrhthood. 
In  lattT  times,  ono  with  a  right  to  anno- 
rial  l»varliij.'s  ;  an  esqtiire. 

Armilausa,-la'8a.  An  ancient  garment; 
a  kind  of  short  cloak  with  a  h<Mxl. 

Armilla,  mil'la.  An  annlet;  a  drcular 
or  spiral  ornani'iit  w<nn  niiind  (li<<  up|H>r 
arm  ;  al!»o,  a  !•!  ~t.     An 

Iron  ring  In  w  1 1  ,i  whec-l 

move.    Acirt'ii  ^  ''lo  wrist 

binding  tho  tendons  of  iho  wholu  Imnd. 

Arminian,  -mln'i-an.     One  of  a  Ro<*t  of 

Christians,  »o  called   f-^*"    ' -   *— 'n 

Ids  or  Jliunncnfun,  n  1  T 

Leyden,  Holliuid,  wh 
separated  from  tho  <  .ii»  imi>i-->,   ui.j.i  ung 
to  tlu-lr  views  of  prinlestination. 

Armlet,  urmlot.  A  little  arm  ;  aa  an  A. 
ofthoBea.     A  pioco  of  protective  armor 

.  for  tho  arm.  Part  of  tho  Bloeve  of  a 
dress. 

Armistice,  fir'mis-tis.  A  cessation  of 
arms  for  a  sliort  timo  by  convention ;  a 
truce. 

Arxnor.  'mer.  Defensive  arms ;  any  cov- 
ering worn  to  protect  tho  body  In  battle. 
Metal  wa.<»  uaea  from  tho  10th  to  the  1^*1  h 
centur>-.  until  the  introduction  of  .Ire-arms 
rendered  it  useless.  The  steel  or  Iron 
covering  of  a  ship  of  war.  Coat  A.,  the 
escutcheon  of  a  p«'rson  or  family,  vitli  its 
mantling,  crc«t,  supiiorters,  tiiotto,  ic. 
Submarine  A.  a  water-tight oovering  worn 
by  a  diver. 


Armioric,  -mor'ik.  Pertiining  to  the 
northwest  of  France,  formerly  Armorica, 
now  Drittany,  inhabited  by  a  Cymric  race 
who  fled  from  Britain  in  tho  &th  and  6th 
centuries. 

Armstrong:  gxm,  iirm'stn^ng  gun.     A 
cannon   of  wTought-lrou,   constructed   of 
bplrally  coiled    bars,  and  o<*<-!-''"'  >'''   '  •"- 
ing  an'inner  tutw  or  coro  <■; 
The  commonest  form  is  1 
but  tho!»e  of  the  liighest  c;»lii.. .    ...,    i,...,.- 

zle-Ioaders.  The  guu  is  name«l  irom  lia 
inventor,  Sir  Williaiu  Arm»tro;ig. 

Armure,  iir'mur.  A  tw1Ile«I  fabric  hav- 
ing a  cotton  warp  and  a  wtwlen  woof. 

Army.  'ml.  A  l.o.lv  <.f  ru.ii  :inn.Ml  for 
\v;.  ■  ;al- 

i.'  .n- 

Ki-'"  ly. 

SUiii'liu^'  A.,  :.  ,  ..:.(lk(.:pt 

permanently  i. 

Army-corps.   ^ ^.-.division 

of  an  army  In  tJjo  lioKl. 

Amee,  'no.  One  of  the  Indian  varieties 
of  the  Huffalo  ( Batialua  arni),  the  largest 
animal  of  tho  ox  kind. 

Arnica,  'nl-ka.  A  grn.  of  pl.nnte.  ord. 
ComiK»sit«.      Then-  .  •*, 

oneofwhich,  A.  nx'  in 

tobacco),  produoi4  u  i  a 

volatile  oil,  tho  flovurs  ut)  mri'l  I'itter 
principle  callc<l  arnicin,  and  tho  root 
tannin. 

Arnold,  Benedict.    A   )  n- 

eral  in  the  Atnrriran  Uev«)'  '••- 

siTt»-d  to  tiio  liritljih;  ».    i  ut 

In  1740;  i».  In  I»ndon,  IT'JO.  .M.ijur  An- 
dre, a  IMtish  oHiotT,  who  negotiati'il  the 
treasonable  luirgain  with  Arnold,  waa 
captur.'d  an. I  hank'fd  as  a  spy, 

Arnoldist.  'nol.li.Hi.  a  dlsdplo  of  Ar- 
nold of  Bri'-Holii,  who  In  tho  I'Jth  century 
preache<l  against  the  Uoinish  Cliurch. 

Amotto,  -not't.*!.     Hiva  Orellann,  a  Kmall 

tn     '       v.- :  MM  ...  .       ,,|. 

OI^  of 

tl..  T- 

lli;j    iiii.'rt<min.    jur     uuiK  r,     eiiocs*-    jind 

choc«)late. 
Aroma,  a-rO'ma.    An  odor  from  planta 

or  other  substances,   more  especially  an 

agret«blo   odor;    an    odorous   or   spicy 

emanation. 
Aromatite, 'in.nt-if    '    "  i<  stone, 

in  smell  and  color  r<-  rrh.     A 

factitious  wluo,   com  >••»&  aro- 

matics. 
Aroph,  u'rof.     A  name  by  which  saflVtm 

is  sometimes  called.     A  chemical  i»r«'imra- 

tlon  of  Paraoelsua,  as  a  solvent  for    the 

stone. 


AEOUEA 


AESENIC 


Aroura,  'rou-ra.  An  ancient  Grecian 
measure  containing  21,904  English  square 
feet. 

Arpad,  ar'paM.  A  Magyar  chief  and 
founder  of  the  kingdom  of  Hungary ;  b. 
S4S,  D.  90T. 

Arpent,  ar-pan.  A  French  measure  for 
land,  equal  to  4,0S8  square  yards,  or  five- 
sixths  of  an  English  acre.  It  varied  in 
difterent  parts  of  France.  It  is  used  to  a 
limited  extent  in  Lower  Canada  and 
Louisiana. 

Arquebusade,  'kwo-bus-ad".  A  dis- 
tilled aromatic  spirituous  liquor  applied  to 
sprains  or  bruises ;  originally  invented  for 
wounds  inflicted  by  the  the  arquebus. 

Arquebus,  ar'kwc- 
bus.  A  hand  gun ; 
a  species  of  ancient 
fire-arm,  the  prede- 
cessor of  the  musket. 
It  was  iired  from  a 
forked  rest,  and  car- 
ried a  ball  that  weigh- 
ed from  2  to  4 
ounces. 

Arquerite,  -rit. 
A  mineral  sUveramal- 
gam,  occurring  in 
small  octahedrons 
and  arborescent,  con- 
taining 86  per  cent, 
silver. 

Arquifoux,  -kii-fij. 
give  a  green  varnish  to  pottery. 

Arracacha,  -ra-ka'cha.  A  gen.  of  um- 
belliferous plants,  including  a  species  A. 
esculenta,  the  root  of  which  is  divided 
into  several  lobes,  each  about  the  size  of  a 
carrot.  These  are  boiled  and  form  a  food 
staple. 

Arrack,  ar'ak.  Spirituous  liquors  man- 
ufactured from  fermented  rice,  the  juice 
of  the  cocoa-nut  and  other  palms. 

Arras,  'as.  Tapestry  ;  hangings,  consist- 
ing of  woven  stuffs  ornamented  with  fig- 
m*es,  manufactured  at  Arras,  in  the  north 
of  France. 

Arrastre,  a-ras'tra.  A  machine  for  com- 
minuting ore. 

Arraswise,  ar'as-wz.  In  Her.  when 
anything  of  a  square  form  is  placed  A^ith 
one  corner  in  front,  shoAving  the  top  and 
two  of  the  sides. 

Arret,  a-ru.  The  decision  of  a  court 
or  council ;  applied  particularly  to  the 
judgments  of  tribunals  in  France.  An 
arrest ;  a  seizure  by  legal  authority. 

Arriere-ban,  a-rer'ban.  An  edict  of 
the  ancient  kings  of  France  and  Germany 


Arquebusier. 
A  lead  ore,  used  to 


commanding  all  their  noblesse  and  vassals 

to  assemble  Avith  their  vassals  and  follow 

them  to  war  or  forfeit  their  estates. 

Arris,  ar'is.  The  line  in  which  the  two 
straight  or  curved  surfaces  of  a  body, 
forming  an  exterior  angle,  meet  each 
other. 

Arroba,  a-ro'ba.  A  weight  used  in  Cen- 
tral and  S.  America.  A  meastire  for  Avine, 
spirits  and  oil. 

Arrondee,  a-ron'de.  In  Her.  apphed  to 
a  cross,  the  arms  of  which  are  composed 
of  sections  of  a  circle. 

Arrondissement,  a-ron-des-m:ln.  In 
France,  an  administrative  district  forming 
a  subdivision  of  a  department. 

Arrope,  a-ro'pa.  Must  or  new  wine 
boiled  to  a  syrup,  to  be  used  as  a  coloring 
matter. 

Arro"W,  a'ro.  A  missile  weapon  to  be 
shot  "vvith  a  bow.  In  Surv.  a  pointed  iron 
rod,  to  stick  into  the  ground  at  the  end  of 
the  chain.  In  Fort,  a  work  placed  at  the 
salient  angles  of  a  glacis,  communicating 
■with  the  covert  way. 

Arro"W-gTasS,  -gras.  A  common  name 
for  plants  of  the  gen.  Triglochin,  ord. 
Juncaginacese. 

Arro'W-liead,  a'ro-hed.  A  gen.  of 
aquatic  plants,  so  called  from  the  shape  of 
their  leaves. 

Arro"w-lieaded,  -hed-ed.  Shaped  hke 
the  head  of  an  arrow.  A.  headed  charac- 
ters, formed  by  a  combination  of  triangu- 
lar or  Avedge-like  figures ;  called  also 
cuneiform  characters,  found  inscribed  on 
pottery,  and  monuments  at  Persepolis, 
Babylon,  and  other  places  of  the  East,  and 
have  been  deciphered  by  Grotefend, 
Eawlinson,  Burnouf  and  others. 

Arrow-root,  -rot.  A  starch  largely 
used  for  food,  obtained  from  the  horizon- 
tal rhizomes  of  several  species  of  Mar- 
anta. 

Arsenal,  ar'se-nal.  A  repository  or 
magazine  of  arms  and  military  stores,  for 
land  or  naval  service  ;  a  public  establish- 
ment where  naval  and  military  equip- 
ments are  manufactured  or  stored. 

Arsenate,  ar'sen-at.  A  salt  formed  by 
arsenic  combined  with  any  base. 

Arsenic,  ur'sen-ik.  A  chemical  element 
which  forms  alloys  with  most  of  tha 
metals.  Combined  with  sulphur  it  forms 
orpiment  and  realgar;  -with  oxygen  it 
forms  arsenious  oxide  or  arsenic  trioxide, 
Avhichis  the  white  A.,  or  simple  A.  of  tho 
shops.  Of  all  substances  A.  is  that  which 
has  most  frequently  occasioned  death  by 
poisoning,  both  by  accident  and  design. 


AESENIURETED 


67 


ARTOTYEITE 


Like  many  other  virulent  poisons  it  is  a 
cafe  and  useful  medicine,  when  judi- 
ciously employed. 

Arsenitireted,  -sen'u-ret-ed.  Com- 
bined ^^^th  arsenic  so  as  to  form  an  arsen- 
iuret.  A.  hydrogen,  a  gas  generated  by 
fusing  arsenic  with  its  own  weight  of 
granulated  zinc,  and  decomposing  the 
alloy  with  strong  bydrochloric  acid. 

Arshin,  slr'shiii.  A  Russian  measure  of 
2  feet  4.242  inches. 

Art,  art.  The  artificial  disposition  or 
modification  of  things  to  answer  some 
special  purpose.  A  system  of  rules  serv- 
ing to  facilitate  the  performance  of  certain 
actions  ;  knowledge  of  such  rules  or  skill 
in  applying  them  in  a  trade,  handicraft,  or 
other  special  subject.  The  useful  or- me- 
chanical arts  include  those  in  which  the 
hands  and  body  are  more  concerned  than 
the  mind,  as  in  making  clothes  ;  the  fine 
arts  and  the  liberal  arts  include  all  the 
branches  of  academical  learning,  as  well  as 
fine  art.  Formerly  the  cu-cle  of  the 
sciences  was  confined  to  the  seven  liberal 
arts — grammar,  rhetoric,  logic,  arithmetic, 
music,  geometry  and  astronomy.  In  this 
sense  the  term  is  still  employed  when  we 
speak  of  the  arts  classes  in  the  universi- 
ties, a  master  of  arts  &c.  Art  differs  from 
science  in  being  practical,  while  the  latter 
is  theoretical  or  speculative.  The  rules  of 
art  partake  less  or  more  of  the  nature  of 
directions.  They  are,  however,  ultimately 
based  on  principles ;  thus,  the  art  of  build- 
ing is  based  on  the  principles  or  laws  of 
mechanics. 

Artemisia,  ar-te-mis'i-a.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Compositte,  comprising  mug- 
Avort,  southern-wood  and  worm-wood. 

Artery,  'ter-i.  One  of  a  system  of  cylin- 
drical vessels  or  tubes,  membranous,  elas- 
tic and  pulsatile,  which  convey  the  blood 
from  the  heart  to  all  parts  of  the  body. 
There  are  two  principal  arteries,  the 
aorta  and  the  pulmonary. 

Artesian,  ar-tG'zi-an.  Of  or  belonging 
to  Artois,  in  France.  A  particular  kind 
of  well,  first  used  in  Artois. 

Arthritis,  thrl'tis.  Any  painfhl  dis- 
ease or  inflammation  of  the  joints,  partic- 
ularly the  gout. 

Arthrog-astra,  -thro-gas'tra.  A  name 
given  to  those  Archnida  which  agree  in 
having  the  abdomen  segmented,  and  not 
separated  from  the  cephalothorax,  includ- 
ing the  true  scorpions,  book-scorpions,  &c. 

Arthropoda,  -throp'o-da.  One  of  the 
two  primary  diiisions  (Anarthropoda  be- 
ing the  other)  Into  which  naturalists 
have  divided  the  sub-kingdom  Annulosa.  1 


Arthur,    ar'thiir.       The    hero      of  the 
"  Knights  of  the  Eound  Table,"  a  semi- 
•   mythical  king  of  Britain,  in  the  5th  cen- 
tury, w^ho  lieroically  opposed  the  Saxon 
invaders. 

Artichoke,  ar'ti-chok.  The  Cynara 
Scolymus,  an  edible  plant,  ord.  Compos- 
itae,  somewhat  resembling  a  thistle,  with 
large  divided  prickly  leaves.  The  Jerusa- 
lem A.,  or  Helianthus  tuberosus,  is  a  spe- 
cies of  sunflower,  whose  roots  are  used 
like  potatoes. 

Articulata,  -tik'u-la"ta.  The  thh-d 
great  section  of  the  animal  kiigdom,  di- 
■\ided  by  Cu"\ier  into  five  classes,  Crusta- 
cea, Arachnida,  Insecta,  MjTiapoda  and 
Annehda.  The  first  four  classes  are  now 
commonly  placed  together  under  the 
name  of  Arthropoda.  Also  applied  to  one 
of  two  sections  into  which  the  Brachio- 
poda  or  lamp-shells  are  divided. 
Articulate,  -lat.  Jointed  ;  formed  with 
joints  ;  as,  aa  articulate  animal.  Formed 
by  the  distinct  and  intelligent  movement 
of  the  organs  of  speech. 
Artificer,  -tifis-er.  A  maker;  a  skill- 
ful or  artistic  mechanic.  One  who  con- 
trives or  devises ;  an  inventor.  A  soldier- 
mechanic  attached  to  the  artillery  service. 
Artillery,  -til'ler-i.  Cannon  ;  ordnance 
and  its  necessary  equipment  both  in  men 
and  material.  The  science  of  the  use  and 
management  of  great  guns.  A.  level,  aa 
instrument  ha\ing  a  pendulous  pointer  by 
which  it  indicates  the  angle  between  the 
axis  of  the  piece  and  the  plane  of  the 
horizon. 

Artimorantico,  -te-mo'ran-te"ko.  An 
alloy  of  tin,  sulphur,  bismuth  and  cop- 
per, made  in  imitation  of  ancient  jewelry. 
Artiodactyla,  'shi-o-dak"ti-la.  A  sec  of 
the  Ungulata  or  hoofed  mammals,  com- 
prising all  those  in  which  the  number  of 
the  toes  is  even,  including  the  ruminants, 
and  also  a  number  of  non-ruminating 
animals,  as  the  hippopotamus  and  the  pig. 
The  sec.  includes  all  the  ungulate  an?mals 
used  for  human  food. 
Artocarpacese,  'to-kar-pa"se-e.  Aji 
ord.  of  plants,  the  bread-fruit,  a  sub-ord. 
of  the  Urticaceaa  or  nettles.  The  virulent 
antiar  poison  of  Java  is  obtained  from  the 
upas-ti-ee. 

Artotyrite,  -tl'rlt.  One  of  a  sect  of 
heretics  in  the  primitive  church,  who  cele- 
brated the  eucharist  vdth  bread  and 
cheese,  alleging  that  the  first  obligations 
of  men  were  not  only  the  fruit  of  the 
earth,  but  the  produce  of  their  flocks. 
They  admitted  females  to  the  priesthood 
and  episcopacy. 


AET-UNION 


ASCIDIUM 


Art-Union,  art-u'ni-un.  An  associa- 
tion, the  object  of  whicli  is  to  aid  in  ex- 
tending the  knowledge  of  and  love  for 
the  arts.  They  originated  in  France  during 
the  time  of  Napoleon  I. 

Arum,  a'rum.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Aracefe.  A.  maculatum  yields  a  starch, 
which  IS  known  as  Portland  sago  or  arrow- 
root. 

Arundo,  a-run'do.  A  reed;  a  gen.  of 
grasses,  now  usually  limited  to  A.  Donax 
and  the  species  which  agree  with  it. 

Aruspice,  a-rus'pis.  One  of  a  class  of 
IH-iestsin  ancient  Eome,  of  Etrurian  ori- 
gin, whose  business  was  to  inspect  the  en- 
trails of  victims  killed  in  sacrifice,  and  by 
them  to  foretell  future  events. 

Arvicola,  ar-vik'6-la.  A  gen.  of  rodent 
animals,  sub-ord.  Muridaj  or  Mice.  A. 
amphibia  is  the  water-vole,  or  water-rat, 
and  A.  agrestis  is  the  field-vole,  or  short- 
tailed  field-mouse, 

Aryan,  'i-an.  An  Indo-European  ;  a  mem- 
ber of  that  division  of  the  human  race 
which  Includes  the  Hindus  and  Persians 
as  its  eastern  branch,  and  the  Celts,  the 
Greeks  and  Italians,  the  Sclavs  and  the 
Teutons  as  its  western.  The  earliest  Aryan 
colonists  of  Europe  were  the  Celts. 

As,  as.  A  Koman  weight 
answering  to  the  libra  or 
pound.  A  Eoman  cop- 
per or  bronze  coin,  orig- 
inally of  a  pound  weight,' 
but  reduced  after  the 
first  Punic  war  to  2 
ounces,  in  the  second 
Punic  war  to  1  ounce, 
and  latterly  to  ^  ounce. 
The  common  form  had 
the  two-faced  head  of  Janus  on  one  side 
and  the  prow  of  a  ship  on  the  other.  In 
Seand.  myth,  one  of  the  gods,  the  inhab- 
itants of  Asgard.  It  appears  in  the  OS  of 
such  names  as  Oscar,  Osborn,  Oswald. 

Asafetida,  -a-fe'tid-a.  A  fetid  inpis- 
sated  sap,  the  concrete  juice  of  the  Nar- 
thex  asafetida,  a  large  umbelliferous  plant 
found  in  Western  Thibet. 

Asagraea,  a-sa-gre'a.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Melauthacea3or  colchicums,  including 
but  a  single  species  (A.  officinalis). 

Asaphes,  as'a-fez.  A  gen.  of  minute, 
parasitic  ichneumon  flies,  which  prey  upon 
and  keep  in  check  the  aphides. 

Asaphus,  -fus.  A  gen.  of  trilobites, 
characteristic  of  the  lower  palaeozoic  rocks. 

Asarabacca,  -ra-bak"ka.  A  small 
hardy  plant,  ord.  Aristolochiacese,  botan- 
ically  called  Asarum  Europaeum.    Both 


As. 


leaves  and  root  were  formerly  use<l  as  an 
emetic. 

Asann,  -rin.  A  volatile  solid  obtained 
from  Asarum  Europaeum.     It  ciystallizes 

in  beautiful  forms,  and  passes  "into  the 
amorphous  condition,  from  which  it  may 
be  again  brought  into  the  crystalline  state. 

Asarum,  'a-rum.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Ai-istolochiacea3.  The  fruit  is  a  six -celled 
capsule,  surmounted  by  the  persistent 
fimb  of  the  calyx. 

Asbestos,  bes'tos.  A  fibrous  variety  of 
the  hornblende  fam.,  as  augite,  actin- 
olite  and  tremolite,  composed  of  separate 
filaments,  with  a  silky  luster.  It  is  in 
combustible,  and  is  WTOUght  into  a  soft, 
flexible  cloth,  also  incombustible  jjapw 
and  wicks  for  lamps. 

Asbolin,  'bol-in.  An  oil-like,  nitroge- 
nous matter,  obtained  from  soot  of  wood. 

Asbury,  Francis.  The  first  bishop  of 
American  M.  E.  Church  ;  b.  in  England, 
1745 ;  D.  in  Virginia,  1S16. 

Ascaridee,  as-kar'i-de.  A  fam.  of  En- 
tozoa,  or  thread-like,  intestinal  worms. 
Two  species  infest  the  human  body. 

Ascension-day,  -sen'shon-da.  The 
day  on  which  the  ascension  of  the  Saviour 
is  commemorated,  called  Holy  Thursday. 
It  falls  on  the  Thursday  but  ono  before 
Whitsuntide. 

Ascetic,  -set'ik.  Unduly  strict  or  rigid 
in  devotions  or  modifications ;  austere. 
Applied  to  many  members  of  the  monk- 
ish orders. 

Ascian,  'si-an.  A  person  Avho,  at  cer- 
tain times  of  the  year,  has  no  shadow  at 
noon.  The  inhabitants  of  the  torrid  zone 
alone  fulfill  this  condition,  having  the  sun 
twice  a  year  in  their  zenith  at  noon. 

Ascidia,  -sid'i-a.  A  name  given  to  the 
Tunicata  or  sea-squirts,  molluscous  ani- 
mals of  a  low  grade.  A  large  proportion 
of  the  tough  outer  case  or  test  is  composed 
of  cellulose,  a  starchy  substance  character- 
istic of  plants.  Male  and  female  reproduc- 
tive organs  exist  in  each  ascidian,  and 
they  pass  through  peculiar  phases  of  de- 
velopment. 

Asclepiadacese,  -kle'pl-a-da"se-c.  A 
nat.  ord.  of  inonoi>«talous  dicotyledonous 
plants.  Over  a  thousand  species  are 
known. 

Ascomycetes,  'ko-mI-se"tGz.  A  large 
group  of  fungi  whose  spores  or  sporidia 
are  contained  Avithin  asci. 

Ascidium,  -sid''i-um.  A  hollow  tube  or 
pitcher-like  appendage  found  in  some 
plants,  often  closed  by  a  lid,  as  in  the  trud 
pitcher-plant. 


ASCITAN 


ASPARAGUS 


Ascitan,  'si-tan.    One  of  a  sect  or  branch 
,of  Montanists  who  appeared  in  the  2d 
,  century.      They   introduced    bacchanals, 
who  danced  around  a  skin  distended  with 
air,  in   allusion   to   the  bottles  filled  with. 
new  ^vin<?.  Matt.  ix.  IT. 
Asexual,  a-seks'u-al.    JTot  sexual ;  hav- 
ing no  distinctive   organs   of  sex,  or  im- 
perfect organs ;    performed  -svithout  the 
union  of  males  and  females. 
Asgrard,  as'gard.     In  Scand.  Myth,  the 
home  of  the  gods,  rising  like  the  Greek 
Olympus  from  midgard,  the  middle  world, 
the  earth.     It  Avas  here  that  Odin  and  the 
rest  of  the  gods,  the  twelve  Aesir,  dwelt 
— gods  in  the  mansion  called  Gladsheim, 
goddesses  in  Yingulf.   Walhalla,  in  which 
heroes  slain  in  battle  dwelt,  was  also  here. 
Below    the    boughs      of     the     ash-tree 
Yggdrasill  the  gods  assembled  every  day 
in  council. 
Ash,  ash.    The    common   name    of  the 
trees  belonging  to  the  gen.  Fraxinus,  ord. 
Oleaceaj.     Mountain   A.,  the  rowan-tree. 
Pertaining  to  or  like  the  ash.     "What  re- 
mains of  a  body  that  is  burnt. 
Ashery,  'er-i.      A  place  for  depositing 
ashes.    A  manufactory  of  pot  or   pearl 
ashes. 
Ashes,  'ez.    The  Incombustible  residue 
of  organic  bodies  remaining  after  combus- 
tion ;  as  a  commercial  term  the  ashes  of 
vegetable  substances,  from  which  are  ex- 
tracted the  alkaline  matters  called  potash, 
pearl-ash,  kelp,  barilla,  &c.     The  remains 
of  the  human  body.      Sedimentary  A., 
ashes  and  cinders  deposited  by  the  agency 
,  of  water,  after  having  been  ejected  from 
,  fissures  or  craters  into  the  sea,  prevalent 
in  the  grauwacke  group. 
Ash-furnace,   'fer-nas.      A  furnace  in 
which    materials    for     glass-making    are 
fritted. 
Ashlar,  'let.      A  common  free-stone,  as 
brought,  rough  and  chipped,  from    the 
quarry.    A  facing  made  of  square  stones 
©n  the  front  of  buildings. 
Ash-leach,    'iGch.     A  hopper  in  which 
ashes  are  placed,  while  the  soluble  salts 
are  removed  by  lixiviation. 
Ashlering:,     'ler-ing.      Short     upright 
pieces  for  nailing  laths  to. 
Ashtoreth,  'to-reth.    A  Phoenician  god- 
dess, whose  worship  was  introduced  by 
Solomon  among  the  children  of  Israel. 
Ash-Wednesday,  -wenz'da.    The  first 
day  of  Lent ;  so  called  from  a  custom  of 
Bprinkling  ashes  on  the  heads  of  penitents, 
then  admitted  to  penance :  instituted  bv 
Pope  Felix  III.,  x.  d.  4ST. 


Asia,  u'zhah.  The  largest  of  the  five 
great  divisions  of  the  earth,  containing 
17,805,146  sq.  m.,  nearly  four  times  as 
large  as  Europe.  Its  independent  nations 
are  China,  Japan,  Persia,  Anam,  Siam, 
Arabia,  Afghanistan  and  Beloochistan ; 
Eussia,  Great  Britain,  France,  Holland, 
Spain,  Portugal  and  Turkey  hold  larga 
sections  in  dependence.  The  chief  moun- 
tain ranges  are  the  Altais,  the  Kienluen, 
Himalaya  and  Caucasus  ;  principal  rivers, 
the  Obi,  Ural,  Lena,  Amoor,  Hoang-ho, 
Ganges,  Indus,  Tigris  and  Euphrates; 
principal  lakes,  the  Caspian,  Aral  (called 
sea),  and  Baikal.  The  pop.  is  estimated 
at  nearly  800,000,000. 

Asia  Minor.      The  W.    peninsula   of 
Asia,  comprising  six  pashalics,  covering  an 
area  of  270,000  sq.  m.;  pop.  11,000,000. 
Asiarch,  a'zhi-ark.    A  chief  or  pontiff  of 
proconsular  Asia,  who  had  the  superin- 
tendence of  the  public  games. 
Asinus,  as'i-nus.    The  zoological  name 
of  the  ass. 
Asiphonata,  a-sT'fon-a"ta.    An  ord.  of 
lamellibranchlate  bivalve  mollnsks,'includ- 
iug  the  oysters,  and  in  general  those  mol- 
lusks  most  useful  and  valuable  to  man. 
Asmodeus,   as-mo'de-us.     The  demon 
of  the  book  of  Tobit,  who    beset  Sara, 
daughter  of  Eaguel,   and  murdered  her 
seven  husbands. 
Asmonaean,  as-mo-nc'an.      Pertaining 
to  AsmonaBus,  the  ancestor  of  the  Macca- 
bees, in  the  2d  and  1st  centuries  b.c;  per- 
taining to  the  Maccabees,   a  family  that 
reigned  over  the  Jews. 
Asp,  asp.    A  species  of  viper  (Vipera  haie) 
rosembUng  the  cobra-da- 
capello  or  spectacle   ser- 
pent, celebrated  for  ages 
on  account  of  the  quick  ^ 
and  easy  death  resulting  |^ 
from  its  bite.    The  figure 
of    this    reptile   is    often 
found  carved  on  the  por- 
tals of  the  temples  of  the' 
ancient    Egryptians,    who 
regarded  it  as  an  emblem  of  the  protect- 
ing genius  of  the  world. 
Aspalathus,  as-pal'a-thus.     A  thorny 
shrub  of  uncertain  species.    The  African 
broom,  a  gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Leguminosie. 
Asparag-in,   -par'a-jin.     A   crystallized 
substance  discovered  in  the  juice'of  aspar- 
agus,  potato,   lettuce,   chestnut,    marsh- 
mallow,  &c.,  an  aspartate  of  ammonia. 
Asparagrus,  -gus.   A  gen.  of  plants,  ord, 
Liliace*.    The  part  eaten  is  the  turio  or 
young  shoot.    The  sprouts  contain  aspara- 
gin. 


ASPASIA 


70 


ASSAYEK 


Aspasia,  as-pa'zhi-ah.  The  beautiful 
mistress  of  Pericles,  reaowned  for  her  wit 
and  accomplishments,  her  house  being 
the  resort  of  the  most  intellectual  Atheni- 
ans. After  the  death  of  Pericles,  she  be- 
came the  mistress  of  Lysicles,  428  B.C. 

Aspasia,  as-pii'shi-a.  A  gen.  of  elegant 
epiphytal  plants,  ord.  Orchidacete,  vvith 
the  as'pect  of  Epidendrum. 

Aspen,  asp 'en.  A  species  of  poplar,  the 
leaves  of  which  move  with  the  slightest 
impulse  of  the  air. 

Asper,  as'per.  A  Turkish  coin,  of  which 
three  make  a  medine.  Its  value  Is  about 
throe-fifths  of  a  British  pemiy. 

Aspergillus,  -per-jil'lus.  In  the  P.  C. 
Ch.  the  brush  used  for  sprink- 
ling holy  water  on  the  people. 
A  gen.  of  hyphomycetous  fun- 
gi. A.  glaucus  is  the  blue 
mold  which  forms  on  cheese, 
bread,  &c. 

Asperg-es,  'jes.    In  the  R.  0. 
Ch.    a  short  "service  introduc-i 
tory  to  the  mass,  during  which 
the   congregation  is  sprinkled  Aspergil- 
Avith  holy  Avater.  l^s. 

Aspersorixun,  -so'ri-um.  The  vessel 
for  holding  holy  water  in  R.  C.  churches, 
fixed  permanently  close  to  the  entranoe. 
Sometimes,  however  the  A.  is  portable. 

Asphodel,  'fO-del.  The  name 
of  a  sen.  of  monocotyledon- 
OU8  plants,  ord.  Liliaceie,  cul- 
tivated for  the  beauty  of  theu- 
flowers.  They  include  the 
onion,  garlic,  hyacinth,  squill, 
star  of  Bethlehem,  and  aloes. 

Aspic,  'pik.  A  species  of 
lavender,  also  called  Male 
lavender,  Spica  Nardi,  and 
Pseudo-nardus.  The  oil  is 
used  by  painters,  farriers, 
and  other  artificers.  In 
cookery,  a  clear,  savory  meat 
jelly,  containing  fowl,  game 
fish,  &c. 

Asphalt,  -fait'.  The  common  variety  of 
bitumen  ;  mineral  pitch  ;  a  compact,  glos- 
sy, brittle  mineral,  Avhich  breaks  with  a 
pohshed  fracture,  melts  easily,  and  when 
pure  burns  without  leaving  any  ashes.  It 
is  found  in  a  liquid  state  on  the  surface  of 
the  Dead  Sea,  also  in  the  earth  in  many 
parts  of  Asia,  Europe  and  America,  and 
is  produced  artificially  in  making  coal-gas. 
A.  stone  or  rock,  a  limestone  containing 
asphalt. 

Asphalt.  An  artifieial  bituminous  eom- 
pound,    employed   for   the    coveiing   of 


roofs,  lining  of  tanks,  for  pavement  and 
flooring,  and  as  a  cement,  the  chief  in- 
gredient being  asphalt  stone,  a  bituminous 
limestone.  ThisismLxed  Avith  bitumen, 
sand,  or  other  ingredients. 

Aspidium,  -pid'i-um.  Shield- fern,  a 
gen.  of  ferns  including  all  which  have 
round  sori  protected  with  A  roundish 
covering  or  indusium. 

Aspidophorus,  -pi-dofor-us.  A  gen. 
of  acanthopterous  fishes,  including  the 
armed  bull-head  or  pogge. 

Aspidosperma,  'pi-do-sper"ma.  A 
gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Apocynaceae.  On» 
species,  paddle-wood,  has  a'  deeply  fluted 
stem  composed  of  sohd  projecting  radii, 
which  the  Indians  separate  and  use  as 
natural  planks. 

Asplenium,  -ple'ni-um.  Spleenwort,  a 
gen.  of  ferns  characterized  by  their  free 
veins  and  linear  or  oblong  sori  placed  ob- 
liquely on  the  segment  of  the  frond. 

Ass,  as.  A  solid-ungulate  quadruped  ol 
the  family  Equidaj;  the  Equus  asinus ;  a 
native  of  Central  Asia,  where  vast  troops 
roam  over  the  great  deserts  in  a  wild 
state. 

Assacon,  'sa-kon.  Brazilian  name  for 
the  Hura  brazifiensis,  a  euphorblaceous 
tree,  from  which  the  natives  prepare  a 
poison  against  which  n©  antidote  is  knoAvn. 

Assag-ai,  -ga.  An  instrument  of  warfare 
among  the  Kaffirs  ;  a  species  of  javelin. 

Assai,-sT.  A  favorite  beverage  in  S.  Amer- 
ica, made  from  the  fruit  of  the  assaipalm. 

Assai  Palm,  pam.  A  Brazilian  tree, 
the  Euterpe  edulis. 

Assassin,  -sas'sin.  One  of  a  mihtary  and 
religious  order,  founded  by  Hassan'-ben- 
Sabbah  about  the  year  1090  in  Persia, 
whence  a  colony  migrated  and  settled  in 
the  mountains'  of  Lebanon,  and  became 
remarkable  for  their  assassinations  in 
blind  obedience  to  the  will  of  their  chief. 
Their  religion  was  a  compound  of  Magian- 
ism,  Judaism  and  Christianity.  One  ar- 
ticle of  their  creed  was  that  the  Holy  Spirit 
resided  in  their  chief  or  sheik,  and  that 
his  orders  proceeded  from  God  himself. 
They  spread  terror  among  nations  far  and 
near  for  almost  two  centuries.  In  the 
time  of  the  Crusades  they  numbered 
50,000,  but  were  eventually  crushed  by 
the  Sultan  Bibaris.  One  who  kills  or  at- 
tempts to  kill  by  surprise  or  secret  assault. 

Assayer,  su'er.  One  who  examines  me- 
tallic ores  or  alloys  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
termining the  amount  of  any  partic^ilar 
metal  in  the  same.  An  officer  of  the  Mint, 
who  tests  bullion  and  coin 


ASSAYING 


Tl 


ASTEROPHYLLITES 


Assaying",  as-sa'ing'.  The  act  or  art  of 
testing  metals,  ores,  or  alloys.  There  are 
two  modes  of  assaying :  the  humid  or  wet 
process,  by  which  a  soiution  of  the  metals 
IS  effected  by  means  of  acids,  and  the  dry 
process,  performed  by  the  agency  of  fire. 

Asse,  as.  The  Vulpis  Cama,  the  smallest 
member  of  the  gen.  fox. 

Assembly,  -sem'bli.  A  company  meet- 
ing for  the  same  purpose,  whether  relig- 
ious, political  or  social.  Specifically,  the 
legislative  body  or  one  of  the  divisions  of 
it  in  various  states. 

Assessor,  -ses'er.  One  appointed  to 
make  assessments,  especially  for  purposes 
of  taxation.  A.  in  the  Scotch  universities, 
members  of  the  uni^-ersity  court  or  su 
preme  governing  body. 

Assidean,  -si-dc'an.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Jews  who  followed  Mattathias,  the  father 
of  the  Maccabees.  From  these  sprung 
the  Pharisees  and  Essenes. 

Assig'nat,  'sig-nat.  A  public  note  or 
bill  in  ^Trance  during  the  first  revolution. 
In  French  law,  the  assignment  of  an  an- 
nuity on  an  estate. 

Assize,  -siz'.  Originally,  an  assembly  of 
knights  and  other  substantial  men,  with  a 
bailiff  or  justice,  for  public  business.  A 
jury.  A  term  of  com-t.  A  course  of  ma- 
sonry, or  in  a  column  a  single  cylindrical 
stone  forming  a  complete  segment  of  the 
column. 

Assurgrent,  -ser'jent.  Rising  upward ; 
in  Her.  applied  to  a  man  or  beast  when 
depicted  as  rising  out  of  the  sea.  A. 
leaves,  leaves  first  bent  down,  but  riking 
erect  toward  the  apex. 

Assyria,  as-sir're-ah.  The  most  ancient 
empu-o  of  sacred  history,  founded  by 
Belus,  B.C.  1993 ;  it  comprised  what  is 
noAv  known  as  Kurdistan,  in  Asia.  At 
the  death  of  Sardanapalus,  who  was  burn- 
ed in  his  palace  in  Babylon  by  his  subjects, 
820  B.C.,  the  empire  was  divided  into 
three  monarchies.  Media,  Assyria  and 
Babylonia.  It  was  re-united  to  Babylonia, 
in  625  B.  c,  but  was  conquered  by  Cyrus 
and  became  a  part  of  Persia,  b.  c.  538. 

Assythement,  as-sith'ment.    In   Scot. 

law,  an  indemnification  due  to  the  h^irs  of 
a  person  murdered  from  the  person  guilty 
of  the  crime. 

Astacina,  -ta-sl'na.  A  fam.  of  macru- 
rous  crustaceans,  ord.  Podophthalmata 
(stalk-eyed),  and  sub-ord.  Decapoda,  or 
those  having  five  pau-s  of  thoracic  limbs. 

Astacite,  'ta-sit.  A  petrified  or  fossil 
crayfish,  or  other  crustaceous  animal. 

AstacTis,   -kus.     A  gen.  of  long-tailed 


crustaceous  animals,  including  the  cray» 
fish,  and  the  curious  species  without  eyes 
found  in  the  Mammoth  Cave  of  Kentucky. 

Astarte,  tar'te.  Ashtoreth,  the  prin- 
cipal female  divinity  of  the  Phenicians. 
The  moon.  A  gen.  of  lamellibranchiata 
mollusks,  sec.  Siphonida,  fam.  Cyprinidaj. 

Astatic,  a-stat'ik.  Without  polarity.  A. 
needle,  a  magnetic  needle,  ha\ing  its  di- 
rective property  destroyed  by  the  prox- 
imity of  another  needle.  They  were 
formerly  employed  in  the  electric  tele- 
graph. 

Astel,  as'tl.  In  mining,  an  arch  of  boards 
to  protect  the  miners  from  any  portion  of 
thereof  falling. 

Aster,  'ten  A  large  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Compositae.  A.  are  generally  called 
Michaelmas  or  Christmas  daisies,  because 
of  their  flowering  late  in  the  seabon. 

Asteracanthus,  -a-kan"thu3.  A  gen. 
of  placoid  fossil  fishes,  occuiring  in  th« 
oolite  and  lias. 

Asteria,  -te'ri-a.  A  raricty  of  sapphire, 
showing  a  star-like  opalesceni>«  in  the 
direction  of  the  axis,  if  cut  round. 

Asteriadae,  -tor-l'a-do.  A  fam.  of  star- 
fishes, ord.Asteridae,  possessing  four  rows 
of  tentacular  feet  in  each  ray,  all  others 
having  but  two. 

Asteridae,  'i-de.  The  star-fishes,  clas* 
Echinodermata,  having  a  coriaceous  skin, 
in  which  are  implanted  spines  or  tuberclo*. 

Asterism,  -izm.  A  cluster  of  stars  ;  anr 
small  cluster  which  it  is  either  desirabli 
to  distinguish  from  the  rest  of  the  con 
stellation  in  which  it  lies,  or  which  is  no. 
a  part  of  any  particular  constRUatien. 
Three  asterisks  placed  thus  %*  to  direct 
attention  to  some  passage.  That  branch 
of  astrology  based  on  the  fixed  stars. 

Asteroid,  -old.  Ona  of  the  small  planets, 
about  2Ui)  in  number,  between  the  orbits 
of  Mars  and  Jupiter,  called  planetoids. 

Asterolepis,  -oFe-pis.  A  gen.  of  gigan- 
tic ganoid  fish- 
es, now  found 
only  in  a  fossil 
state  in  the  old 
red  sandstone. 
They  must 
have  attained 
the  length  of  IS 
or  20  feet.  The 
stellate  mark- 
ings from  Avhich 
the  gen.  derives  its  name  seem  to  have 
been  restricted  to  the  dermal  plates  of  th« 
head. 

Asteropliyllites,  -o-fil-lI"tez.  Star-leaf; 


Asterolepis. 


AST0M0U8 


72 


ASYLUM 


a  gen.  of  fossil  plants,  -which  abound  in 
the  coal-measures,  and  are  beUeved  to  be 
the  foliage  of  the  Calamites. 
Astomous,  'to-mus.  Without  a  mouth  : 
epecilically  applied  to  a  division  of  mosses 
the  capsules  of  which  have  no  aperture. 
Astraea,  trG'a.  A  name  sometimes 
given  to  the  sign  Virgo.  One  of  the  as- 
teroids between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and 
Jupiter.  It  revolves  around  the  sun  in 
1,511.10  solar  days,  and  is  about  2^  times 
the  distance  of  the  earth  from  the  sun. 
A  gen.  of  fixed  coral-forming  zoophytes, 
fam.  Astrfeidie,  class  Actinozoa. 
Astraeidae,  'i-de.  The  star-corals,  a  fam- 
ily of  the  radiated  polyps,  by  the  calcare- 
ous secretions  in  whose  body  walls  the 
coral  reefs  are  mainly  formed. 
Astrag:al,'tra-gal.  A  semi-circular  mold- 
ing, with  a  fillet  beneath  it,  which  sur- 
rounds a  column  in  the  form  of  a  ring, 
separating  the  shaft  from  the  capital.  A 
round  molding  on  cannon  near  the  mouth. 
The  upper  bone  of  the  foot  supporting 
the  tibia. 

Astragalus,  -trag'al-us.     A  large  gen. 
of  plants,   ord.  LeguminosjE,    containing 
more  than  600  species  ;  the  milk-vetches. 
Gum-tragacanth  is  obtained  from  A.  gum- 
mifer  and  other  spiny  species. 
Astral,   'tral.      Belonging  to  the  stars. 
A.  spirits,  beUeved,  in  the  middle  ages,  to 
people  the  heavenly  bodies  or  the  aerial 
region.    By  the  demouologists  of  the  15th 
century  they  were  regarded  as  occupying 
the    first    rank    among  the  demoniacal 
spirits.    A.  lamp,  a  lamp  whose  light  is 
placed  under  a  concave  glass. 
Astrantia,  -tran'shi-a.    A  gen.  of  um- 
belliferous plants,  remarkable  for  the  large 
white  or  rose-colored  leaf-liko  involucres. 
Astrapaea,  -tra-pe'a.      A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  StercuUaceje. 
Astrite,  'trit.    A  radiated  or  star-like  fos- 
sil, as  one  of  the  detached  articulations 
of  fossil  encrinites  ;  star-stone. 
Astrocar3nxia,  -tro-ka'ri-um.      A  gen. 
of  Amoricag  palms. 

Astrognosy,  -trcg'nO-si.    Knowledge  of 
the  stars  in  respect  to  their  names,  mag- 
nitudes, situations  and  the  like. 
Astrography,  'ra-fi.     The    art    of   de- 
scribing or  delineating  the  stars. 
Astroid,  'troid.     In  Her.  a  star  consist- 
ing of  six  points  or  more,  in  distinction 
from  a  mullet,  consisting  of  but  five. 
Astrology,  -ji.    The  science  or  doctrine 
of  the  stars,  formerly  used  as  equivalent 
to  astronomy,  but  now  restricted  to  the 


Astrolabe. 


pseudo-science  which  pretends  to  enable 
men  to  judge  of  the  effects  and  influences 
of  the  heavenly  bodies  on  mundane  af- 
fairs, and  to  foretell  future  events  by  their 
situations  and  conjunctions ;  thus  one's 
temperament  was  ascribed  to  the  planet 
under  which  he  was  born,  and  the  virtues 
of  herbs,  gems  and  medicines  were  as- 
cribed to  their  ruling  planets. 
Astrolabe,  'trd-lab.  An  instrument  for- 
merly used  for  taking 
the  altitude  of  the 
sun  or  stars  at  sea, 
now  superseded  by 
Hadley's  quadrant^ 
and  sextant. 
Astrolatry,  -troF 
tri.  The  worship  oi' 
the  stars. 

Astrologer,     -o'jer. 
One  who  professes  to 
foretell  future  events 
by  the  position  and  appearance  of  the 
stars. 

Astrometeorology,  'tro-me'te-or-oF'o- 
ji.  The  art  of  foretelling  the  weather  from 
the  appearance  of  the  moon  and  stars. 
Astrometer,  -trom'e-ter.  One  who  or 
that  which  measures  the  stars  or  their 
hght ;  an  Instrument  invented  by  Sir  John 
Herschel  for  estimating  the  brightness  of 
the  fixed  stars. 

Astronomer,  -tron'o-mer.    One  who  is 
versed  in  astronom3^ 

Astronomy,  -mi.  The  science  which 
treats  of  the  celestial  bodies — their  nature, 
magnitudes,  motions,  distances,  periods 
of  revolution,  eclipses,  &c. 
Astrophotography,  ''tr6-fr)-tog"ra-fi. 
A  term  expressing  the  application  of 
photogi-aphy  to  the  delineation  of  solar 
sj»ots,  the  moon's  disk,  planets,  &c. 
Astroscope,  -skop.  An  astronomical 
instrument,  composed  of  two  cones,  on 
whose  surface  the  constellations  are  de- 
lineated. 

Astur,  'ter.    A  gen.  of  hawks,  including 
the  goshawk. 

Astylar,   a-stl'lar.      In  Arch,  having  no 
columns. 
Astyllen,  a-stil'en.    A  small  stoppage  in 
an  adit  or  mine  to  prevent  the  passage  of 
water. 
Aswail,   as'wal.     The  native  name  for 
the  sloth-bear  (Ursus  labiatus)  of  India. 
Asylum,  a-sl'lum.   A  sanctuary  or  place 
of  refuge,  where  criminals    and    debtors 
were  sheltered  from    justice.      Temples 
were  anciently  asylums,  as  were  Christian 


ASYMPTOTE 


73 


ATLANTIC 


churches  In  later  times.  An  Institution 
for  receiving  and  ameliorating  tlie  con- 
dition of  persons  laboring  under  bodily 
defects  or  mental  maladies,  as  the  blind, 
the  deaf  and  dumb,  the  insane,  &c. ;  some- 
times also  a  refuge  for  the  unfortunate ; 
as,  a  magdalen  A. 

Asymptote,  as'im-tot.  A  lin«  which 
approaches  nearer  and  nearer  to  some 
curve,  but  though  Infinitely  extended 
-would  never  meet  it. 

Atabal,  at'a-bal.  A  kettle-drum ;  a 
kind  of  tabor  used  by  the  Moors. 

Atacamite,  a-tak'a-mlt.  A  native  muri- 
ate of  copper,  consisting  of  a  combination 
of  the  protoxide  and  chloride  of  copper, 
the  aerugo  nobilis  seen  on  ancient  bronzes. 
It  is  worked  as  an  ore  in  South  America, 
and  occurs  massive  or  in  small  prismatic 
crystals. 

Atalanta.  In  Myth,  the  beautiful 
daughter  of  Schreneus,  King  of  Scyros, 
noted  for  her  tieetness.  She  agreed  to 
mari-y  the  man  who  could  outrun  her,  un- 
der the  condition  that  his  life  should  be 
the  forfeit  of  failure.  Meleger  won  the 
race  by  dropping  three  golden  apples 
which  were  given  him  by  Yenus,  and 
which  she  stopped  to  secure. 

Ataman,  at'a-man.  The  chief  military 
commander  of  the  Cossacks ;  thehetman. 

Atavismi,  -vizm.  The  resemblance  of 
offspring  to  a  remote  ancestor  or  to  a  dis- 
tant member  in  the  collatei-al  line. 

Atchison,  at'chi-son.  A  coin  of  copper 
washed  -with  silver,  struck  in  Scotland  in 
the  reign  of  James  ^''I.,  of  the  value  of 
eight  pennies  Scot,  or  two-thirds  of  an 
EngUsh  penny. 

Ate,  a'te.  In  Myth,  the  Goddess  of  Mis- 
chief, who  was  cast  down  from  heaven. 

Ateles,  at'e-lez.  A  gen.  of  platyrhine 
American  monkeys. 

Atelier,  -iG-a.  A  workshop  :  applied  to 
the  workroom  of  sculptors  and  painters. 

AteucllXlS,  a-tu'kus.  A  gen.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  fam.  Scarabseid*.  A. 
^gyptiorum  or  sacer  seems  to  have  been 
the 'sacred  beetle  figured  on  Egyptian 
monuments  and  ornaments. 

Athalia,  a-tha'h-a.  The  generic  name 
of  the  turnip-fly  (A.  centifoliae),  a  hymen- 
opterous  insect,  fam.  Tenthredinidae,  or 
saw-flies. 

Athanasian,  ath-a-na'si-an.  Pertain- 
ing to  Athanasius,  bishop  of  Alexandria, 
in  the  4th  century.  A.  creed,  a  creed  or 
exposition  of  faith,  supposed  formerly  to 
have  been  drawn  up  by  Athanasius, 
though  this  opinion  is  now  generally  re- 


jected, and  the  composition  ascribe<l  to 
Hilary,  bishop  of  Aries  (about  430). 

Atheist,  a'the-ist.     One  who  disbelieves 

in  the  existence  of  a  God  or  supreme  in- 
telligent Being. 

Atheling",  ath'el-ing.  In  Anglo-Saxon 
times,  a  prince  ;  a  nobleman. 

Athenaeum,  -c-nc'um.  A  Grecian  tem- 
ple dedicated  to  Athene.  An  institution 
founded  at  Itorae  by  Hadrian  for  the  pro- 
motion of  literary  and  scientific  studies. 
In  modern  times,  an  institution  for  the 
encoui-agement  of  hterature  and  art. 

Athene,  a-thC-'ne.  In  Greek  Myth,  tlie 
goddess  of  Misdom,  of  arts  and  sciences, 
known  to  the  Edtoians  as  Minerva. 

Athens,  ath'euz.  The  capital  of  Attica, 
in  Greece,  founded  by  an  Egyptian  colony 
under  Cecrops,  about  1550  b.  c.  A.  was 
for  centuries  the  seat  of  art  and  philoso- 
phy, but  was  captured  and  sacked  by 
Alaric  in  82i8,  from  which  time  it  sank 
into  insignificance.  It  is  the  capital  of 
modern  Greece  ;  pop.  43,829. 

Ath.ericera,  ath-c-ris'er-a.  A  section  of 
dijiterous  insects,  including  the  Muscidae, 
or  flies  strictly  so  called,  the  (Estridae,  or 
bot-flies,  and  the  Syrphidae,  or  drone-fly, 
spring  wld  bee,  &c. 

Atherina,  a-the-ri'na,  A  gen.  of  abdom- 
inal fishes,  having  six  rays  in  the  gill  mem- 
brane, and  a  side  belt  shining  like  silver. 

Athermanons,  a-thcr'man-us.  Sub- 
stances which  have  the  power  of  retaining 
the  heat  which  they  receive ;  bodies  which 
transmit  heat  are  called  diathermanous. 

Atherospermaceae,  ath'e-ro-sper-ma"- 
B«-e.  An  ord.  of  apetalous  plants,  having 
imisexual  flowers.  There  are  three  gen- 
era— Atherosperma,  Laurelia,  and  Dory- 
ophora. 

Atherura,  ru'ra.  The  generic  name  of 
the  tufted-tailed  porcupine. 

Athlete,  'let.  One  who  contended  for 
a  prize  in  the  public  games  of  Greece.  Any 
one  trained  to  exercises  of  agihty  and 
strength. 

Atlantes,  'tez.  Figures  :=—- .  _  —rr- 
or  half  figures  of  men  used  ■ 
in  the  place  of  columns  or 
I)ilasters  to  support  an  en- 
tablature ;  also  called  Tel- 
am  ones.  Female  figures 
are  called  caryatides. 

Atlantic,  'tik.    The 
ocean,  or  that  part  of  the 

feneral  sea,  bounded  by 
lurope  and  Africa  on  the 
east  and  Amarica  ou  tho 
west. 


Atlaatoa. 


ATLAIfTA 


74 


ATTAL 


Atlanta,  at-lan'ta.  A  gen.  of  pasteropo- 
dous  inollnsks;  the  typical  gen.  of  the 
fam.  Atlantidse, 

Atlantidae,  'ti-dc.  One  of  the  three 
great  divisions  into  which  Dr.  Latham 
divides  the  human  family,  the  other  two 
being  MongolidiB  and  Japetida^.  It  com- 
prises all  the  tribesof  Africa,  as  well  as 
those  of  Syria  and  Arabia,  and  consists  of 
seven  groups.  A  fam.  of  gasteropodous 
mollusks,  ord.  Nucleobranchiata. 
Atlantides,  'tl-dez.  A  name  given  to 
the  Pleiades  or  seven  stars,  which  were 
feigned  to  be  the  daughters  of  Atlas,  or  of 
his  brother  Hesperus,  who  were  trans- 
lated to  heaven. 

Atlas.  In  Myth,  one  of  the  Titans, 
brother  of  Prometheus,  and  son  of  Jape- 
tus  and  Clymene.  He  attempted  to 
storm  Heaven,  and  for  punishment  was 
condemned  to  bear  up  the  earth  on  his 
shoulders. 

Atlas,  'las.  A  collection  of  maps  in  a  vol- 
ume. A  volume  of  plates  or  tables  illus- 
trative or  explanatory  of  some  subject. 
The  iirst  vertebra  of  the  neck,  so  named 
because  it  supports  the  head,  as  Atlas 
was  fabled  to  support  the  globe.  A  size 
of  writing  or  drawing  paper,  84  by  26 
inches. 

Atmidometer,  -mi-dom'et-er.  An  in- 
strument for  measuring  the  evaporation 
from  Avater,  ice,  or  suow. 
Atmolysis,  -mori-sis.  A  method  of 
separating  the  constituent  elements  of  a 
compound  gas. 

Atmometer,  -mom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment to  measure  the  quantity  of  exhala- 
tion in  a  given  time  ;  an  evaporometer. 
Atmospliere,  'mos-fcr.  TKe  whole 
mass  of  aeriform  fluid  surrounding  the 
earth,  and  supposed  to  extend  to  the 
height  of  between  40  and  50  miles.  It  is 
a  mixture  of  79  volumes  nitrogen,  21  of 
oxygen,  with  a  trace  of  carbonic  acid  gas, 
and  ozone,  aqueous  vapor,  ammonia,  and 
organic  matter.  Its  composition  varies, 
however,  in  different  localities.  The 
motions  of  the  A.  constitute  the  wind, 
and  in  it  occur  clouds,  rain,  snow,  thun- 
der and  lightning.  It  gi-avitates  toward 
the  earth,  and  the  weight,  at  an  average, 
at  the  level  of  the  sea,  is  found  to  be  about 
15  lbs.  to  the  square  inch.  The  A.  acts  on 
light,  producing  the  phenomena  of  refrac- 
tion, diflraction,  reflection  and  interfer- 
ence. 

Atoll,  a-tol'.  A  coral  island,  consisting 
of  a  strip  or  ring  of  coral  surrounding  a 
eentral  lagoon,  and  covered  with  a  vigor- 


ous growth  of  cocoa-nut,  pandanus,  ani 
bread-fruit  trees. 

Atom,  at'om.  A  particle  of  matter  so 
minute  as  to  admit  of  no  division  ;  an  ulti- 
mate indivisible  particle  of  matter.  An 
ultimate  particle  of  n'latter,  withoutregard 
as  to  whether  it  is  divisible  or  Indivisible  ; 
a  molecule.  Atomic  philosophy,  a  system 
of  philosophy  w  hich  teaches  that  atoms  are 
endued  with  gravity  and  motion,  and  that 
by  these  atoms  all  things  were  formed 
without  the  aid  of  a  supreme  intelligent 
Being. 

Atriplex,  'ri-pleks.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Chenopodiacefe ;  orache.  They  are 
mealy  or  scaly  shrubs,  with  small  unisex- 
ual flowers,  growing  on  shores  and  waste 
places.  The  garden  orache,  or  moimtain- 
spinach,  is  used  in  France  as  a  spinach. 

Atrium,  a'tri-um.  The  entrance-hall,  and 
usually  the  most  splendid  ai)artment,  of  a 
Roman  house,  ornamented  with  statues, 
family  porti-aits  and  other  pictures,  and 
forming  the  reception-room.     In  it  the 


Atrium  of  the  House  of  Pansa  in  Pompeii 
matron  with  her  slaves  sat,  and  the  nup- 
tial couch  constituted  part  of  its  furniture. 
It  was  lighted  by  an  opening  in  the  roof 
called  the  compluAium,  towards  which  the 
roof  sloped,  so  as  to  throw  the  rain-w-ator 
into  a  cistern  in  the  floor  called  theim- 
pluvium.  A  hall  or  court  in  front  of  the 
entrance  of  certain  great  ancient  temples, 
pagan  and  early  Christian. 

Atropa,  'ro-pa.  A  gen.  of  poisonous 
narcotic  plants,  ord.  Solanaceae.  A.  Bella- 
donna, or  deadly  nightshade,  has  a  sweet- 
ish taste,  but  is  poisonous. 

Atropin,  'ro-pin.  A  crystalline  alkaloid 
obtained  from  the  deadly  nightshade, 
very  poisonous. 

Attagas,  'ta-gas.  A  beautiful  gallinaceous 
bird,  grouse  fam.,  the  Syrrhaptcs  Pallasii, 
allied  to  the  sand-grouse  and  partridge, 
and  resembling  the  pheasant.  It  is  the 
only  species. 

Attal,  'tal,  Eubbish  of  mines  or  impure 
off-oast:  refuse. 


ATTALEA 


TO 


AUGITE 


Attalea,  -ta-13'a.  A  gen.  of  palms,  dis- 
tinguished by  its  nut  containing  three 
cells,  each  inclosing  a  single  seed.  The 
fibers  of  the  leaf-stalks  of  A.  funifera  are 
made  into  ropes  and  brooms  ;  its  nuts  are 
hard,  and  of  sufficient  thickness  to  be 
turned  Into  door  handles,  «fcc. 

Attar,  'tar.  Perfume  from  flowers,  gen- 
erally used  only  of  the  attar  or  otto  of 
roses,  an  essential  oil  made  from  the  hun- 
dred-leaved or  cabbage-rose,  damask-rose, 
ornuisk-rose,  &c.,  100,000  roses  yielding 
only  180  grains. 

Attic,  'tik.  Pertaining  to  Attica,  in 
Greece,  or  to  Athens;  marked  by  such 
qualities  as  were  characteristic  of  the 
Athenians.  A.  faith,  inviolable  faith. 
The  A.  dialect,  used  bv  the  ancient  Athe- 
nians, was  the  most  cultivated, finished  and 
the  chief  literary  language  of  the  Greeks. 
A.  base,  a  peculiar  base  used  in  the  Ionic 
column,  and  by  Palladio  and  others  in  the 
Doric.  A.  order,  applied  to  the  small  jnl- 
lars  decorating  an  attic. 

Attic.  A  low  story  erected  over  a  prin- 
cipal. An  apai-tment  in  the  uppermost 
part  of  a  house. 

Attila,  at'ti-lah.  Called  the  "  Scourge 
of  God,"  king  of  the  Huns  in  the  5th  cen- 
tury. He  overran  the  Grecian  Empire 
and  Northern  Italy,  and  was  the  acknowl- 
edged sovereign  of  all  the  tribes  between 
Gaul  and  the  Chinese  border ;  d.  453. 

Attire,  at-tir'.  Dress ;  clothes ;  apparel. 
In  Her.  a  term  applied  to  the  horns  of 
stags  and  similar  animals  in  blazoning 
arms.  The  attires  of  a  st^  are  both  the 
horns  affixed  to  the  scalp. 

Attired,  -tlrd'.  In  Her.  an  epithet  used 
in  blazoning  in  application  to  animals  pro- 
Aided  with  horns. 

AttoUent,  -tol'lent.  A  muscle  which 
raises  some  part,  as  the  ear,  the  tip  of  the 
nose  or  the  upper  eyelid. 

Attorney,  -tcr'ni.  One  who  is  appointed 
by  another  to  act  in  his  place  or  stead ;  a 
proxy.  Specifically,  one  appointed  or  ad- 
mitted to  transact  business  for  another. 
An  A.  may  be  either  private  or  public. 
The  first  is  one  authorized  to  make  con- 
tracts and  do  other  acts  for  his  principal, 
out  of  court.  A  pubUc  A.  or  A.  at  law  is 
a  person  qualified  to  appear  for  another 
before  a  court  of  law.  The  name  in  the 
W.  Indies  for  the  general  supervisor  of 
plantations.  Letter,  warrant,  or  power  of 
A.,  an  instrument  by  which  one  person 
authorizes  another  to  do  some  act  for 
him. 

Attorney-greneral,  -jeu'er-al.  The  first 


law  officer  of  the  government.  The  publio 
prosecutor  on  behalf  of  the  government. 

Auburn,  a/bern.  lleddish  brown :  gen- 
erally applied  to  hair. 

Auchenia,  -ke'ni-a.  A  gen.  of  ruminat- 
ing animals,  fam.  Camelidae,  the  New 
World  representatives  of  the  camels.  The 
only  distinct  species  are  the  llama  and  its 
possible  progenitor,  the  guanaco  or  alpaca, 
and  the  vicugna  or  vicuna. 

Aucuba,  -kii-ba.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Cornacese.  Branching  shrubs,  with  smooth 
opposite  leaves  and  small  unisexual 
flowers. 

Audit-house,  ''dit-hous.  An  appen- 
dage to  a  cathedral,  in  which  the  business 
is  transacted. 

Auditor,  -er.  A  hearer ;  one  who  at- 
tends to  hear  a  discourse.  A  person  au- 
thorized to  examine  accounts,  compare 
the  chai-ges  with  the  vouchers,  examine 
parties  and  witnesses,  and  state  the  re- 
sult. 

Auditorium,  -di-to'ri-um.  In  a  public 
hall,  the  space  allotted  to  the  hearers.  An 
apartment  in  monasteries  for  the  recep- 
tion of  strangers. 

Audubon,  John  James,  o'doo-bong. 
A  native  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  of 
French  descent,  and  a  most  distinguished 
naturalist;  b.  1780,  ».  ISol.  His  prin- 
cipal works  are  "  Birds  of  America,''  and 
"The  Quadrupeds  of  America,"  the 
former  work  occupying  the  author  14 
years. 

Aug'ean,  -je'an.  Of  or  pertaining  to 
Augeas,  one  of  the  Argonauts,  afterwards 
King  of  Elis.  A.  stable,  in  Grecian  myth- 
ology, the  stable  of  this  k.ng,  in  which 
he  kept  3,000  oxen,  and  which  had  not 
been  cleaned  for  thirty  years,  so  that  the 
task  of  cleaning  it  had  come  to  be  deem- 
ed impracticable.  Hercules  undertook  it 
and  accompUshed  it  in  a  single  day. 

Augrer,  'ger.  An  instrument  larger  than 
a  gimlet  for  boring  holes.  An  instru- 
ment used  for  boring  the  soil  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ascertaining  the  nature  of  the  sub- 
soil, the  minerals,  and  the  existence  of 
water. 

Augrer-faucet,  -fa-set.  A  faucet  with 
an  auger  atUichod,"  which  c?.n  be  with- 
drawn through  the  faucet  by  a  rack  and 
pinion,  after  the  hole  is  bored. 

Augret,  'jet.  A  tube  filled  with  i>owder  ; 
used  in  exploding  mines. 

Augite,  'jit.  The  class  of  minerals  be- 
longing to  the  monocliiiic  system,  and 
consisting  of  silicates  of  lime,  magnesia 
and  iron. 


AUGUR 


76 


AUEICHALCITE 


jLugVLT,  'gv.  Among  the  ancient  Eo- 
mans  a  functionary  whose  duty  was  to 
foretell  future  events  from  the  movements 
of  birds  and  animals,  and  unusual  occur- 
rences. There  was  a  college  or  commu- 
nity of  nine  augurs,  four  patricians  and 
five  plebeians.  One  who  pretends  to  tell 
future  events  by  omens. 

August,  'gust.  The  eighth  month  of  the 
year,  named  for  the  Eoman  Emperor 
Augustus. 

Augrustan,  'an.  Pertaining  to  the  Em- 
peror Augustus ;  as,  the  A.  age,  the  most 
brilllaut  period  in  Eoman  literature.  Per- 
taining to  the  town  of  Augsburg  ;  as,  the 
A.  Confession,  drawn  up  by  Luther  and 
Melanchthon,  embodying  their  reasons 
for  separating  from  the  Eomish   Chm-ch. 

Augrustin,  'in.  A  member  of  one  of  sev- 
eral monastic  fraternities  who  follow  rules 
framed  by  St.  Augustine.  Also  an  order 
of  nuns  who  wait  on  the  sick.  The  Ho- 
tel Dieu  of  Paris  is  served  by  them. 

Augustinian,  -gus-tin'i-an.  One  of 
those  divines  who,  from  St.  Augustine, 
maintain  that  grace  is  absolutely  ett'ectual 
from  its  nature.  One  of  a  sect  of  the  16th 
century,  who  maintain  that  heaven  will 
not  be  open  till  the  general  resurrection. 

Augnstine,  St.,  -gus'tin.  The  most 
celebrated  of  the  Latin  Fathers,  bishop  of 
Hippo ;  B.  854  in  N.  Africa,  d.  430.  He 
was  noted  as  a  successful  controversialist, 
and  his  teachings  are  the  accepted  doc- 
trines of  the  Church.  His  principal 
works  are  the  "Confessions"  and  the 
"City  of  God." 

Augustus,  Caius  Octavius  Caesar. 
Sou  of  Caius  Octavius  and  Atia,  daugh- 
ter of  Julia,  sister  of  Caius  Julius 
Caesar,  the  dictator,  by  whom  he  w^as 
adopted.  After  the  assassination  of 
his  great- uncle  he  was  elected  Con- 
sul, and  became  one  of  the  trium- 
virate, his  associates  being  Antony 
and  Lepidus.  After  the  defeat  of  Brutus 
and  Cassius,  Lepidus  was  first  deprived 
of  his  power,  and  five  years  later  Oc- 
tavius defeated  Antony  and  Cleopatra, 
becoming  sole  ruler  of  the  Eomans.  He 
was  the  first  who  bore  the  title  of  empe- 
ror, and  the  Senate  bestowed  upon  him 
the  name  "Augustus,"  signifying  "Ma- 
jestic," a  name  which  all  his  successors 
assumed  ;  b.  63  b.  c,  d,  a.  p.  14. 

Auk,  ak.  English  name  of  birds  of  the 
fam.  Xlcidae,  ord.  Natateres,  including  the 
great  and  little  auk,  or  black  and  white 
diver,  the  puffin,  &c.;  members  of  the 
gen.  Alca,  containing  two  species,  the 
great  auk  (Alca    impennis),  now,  it  is 


believed,  extinct,  and  the  razor-bill  (Alca 
torda). 

Aulic,  'Ijk.  Pertaining  to  a  royal  court. 
In  the  old  German  Empire  the  A.  Council 
was  a  court  of  jurisdiction  which  decided 
without  an  appeal.  It  ceased  to  exist 
In  1806.  The  title  is  now  applied  in  Ger- 
many to  the  chief  council  of  any  depart- 
ment. 

Aulic,  'lik.  In  some  European  universi- 
ties a  ceremony  observed  in  conferring 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity. 

Aulostoma,  -los'to-ma.  A  gen.  of 
fishes,  fam.  Aulostomidte  or  Fistularidoe, 
closely  allied  to  Fistularia. 

Aulostomidee,  -tom'i-de.  A  fam.  of 
acanthopterous  fishes,  of  which  the  gen. 
Aulostoma  is  the  type. 

Auncel,  an'sel.  A  kind  of  balance  known 
as  the  Danish  steelyard,  having  a  mov- 
able fulcrum  and  a  fixed  weight,  the  fore- 
finger often  acting  as  the  former.  It  was 
very  inaccurate,  and  Avas  prohibited  by 
statute. 

Aune,  an,  A  French  cloth-measure,  now 
superseded  by  the  metre.  The  A.  nou- 
velle,  47i  English  Inches,  is  still  used  in 
selling  cloth. 

Aurantiacese,  a-ran'ti-a"se-e.  The  or- 
ange tribe  of  plants,  ord.  Eutacese,  com- 
ja-ising  the  orange,  lemon,  lime,  citron, 
bergamot,  and  shaddock  or  forbidden 
fruit. 

Aurelia,  -re'li-a.  A  gen.  of  Acalephae  or 
medusiform  Hydrozoa,  which  passes 
through  several  changes  of  form  in  its  de- 
velopment. 

Aurelian,  an.  An  amateur  collector 
and  breeder  of  insects,  particularly  of  the 
Lepidoptera. 

Aurelianus,  Lucius  Domitius. 
The  son  of  a  Eoman  peasant,  who  be- 
came emperor,  s.  Claudius  II.  He  cleared 
Italy  of  the  northern  barbarians,  defeated 
and  captured  the  celebrated  Zenobia, 
Queen  of  Palmyra,  and  carried  on  other 
successful  campaigns.  lie  was  killed  by 
his  troops  Avhile  on  the  march  to  Persia  ; 
B.  212  ;  crowned  270 ;  n.  275. 

Aureole,  -ol.  In  painting,  an  illumina- 
tion surrounding  a  holy  person,  as  Christ, 
a  saint  or  martyr,  and  intended  to  repre- 
sent a  luminous  cloud  or  haze  supposed 
to  emanate  from  him.  "When  it  symbol- 
izes Christ  a  cross  is  inclosed  in  the  aure- 
ola. 

Auric,  'rik.  Pertaining  to  gold.  A.  ox- 
ide, a  saturated  combination  of  gold  and 
oxj'gen. 

Aurichalcite,  -ri-kal'slt.    A  mineral  oc- 


AURICLE 


77 


AUT0CAEP0U3 


curring  in  transparent  needle-shaped  crj'- 
stels,  which  when  reduced  yield  a  gold- 
colored  alloy  of  copper  and  zinc. 

Auricle,  'ri-kl.  The  external  ear,  or  that 
part  which  is  prominent  from  the  head. 
One  of  two  cavities  in  the  mammalian 
heart,  placed  above  the  ventricles,  and  re- 
sembling' the  ear  in  shape.  An  instru- 
ment held  to  the  ear  to  assist  in  heaj-ing. 

Auricula,  -rik'u-la.  A  garden  flower  de- 
rived from  the  yellow  Primula  Auricula, 
sometimes  called  bear's-ear.  A  gen.  of 
phytophagous  or  plant-eating  gasteropo- 
dousmolluska. 

Aurig-a  -ri'ga.  In  Astron.  the  Wagoner, 
a  constellation  consisting  of  68  stars,  in- 
cluding Capella,  of  the  first  magnitude. 
In  Med.  the  4th  lobe  of  the  liver. 

Auriscalp,  'ri-skalp.  An  instrument  to 
clean  the  ears  ;  used  also  in  operations  of 
surgery. 

Aurochs,  a'roks.  A  species  of  -^vild  bull 
or  buffalo,  the  bonassus  of  Aristotle,  urus 
of  Cffisar,  bison  of  Pliny ;  the  European 
bison,  Bos  or  Bonassus  Bison. 

Aurocyanide,  -ro-sl'an-id.  A  compound 
formed  of  the  cyanide  of  gold  and  a  basic 
oxide. 

Aurora,  'ra.  The  rising  light  of  the 
morning ;  the  dawn  of  day.  The  goddess 
of  the  morning,  or  dawh  deified.  The 
poets  represent  her  as  rising  out  of  the 
ocean  in  a  chariot,  her  rosy  fingers  drop- 
ping gentle  dew.  The  A.  borealis  or  the 
A.  australis  (polar  lights),  a  luminous  me- 
teoric phenomenon  appearing  at  night ;  it 
usually  manifests  itself  by  streams  of 
light  ascending  towards  the  zenith  from  a 
dusky  lino  of  cloud  or  haze  a  few  degrees 
above  the  horizon,  and  stretching  toward 
the  west  and  cast,  so  as  to  form  an  arc, 
withi  ts  ends  on  the  horizon.  The  ap- 
pearance of  the  aurora  boreahs  exactly 
resembles  the  effects  of  artificial  elec- 
tricity. 

Aurotellurite,  -tel'lu-rit.  An  ore  of 
tellurium  containing  gold  and  silver. 

Aurum,  'rum.  Gold.  A.  fulminans, 
gold  dissolved  in  aqua  regia  or  nitro-muri- 
atic  acid,  and  precipitated  by  ammonia ; 
fulminating  gold.  A.  mosaicum,  mosaic 
gold,  a  gold-like  alloy,  containing  copper 
and  zinc. 

Austerlitz,  'tur-litz.  A  Moravian  to'ivn 
near  Avhich  was  fought  the  battle  of 
A.,  in  which  Napoleon  defeated  the  com- 
bined Eussian  and  Austrian  armies,  Dec. 
2,  1S05. 

Austral,  'tral.  Southern  ;  lying  or  being 
in  the  south  ;  as,  A.  lands  ;  A.  eigns.    A. 


pole,  the  pole  of  the  magnetic  needle 
which  seeks  the  south  magnetic  polo,  op- 
posed to  the  boreal  pole,  or  that  which 
{)oints  to  the  north.  A.  signs,  the  six 
ast  signs  of  the  zodiac,  or  those  south  of 
the  equator. 

Australasia,  aus'tral-a'zhah.  Part  of 
Oceanica,  S.  of  Asia,  embracing  Australia, 
Tasmania,  or  Van  Diemen's  Land,  New 
Zealand  and  other  smaller  islands ;  pop. 
estimated  at  3,300,000. 

Australia,  aus-tra'le-ah.  The  largest 
island  on  the  globe,  having  an  area  of 
8,000,000  sq.  miles,  being  2,500  m.  from 
E.  to  W.,  and  1,800  from  N.  to  S.  It  lies 
between  lat.  10°  and  30°  S.,  and  Ion.  113° 
and  154°  E.  Its  chief  mountain  ranges  are 
the  Australian  Alps,  Blue  mountains  and 
Liverpool  range ;  the  principal  rivers  are 
the  Adelaide,  Victoria,  Murray  and  Swan. 
Sheep  and  cattle  farming  are  carried  on 
extensively,  and  it  is  rich  in  mines  of 
gold  and  coal  and  quarries  of  slate,  sand- 
stone and  limestone.  A.  is  a  British  de- 
pendency, and  was  up  to  the  middle  of 
the  present  century  principally  noted  as  a 
place  of  exile  for  criminals ;  the  discovery 
of  gold  in  1854,  however,  caused  an  im- 
mense influx  of  Eiu-opean  immigants,  and 
it  is  now  one  of  the  most  tlu'iving  and 
important  of  Great  Bi-i tain's  colonies. 
Capital,  Sydney.  Pop.  about  2,000,000. 

Australioid,  -tra'li-oid.  The  term  de- 
noting one  of  the  five  groups  into  which 
Prof.  Huxley  classifies  man. 

Austria,  'tri-ah.  An  empu-e  of  Central 
Europe,  S.  of  Germany  and  W.  of  Eussia, 
covering  an  area  of  227,234  sq.  m.,  and 
having  a  total  pop.  of  39,400,000.  Its 
principal  divisions  are  Upper  and  Lower 
Austria,  Hungary,  Croatia,  and  Slavonia, 
Transylvania,  Bosnia  and  IIerzego\ina, 
the  last  two  states  being  incorporated 
in  1878.  A.  was  formerly  a  part  of  the 
German  Empire,  but  Francis  I.  formally 
resigned  the  title  of  Emperor  of  Germany 
in  1S04.  The  principal  mountains  of  A. 
are  the  Alps,  the  Bohemian  and  Moi-a\ian 
ranges ;  the  chief  rivers,  the  Danube,' 
Dneister  and  Save;  the  gulfs  on  the 
Adriatic  are  Trieste,  Cattaj-o  and  Quar- 
nero.  Vienna  is  the  capital,  and  the 
chief  cities  are  Pesth,  Brunn,  Inspruck, 
Prague  and  Trieste.  The  government  is 
a  hereditary  monarchy,  the  reigning  house 
ofllapsburg  going  back  in  an  iminter- 
ruptedline  to  Eudolph  I.,  1276. 

Autcbiog-rapher,  'to-bT-og"ra-fer.  One 
who  writes  an  account  of  hia  own  life. 

Autocarpous,  -kar'pus.  A  name  given 
to  Iruits  consisting  of  the  pericarp,  with- 


AUTOCHKONOGEAPH 


78 


AVEREIIOIST 


out  any  organ,  such  as  the  calyx,  out- 
wardly adhering. 

Autoclxronograph,  -kron'o-graf.  An 
instruuieiit  for  the  instantaneous  self- 
recording  of  time. 

Autochthon,  tok'thon.  One  of  the 
primitive  inhabitants  of  a  country.  That 
whicli  is   original  to  a  particular  country. 

Autocrat,  'to-krat.  An  absolute  prince 
or  sovereign  ;  a  title  pssumed  by  the  em- 
perors of  llussia.  One  who  is  invested 
with  unlimited  authority. 

Auto  de  fe,  ou'to  dfi  fa'^  A  judgment 
of  the  Spanish  Inquisition.  A  public  so- 
lemnity held  by  the  courts  of  the  Inquisi- 
tion at  the  execution  of  heretics.  The 
last  auto  de  fe-  took  place  in  the  middle  of 
the  18th  century. 

Autogenous,  a-toj'en-us.  Self-produced; 
self-generated.  "A.  soldering,  the  process 
of  imiting  pieces  of  metal  by  the  fusion 
of  part  of  their  OAvn  substance. 

Autograph,  'to-graf.  A  person's  own 
handwriting.  A  machine  which  writes  of 
itself ;  an  autographic  press. 

Automaton,  -tom'a-ton.  That  which 
has  the  power  of  spontaneous  movement. 
A  self-acting  machine ;  clocks,  watches 
and  many  machines  may  be  denominated 
automatons  ;  but  the  term  more  specific- 
ally denotes  an  apparatus  in  which  the 
concealed  i)Ower  is  made  to  imitate  the 
motions  of  living  beings.  A  balance,  a 
machine  for  weighing  planchets  and  coin, 
and  sorting  the  pieces  according  to  weight. 

Autophon,  'to-fon.  A  barrel-organ, 
the  tunes  of  which  are  produced  by  per- 
forated sheets  of  mill-board. 

Autositarii,  -si-tu"ri-I.  An  ord.  of 
double  monsters,  joined  as  by  the  umbili- 
cus. The  Siamese  twins  are  a  weU-known 
example. 

Autotjrpe,  -tip.  A  photographic  pro- 
cess resembling  heliotype. 

Autotypography,  -ti-pog"ra-fi.  A 
process  resembhng  nature-printing,  by 
Avhich  drawings  are  impressed  on  a  metal 
plato,  from  Avhich  copies  may  be  taken. 

Autumn,  'tum.  The  thh-d  season  of  the 
year.  Astronomically  it  begins  at  the 
autumnal  equinox,  when  the  Bxm  enters 
Libra,  23d  September,  and  ends  at  the 
Avinter  solstice,  21st  December,  when  the 
sun  enters  Capricorn ;  but  it  popu- 
larly comprises  September,  October  and 
November. 

Auxometer,  aks-om'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment to  measure  the  magnifying  powers 
\f  an  optical  apparatus. 


Avalanche,  av'a-lansh.  A  vast  body 
of  snow  and  ice  shding  down  a  mountain 
or  precipice. 

Avant-courier,  a-viin-ko-rer.  A  per- 
son dispatched  before  another  or  a  com- 
pany to  give  notice  oftheir  approach. 

Avant-fosse,  -fos.  In  Fort,  the  ditch 
of  the  counterscarp  next  to  the  country, 
at  the  foot  of  the  glacis. 

Avanturine,  -van'tii-rin.  A  briUlant 
variety  of  glass  or  artificial  gem  made  by 
heating  pounded  glass,  oxide  of  copper 
and  oxide  of  iron.  A  variety  of  quartz  rock 
containing  spangles  of  mica  or  quartz.  A. 
glaze,  a  glaxe  for  porcelain.  It  is  brown- 
ish, with  crystalline  laminas  of  a  golden 
luster. 

Avatar,  av-a-tar'.  A  descent  from 
heaven ;  particularly  apphed  to  the  incar- 
nation of  the  Hindu  deities,  or  their  ap- 
pearance in  some  manifest  shape  upon 
earth.    Anincai-nato  form. 

Ave,  a've.  Hail  1  farewell !  God  bless 
you  I 

Aveler,  av'el-er.  A  machine  for  remov- 
ing the  avels  or  awns  of  barley  from  the 
grain  ;  a  hummeller. 

Avellane,  a-vel'an.  In  Her.  a  term  ap- 
plied to  a  cross  whose  quarters  resemble 
a  filbert  nut;  when  placed  on  the  mondes 
of  kings  or  emperors,  ensigns  of  sovereign- 
ty- 

Ave-Mary,  Ave-Marie,  ii've-ma-ri, 
a've-ma-re'a.  An  invocation  to  the  Vir- 
gin Mary ;  a  formula  of  devotion  in  the  R. 
C.  Church,  chaplets  and  rosaries  being 
divided  into  a  certain  number  of  ave- 
maries  and  paternosters.  A  particular 
time  of  the  day,  when  the  bells  ring  and 
the  people  repeat  the  A. 

Avena,  a-ve'na.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Gramineaj.  The  most  important  species 
is  A.  sativa,  the  cultivated  oat. 

Averdant,  a-ver'dant.  In  Her.  covered 
Avith  green  herbage ;  chiefly  applied  to  a 
mountain  base. 

Avernian,  'ni-an.  Pertaining  to  Aver- 
nus,  a  lake  of  Campania,  Italy,  represent- 
ed by  classical  poets  as  the  entrance  to 
hell. 

Averrhoa,  av-er-ro'a.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Oxalidaceae,  or  wood  sorrels,  consist- 
ing of  two  species. 

Averrhoist,  a-ver'o-ist.  One  of  the  sect 
of  Peripatetic  philosophers,  so  denomi- 
nated from  Averrhoes,  a  celebrated  Ara- 
bian author,  born  at  Cordova,  in  Sj)ain,  in 
1149.     They  held  the  soul  to  be  mortal, 

though  pretending  to  submit  to  the  Chris- 
tian theology. 


AVEEEUFTCATOE 


79 


AXIS 


Averruncator,     av-e-rung'kut-or.     A 
garden  imi)leinent  for  pruning  trees  when 
their  branches  are  beyond  easy  reach. 
Aversant,  a-vers'ant.      In 
Her.  the  right  hand  turned 
to    show  the  back.     Called 
also  Dorsed. 

Aves,  a'vez.  The  4th  class 
of  vertebrates,  animals 
which  breathe  by  lungs,  ,^^^^.^. 
have  warm,  red  blood  and  a  -a-versant. 
double  circulation  ;  are  produced  from 
eggs.  The  classification  is  that  of  Hux- 
ley, who  divides  the  birds  into  three  or- 
ders: Saururae,  consisting  of  the  single 
extinct  Archfeopteryx ;  Eatitse,  birds  that 
cannot  fly,  as  the  ostriches,  emus  and 
cassowaries ;  and  Carinatae,  all  the  living 
flying  bu-ds. 

Avian,  '\i-an.    Pertaining  to  the  aves  or 
birds,  as  A.  peculiarities  of  structure. 
Aviary,  -a-ri.    A  building  for  the  breed- 
ing and  keeping  of  birds. 
Avicenna,  av-I-sen'nah.      An  eminent 
Arabian  physician  and  philosopher  ;   b. 
980,  D.  103T.    He  was  the  author  of  the 
famous    "  Canon,"  the  supreme  medical 
authority  for  centuries. 
Avicennia,    av-1-sen'nl-a.      A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Verbenacese,  often  called  white 
mangroves. 

Avicula,  a-vik'u-la.  A  gen.  of  marine 
conchifers  or  bivalves.  In  which  some  nat- 
uralists include  the  genus  Meleagrina, 
from  which  the  most  precious  pearls  are 
dei-ived. 
Avictilarium,  -la"ri-um.  A  small  pre- 
hensile process,  resembhng  a  bird's  head, 
found  in  the  cells  of  many  Polyzoa. 
Aviculidae,  'h-de.  A  fam.  of  marine 
bivalves,  of  which  the  gen.  Avicula  is  the 
type. 

Avifauna,  av'i-fa-na.  A  collective  name 
for  the  birds  of  a  district. 
Avignon-berry,  a-ven-yon-be'ri.  The 
fruit  of  Rhamnus  Clusii,  less  than  a  pea, 
of  a  yellow  color,  and  used  for  staining 
yellow. 
Avocado,    av-6-ka'd5.      The    alligator- 

i)ear,  the  fruit  of  Persea  gratissima,  ord. 
^^auracesB. 
Avoirdupois,  -er'du-poiz".  A  system 
of  weight,  of  which  1  lb.  contains  16  oz., 
in  distinction  to  troy  weight,  which  has 
only  12.  It  Is  used  for  all  goods  except 
the  precious  metals  and  medicines. 
Avoset,  '6-set.  A  peculiar  bird,  gen. 
Eecurvirosti-a,  fam.  Scolopacidse,  ord. 
Grallatores. 


Avoyer,  a-voi'er.    The  chief  magistrate 
of  imperial  cities  of  the  old  German  Em- 
pu-e  andoftowns  of  Switzerland. 
Awl,  al.    A  pointed  instrument  for  pierc- 
ing small  holes. 

Awlwort,  'wert.    Tlie  popular  name  of 
the  Subularia  aquatica. 
Awningr,    'ing.    A   covering   of  canvas 
spread  as  a  protection  from  the  sim's  rays. 
That  part  of  the  poop  deck  forward  of  the 
bulkhead  of  a  vessel's  cabin. 
Axayacatl,  aks-a-e-a-katl.    A  fly  com- 
mon in  Mexico,  whose  eggs  are  used  as  a 
sort  of  ca^iare  called  ahuauhtli. 
Ax.e,  aks.  An  iostrument  of  iron  and  steel, 
consisting  of  ahead-svith  an  arching  edge 
of  steel,  and  a  helve  or  handle.  The  ancient 
battle-axe  was  sometimes  two-edged. 
Axe-head,  'hed.    The  head  of  an  axe. 
The  ancient  stone  axe-Beads  are  called  by 
antiquarians  celts. 

Axe-stone,  'ston.  A  mineral,  called  also 
Nephrite  or  Jade,  found  in  the  South 
Sea  Islands,  used  by  the  natives  for  axes. 
Axial,  'i-al.  Pertaining  to  an  axis.  A. 
Une,  the  line  in  which  the  magnetic  force 
passes  from  one  pole  of  a  horseshoe  mag- 
net to  the  other. 

Axil,  'il.  The  armpit.  In  Bot.  the  space 
or  angle  formed  on  the  upper  side  be- 
tween an  axis  and  any  organ  growing 
from  it. 

Axinite,  'in-It.  A  mineral  of  the  garnet 
family  composed  of  45  silica,  26  magnesia, 
19  alum,  with  lime,  iron  peroxide,  man- 
ganese and  boracic  acid. 
Axiom,  'i-om.  A  self-evident  truth  or 
proposition ;  a  proposition  whose  ti-uth  is 
so  evident  at  first  sight  that  no  process  of 
reasoning  or  demonstration  can  make  it 
plainer.  An  estabUshed  principle  in  some 
art  or  science,  as  the  axioms  of  political 
economy. 

Axis,  'is.  The  straight  line,  real  or  im- 
aginary, passing  through  a  body  or  magni- 
tude, on  which  it  revolves,  especially  such 
a  straight  line  wth  regard  to  which  the 
different  parts  of  a  magnitude  are  sym- 
metrically arranged  ;  as  the  axis  of  the 
earth  or  any  sphere ;  the  axis  of  a  cone ; 
the  axis  of  a  curve ;  the  axis  of  a  system 
of  magnitudes.  In  Bot.  the  root  and  stem 
of  the  plant,  around  which  the  other  parts 
are  disposed.  In  Anat.  the  second  verte- 
bra of  the  neck.  A.  of  oscillation  of  a 
pendulum,  a  right  line  passing  through 
the  center,  about  which  it  vibrates,  and 
perpendicular  to  the  plane  of  Aibration.  A. 
of  refraction,  the  straight  line  drawn  per- 
pendicular to  the  surface  of  the  refracting 


AXIS 


80  B 


medium,  through  tho  point  of  incidence 
of  tho  refracted  ray.  Some  crystals  have 
two  axes  of  refraction. 

A-vis  A  species  of  Indian  deer,  the 
Cervus  axis,  of  which  there  are  two  or 
three  varieties. 

Axle,  Axle-tree,  '1,  aks'l-tre.  A  piece 
of  timber  or  bar  of  iron,  fitted  for  inser- 
tion in  the  hubs  or  naves  of  wheels,  on 
Avhich  the  latter  turns.  Driving  axle,  in 
locomotive  engines,  is  connected  Avith  the 
piston,  slide-valves  and  jnimps,  and  by 
converting  the  rectilinear  motion  of  the 
piston  Into  a  rotary  one,  propels  or  drives 
the  engine. 

Axolotl,  'o-lotl.  A  remarkable  member 
of  tho  Urodela  or  tailed  amphibians,  the 
Siredon  pisciforme. 

Ayah,  a'yii.  An  East  Indian  waiting 
woman  or  lady's-maid. 

Ayapana,  a'ya-pa-na.  The  native  name 
of  Eupatorium  Ayapaha,  a  Brazihan 
plant,  ord.  Compositse,  a  powerful  anti- 
dote to  the  bite  of  venomous  snakes. 

Aye-aye,  l-i.  A  singular  nocturnal 
quadruped,  about  the  size  of  a  hare,  the 
Cheiromys  madagascariensis,  in  its  habits 
resembling  the  sloth. 

Airrant,  a'rant.  In  Her.  a  term  applied 
to  eagles  and  other  birds  in  their  nest. 

Ayuntainiento,  -yun'ta-me-en'"to.  In 
Spain  and  Spanish  America  a  corporation 
or  body  of  magistrates  in  a  oily  or  town. 

Azalea,  a-za'16-a. 
A  gen.  of  X)lants, 
ord.  Ericacea3,di8- 
tinguished  from 
the  rhododen- 
drons chiefly  by 
tho  flowers  hav- 
ing ten  stamens 
instead  of  five. 
A.  pontica  pos- 
sesses poisonous 
pro])erties. 
Azobenzene,   -5-  Azalea, 

ben'zcn.  A  crystalline  substance  obtained 
by  the  action  of  reducing  agents  upon 
iiitrobenzine. 


Azimutli,  'i-muth. 
An  arc  of  the  horizon 
intercei)ted  between 
the  meridian  of  a 
place  and  the  verti- 
cal circle  passing 
through  the  center 
of  a  celestial  object. 
The  azimuth  and  al- 
titude of  a  star  give 
its  exact  position  in 
the   sky.      A.  com-  Azimuth, 

pass,  an  instrument 
for  finding  either  the  magnetic  azimuth 
or  amplitude  of  a  heavenly  object.  A. 
dial,  a  dial  whose  style  or  gnomon  is  at 
right  angles  to  the  plane  of  the  horizon. 
A.  or  vertical  circles  intersect  each  other 
in  the  zenith  and  nadu-,  cutting  the  hori- 
zon at  right  angles. 
Azoerythrine,  -G-rith"rin.    A  coloring 

principle  obtained  from  the  archil. 
Azoic,  a-zo'ik.    Destitute  of  any  vestige 
of  organic  life. 

Azolitmine,  az-6-llt'min.  A  red  color- 
ing matter  obtained  from  litmus. 
Azores,  ■'orz.  The  Western  Islands,  a 
group  of  9  in  tho  N.  Atlantic.  They  ar» 
a  dependency  of  Portugal,  capital  city, 
Angra,  in  Terceira ;  total  pop.  472,180. 
Aztec, 'tek.  Of  or  pertaining  to  the  Az- 
tecs, the  ruling  tribe  in  Mexico  at  tho 
time  of  the  Spanish  invasion  under  Cortez 
in  1519.  They  Avere  a  civihzed  people,  but 
their  religious  rites  were  bloody  and  cruel. 
Azure,  a'zhur.  Tho  fine  blue  color  of 
the  sky.  A  name  common  to  several  blue 
pigments,  that  made  of  lapis-lazuli,  called 
ultramarine,  and  that  made  by  fusing 
glass  with  oxide  of  cobalt  reduced  to  pow- 
der. In  Her.  a  blue  color  in  coats  of  arms. 
Azurite,  'zhur-It.  A  blue  mineral,  tho 
lazulito,  called  also  blue  malaclilte,  a  tri- 
cupric  crthocarbonate  of  copper. 
Azymite,  az'im-it.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Christians  who  administer  the  eiicharist 
■with  unleavened  bread ;  also  a  term  of 
reproach  applied  by  the  Greeks  to  the 
Latins  for  consecrating  the  host  in  unleav- 
ened bread. 


B 


BIS  the  second  letter  and  the  first  conso- 
nant in  tho  English  and  most  other 
alphabets.  It  is  a  mute  and  labial,  and  dis- 
tinguished from  p  by  being  produced  by 
the  iitterance  of  voice  as  distinguished 
from  breath.  It  is  related  to  the  sonant 
aspirate  v  as  p  to  tbe  surd  aspirate  f.      A 


b  regularly  stands  where  there  is  an  f  in 
Latin  words,  a  ph  in  Greek,  bh  in  San- 
skrit, while  in  German  words  it  is  either 
unchanged  or  a  p  takes  its  place.  When 
a  final  letter  after  m,  it  is  not  pronounced, 
as  in  thumb,  limb,  dumb.  B  is  common 
as  an  initial  consonant  in  all  the  Teutonic 


BAAL 


81 


BACHAEACH 


languages.  As  a  numeral  B  was  used  b)' 
the  Hebrews  and  Greeks  as  now  by  the 
Arabians,  for '  2  ;  by  the  Eomans  for  300, 
and  with  a  line  over  itfor8,000.  B  is  used 
as  an  abbreviation  in  B.  A.,  Bachelor  of 
Arts  ;  B.  D.,  Baclielor  of  Divinity;  and  B, 
M.,  Bachelor  of  Medicine. 

Baal,  ba'al.  Originally  this  word  signi- 
fied lord,  and  was  applied  to  ditferent 
divinities.  Specifically,  B.  was  the  sa- 
cred title  applied  to  the  Sun  as  the  prin- 
cipal male  deity  of  the  Phoenicians  and 
their  descendants  the  Carthaginians,  as 
well  as  of  the  ancient  Canaanitish  nations. 
It  enters  into  the  composition  of  many 
names  of  persons  and  places ;  thus,  Jeru- 
baal,  Hasdrubal  (help  of  Baal),  Hannibal, 
(gi-ace  of  Baal),  Baal-Hammon,  Baal- 
Thamar,  &c. 

Babbitt-metal,  bab'it-met'l.  An  alloy 
of  copper,  zinc  and  tin,  used  for  obviat- 
ing friction  in  the  bearings  of  journals, 
axles,  &c.,  named  for  its  inventor. 

Babbler,  'bier.  An  idle  talker ;  a  teller 
of  secrets.  One  of  a  group  of  thrush-like 
birds,  sub-fam.  Timahnae. 

Babel,  ba'bel.  The  name  of  the  city 
on  the  banks  of  the  Shinar  where  the 
confusion  of  tongues  took  place;  Babylon. 
Its  supposed  ruins  are  visible  near  Hilla, 
on  the  Tigi-is,  about  48  miles  souih  of 
Bagdad.  A  confused  mixture  of  sounds; 
disorder. 

Bab-el-Mandeb,  bab-ail-man-deb.  The 
narrow  and  dangerous  strait  uniting  the 
Indian  Ocean  and  Bed  Sea. 

Baber,  Zalxir-Eddin-Mohammed. 
A  descendant  of  Tamerlane,  founder  of 
the  Mogul  empire  in  Hindostan,  and  vir- 
tually sovereign  of  India.  He  was  a  Avise, 
moderate  statesman  ;  b.  1483,  D.  1530. 

Babingtouia,  bab'ing-to-ni-a.  A  group 
ot  myrtaceous  plants,  a  section  of  the 
gen.  Bieckia. 

Babingiionite,  'ton-it.  A  vitreous  min- 
eral in  the  hornblende  fam.,  consisting 
chiefly  of  silica,  iron  protoxide  and 
lime. 

Bablah.,  'la.  The  pod  of  several  species 
of  acacia,  containing  gallic  acid,  tannin 
and  a  red  coloring  matter. 

Baboo,  ba-bo'.  A  Hindu  title  of  re- 
spect equivalent  to  master,  sir. 

Baboon,  ba-bon.  The  dog-faced  ape,  a 
term  applied  to  Quadrumana  of  the  gen- 
era Cynocephalus  and  Papio.  They  have 
elongated  abrupt  muzzles  like  a  dog, 
strong  tusks  or  canine  teeth,  short  tails, 
small  deep  eyes  with  huge  eyebrows,  and 
naked  callosities  on  the  hips.  They  are 
ugly,  siiUen,  fierce,  lascivious  and  gre- 


garious. They  constitute  the  link  uniting 
the  monkeys  wth  the  lower  animals,  and 
include  the  chacma,  drill,  common  baboon 
and  mandrill. 

Baby-farmer,  ba'bi-farm-er.  A  woman 
who  receives  infants  on  the  pretext  oi 
bringing  them  up  ;  one  who  lives  by  ba- 
by-farming. 

Baby-jumper,  -jump-er.  A  band  of 
galvanized  caoutchouc  suspended  with  a 
seat,  in  which  a  child  may  be  securely  fas- 
tened. 

Babylon,  bab'e-lon.  The  ancient  capital 
of  Babylonia  or  Assyria,  the  oldest  city  of 
history,  and  for  centuries  the  most  mag- 
nificent as  well  as  the  most  important 
city  of  the  Avorld.  It  was  founded  by 
Nimrod,  b.  c.  2640 ;  its  extensive  ruins 
are  the  wonder  and  admiration  of  modern 
archieologists  and  scholars. 

Babyrussa,  bab-i-ros'sa.  The  Indian 
horned  hog,  fam.  Suidaj  or  pig  tribe,  ord. 
Artiodactyla  or  even-toed  Pachydermata, 
having  two  teeth  like  horns,  almost  touch- 
ing the  forehead. 

Bacca,  bak'ka.  In  Bot.  a  berry  ;  a  one- 
celled  fruit  with  naked  seeds  immersed  in 
a  pulpy  mass,  as  the  gooseberry. 

Baccalaureate,  -ka-la're-at.  The  de- 
gree of  Bachelor  of  Arts'." 

Baccate,  'kat.  Succulent,  or  having  u 
pulpy  texture  like  a  berry.  Bearing  ber- 
ries. 

Bacchant,  ba-kant'.  A  priest  of  Bac- 
chus. A  bacchanal ;  one  given  to  intem- 
perate reveling. 

Baccharis,  bak'a-ris.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Compositae.  The  gen.  contains  more 
than  200  species. 

Bacchus,  'us.  In 
Greek  and  Latin  Myth, 
another  name  of  Dio- 
nysos,  the  god  of  wine, 
son  of  Zeus  (Jupiter)  and 
Semele.  He  is  repre- 
sented wth  a  graceful 
form,  in  an  easy  attitude 
and  supporting  himself  by 
his  thyrsus  as  if  slightly 
Intoxicated,  and  his  hair, 
wreathed  with  ivy  andi 
vine  leaves.  He  is  said  tc 
have  taught  the  cultiva-^ 
tion  of  the  grape,  and  the 
pi'eparation  of  wine  and 
other  intoxicating  liquors. 

Bacharach,  bach'a-rach. 
A  variety  of  Rhine  wine 
made    at    Bacharach,    in      Bacchus, 
lihenish  Prussia. 


BACCHANTE 


82 


BADGER 


Bacchante,  -kan'te.  A  priestess  of 
Bacclljus,  or  one  who  joined  in  the  cele- 
bration of  the  feasts  of  Bacchus ;  one  in  a 
state  of  bacchio  frenzy. 

Bach.elor,  bach'el-er.  Anciently,  a  per- 
son in  the  probationary  stage  of  knif?ht- 
hood.  A  person  Avho  has  taken  the  first 
degree  (baccalaureate)  in  the  liberal  arts 
and  sciences,  at  a  college  or  university. 
A  man  of  any  ago  who  has  not  been  mar- 
ried. Knight  B.,  the  title  given  to  one 
who  has  been  raised  to  the  dignity  of  a 
knight  without  being  made  a  member  of 
any  of  the  orders  of  chivalry,  such  as  the 
Garter  or  the  Thistle, 

Bachelor's  Buttons,  -erz  but-nz.  The 
"popular  name  of  the  double-flowered  vari- 
ety of  Lychnis  dim-na  (red  campion),  Cen- 
taurea  nigra  (knapweed), but  chiefly  of  the 
double-flowered  Itanunculus  aconitifolius 
(white  batchelor's  buttons),  and  Eanun- 
culus  acris  (yellow  bachelor's  buttons). 

Bacillaria,  ba-sil-la'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  mi- 
croscopic Algas,  class  Diatomaceas. 

Bacilli,  'IT.  In  Bot.  the  single  valves 
of  the  fi'ustules  of  diatoms. 

Back,  bak.  A  flat-bottomed  ferry-boat 
adapted  for  carrying  vehicles,  and  worked 
by  a  chain  or  rope.  A  tub  or  vessel.  A 
wooden  trough  for  carrying  fuel ;  a  coal- 
scuttle. 

Back-band,  'band.  That  part  of  the 
harness  which  goes  over  the  back  of  a 
horse  and  bears  up  the  shafts  of  tho  car- 
riage. 

Back-bar,  'bar.  A  bar  in  the  chimney 
to  hang  a  vessel  on. 

Back-bone, 'bon.  The  bone  of  the  back  ; 
the  spine  ;  the  vertebral  column.  Some- 
thing resembling  a  backbone  in  appear- 
ance, position  or  ofiice ;  as  the  Apennines 
are  the  backbone  of  Italy. 

Backgrammon,  -gam'mon.  A  game 
played  by  two  persons  upon  a  board  made 
for  the  purpose,  with  pieces,  dice-boxes 
and  dice.  The  movements  are  made  in 
accordance  with  the  numbers  turned  up 
by  the  dice. 

Backing-up,  'ing-up.  A  term  used  in 
cricket  and  other  games  for  stopping  the 
ball  and  driving  it  back. 

Back-lash,  'lash.  The  reaction  upon 
each  other  of  a  pair  of  wheels. 

Back-lining-,  'Itn-ing,  In  windows,  the 
piece  of  sash  frame  parallel  to  the  pulley 
and  next  the  jamb. 

Back-link,  'lingk.  In  engines,  one  of 
the  links  in  a  parallel  motion  which  con- 
nect tho  air-pump  rod  to  thu  boam. 


Back-painting-,  'punt-ing.  A  method 
of  staining  mezzotinto  prints  vnth  varnish 
colors  after  they  have  been  affixed  to  glass. 

Back-stay,  'sta.  In  piinting,  a  strap 
used  to  check  the  carriage  of  a  printing- 
press.  A  long  rope  or  stay  extended  from 
the  top-mast,  topgallant-mast  or  royal- 
mast  head  backwards  to  the  side  of  a  sliip. 

Bacon,  Francis,  ba'kn.  The  celebrated 
English  philosopher,  Lord  Verulam  and 
Viscount  St.  Albans;  b.  1561,  d.  1626. 
His  greatest  works  are  his  "Essays," 
"  Novum  Organum  "  and  "  De  Augmen- 
tis  Scientarium." 

Bacon,  Boger.  An  English  scientist 
and  publicist  of  tho  13th  century,  the  most 
learned  of  his  day.  He  is  reputed  to  have 
advocated  the  change  since  made  in  the 
calendar,  to  have  invented  gunpowder, 
and  is  known  to  have  manufactured  mag- 
nifying glasses.  His  great  work,  "Opus 
Majus,"  ui'ges  philosophical  reform,  and 
is  a  marvel  of  learning  and  prophecy. 

Bacon.  Hog's  flesh  salted  or  pickled  and 
dried,  usually  in  smoke. 

Bacon-beetle,  be-tl.  A  species  of  Der- 
mestes,  fam.  Dermestidaj,  ord.  Coleoptera, 
whose  larva  is  very  destructive  to  stuff"ed 
animals. 

Baconian,  -ko'ni-an.  Pertaining  to  Lord 
Baoon,  or  his  system  of  philosophy,  found- 
ed upon  induction,  and  known  as  the  in- 
ductive philosophy. 

Bacterium,  bak-te'ri-ura.  A  gen.  of 
Algae  comprising  the  simplest  forms  be 
longing  to  tho  Nostoc  group.  A  simple 
plant  is  not  more  than  the  twenty-thon 
sandth  part  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  A  gen, 
of  orthopterous  insects,  fam.  Phasmidae 
the  stick-insects. 

Bactrian,  'tri-an.  Pertaining  to  Bactria 
an  ancient  province  of  Persia,  B.  camel 
tho  common  or  two-humped  camel. 

Bactris,  'tris.  A  gen.  of  tropical  Ameri 
can  palms.  The  fruit  is  small  and  soft 
wth  ft  subacid,  rather  fibrous  pulp. 

Baculites,  -u-ll'tez.  A  gen.  of  polythala- 
mous  or  man}^-chambered  cephalopods 
fam.  Ammontidie,  only  known  in  a  fossil 
state,  having  become  extinct  at  the  close 
of  tho  cretaceous  penod. 

Badger,  baj'er, 
A  plantigrade  car- 
nivorous m  a  m- 
mal,  gen,  Meles, 
fam,  Melidse,  ac- 
cording to  some 
naturalists  Ursidae 
or  bears,  or,  accord- 
ing to  others,  Mus- 
telldsB  or  weasels. 


Indian  Badger. 
The  eom-mon  badgerj-" 


bADDAM 


BAILIFr 


or  Meles  vulgaris,  is  as  large  as  a  mid- 
dling-sized dog,  but  lower  ou  the  legs.  The 
American  B.  is  called  the  ground-hog.  An 
artist's  brush  made  of  badger's  hair. 

Baddam,  bad'dam.  A  species  of  bitter 
almond  from  Persia  used  as  money,  being 
worth  about  one  British  fai-thing,  sixty 
making  a  pie. 

Badderlocks,  'er-lobs.  A  common 
uame  for  the  Alaria  esculenta,  a  sea-weed, 
ord.  Laminariaceaa. 

Badiaga,  bad-i-a'ga,  A  small  sponge 
(Spongilla)  the  powder  of  which  is  used 
to  take  away  the  livid  marks  of  bruises. 

Badigreon,  ba-dij'on.  A  mixture  of 
plaster  and  freestone,  used  by  statuaries 
to  repair  the  defects  of  stones.  A  mix- 
ture of  saw-dust  or  whiting  and  glue,  used 
by  joiners  to  fill  up  defects  in  their  work. 
A  preparation  for  coloring  houses,  con- 
sisting of  powered  stone,  saw-dust, 
slaked  lime,  alum,  &c. 

Badminton,  bad'min-ton.  An  out- 
door game,  the  same  as  lawn-tennis  but 
played  \\ith  shuttlecocks. 

Baackia,  bek'I-a.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Myrtaceaj. 

Bael,  bii'el.  The  Imlian  name  of  the 
Bengal  quince-tree. 

Baffin's  Bay.  The  sea  "W.  of  Green- 
land, between  the  Atlantic  and  Arctic 
oceans,  600  m.  N.  and  8.,  by  1,500  E.  and 
W. 

Bag:,  bag.  A  sack  ;  a  pouch,  usually  of 
cloth  or  leather,  to  hold,  grain,  money,  &c. 
A  sac  or  receptacle  in  small  animal 
bodies,  as  the  honey  bag  of  a  bee. 

Bagrasse,  ba-gas'.  The  sugar  cane  in  its 
dry  crushed  state  as  delivered  from  the 
sugar-mill. 

Bagratelle,  bag-a-tel'.  A  trifle,  a  thing 
of  no  importance.  A  game  played  on 
a  board  having  at  the  end  nine  holes, 
into  which  balls  are  to  be  struck  with  a 
billiard  cue  or  mace. 

Bagrg-ala,  'ga-la.  A 
two-masted  Arab 
boat  exceedingly 
weatherl.y,  and  re- 
markable for  the  ele- 
vation of  the  stern. 

Bajgrimont's  Boll, 
baj'i-monts  rol.  The 
rent-roll  of  Scotland, 
made  up  in  1275  by 
Benemund  or  Baia- 
mund  de  Vicci.  vul- 
garly called  Bagi- 
mont,  who  wa«  sent 
from  Rome  by  Pope  Alexander  III.,  to 


Baggala. 


collect  tithes  in  Scotland  for  an  expedition 
to  the  Holy  Land.  It  remained  the  stat- 
utory valuation  till  the  Keformation. 

Bag-grag-e-check,  -aj-chek.  A  tag  or 
label  to  be  attached  to  an  article  of  lug- 
gage belonging  to  a  railway  passenger  to 
indicate  its  destination. 

Bag-grag-e-master,  -master.  An  officer 
employed  on  railways  in  looking  after 
baggage. 

Bag'nio,  ban'yo.  A  bath  ;  a  house  for 
bathing,  and  otherwise  cleansing  the  body. 
A  brothel ;  a  stew. 

Bagnolian,  bag-no'li-an.  One  of  a  sect 
of  French  heretics  of  the  8th  century  Avho 
rejected  the  whole  of  the  Old  and  part  of 
the  New  Testament. 

Bagpipe,  'pTp.  A  musical  wind-instru- 
ment of  great  antiquity,  having  been  used 
among  the  Hebrews  and  Greeks.  It  still 
continues  in  use  in  Poland,  Italy,  the 
South  of  France,  Scotland  and  Ireland. 
Though  regarded  as  a  national  instrument 
of  Celtic  Scotland,  it  is  only  Scottish  by 
adoption.  There  are  several  species,  as 
the  soft  and  melodious  Irish  bagpipe,  the 
more  martial  Highland  bagpipe,  the 
Italian  bagpipe,  &c. 

Bagxiet,  bii-get'.  A  little  round  molding 
like  the  astragal,  called  when  plain  a 
bead,  when  enriched  with  foliage  a  chap- 
let. 

Bahama  Islands.  Part  of  the  W. 
Indies,  comprising  nearly  500,  the  smallest 
being  called  keys  ;  they  belong  to  Great 
Britiiin.  Nassau,  or  New  Providence,  is 
the  capital.    Total  pop.,  41,849, 

Bah.ar,  -har'.  An  E.  Indian  measurement 
of  weight,  varying  from  228  to  625  lbs. 

Baikalite,  ba'kal-It.  A  mineral  occur- 
ring in  acicular  prisms,  a  variety  of  augite. 

Bail,  bal.  An  advanced  post  outside  the 
solid  defenses  of  a  town.  A  certain  limit 
within  a  forest.  A  division  between  the 
stalls  of  a  stable.  The  handle  of  a  kettle. 
One  of  the  hoops  supporting  the  tilt  of  a 
boat. 

Bailey,  'i.  The  name  given  to  the  courts 
of  a  castle  formed  by  the  spaces  between 
the  cu-cuits  of  walls  which  surround  the 
keep.  The  Old  Bailey  in  London  got  its 
name  thus. 

Bailie,  ba'li.  A  municipal  officer  or 
magistrate  in  Scotland,  corresponding  to 
an  alderman  In  England,  possessing  a  car- 
tain  jurisdiction  by  common  law  as  well 
as  by  statute. 

Bailiff,  ^lif.  A  subordinate  British  civil 
officer  or  functionary.  The  sheriff  is  the 
monarch's    baiHff,   and  his  county  is    a 


BAILIWICK 


84 


BALANCE-REEF 


bailiwick.  But  the  officials  commonly 
designated  by  this  name  are  the  shei-iffs' 
officers,  who  execute  processes,  &c.,  and 
bailiifs  of  liberties,  appointed  by  the  lords 
in  their  respective  jurisdictions  to  perform 
similar  functions. 

Bailiwick,  'h-wick.  The  precincts  in 
which  a  bailiff  has  jurisdiction;  as  a  hun- 
dred, a  liberty,  a  forest. 

Bainberg,  bun'berg'.  One  of  the  greaves 
or  jambs  first  used,  and  less  vulnerable 
than  the  chain-mail  with  which  the  body 
was  protected. 

Bainbridge,  "William.  An  American 
commodore,  who  captured  the  British  fri- 
grute  Java,  of  greatly  superior  size  and  ai-- 
mament,  Dec.  26,  1S12  ;  u.  1774,  d.  1S33. 

Bairam,  ba'ram.  Two  Mohammedan 
festivals,  one  in  imitation  of  Easter,  at  the 
close  of  the  fast  Eamazan,  and  the  other 
seventy  days  after,  called  the  lesser  Bai- 
ram, commemorative  of  the  offering  of 
Isaac. 

Baize,  baz.  A  coarse  woolen  stuff  with  a 
long  nap,  sometimes  friezed  on  one  side. 

Bajocch.o,  bii-yok'ko.  A  copper  coin  of 
the  Papal  States,  of  the  value  of  about  3 
British  farthings. 

Bajury,  baj'u-ri.  A  grain  used  in  the  E. 
Indies  for  horses  and  cattle. 

Bakshish,  bak'shesh.  A  present  or 
gratuity ;  over-money.  A  demand  for  B. 
meets  the  traveler  everywhere  in  the 
East. 

Balaaxa,  bai'lam.  A  celebrated  Arabian 
seer  mentioned  in  the  Scriptures  ;  he  Uved 
in  the  15th  century  b.  c. 

Bala-beds,  bfi'la-bedz.  A  series  of  beds 
consisting  of  about  35  feet  of  richly  fossil- 
iferous  limestone  in  two  bands,  and  below 
It  sandstones,  slates  and  ash-beds  5,000  or 
6,000  feet  in  thickness. 

Balachong,  bii'la-chong.  Small  fishes 
or  shrimps  pounded  up  -with  salt  and 
spices,  and  then  dried  ;  used  in  the  East 
as  a  condiment  for  rice. 

Balseniceps,  ba-le'ni-seps.  A  gen.  of 
birds  containing  the  B.  rex,  or  whale- 
headed  stork,  a  gigantic  grallatorial  bird, 
fam.  Ardeidae. 

Balsenidae,  -de.  The  toothless  whales,  a 
fam.  of  marine  mammals,  comprising  the 
largest  existing  animals,  in  which  the 
place  of  teeth  is  supplied  by  plates  of 
whalebone.  They  are  divided  into  two 
sections:  the  smooth  and  furrowed  whales. 

Balalaika,  bal-a-h-ka.  A  musical  in- 
strument of  ancient  Sclavonian  origin,  of 
the  guitar  kind,  having  only  two  strings, 


of  which  one  is  used  to  produce  the  air, 
the  other  giving  a  monotonous  bass. 

Balance,  'ans.  An  instrument  for  ascer- 
taining the  weight  of  bodies.  In  its  orig- 
inal form  it  consists  of  a  beam  or  lever 
suspended  exactly  in  the  middle,  with  a 
scale  or  basin  hung  to  each  extremity  of 
precisely  equal  weight.  In  a  properly 
constructed  balance  the  beam  should  rest 
in  a  horizontal  position  when  the  scales 
ar  empty  or  loaded  with  equal  weights, 
and  the  arms  of  the  beam  should  be  In- 
flexible, exactly  similar,  equal  in  weight 
and  length.  Alloy  B.,  ■  a  balance  for 
weighing  metals  which  are  to  be  combined 
in  decimal  proportions.  Assay  B.,  one 
used  in  docimastic  operations  for  weigh- 
ing minute  bodies ;  always  placed  under 
glass  cases  to  protect  them  from  currents 
of  air.  False  B.,  a  balance  constructed  for 
fraudulent  purposes,  having  the  arms  of 
unequal  lengths  but  of  equal  weights. 
When  a  weight  is  put  into  the  scale  sus- 
pended from  the  short  arm  a  less  weight 
put  into  the  other  scale  will  cause  the 
beam  to  settle  in  a  horizontal  position,  and 
produce  an  apparent  equUibrium.  The 
weight  or  sum  necessary  to  make  two  un- 
equal weights  or  sums  equal,  surplus, 
real  or  figurative,  as,  I  have  still  a  balance 
at  my  banker's.  An  equality  of  weight  or 
power ;  equipoise  or  just  proportion,  as, 
balanceof  power,  force,mind,  &c.;  to  lose 
one's  balance.  The  part  of  a  clock  or 
watch  which  regulates  the  beats.  In  As- 
tron.  a  sign  in  the  zodiac,  called  in  Latin 
Libra,  which  the  sun  enters  at  the  equi- 
nox in  September.  B.  of  power,  in  poli- 
tics, a  certain  equality  of  power  among  a 
numter  of  different  states.  B.  of  trade, 
a  phrase  used  to  denote  the  difference  be- 
tween the  amount  of  values  of  the  com- 
modities exported  and  Imported. 

Balance.  To  bring  to  an  equipose  ;  as  to 
balance  the  weights  in  the  scales  of  a  bal- 
ance. Naut.  to  contract,  as  a  sail,  by  roll- 
ing up  a  small  part  of  it.  In  Engin.  to  ad- 
just, as  a  line  of  railway,  or  other  work, 
so  that  the  material  removed  from  the 
eminences  shall  fill  up  the  hollows.  In 
gymnastics,  to  keep  in  equilibrium  on  a 
very  small  point,  as  a  tight-rope  or  the  top 
of  a  pole. 

Balance-book,  -biik.  A  book  in  which 
the  adjusted  debtor  and  creditor  accounts 
have  been  posted. 

Balance-crane,  -kran.  A  crane  having 
two  arms,  one  provided  with  an-ange- 
ments  for  counterpoising  the  weight  to  be 
raised  by  the  other. 

Balance-reef,  -ref.  A  reef  band  that 
crosses  »  sail  diagonally,  used  to  contract 


BALANCE-ELECTEOMETER 


85 


BALDRIC 


It  in  a  storm,  generally  placed  in  all  gaff- 
sails. 
Balance-electromet  e  r, 

c-lek-trom"eter.  An  in- 
strument constructed  on 
the  principle  of  the  common 
balance  to  estimate  the  mu- 
tual attraction  of  opposite- 
ly clectritied  sm-faces. 
Balancer,  -er.  One  who 
or  that  which  balances; 
specifically,  an  organ  of  an 
insect  useful  in  balancing 
the  body.  The  balahcers 
are  two  very  fine  movable 
threads,  terminated  by  a 
kind  of  oval  button  placed  B.  Electrom. 
under  the  origin  of  tho 
■wings. 

Balance-thermometer,    -ther-mom'- 
et-er.     An  invention  by  which  mercury 
Inclosed  in  a  balanced  tube  is  caused  to 
make  one  or  other  of  the  ends  preponder- 
ate, in  order  to  open  or  close  a  window  or 
damper,  or  tc  touch  an  alarm. 
Balance- valve,  -valv.  A  valve  in  which 
steam  is  admitted  to  both  sides  so  as  to 
render  it  more  readily  operated,  by  re- 
lieving its  pressure  on  the  seat. 
Balance-wheel,  -whel.    That  part  of  a 
watch  or  chronometer  which  by  the  regu- 
larity of  its  motion  determines  the  beat  or 
strike. 
Balandrana,  -an-dra'na.    A  wide  cloak 
or  mantle,  used  as  an  additional  garment 
in  the  l'2th  and  13th  centmles. 
Balaninus,  -a-ni'nus.  A  gen.  of  the  ord. 
Coleoptera,  fixm.  Curculionidse.    One  spe- 
cies is  called  the  nut-weevil. 
Balanites,  -a-ni'toz.    A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Simarubeai,   containing  a  verj'  hard 
nut,  used  in  India  for  fireworks. 
Balanophoraceae,    -nof'or-a"8e-c.     A 
curious  order  of  parasitic,  leafless,  flower- 
ing plants,  allied  to  the  Fungi.    There 
are  about  thirty  known    species  grouped 
into  ten  genera. 

Balanus,  'a-nus.  xY  gen.  of  sessile  cir- 
ripeds,  fam.  Balanida;.  They  differ  from 
the  Lopas  (Barnacles)  in  having  a  sym- 
metrical shell  and  in  being  destitute  of 
a  flexible  stalk.  Often  called  Acorn- 
shells. 

Balas.  'as.  A  variety  of  spinel  ruby;  its 
crystals  are  usually  octahedrons,  compos- 
ed of  two  four-sided  pyramids,  applied 
base  to  base. 
Balastre,  ba-las'ter.  The  finest  variety^ 
of  gold-cloth,  manufactured  at  Yienna. 


Balaustine,  -las'tin.  Pertaining  to  the 
wild  pomegranate  tree.  B  Servers, 
the  dried  flowers  of  the  pomegranate,  used 
in  medicine. 

Balaustion,  'ti-on.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Myrtacese.  containing  one  known 
species,  B.  pulcherrimum. 

Balboa,  Vasco  Nunez  de.  A  Spanish 
adventurer  who  visited  the  New  World  in 
15.3  and  founded  the  first  European  set- 
tlement in  South  America,  on  the  Isth- 
mus of  Darien.  He  also  first  discovered  tho 
Pacific  Ocean.  He  was  put  to  death  by 
Da-vila,  Governor  of  Darien,  in  1517. 

Baldwin  I.  Son  of  Baldwin  YIII., 
Count  of  Flanders  ;  b.  1170  ;  s.  his  father, 
1195.  Joining  the  Crusade,  he  led  the 
successful  attack  on  Constantinople  and 
Avas  crowned  first  Latin  Emperor,  1204 ; 
defeated  and  captured  by  the  Bulgarians, 
1205 ;  D.  1206. 

Baldwin  I.  Younger  brother  of  God- 
frey of  Bouillon,  whom  he  s.  as  King  of 
Jerusalem,  1100,  reigning  18  years ;  d. 
Ills. 

Balcony,  bal'ko-ni.  A  stage  or  platform 
Ijrojecting  from  the  front  of  a  building, 
supported  by  columns,  pillars,  or  consoles, 
and  encompassed  with  a  balustrade,  rail- 
ing, or  parapet.  The  projecting  gallery  in 
the  interior  of  a  building.  Tho  stern  gal- 
lery in  a  ship. 

Ba^d,  bald.  A  common  prefix  and  suffix 
to  many' proper  names;  as  Baldwin,  bold 
in  battle ;  Ethelbald,  bold  noble,  or  nobly 
bold. 

Baldachino,  bal-da-ke'no.  A  canopy  or 
covering  borne  over  the  host  or  sacra- 
mental elements.  A  covering  of  silk  or 
stuff  upheld  over  the  Pope  on  ceremonial 
occasions.  A  covering  on  four  columns, 
or  a  canopy  hanging  from  the  roof  over 
the  high  altar  in  churches.  A  canopy- 
over  a  bed  to  which  curtains  are  attached. 
A  canopy  above  tho  seats  of  imperial  per- 
sonages,'bishops  and  other  dignitaries. 

Balder,  bal'der.  In  Scand.  Myth,  the 
son  of  Odin"  the  young  and  beautiful  god 
of  eloquence  andjust  decision. 

Bald-erne,  bald'ern.  The  white-headed 
erne  or  sea-eagle  of  America.  The  na- 
tional emblem  on  the  standard  of  the 
United  States. 

Baldric,  'rik.  The  jeweled  ornament 
worn  round  the  neck  in  the  16th  century. 
A  belt,  worn  pendent  from  the  shoulder, 
diagonally  across  the  body,  to  the  waist, 
either  as  an  ornament  or  to  suspend  o 
sword,  dagger  or  horn.  In  feudal  times  it 
I    served  to  indicate  the  rank  of  the  weai-er. 


BALEEN 


86 


BALM 


ba-len'.  The  whalebone  of  com- 
merce. 

Baliki,  ba-le'ke.  In  Eussia,  the  name 
for  the  back  pieces  of  the  sturgeon,  which 
are  salted  and  smoked. 

Baliol,  Jolin  De,  bal'e-ol.  The  famous 
competitor  of  Eobert  Bruce  for  the  Scot- 
tish crown, on  the  death  of  Queen  Margaret, 
1290.  He  was  an  EngUsh  baron,  and  sup- 
ported by  Edward  I.,  who  was  made  arbi- 
ter, was  crowned.  Baliol  soon  joined  the 
French  against  Edwai-d,  and  he  was  de- 
feated and  imprisoned  ;  reheved  through 
the  intercession  of  the  Pope,  he  died  in 
France  in  1314.  Edward,  his  son,  attempt- 
ed to  seize  the  crown  in  1332,  but  after  a 
year's  fighting,  renounced  all  claims  in 
favor  of  David  Bruce  ;  ».  1363. 

Baling-press,  bal'ingpres,  A  power- 
press  employed  for  compressing  soft  goods 
into  bales. 

Balisaur,  bal'i-sa-or.  The  Mydaus  or 
Arctonyx  collaris,  an  omnivorous  quad- 
ruped, fam.  Mustelina. 

Balistes,  ba-lis'tez.  An  extensive  gen. 
of  plectognathous  fishes,  fam.  Balistidae, 
known  as  trigger-fish. 

BalistidsB,  ba-Us'ti-de.  The  file-fishes, 
a  family  of  brilliantly  colored  tropical 
fishes,  ord.  Plectognathi. 

Balistraria,  bal-is-tra'ri-a.  In  old  Fort, 
an  aperture  through  which  crossbowmen 
discharged  their  arrows.  A  tur^^t  in 
which  an  archer  was  stationed,  projecting 
fi*om  the  parapet  or  firom  the  face  of  the 
building,  common  in  border  counties  of 
England  and  Scotland. 

Balkan,  bal'kan.  The  mountain  range 
of  European  Turkey;  greatest  height, 
5,325  feet. 

Balker,  bak'er.  A  fisherman's  name  for 
one  who  stands  on  eminences  to  espy  the 
shoals  of  herring,  and  to  give  notice  which 
way  they  pass. 

Ballad,  bal'lad.  A  short  narrative  poem, 
especially  such  as  is  adapted  for  singing ; 
a  poem  partaking  of  the  nature  both  of 
the  epic  and  the  lyric. 

Ballahou,  'a-ho.  A  fast-sailing  two- 
masted  vessel,  used  in  the  W.  Indies. 

Ballam,  'lam.  A  canoe  hollowed  out  of 
timber,  used  by  Ceylonese  pearl-fishers. 

Ballan-'wrasse,  'lan-ras.  An  acanthop- 
terygiau  fish,  Labrus  bergj'lta  or  macu- 
latus,  fam.  Labridas. 

Ball-calibre,  bal'kal-l-ber.  A  ring-gauge 
for  determining  the  diameter  of  gun-shot 
on  board  ship. 

B&ll-cartridgre,  'kar-trij.    A  cartridge 


containing  a  ball,  in  contradisttuction  to 
blank-cartridge. 

Ball-cock,  'kok.  A  stop-cock  which 
opens  and  shuts  automatically. 

Ballet,  bal-liv.  A  dance  in  which  several 
persons  take  part.  A  theatrical  represen- 
tation, in  which  a  story  is  told  by  gesture, 
music,  dancing,  scenery,  &c.  In  Her.  a 
bearing  in  coats  of  arms,  denominated  ac- 
cording to  the  color,  bezants,  plates, 
hurts,  &c. 

Ball-flower,  bal'flou-er.  In  Arch,  an 
ornament  resembling  a  ball  placed  in  a  cir- 
cular flower,  the  three  petals  of  which 
form  a  cup  around  it,  characteristic  of  the 
style  of  the  14th  century. 

Ballingr-gnn,  'ing-gun.  An  instrument 
for  administering  medicine  rolled  into  balls 
to  horses. 

Ballista,  bal-Us'ta.  One  of  the  mihtary 
engines  used  by  the  ancients,  often  con- 
founded -with  catapult,  used  for  throwing 
darts,  while  the  ballista  threw  stones. 

Balloon,  -Ion'.  A  glass  receiver. 
In  Arch,  a  ball  or  globe  on  the 
top  of  a  pillar.  In  pyrotechnics, 
a  ball  stuffed  ^vith  combustibles, 
which,  bursting  like  a  bomb,  ex-  -rT^f?**' 
hibits  sparks  of  fire  like  stars.  A  ^^^^^o°^ 
bag  filled  with  gaseous  fluid  lighter  than 
common  air,  causiag  it  to  rise  and  float  in 
the  atmosphere.  The  greatest  height  yet 
attained  in  a  balloon  was  7  miles. 

Balloon-flsh,  'fish.  A  curious  tropical, 
malacopterygian  or  soft-spined  fish,  ord. 
Plectognathi,  the  Tetraodon  lineatus  or 
striped  spine-belly. 

Ballot,  'lot.  A  ball  useu  in  voting.  A 
ticket  by  which  one  votes.  The  system 
of  voting  in  such  a  way  that  the  voters  can- 
not be  identified. 

Ballota,  -lo'ta.  A  gen.  of  woolly  plants, 
ord.  LabiAtJE. 

Ball-screw,  bill'  skro.  A  screw  fastened 
to  the  end  of  the  ramrod  of  a  gun,  used  in 
extracting  bullets  ft-om  the  barrel. 

Ball-train,  'tran.  A  set  of  rolls  for  roll- 
ing pucldlers'  balls  into  bars. 

Ball-trolly,  'trol-li.  An  iron  truck  used 
in  conveying  balls  of  puddled  iron  from 
the  puddling-furnace  to  the  squeezer. 

Ball- vein,  'van.  A  variety  of  iron-ore 
containing  iron  pyrites. 

Balm,  bam.  Odoi-iferous  or  aromatic  ex- 
udations from  trees  or  shrubs.  Any  fi-a- 
grant  or  valuable  ointment.  The  name  of 
several  plants,  particularly  of  the  gen.  Me- 
lissa, ord.  Labiata?.  Balm  of  Gilead,  the 
exudations  of  a  tree,  Balsamodendron 
gileadense,  ord.  Amyridaceaj.     Balm  of 


BALMORAL 


87 


BANANA 


Gilead  fir,  which  produces  Canada  bal- 
sam, is  the  Abies  balsamifera.  Bastard 
balm  is  a  plant  of  the  gen.  Melittis. 

Balmoral,  bal-mo'ral.  After  the  royal 
residence  on  Deeside,  Aberdeenshire.  A 
term  applied  to  various  articles,  as  bakno- 
ral  boots,  petticoat. 

Balsa,  bal'sa,    A  peculiar  double  boat 


nsed  by  natives  of  S.  America  for  fishing. 

Balsam,  bal'sam.  An  oily,  aromatic, 
resinous  substance  obtained  from  certain 
plants,  intermediate  between  a  volatile 
oil  and  a  resin.  They  include  the  balm 
of  Gilead,  and  the  balsams  of  copaiba, 
Peru  and  Tolu  ;  benzoin,  di-agon's  blood 
and  storax. 

Balsaminaceee,  i-na"se-e.  A  group  of 
plants,  ord.  Gerauiaceae. 

Balsamine,  -in.  A  name  given  to  the 
garden  balsam  and  other  species  of  the 
gen.  Impatiens. 

Balsamodendron,  o-den^dron.  A 
gen.  of  trees,  ord.  Amyridaceae,  remark- 
able for  their  powerful  balsamic  juice.  B. 
Myrrha  yields  myn-h  or  hobali ;  B,  opo- 
balsamum,  the  balm  of  Mecca ;  B.  gilea- 
dense,  balm  of  Gilead  ;  B.  Africanum, 
African  bdellium  ;  B.  Mukul  of  Scinde, 
a  resin  called  googul,  beUeved  to  be  the 
bdellium  of  the  Bible. 

Balteus,  bal'tC'-us.  In  Eom.  antiq.  the 
belt  by  which  the  sword  or  quiver  was 
suspended.  In  Arch,  a  band  in  the  flank 
of  an  Ionic  puhinated  capital. 

Baltic,  bawl'tik.  The  sea  Inclosed  by 
Denmark,  Prussia,  Russia,  Sweden  and 
Norway,  900  m.  long,  180  m.  wide.  It  is 
connected  with  the  North  Sea  by  the  Cat- 
tegat. 

Baltimore,  bawl'te-mor.  A  county  and 
chief  commercial  city  of  Marj'land,  on 
Chesapeake  Bay,  founded  in  1739,  and 
named  after  Lord  B.,  the  founder  of  the 
colony;  pop.  in  ISSO,  861,400. 

Baltim.ore-bird,  bal'ti-mor-berd.  The 
Icterus  Baltimorii,  fam.  Icterida^,  nearly 
allied  to  the  Sturnidae,  or  starlings ;  the 
oriole. 


Baluster,  bal'us-ter.  A  small  column  or 
pilaster,  adorned  with  moldings,  used 
for  balustrades.  The  lateral  part  of  the 
volute  of  the  Ionic  capital. 

Balustrade,  -us-trad'.  A  row  of  bal- 
usters, joined  by  a  rail,  serving  as  a  fence 
or  inclosure  for  altars,  balconies,  &c.,  and 
often  merely  as  an  ornament. 

Bambino,  biim-be'no.  The  figure  of  our 
Sa\iour  represented  as  an  infant  in  swad 
dling  clothes,  surrounded  by  a  halo,  and 
watched  over  by  angels.  The  Santissimo 
Bambino,  in  the 
church  of  Ara  Coeli 
at  Rome,  is  believed 
to  have  a  miracu- 
lous virtue  In  cur- 
ing diseases. 

Bamboo,  bam-bo'. 
The  common  name 
of  the  arborescent 
grasses,  gen.  Bam- 
busa. 

Bamboo-rat,  'rat. 
A  species  of  rodent 
gen.  Ehizomys, 
found  in  Malacca. 

Bambusa,  'sa.  A 
gen.  of  grasses  con- 
taining nearly  seven- 
ty species.  The 
best  known  is  B. 
arundtnacea.    Some 

stems  grow  to  5  or  6  Inches  in  diameter, 
and  are  used  for  building  furniture  and 
water  pipes.  The  smaller  stalks  are  used 
for  walking  sticks,  flutes,  &c.  The  seed  is 
sometimes  used  as  rice,  while  the  young 
shoots  are  made  into  pickles.  The  pith  is 
saccharine.  The  bamboos  contain  silex, 
the  stalks  of  some  species  striking  fire  in 
contact  Avith  steel. 

Ban,  ban.  A  fine  muslin  made  from  the 
fibers  of  banana  leaf-stalks.  Anciently, 
a  title  given  to  the  chiefs  who  guarded 
the  eastern  marches  of 
Hungary,  but  in  1849 
limited  to  the  governor 
of  Croatia,  Sclavonia  and 
Dabnatia. 


Bambino,  Churcli 

of  Ara  Coeli, 

Rome. 


Banana,  ba-na'na.  A 
plant  of  tho  gen.  Musa, 
ord.  Musaceas,  M.  sap- 
ientum,  while  the  plan-« 
tain  is  M.  paradisiaca," 
The  fruit  grows  in  Banana, 
bunches.  The  pulp  is 
soft,  of  a  luscious  taste,  and  is  «aten  raw 
or  fried. 


BANANA-BIPwD 


BANNOCKBUEJT 


Banana-bird. 


Ban  an  a- bird 

-berd.     The    Icterus 

leucopteryx,  a  pretty 

insessorial  bird. 
Bancroft,  Greorge, 

ban'kroft.  An  Amer- 
ican   statesman  and 

historian,  a  native  of 

Worcester,  Mass.,  b. 

1800,    D.   18—.      Hej 

was  Secretary  of  the 

Navy  under  Presi- 
dent Polk,  1845 ;  in 
1846  was  appointed  Minister  to  London, 
and  in  1SG7  Minister  to  Berlin.  His  chief 
works  are  "History  of  the  Colonization  of 
the  United  States,"  and  "History  of  the 
Eevolution." 

Bandala,  ban-da'la.  The  strong  outer 
fiber  of  the  abaca  or  Musa  textilis  of  Ma- 
nilla, made  into  Manilla  white  rope. 

Bandana,  -dan'a.  Silk  and  cotton  hand- 
kerchiefs which  have  a  uniformly  dyed 
ground,  ornamented  %\ith  simple  figures. 
A  style  of  calico  printing  in  imitation  of 
bandana  handkerchiefs. 

Bandbox,  band'boks.  A  slight  box 
made  of  pasteboard,  or  thin  flexible  pieces 
of  light  wood  and  paper. 

Bandeau,  ban'do.  A  fillet  worn  round 
the  head ;  a  ribbon  with  an  ornamental 
knot  Avorn  by  females. 

Bandicoot,  ban'di-kot.  TheMusgigan- 
teus,  the  largest  known  species  of  rat,  a 
native  of  India.    It  is  eaten  by  coolies. 

Bandingr-plane,  band'ing-plan.  A 
plane  used  for  cutting  out  grooves  and 
inlaying  strings  and  bands. 

Bandingr-ring",  -i-ing.  A  ring  passed 
over  the  body  of  a  hat  while  on  the  block 
to  form  the  brim. 

Bandoline,  'do-len.  A  mucilaginous 
perfumed  substance,  prepared  from  Ice- 
land or  Irish  moss,  quince  seeds  and  gum 
tragacanth,  used  in  the  toilet. 

Band  saw,  band'sa  A  saw  consisting 
of  a  steel  belt  with  a'serrated  edge,  revolv- 
ing on  wheels. 

Bane-berry,  bfm'be-ri.  The  common 
name  of  plants  of  the  gen.  Actsea,  bearing 
nauseous  poisonous  berries. 

Bane-"WOrt,  'wert.  A  name  common  to 
two  plants:  Atropa Belladonna,  called  also 
Deadly  Nightshade,  and  Eanunculus 
flammula. 

Bang-le,  bang'le.  An  ornamental  ring 
Avora  upon  the  arms  and  ankles  in  India 
and  Africa.  An  ornament  or  charm  at- 
tached to  a  bracelet  or  ring. 


Bangkok,  bang'k6k.  Capital  of  Siam, 
Asia.     Pop.  857,000. 

Bangor  ban'gor.  The  second  city  In 
size  and  commercial  importance  of  the 
State  of  Maine,  on  the  Penobscot  Itiver. 
Pop.  22,500. 

Bangorian,  bang-go'ri-an.  Relating  to 
Bangor,  a  bishop's  see  in  North  Wales. 
B.  controversy,  a  controversy  stirred  up 
by  a  sermon  preached  before  George  I.  in 
1717,  by  Dr.  Hoadly,  Bishop  of  Bangor. 
Banian,  ban'i-an.  An  Indian  trader  or 
merchant,  more  particularly  one  of  the 
traders  of  Western  India,  who  form  a  class 
of  the  caste  Voisya,  wear  a  pecuhar  dress, 
and  are  strict  in  the  observance  of  fasts. 
Hence,  B.  days,  in  which  sailors  in  the 
British  navy  had  no  fresh  moat.  A  man's 
morning  gown,  as  worn  by  the  Banians. 
Banjo,  ban'jo.  The  favorite  musical  in- 
strument of  the  negroes  of  the  Southern 
States  of  America.  It  is  six-stringed, 
and  played  with  the  fingers,  like  the  harp. 
Bank,  bangk.  A  mound  of  earth  raised 
above  the  surrounding  plain.  An  eleva- 
tion in  the  sea.  An  establishment  which 
trades  in  money — first  established  in  Ven- 
ice, about  1157.  The  funds  of  a  gaming 
establishment.  A  table  used  by  printers. 
A  bench  of  keys  in  a  musical  instrument. 
The  face  of '  coal  at  which  miners  are 
working. 

Banket,  'et.  A  piece  of  wood  on  which 
bricklayers  cut  their  bricks  to  the  size  de- 
sired. 

Bank-note,  -not.   A  promissory  note  is- 
sued by  a  banking  company,  payable  in 
gold  or  silver  at  the  bank  on  demand. 
Bankrupt-laws,  'rupt-laz.    A  system 
of  statutory  regulations  uiider  which  the 
property  and  effects  of  an  Insolvent  are 
equitably  distributed  among  his  creditors. 
Banksia,  'si-a.     A  gen.   of  trees    and 
shrubs,  ord.  Proteacese,  a  single  head  of- 
ten containing  600  flowers. 
Banner,  ban'ner.    A  piece  of  drapery, 
usually  bearing  some  warlike  device  or 
national    emblem,   indicative  of  dignity, 
i-ank  or  command,  as  a  mark  for  troops  to 
rally  round  ;  an  ensign  ;  a  flag. 
Banneret,    -et.      A   higher   degree   of 
knighthood   conferred   on    the   field ;    a 
middle  order  between  barons  and  simple 
knights.    The  highest  ofiicer  in  some  of 
the  Swiss  cantons ;  banner-bearer. 
Bannock,  'nok.    A  griddle  cake  made 
of  oat,  barley  or  pease-meal. 
Bannockbum,  ban'nok-bum.    A  town 
in   Scotland,  famous  for  the  great  victory 
by  the  Scots  under  Eobert  Bruce  over  the 


BANQUT^TTE 


BARBA-HISPANICA 


English  under  Edward  II..  June  24,  1314, 
Tv-hich  secured  the  independence  of  Scot- 
land     Pop.  3,400. 

Banquette,  'ket.  In  Fort,  a  raised  foot- 
bank  inside  a  parapet,  on  which  musket- 
eers stand  to  fire  upon  the  enemy  in  the 
moat.  The  footway  of  a  bridge ;  some- 
times applied  to  sidewalk.?. 

Sanshee,  'she.  A  female  fairy  believed 
in  Ireland  and  some  parts  of  Scotland  to 
attach  itself  to  a  particular  house,  and  to 
appear  before  the  death  of  one  of  the  fam- 
il.V- 

Santazn,  'tam.  A  small  spirited  do- 
mestic fowl,  first  brought  from  the  E.  In- 
dies. A  kind  of  jiainted  or  carved  work 
resembling  that  of  Japan. 

Santeng:,  'teng.  A  species  of  ox,  Bos 
Banteng  or  B.  Sondaicus,  a  local  race  in 
the  Malayan  Archipelago. 

Bantu,  'tu.  A  name  applied  to  the  Af- 
rican family  of  tongues.  One  peculiarity, 
especially  of  the  Kaffir  branch,  is  the  use 
of^  clucks  or  clicks 
in  speaking. 

Banyan,  B  a  n- 
yan-tree,  'yan-tre. 
An  Indian  tree  of 
the  fig"  gen.,  the  Fi- 
c  u  8  indica,  o  r  d. 
Moraceffi.  remark- 
able for  its  vast  root- 
ing branches  which 
take  root  when  u  „  „„  rr^^^ 
they  reach  the  E^^>^"  T^^«- 
ground,  and  enlarge  into  trunks.  The 
tree  on  the  banks  of  the  Nerbudda  is  a 
tree  wth  850  stems,  each  equal  to  a  large 
tree,  and  3,000  smaller  ones,  which  has 
been  known  to  shelter  7,000  men, 

Baobab,bfi'o-bab. 
The  Adansonia 
digitata,  group 
Bombace«,  the 
Ethiopian  s  o  u  r- 
gourd  or  African 
calabash-tree.  It 
Is  one  of  the  largest 
trees,  often  30  feet 
in      diameter,  Baobab  tree, 

though     it    rises 

only  from  40  to  70  feet  high.  The  only 
other  species  of  this  gen.  known  is  the 
Australian  sour-gourd  or  cream-of-tartar 
tree. 

Baphia,  baf  i-a.    A  gen.  of  African  trees, 

ord.  Leguminosse. 
Baphomet,  'o-met.     The  imaginary  Idol 
or  symbol  ■v\'hich  the  Templars  were  ac- 
cused of  employing  in  their  mysterious 
rites. 


Hiiii^ 


Baptist,  bap'tist.  Oiio  who  administers 
baptism  ;  specifically  applied  to  John,  tho 
forerunner  of  Christ.  As  a  contraction  of 
Anabaptist,  one  who  objects  to  infant 
baptism. 

Baptistery,  'tis-ter-i,  A  building  or 
tank  in  which  is  administered  the  rite  of 
baptism.  In  the  early  Christian  Church  it 
was  distinct  from  the  basilica.  About  th© 
end  of  the  6th  century  it  began  to  be  ab- 
sorbed into  the  church.  Some  detached 
baptisteries  still  remain  in  use,  as  those 
of  St.  John  Lateran,  Eome. 

Bar,  bar.  A  piece  of  solid  matter,  long 
i;i  proportion  to  its  thickness,  serving  as 
a  lever,  an  axis,  a  connecting  piece,  but 
especially  for  an  obstruction  ;  as  a  capstan 
bar ;  tho  bars  of  a  grate  ;  the  bars  of  a 
gate.  A  bank  of  sand,  forming  a  shoal  at 
the  mouth  of  a  river  or  harbor.  The  rail- 
ing inclosing  the  place  which  counsel 
occupy  ia  courts.  The  place  where  pris- 
oners are  stationed.  All  Avho  can  plead 
in  a  court.  The  inclosed  place  of  a  tavern 
where  liquors,  &c.,  are  served. 
Barb,  barb.  A  horse  of  the  Barbary 
breed,  introduced  by  the  Moors  into 
Spain,  remarkable  for  endurance  and 
docility.  The  Barbary  pigeon. 
Barbacau,  bar'ba-kaJa.  A  kind  of  watch- 


Barbacan. 
tower.  An  advanced  work  defending  the 
entrance  to  a  castle  or  fortified  town.  An 
opening  in  the  wall  through  which  guns 
are  fired  upon  an  enemy.  A  channel  in  a 
parapet  to  discharge  water. 

Barbadoes,  bar-ba'doz.  The  principal 
island  of  the  Windward  group,  the  most 
easterly  of  the  "W.  Indies.  They  belong 
to  Great  Britain,  and  Bridgetown  on  B, 
is  the  capital  and  residence  of  the  colonial 
governor.     Pop,  180,300. 

Barbadoes  Cherry  The  fimit  of  the 
Malpighia  urens,  ord.  Malpighiaceae. 

Barba-Hispanica,  'ba-his-pan"l-ka. 
Spanish  moss  ;  the  horse-hau:  like  fibers 


BAEBAEY  ! 

of  the  Tillandsia  usneoides ;  an  epiphyte, 
used  in  America  for  stuflSng  cushions,  &c. 

Barbary,  biir'bah-re.  The  name  given 
to  the  entire  northern  portion  of  Africa, 
from  Egypt  to  the  Atlantic,  and  from  the 
Mediterranean  to  the  Greater  Atlas  Moun- 
tains, It  Includes  the  states  of  Tripoh, 
Tunis,  Algeria  and  Morocco ;  the  region 
8.  of  the  Lesser  Atlas  is  called  Beled-ul- 
Jerid,  "Country  of  Dates." 
Carthage,  which  disputed  the 
sovereignty  of  the  world  with 
Eome,  was  situated  in  Bar- 
bary. 

Barbary  Ape.  A  species 
of  tailless  monkey,  the  Mag- 
ot  (Macacus  Inuus).  It  has 
been  the  showman's  ape  from 
time  immemorial. 
Barbe,  barb.  A  piece  of  lin- 
en, generally  plaited,  worn 
by  nuns  and  widows.  Ladies; 
above  the  rank  of  baroness 
wore  it  over  their  chin  ;  bar- 
onesses, nuns,  &c.,  beneath 
their  chin  ;  other  females  Nim  "Weai^ 
from  the  lower  part  of  the  Ing  a  Barbe. 
throat.  In  Mil.  to 
fire  en  barbe  is  to 
fire  cannon  over 
the  parapet. 

Barbe.  One  o 
the  pieces  of  ar- 
mor with  which 
the  war-horses  of 
knights  were  an- 
ciently clad,some- 
times  made  of 
mail  and  some- 
times of  leather 
studded  with  iron 
plates. 

Barbecue,  bar'be-ku.  An  entertain- 
ment in  the  open  ah',  at  which  animals 
are  roasted  Avhole.  A  terrace  surround- 
ing a  house.  A  circular  floor  of  smooth 
stone,  on  which  coffee-beans  are  sun-dried 
In  Ceylon. 

Barbel,  'bel.  A  fresh-water  fish,  gen. 
Barbus.  A  small  cyUndrical  vermiform 
process  appended  to  the  mouth  of  certain 
fishes,  serving  as  an  organ  of  touch.  A 
knot  of  superfluous  flesh  growing  in  a 
horse's  mouth. 

Barberry,  'be-ri.  A  plant,  gen.  Ber- 
beris  (B.  vulgaris);  Pipperidge  bush. 

Barbule,  'bul.  A  small  beard ;  a  beard- 
like  apex  to  the  peristome  of  some  mosses, 
as  in  the  gen.  Tor  tula. 

Barbus,  'bus.     A  gen.  of  fishes,  fem. 


Horse-armor. 


O  BAEGUEST 

Cyprinidse,  which  seek  their  food  by  root- 
ing in  the  soft  banks. 
Barbet,'bet. 
A  variety  of 
dog     having 
long    cu  r  1  y 
hair ;  a  poo- 
dle. One  of  a  1 
group     of 
scan  serial  or 
climbing 
bird  8 ,    the 
type  of  the 
fam.  Buccon- 

proJchiugt^he         '  ^^ican  Barbet. 
cuckoos  and  trogons,  divided  into  several 
genera,  as  Pogonias,  Bucco,  or  true  bar- 
bets,  and  Tamatia,  or  puff-birds. 
Barcarolle,  'ka-rol.    A  simple  melody 
sung  by  Venetian  gondoliers. 
Barcelona,  bar-se-lo'nah.    A  celebrated 
Spanish  seaport    on  the  Mediterranean, 
formerly  well    fortified.      Founded    by 
Ilamilcar  Barca,  of  Carthage,  father  of 
Hannibal,  b.  c.  200.    Pop.  206,112. 
Barcon,  'kon.    A  freight  vessel  used  in 
the  Mediterranean. 
Bar-cutter,    'kut-er.      A  shearing  ma- 
chine which  cuts  metallic  bars. 
Bard,  bard.    A  poet  and  a  singer  among 
the  Celts,  whose  occupation  was  to  com- 
pose and  sing  verses  in  honor  of  heroic 
achievements,  generally    to   the  accom- 
paniment of  the  harp. 
Bardesanist,    biir-des'an-ist.     One    of 
the  followers  of  Bardesanes,  of  Mesopo- 
tamia, in  the  2d  century,  who  taught  that 
the  actions  of  men  depend  on  fate,  to 
which  God  himself  is  subject,  and  denied 
the  incarnation  of  Christ. 
Barge-board,  'bord.     A  board  used  on 
gables    where 
the   roof   ex- 
tends over  the 
wall;  project- 
ing  from  the 
wall.     The 
earliest  barge- 
boards  belong 
to    the     14th 
century,    and 
many  of  those 
are  beautifully 
decorated. 
Bargruest , 
bsir'gest.       A 
kind    of  hob- 
goblin or  ghost 
beheved  in  in  the  north  of  England,  8Ui>* 


Barge-board  of  15th 
Century. 


BAEEGE 


91 


BARON 


posed  to  prognosticate  death  or  other  great 
calamity. 

Barege,  ba-razh'.  A  gauze-like  fabric 
for  ladies'  dresses,  usually  made  of  silk 
and  worsted. 

Barge,  barj.  A  pleasure-boat ;  a  vessel 
or  boat  of  state.  A  flat-bottomed  vessel 
for  loading  and  unloading  ships,  and  con- 
veying goods  from  one  place  to  another. 
A  boat  of  spacious  construction,  for  the 
use  of  admirals  and  captains  of  ships  of 
war.  A  boat  without  sails  or  power,  and 
towed  by  a  steamboat. 
Barilla,  ba-ril'la.  A  plant,  the  Salsola 
sativa,  ord.  Chenopodiacea?,  cultivated  in 
Spain  for  its  ashes,  from  which  the  purest 
kind  of  mineral  alkali  is  obtained.  The 
commercial  name  for  impure  carbonate 
and  sulphate  of  soda. 

Barillet,  bar'il-let.  The  barrel  or  case 
containing  the  mainspring  of  a  watch  ;  the 
funnel  of  a  sucking  pump. 
Bar-iron,  bar'i-ern.  Iron  wrought  into 
malleable  bars  by  puddling  and  rolling. 
Barita,  ba-rl'ta.  A  gen.  of  gregarious 
conirostral  birds,  otherwise  called  Psilo- 
rhinus  or  Strepera.  The  piping  crow  of 
N.  S.  "Wales  is  the  best  known  species. 
Bark,  bark.  The  exterior  covering  of 
exogenous  plants,  composed  of  cellular 
vascular  tissue,  and  consisting  of  four 
layers.  Endogenous  plants  have  no  true 
bark.  Bark  contains  many  valuable  pro- 
ducts, as  gum,  tannin,  &c.  The  cry  of 
the  dog. 

Barkantine,  'an-tin.     A  3-masted  lake 
vessel,  differing  from  3-masted  schooners 
in  having  a  brigantine's  foremast. 
Barker's     Mill,    'erz 
mill.    An  ingenious  ma- 
cliine,  moved  bj-  the  cen- 
trifugal force  of  water 
forming  one  of  the  sim- 
plest   water-mills     ever 
constructed.     As  modi- 
fied it  is  extensively  em- 
ployed under  the  name 
of  the  turbine. 
Barkingr-bird,      'ing- 
bcrd.     The  Pteroptochos 
rubecula,    a    tenuirostral 
bird.    Its  cry  resembles 
the  cry  of  a  dog. 

Barkingr-iron,  -i-ern.  An  instrument 
for  removing  the  bark  of  trees  used  for 
tanning. 
Barley,  bar'li.  A  grain  obtained  from 
Hordeum,  ord.  Graminese,  used  especially 
for  making  malt,  from  which  is  distilled 


Barker's  MiU. 


beer,  ale  and  porter  ;  also  the  name  of  the 
plants  yielding  the  grain. 

Barleycorn,  -korn.  A  grain  of  barley. 
A  measure  equal  to  the  third  i)art  of  an 
inch.  John  or  Sir  John  B.,  a  humorous 
personification  of  the  spirit  of  malt  liquor. 

Barm,  barm.  Yeast ;  the  scum  or  foam 
rising  xipon  malt  liquors  when  fei-menting, 
and  used  as  leaven  in  bread.  It  is  a  fun- 
gus, Torula  Cerevisise. 

Bam,  barn.  A  covered  building  for  se- 
curing farm  produce  ;  also  for  stabling 
horses  or  cattle. 

Barnabas,  St.,  bar'nah-bas.  One  of  St. 
Paul's  converts  and  his  associate  in  the 
ministry  for  some  time.  His  name  was 
Joses,  but  the  surname  B.,  or  "Son  of 
Eloquence,"  was  conferred  upon  him  for 
his  ready  oratory.  He  was  a  son  of  a  sis- 
ter of  St.  Mark,  the  evangelist. 

Barnacle,  bar'na-kl.  A  stalked  cirriped, 
gen.  Lepas,  fam.  Lepadidse,  often  found 
on  the  bottoms  of  ships  ;  the  goose-mus- 
sel.   A  species  of  goose  (Anser  Bernicla). 

Barnacles,  -klz.  An  instrument  consist- 
ing of  two  branches  joined  at  one  end  with 
a  hinge,  to  put  upon  a  horse's  nose  to  con- 
fine him. 

Barnes,  Albert.  A  Presbyterian  di- 
\ine,  E.  in  New  York  State  in  1798 ;  d. 
1870.  A  proUfic  waiter,  and  author  of 
"Notes  on  the  New  Testament,"  a  work 
of  world-wide  reputation. 

Barney,  Joseph,  bar'ne.  A  commo- 
dore in  the  American  navy,  B.  in  Mary- 
land, 1759  ;  D.  1818.  His  principal  exploit 
was  the  capture  of  the  General  Monk,  a 
British  vessel  of  20  guns,  his  own  ship, 
the  Hyder  Ali,  only  carrying  16.  The  bat- 
tle took  place  ofiF  the  Delaware  Capes  in 
1782.  Com.  B.  was  in  command  of  the  flo- 
tilla which  defended  the  Chesapeake  dur- 
ing the  British  invasion  ot  1812,  and  was 
severely  woimded  in  the  battle  of  Bladena- 
burg. 

Barograph.,  bar'o-graf.  An  instrument 
for  recording  the  variations  in  the  pres- 
sure of  the  atmosphere. 

Barology,  ba-rol'o-ji.  The  science  ol^ 
weight  or  gra\'ity  of  bodies. 

Barometer,  ba-rom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  the  Aveight  or  pres- 
sure of  the  atmosphere.  B.  gauge,  an  ap- 
paratus attached  to  the  boiler  of  a  steam- 
engine  or  other  chamber  to  indicate  the 
state  of  the  vacuum. 

Baron,  bar'on.  A  title  or  degree  of  no- 
bilty  ;  the  lowest  rank  in  the  peerage. 
The  children  of  barons  in  Great  Britain 
have  the  title  of  Honorable.    The  word 


BARONET 


99 


BAKTHOLOMETT 


was  introduced  under  the  Norman  prin  cos. 
Barons  of  the  oxchoquer,  the  judges  that 
try  cases  relatlnj,'  to  the  revenue.  Barons 
of  the  Cinque  Ports,  members  of  the  Com- 
mons formerly  elected  by  the  Cinque 
Ports.  Dover,  Sandwich,  'Romney,  Hast- 
ings, Ilythe,  Winchelsea  and  IJye. 

Baronet,  -et.  A  hereditary  rank  or  de- 
pre«)  of  honor  next  below  a' baron,  not  a 
member  of  the  peerajre,  but  bavins'  prece- 
dence before  ail  knights  except  those  of 
the  Garter.  The  order  was  founded  by 
James  I.  in  ICll.  The  number  originally 
created  was  '200.  Baroneta  of  Scotland 
and  Nova  Scotia  were  an  order  founded  by 
Charles  I.,  ^vith  the  professed  object  of 
colonizing  Nova  Scothi. 

Barony.  -1.  The  title  or  honor  of  a 
baron  ;  also  the  territory  or  lordship  of  a 
baron.  In  Ireland,  a  territorial  division 
(262  in  all),  corresponding  nearly  to  the 
English  hundred  ;  originally  the'  district 
of  a  native  chief. 

Barosma,  ba-ros'ma.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  KutaceiP.  The  leaves  of  B.  crenata 
constitute  tlie  article  of  materia  medica 
called  buchu. 

Barouche,  ha-rosh.  A  foui^wheeled 
two- horse  carriage  with  a  falling  top. 

Barouchet,  ba-rO-shfi'.  A  small  ba- 
rouche. 

Barrack,  bar'ak.  A  hut  or  house  for 
soldiers  in  garrison  ;  the  permanent  build- 
ings in  which  soldiers  art.^  lodge«l. 

Barracoon,  -a-kr.n'.  A  negro  barrack ; 
a  slave  depot.  Barracoons  used  to  exist 
at  various  points  of  the  west  coast  of  Af- 
rica, also  in  Cuba,  Brazil,  ic. 

Barracuda,  -ku'da.  A  species  of  per- 
coid  fish,  Sphyntna  Barrocuda. 

Barrad,  'rod.  A  conical  cap  of  very  an- 
cient origin,  worn  by  the  Irish  as  late  as 
the  ITth  century. 

Barras,  ba'ras.  The  resin  obtained 
from  I'inus  maritima ;  galipot. 

Barrel,  har'el.  A  wooden  vessel,  round 
and  bulging  In  the  middle,  made  of  staves 
and  bound  with  hoops;  a  cask.  The 
quantity  which  a  barrel  contains.  Any- 
thing hollow  and  long,  as  the  barrel  of  a 
gun.  The  cylindrical  case  In  a  watch, 
A\1thin  which  the  mainsnring  is  coiled. 
The  cylinder  studded  witii  pins  which  in 
the  barrel  organ  opens  the  key-valves, 
and  in  the  music  box  sets  In  vibration 
the  teeth  by  which  the  sound  is  produced. 
B.  of  the  ear.  a  ca^^ty  situated  within 
the  membrane  of  the  tvmpanum,  by 
which  it  is  separated  from  the  meatus. 

Barricade,  ba-ri-kad'.    A    fortification 


made  of  anything  that  will  ob.^truct  the 
l»rogress  of  "an  enemy.  A  wooden  fene« 
erected  around  any  space  to  be  kept 
clear. 

Barrigudo,  bar-c-g5'do.  The  Brazilian 
name  for  the  gen.  I.flgothrLx,  the  largest 
S.  American  monkeys. 

Barringtonia,  imr-ing-ton'i-a.  'I'he 
type  gen.  of  the  Barringtoniacete.  B. 
HDcciosa  yields  lamp-oil  from  its  seeds; 
B.  racemosa  yields  drugs. 

Barris,  'is.  A  name  given  in  Guinea  to 
the  chimpanzee  and  mandrill. 

Barrister,  -ter.  A  counsellor  or  advo- 
cate admitted  to  pleatl  in  protection  of 
clients.     In  the  U.  S.,  a  counsellor  at  law. 

Barrow's  Straits.  The  strait  connect- 
ing Ballin's  Bay  and  the  Polar  Sea;  200 
m.  long  and  CO  m.  wide. 

Barry,  Sir  Charles.  A  distinguished 
English  arohitw.t,  who  planned  imi>osing 
Parliament  buildings  ;  b.  1795,  d.  ISCiO. 

Barry,  John.  A  distinguished  Ameri- 
can commodore,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
one  of  the  lirst  holding  a  commission  of 
the  Bepublic  ;  a.  1745,  D.  1S03. 

Bar-shear,  bar'shcr.  A  machine  for 
cutting  metal  bars. 

Bar>shot,  'shot.  Doublo-hcadetl  shot, 
consisting  of  a  biu-,  witli  a  round  head  at 
each  end. 

Bartlett.  Joshia.  An  American  states- 
man, a  jncmber  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, one  of  th9  signers  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  and  first  Governor 
of  New  Hampshire ;  a  native  of  Ma»- 
sachusects ;  b.  1729,  ». 
1795. 

Bartizan,  'ti-zan.  A^ 
small  over-hanging  tur-3 
ret,  pierced  with  ai»er-J 
tures  for  an  archer,  pro-1 
jecting  from  the  angles  on 
a  tower,  or  from  the  parar J 
pet. 

Bartsia,  bart'si-a.  A*; 
gen.  of  plants,  ord.  Scroph- 
ulariaceie,  containing' 
about  tlilrty  species,  para- 
sitic on  the  roots  of  other  ^ 
plants.  Bartizan.      , 

Bartholomew,  St.  One  of  the  twelve 
ai)ostles,  wiiose  mission  field  was  the 
southern  part  of  Ai-abia.  The  Massacre 
of  St.  B.  in  France  occurred  on  August 
24,  1572,  St.  Bartholomew's  Day.  It  was 
ordered  bv  Charles  IX.  and  Catherine  de 
Medicis,  a"nd  it  w.is  intended  th.at  all  the 

grincipal  lYotestants  should  be  included 
I  the  slaughter.    Accounts  widely  dilL.: 


BAEUCH 


BASILISK 


as  to  tho  number  of  victims,  some  putting 
this  as  low  as  8,0(H),  while  others  insist 
that  it  reached  70,000. 

Barucll,  bii'ruck.  The  friend  and  sec- 
retary of  tho  Prophet  Jeremiah,  and 
author  of  tho  Book  of  B.,  recognized  as 
canonical  by  the  R.  C.  Ch.,  but  as 
apochryphal  by  Protestants.  He  is  be- 
lieved to  have  been  the  brother  of  the 
Prophet  Seraiah,  and  to  havo  died  in 
EfO'pt,  about  B.  c.  bHO. 

Barystrontianite,  "bar-I-stron'shi-an-It, 
A  mechanical  mixture  of  carbonate  of 
strontia,  sulphate  of  baryta  and  lime. 

Baryta,  ba-rl'ta.  Oxide  of  barium,  called 
also  heavy  earth,  its  8i)eclfic  gravity  being 
4.7.  , 

Barytocalcite,  'to-kar'sit  A  mixture 
of  carbonate  of  lime  vrlth  carbonate  of 
barj-ta. 

Barsrtone,  bar'i-tCn.  Eanping  between 
tenor  and  buss.  In  Greek  trram..  ha\inp 
no  acctnt  marked  on  tho  last  syllable,  the 
grave  being  understood. 

Basalt,  ba-salt'.  A  fine-grained  heavy 
crvstilllno  rock,  consisting  of  Labrador 
felspar,  augite,  magnctio  iron,  and  some- 
times olivine.  Anamosite  is  a  coarser, 
and  dolcrlte  the  coarsest  form.  B.  is 
amorphous,  columnar,  tJibular,  or  globu- 
lar. Fingal's  Cave.  In  the  l8lan<l  of  Btaffa, 
furnishes  a  rcmarkahlo  Instance  of  basaltic 
columns.  Tho  nlllars  of  tho  Giant's 
Causeway.  Irclana,  exnosed  to  the  rough- 
est sea  for*  ages,  havo  their  angles  as  per- 
fect as  those  at  a  distance  ft-om  tho  waves. 

Basaltine,  'in.  _Basaltlc    hornblende, 
found    in   ba- 
salt, in   lavas    g  t* 
and    volcanic 
Bcorlffi. 

B  a  s  c  i  n  et, 
bas'l-net.  A 
light  helmet, 
originally 
without  a  vis- 
or, worn  by 
infantry  In' 
tho  reigns 
of  Edward  II. 
and  III.  In 
the  14th  and  Coronetod 
1  .'.th  centuries  Bascinet. 
.    neck -piece 

uf  chain  mail,  called  camall,  was  attached 
as  a  defense  for  the  sides  of  the  face, 
throat  and  chest. 

Base-ball,  bAs'bal.  A  game  in  ^hlch 
tho  players  on  one'slde  stand  within  cer- 
tain marked-off  spaces  at  the  corners  of 
the  playing  field,  vrhilo  those  on  the  other 


YIsoredBascinet. 


side  occupy  the  rest  of  the  field.  The  boll 
with  whicJi  tlie  game  is  played. 

Basellaceee,  bas-el-la'sii-c.  A  nat.  ord. 
of  monochlamydoous  dicotyledonous 
herbs  an«l  shrubs ;  climbing  i»lahts. 

Basement,  bas'ment.  Tho  lowest  story 
of  a  building,  whether  abovo  or  below  the 
ground.  B.  membrane,  a  delicate  mem- 
brane found  beneath  the  epidermis  or  epi- 
thelium on  all  free  surfaces  of  tho  body. 

Bashi-bazouk.  bash'e-ba-zok.  One  of 
the  irregular  soldiery  in  the  Turkish  armv, 
consisting  of  men  hastily  collected  In 
times  of  emergency. 

Basil,  baz'il.  A  labiate  plant,  Ocj-mum 
Ba.sllicum,  used  in  cookery,  and  known  as 
sweet  or  common  basil. 

Basil,  St.  One  of  the  most  eminent  of 
the  early  Christian  theologians,  sumamed 
The  Great,  lie  became  Bishop  of  Ctpsarea 
in  870,  and  checked  the  spread  of  Arlan- 
Ism  ;  B.  826,  D.  880. 

Basil  I.  Emperor  of  Constantinople, 
and  autlior  of  the  body  of  laws  calle<l  the 
Basilica,  wliich,  enlarged  and  amended  by 
hifl  son  and  successor,  LfO  tho  Philoso- 
pher, was  in  force  till  tho  fall  of  tho  em- 
flre  ;  b.  822,  crowned  86(5,  ».  8>6.  Basil 
I.,  B.  9&S,  crowned  K"."*,  n.  102'>,  having 
reigned  60  years,  and  almost  continually 
at  war  with  tho  Bulgarians  and  Saracens. 

Basilian,  'i-an.  Belonging  to  tho  order 
of  St.  Basil,  an  order  of  ninnks  founded 
inthc4thcenturvlaCappadocia ;  14  popes 
are  said  to  havo'bflonged  to  the  order. 

Basilica,  ba-zil'lk-a.  Originally,  the 
name  aiijilied  by  Komans  to  tholf  pnbllo 

halls  of  fustlr.'    •    '■■ •' '  nsl- 

ness.     The  l  Id- 

iogswas  gen.  :iiy 

Christian  chunm-*,  iuki  it  m  miu  uppiiod 
to  some  of  the  churches  In  l£ome. 

Basilica,  'ik-a.  A  code  of  laws  ot  the 
Bvzantlno  empire,  adaptful  from  the  laws 
of  Justinian  by  order  of  Basil  I.  in  the  0th 
century. 

Basilicon,  'ik-on.  An  ointment  con- 
slstinj;  of  yellow  wax,  black  pitch,  resin 
and  olive  oil. 

Basilidian,  baz-l-lld'l-an.  One  of  the  fol- 
lowers of  BaslUdes,  an  Ale.xandrian  Gnos- 
tic of  tho  2d  century,  who  held  that 
Christ's  body  was  Immaterial,  and  that 
Hlmon  of  Cyrf-no  die<l  In  his  stead. 

Basilisk,  "'ll-lsk.  A  fabulous  creature, 
variously  regarded  as  a  serpent,  lizjird,  or 
dragon,  ancl  sometimes  Menlilied  with 
tho  cockatrice.  It  Inhabited  the  deserts  of 
Africa  and  even  its  look  wiis  fatal.  A  gen. 
of  Saurian  reptiles  ^BasiUscus),  fam.  Igtian- 
Ida). 


BASKET 


94 


BATEATT 


Basket,  bas'ket,  A  vessel  made  with 
twigs  or  other  flexible  materials  inter- 
woven. The  contents  of  a  basket.  In 
hat-makini?  a  wre  screen  for  recei^inj?  the 
filaments  f  hair  in  the  operation  of  l>owinf». 
In  Arch,  the  central  portion  of  the  Corinth- 
ian ca]>itul. 

Basket-fish,  -fish.  A  star  fish,  gen. 
Astrupliylon. 

Baskin^-shark,  'ing-shSrk,  Belache 
maxliuii,  so  called  from  its  habit  of  lying 
on  the  surface  of  the  water  ;  called" also 
Hail-flsh  and  sun-lish. 

Basle,  hale,  A  cantAn  and  city  of  SNvit- 
zerlaiid,  the  city  being  one  of  the  most 
lmi»ortant  commercial  centers  of  the  con- 
federacy. Pon.  of  cant<tn,  Ptt.4<X> ;  of  the 
dtv,  41,200.  The  imjwrt^int  CK«umcnical 
Council  of  1431-1447  was  held  at  B. 

Basque,  bilsk.  A  jieculiar  tongue  spoken 
in  tlui  PjTenees  on  both  sides  of  the  l)or- 
der  between  Franco  and  Spain,  supposed 
to  bo  that  of  the  Iberians,  the  primitive 
Inhabitants  of  Spain.  No  connection  be- 
tween it  and  any  other  language  has  as 
yet  been  made  out.  A  short-skirted  jack- 
et worn  by  ladies. 

Bas-relief,  Basso-rilievo,  ba-rc-lef, 
bas'so-ro-le-a'vo.  Low  relief,  a  mode  of 
sculpturing  on  a  flat  surface,  the  figures 
being  raisi-d,  but  not  so  much  as  in  high  re- 
lief, or  alto-riiievo. 

Bass.  English  name  of  the  fish  gen, 
I^hrax,  fam.  Perciduj.  The  American 
linden  or  lime-tree. 

Bass,  biis.  The  lowest  part  In  the  har- 
mony of  a  musical  composition,  whether 
vocal  or  instrumentil. 

Bassano,  Hu^o  Bernard  Haret, 
Duke  of.  NaiM)leoirs  intimate  friend 
and  ."('cretary  before  ho  became  emperor ; 
afti-rwards  Sec»-etJiry  of  Stat*  and  Minister 
of  Foreign  Affairs,  remaining  fiilthfUl  to 
the  last;  b,  1763,  n,  1S89, 

Bassaris,  bas'a-ris.  A  gen.  of  Mexican 
c^irnivores,  fam.  Viveridae,  allied  to  the 
genets,  and  resembling  a  cat. 

Basset,  'set.  A  game  at  cards  resem 
bling  modern  faro.  A  miner's  term  for 
the  surface  edge  of  any  inclined  stratum. 

Basset-hom,  -horn.  A  chirinet  of  en- 
liu-gc'<l  dimensions  and  extended  compass. 

Bass-horn,  'horn.  A  modification  of 
the  liussoon,  but  lower  and  deeper  in  tone. 

Bassia,  'si-a.  A  gen.  of  tropical  trees, 
ord.  Sajxitaceie,  yielding  oleaginous  or 
butyraceous  matter. 

Basso-di-camera,  bSs'so-de-kS-ma-ra. 
A  double-bass  reduced  in  size  and  power, 


but  not  in  compass  ;  has  four  strings  of 
the  same  quality  as  those  of  a  violoncello, 
but  thicker. 

Bassoon,  ba.s-sun,  A  musical 
wind  instrument  of  the  reed  or- 
der, holed  and  keyed  like  the 
clarinet.  It  serves  for  the  bass,  i 
A  reed-pipe  stop  in  an  organ. 

Bassorine,  'so-rin,  A  substance! 
extracted  from  gum  tragacanthj 
and  gum  of  Bassora. 

Bass-viol,  basM-ol,  The  violon- 
cello. An  old  form  of  bass  fiddle, 
■with  five,  sometimes  six  strings, 
and  a  fretto<l  finger-board.  i 

Bast,  bast.  The  inner  bark,  liber,or 
endophlujum  of  exogenous  trees. 
Hemp,  flax,  jute,  are  bast  fibers. 

Bastard,  bas'terd.  Begotten 
and  born  out  of  lawful  matri- 
mony; illegitimate.  Spurious; 
not  genuine;  false;  a<lultenite.  BftS- 
B.  tvpe,  having  a  fiice  larger  or  soon. 
smaller  than  that  usual  to  a  body 
of  given  size. 

Bastile,  -tel.  Originally  a  temporary 
wootlen  tower  used  in  warfkre.  The  B., 
an  old  castle  in  Paris  built  between  1369 
and  13<>3,  latt-rused  as  a  state  prison,  and 
demolished  by  the  ennige«l  people,  17S9. 

Bastinado,  -tl-na'do.  To  beat  "with  a 
stick  or  cudgel ;  to  beat  on  the  soles  of  the 
feet. 

Bastion,  'ti-on.  A  mass  of  earth,  faced 
with  sods,  brick  or  stones,  standing  out 
from  a  rampart, 
consisting  of 
two  flanRS, 
commanding 
and  defending 
the  adjacent 
curtain,  and  J 

two  faces  mak-  Bastion, 

Ing  an  acute 

angle  called  the  salient  angle,  commanding 
the  outworks. 

Baston,  'ton.  In  Her,  a  staff  or  cudgel, 
geiier.allv  borne  as  a  mark  of  bastardy. 
Called  also  Bastard  Bar,  Baton  Sinister, 

Batatas,  ba-ta'tas,  A  gen.  of  p'.ants, 
ord.  Convolvulac^ae,  containing  about 
twenty  spcKsies  ;  the  sweet-potato. 

Batavia,  bah-tu've-ah.  Capital  of  Java 
and  of  the  Dutch  Possessions.  R  is  the 
principal  commerci.al  center  of  the  Asiatic 
Archipelago  ;  founded  1619;  pop.  128,500. 

Bate,  bat.  The  alkaline  solution  in 
which  hides  ore  steeped  after  being  limed, 
to  remove  or  neutralize  the  lime. 

Bateau,  ba-t<5,     A  li^fht  boat,  long  In 


BAT 


95 


BATTLEMENT 


proportion  to  its  breadth.    A  pontoon  of 
a  floatin??  bridge. 

Bat,  bat.    One  of  a  CTOiip  of  wing-handed, 
flying  mammals,  ord.  Cheiroptera,  the  in 


Great  Horseshoe  Bat. 


eecUverous  or  carnivorous  and  the  flruit- 
eatinj,'. 

Bath,  bfith.    A  Hebrew  liquid  measure, 

corresponding  to  the  ephah,  being  the 
tenth  part  of  a  homer.  Knights  of  the 
B.,  a  British  order  supposed  to  have  been 
Instituted  at  the  coronation  of  Henry  IV. 
In  M99.  It  received  this  name  from  the 
candidates  being  put  into  a  bath  to  denote 
purification,  and  that  they  were  now  to 
commence  a  new  life.  The  present  order 
of  the  Bath  was  instituted  by  George  I. 
In  1725.  It  was  a  military  order,  and  con- 
sisted, exclusive  of  the  sovereign,  of  a 
grand-mastt;r  and  companions.  In  1S15 
the  order  was  greatly  extended,  and  In 
1&47  opened  to  civilians. 

Bathometer,  ba-thom'et-er.  An  appa- 
ratus for  taking  soundings,  in  which 
a  lino  is  dispensed  with. 

Bat-horse,  bafhors  or  baTiors.  A  horse 
allowed  to  a  batman  in  the  British  army. 

Bath-stone,  bath'st/in.  A  species  of 
limestone,  called  also  Bath-oolite  and  Roe- 
stone. 

Bathyhius,  ba-thlb'l-us.  Huxley's 
name  for  masses  of  animal  matter  cover- 
ing the  sea  l)ottom  at  great  denths,  con  - 
Blsting  of  a  tenacious,  viscid,  slimy  sub- 
stance, c<>rTesponding  to  protoplasm. 

Bathyergus,  bath-l-er'gus.  The  gen. 
of  mammals  to  which  the  sandmole  of  8. 
Africa  belongs ;  called  also  the  Coast-rat. 

Batideee,  ba-tld'C-t).  The  Batls  maritl- 
uia.  a  succulent  shrub  growing  In  the  W. 
Indies,  u.sed  In  pickles. 

Batiste,  bii'tost.  A  fine  linen  cloth  made 
In  Flanders  and  Picartly  ;  cambric.  E. 
India  goods  of  similar  qiiality. 

Batman,  bat'man.  An  Oriental  weight. 
In  Bokhara,  291  lbs.;  in  Turkey  the  great 
batman  is  about  157i  lbs.,  the  lesser  only 
ono-foorth  of  this ;  at  Aleppo  and  Smyrna, 


17  lbs.;  in  Persia,  13i  lbs.  A  personal, 
lowed  by  the  British  government  toeverj 
company  of  a  regiment  on  foreign  service 
to  take  charge  of  the  cooking  utensils,  &o. 
Batolite,  'o-llt.  A  gen.  of  straight, 
cylindrical  bivalve  fossil  shells,  allied  t» 
the  hijtpurkes. 

Baton  Koug-e,  bfit'ong-roozh.  Former- 
ly the  capital  of  Louisiana,  situated  on 
the  E.  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  230  m.  from 
the  Gulf,  and  150  m.  above  Now  Orleans, 
the  present  capital.  Pop.  8,400. 
Bat-printing-,  bat'print-lng.  The  mod* 
of  priming  on  glazed  ware. 
Batrachia.  ba-trii'kl-a.    The  4th  ord.  in 

Cuvier's  arrangement  of  class  lieptllla. 
Batrachite,  bat'ra-kit.     A  fossil  rescm 
bling  a  frog;    toadstone.    A  variety  of 
mineral  chrysolite,  oompoead  of  silicatei 
of  lime  and  magnesia. 
BatrachoBpermees,     ba-trak'6-sper"- 
me-e.    A  fam.  of  fresh-water  oonfervold 
algs«. 

Battering--ram,  b.at'ter-lng-ram.  In  Mil. 
antiq.  an  engine  used  to  beat  down  the 
walls  of  besiegt^l  places.  A  heavy  black- 
smith's hammer,  suspended,  and  worked 
horizontally. 

Batter-rule,  -rol.  A  plumb-line  at- 
tacheil  to  a  triangular  frame,  one  side  of 
which  Is  fixed  at  the  required  angle  with 
the  line. 

Battery,  -L    A  body  of  cannon   for  field 
ojK'rations,  with  complement  of  wagons, 
artUlerj-men,  Ac.      In    Fort,    a  parapet 
thrown  up  to  cover  the  gunners  from  the 
enemy's  shot.     Galvanic  battery,  a  serie* 
of  plat«s  of  copper  and  zinc,  or  of  any  sub- 
stances susceptible  of  galvanic  »ctlon. 
Battery-gxin,  -gim.    A  gun  with  several 
barrels,  or  with  one  barrel  and  several 
chamlkrs,  like  a  revolver,  the  Galling  gun 
or  mitrailleuse. 
Battle,  '1.    A  fight  or  en-i 
counter  between  enemlesi 
or  opposing  armies. 
Battle-ajce,  -akB.     A 
axe  anciently  used  M 
weapon  of  war. 
Battledore,   -d6r.     An 
instrument  with  a  handle     t,  x^i    „„^ 
and  a  flat  board  or  pahn,     «attle-axe. 
used  to .  strike  a  ball  or  shuttlecock  ; 
racket. 

Battlement, 
-ment.  A  notched" 
or  Indented  para- 
pet, formed  t)y  a  Battlement, 
series  of  rising 
partA  called  cops  or  merlons,  separated  by 


r,  ine  i^uuiug  giuj 


BATTALION 


96 


BEAD-ROLL 


openings  called  crenelles  or  embrasures. 
Oriirinally  military,  they  ire  used  freely 
in  biiililinps  by  way  of  ornament. 

Battalion,  -tal'von.  A  body  of  infantrr, 
varying:  from  about  800  to  1,000  men, 
formin;,'  a  division  of  a  regiment. 

Bauble,  ba'bl.  A  short  stick  with  a 
foo'la  hoad,  anciently  carried  by  the  fools 
attached  to  great  houses.  A  trifling 
piece  of  finery. 

Bang's.  l>aj.  A  French  drugget  fabricat- 
ed of  coar.se  wool. 

Bauhinia,  ba-hln'i-a.  A  gen.  of  twining 
plants,  ord.  Logumino.sa>,  often  stretching 
ln)in  tree  to  tree  like  lining  cables. 

Baulite,  bal'it.  A  transparent  mineral, 
found  in  th'6  matter  ejected  by  Krabla,  in 
Icelaml ;  a  variety  of  glassy  felspar. 

Bavaria,  bah-va'ri-ah.  A  kingdom  of  S. 
"\V.  (Jerinany,  composed  of  two  provinces, 
eastern  and  western,  tho  latter  called 
Kheuish  B.,  or  the  Palatinate.  The  gov- 
ernment is  a  hcretUtary  monarchy  created 
by  Napoleon  in  1805; "education  is  com- 
pulsory and  full  religious  toleration  pre- 
Tuils.     Pop.  6,470,000. 

Bawbee,  ba-be.    A  Scotch  half-penny. 

Bawd,  bad.  A  female  who  keeps  a  house 
of  proj^tl'tutlon,  and  conducts  criminal 
intrigues. 

Baxter,  Richard.  The  eminent  au- 
thor and  preacher ;  n.  in  Shropshire, 
Eughmd,  lol.*>;  i».  1691.  lie  was  a  non- 
conformi.st,  and  suffered  great  persecu- 
tion. His  chief  works  aro  the  '"Saint's 
Everlasting  Best,"  "  Dying  Thoughta," 
and  "Call  to  the  Unconverted." 

Bay,  ba.  A  recess  In  tho  snore  of  a  sea 
or  lake ;  the  expanse  of  water  between 
two  capes  or  headlands  ;  a  gulf.  A  prin- 
cipal compartment  or  division  in  the 
architectural  arrangement  of  a  building ; 
the  j)art  of  tho  window  inolude<l  between 
tho  mullions.  A  kind  of  mahogany  ob- 
tained from  Campeachy  Bay. 

Baya,  'ya.  The  weaver,  a  very  Interest- 
ing E.  Indian  passerine  bird,  whose  nest 
resem1)los  a  bottle,  and  is  suspended  from 
the  branch  of  a  tree,  Mith  tho  entrance 
from  beneath,  so  that  neither  apes,  ser- 
pents nor  squirrels  an  reach  It.  It  is 
easily  tJimed,  and  ^^ill\»aJh  and  carry  at 
comm.ind. 

Bayadeer,  -ya-dr-r'.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a 
dancing  girl ;  a  prostitute. 

Bayard,  Pierre  du  Terrail.  Cheva- 
lier, ba'yahr.  A  celebrated  French 
knight,  to  whom  thec-ulage  is  yet  applied  : 
"The  soldier  without  fear,  the  man  with- 
out reproach."    B.  1476,  j>.  1632,  fh)m  a 


wound  receive*!  at  the  battle  of  tho  Sesla. 
His  most  notable  exploit  was  his  single- 
handed  defense  of  the  bridge  over  the 
Garigliano  against  a  strong  Spanish  force. 

Bayberry,  'be-ri.  The  fruit  of  the  buy- 
tree  or  Laiirus  nobilis.  The  fruit  of 
Myriea  cerifera.  Tho  plant  MjTica  cerif- 
era  (wjix-myrtle).  B.  tallow,  a  substance 
obtained  from  bayberry  or  wax-myrtle. 

Bayonet,  'on-et.  A  triangular  sword  or 
dagger,  with  an  Iron  handle  and  ring 
which  go  over  the  muzzle  of  tho  (n^,  so 
that  the  soldier  fires  with  bayonet  fixed. 

Bayou,  bi-r>'.  The  outlet  of  a  lake;  a 
channel  for  water. 

Bay-runa^  ba'rum.  A  spirit  obtained  by 
distilling  the  leaves  of  the  bay  tree. 

Bay-salt,  'salt.  Coarse  grained  salt,  ob- 
tained by  evaporation  of  sea  water. 

Bay-window,  'win-do.  A  window 
forming  a  recess  or  bay  In  a  room,  pro- 
jecting outwards. 

Bazaine,  Francois  Achille.  A 
French  marshal,  b.  ISIO,  d.  18-S3.  Dis- 
tinguished himself  in  Algeria  and  the 
Crimea,  and  s.  Gen.  Forey  In  Mexico; 
Burrenderefl  Metz  and  his  .army  to  the  Ger- 
mans in  1S70,  for  which  ho  was  ti-ied  in 
1878,  found  guilty  and  Imprisoned,  escap- 
ing in  1874.  Ho  was  a  faithful  adherent 
of  Napoleon  III. 

Bazaar,  bazar'.  In  the  East,  a  place 
where  goods  are  expose<l  for  sale,  usually 
consisting  of  small  shops  or  stalls  in  a 
narrow  street,  frequently  shaded  by  a 
light  material,  and  sometimes  arched  over. 
A  sale  of  miscellaneous  articles  in  further- 
ance of  a  charitable  purpose  ;  a  fancy  fair. 

Bdellium,  del'li-um.  An  aromatic 
gum  resin,  used  as  a  i»erftime  and  a  medi- 
cine. 

Bdellostoma,  del-los'to-ma.  A  gen.  of 
cvclostomous  fishes  nearly  allied  to  the 
glutinous  hag. 

Beach,  bOch.  The  shore  of  tho  sea  or  of 
a  lake ;  the  strand  ;  sometimes  used  for 
tho  shore  of  largo  rivers. 

Bead,  bed.  A  perforated  ball  of  amber, 
glass,  or  the  like,  strung  on  a  thread,  and 
either  worn  on  the  neck  as  an  ornament  or 
used,  under  tho  name  of  a  rosary,  by 
Eoman  Catholics  in  numbering  their 
prayers.  Anv  small  globular  body,  as  a 
piece  of  metal  on  a  gun-barrel  to  take  aim 
Dy  ;  a  drop  of  liquid.  In  Arch,  a  small 
round  molding  cut  into  embossmenta: 
an  astragal. 

Bead-roll,  'rol.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch.  a  cata- 
logue of  persons  for  the  repose  of  whose 
BOttls  a  certain  number  of  prayers  is  to  be 


BEAD-PROOF 


97 


BEAVER 


faid  or  counli!d  off  on  the  bo^ids  of  a  chap- 
let  rosary  ;  a  roll  of  prayers  or  hymns. 

Bead-proof,  bCd'prof.  Spirituous  liquors 
on  whoso  surface  a  crown  of  bubbles  ^ill 
stand  for  some  time;  spirits  which  come 
up  to  a  certain  standard  of  strength. 

Beagrle,  b*;'pl.  An  English  hound,  for- 
liierly  kei)t  to  hunt  hares;  smaller  than  the 
iKu-rler,  and  littlo  larger  than  the  lai)-<log. 
A  local  name  f«jr  several  species  of  shark.s. 

BeaMron,  bCk'i-em.  An  anvil  ^\1th  a 
long  beak  or  horn,  used  by  workers  In 
sheet-metiil. 

Beam-engine,  bcm'en-jin,  A  gtcam- 
f-ngiiie  in  wliidi  the  motion  of  the  piston 
is  transmitted  to  the  crank  by  means  of 
nti  overhi'ad -beam  and  c<»nnecting-rod. 

Beamingr-machine,  'ing-ma-shen.  A 
maciiiiio  by  which  chains  or  webs  are  put 
on  th«  beam  ;  a  kind  of  roller-mill. 

Beam-tree,  'tn3.  Pyrus  Aria,  also  called 
white-beam. 

Bean,  ben.  A  name  eiven  to  several 
kinds  of  leguminous  seeds  and  the  nlants 

f producing  them  :  Faba,  garden  ana  field 
)ean  ;  Phaseolus,  French  or  kidney -bean  ; 
and  Dolichos,  ti-opical  bi-an.  The  com- 
mon bean  ( F.  vulgaris)  is  extensively  cul- 
tivated HA  food. 

Bean-fly,  'Jll.  A  l)eautiftil  fly,  found  on 
bean  llowers,  pro<lucod  from  a  maggot 
called  miila. 

Bean-g-oose,  lu'^'P"'**-  A  species  of  wild- 
goose,  the  Anser  segetum. 

Bean-shot,  'shot.  Copper  grains  form- 
ed by  pouting  melted  metal  tlutuigh  a 
perforated  labile  into  warm  water.  If  cold 
wat«'r  Is  use«l.  Hakes  are  formed,  callc<l 
feathor-shot. 

Bear-trefoil,  'tre-foil.  A  small  legn 
mlnou.s  tree,  the  Anagyrls  fcetida. 

Bear,  bar.  A  plantigrade 
CJirnlvorous  mamma' 
gen.  Ursus,  farn.  Ursida*. 
The  teeth  are  42  in  num 
ber,  as  in  the  dog.  but 
there  is  no  carnassial  or  Bear, 

sectorial  t<^)oth.  The  brown 
or  black  bear  Is  a  native  of  the  north- 
ern parts  of  Europe  and  Asia.  The 
American  black  b<'ar  is  rarely  above  5  feet 
In  length.  The  grizzly  bear,  an  inhabitant 
of  the  Rocky  Mounboins,  Is  a  ferocious 
animal,  sometimes  exceeding  9  feet  in 
length.  The  Siberian  beiu*  is  |>erhap9  a 
Tarlcty  of  the  brown  bear.  The  |K)laror 
"white  bear  Is  i>o»»e8sed  of  great  stn-ngth 
and  ficrc<;ne.sfl,  and  is  7  to  8  feet  In  h-ngth. 
The  native  bear  of  N.  8.  Wal.-s  Is  the 
koala,  of  the  marsupial  gen.  Phaaoolarctos. 


Is  fceUda. 

» 


The  name  of  two  constellations  in  the 
northern  hemi.<;phere,  cilled  the  Greater 
an<i  Lesser  Bear.  In  the  t^iil  of  the 
Ix^sser  Bear  Is  the  polo-star. 

Beard-moss,  bCrd'mos.  A  lichen,  Us- 
ne^i  b;u-bata. 

Beardy,  'i.  The  whitethroat  A  Scotch 
iiauie  of  the  loach,  a  small  fl-esh-water 
malacopterygi-an  lish,  fam.  Cyprini<ljB. 

Bearing-rein,  bar'lng-ran.  Tho  rein 
by  which  tlie  head  of  a  horse  Is  held  up 
in  driving. 

Bear-pit,  'pit  A  pit  for  the  keeping  of 
bears  in  zoological  ganlens. 

Beast,  best.  Any  four-footed  animal,  ns 
<listlngul.she<l  fW>"m  fowls,  insects,  fishes 
and  man.     A  brut.-d  man. 

Beauhamais,  £ug-ene  de.  bo-har'nal. 
Son  of  .lo.sephine,  wile  of  NajKjlron  I., 
adopttnl  by  tho  latter;  b.  IT'^l,  i».  1324. 
lie  servinl  with  dl.«*tinctlon  in  tho  Nap«de- 
onlc  wars,  and  was  np|K)intcHl  Vlcerov  of 
Italy.  After  Napoleon's  fall  he  retired  to 
Munich,  and  marrle<l  the  daughter  of  tho 
King  of  Bavari.i. 

Beauhamais,  Hortense  Eugenie 
de.  daughter  of  dosephin*' ;  n.  ll<\,  d. 
1837.  She  was  mai-iie<I  ag.iinst  her  \vill  to 
Louis,  youngest  brother  of  Napideon 
Bona]>arte,  frt>m  whom  she  sepanited  In 
IMO,  after  he  was  driven  fh>m  the  throne 
of  Holland.  Her  son  by  him  was  the  lato 
Nafxdeon  III. 

Beaumarchais.  Pierre  Augiistin 
Caron  de,  b<'> mar'shay.  An  eminent 
Frenchmiui,  n.  17:W,  i».  ITIK).  Ho  warmly 
t-siKMisM  the  cause  of  the  Americ^uis  In  tho 
Revolution,  and  »<'nt  njoro  than  .'><)  othcei-s 
to  assist  them  at  his  own  expi'use,  among 
these  l»«'lng  Baron  SU'uben  and  Pulaski. 

Beau  Monde,  ho  mond.  The  fashion- 
able world  ;  people  of  fashion  and  gayety. 

Beauregard.    Peter     Gustavxia 

Toutant.  A  Confederate  general ;  ii.  In 
N.  Orleans,  1^16.  A  graduate  of  We.st 
Point,  ho  resigned  from  the  Federal  army 
when  South  Carolina  seceded,  and  com- 
mande<l  at  I'harleston  when  Fort  Sumter 
was  capturwl ;  also  at  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Run.  Surrendore<l  to  Gen.  Sherman 
with  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston.  Has  held 
Fe<lenil  appointments  since  the  war. 
Beaver.  Tho 
movable  faco- 
guanl  of  a  hel- 
met, so  con- 
structed that 
tho  wearer 
could  raise  or 
lower  it  to  cat 
and  drink  :  a  \iBor. 


HelnieUi. 


BEAVEK 


BEE-IIAWK 


Beaver,  bG'vcr.    A  rodent  qnwlrupwl, 


Beaver. 

fifcn.  Castor  (C.  fiber) ;  raJned  fbrits  tar. 
Beaver-rat,  -rat.    Tho    common    name 

appliod  to  th.)  fffi).  Tlydromys  ;  admirable 

ewimiMcr.s  find  divt-rs. 
Beaver-tree,  -tru.    A  di-cldnons  tree, 

t'cn.     Minruolia    (M,   glauca),  ord.  Mag- 

iioliacoa>. 
Bebeerine,  -bc'rJn.      Tho  active  tirincl- 

Iilc  o.  tlio  bark  of  tho  bebc«-u,  analogous 

to  «iuinfne. 
Bebeoru,  'ro.    A  tree  of  British  Guiana, 

or<l.    Ijiiiracenj,  tlie  timber  of  whicli  is 

callfd  f.Tt'vn-heart. 
Beccafico.  iMjIt-a-foTco.  A  passerine  bird, 

fam.  hylvittdii',  rfsenihllnt,'  a  nifrhtinpile, 

tho  greater  petty-chaps  and  gardcn-war- 

hUr. 

Beccaria,  Ceesar  Bonesara.  Mar- 

cheae  di.  iK-k'ka-ro-a.  All  Italian  publi- 
cist, H.  lT-'i.'>,  n.  179;i;  author  of  tlio  cilo- 
bniU'd  "Treatise  on  Crimes  and  Punish- 
ments," which  is  tho  source  of  modern 
criminal  law  and  practice. 

Bedmana,  l>och-u-a'na.  One  of  a  peo- 
j)K>  inhabiting  tho  intt-rior  of  8.  Africa,  de- 
scribcd  as  superior  to  tho  Kaffirs. 

Becket,  St.  Thomas  a,  ah-b^k'et  A 
celebratfHi  \l.  C.  divine,  B.  in  London, 
1119;  a.ssassinated  on  tho  altar  steps  of 
Canterbury  Cathe<lral,  of  which  ho  was 
archbishop,  on  a  Buppo9e<l  order  from  the 
kinsr,  Henry  II.,  IHO;  c.inonlzed,  1178. 

Becuiba-nut,  ba-kwCba-nut.  A  nut 
I)ro(luced  from  a  Brazilian  tree,  from  which 
a  balsam  is  drawn,  used  in  rheumatism. 

Becuna,  be-ko'n.n.  A  ferocious  fish, 
fam.  t^phj-nenifla^  resembling  the  pike. 

Bedaerat.  bed'a-gat.  The  name  given  to 
the  .sacred  books  of  the  Buddhists  in  Bur- 
niah. 

Bed-buiT,  l>ed'btig.  The  CImex  lectula- 
rius,  infesting  iKjds. 

Bed-chamber,  bed'chSra-ber.  An  apart- 
ment IntiiKled  for  sleep  and  rejiose.  Lortls 
of  the  Bed-chamber,  officers  of  the  British 
roval  household  under  the  grtwm  of  tho 
stole.    In  the  case  of  a  queen  regnant 


theso  posts  are  occupied  by  ladies,  calleil 
Ladies  of  tho  J  Jed -chamber. 
Bede,  the  Venerable,  bed.  England's 
cai-licst  historiuii,  a  monk,  b.  073,  i>.  785. 
Uis  "Ecclesiastical  History  of  England," 
issued  in  L;itin  in  TM,  and  translated  by 
King  Alfred  tlio  Great,  is  still  an  esteemed 
standanl. 

Bedegrar,  bod'6-gar.  A  spongy  excres- 
cence or  gall,  also  termetl  sweet-brier 
sponge,  found  on  roses,  jtroduced  by  in- 
sects as  receptacles  for  their  eggs,  as  the 
Cynips-n>sje. 

Bedlam,  'l.nm.    A  matl-house ;  a  placa 
appropriated  for  lunatics. 
Bedlamer,  -er,    Tho  name  given  by  seal 
hunters  to  tho  hooded  t*eal  when  a  ye.-ir 
oM,  from  its  frantic  actions  wlien  captured. 
Bedouin,  bed'cVin.    One  of  a  tribe  of  no- 
madic Arabs,  who  live  in  tents. 
Bee,  be.     An  insect  of  tho  gen.  Apis,  the 
lioney-beo  being  tho  most  interesting. 
Beebee,  -be.     In  tho  East  Indies,  a  lady. 
A  Hindu  concubine. 

Bee-bird.  'Ix-nl.  The  spotted  fly-citcher. 
Bee-breaid, 'bred.  The  pollen  of  fli»wers 
collected  by  bees  as  food  for  their  young. 
Beech,  bech.  A  tree,  gen.  Fagus,  onl. 
('upulifme.  The  common  beech  grows  to 
a  large  size.  The  mast  or  nuts  are  eaten 
bv  animals,  and  yield  a  good  oil  for  lamps. 
'I'he  wood  is  manufactured  into  a  great 
variety  of  tools. 

Beechor,  Henry  "Ward.  Rev.  Son 
of  Lvman  Beecher,  an  eminent  New  Eng- 
land'Congregational  ])re.';cher  and  theolo- 
gian ;  B.  1818;  entered  the  Congregation:!! 
ministry  in  ISU,  and  in  \M1  became  pas- 
tor of  Plvmoutli  Church,  Brooklyn,  a  re- 
hition  which  still  continues.  Mr.  B.  is 
considere<l  by  many  as  the  most  eloquent 
divine  of  the  century,  and  he  is  scarcely 
less  distinguished  as  a  writer  and  lecturer 
on  popular  subjiHjts. 

Beech-hopper,  'hop-er.     One  of  tho 
Coleoptera,  film.  CurcuHonidre  or  wetivils. 
Beech-oil,  'oil.    A  bland,  fixed  oil  ex- 
presse<l  from  the  nuts  of  the  beech-tree, 
used  in  parts  of  France  instead  of  butter. 
Beef-eater,  buret-er.    An  African  inses- 
sorial  bird,  gen.   Buphaga.    One  of  the 
yeomen  of  the  British  royal  guard. 
Beef-wood, 'wfld.    Tho  timber  of  Aus- 
tralian  trees,  gen.  Casuarina,  chiefly  used 
in  fine  ornamental  work. 
Bee-glue.  bC'glu.   A  soft,  unctuous  mat- 
ter Willi  which  bees  cement  tho  combs  to 
the  hives;  c.-il  led  also  proxiolis. 
Bee-hawk,  'hak.     The    honey-buzzanl. 


BEEHIVE-HOUSE 


99 


BEJARIA 


so  called  from  preying^  on  hymenoi^tcrons 
Insects,  such  as  wasps,  &c.  Lepidopter- 
OU3  Insects,  pen.  Sesia,  are  also  often  called 
bee-hawks. 

Beehive-hotise,  'hiv-hons.  The  popular 
name  of  certain  small  conical  buildinsrs  in 
Ireland,  formed  of  siones,  the  upoor  layer 
always  overlapping?  the  one  beneath  it. 
No  cement  is  used.  They  occur  single  or 
clustered,  the  latter  sometimes  ench-cled 
by  a  stone  wall  for  defense. 

Beelzebub,  -el'ze-bub.  A  god  of  the 
Philistines  who  had  a  famous  tcmpio  at 
Ekron. 

Seelzebul,  -bul.  A  name  piven  by  the 
Jews  to  the  prince  of  demons,  hcin'n  an 
opprobrious  change  on  tlie  term  Beelze- 
bub. 

Beer,  ber.  An  alcoholic  liquor  mtu\e 
from  any  fannaceous  grain,  generally  bar- 
ley, which  is  malte<I  and  ground,  and  its 
fermontablo  substance  extracted  by  hot 
water.  To  this  ^nfusion  hops  or  some 
otlier  i)lant  of  an  agreeable  bitterness  is 
a<lded,  and  it  is  boiled,  tho  liquor  being 
then  suffered  to  fenuent  in  vats.  A  fer- 
mented extract  of  various  ]>laQts,  as 
ginger,  spruce-sap,  molasses,  «Stc. 

Bees'-waz,  bcz'waks.  Tho  wax  se- 
creted by  bees. 

Bees-winer,  'wing.  a  gauzy  film  in 
IM>rt  wines  Indicative  of  age. 

Beet,  bet  A  i)lant,  gen.  Beta,  onl.  Cho- 
noixtdi.iceiP,  tho  r<K)t  of  which  is  largely 
U8e<l  for  food;  sugar  is  abw  ejttracteil 
ft-om  tho  root,  and  it  has  been  used  In 
place  of  malt. 

Beet-fly,  bet-fli.  A  two-winge<l  insect 
( .Viillioniyia  bet;e)  Infesting  croi>s  of  beet. 

Beethoven,  Iiudwigr  von,  ba-to'ven. 
Tho  eminent  musical  comiK»ser,  b.  at 
Bonn,  Germany,  1770;  u.  1827. 

Beetle,  be'tl.  A  heavy  wooden  mallet. 
A  machine  for  pro<luclng  figuri^l  librics 
by  pressure  from  corrugated  rollers. 

Beetle.  Any  insect  belonging  to  the  ord. 
Coleoptera,  but  sometimes  restricte<l  v> 
ScnnikeidiP,  a  tribe  of  this  ord<'r  embrac- 
ing more  than  8,000  8i)ecie3.  Beetles  vaxy 
In  size  from  a  pin's  head  to  a  man's  fist. 

Beetle-stone,  -ston.  A  nodule  of  copro- 
litie  ironstone. 

Befana,  ba-fTi'na,  In  Italy,  a  witch  or 
fairy  who  it  Is  pretended  brings  presents 
to  chiulren  on  the  eve  of  Epiphany.  A 
rag-doll  exhibited  by  children  in  Italy  on 
tho  eve  of  Ei>lj»hany,  sup^KMod  to  repre- 
sent thi-  befana. 

Beer,  Bey,  beg,  ba.    in  Turkey,  a  gov- 


ernor ;  more  particularly,  the  lord  of  a 

sanjfik  or  banner.     In  Tunis,   the   princ« 

or  king. 

Beg-hard,  bo-gard.  One  of  a  body  of  relig- 
ious enthusiasts  which  arose  in  Flanders 

in  the  l;Hh  century.    They    ref\tsed   to 

submit  to  the  rules  of  any    order,  but 

bound  themselves    to  a  life  of  sanctity 

without  quitting  their  secular  vocations. 

They  were  subjected  to  severe  persocu- 

tion,  and  gradually  dispersed- 
Be^lerbe?,   beg'ler-l«ig.    The  governor 

of  a  pmvince  in  the  Turkish  Empire,  next 

in  dignity  to  the  grand  vizier. 
Beg-oniacese.  be-go'nl-ri"so-e.     An  onl. 

of  exofft-ns.     Ky  some  botani.^ts  ail  the 

mcmhers  of  this  onler  are  IneludiKl  in  the 

gen.  Begonia  ;  others  mako  many  genera. 
Begtashi.  lH>g-tA'»he.   A  si-cret  religious 

order  in  Turkey  najembllng   tlio    Free- 
masons,     e  ra  - 

ploying      pass- 

woi-ds  and  sign.H 

of    recognition 

In    some  cases 

Identical     \*ith 

tli(»8o    of    this 

order.  * 

Beguine,    ba- 

gen.    One  of  an 

order  of  femaldsj 

which     spnini  ^ 

up  in  Germany' 

and  Belgium  in 

tho    lit!, 

turr.    \\ 

Ukhig 

tl. 

d. 


Beguino. 


IIuh.uHi.  I: 
BegTim,  b 


)se8  of 
houst^e 
exist  Ir. 


<\  (i 


.    An  E.  Indian  prluoese 
or  Lidy  of  high  rank. 

Behem<9th,  lx''ho-moth.  An  animal  de- 
8crlbe<l  In  .Job  xl.,  15-24,  whl«'h  some  siiji- 
nose  to  IhJ  an  ox,  others  an  (V.ephant, 
liliHM>potnmu9,  crocodile,  nia."itodon,  Ac, 
while  niany  regard  It  simply  as  a  type  of 
the  largest  land  animals. 

Bchringr  Straits.  Tho  channel  con- 
nectlng  tlie  l^acific  and  Arctic  oceans, 
and  separating  A. sia  and  America;  SM5  m. 
wide  ;it  its  narrowest. 

Beidelsar,  l,l-<ler.'*,ir.  A  plant  used  In 
Africa  u^  a  remedy  for  fever  and  tho  bites 
of  serpents  ;  8tii)i)Osed  to  be  the  Asclenl- 
as  procera.  The  Ervptl.ans  used  tiio 
down  of  its  seeds  as  tinder. 

Beuaria,  bo-ia'rl-a.  A  gen.  of  S.  Am«ri- 
Icau  alpine  plants,  ord.  Ericacote. 


BEKAH 


100 


BELLINI 


Bakah,  b5'kS.    A  Jewish  half-shokel. 

Belayingr-pin,  be-lu'ing-pin.  A  wood- 
en or  iron  pia  on  a  vosbcI  for  belaying  run- 
iiin^-ropes  to. 

Belcher,  bolsh'cr.  A  neckerchief  >vith 
blue  frroiind,  white  Bpots  and  a  dark  blue 
P[xjt  in  tho  center  of  each;  named  after 
an  Phiglish  pugilist. 

Beldame,  bel'dam.  An  old  woman  In 
general,  especially  an  ugly  old  woman ; 
a  hag. 

Belemtiitidee,  bol-em-nit'i-de,  .  An  ex- 
tinct lain,  of  cephaloiKxloua  mollusk.s, 
6ec.  I)ec-Hiy>oda,  nearly  allied  to  the  ex- 
isting Bepiu,  abundant  in  tho  chalk  and 
Jurassic  Hrae»tone.  There  are  four 
known  genera — Belemnites,  Belemnotcu- 
thi.H,  Bolemnitella  and  Xiphotoutliis. 

Bel  Esprit,  'ea-ph5.  A  fine  genioa  or 
n\an  of  wit. 

Belfast.  Tho  commercial  capital  of  north- 
ern Inland;  situated  in  Conntv  Antrim,  at 
tho  he;ul  of  Belfast  Lough  ;  pop.  126,204. 

Belf!ry,  'frl.  Anriently,  a  wcHxlen  tower 
erected  by  be.si«>g€T!4  to  the  height  of  the 
walbof  tho  i)lace  to  bo  assailed  ;  mounted 
on  wheels  and  coverwl  witli  raw  hides 
to  protect  tliose  under  it.  A  stationary 
tower  ftirniaheil  with  a  bell  to  give  the 
alarm  to  tho  garrison,  and  al.so  to  summon 
the  vassals  of  a  feudal  lord.     A  bell  tower. 

Belgium,  bel'je-um.  A  European  king- 
donj  Ixmndoil  by  the  North  JSea,  France, 
the  Netherhmds,  Holland  and  Germany, 
having  an  area  of  1  l,3iy  sq.  m.,  and  a  pop. 
of  6,812,000.  Brussels  is  tho  capital,  and 
tho  government  is  hereditary',  constitu- 
tional and  rejiresentativo  monarchy.  The 
Present  kingdom  m:is  established  in  1S89. 
ho  prevailing  religion  la  B,.  C,  but  fUll 
tolerance  prevails. 

Belgic,  'jJk.  Pertaining  to  the  Belgie, 
who  in  Ca'sar's  time  possessed  the  coun- 
try between  the  Rhine,  the  Seine,  and  the 
ocean.  They  were  of  Teutonic  origin, 
and  colonies  established  themselves  in  the 
soutlurn  j>art  of  Britain. 

Belgravian,  -gra'vi-an.  Belonging  to 
Belgravia.  an  aristocratic  portion  of  Lon- 
don around  Pimllco ;  aristocratic. 

Bell.  A  metiiliic  vessel  which  gives 
forth  a  ringing  sound,  made  of  a  compo- 
sition called  bell-metal.  The  largest  bell 
in  tho  world  is  the  great  bell  of  Moscow, 
cast  in  IGTv*?,  comimttHi  to  weigh  1&3  tons. 
Tho  phrase  employed  on  shipboard,  as 
"  o'clock  "  is  on  shore,  to  denote  tho  di- 
visions of  didly  time.  To  curse  by  boll, 
book  and  candle,  a  solemn  mode  of  excom- 
munication used  in  tho  R.  C.  Church,  the 


effect  being  to  exclude  tho  excommuni- 
cated from  the  society  of  tho  faithful. 
Belladonna,    -la- 
don 'ua.    Ati-opa  bella- 
donna,    or     «ipadlvj 
night-shade,  ord.   Sol-, 
anacete.    All  jiarts  ofj 
the  pLints  are  poison-^ 
ous.    The  inspissated^ 
juice  is  known  as   ex- 
tract of  belladonna.  B. 
lilv,  a  species  of  Ama- 
ryllis. 

Bellatrix,     la-triks. 
A  glittering  stir  in  tho  Belladonna  Lily, 
left  shoulder  of  Orion. 

Bell-bird,  'l>erd.  The  Arnpunga  alba, 
a  passerine  bird,  so  named  from  its  sono- 
rous bell-like  notes.  Also  tho  Myzantha 
melanophrj's,  fam.  Meliphaglda;. 

Bell-craiJc,  'krangk.  A  rectanguLir 
lever  by  which  the  direction  of  motion  is 
changed  through  an  angle  of  90°,  and  by 
which  its  velocity,  ^-atio  and  range  may 
l»o  altered  at  pleasure. 

Belleric.  -ler'Ik.  The  astringent  fruit  of 
Terminalia  Bellcriea,  used  by  cidico-print- 
ers. 

Bellerophon.  bel-ler'o-fon.  In  Myth, 
the  son  of  Glaucus.  who  incurred  the  ha- 
tred of  Antiea,  wife  of  liellerus,  king  of 
Argos,  by  refusing  to  sc-cond  h«r  amorous 
advances,  and  killed  lU-llerus  in  defending 
his  ©wn  life.  He  engaged  in  various  ad- 
ventures imder  Jobates,  Ihther  of  Anta^a, 
and  king  of  Lvcia,  in  one  of  which  ho  dO' 
Btroyed  the  C'himera  by  tho  aid  of  Pegas- 
6U3,'the  winged  horse.  Ho  finally  mar- 
ried a  sister  of  Anttea. 

Bellerophon,  'o-fon.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
nautiloid  shells,  allied  to  the  Heteropoda. 

Belles-lettres,  -let-tr.  Polite  or  elegant 
literature. 

Bell-sable, 
ga-bl.  A  term 
applied  to  the 
gable  of  a  re- 
ligious edifice 
surrounded  by 
a  small  turret 
for  the  recep-  i 
tion  of  bells. 

Bell-g-lass, 
'gl»is.  A  cover- 
ing for  plants 
shaped  liko  a 
beU. 

Bellini.  Vin- 
oenzo,  iK-l-lo'no.    The  illustrious  Italian 
composer,  B.   1S06,    ».   1835;    author  of 


Bell-gable. 


BELLI9 


101 


BEMBECIDJS 


'       Bellows. 


"II  Piratn,"  "  La  Ponnambnla,"  "Norma" 

and  "I  Puritani." 
Bellis.  bcl'lis.     The  daisy,  a  small  gen.  of 

annual  or  perennial  herbs. 
Bell-metal,   'metal.      An  alloy    of  80 

parts  of  copper  and  20  of  tin,  used  for 

inakini?  bells.     Small  shrill  bclLs  generally 

contain  zinc. 
Bellona,   -lo'na.      In   Rom.  myth,  the 

poddess  of  war.     In  Astron.  an  asteroid. 
Bellot  Straits,    bol'lo.    The    channel 

connecting,'     IMnce    Kegent     Inlet    and 

Franlclin  Channel 
Bellows,  IkI'Ioz.      An  In- 
strument for  produciu<j 

current  of  air.    principally 

used   for  Mowing   lire    in 

forges.     Bellows  of  great 

power  are  called  blowing  machines  and 

aro  operatf<l  by  steam. 
BellowB-caznera,  -kam-er-a.    In  Pho- 

tog.   a  form  of    expanding    camera    in 
wldch  the  bodies  are  connected  by  an  ex- 
pansible i>ortion. 
Bellows- 
fish.    An 
aca  n  t  h  o  p  - 
ter  y  g  i  o  u  8  ^ 
fish.      fam. 
IMstularida), 
gen.     Cen- 
triscus,  call- 
ed also    the 
Tru  m  p  e  t  - 
fish  or  .Se.vsnipo. 
Bellows-  pump, 

pheric  j>uinp. 
Bell-pepper,  'p«p-por.  Guinoa-pcpper, 
the  fruit  of  Capsicum  grossum. 
Bell-telegrraph,  'tel-e-graf.  A  tele- 
grai)liir  aj»[.aratu.s  In  which  two  different- 
ly toned  bwlis  give  the  signals. 
Belmont.  A  villajre  in  Missouri  on  the 
Mississippi  iJivcr,  the  scene  of  the  first 
victory  won  by  Gen.  Grant  over  the  Con- 
federates under  Gens.  I'olk  and  l*illow, 
Nov.  7,  ISGl. 

Belooche,  bel-n'che.  A  native  or  Inhab- 
itant of  Belouchistan. 

Beloochistan.  bel-oo-chis'tan.  A  conn- 
try  of  Asia,  S.  of  Afghanistan,  with  a  se.i- 
coast  on  tlio  Indian  Ocean  of  GOO  m.;  area, 
2(K).0()0Kq.  m.;iK>p.  ToO.tHM).  The  Inhab- 
itant's are  calietf  Lelooches  and  Brahooces. 
of  mi.xed  Tartar  and  IVrsi.in  blood,  and 
the  country  is  governed  by  several  chiefs 
who  pay  nominal  allegiance  to  the  Khan 
of  Kclat. 

Belshaazar,  bel-shfi'zhar.  Klngof  Baby- 1 


B«Uows-fiBlL, 


-pump.      An    atmos- 


lon,  and  the  last  of  the  Chaldean  drnasty. 
He  was  n.  about  520,  crowne<l  about  654, 
and  p.  533  b.  c.  The  romantic  history 
of  his  reign  is  familiar  to  all  readers  of  the 
Scriptures. 
Belt.  Two  straits  (Great  and  Little)  con- 
necting the  Baltic  Sea  and  the  Cattegat. 
Belt,  belt.  A  girdle  in  -which  a  sword  or 
other  weapon  is  hung.  In  A'stron.  one  of 
certain  rings  which  surround  the  planet 
Jupiter.  In  Her.  a  badge  given  to  a  per- 
son when  ho  was  raised  to  knighthood. 
In  Mach.  a  band  passing  around  two 
wheels,  communicating  motion  trom  ono 
to  the  other. 

Beltane,    bcl'tiin.      The    name  of   an 
ancient  fire  festival  sUll  kept  up  In  re 
mote  parts  of  Ireland  and  Scotland,  no 
doubt  derived  from   tho  worship  of  the 
sun  or  fire,  formerly  practiced  among  tha 
tielis  and  other  heathen  nations. 
Belt-lacing,       beli'las-ing.       Leather 
thonjrs  for  huing  together  ends  of  a  belt. 
Belt-shifter,   'shift-cr.      A  contrivance 
for  shifting  a  belt  from  one  policy  to  an- 
other. ' 
Belt-speeder,  'sprd-w.    A  contrivance 
for  transmitting  various  rates  of  motion. 
Belugra,  be-lu'ga.     A   gen.    of  Cetacca, 
fam.   Delphinidaj  or  dolphins.      Tho  B. 
arctica,    loucaa  or  albicans,   called  white 
whale. 
Belvedere,  bel've-dcr.     In  Italian  Arch, 
the  uniKT  story  of  a  building,  open  to  the 
air.     In    France,    an    elevated    summer- 
house. 

Belvidere,  M-der.  A  plant,  Kochla 
scoparia  (broom-cypress),  much  estocmod 
In  C'hina  a.s  a  salad. 

Belvisiacese,  ->is'i-a"sC-«.  An  ord.  of 
I»lanls  cio.sely  allle«l  to  the  MjTtacew,  In- 
cluding only  two  genera,  Napoleona  and 
Asteranthus. 

Bern.  Joseph,  Qen.  A  gallant  Polish 
officer,  H.  IV'Jj,  V.  ISTH).  He  fought  un- 
der NaiH.leon  I.  against  Kussia,  in  tho 
Polish  revolution  in  1S30,  In  the  Hun- 
garian revolt  against  Austria  in  1S4S,  de- 
feating the  Austrians  in  fiovoral  battles, 
and  on  tho  failure  of  tho  revolution  es- 
caped to  Turkey,  I>ecamo  a  Mohammo- 
edan,  and  waa  ap|K>lnted  a  pasha. 
Bema,  be'ma.  In  Greek  antiq.  a  stage 
or  pul[>it  on  which  speakers  8too<l  when 
addressing  an  assemblv.  In  tho  early 
Christian  church,  a  i.art  raised  abovr  the 
rest  reserved  for  the  liighcr  clergy, 
Bembecidss,  bom-bes'i-dc.  A  fam.  of 
solitary  aculeate  or  sting-bearing  hymen- 
optcrous   insects,    resembling  waspf   or 


BEMBRIDQE  BEDS 


109 


BENZOLE 


b«es,  and  with  the  Sphogidae,  ami  other 
kindred  families,  known  as  sand-wasps. 
Benibex  i«  the.  typical  pen. 
Bembridgre  Beds,  'brij-bodz.  A  fossil- 
iftrous  division  of  the  tipper  eocene  strata, 
consistinjj  of  marls  and  clays,  restinj,'  on 
a  compact  limestone ;  their  distinctive 
feature  is  tho  mammalian  remains  of  the 
Palteotherium  and  Anoplotherium. 
Ben,  ben.  A  Gaelic  word  prefixed  to  the 
names  of  many  of  the  most  elevated  sum- 
mits of  northern  Scotland,  as,  B«n  Ne\1s, 
Ben  Crauclian,  Sec. 

Benedicite.  -e-dis'i-te.  A  cantlclo  or 
hymn  used  in  the  Anglican  Church  at 
morning  prayer  after  tho  first  lesson, 
called  the  hymn  of  the  Three  Children  in 
the  fiery  furnace,  and  as  old  as  the  time  of 
St.  Chrysostom. 

Benedict,  'e-dikt.  A  sportive  name  for 
a  married  man,  especially  one  who  has 
been  long  a  bachelor.  Also  applied  to  a 
bachelor. 

Benedick,  Ludwigr,  Gen.,  bt^n'e-dlk. 
A  di.stintruii.hed  .Austrian  Commander,  b. 
1S<>4.  He  won  distinction  in  tho  wai-s 
with  Italy,  1848  and  1859,  and  in  the 
Hungai-ian  revolt,  1849,  but  was  dl«- 
astrouslv  defeated  by  the  Prussians  at 
Badowu;  July  8,  1866. 
Benedict,  -dikt.  The  name  assumed  by 
fourteen  pope.s,  commencing  with  B.  I., 
who  8.  John  III.,  575,  and  ended  with  B. 
XIV.,  who  8.  Clement  XII.,  1740,  and  n. 
1758.  B.  VI.  was  martyred  ;  B.  IV.  was 
dei>osed  for  his  vices  ;  B.  X.  was  irregu- 
larly elfected  and  compelled  to  resign  his 
dignity  to  Nicholas  II.;  B.  XII.  was 
French,  and  the  third  pope  who  reigned 
at  Aviirnon  ;  B.  XIV.,  Cardinal  Lamber- 
tini,  was  a  strict  reformer,  and  encour- 
aged education  in  all  directions. 
Benedict,  St.  Founder  of  the  Benedic- 
tine order  of  Monks,  b.  in  Italv  in  48(),  D. 
543.  He  was  renowned  forliis  austere 
life,  his  eloquence  and  his  reputed  power 
of  performing  miracles.  The  first  Bene- 
dictine monastery  was  created  at  Monte 
Cassino,  on  th«  site  of  the  temple  of 
Apollo. 

Benediction,  ben-e-dik'shon.  The  act 
of  invoking  a  blessing;  a  giving  praise  to 
God. 

Benedictus,  ben-e-<lik'tus.  A  portion 
of  tlie  mass  introduced,  with  English 
words,  into  the  morning  prayer  of  the 
English  Church. 

Bengral,  bi-n-gawl'.  An  E.  Indian  pres- 
idency, hing  on  both  sides  of  the  Ganges, 
covering"86«),2f»4sq.  m.;  pop.  89,461,700. 
Calcutta,    Delhi,  A^ra  and  Benaros  ore 


its  chief  cities;  the  Ganges  and  Brahma- 
pootra its  principal  rivers.  The  inliabitints 
include  Hindus,  Sikhs,  Kajpoot.s,  Mo- 
guls, Mahrattas,  and  a  large  number  of 
British.  B.  Bay  is  a  port  of  the  Indian 
Ocean  between  India  proper  and  Farther 
India. 

Bengral.  A  thin  stuff  made  of  silk  and 
hair  for  women's  apparel.  An  imitation  of 
striped  muslin. 

Beng'al-ligrh.t,  'lit. 
A  species  of  fireworks 
used  as  signals. 

Benitier,  ba-nC-te-a. 
A  stone  font  for  con- 
taining holy  water,  in 
a  E.  C.  church. 

Benne,  ben'e.  Tho 
8esamum  orientale, 
ord.  Pedaliaceai,  from 
the  seeds  of  which  a 
valuable  oil  is  express- 
ed. 

Benne-oil,  -oil.  A 
bland  fixed  oil  ex- 
pressed from  the  nuts] 
of  the  Sesamum  orien  - 
tale  and  S.  Indicum, 
used  like  olive-oil. 

Bennett,  James  BeniUer. 
Gordon.  An  Amer- 
ican journalist,  founder  of  the  N.  T. 
Herald, ;  b.  in  Scotland,  1800,  D.  1872.  His 
son,  Jame.s  Gordon,  Jr.,  s.  his  father  and 
still  conducts  the  paper,  in  many  respects 
the  greatest  journal  in  tho  world. 

Ben-nut,  'nut.  The  seed  of  tho  ben  or 
horse-radish  tree  of  India,  which  yields 
an  oil  called  ben-oil,  remarkable  for  not 
becoming  rancid  for  many  years.  It 
is  used  as  the  basis  of  scents  and  is  om- 

S loved  by  watchmakers  for  lubricating 
elicate  works. 

Bentham,  Jeremy,  bcnt'ham.  A  dis- 
tinguished English  writer  on  political 
economy  and  jurisprudence ;  B.  1748,  d. 
1832. 

Benthamia,  ben-tham'i-a.  A  gen.  of 
l»Iants,  ord.  Cornaceae.  B.  fruglfera 
yields  an  edible  fruit. 

Benzoate,  bcn'z6-at.  A  salt  of  benzoic 
acid. 

Benzoin,  ben-zo'ln.  Gum  benjamin ; 
a  resinous  juice  from  Styrax  Benzoin, 
ord.  Styracacea',  properly  a  balsam,  used 
in  cosnietics,  perfumes  and  in  incense. 

Benzole,  ben'zol.  A  liouid  obtained  by 
distilling  1  part  of  crystallized  benzoic  acid 
and  8  parts  of  slaked  lime,  used  in  the 
preparation  of  varices  and  for  cleaning 


BENTON 


108 


BERTHIEB 


gloves,  removing  grease-spota,  &c. 
Called  also  benzine. 

Benton,  Thomas  H.,  ben'tun.  An 
emintot  American  statesman,  b.  in  N. 
Carolina  in  17S2,  d.  1858,  atter  holdinp 
a  seat  in  Congress  from  Missouri  for  80 
years.  He  was  a  consistent  Jackson 
Democrat  in  politics.  His  "Thirty- 
Years'  View"  embraros  a  historj'  of  the 
government  from  1820  to  1850.  and  is 
recognized  as  a  standard  authority. 

Berangrer.  Pierre  Jean  de,  ba-ron- 
zhah'.  Tlio  French  printer  who  became 
the  foremost  lyric  poet  of  his  countn* ;  f. 
1780,  D.  1857.  His  poems  contriboted 
larpely  to  the  revolution  of  1830. 

Berber,  ber'ber.  A  person  belonging-  to 
a  group  of  trilies,  estimated  at  8,000.000, 
inhabiting  parts  of  Barbary  and  portions 
of  the  Sahara. 

Berberis.bcr'ber-is.  A  pen.  ofpl.ints,  ord. 
Berberidacca^  known  as  barberry  or  ber- 
berry. The  lierries  are  acid  and  astringent, 
and  form  with  sugar  an  agreeable  preserve. 
The  stem  and  bark  are  excessively  aa- 
tringent,  and  are,employed  as  a  mordant. 
The  root  yields  a  yellow  dye. 

Berean,  be-rC-'an.  One  of  a  sect  of  dis- 
senters from  the  Church  of  Scotland,  who 
profess  to  follow  the  ancient  Bereans  men- 
tioned in  the  Acts. 

Berengrarian,  ber-en-ga'rl-on.  One  of 
a  sect  which  followed  Bcrcnger  In  the 
1 1  th  century. 

Beresina.  A  Russian  river  which  emp- 
ties Into  the  Dnieper,  made  famous  by 
its  disastrous  passage  by  Napoleon's  army 
oii  its  winter  retreat  from  Moscow. 

Berg-axno.  ber'ga-mfi.  A  coarse  tapestry. 

Berg-amot,  -mot  A  variety  of  pear. 
The  lime,  the  essential  oil  ft-om  the  rind 
of  which  is  in  high  esteem  as  a  perfume. 

Bei^rander,  'gsm-der.  The  Sheldrake  or 
Burrow-duck. 

Berg-mannite.  berg'man-It.  A  mineral 
classed  with  analcime,  in  the  fam.  of  zeo- 
lites. 

Ber^melll,  'mal.  Mountain-mcal  or  fos- 
sil farina,  a  geological  deiK>8it,  consisting 
of  the  sIHcious  frustules  or  cell-walls  of 
diatoms.  It  is  eaten  in  Lapland  mixed 
Mith  corn  and  bark. 

Berlin,  bair'lin.  The  ancient  cap.  of 
Prussia,  and  now  of  the  German  Empire  : 
founded  in  the  12th  centurv,  on  the  river 
Bpree,  in  Bradenburg  ;  it  Is  surrounded 
by  a  wall  7  m.  In  length.  Pop.  about 
1,;3()«>,(KK».-' 

Berlin- ware,  Tin- war.  A  kind  of  pottery 


which  resists  the  action  of  almost  ail 
chemical  reagents. 

BemL,  berm.  In  Fort,  a  space  of  ground 
between  the  rampart  and  fosse.  The  side 
of  a  canal  opposite  the  towing-path. 

Bermuda  Islands.  A  group  of  the 
W.  Indies,  300  in  number,  belonging  to 
Great  Britain.  St.  George  is  the  principal, 
its  chief  city,  Hamilton,  being  the  capital. 

Bemardine,  ber'nard-ln.  The  name 
given  In  Franco  to  the  CistercLin  order  of 
monks. 

Bemadotte.  Jean  Baptiste  Jules.  A 
marshal  of  France,  under  Napoleon  I.,  b. 
1764 ;  electetl  king  of  Swtnlen  and  Nor- 
way on  the  death  of  Charles  XIII., 
assumed  the  throne  under  the  title  of 
Charles  John  XIV.,  and  in  1S13  com- 
manded the  united  armies  of  Germany 
against  Napoleon.  D.  1844,  after  a  -wlao 
and  prosperous  reign. 

Bernard,  St.,  (Great),  balr'nar.  A  noted 
Alpine  Mountain  j.ass  between  the  Valois 
and  Iledmont,  at  the  summit  of  which 
is  the  Hospice,  founded  by  St.  Bernard  in 
862,  for  the  care  and  succor  of  traveK?r», 
and  ever  since  maintained.  The  pass  has 
been  utilize<l  for  the  i)assago  of  inva<ling 
armies,  the  most  notable  instance  being 
that  of  Napoleon  %vlth  80,000  men  in  May, 

Bernard,  St.  Abbot  of  Clairvaux;  a. 
at  Dijon,  1091,  v.  UrA,  canonized  1174. 
The  most  eloouent  and  fctarless  preacher 
of  (he  age.  lie  was  equally  renowned  for 
quick,  unerring  judgment,  and  his  advic* 
was  sought  by  popes  and  princes.  Hi* 
writings  Mere  voluminous,  and  he  is  ao- 
corded  the  distinguish^  title  of  "  Last  of 
the  Fathers."  Christians  of  all  denomi- 
nations pay  cheerful  tribute  to  his  piety 
and  abilities. 

Berne,  bem,  A  canton  and  city  (the  lat- 
ter the  cap.)  of  Switzerland ;  pop.  606,141. 

Bemliard,  burn'h^ird.  Duke  of  8ax« 
Weimar;  b.  16O0,  r>.  1639.  He  was 
among  the  bravest  and  most  successful 
generals  of  his  day. 

Beroe, '6-e.  A  gen.  of  small  phosphoric 
marine  animals,  class  Cceleaterata,  ord. 
Ctenophora. 

Berry,  be'rl.  A  suecnlent  or  pulpy  fhilt, 
the  flesh  of  which  contains  several  seeds, 
as  the  gooseberrj",  strawberry  and  cur- 
rant. The  name  Is  sometimes  extended 
to  superior  fruits,  like  the  grape. 

Berserker,  ber'ser-ker.  A  kind  of  wild 
warrior  or  champion  of  heathen  times  in 
Scandinavia. 

Berthier,     Alexandre.     Prince     of 


BERTnOLLETIA. 


1<>4 


BEZE'xTA 


Neufchatel  and  "Waffram ;  b.  1753,  D. 
1815.  He  served  m.der  Lafayette  in  the 
American  devolution,  and  returning  to 
France  attached  himself  to  Napoleon. 
t»»ward  whom  he  for  years  maintained  the 
most  inlimato  pergonal  relations,  acting 
as  his  secretary  as  well  as  aide  ;  made  mar- 
ehal  and  vice  constable  of  France,  he 
ncquiesocd  la  the  restoration  of  the  Bour- 
bons, but  after  Napoleon's  return  from 
exile,  committed  suicide  in  a  moment  of 
reujorse. 

Bertholletia,  -thol-lC'd-a.  A  pen.  of 
Myrtacca\  of  which  only  one  species  (B. 
cxcflsa)  is  known.  The  fruit  Is  the  Bra- 
ril-nut. 

Bertrand,  Henri  Gratien,  Comte, 

bertn>n'.  One  of  Napoleon's  ^'cncrals, 
and  his  companicui  on  Klbaaml  St.  Helena  ^ 
B.  1770,  u.  1S44. 

Beryl,  bi-r'H.  A  variety  of  emerald,  al- 
ways pale,  owing  to  absence  of  chromium. 
Its  crystals  arc  slx-side<l  and  larjjer  than 
those  of  the  emerald.  Some  of  the  finer 
transparent  varieties  arc  called  aqua-ma- 
rl ite. 

Berzelius,  Johan  Jakob,  Baron. 
The  most  eminent  of  Swedish  chemi.sts, 
vrhose  partial  discoveries  gavo  the  first  im- 
pulse to  modern  methods ;  u.  1779,  v. 
\S4S. 

Bessezner's  Process,  bes'e-merz  pro'- 
Bcs.  A  process  for  decarl)onizing  pip 
iron.  80  A.s  to  convert  it  into  steel,  or  Into 
malleable  iron. 

Beta,  be'ta.  A  gen.  of  apetalous  plants, 
ord.  Chenopodiaccaj ;  the  beets. 

Betel,  be'tl.  A  species  of  pepper,  Charica 
Betel,  ord.  Piperaceje.  The  leaves  are 
employed  to  inclose  a  piece  of  the  betel- 
nut  and  a  llttlo  lime  Into  a  nellet,  which  is 
extensively  chewed  in  the  East. 

Betelg'exise,  'tel-juz.  A  star  of  the 
first  m.'xgnitudc  in  the  constellation  Orion. 

Betel-nut,  -nut.  The  kernel  of  the  fruit 
of  Areca  Catechu,  which  is  eaten  both  in 
its  unrlpo  and  mature  state. 

Bethany,  Kth'ah-ne.  The  Judean  vil- 
lage on  the  Eastern  slope  of  Mt.  Olivet, 
where  lived  Lazarus  an(l  his  sisters,  Mary 
and  Martha,  the  especial  friends  of  Christ, 
often  visited  by  him,  and  the  scene  of  the 
miracle  in  which  Lazjirus,  after  being  dead 
three  davs,  was  restored  to  life.  It  is  now 
a  collection  of  huts,  called  Azlriyeh,  a 
name  derived  from  Lazarus. 

Bethlehem,  beth'lo-hem.  A  town  or 
village  ii  J  udea,  about  6  miles  southeast 
of  Jerusalem,  noted  as  being  the  place 
of  Christ's  nativity.    A  famous  hospital 


for  lunatics  In  London,  originally  called 
the  priorv  of  St.  Mary  of  Betlilehem. 
Corrupted  into  Bedlam. 

Bethlehexnite.  -it.  An  Inhabitant  of 
Betholehein.  One  of  an  order  of  monks 
who  w  oar  a  star  with  five  rays,  in  memory 
of  the  .star  which  appeared  at  the  nativity 
of  our  Saviour  One  of  aa  order  founded 
in  tlie  17th  century  for  the  service  of  the 
hospitals  in  S.  America. 

Betso,  bet'sO.  The  smallest  Venetian 
coin. 

Bettongr,  'tong.  The  kangaroo-rat,  about 
the  ^ize  of  a  common  hare,  forming  tho 
gen.  Hypslprynmus.  H.  cuniculus  is  the 
Tasmanian  rut. 

Betulacese,  -u-la'sc-tJ.  An  ord.  of  apet- 
alous dicotyledonous  plants,  of  which 
Betula  is  the  typical  gen.,  and  containing 
besides  this  only  the  gen.  Alnus. 

Betulin,  'Q-lln.  A  substance  discovered 
In  the  i>ark  of  the  white  l»iroh.  crystal- 
lized, fusible,  volatile  and  intiammablc. 

Beudantite,  bu'dan-tit.  A  mineral  oc- 
curring in  small  closely  aggregated  crys- 
tals. 

Bevel,  bev'el.  The  obliquity  or  Inclina- 
tion ofa  particular  surface  of  a  solid  body 
to  another  surface  of  the  same  body.  An 
instrument  used  for  drawing  angles. 

Bevel-ang-le,     -ang'gl.        Any     angle 

.  e.xct'iit  a  right  angle. 

Bevel-g'ear,  -gCr. 
A  species  of 
w  h  e  e  I-work  i  n 
w  hich  the  axis  of 
the  le.ider  forms 
an  angle  with  that 
of  the  wheel  driv- 
en. The  wheels 
are  called  conical.  ^ 

Bevy,  'i.  A  flock ' 
of  birds,  especially 

?  ^'"^^  "*/  ''r*'?  "^S  Bevel-gear, 

larks.     A  herd  of  '^ 

roebucks ;  a  company  of  females. 

Bey,  ba.  Tho  governor  of  a  Turkish 
town  or  district ;  a  prince ;  a  beg. 

Bezant,  bez'ant.  A  gold  coin  of  Byzan- 
tium, current  In  England  from  the'  10th 
century  till  the  time  of  Edward  III.  In 
Her.  a  circle  in  or  argent  representing  this 
coin.  In  which  the  soldiers  in  the  holy 
wars  are  supposed  to  have  been  i)ald. 

Beze,  Theodore  de,  bai'zu.  The  emi- 
nent French  Protestant,  s.  of  Calvin  ;  b. 
1511»,  1).  1G05. 

Bezetta,  bo-zet'ta.  Coarse  linen  rags  or 
sacking  soaked  in  pigments  ;  the  pigment 


BEZIQUE 


109 


BIGHT 


Itself.  Red  beaetta  is  colored  with  cochi- 
neal, and  nr>o<l  as  a  cosmetic.  Blue  is 
prepared  from  the  juice  of  bome  euphor- 
Diaceous  plants,  treated  with  dunff  and 
urine,  and  used  to  color  the  rind  of  Dutch 
cheese. 

Bezique,  be-zC-k'.  A  game  of  cards 
which  can  be  played  by  two,  three,  or 
'     four  i»ersons. 

Sezoar.  A  name  for  calculi  or  concretions 
found  in  the  stomach  or  intestines  of  some 
animals,  pencrallv  formed  round  a  bit  of 
wood,  straw  or  hair.  Fossil  B.,  formed 
like  the  animal  bezoar.  B.  mineral,  an 
oxide  of  antimony,  or  antimonic  acid. 

Sezoar-groat,  -pot.  A  name  piven  to 
tiie  pazello  from  its  pro<lucinp  the  bezoar. 

Bezonian,  -z«'>'ni-an.  An  indigent 
wretch  ;  a  boppar  or  scoundrel. 

Bhadoee,  bado-e.  The  earliest  of  the 
throe  annual  crops  in  Hindustan,  planted 
in  April  and  May,  and  reaped  in  August 
and  f^ei>teraber. 

Bhang',  bang.  An  Indian  variety  of 
hemp,  the  resin  obtained  from  which  Is 
highly  narcotic  and  into.xicant.  A  drug 
prepared  from  the  resin— a  highly  iK>puhir 
stimulant.  calltKl  Hashish,  also  employed 
in  medicine. 

Bianco  secco,  bc-ang'k5  sek'ko.  A 
wliite  used  in  fresco  painting,  consisting 
of  lime  and  pulverized  marble. 

Bias,  be'as.  An  Ionian  philosopher,  one 
of  the  seven  sages  of  Greece;  b.  &50,  i>. 
abt.  450  B.  c. 

Bib,  bib.  Morrhua  lusca,  a  fish  of  the 
co»l  fain.,  calletl  also  the  Pout,  in  Soot- 
land  Smeltie. 

Bible,  bi'bl.  The  book,  by  way  of  emi- 
nence ,  the  sacred  Scriptures,  It  consists 
of  two  parts.  The  Old  Testament  was 
originally  written  in  Hebrew,  and  the  New 
Testiuni-nt  In  Greek.  The  authorized 
Enplish  version  of  tho  Bible  was  com- 
mencod  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  In  the 
vear  1G04,  8n<l  published  in  1611,  being 
based  on  several  previously  existing  trans- 
}  lations.  The  New  Version  was  published 
in  l-->il. 

Bibliographer,  bibU-og'ra-fer.  One 
vor.st(l  in  bibliography,  who  composes  or 
eoinpiles  the  history  of  books. 

Bibliolatry,  -ol'a-tri.  Worship  or  hom- 
age paid  to  books  ;  specifically  applied  by 
li.  C.  divines  to  the  exaltation  ol  the  au- 
thority of  Scripture  over  that  of  the  Pope 
or  the  church. 

Bibos.  bi'bos.  A  gen.  or  sub-gen.  of 
ruminant  mammals,  fam.  Bovidse,  inclnd- 
Ing  tho  gayal,  gour  or  gaur,  and  banteng. 


Bicycle. 


Biceps,  'seps.  A  muscle  having  tvro 
head*.;  the  name  given  to  two  muscles, 
one  of  the  arm,  the  other  of  the  thigh. 

Bicycle,  bi'si-kl.  A  two-wheeled  veloci- 
pedf,  a  vehicle, 
consisting  of 
two  wheels, 
one  before  and 
one  behind, 
connected  by  a  ' 
curved  metal ' 
bar.  and  lur- 
nishcd  with  a 
seat.  It  is  pro- 
p<  lle<l  by  tho 
feet  of  the  rider 
acting  on  levers  which  move  the  larga 
wheel,  which  may  be  tume<l  at  pleasure. 

Bidding-prayer,  bid'ing-pra-er.  Inth« 
li.  ('.  (.'h.  the  prayer  for  the  souls  of  bc-ne- 
factors  .said  befijre  the  sermon.  In  the 
Anglican  Ch.  a  form  of  exhortation,  con- 
cluding with  the  Lord's  Prayer,  used  be- 
fore all  sermons. 

Bidery,  'er-i.  An  alloy  of  copper,  lead, 
tin  and  zinc  Many  artlclea  of  Indian 
manufacture,  remarkable  for  elegance,  are 
made  of  it. 

Bidet,  bi-det'.  A  horse  formerly  allowed 
to  each  French  trooper  for  carrying  his 
baggage.  An  article  of  b<tlroom  mrni- 
tiire. 

Biennial,  bi-cn'n!-al.  Happening  once 
in  two  years;  as,  a  biennial  election.  In 
Ik)t.  continuing  for  two  years  and  th«Q 
perishing. 

Bier,  K-r.  A  fi-amo  for  conveying  dead 
human  bodies  to  the  grave.  A  count  of 
forty  threads  in  the  warp  or  chain  of 
woolen  cloth. 

Bigamy,  big'a-ml.  The  fact  or  sUte  of 
having  two  wives  or  husbands  at  once. 
Having  a  plurality  of  wives  or  husbands. 

Big^ner,  bi'gen-er.  A  cross  between 
two  si)ecies  of  different  genera ;  a  mule. 

Biggin,  big'in.  A  »mall  woollen  vessel ; 
a  can.  A  contrivance  for  holding  coffee 
grounds  ;  a  bag  or  vessel  perforated  at  the 
bottom,  through  which  water  is  poured. 

Big^onet,  'gon-et.  A  hoo<l  with  ears, 
like  those  worn  by  nuns,  particularly  by 
the  Begi;ine.>». 

Big'hom,  'horn.  A  species  of  moufflon, 
sub-fam.  Ovina,  the  Rocky  Mountain 
go.it.     The  fossil  elk. 

Bigrht,  bit.  A  bend  in  a  shore  or  coast- 
line forming  a  bay  ;  as.  the  Bight  of  Benin. 
The  double  part  of  a  ropie  when  folde<l,  in 
distinction  from  the  end ;  a  loop.  The 
bent  of  a  horse's  cbamtirvl  and  ford* 
knees. 


BIGNONIA 


106 


BINARY 


Big-nonia,  big-no'ni-a.    A  gen.  of  plants, 

ord.     Bignoniaceae,     several     species    of 

which  ai-c  used  in    medicines  and   the 

arts. 
Sijou,    bC'zho.       A   jewel ;    something 

small  and  very  pretty. 
Bijouterie,  -tre.    Jeweh-y ;  trinkets. 
Bikh.,   bik.     A   virulent  poison    derived 

from  the  root  of  a  variety  of  Aconitum 

Napellus.     The  plant  itself. 
Bilberry,    bil'be-ri.     A    shrub    and  its 

fruit,  Vaccinium  Myrtillus. 
Bilboes,  'boz.    Long  bars  of  iron  with 


Bilboes 

sliding  shackles  and  a  lock  at  the  end, 
used  to  confine  the  feet  of  prisoners  ox 
offenders. 

Bildstein,  bild'stln.  Agalmatolite  fig- 
ure-stone, or  pagodite,  cut  into  grotesque 
ornaments  by  the  Chinese. 

Bile,  bll.  A  yellow  bitter  liquor,  separat- 
ed from  the  blood  by  the  primary  cells  of 
the  liver.  The  use  of  bile  is  to  separate 
the  chyle  from  the  chyme. 

Bilimbi,  bi-Iim'bi.  Malayan  name  of 
the  fruit  Averrhoa  Bilimbi,  much  es- 
teemed when  made  into  syrup,  candied 
or  pickled. 

Bilipbaein,  bil-i-fe'in.  The  pigment 
contained  in  bile  and  the  intestines,  and 
the  substance  coloring  the  faeces  and  the 
skin  in  jaundice. 

Biliverdine,  -i-ver'din.  An  ingredient 
in  the  bile  of  the  ox,  fishes,  amphibia 
and  birds,  prized  by  painters. 

Bill,  bil.  The  beak  of  a  fowl.  An  in- 
sti'ument  with  a  concave  cutting  edge, 
used  by  plumbers,  gardeners,  &c.  An 
ancient*  weapon,  hook-shaped,  having  a 
pike  at  the  back  and  another  at  the  sum- 
mit, attached  to  a  long  handle. 

Bill,  bil.  A  declaration  in  writing  ex- 
pressing some  wrong  or  fault  committed 
by  some  person  against  the  law.  In  Com. 
acknowledgment  of  debt  in  writing.  A 
form  or  draft  of  a  law  presented  to  a  legis- 
lature. A  paper  giving  public  notice  of 
something;  a  placard.  An  account  of 
goods  sold,  services  rendered,  or  work 
done.  Any  written  pap<?r  contiuning  a 
statement  of  particulars.  B.  of  credit, 
authority  given  in  writing  from  one  per- 
son to  another,  to  receive  money  from  a 
third  party.  In  the  U.  S.,  a  paper  issued 
on  the  credit  of  the  state,  designed  to  cir- 
culate as  money.  B.  of  exchange,  an  or- 
d«r  for  money  di-awn  on  a  person  in  a  dis- 


tant place.  B.  of  health,  a  certificate  as 
to  the  health  of  a  ship's  company.  B.  ot 
lading,  a  memorandum  of  goods  shipped 
on  board  a  vessel.  B.  of  sale,  a  formal  in- 
strument for  the  transfer  of  personal  chat- 
tels. 

Billet,  'let.  A  small  paper  or  note  in 
writing  ;  a  short  letter.  A  ticket  directing 
soldiers  at  what  house  to  lodge.  A  small 
stick  of  Avood.  In  Her.  a  bearing  of 
an  oblong  form.  In  Arch,  an  ornament 
consisting  of  an  imitation  of  wooden  bil- 
lets placed  in  a  hollow  molding. 

Billet-doux,  -le-do.  A  love-note  or 
short  love-letter. 

Bill-book,  'hok.  A  smaU 
hatchet  curved  Inwards  at  the 
point  ior  pruning. 

Billiard-ball,  'verd-bal.  A 
bull  used  in  billiards. 

Billiard-cloth,  -kloth.  Green 
woolen  cloth,  manufactured  to 
cover  billiard-tables. 

Billiard-cue,  -ku.    The  stick 


y 


/_ 


with  wliich  billiard-balls  are  Bill-hook, 
struck  when  playing. 

Billiards,  'yerdz.  A  game  played  on  a 
rectangular  table  with  balls,  which  the 
players,  by  means  of  cues  or  maces, 
caused  to  strike  against  each  other,  and 
also  to  roll  into  pockets. 

Billiard-table,  -ta-bl.  A  table  on 
Avhich  the  game  of  billiards  is  played. 

Billion,  'li-on.  A  million  of  millions  ;  ac- 
cording to  French  computation  a  thou- 
sand millions. 

Bixnensal,  bl-men'sal.  Occurring  once 
in  two  months. 

Bimestrial,  -mes'tri-al.  Continuing  two 
months. 

Bimetallic,  -me-tal'ik.  Of  or  pertain- 
ing to  two  metals ;  a  double  metalli* 
standard  in  currency. 

Bin,  bin.  A  box  or  inclosed  place  used  ai 
a  repository.  One  of  the  sub-divisions  oi 
a  cellar. 

Binomial,  -no'mi-al.  An  expression  or 
quantity  consisting  of  two  terms  connect- 
ed by  the  signs  plus  or  minus  ;  as  a  -f- 1>, 
3a  —  2c. 

Binary,  brna-ri.  Twofold;  dual.  B, 
arithmetic,  the  invention  of  Leibnitz,  in 
which  two  figures  only,  0  and  1,  are  used 
in  lieu  of  ten.  B.  engine,  having  thft 
piston  of  one  cylinder  impelled  by  steam, 
which  communicates  its  unutilized  heat  to 
some  liquid,  the  vapor  of  which,  by  its 
expansion,  yields  additional  force.  B. 
logarithms,  a  system  for  faciliating  musi- 


BINNACLE 


lOT 


BIRD'S-EYE 


cal  calculations.     B.   star,  a  double  star, 
whose    members    revolve  aroun,'    their 
common  center  of  ^.ivity. 
Binnacle,     bin'a-kl.       A 
case  or  box  on  the  deck  of 
a    vessel,    containing    the 
compass,  sometimes  divid- 
ed into  three  apartments. 
Binny,  'i.     A  fish  of  the 
carp  lam.;  the  barbel  of  the 
Nile. 
Binocle,  bi'no-kl.    A  diop- 
tric   telescope     with    two 
tubes,  enabling  a  person  to 
view  an  object  with  both 
eyes. 

Binocular,  -nok'u-ler. 
eyes.  Pertaining  to  both  eyes. 
Biogenesis,  -o-jen'e-sis.  That  depart- 
ment of  science  which  speculates  on  the 
mode  by  which  new  species  have  been  in- 
troduced; specifically,  which  holds  that 
lining  organisms  can  spring  only  from 
living  parents.  Opposed  to  abiogenesis. 
Biography,  -og'ra-fi.  The  history  of 
tlie  life  and  character  of  a  particular  per- 
son. 
Biology, -ol'o-ji-  The  branch  of  knowl- 
edge which  treats  of  organized  beings  or 
animals  and  plants,  including  their  mor- 
phology, physiology,  origin  or  develop- 
ment and  distribution. 
Bioplasni,'o'plazm.  The  albuminoid  sub- 
stance constituting  the  hving  matter  of 
the  elementary  part  or  cell  in  plants  and 
animals.  Called  also  Germinal  Matter. 
It  diff'ers  from  protoplasm  chiefly  in  being 
informed  with  life. 

Biotite,    -tit.       Magnesia    or  hexagonal 
mica,  occurring  iu  tabular  prisms. 
Biparous,  -pa'rus.     Bringing  forth  two 

at  a  birth. 
Biped,  'ped.    An  animal  having  two  feet, 
as  man. 
Bipennis,   -pen'nis.      An  ax  with  two 
blades,  one  on  each  side  of  the  handle, 
usually  seen  depicted  in  the  hands  of  the 
Amazons. 
Biquadrate,    bi-kwod'rat.     In    Math, 
the  fourth  power,  arising  from   the  nailti- 
plication  of  a  square  number  of  quantity  by 
itself.       ThusdX'i  =:  16,  which  is.  the 
square  of  4,  and  16  X  16  =  256,   the  bi- 
quadrate  of  tha-i  number. 
Birch.,   berch      The  common  name  for 
Betula  alba  and  other  plants  of  the  same 
gen.    In   Lapland,  Norway  and  Sweden 
birch  twigs  are  woven    into  mats    and 
twisted  intx)  ropes  ;  the  outer  bark  forms 
a  covering  for  nouses,  and  the  inner  bark 


is  used  as  a  substitute  for  bre»d.  An  oil 
extracted  from  the  bark  is  employed  in  the 
preparation  of  Eussia  leather. 

Bircll--water,  'wa-ter.  The  juice  of  tho 
birch,  obtained  by  boring  the  stems. 
Fermented  it  forms  an  effervescent  wine. 

Bird,  herd.  A  feathered  animal ;  one  of 
the  feathered  race,  winged,  oviparous 
and  warm-blooded.  A  term  of  endear- 
ment to  a  voung  child  or  young  woman. 
Birds  of  passage  migrate  in  the  season  and 
always  breed  in  the  country  to  which  they 
resort  in  summer. 

Bird-call,  'kal.  An  instrument  for  imi- 
tating the  cry  of  birds  in  order  to  attract 
or  decoy  them. 

Bird-ciierry,  'che-ri,  A  species  of 
cherry,  Trunus  Padus,  only  fit  for  birds. 

Bird  of  Paradise.  One  of  a  fam.  of 
conirostral  birds  (Paradiseidae),  which  in- 


Blrd  of  Paradise, 
eludes  several  genera  and  species,  some  re- 
markably beautiful.  The  feathers  of  the  P, 
major  and  P.  minor  are  chiefly  worn  in 
plumes.    They  are  confined  to  the  male. 

Biretta,  be-ret'ta. 
In  the  E.  C.  Ch.  a 
square  cap  worn 
by  persons  in  or- 
ders. For  priests 
it  is  black  ;  bish- 
ops, purple ;  and 
cardinals,  red. 

Birmingrham, 
bur'ming-ham.  An 
English  city,  100. 
m.  N.  W.  from 
London,  the  most 
extensive  iron 
manufacturing  center  in  the  world  ; 
409,862. 

Bird's-eye,  berdz'I.  The  popular  name 
of  a  gen.  of  plants,  called  also  Pheasant's- 
eye,  known  by  the  generic  term  Adonis. 
One  of  a  kind  of  artificial  glass  eyes. 
Bu'd*s-eye  view,  a  mode  of  perspective 
representation.  Bird's-eye  limestone,  a 
lower  Silurian  rock  Mith  eye-like  mark- 


Biretta. 


pop. 


BIRD'S-FOOT 


108 


BITTERN 


Ings,  reg^arded  as  the  filled-up  burrows  of 

marine  worms.  Bird's-eye  maple,  cm-led 
maple,  much  used  in  cabinet-work. 

Bird's-foot,  'fiit.  A  common  name  for 
several  papilionaceous  plants, .  gen.  Orni- 
thopus. 

Bird's-nest,  'nest.  The  nest  in  which 
a  bird  lays  eggs  and  hatches  her  young. 
Among  the  most  remarkable  are  the  edi- 
ble birds'  nests  of  the  Malayan  Archipela- 
go. A  name  popularly  given  to  several 
plants,  as  Neottia  nidus-avis,  Monotropa 
H.vpopitys,  and  Asplenium  Mdus. 

Biscay,  bis'kaf.  One  of  the  Spanish 
Basque  provinces.  The  Bay  of  B.  is  a 
large  Dody  of  water  off  the  coasts  of  France 
and  Spain. 

Biscuit,  bis'ket.  A  hard  dry  bread,  so 
prepared  as  not  to  spoil  while  being  kept ; 
a  small  cake  variously  made.  In  Pottery, 
a  term  used  to  denote  earthenware  before 
glazing.  In  Sculp,  a  species  of  imglazed 
porcelain  of  which  figures  are  formed  in 
imitation  of  marble. 

Bissextile,  -seks'tTl.  Leap  year ;  every 
fourth  year,  in  which  a  day  is  added  to  the 
month  of  February  on  j.ccount  of  the  ex- 
cess of  6  hours  which  the  civil  year  con- 
tains over  365  days.  This  excess  being 
11  minutes  *  seconds  too  much,  at  the 
end  of  every  century  divisible  by  4  it  is 
necessary  to  retain  the  bissextile  day. 

Bishop,  bish'up.  In  the  early  Christian 
Church,  an  overseer ;  an  elder  or  pres- 
byter ;  one  who  had  the  pastoral  care  of  a 
church.  At  present  a  prelate  or  person 
consecrated  for  the  spiritual  government 
and  direction  of  a  diocese.  Bishops  in 
partibus  (iniidelium),  have  no  actual  see, 
but  are  consecrated  as  if  they  liad.  Such 
titles  are  given  to  missionary  bishops  in 
countries  imperfectly  Christianized.  A 
name  common  to  hemipterous  insects, 
div.  Iletcroptera,  fam.  Corisise. 

Bisk,  bisk.  Soup  made  by  boiling  several 
meats  together.  Odds  at  tennis-play ; 
specifically,  a  stroke  allowed  the  weaker 
plaj'er. 

Bismarck-Schonhausen,  Karl 
Otto,  Prince  von.  Chancellor  of  the 
Gorman  Empire,  and  confidential  adviser 
of  the  Emperor  Wilhelm  I.,  since  1S62; 
B.  1813.  To  his  talents  and  energy  is 
largely  due  the  unification  of  the  scat- 
tered German  states. 

Bismillali,  bis-mil'la.  An  adjuration  or 
exclamation  common  among  the  Turks — 
"  In  the  name  of  God." 

Bismuth,  biz'muth.  A  metal  l^arder 
than  lead  and  when  cold  so  brittle  as  to 


be  easily  reducible  to  powder.  It  is  used 
in  the  composition  of  pewter,  in  the  fab- 
rication of  printers'  types,  and  other  mix- 
tures. Magistery  of  B.,  the  basic  nitrate, 
used  as  a  paint  and  cosmetic.  Called  also 
Pearl  White. 

Bison,  bi'son.  The  name  of  two  bovine 
quadrupeds,  Bos  or  Bonassus  bison  being 
the  European  bison  or  aurochs,  Bison 
americanus  the  American  bison.  The 
latter  is  usually  but  improperly  called  the 
buffalo,  the  buffalo  being  a  distinct  spe- 
cies. 

Bisque,  bisk.  A  variety  of  unglazed 
white  porcelain,  much  employed  for  stat- 
uettes, &c. 

Bisulphate,  bl-sul'fat.  A  salt  of  sul- 
phuric acid,  one-half  of  the  hydrogen  be- 
ing replaced  by  a  metal. 

Bisulphite,  'fit.  A  salt  of  sulphurou.s 
acid,  one-half  of  the  hydrogen  being  re- 
placed by  a  metal. 

Bisulphuret,  'fu-ret.  A  compound  of 
sulphur  and  another  element  containing 
two  atoms  of  sulphur. 

Bit,  bit.  A  small  piece  of  anything.  Of- 
ten used  to  express  extent  or  degi-ee. 
Any  small  coin  ;  specifically,  a  small  W. 
Indian  coin,  and  applied  in  the  Southern 
States  of  N.  America  to  the  Spanish  shill- 
ing, or  any  sum  representing  one-eighth 
of  a  dollar.  The  metal  i)art  of  a  bridle 
which  is  inserted  in  the  mouth  of  ahorse. 
The  name  common  to  boring  tools  applied 
by  means  of  the  carpenter's  brace.  The 
drill-bow,  ratchet,  brace,  lathe  or  drilling- 
machine,  are  termed  drills  or  drill-bits. 

Bitch,  bich.  The  female  of  canine  ani- 
mals. 

Bitter-almond,  bit'ter-a-mund.  The 
bitter  variety  of  Amygdalus  communis. 

Bitter-earth,  -erth.  Talc  earth;  cal- 
cined magnesia. 

Bittem,'tern. 
A  name  given 
to  several  gral- 
latorial  birds, 
fam.  Ardeid*. 
gen.  Botaurus. 

Bittern.      Iiva^ 

salt-works,  the^|^ 
brine    remain-  v^\? 
ing    after    the 
salt  is  concret-    ,,, , 
ed.    Used    in    m 
the      prepara-  ^^-^^ 
tion  of  Epsom       '** 
and  Glauber's  Bittern. 

salts ;  it  con- 
tains also  chloride  of  magnesium,  iodijM 


BITTEE-NUT 


109 


BLACK-FISH 


and  bromine.  A  verj-  bitter  compound  of 
quassia,  cocculus  indicus,  liquorice,  to- 
bacco, &c.,  used  in  adulterating  beer ; 
also  called  bittering. 

Bitter-nut,  'ter-nut.  The  Oar}%'v  amara 
or  swamp  hickory  ;  the  kernel  is  not  eaten 
by  any  animal. 

Bitters,  'terz.  Bitter  medicines  gener- 
ally, as  cinchona,  quinine,  &c.;  specific- 
ally, a  liquor  in  which  bitter  herbs  or 
roots  are  steeped. 

Bitter--wood,  -w^d.  The  timber  of  the 
species  Xjiopia,  all  noted  for  their  ex- 
treme bitterness. 

Bitt-heads,  'hedz.  Pieces  of  ship  tim- 
ber to  which  the  cross-pieces  are  let  in 
and  bolted. 

Bitumen,  bi-tii'men.  A  mineral  sub- 
stance of  a  resinous  nature,  known  by 
ditferent  names,  from,  naphtha,  the  most 
fluid,  to  petroleum  and  mineral  tar,  less 
80 ;  thence  to  maltha,  which  is  more  or 
less  cohesive,  and  lastly  to  asphaltum  and 
elastic  bitumen,  solid.  It  burns  like 
pitch,  and  consists  of  84  to  SS  of  carbon 
and  12  to  16  of  hydrogen.  It  is  used  for 
making  roofs,  &c.,  water-tight,  for  street 
and  other  paTcments,  for  fuel,  and  exten- 
sively for  illuminating  purposes.  The 
bricks  in  the  walls  of  Babylon  are  said  to 
have  been  cemented  with  bitumen. 

Bituminous,  'min-us.  Having  the 
qualities  of  bitumen.  B.  cement,  a  mas- 
tic in  which  asphalt  is  the  principal  ingre- 
dient. B.  coal,  the  coals  which  yield  a 
large  percentage  of  bitumen.  They  are 
softer  and  lighter  than  anthracite,  and 
are  called  dry  or  fat  according  to  their 
richness  in  bitumen.  B.  limestone  is  of 
lamellar  structure,  susceptible  of  polish, 
of  a  dark  color,  and  emits  an  unpleasant 
smell.  B.  schist,  an  argillaceous  shale 
verv  common  in  the  coal  measures, 
-worked  for  the  production  of  parafRne 
and  other  useful  products.  B.  springs, 
sprintrs  impregnated  with  petroleum, 
naphtha.  «fcc. 

Bivalve,  bl'valv.  An 
animal  of  the  molluscous 
class,  having  two  valves, 
as  the  oyster,  cockle  ,nms- 
sel,  &c.  It  is  opposed  ' 
univalve. 

Bixa,  bik'sa.    A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  FlacourtiacejB.       Bivalve. 
The  pulp  of  the  fruit  of 
Bixa  Orellana  affords  amotto. 

Bixin,  'sin.  The  coloring  principle  of 
arnotto.  A  variety  of  arnotto  ha%ing  six 
to  ten  times  the  coloring  power  of  com- 
mon arnotto. 


Blackbird. 


Bizarre,  bi-zar'.  A  variety  of  carnation 
in  which  the  white  ground-color  is  striped 
with  two  colors,  one  darker  than  the 
other. 

Black,  blak.  The  darkest  color,  or  rather 
the  negation  of  all  color ;  the  opposite  of 
white. 

Black-art,  'art.  Necromancy;  magic; 
the  art  of  performing  feats  by  supernat- 
ural means,  derived  from  the  assistance  of 
the  powers  of  evil. 

Black-band,  'band.  The  most  valuable 
kind  of  clay-ironstone,  from  Avhich  Scotch 
iron  is  manufactured. 

Black-bird,  'herd.  The  English  name  of 
a  species  of  thrush  (the 
Turdus  Merula)  common 
throughout  Europe.  In 
America  this  name  is  giv- 
en to  the  Gracula  quisca- 
la,  or  crow  blackbird,  and 
to  the  Oriolus  phceniceus, 
or  red- winged  blackbird. 
Blackbirds  is  a  cant  term 
for  a  cargo  of  slaves. 

Black-book,  'bjik.  A  book  of  the  Ex- 
chequer in  England,  composed  in  11T5  by 
Gervais  of  Tilbury.  A  book  compiled  by 
order  of  the  visitors  of  monasteries  imd«r 
Henry  VIII.  A  book  kept  at  some  uni- 
versities as  a  register  of  misdemeanors. 
An  ancient  book  of  admiralty  compiled  in 
the  reign  of  Edward  III.  A  book  treat- 
ing of  the  black-art. 

Black-chalk,  'chak.  A  mineral  of 
slaty  texture;  a  variety  of  argillaceous 
slate.  A  preparation  of  iyory  black  and 
fine  clay. 

Bl a  ck- 
COCk,  'kok. 
An   English 
name  for  the 
heath-cock, 
the     male 
oftheba(i- 
grouse,  tLe 
Tetrao     te- 
trix,  a  gal-  ,^ 
linaceous;''     _ 
bird,      fam.  '••Wi=^^*=:^ 
Tetraonidfe.  Black-cock. 

Black-deatb,  'deth.  The  name  given  to 
an  Oriental  jilaguo  which  attacked  London 
and  England  generally  in  1663-65. 

Black-extract,  'eks-trakt.  A  prepara- 
tion from  cocculus  indicus,  imparting  an 
intoxicating  quality  to  beer. 

Black-fish,  'fish.  A  fish  of  the  mack- 
erel family  (Centrolophus  p(>mpilus) '  thd 
tautog  (Tautoga    americaha).     A  namw 


BLACK-FLUX 


110 


BLADE 


given  to  various  whales.  In  Scotland, 
foul  fish  or  fish  newly  spawned. 

Black-flux,  'fluka.  A  mixture  of  car- 
bonate of  potash  and  charcoal,  used  in 
melting  metallic  substances. 

Black-foot,  'fut.  In  Scotland,  a  match- 
maker. The  name  of  a  tribe  of  N.  Amer- 
ican Indians. 

Black-forest,  'for-est.  A  forest  in  Ger- 
many, part  of  the  ancient  Hercynian  For- 
est. 

Blackfriar,  'fri-ar.  A  friar  of  the  Do- 
minican order. 

Black-hole,  'hoi.  A  dungeon  or  dark 
cell  in  a  prison.  Associated  with  a  horri- 
ble catastrophe  which  occurred  at  Calcut- 
ta, June  18,  1750,  when  all  but  22  of  146 
Englishmen  confined  in  the  Black-hole  by 
the  Nabob  Sm-aja  Dowla  perished  from 
want  of  air. 

Black-jack,  'jak. 
A  capacious  can, 
now  made  of  tin, 
but  formerly  cf 
waxed  leather.  The 
ensign  of  a  pirate. 
A  name  given  by 
miners  to  blende. 
The  Quercus  nigra, 
or  barren  oak. 

Black-legr,  'leg. 
One  who  tries  to 
w  i  n  money  b  y 
cheating  ;  a  rook  ;"  a  welsher. 

Black-letter,  'let-er.  The  old  English 
or  modern  Gothic  letter,  introduced  into 
England  in  the  14th  century. 

Blackmail,  'mal.  A  certain  rate  an- 
ciently paid  in  the  north  of  England,  and 
in  Scotland,  to  men  alhed  to  robbers,  to  be 
protected  from  pillage  ;  levied  in  the  dis- 
tricts bordering  the  Highlands  till  the 
middle  of  the  18th  century.  Extortion  in 
any  mode  by  means  of  intimidation. 

Black-nob,  'nob.  A  workman  who  re- 
vises to  join  a  trades'  union ;  a  knob- 
stick. 

Black-pepper,  blak'pep-er.  The  dried 
unripe  fruit  of  Piper  nigrum,  ord.  Piper- 
acea». 

Black-pigment,  blak'pig-ment.  A  fine 
carbonaceous  lampblack,  used  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  printers'  ink. 
Black-pine,  'pin.  Pinus  austriaca,  oon- 
tainiji^  more  resin  than  any  other  Eu- 
ropean tree. 

Black-rod,  'rod.     In  England,  the  usher 
belonging  to  the  order  of  the  Garter. 
Black-rood,  'rod.    A  relic  brought  to 


Leathern  Black- 
jacks. 


Scotland  by  the  wife  of  Malcolm  Canmore, 
consisting  of  a  piece  of  thetr,ue  cross,  set 
in  an  ebony  figure  of  the  Saviour.  It  was 
carried  to  England  by  Edward  I.,  and  all 
trace  of  it  is  now  lost. 

Black  Sea  (The  Euxine).  The  sea 
dividing  a  large  part  of  Eastern  Europe 
and  Asia,  700  m.  long  by  380  ra.  in  breadth. 
A  third  ot  the  waters  of  Europe  are  be- 
lieved to  be  discharged  into  the  B.  S«a. 
It  is  connected  Avith  the  Sea  of  Marmor* 
by  the  liosphorus,  and  this  Avith  the 
Mediterranean  by  the  Dardanelles. 

Black-snake,  'snak.    An  ophidian  rep' 


Black-snake, 
tile,  fam.   Colubrida?,   the  Coluber   con- 
strictor.   It  has  no  poisoned  fangs.    The 
black-snake  of  Jamaica  is  the  Natrix  atra. 

Blackstone,  Sir  "William,  bUlk'stun. 
The  eminent  legal  authority,  b.  in  London, 
1723  ;  i>.  1780.  He  was  Judge  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas,  and  his  "Commeu' 
mentaries  on  the  Laws  of  England"  is  a 
standard  text  book  and  authority. 

Black-tea,  'tc.  A  generic  name  fo< 
Bohea,  Congou,  Pekoe,  and  Souchong. 

Black- varnish  Tree,  'var-nisn  tre. 
Melanorrhoea  usitatissima,  ord.  An.icardi' 
acea?,  Avhich  jields  a  poisonous  black  var 
nish,  called  theet-see  or  kheu.  The  Avood 
is  knoAvn  as  the  lignum-Adt«. 

Black- vomit,  'vom-it.  A  discharge  from 
the  stomach  of  substances  of  a  black  ap^ 
pearance,  as  in  yellow  fever,  &c. 

Black-'wadd,  'Avod.  An  ore  of  man^ 
ganese  used  as  a  drjing  ingredient  in 
paints. 

Black-walnut,  'Aval-nut.  The  Juglans 
nigra,  the  Avood  of  Av'hich  forms  a  beauti- 
ful material  for  cabinet-Avork. 

Bladder,  blad'er.  A  thin  membranoug 
bag  in  animals,  AA'hich  serves  as  the  re- 
ceptacle of  %ome  secreted  fluid ;  the  urin- 
ary bladder. 

Blade,  blad.  The  leaf,  stalk  or  spine  of 
gramineous  plants.  The  lamina  or  broad 
part  of  a  leaf.  A  thing  resembling  thj 
cxitting  pai't  of  an  instrument.  The  broa<l 
pai-t  of  an  oar.    A  commercial  namo  for 


BLADE-SMITH 


111 


BLOCK 


the  large  plates  of  the  cai*apace  of  the 
turtle. 
Blade-smitll,  'smith.    A  sword  cutler. 
Blanchimeter,    blan-shim'et-er.       An 
instrument  for  measuring  the  bleaching 
power  of  oxj-muriate  of  lime  and  potash. 
Blanc-mang-e,     bla-manzh.       Prejjara- 
tious  of  the  consistehc}'-  of  jelly,  composed 
of  isinglass,   arrow-root,  flour,  «fec.,  ■with 
milk  and  flavoring  substances. 
Blanket,  blang'ket.    A  soft  cloth  of  wool, 
used  for  beds,  for  covering  horses,  &c. 
In  printing,  woolen  cloth  to  lay  between 
the  tympans  or  on  cylinders.     In  cloth- 
printing,  the  cover  of  the  printing  table. 
Blanquette,  blan-ket.    A  white  fricas- 
see ;  also  a  minced  dish.    A  crude  soda, 
obUiiued  by  the  incineration  of  Salsola 
Tragus  and  S.  Kali. 
Blapsidsd,  blaps'i-de.    A  fam.  of  noctm*- 
nal  black  beetles.  Biaps  sulcata,  dressed 
■with  butter,  is  eaten  by  Egyptian  Avomen 
to  make  them  grow  fat 
Blase,  bla-za.    Lost  to  the  power  of  en- 
joyment ;  having  the  healthy  energies  ex- 
hausted. 

BlaspliemY,  blas'fem-i.  An  indignity 
offered  to  God  by  words  or  ■writing.  In 
E.  G.  countries,  speaking  disrespectfully 
of  the  Virgin  Mary  or  the  saints  is  held  to 
be  blasphemy. 
Blast-furnace, 
blast'fer-nas.  The 
common  smelting- 
fiirnace  used  for  ob- 
taining iron  from  its 
ores.  The  exterior 
consists  of  massive 
masonry,  the  body 
part  being  lined  >nth 
t^ivo  shells  sepai'ated 
to  allow  for  ex- 
pansion, generally 
filled  with  sand,  to 
hinder  the  radiation 
of  the  beat.  The 
charging  of  the  fur- 
nace goes  on  day  and 

night,  a  charge  con-   

sisting  of  a  barrow  Section     of   Blast- 
of  ooal  and  one  of  ore,  furnace, 

char  and  lime,  the 
last  acting  as  a  flux.  The  molten  metal  Is 
dra'vvn  off  at  stated  periods,  the  furnace 
being  kept  fiUed.  The  ore  takes  about  36 
hours  before  it  comes  out  as  u-on. 
^l^e,  blaz.  Flame  ;  the  stream  of  light 
and  heat  from  any  bodv  M-hen  burning. 
Bnlhant  sunlight ;  effulgence.  A  white 
6pot  on  the  forehead  of  a  horse  or  ether 


quadruped.     A  spot  made  on  a  tree  by 
removing  the  bark  with  a  hatchet. 
Blazing-star,  'ing-star.    A  comet.    A 
plant,   the  Aletiis  farinosa,  called  also  in 
America,  Devil's  Bit. 
Blazonry,  'zn-ri.    The  art  of  describing 
coats-of-arms  in  proper  heraldic  terms. 
Bleaching-,  blech'ing.    The  act  or  art  of 
freeing  textile  fibers  and  fabrics  from  their 
natural  color,  and  rendering  them  white. 
Bleaching-po-wder,  biech'ing-pou-der. 
Chloride     of    lime   made   by    exposing 
slaked  lime  to  the  action  of  chlorine. 
Bleek-boc,  blak'bok.     The  Scopophorus 
Curebi,  the  pale-buck  of   South  Africa, 
one  of  the  Antilopidse. 
Blend,  blend.     A  mixture ;  specifically, 
mixtm-e  of  spirits  from  different  distifler- 
ies. 

Blende,  blend.  An  ore  of  zinc;  called 
also  Mock-lead,  False  Galena  and  Black- 
jack. Also  employed  in  compound  terms, 
as  manganese-blende,  zino-blendc,  ruby- 
blende. 

Blenheim,  blen'em.    A  breed  of  span- 
iels, preserved  at  Blenheim  Palace  in  Ox- 
fordshire, England,  since  the  beginning 
of  the  ISth  century. 
Ble"Wits,  blu'its.    Agaricus  i>ersonatus, 

a  pm-plish  mushroom. 
Blind-beetle,    bllnd'be-tl.      The    cock- 
chafer, so  called  from  flying  as  if  blind ;  a 
small  beetle  also  destitute  of  eyes. 
Blind-fish,     'fish.      The    Amblyopsis 
spelu-iLS,  fam.   Heteropygidse,  inhabiting 
the  Mammoth  Cave  of  Kentucky. 
Blindman's-bufT,  'manz-buf.    A  play 
in  which  one  person  Is  blind-folded  and 
tries  to  catch  some  other  of  the  company. 
Blind-shell,  'shel.    A  bomb-shell  which 
has  fallen  without  exploding ;  or  one  used 
at  niglit  to  indicate  the  range. 
Blind-tooling,  'tol-ing.    In  book-bind- 
ing, the  impressions  of  heated  tools  upon 
leather. 
Blister-steel,  blis'ter-stel.      Steel    bars 
covered  with  blisters,  from  the  expansion 
of  bubbles  of  air,  used  for  welding  to  u-on 
for  certain  pieces  of  mechanism,  but  not 
for  making  edge-tools. 
Block,  blok.    Any  solid  mass  of  matter, 
■with  one  or  more  plane  faces.    The  mass 
of  wood  on  which  criminals  lay  their  necks 
when  beheaded.    A  mechanical  conti-iv- 
ance  to  transmit  power  or  change  the 
direction  of  motion.    Blocks  are  single, 
double,  treble  or  four-fold.    A  comiected 
mass  of  buUdings.    A  portion  of  a  city 
inclosed  by  streets.    A  mold  or  piece  on 


BLOCKADE 


112 


BLOUSE 


Trliich  something  is  shaped.  A  piece  of 
wood  on  which  an  engraving  is  cnt;  a 
piece  fitted  into  the  angle  formed  by  the 
meeting  edges  of  two  pieces  of  wood,  &c. 

Blockade  -ad'.  The  shutting  up  of  a 
place  by  surrounding  it  with  hostile  troops 
or  ships. 

Blockade-runner,  'run-er.  A  vessel 
engaged  in  running  a  blockade.  A  per- 
son engaged  in  blockade-running. 

Block-house,  blok'hous.  An  edifice 
supplied  with  loop-holes  for  musketry  and 
Bometirnes  with  embrasures  for  cannon ; 
when  of  more  than  one  story  the  upper 
ones  overhang,  so  that  a  perpendiculai- 
fire  can  be  directed  against  the  enemy. 

Block-system,  'sis-tem.  In  Hall,  a  sys- 
tem of  working  the  traffic  according  to 
which  the  line  is  divided  into  sections 
with  a  signal  and  telegraphic  connection 
at  the  end  of  each  section,  no  train  being 
allowed  to  enter  upon  any  one  section  till 
it  is  signaled  clear. 

Blomary,  blom'a-ri.  The  first  forge 
through  which  iron  passes  after  it  is 
melted  from  the  ore. 

Blonde,  blond.  A  person  of  fair  com- 
plexion, with  light  hau:  and  blue  eyes. 

Blond-lace,  'lils.  Lace  made  originally 
of  unbleached  silk,  now  of  white,  black  or 
colored  silk.     Also  a  kind  of  thread  lace. 

Blond-metal,  'mot-al.  A  variety  of 
clay  ironstone  of  the  coal-measures. 

Blood,  blud.  The  fluid  which  circulates 
through  the  arteries  and  veins  of  the  hu- 
man body  and  animals,  essential  to  the 
preservation  of  life  and  nutrition  of  the 
tissues.  The  specific  gravity  of  human 
blood  varies  from  1.0i5  to  1.075,  and  its 
normal  temperature  is  99°  Fahr.  B. 
corpuscles  or  globules,  red  and  white 
"bodies  floating  in  the  serum  of  blood ; 
the  red  ones  give  color  to  the  blood 
and  are  flat  disks,  oval  in  birds  and  rep- 
tiles, and  round  in  man  and  most  mam- 
mals. The  white  corpuscles  are  the  same 
as  the  lymph  or  chyle  corpuscles.  The 
color  of  the  red  corpuscles  is  due  to  glo- 
bulin and  hematin.  The  word  blood  is 
■used  to  designate  relationship  by  descent 
from' a  common  ancestor;  consanguinity. 
The  blood,  the  royal  family  or  lineage. 
Also  applied  to  horses  and  other  animals 
of  known  and  distinguished  strains. 

Blood-baptism,  'bap-tizm.  A  term 
apphed  by  the  primitive  Christians  to  the 
martyrdom  of  those  who  had  not  been 
baptized,  regarded  as  a  full  substitute  for 
literal  baptism. 

Blood-heat,  'hot.    A    degree    of  heat 


equal  to  that  of  human  blood,  marked  on 
thermometers  as  98°. 

Blood-horse,  'hors.  A  breed  derived 
from  a  cross  with  the  Arabian  horse. 

Blood-hound,  'hound.  A  dog  remark- 
able for  the  acuteness  of  its  scent,  and 


Blood-hound, 
employed  to  recover  wounded  game  or 
prey.      In    former    times    blood-hounds 
were  trained  to  hunt  fugitive  slaves. 

Blood-rain,  'ran.  Bed  showers  former- 
ly supposed  to  come  fi-om  the  clouds,  but 
now  known  to  result  from  a  unicellular 
alga,  Prototoccus  nivalis  or  red  snow. 
Also  a  fermentation  fungus  consisting  <A 
minute  ovaJ  cells,  Palmella  X'ro<ligiosa. 

Blood-spavin,  'si>av-in.  A  tlilatation 
of  the  vein  on  the  inside  of  the  hock  of  a 
horse. 

Bloodstone,  'ston.  A  stone  imagined 
to  be  a  preventive  of  bleeding  at  the  nose. 
Eed  hematite.  A  species  of  heliotrope 
dotted  with  spots  of  jasper. 

Blood-vessel,  'ves-sel.  Any  vessel  in 
which  blood  circulates  in  an  animal  body  ; 
an  artery  or  a  vein. 

Bloom,  blom.  A  blossom  ;  an  expanded 
bud.  The  act  or  state  of  blossoming. 
The  dehcato  rose  hue  on  the  cheek  indic- 
ative of  health ;  a  flush.  The  beautiful 
powdery  appearance  on  coins,  medals. 
and  the  like,  Avhen  newly  struck.  The 
fawn-colored  deposit  from  the  tanning 
liquor  on  the  surface  of  leather. 

Bloom.  A  lump  of  puddled  iron,  which 
leaves  the  furnace  in  a  rough  state. 

Bloomer,  'er.  A  woman  who  assumes 
the  dress  and  principles  adopted  by  Mrs. 
Bloomer.  A  semi-male  costume  for 
women. 

Blossom,  blos'som.  The  flower  of  a 
plant.  The  color  of  a  horse  that  has  white 
intermixed  with  sorrel  and  bay  hairs. 

Blotting--paper,  blot'ing-pa-per.     Pa- 

Ser  without  size,  serving  to  imbibe  Buper- 
uous  ink. 

Blouse,  blouz.    A  loose  upper  garment 


BLOWEN 


118 


BLUNDERBUSS 


w  orn  by  m«n.  A  similar  dress  worn  by 
children. 

Blowen,  blo'en.  A  sho^y,  flaunting  fe- 
male ;  a  prostitute. 

Blower,  'er.  One  who  blows  ;  one  pm- 
ployed  in  a  blowing-house  for  smelting 
tin.  A  metal  plate  used  to  increase 
the  current  of  air  in  a  chimney  by  being 
placed  m  front  of  a  fire.  In  mining,  a  jet 
of  carbureted  hvdrogen  emitted  from  a 
fissure  in  a  coal-mine.  A  machine  for 
producing  a  blast.  A  name  for  a  whale, 
from  its  spouting  up  water. 

Blow-hole,  'hoi.  The  nostril  of  a  ceta- 
cean. A  hole  in  the  ice  to  which  whales 
and  seals  come  to  breathe. 

Blow-pipe,  'pip.  An  instrument  by 
which  a  current  of  air  or  gas  is  driven 
through  a  flame  directed  upon  a  mineral 
substance,  to  fuse  or  vitrify  it.  The  most 
powerful  is  the  oxyhydrogen,   the  heat 

Sroduced  being  such  as  to  consume  the 
iamond  and  to  dissipate  most  known 
substances.  A  tube  by  which  poisonous 
arrows  are  blown  by  the  breath. 

Blow-tube,  'tub.  A  hollow  iron  rod, 
with  which  the  glass-blower  gpathers  up 
the  fluid  metal  from  the  pot. 

Blubber,  blub'er.  A  bubble.  The  fat 
of  sea  animals  from  which  train-oil  is  ob- 
tained. A  gelatinous  substance ;  hence 
the  sea-nettle  ;  a  medusa. 

Blucher,  bluch'er.  A  strong  leather 
half  boot  or  high  shoe. 

Blucher,  Lebrecht  von,  bloo'kair.  A 
dashing  Prussian  general,  whose  strategy 
in  deceiving  Marshal  Grouchy  and  forced 
march  against  Napoleon's  flank  at  "Water- 
loo decided  the  battle  and  the  fate  of  the 
French  emperor ;  b.  1742,  d.  1819. 

Bludireon,  bluj'on.  A  short  loaded 
stick  used  as  an  oftenslve  weapon. 

Blue,  bia.  One  of  the  seven  colors  into 
which  the  rays  of  light  divide  themselves; 
the  color  of  the  clear  sky  or  deep  sea.  A 
dye  or  pigment  of  this  hue.  The  sky  ; 
the  atmosphere,  from  its  blue  tinge.  A 
term  apphed  to  a  pedantic,  literary  female, 
The  name  of  the  British  Itoyal  Horse 
Guards,  or  Oxford  Blues,  raised  in  16G1. 

Blue-bird,  'herd.  A  small  dentirostral, 
insessorial  bird,  the  Erythaca,  or  Sialia 
"Wilsoni. 

Blue-black,  'blak.  Ivory -black ;  a  color 
resembling  ivory -black. 

Blue-blood,  'blud.  Aristocratic  blood  ; 
blood  flowing  in  the  veins  of  old  famiUes. 

Blue-bonnet,  'bon-net.  The  blue  tit- 
mouse. A  name  givan  to  the  soldiery  of 
Scotland,  when  it  was  a  separate  kingdom. 


Blue-book,  'buk.  Reports  and  other 
papers,  printed  by  order  of  Parliament, 
or  issued  by  departments  of  the  British 
government.  In  the  U.  S.,  a  book  con- 
taining the  names  of  all  civil  employes  ol 
the  government. 

Blue-breast,  'brest.  The  blue-throated 
red-start  (Phoenicura  Suecica),  a  dentiros- 
ti-al,  insessorial  bird,  fam.  Turdid«. 

Blue-cat,  'kat.  A  Siberian  cat,  valued 
for  its  fur. 

Blue  Copper-ore,  'kop-er-6r.  Finely 
crystalhzed  subcarbonate  of  copper. 

Blue-devils,  'dev-ilz.  A  slang  phrase 
for  hypochondria,  or  lowness  of  spirits. 
Also  ajjplied  to  delirium  tremens. 

Blue-gown.,  'goun.  One  of  an  order 
of  paupers  in  Scotland,  called  also  the 
King's  Bedesmen,  to  whom  the  kings  an- 
nually distributed  alms.  The  practice  waa 
discontinued  in  1S33. 

Blue-grass,  'gi-as.  Wire-grass,  a  per- 
ennial (Poa  compressa). 

Blue-jack,  Blue-john,  'jak,  'jon. 
Fluor-spar,  fabricated  into  vases  and  other 
ornaments. 

Blue-jacket,  'jak-et.     A  sailor. 

Blue-light,  'lit.  A  composition  used  as 
a  night-signal. 

Blue-OCher,  '6-ker.  A  mineral  color ;  a 
sub-phosphate  of  iron. 

Blue-ointment,  'oint-ment.  Mercurial 
ointment. 

Blue-peter,  'pG-ter,  A  blue  flag  having 
a  white  square  in  the  center,  used  as  a 
naval  signal. 

Blue-ribbon,  'rib-on.  The  ribbon  em- 
broidered witli  gold  worn  by  members  of 
the  order  of  the  Garter.  A  member  of 
the  Garter.  The  badge  of  a  body  of  total 
abstainers,  called  the  Blue  Ribbon  army, 
instituted  by  Fi-ancis  Murphy  ;  it  is  in  the 
form  of  a  knot  worn  on  the  left  breast  of 
a  male,  or  at  the  neck  of  a  female  mem- 
ber. 

Blue-stockingr,  'stok-ing.  A  literary 
lady  ;  applied  usually  with  the  imputation 
of  pedantry. 

Blue-stone,  'ston.  Sulphate  of  copper. 
A  basaltic  lava  covering  gold-bearing 
gravels  of  the  later  tertiary  periods  in 
Australia. 

Blunderbuss,    blun'der-bus.    A  short 


Blunderbuss, 
fire-arm  with  a  lai-ge  bore,  Intended  to  d« 


BLUFF 


114 


BOG-TROTTEE 


execution  at  a  limited  range  without  ex- 
act aim. 

Bluff,  "bluf.  A  high  bank,  almost  perpen- 
dicular, especially  one  overhanging  water. 

Blunger,  blunj'er.  A  machine  used  in 
potteries  for  mixing  clay. 

Boa,  bo'a.  A  gen.  of, 
the  largest  ophidian  rep 
tiles,  fam.  Boida?.  li 
includes  the  constrictor. 
Though  destitute  of  ve- 
nom, the  boas  have  im- 
mense muscular  power, 
which  renders  them 
terrible.  An  article  of 
ladies'  dress  for  the 
neck,  made  of  fur. 

Boabdil,   Abu    Ab- 
dallah.     Mobam- 
med,    bo'ab-dil.      (El 
chico.)    The  last  Moor-  Boa  Constrictor, 
ish    king    of  Grenada ; 
B.  1454 ;  s.  to  the  throne,  1482 ;  defeated 
and  dethroned  by  Ferdinand  of  Aragon 
1490 ;  D.  in  Africa  1498. 
Boanerges,  bo-a-nerMez.    Sons  of  Thun- 
der, a  name  given  by  Jesus  Christ  to  his 
two  disciples  James  and  John.  Sometimes 
applied  to  a  loud,  powerful  preacher. 
Boar,  bor.     The  male  of  swine  not  cas- 
trated.   Wild  boar  (Sus  scrofa),  an  ungu- 
late or  hoofed  mammal,  fam.   Suldse,  the 
original  of  the  hog  kind.     In   Her.   the 
wild  boar  and  its  head  are  used  as  a  com- 
mon bearing  in  coat  armor. 
Boardingr-pike,  bord'ing-plk.  A  weap- 
on used  by  sailors  in  boarding  an  enemy's 
ship. 

Board-rule,  bord'rol.  A  scale  for  find- 
ing the  number  of  square  feet  in  a  board 
without  calculation. 

Boat,  bot.  A  small  open  water  craft, 
usually  moved  by  oars.  The  boats  be- 
longing to  a  ship-of-war  number  eight ; 
to  a  merchant  vessel,  six.  Every  passen- 
ger ship  is  required  to  carry  a  number  of 
boats,  varying  with  its  tonnage.  Any 
sailing  vessel. 

Boat-bill,  'bil.    A  bird  of  the  gen.  Can- 
croma,  fam.  Ardeidaj  or  herons. 
Boat-Jly,  'fli.    An  aquatic  hemipterous 
insect,  gen.  Notonccta. 
Boatswain,  'swan  or  bo'sn.    An  officer 
of  a  ship  who  has  charge  of  the  equip- 
ment.    His  office  is  also  to  summon  the 
crew  to  their  duty.    Boatswain's  mate, 
the  assistant  of  the' boatswain. 
Boat-tails,  'tiilz.    A  sub-fam.  of  Ameri- 
can birds,  lam,  Sturnidaj,  the  Quiscalinaj. 


Bobbin,    bob'tn.     A    reel    for  holding 

thread.    Round  tape. 
Bobbinet,  -in-et'.    A cottonnet imitated 

from  lace  made  by  a  pillow  and  bobbins. 
Bobolink,    'o-lingk.    The    Dolichon}rx 

oryzivorus,  a  conirostral  passerine  bhd, 

fam.  Icterida;;  the  rice  or  reed  bird. 
Bob- white,  'whit.    The  Odontophorus 

Virginianus,  or  American  partridge. 
Boccaccio,  Giovanni,    bok-kaht'cho. 

The  celebrated  Itahan  novehst,  author  ol 

the  "Decameron  ;"  b.  in  Paris,  1313  :  i>. 

1375.     He  was  the  friend  of  Petrarch,  and 

was  the  first  to  bring  copies  of  the  Iliad 

and  Odyssey  from  Greece  to  Naples. 
Bocconia,  bok-ko'ni-a.    A  gen.  of  plants, 

ord.  Papaveraceae. 
Bodice,     bod'is.    A    waistcoat    quilted 

with  whalebone,  worn  by  women  ;  stays ; 

a  corset. 
Bodkin,  'kin.     An  Instrument   with  a 

sharp  potat  for  making  holes  by  piercing, 

A  like  instrument  with  an  eye,  for  draw- 
ing thread,  tape  or  ribbon  through  a  loop, 
«&c.  A  printer's  tool  for  picking  letters 
out  of  a  column  or  page  in  correcting. 

Bodle,  bo'dl.  A  copper  coin  formerly 
current  in  Scotland,  of  the  value  of  two 
pennies  Scots,  or  the  sixth  pai-t  of  an  En- 
glish penny. 

Bodleian,  bod'le-an.  Of  or  pertaining  to 
Sir  Thomas  Bodley,  who  restored  tho 
public  library  of  Oxford  University  in 
1597. 

Body-politic,  bo'di-pol'i-tik.  The  col- 
lective body  of  a  nation. 

Body-snatcher,  -snach-er.  One  who 
secretly  disinters  the  bodies  of  tho  dedd 
for  the  purpose  of  dissection  ;  a  resurrec- 
tionist. 

Boer,  bor.  A  Dutch  colonist  of  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope  engaged  In  agriculture. 

Bog,  bog.  A  piece  of  wet,  spongy 
ground,  composed  mainly  of  decayed 
vegetable  matter ;  a  piece  where  peat  is 
found. 

Bog  Iron-ore,  'I-ern-6r.  A  porous  earthy 
ore  of  iron  found  in  bogs,  swamps  and 
lakes,  occasionally  in  such  quantities  as  to 
be  of  industrial  importance. 

Bogr-oak,  'ok.  Trunks  and  branches  of 
oak  preserved  by  the  antiseptic  properties 
of  peat  for  many  ages.  A  plant,  the 
Quercus  palustris. 

Bogota.  Cap.  of  the  United  States  of 
Colombia,  S.  America;  pop.  about42,000. 

Bogr-trotter,  -trot-er.  One  who  trots 
over  bogs,  or  lives  among  bogs  ;  a  con^ 
temptuous  appellation  given  to  the  Irish 
peasantry. 


BOGUS 


115 


BOMBYX 


I  Bogns,  bo'gus.  Counterfeit ;  originally 
8  applied  to  counterfeit  bills,  notes,  «fcc.,  but 
E  now  to  any  spurious  object. 
I  Bohea,  -he'.  An  inferior  kind  of  black 
p  tea.  Sometimes  applied  to  black  teas  in 
I      general. 

y   Boliemia,  bo-hc'mi-ali.      A  division  of 
I     Austria,   formerly  an  independent  king- 
»      doiu;  area  20,000  sq.  m.;  pop.  5,347,000. 
f      Cap.    Prague.    One  of  the  titles  of  the 
I      Emperor  of  Austria  is  King  of  Bohemia, 
j    Bohemian,  bo-he'mi-an.     A  native  of 
Bohemia.    The    native    tongue   of    Bo- 
hemia, a  member  of  the  Sclavonic  fam- 
I      ily  of  Aryan  tongues.    An  artist  or  liter- 
j      ary  man  who  leads  a  free,  often  dissipat- 
i      ed  live,  despising  conventionalities  gener- 
ally. 
Boiar,  Boyar,  boi'ar.      A  member  of 
a  peculiar  order  of  the  old  Russian  aris- 
tocracy next  in  rank  to  the  ruling  princes, 
abolished  by  Peter  the  Great,  who  gave  its 
members  a  place  in  the  Russian  nobility. 
Boil,  boil.      An  inflamed  and  painful  sup- 
purating tumor ;  a  furuncle. 
Boiler, 'er.    A  person  who  boils.    A  ves- 
sel in  which  anything  is  boiled.    A  strong 
metallic  vessel,  usually  of  wrought-iron 
plates  riveted  together,  in  which  steam  is 
generated  for  driving  engines  or  other  pur- 
poses. 
Bokhara,  bok-hah'rah.    One  of  the  di- 
visions of  Independent  Turkistan,  Asia ; 
area  135.000  sq.   m.;  pop.  abt.  2,400,000, 
Cap.  Bokhara,  a  rich  commercial  center, 
noted  as  a  seat  of  Mohammedan  culture. 
Bola,  bo'la.    A  stone  or  iron  ball  attached 
to  the  end  of  a  line  or  cord,  used  as  a 
weapon  by  tribes  of  S.  America. 
Bole,   bol.    In  Geol.    any  friable  clayey 
shale  or  earth  used  as  a  pigment.   In  Min- 
eral, an  amorphous  earthy  hydrous  bisih- 
cate  of  alumina,  with  iron  peroxides  in  va- 
rious proportions,  and  with  a  little  magne- 
sia when  soapy  or  greasy  ;  probably  an  al- 
tered felspathic  or  aluminous  mineral. 
Boleyn,  Anne,  bul'lon.    Second  wife  of 
Henry  VIII.,  of  England,  and  mother  of 
the   celebrated  Queen    ElizabetV..      She 
married  the  king  after  his  divorce  from 
Catherine  of  Aragon,  against  the  vigorous 
j.'rotest  of  the  Pope,  and  this  marriage 
was  the  cause  of  the  separation  of  the 
English  Church  from  that  of  Rome.     She 
onj(»yed    royal   honors  only  four  years, 
Avhon  the  king  charged hor^Wth  infidelity, 
and  she  was  convicted  and    beheaded; 
B.  1507,  crowned  1532,  d.  1537. 
Bolide,   bo'lTd.      A    meteoric    stone    or 
aeroHtc  which  explodes  on  coming  in  con- 


tact with  our  atmosphere ;  a  fire-ball ;  a 
bolis. 

Bolivar,  Simon,  bol'e-var.  The  "Lib- 
erator "  of  S.  America  from  Spanish  rule ; 
B.  in  Caracas  17S3,  p.  1830.  He  waged 
war  against  the  Spaniards  in  ISIO,  and 
completed  the  emancipation  of  Central 
and  S.  America  in  1823.  He  Avas  Presi- 
dent of  Colombia  t\\ice,  and  Dictator  of 
Peru,  voluntarily  relinquishing  power. 

Bolivia,  bo-liv'e-ah.  A  republic  of  S. 
America,  N.  and  W.  of  Brazil ;  area,  842,- 
730  sq.  m.;  pop.  about 3,400,000  ;  cap.  Chu- 
quisaca.  Aboutthree-fourthsof  the  inhab- 
itants are  Indians,  It  was  named  in  honor 
of  Simon  Bolivar,  who  drew  its  original 
constitution  in  1826.  Also  called  Upper 
Peru. 

BoUandists,  bol'land-ists.  Jesuit  writ- 
ers who  published,  imder  the  title  of  Acta 
Sanctorum,  the  well-known  collection  of 
the  traditions  of  the  saints  of  the  R.  C, 
Church. 

Bologma-phial,  bo-lo'nya-fl-al.  A 
small  phial  of  unannealed  glass,  which 
flies  in  pieces  when  its  surface  is  scratched 
by  a  hard  body,  whereas  a  lead  bullet  may 
be  dropped  into  it  without  causing  injury, 

Bolog'na,  bo-lo'nya.  One  of  the  princi- 
pal interior  Italian  cities,  prov.  of  Emilia, 
famous  for  centuries  as  a  seat  of  art  and 
education ;  pop.  102,470. 

Bolor-Tag-h,  bo-lur-tiih.  The  great 
mountain  range  of  0.  Asia,  defining  the 
"W.  boundaries  of  China.    Some  peaks  are 

20,000  feet  above  sea  level. 

Boltant,  Bolting:,  bolt'ant,  bolt'ing  In 
Her.  terms  applicable  to  the  general  posi- 
tion of  hares  and  rabbits  on  coat  armor, 

and  imply  springing  forward. 

Bomb,  bom.    A  destructive 

projectile,  consisting  of  a  hol- 
low shell  of  cast-iron,  filled/ 

with  explosive  materials,  firedl 

from  a  mortar,  and  explodedl 

by  a   fuse,  which  is  ignited^ 

by  the  discharge.    Bombs  are 

now  commonly  termed  shells, 

though  the  latter  has  a  wider 

meaning.      In  Geol.  a  block    of   scorijo 

ejected  from  the  crater  of  a  volcano. 
Bombardier-beetle,   bom-bar-der'be- 

tl.    A  coleopterous  insect,  fam.  Carabidae, 

genera  Brachinus  and  Aptlnus.      They 

possess  a  remarkable  power  of  expelling 

a  pungent,  acrid  fluid,  accompanied  by  a 

smart  report. 
Bombyx,  'biks.    A  gen.  of  Lepidopter- 

ous  insects,  typo  of  a  fam.  (Bombycida-) 

including  many  genera  of  moths.     The 


Bomb. 


BOMBARDON 


116 


BOOK 


caterpillar  of  the  B.  mori  is  tlie  well-known 
silkAvorin. 

Bombardon,  'don.  A 
large-sized  musicul  in- 
strument of  the  trum- 
jjet  kind,  in  tone  not 
unlike  the  ophicloide. 
Bombasin,  Bom- 
bazine, -ba-zen'.  A 
twilled  fabric,  of  which 
the  warp  Is  silk  and  the 
weft  worsted.  An  in- 
ferior kind  is  made  of 
cotton  and  worsted. 

Bombay,  bom-bii'.  A 
division  of  India,  the  _, 
first  occupied  by  the  Bombardon. 
British ;  area,  142,043  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt. 
1,400,000.  Cap.  Bombay,  on  the  Arabian 
Sea,  is  the  principal  commercial  empori- 
um of  the  E.  Indies,  Avith  an  excellent 
harbor,  but  has  few  superior  buildingrs  : 
pop.  967,4;35. 

Bonaparte,  bo'nah-part.  The  family 
name  of  Napoleon  I.  and  III.,  emperors  of 
France,  founded  by  C^rlo  Bonaparte,  a 
laAvyerofthe  island  of  Corsica,  b.  1746, 
i>.  1785,  and  Letitia  Eamolino,  his  wife. 
They  had  5  sons  and  3  daughters,  the  old- 
est son  being  Joseph,  King  of  Spain,  and 
the  second  Napoleon  I.,  Emperor  of 
France,  and  conqueror  ofnearly  the  whole 
of  Europe. 

Bone,  bon.  An  integral  portion  of  the 
skeleton  of  an  animal ;  the  substance  of 
which  the  skeleton  of  vertebrate  animals 
is  composed. 

Bone-black,  'blak.  Animal  charcoal, 
the  carbonaceous  substance  into  which 
bones  are  converted  by  calcination. 

Bone-breccia,  'bre-chi-a.  A  conglom- 
erate of  fragments  of  bones  and  lime- 
stone, cemented  into  a  rock  by  a  red  cal- 
careous concretion,  and  found  in  later 
tertiary  bono  caverns. 

Bonheur,  Bosa,  bon-her'.  A  distin- 
guished female  painter,  whose  animals 
are  unexcelled ;  b.  at  Bordeaux,  France, 
1S22. 

Boniface,  bon'i-fas.  The  name  of  nine 
popes.  B.  I.s.  Zozimus,  418,  d.422.  B. 
VII.  usurped  the  papacy  on  the  death  of 
Benedict  YI.,  974 ;  was  deposed,  but 
again  seized  the  power  on  the  death  of 
John  XIV.,  dying  suddenly  shortly  after- 
ward, 984.  B.  VIII.  s.  Celestine  V.,  1294. 
Having  pi-ovoked  Philip  the  Fair,  King  of 
France,  by  an  interdict,  the  latter  invaded 
Italy,  and  took  the  pope  prisoner ;  he  Avas 
rescued,  but  died  within  a  few  months, 


Bonito,   bo-nC'to.      A   name  of  several   j 
acanthopterygious  fishes,  fam.   Scomber*    | 
idas.     One  of  these  is  Thynnus  pelamys, 
the  striped-belhed  tunny. 

Bonnet,   bon'net.      A  covering  for  the    ; 
head  Avorn  by  men  ;  a  cap.     A  covering 
for  the    head    AA'orn    by    women.       In    . 
Fort,  a  small  AA^ork  Avith  tAvo  faces,  having 
only  a  parapet  Avith  two  roAvs  of    pali- 
sades, communicating  Avith  tlie  covered 
Avay.     An  additional  part  laced  to  the  foot 
of  a  sail.     A  cast-iron  plate  to  cover  tho 
A'alve  chambers  of  a  pump.    A  frame  of    , 
AAire-netting  over  the  chimney  of  a  loco-    i 
motive  engine.  A  cover  of  iron-plate  over    ' 
the  head  of  a  miner.    A  wind-cap  for  a 
chimney. 

Bonnet-piece,  -pes.  A  gold  coin  of 
James  V.  of  Scotland,  the  king's  head  on 
Avhich  Avears  a  bonnet. 

Bonnet-rougre,  -ne-r6zh.  A  red  repub- 
lican :  so  named  because  a  red  cap  was  as- 
sumed as  a  distinguishing  mark  by  the 
leaders  of  the  first  French  revolution. 

Bonspiel,  'spel.  A  match  between  tAvo 
parties,  as  tAvo  parishes,  at  archery,  golf, 
curling  on  the  ice,  &c. ;  generally  appUed 
to  the  last  mentioned. 

Bon-ton, -tong.  The  style  of  ptersons  in 
high  life  ;  high  mode  or  fashion  ;  fashiona- 
ble society. 

Bonze,  bonz.  The  European  for  a  priest 
of  the  religion  of  Fo  or  Buddha  in  Eastern 
Asia.  They  live  in  monasteries  in  a  state 
of  celibacy.  There  are  also  female  bonzes, 
Avhose  position  7S  analogous  to  that  of 
nuns. 

Boomerang:,  boom'e-rang.  A  missile  in- 
strument used  by  the  Australian  aborig- 
ines. It  is  of  hard  wood,  and  the  shape 
is  a  parabola.  One  side  is  flat,  the  other 
rounded,  and  it  has  a  blunt  edge.  It  is 
throAvn  directly  ouAvard,  but  instead  of 
going  forward  and  falling  to  the  earth  it 
sloAvly 
cends  in  the 
air  till  it 
r  e  a  c  hes  a 
considerable 
height,  when'' 
it  begins  to 
ret  rograde.  Boomerangs, 

and     finally 

falls  near  the  thrower.  A  similar  instru- 
ment Avas  knoAvn  to  the  ancient  Egyi^tians 
and  Assyrians. 

Book,  buk.  A  number  of  sheets  of  paper 
or  other  material  bound  together  on  edge, 

blank,  AA^ritten,  or  printed  ;  a  A^olume.  A 
literary  composition,  written  or  printed. 
Specifically,  the  Bible.    A  particular  pari 


BOONE 


117 


BOET 


The  Boot. 


of  a  literary  composition.  That  which 
gometimes  is  enrolled  or  preserved,  a  reg- 
ister or  record.  A  volume  in  which  ac- 
counts nro  kept.  An  arrangement  of  bets 
recorded  in  a  book.  In  whist,  the  first 
six  tricks  tiiken  by  either  party. 

Sooue,  Daniel.  The  celebrated  Ken- 
tucky pioneer;  u.  in  Bucks  Co.,  Pa., 
1735,  D.  1798. 

Boot,  boot.  A  covering  for  the  leg  and 
foot,  generally  of  leather.  An  ancient  in- 
strument of  torture  fastened  on  to  the  leg, 
between  which  and  the 
boot  wedges  were  driven 
with  sucii  violence  as  to 
crush  both  muscles  and 
bones.  The  t>oot3  and 
thumb-.screw  were  the 
special  Scotch  instru-,,^-, , 
ments  of  torture.  A^^ 
covering  for  a  horse's 
foot.  A  box  at  either 
end  of  a  coach.  An  apron 
for  a  carriage  to  defend 
persons  from  rain  and 
mud. 

Bootes,  bo-o'tez.  A  northern  constella- 
tion, consistingof  54  stars.  Alpha  Bootis, 
or  Arcturus,  is  one  of  the  stars  observed 
to  have  a  proper  motion. 

Booth,  John  "Wilkes.  The  assassin  of 
President  Abraham  Lincoln,  April  14, 
1865  ;  was  shot  by  Sergeant  C-orbet,  April 
26,  dying  the  same  day.  He  was  an  actor  ; 
son  of  Junius  Brutus  Booth,  a  celebrated 
English  tragedian  ;  b.  in  Baltimore,  1S29. 

Boracite,  bo'ras-it 
A  mineral  consisting 
of  borate  and  chlo-^ 
ride  of  magnesium ; 
remarkable  for  its 
electrical  properties 
when  heated. 

Boragrinaceae,  bo- 
raj 'i-n  a"  se-G.  A  nat. 
ord.  of  monopetalous 
dicotyledons,  con- 
taining a  large  num- 
ber of  herbs  or 
shrubs.  The  borage 
may  be  taken  as  the  Common  Borage, 
type.   Alkanet,  com- 

frey  and  the  forget-me-not  belong  to  this 
family. 

Borax,  bo'raks.  Biborate  of  soda  ;  a  salt 
formed  b}'  tlie  combination  of  boracicacid 
■with  soda.  It  is  an  excellent  flux  in  as- 
saying operations,  and  used  in  soldering 
metals  and  in  making  glass  and  artificial 
gems. 

Bordeaux,  bor-do'.  The  most  important 


commercial  city  in  the  S.  of  France,  cap. 
of  dept.  of  Gironde  ;  pop.  247,690.  It  is 
situated  on  the  river  Garonne,  60  m.  from 
the  Atlantic,  and  is  connected  with  the 
Mediterranean  by  the  Canal  du  Midi. 

Bordeaux,  Henri,  Due  de.  Count 
de  Chambord,  son  of  Charles  Ferdinand, 
Due  de  Berry,  grandson  of  Charles  X. 
and  heir  to  the  throne  of  France  under  the 
title  of  Henri  Y.;  b.  in  Paris,  1S20,  d.  1883. 

Boreas.  In  Mj'th.  the  personification  of 
the  N.  wind.  The  reputed  son  of  As- 
trjpus  and  Aurora. 

Borecole,  bor'kol.  A  variety  of  Brassi- 
ca  oleracea,  a  cabbage  wth  the  leaves 
curled  or  wrinkled,  and  having  no  dispo- 
sition to  form  into  a  hard  head  :  for  win- 
ter use. 

Borgria,  bor'jah.  A  notorious  Italian 
family  of  Spanish  descent.  Alfonso  B. 
was  elected  Pope  in  1445,  as  Calixtus  III., 
and  his  son,  who  became  Alexander  VI., 
was  father  of  several  children  by  Hose 
Vanozza.  Two  of  them,  Cesaro  and  Lu- 
crezia,  are  charged  Avitli  committing  the 
most  infamous  and  bloody  crimes. 

Borneo,  bor'ue-o.  A  Malaysian  island 
in  the  Pacific,  next  to  Australia  in  size ; 
area,  300,000  sq.  m.;  pop.  8,200,000. 
Great  Britain  and  Holland  havo  largo  col- 
onies on  the  island. 

Bornite,  bor'nit.  TetradjTnite,  a  variety 
of  telluric  bismuth,  consisting  of  bismuth, 
tellurium  and  selenium.  A  valuable  ore, 
consisting  of  about  60  parts  copper,  14 
iron  and  26  sulphur. 

Boron,  bo'ron.  In  Chem.  the  character- 
istic element  contained  in  borax,  pre- 
pared by  igniting  boron  fluoride  with  po- 
tassium. Crystallized  boron  is  nearly  as 
hard  as  diamond,  and  much  less  suscept- 
ible of  oxidation. 

Boroug-h,  bur'ro.  Formerly,  a  fortified 
town  ;  a  town  or  city  in  general.  In  Eng- 
land, a  corporate  town  or  township.  If 
it  sends  representatives  to  Parliament  it 
is  a  parliamentary^  borough,  if  not,  a  mu- 
nicipal  borough,  "in  some  of  the  States, 
a  town  or  village  incorporated  with  cer- 
tain privileges. 

Borrelist,  bor'rel-ist.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Christians  in  Holland  who  reject  the  use 
of  the  sacraments,  public  prayer  and  all  ex- 
ternal worship,  but  lead  a  very  austere  life. 

Bort,  bort.  A  name  given  to  coarse  dia- 
monds useless  for  purposes  of  decoration  ; 
also  to  fragments  too  small  for  jewelrj', 
split  from  diamonds.  Both  are  reduced  to 
powder  and  used  for  grinding  and  polish' 
ing. 


BOS 


118 


BOTTLE-FISH 


Bos,  bos.  Theoxg-en.;  ruminant  quad- 
rupeds, sub-fam.  Eovidre.  The  species 
are  the  common  ox  ,'  aurochs,  or  bison  of 
Europe ;  buffalo  of  N.  America ;  i)roper 
buffalo  of  the  Eastern  continent ;  Cape 
buffalo ;  yak  of  Thibet,  &c. 

Sosa,  bo'za.  A  popular  Oriental  drink, 
made  by  boiling  miliet-seed  in  water,  and 
fermenting  the  infusion,  adding  astrin- 
gents. An  inebriating  mess  made  of  darnel 
meal,  hemp-seed  and  water.  A  prepara- 
tion of  honey  and  tamarinds. 

Bosch- vark,  bosh'vark.  The  bush-hog 
of  8.  Africa  (Choiropotamus  africanus), 
one  of  the  most  formidable  of  the  swine 
family.  Kaffirs  fear  it,  but  esteem  its 
flesh. 

Bosnia,  bos'ne-ah.  A  semi-independent 
Turkish  pashalic,  comprising  Bosnia 
proper,  Turkish  Croatia  and  Herzegovina; 
Cap.  Bosna-serai;  pop.  1,310,000.  B. 
was  put  under  Austrian  protection  in 
1878.  The  inhabitants  are  Sclavs,  but 
Mohammedans. 

Bosphorus,  bos'-fo-rus.  A  strait  or 
channel  between  two  seas.  The  strait  be- 
tween the  Sea  of  Marmora  and  the  Black 
Sea  ;  also  the  strait  of  Caffa,  connecting 
the  Sea  of  Azof  with  the  Black  Sea. 

Boss,  bos.  A  protuberant  part ;  a  pro- 
tuberant ornament  of  silver,  ivory,  or 
other  material,  on  harness,  &c.  In  Sculp, 
a  projecting  mass 
to  be  afterwards 
cut  or  carved.  In 
Arch,  an  ornament 
placed  at  the  In- 
tersection  o/ 
groins  in  vaulted 
or  flat  roofs,  fre- 
quently richly 
sculptured.  Any 
projecting  ball  or 
knot  of  foliage,  &c. 

In  Mech.  the  enlarged  part  of  a  shaft  on 
which  a  wheel  is  to  be  keyed.  A  die  used 
for  shaping  metals. 

Bossuet,  Jacques  Benig-ne,  bos'swa. 

,  A   celebrated    French    priest,   bishop  of 

Meaux;  u.  1627,  d.  1704.     He  is   said  to 

have  preached  his  first  sermon  at  the  age 

of  18. 

Bostangri,  bos-tan'jo.  A  class  of  men  in 
Turkey,  originally  the  sultan's  gardeners, 
but  now  employed  about  his  person,  num- 
bering about  600. 

Boston.  The  cap.  of  Massachusetts, 
chief  commercial  city  of  New  England, 
and  fourth  in  size  in  the  United  Sta+es  ; 
pop.  682,451. 


Boss. 


Botany,  bot'a-ni.  The  science  which 
treats  of  the  vegetable  kingdom,  deahng 
with  the  forms  of  plants,  their  structure, 
the  vital  phenomena  connected  with  them, 
their  arrangement  into  groups,  according 
to  affinities,  and  the  classification  of  these 
gi-oups  so  as  to  exhibit  their  mutual  rela- 
tions and  their  positions  in  the  vegetable 
kingdom  as  a  whole. 

Botargo,  bo-tar'go.  A  food  relish  made 
of  the  roes  of  the  mullet  or  tunny  strong- 
ly salted  after  they  have  become  putrid, 
used  en  the  Mediterranean  coast  as  an  in- 
centive to  drink. 

Botlinla,  both'nl-a.  Formerly  a  Swed- 
ish province,  but  now  divided  between 
Sweden  and  Eussia  ;  situated  N.  and  W. 
of  the  Gulf  of  Bothnia,  th8  N.  arm  of  the 
Baltic  Sea. 

Botryogen,  bo-trl'o-jon.  A  mineral, 
consisting  of  the  hydrous  sulphates  of 
protoxide  of  iron,  oxide  of  iron,  magnesia 
and  lime,  said  to  have  been  found  on 
Vesuvius. 

Botryolite,  bot'ri-o-lit.  A  variety  of 
datolite  or  borate  of  lime,  occurring  in 
raammillary  or  botryoidal  concretions,  in 
beds  of  magnetic  iron  in  gneiss,  usually 
as  a  deposit  on  calc-spar.  It  differs  from 
datolite  in  containing  two  atoms  of  water 
instead  of  one. 

Bott,  bot.  The  larvae  or  maggots  of  sev- 
eral species  of  gadfly  when  found  in  the 
intestines  of  horses,  under  the  hides  of 
oxen,  in  the  nostrils  of  sheep,  &c.  The 
botts  with  which  horses  are  troubled  are 
the  larva;  of  the  Q2st::us  equi. 

Bottle,  '1.  A  hollow  vessel  of  gk-ws, 
wood,  leather,  or  other  material,  with  a 


Ancient  Egyptian  Bottles  of  Glass. 
naiTOW  mouth,  for  holding  and  carrying 
liquors. 

Bottle-fish,  ►fish.    An  eel-like  fish,  fam. 


Bottlo-fish  in^ated. 
MurrenidiB,  gen.  Saccopharynx,  theS.  am- 
pullaceus.     The  bodj' is  captible  cf  being 
inflated  like  a  sack  or  bottl«,  beucc  th« 
name. 


BOUDOIR 


119 


BOYUN"A 


Boudoir,  bo-dwar.  A  small  room  to 
which  a  lady  may"retire  to  be  alone,  or  in 
-which  she  may  receive  her  intimate 
friends. 

Boulder,  bol'der.  A  water-worn  stone, 
too  large  to  bo  regarded  as  a  pebble.  In 
Geol.  applied  to  ice-worn  and  smoothed 
blocks  lying  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  or 
imbedded  in  the  clays  and  gravels  of  the 
drift  formation  of  the  pleistocene  period. 
Boulevard,  bol-var.  Originally,  a  bul- 
wark, or  rampart  of  a  fortification  or  forti- 
fied town.  The  name  is  now  applied  to 
any  broad  street  or  walk. 
Bouquet,  bii-ka.  A  nosegay ;  a  bnnch 
of  flowers  ;  hence,  anything  resembling  a 
bunch  of  flowers,  as  a  cluster  of  precious 
stones.  An  agreeable  aromatic  odor,  such 
as  is  perceived  on  drawing  the  cork  of  any 
of  the  finer  wines. 
Bourbon,  boor-bong.  A  distinguished 
French  family,  descended  from  Hilde- 
trand,  brother  of  the  Emperor  Charles 
Martel,  and  in  15S9,  in  the  person  of  Hen- 
ry IV.  of  Navarre,  succeeded  to  the 
throne  of  France.  They  were  finally  ex- 
pelled in  lSi8.  The  Spanish  Bourbons 
are  descendants  of  Philip  V.,  grandson  of 
Louis  IV.  of  France,  made  king  of  Spain 
in  ITOO ;  the  Italian  Bourbons  from  the 
same  ancestor,  through  Charles,  Sd  son  of 
Philip,  who  was  made  king  of  Naples  in 
1735. 

Bouri^nonist,  bor-in'yon-ist.  One  of  a 
sect  founded  by  Antoinette  Bourignon. 
who  in  1658  assumed  the  Augustine  habit, 
and  traveled  extensively.  She  maintained 
that  Christianity  does  riot  consist  in  faith 
and  practice,  but  an  inward  feeling  and 
supernatural  impulse. 
Bourran,  bor'ran.-  A  peculiarly  fierce 
snow-storm,  often  lasting  twenty  hours  at 
a  time,  on  the  Kussiau  steppes. 
Bourse,  burs.  An  exchange  ;  a  place 
where  continental  merchants  assemble 
for  general  business. 

Bovey-coal,  b»>'vi-kol.  A  tertiary  lig- 
nite or  brown  coal,  occurring  in  beds  in 
pipe-clav,  in  Devonshire,  England.  It  is 
an  inflammable  fossil,  resembling  bitu- 
minous coal. 
BovidsB,  -de.  A  sub-fam.  of  the  Cavi- 
cornia,  or  hollow-horned  quadrupeds,  con- 
sisting of  gregarious  ruminant  mammals. 
It  includes  the  arnee,  bison,  buffalo,  ox, 
musk-ox,  urus,  &c. 

Bow.  A  missile  weapon  made  of  elastic 
material,  Avith  a  string  stretched  from  end 
to  end,  on  which  an  arrow  is  made  to  rest 
endwise.    The  bow  ia  bent  by  drawing 


the  string,  which  is  suddenlv  let  go,  when 
the  bow  springs  back,  and  by  its  elastic 
force  throws  the  arrow  to  a  great  distance. 
The  use  of  the  bow  is  called  archery. 
Anything  bent  or  in  form  of  a  curve,  as 
the  rainbow.  The  part  of  a  yoke  which 
embraces  the  animal's  neck,  &c.  In  Mu- 
sic, an  instrument  by  means  of  which  the 
tone  is  produced  from  stringed  instru- 
ments. An  instrument  in  use  among 
smiths  for  turning  a  drill ;  with  turners 
for  turning  wood  ;  Avith  hatters  for  break- 
ing fur  and  wool.  In  Arch,  the  part  of  a 
building  which  projects  from  a  straight 

Bower,  bou'er.  An  anchor  carried  at  the 
bow  of  a  ship  in  constant  working  use.  A 
shelter  made  with  boughs  or  tA\inlng 
plants ;  an  arbor ;  a  shady  recess. 

Bower-bird,  -berd.  A  name  of  certain 
Australian  conirostral  birds,  Ihm.  Oriol- 
idae,  genera  Ptilonorhjoichus  and  Chalamy- 
dera,  remarkable  for  erecting  bowers, 
called  runs,  and  adorning  them  A\ith 
bright-colored  objects  ;  used  as  places  of 
resort,  but  not  as  nests. 

Bowie-knife,  bO'i-nlf.  A  knife  vnth  a 
blade  from  10  to  15  inches  long,  Avorn  as  a 
weapon  in  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Bowsprit, 
'sprit.  A 
boom  or  spar 
which  pro- 
jects over  the 
stem  of  a  ves- 
sel. Beyond 
it  projects  the 
iib-boom,  and 
beyond  that 
again  the  fly- 
ing jib-boom. 
A  standings, 
is  permanent- 
ly fixed  ;  a  running  B. 
eased  out  and  in. 

Box-wood,  boks'wud.  The  timb«r  of 
the  box-tree,  used  by  engravers  and  in 
the  manufacture  of  musical  and  mathe- 
matical instruments. 

Boyle's  Law,  boik'  la.  In  Chem.  the 
law  expressing  the  inverse  ratio  of  a  a'oI- 
ume  of  a  gas  to  the  pressure  under  which 
it  exists  at  a  given  temperature.  Called 
also  Mariotte's  law. 
Boyne,  boin.  One  of  the  principal 
rivers  of  Ireland,  celebrated  as  giving 
name  to  the  battle,  July  1,  1090,  near 
Drogheda,  in  which  the  E7iglisn  under 
William  III.  disastrously  defeated  the 
Irish  under  James  II. 
Boyuna,  boi-u'na.    A  large  serpent  of 


Bowsprit, 
one  that  can  bo 


B0ZAEEI3 


120 


BEAIN 


America,  having'  an  intolerable  smell.  A 
harmless  reptile  or  snake,  common  in 
Ceylon. 

Bozarris,  Marcus,  bo-za'ris.  A  gal- 
lant Oreek  officer,  who  was  killed  at  Mis- 
solonghi,  Aug.  18,  1S23,  in  the  war  of  in- 
dependence. 

Bracelet,  bras'let.  An  ornament  for  the 
wrist,  among  the  earliest  personal  orna- 
ments, as  seen  from  the  ancient  Egyptian 
and  Assyrian  sculptures.  A  piece  of  de- 
fensive armor  for  the  arm. 

BracMopoda.  bra-ki-op'o-da.  A  class 
of  molluscoid  animals,  including  the 
lamp-shell,  &c. 
The  principal 
genera  are  Lin- 
gula,  Terebra- 
tula  and  Ehyn- 
chonella. 

Bracket,    'et.    One  of  tho  Brachiopoda. 
A     short    sup 

porting  piece  or  combination  of  pieces, 
generally  of  a  triangular  outline,  project- 
ing from  a  perpendicular  surface.  A  tri- 
angular wooden  support  for  a  shelf  or  the 
like.  An  ornamental  piece  supporting 
a  hammer-beam.  In  Mach.  a  piece  at- 
tached to  a  wall,  beam,  &c.,  for  supporting 
a  line  of  shafting.  In  Gun.  the  cheek  of  a 
inortar  carriage.  In  printing,  one  of  two 
marks  used  to  inclose  a  reference,  explan- 
ation, &.C.;  thus,  [  J.  A  gas-pipe  projecting 
from  a  wall. 

Bracteated,  'te-at-ed.  A  term  applied 
to  coins  or  medals  covered  over  with  a 
thin  plate  of  some  richer  metal,  as  brass 
plated  with  gold,  they  are  to  bo  found 
even  among  genuine  ancient  coins. 

Brad,  brad.  A  headless  nail  used  in  work 
where  it  is  desired  to  di-ive  nails  entirely 
into  the  Avood. 

Braganza,  brah-gan'tha.  The  name  of 
the  reigning  families  of  Portugal  and 
Brazil,  descended  trom  John  VIII.,  Duke 
of  B.,  the  latter  representing  the  male 
line,  the  former  the  female. 

Brag-g:,  Braxton,  Gen.  An  American 
officer,  who  served  with  gallantry  as  cap- 
tain in  tho  Mexican  Avar,  and  as  general 
in  the  confederate  service  during  the 
civil  war ;  u.  in  N.  Carolina,  1815,  ».  1876. 

Bralie,  TycllO,  brah.  The  most  dis- 
tinguished astronomer  of  the  16th  century; 
B.  1545,  I).  1601.  A  native  of  Denmark, 
his  active  life  was  passed  in  Germany. 

Brahman,  'man.  Among  the  Hindus 
one  of  the  sacred  or  sacerdotal  caste  who 


}  pro< 
Id  to 


•f  Brahma,  and  to  be  the  sole  depositaries 


and  interpreters  of  the  Vedas.  There  mo 
seven  sub-divisions,  originating  Avith  seve>i 
penitents  of  high  antiquitj^.  Theort:- 
ically  the  Brahmans  A'enerated  equally  tl\.^ 
three  gods  of  the  Hindu  trimurti  or  trin- 
ity, but,  practically,  the  Avorship  of  Brah- 
ma having  fallen  into  desuetude,  they  r~i 
divided  into  two  sects — the  devotees  or 
Vishnu  and  those  of  SlA-a,  the  foruitr 
Avearing  an  orange-colored  dress  A\ith  the 
nama,  or  mark  of  the  trident  of  Vi.shnu. 
on  the  forehead,  the  latter  being  distin- 
guished by  thelingam,  or  emblein  of  the 
male  organ  of  generation.  Called  also  Brah- 
min. 

Brahma,  bra'ma.  In  Indian  myth,  ono 
of  the  deities  of 
the  Hindu 
trimurti  or  tri- 
ad. He  is 
termed  the 
Creator,  or  the 
gran  d  fath  er 
of  gods  and 
men;  his  broth- 
ers Vishnu  and 
Siva  being  re- 
spectively the 
preserver  and 
d  e  s  t  r  o  y  er.- 
B  r  a  h  m  a'  is 
usually  repre- 
sented Avith 
four  heads  and 
four  arras,  and  attended  by  the  goose  or 
swan.  Brahma  is  not  Avorshipped,  as, 
since  tho  creation  of  the  Avorld,  he  has 
cease(i  to  have  any  functions  to  perform. 
It  Avill  not  be  till  tho  tenth  avatar  or  in- 
carnation (when  the  Avorld  Avill  undergo 
total  annihilation)  that  his  services  Avill  bo 
again  put  into  requisition. 

Brahmanas,  -ma'naz.  The  prose  por- 
tions of  the  Vedas,  Avhich  contain  injunc- 
tiolis  for  the  performance  of  sacrifices,  ex- 
plain their  origin,  and  the  occasions  on 
Avhich  the  mantras  had  to  be  used. 

Brahmo-somaj,  -mo-so'maj.  Tho  mon- 
otheistic religion  of  India,  abolishing 
caste  and  ancient  superstitions,  founded 
by  Bammohun  Eoy.  Called  also  Bramo- 
ism. 

Brahmapootra,  bra-mah-poot'rah.  A 
river  of  S.  Asia,  l,5o0  m.  in  length,  emp- 
tying into  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  in  conjune- 
tion  AAith  the  main  branch  of  the  Ganges. 
Its  naAigation  is  dangerous  on  account  of 
its  rapid  current. 

Brain-coral,  'ko-ral.  A  variety  of  apo- 
rose  coral,  gen.  Meandrina,  fam.  Asti-aji- 
das,  occurring  in  hemispherical  lobes. 

Brain,  bran.    That   mass  or  viscus   in- 


Brahma. 


BEAMANTE 


121 


BRAYO 


Brain. 


closed  in  the  cranium  of  man  and  other 
rertebrate  animals, 
forming  the  center  of 
the  nervous  system, 
and  the  seat  of  con- 
sciousness and  volition. 
In  it  the  nerves  and 
spinal  marrow  termi- 
nate. According  to 
Vauquelin  the  human 
brain  contains  SO  parts 
water,  7  albumen, 
4.53  white  fatty  mat- 
ter, 0.70  red  fatty  mat- 
ter, 1.12osmazome,  1.5 
phosphorus  :  acids,  salts  and  sulphur 
5.15.  Later  chemists  have  detected 
cholesterinc?  in  the  brain,  and  from  2  to  2.5 
per  cent,  phosphorus. 
Brauiante,  bra-man'tai.  A  distin- 
guished Italian  architect,  whose  real  name 
was  Donato  Lazzari ;  b.  1444,  d.  1514. 
lie  built  the  Vatican,  and  planned  St. 
Peter's  church.  He  introduced  Eaphael 
to  the  Papal  court. 

Branch.,  bransh.  A  portion  of  a  tree, 
shrub,  or  other  plant  springing  from  the 
stem  ;  a  bough  larger  than  a  shoot  or 
twig.  Something  resembling  a  branch  ; 
as  the  branch  of  a  candlestick,  of  an  ar- 
tery, of  a  stag's  horn ;  a  river  running 
into  a  larger  one.  Any  member  or  part 
of  a  body  or  system  ;  a  department.  A 
Itneof  family  descent,  as  the  English  or 
Irish  branch  of  a  family.  The  metal  piece 
on  the  end  of  a  hose  of  a  fire-engine  to 
which  the  nozzle  is  screwed.  In  Fortifi- 
cation, the  long  side  of  a  horn  or  crown 
work.  The  diploma  or  commission  given 
to  an  English  pilot.  Branches  of  ogives, 
the  ribs  of  groined  vaults  traversing  from 
one  angle  to  another. 

BrancMogasteropoda,  brang'ki-o- 
gas'ter-op"o-da.  A  division  of  gasterop- 
odous  Mollusca,  constructed  to  breathe 
air  by  means  of  water.  The  B.  are  divided 
into  three  orders— Prosobranchiata  (sexes 
extinct,  gills  inclosed),  as  whelks,  &c.; 
Opisthobranchiata  (sexes  united  in  the 
same  individual,  gills  exposed),  as  sea- 
slugs,  Sec;  Heteropoda  (free-swimming 
gasteropods),  as  Carinaria. 
Branchipoda,  -ki-op'o-da.  An  ord.  of 
crustaceous  animals,  whose  gills  are  situ- 
ated on  the  feet,  divided  into  the  families 
Cladoeera,  Phyllopoda,  Ostracoda  and 
Trilobita. 

Branchiostoma,  brang-ki-os'to-raa.  A 
gen.  of  fishes,  also  called  Amphioxus,  in- 
cluding the  lancelet  (B.  lanceolatum  or 
Amphioxus  lanceolatus)  the  most  anoma- 


lous of  all  living  animals.  Although  rec< 
ognized  as  a  vertebrated  animal  it  has  no 
vertebrae,  but  only  a  persistent  notochord, 
no  definite  brain, "no  true  heart,  no  eyes, 
nor  proper  bones,  the  muscles  being  at- 
tached to  soft  cartilage,  and  no  proper 
fins.  It  has  the  respiratory  system  of  an 
ascidian  and  th^  circulatory  system  almost 
•fan  annelid.  This  gen.  constitutes  an 
oi-d. — Leptocardii  or  Pharyngobranchii. 
Brandenburg',  bran'den-boorg.  The 
German  prov.  of  which  Berlin,  the  cap.  of 
the  empu-e,  is  the  chief  city ;  area,  15,505 
sq.  m.;  pop.  3,476,522. 
Brandy,  bran'di.  A  spirituous  liquor 
obtained  by  the  distillation  of  wine,  or  of 
the  refuse  of  the  wine  press,  with  an  aver 
age  proportion  of  alcohol  of  from  43  to  54 
per  cent.  In  France  the  finest  brandy  is 
called  cognac,  and  an  inferior  sort  eau  de 
vie.  The  name  is  now  given  to  spirit  dis- 
tilled from  other  liquors,  and  in  the  United 
States  particularly  to  that  from  cider  and 
peaches.  Much 'of  the  brandy  sold  in 
Britain  is  made  from  grain  whisky  by 
adding  argol,  bruised  plums,  French  wine- 
vinegar,  and  a  small  quantity  of  Cognac, 
and  redistilling. 

Brandywine  Creek.  A  stream  which 
rises  in  Pennsylvania  and  empties  into 
Christiana  Creek,  near  "Wilmington,  Del., 
noted  for  the  battle  fought  Sept.  11, 1777, 
between  the  Americans,  under  Washing- 
ton, 13,000  strong,  and  the  British  under 
Gen.  Howe,  18,000.  The  former  was  defeat- 
ed, leaving  Philadelphia  to  tho  occupation 
of  the  British. 
Brass,  bras  An  alloy 
ofcopper  and  zinc,  more 
fusible  than  copper,  and 
not  so  apt  to  tarnish. 
It  is  malleable  and  duc- 
tile, and  is  much 
tougher  than  copper. 
The  best  brass  is  made 
by  cementation  of  cala- 
mine, or  oxide  of  zinc, 
with  granulated  copper. 
German  watch  maker 
brass  has  two  propor- 
tions of  zinc  to  one  of 
copper.  In  Mach.  a 
pillow,  bearing,  or  bush, 
supporting  a  gudgeon. 
A  plate  of  brass  inlaid  on 
stone,  with  eflBgies, 
coats  of  arms,  &c.,  en-  Brass  of  Eleanor 
gi-aved  in  outline  upon  Bohun  in  West- 
it.  minster  Abbey, 
Bravo,  bra'vo.  A  daring  villain  ;  one 
who  gets  laws  at  defiance ;  an  assassin  or 
;    murderer. 


BEASSAET 


123 


BREECHIN^G 


Brassarta. 


Brassart,  bras'art. 
Plate  armor  for  the  up- 
per part  of  the  arm, 
reaching  from  the 
shoulder  to  the  elbow. 

Brassica,  bras'si-ka. 
A  gen.  of  cruciferous 
plants,  containing  tho 
cabbage,  cauliflower, 
brocoli,  borecole,  rape, 
turnip,  colza,  curled 
kale,  kolerabi,  or  tur- 
nip-stemmed cabbage, 
Brussels  sprouts,  &c. 

Braze,  braz.  To  solder,  especially  vnth 
an  alloy  of  brass  and  zinc.  To  cover  or 
ornament  with  brass. 

Brazil,  brah-zil'.  The  largest  State  of 
S.America;  area,  3,G09, 160  sq.  m.;  pop. 
12,694,800.  B.  is  a  constitutional  empire, 
the  reigning  family  being  the  male  line  of 
the  Portuguese  Jiraganzas.  Eio  Janeiro  is 
the  cap.,  and  Bahia,  Para  and  Pernam- 
buco  the  chief  cities.  The  Amazon,  the 
largest  i-iver  on  the  globe,  runs  through 
the  W  section,  and  the  Madeira,  Parana, 
Uruguay  and  Paraguay  are  also  consider- 
able rivers.  The  Andes  bound  B.  on  the 
W.,  and  two  extensive  mountain  ranges 
run  parallel  N.  and  S. 

Brazil,  Brazil-'WOOd,  bra-zil',  bra-zil'- 
wnd.  A  very  heavy  wood  of  a  red  color, 
growing  in  Brazil  and  other  tropical 
countries,  used  for  dyeing  red,  the  pro- 
duce of  Csesalpinia  echinata  and  C.  Brazil- 
iensis. 

Brazil-nut,  'nut.  The  seeds  of  the  fruit 
of  Bertholletia  excelsa,  a  tree,  ord.  Lecy- 
thidaceae.  Besides  being  used  as  an  article 
of  dessert,  a  bland  oil,  used  by  watch- 
makers and  others,  is  expressed  from  the 
nuts. 

Bread,  bred.  A  food  made  from  the 
flour  or  meal  of  some  species  of  gi-ain  or 
other  plants,  the  dough  being  often  caused 
to  ferment.  Food  or  sustenance  in  gen- 
eral. 

Bread-fruit  Tree. 
The  Artocarpus  incisa. 
The  fruit  is  roasted  be- 
fore being  eaten,  and 
forms  the  principal  ar- 
ticle of  food  in  the  South 
Sea  Islands. 

Breakfast,  brek'fast. 
The  first  meal  in  the 
day. 

Breakwater,  brak'wa-     Bread-fruit, 
ter.   Any  structure,  asa 
mole, wall  or  sunken  hulk  serving  to  break 


Breakwater. 
the  force  of  waves  and  protect  a  harbor  o* 
anything  exposed  to  tho  force  of  the  waves. 

Breastpin,  brest'pin.  A  pin  worn  for 
a  fastening  or  for  ornament  on  the  breast. 

Breastplate,  'plat.  A  metal  plate  worn 
on  the  breast  as  a  part  of  defensive  armor. 
A  strap  that  runs  across  a  horse'a 
breast.  In  Jewish  Antiq.  a  part  of  the 
vestment  of  the  high  priest,  set  with 
twelve  precious  stones,  on  which  were 
engraved  the  names  of  the  twelve  tribes. 
It  also  contained  the  Urim  and  Thummim. 
A  plate  which  receives  the  butt  end  of  a 
boring  tool. 

Breast-wheel, 
'whel.  A  water-wheel, 
in  which  the  water  is  ] 
delivered  at  a  poijit  j 
little  below  the  level ; 
of  the  axis.  ^ _^ 

Breastwork,  ^w^rv  Qry  'H  T"  n  -j^ 
In     Fort,     a     work  '"'"' 

thrown     up     breast-      Breast-wheel, 
high       for      defense. 
Naut.  a  balustrade  of  rails  which  termi- 
nates the  quarter-deck  and  poop  at  tho 
fore-ends,  and  also  incloses  the  forecastle. 
The  parapet  of  a  building. 

Breccia,  bre'chi-a.  An  aggregate  com- 
posed of  angular  fragments  of  rock  united 
by  a  matrix  or  cement.  The  varieties  aro 
the  siUceous,  calcareous  and  trap  breccias. 
When  rounded  stones  and  angular  frag- 
ments are  united  the  aggregate  is  called 
conglomerate.  Osseous  breccia  is  com- 
posed of  bones. 

Breckinridge,  Jolin  C,  brek'n-rij. 
An  American  statesman  and  general ;  b. 
in  Kentucky,  1821,  D.  18T5,  He  was 
elected  Yice-President  on  the  ticket  -with 
Buchanan. 

Breeches,  brech'ez.  A  garment  worn  by 
men,  covering  the  hips  and  thighs  ;  less 
properly,  used  in  the  sense  of  trousers  or 
pantaloons. 

Breeching,  'ing.  Hard,  clotted  wool 
on  the  buttocks  of  a  sheep.  A  rope  fas- 
tened to  the  cascabel  of  a  cannon  by  a 
thimble,  and  clenched  to  ring-bolts  in  the 
ship's  side  to  check  its  recoil.  That  part 
of  a  horse's  harness  which  enables  him  to 


BREECHING-LOOP 


BRICK-TEA 


l)ii3h  back  tho  vehicle.  A  bifurcated 
smoke-pipe  of  a  furnace. 

Breeching'-loop,  -lop.  A  loop  of  metal 
at  the  brcech-end  of  a  naval  gun,  through 
which  the  breeching  is  passed. 

Breecli-loader,  'lod-er,  A  fire-arm 
loaded  at  the  breech,  giving  expedition 
and  accurate  adjustment  of  the  diameter 
of  the  ball  to  the  caliber  of  the  piece. 
The  earliest  fire-arms  were  breech-loaders. 

Brehon,  bre'hon.  An  ancient  Irish 
judge.  Such  judges  existed  also  in  Scot- 
land during  its  Celtic  period.  B.  laws, 
the  ancient  system  of  Ireland,  originally 
unwritten,  and  developed  by  the  sacerdo- 
tal order,  but  embodied  at  a  very  early 
period  in  certain  ancient  writings  known 
now  as  B.  Tracts.  This  system  was 
abolished  by  Edward  III. 

Bremen,  brem'n.  One  of  the  N.  Ger- 
man free  cities,  on  tho  Weser,  its  port  be- 
ing called  Bremerhaven ;  pop.  111,376. 
It  is  the  commercial  metropolis  of  N.  W. 
Germany,  and  is  the  point  of  departure  for 
nearly  all  the  large  German  emigration. 

Brennus.  A  general  of  the  Gallic 
Senones,  who  defeated  the  Romans  and 
entered  the  city.  The  garrison  retreated 
to  the  citadel.  The  Gauls  scaled  the 
Tarpeian  rock,  and  would  have  surprised 
the  citadel  but  for  the  cackling  of  geese, 
which  aroused  them  and  they  repulsed 
the  enemy.  B.  was  defeated  by  Camillus 
and  his  army  almost  annihilated. 

Breslau,  bres'low,  A  Prussian  city, 
cap.  of  Silesia,  next  in  size  to  Berlin  ;  pop. 
254,871. 

Brest,  brest.  A  French  city  on  tho  At- 
lantic, strongly  fortified,  and  having  a 
large  commerce;  pop. 
&4,670. 

Breteche,  bret-ash.  A 
name  common  to  several 
wooden,  crenellated  and 
roofed  erections,  used  in 
the  middle  ages  in  sieges 
botli  by  assailants  and  be- 
sieged. Later,  the  name 
■was  given  to  a  roofed 
wooden  balcony,  some- 
times over  a  gate-way, 
and  sometimes  project- 
ing from  the  angle  of 
j»  building,  standinir  out 
from  the  latter  like  a 
Btorm-window,  so  that  it 
commanded  three  direc- 
tions. Breteche. 

Bretwalda,  bret'wal-da.  A  title  applied 
to  one  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  tribe  chiefs, 


chosen  by  the  other  chiefs  to  bo  a  dictator 
in  their  warfare  against  the  Britons. 

Breunnerite,  broin'er-It.  A  mineral 
consisting  of  the  cai-bonates  of  magnesia 
and  iron.  It  occurs  granular  and  in  rhom- 
bohedi-al  crystals.  Called  also  Brown- 
spar. 

Brevet,  bre-vet'.  A  commission  to  an 
army  officer  Avhich  entitles  him  to  a  rank 
above  that  which  he  actually  holds,  with- 
out corresponding  advance  in  pay.  A  com- 
mission ;  a  royal  act  conferring  some  priv- 
ilege or  distinction. 

Breviary,  bre'vi-a-ri.  An  abridgment ; 
an  epitome.  In  the  E.  C.  Ch.  a  book  con- 
taining the  daily  offices.  The  English 
Book  of  Common  Prayer  is  based  on  it. 
The  Greek  Ch.  also  has  a  breviary. 

Brevier,  bre-ver'.  A  printing  type,  in 
size  between  bourgeois  and  minion. 

Breviped,  'vi-ped.  A  bu-d  having  short 
legs. 

Brevipennate,  -pen-at.  A  bird  having 
short  wings. 

Brewery,  bro'er-i.  A  brew  house ;  the 
house  and  apparatus  where  brewing  is 
carried  on. 

Brewing",  'ing.  The  process  of  pre- 
paring liquors  from  malt  and  hops, 
called  ale  or  beer.  The  quantity  brewed 
at  once.  A  collection  of  clouds  portending 
a  storm. 

Brewsterite,  'ster-!t.  A  pellucid  min- 
eral of  the  zeolite  family  ;  a  hydrous  sili- 
cate of  aluminium,  strontium  and  barium. 

Brian  Boru,  Boroimhe,  brl'an-bo- 
roo'.  A  celebrated  Irish  chief.  King  of 
Munster,  and  afterward  sovereign  of  all 
Ireland  ;  n.  937, ».  1014.  He  defeated  the 
Danes  in  40  battles,  his  last  '\ictory  being 
at  Clontarf,  where  he  was  killed.  He  was 
equally  distinguished  for  his  patronage  of 
learning  and  piety. 

Briareus.  In  Myth,  the  sacred  name  of 
a  famous  giant,  son  of  Coelus  and  Terra, 
(Heaven  and  Earth).  He  is  represented 
as  having  100  hands  and  50  heads,  and  hia 
name  among  mortals  was  ^geon. 

Brick,  brik.  A  kind  of  artificial  stone 
made  of  clay  formed  in  a  mold,  burned 
in  a  kiln,  or  dried  in  the  sun. 

Brick-kiln,  'kil.  A  kiln  or  furnace  in 
which  bricks  are  baked  or  burned  ;  or  a 
pile  of  bricks,  with  arches  underneath  to 
receive  the  fuel. 

Brick-tea,  'te.  The  large  leaves  of  the 
tea-plant  softened  by  steam  and  molded 
into  a  brick-shaped  mass,  extensively 
sent  overland  to  Russia.  In  Asia,  articles 
are  valued  by  bricks  of  tea. 


BRICOLE 


124 


BRILLIANT 


Bricole,  bro-kol.  Harness  worn  by  men 
for  dragging  guns  where  it  ,8  impossible 
to  use  horses. 

Bridewell,  brid'wel.  A  house  for  the 
temporary  continement  of  disorderly  per- 
sons. 

Bridge,  brij.  Any  structure  raised  over 
a  river,  road,  vallej',  or  the  like,  for  the 
purpose  of  a  convenient  passage.  Some- 
times formed  of  boats  or    logs,  covered 

.  with  planks,  and  called  floating  bridges. 

\  In  suspension  or  chain  bridges,  the  main 

"  body  is  supported  on  iron  chains  or  rods 


Lattice-bridge, 
hanging  in  the  form  of  an  inverted  arch 
from  one  point  of  support  to  another.  A 
flying  bridge  is  made  of  pontoons,  light 
boats,  hollow  beams,  empty  casks,  or  the 
like,  for  the  passage  of  armies.  A  tubular 
bridge  is  formed  of  a  rectangular  tube, 
and  is  employed  where  the  span  is  Avide 
and  the  weight  to  be  sustained  great.  A 
Jattice-bridge  is  constructed  with  cross- 
framing  so  arranged  that  the  head  of  one 
rafter  is  over  the  bases  of  the  two  ad- 
joining. The  upper  part  of  the  nose.  In 
engraving,  a  board  on  which  the  engraver 
rests  his  hand.     In  furnaces,  a  vertical 

Eartition  for  compelling  the  flame  and 
eated  vapor  to  ascend.  In  Gun.  two  pieces 
of  timber  between  the  transoms  of  a  gun- 
carriage.  In  Metal,  the  platform  by  which 
ore,  fuel,  &c.,  are  conveyed  to  the  smelt- 
ing furnace.  lu  Mus.  the  pirt  of  a  string- 
ed instrument  over  which  the  strings  are 
stretched.  Naut.,  a  range  of  planks  which 
forms  a  communication  between  the  pad- 
dle-boxes of  a  steam-vessel.  Electric 
bridge,  a  term  applied  to  several  contriv- 
ances for  determining  the  resistance  of  an 
element  of  an  electric  circuit. 
Bridle,  brT'dl.  The  portion  of  gear  or 
harness  fitted  to  the  head  of  a  horse  by 
which  he  is  directed  and  restrained,  con- 
sisting of  a  head-stall,  a  bit  and  reins. 
The  piece  in  the  interior  of  a  gun-lock 
which  holds  in  place  the  tumbler  and  sear. 
Naut. ,  a  short  piece  of  cable  so  secured  as 
to  enable  a  ship  when  moored  to  veer  with 
the  wind  and  tide. 


Brief,  bref.  An  epitome  ;  a  short  or  con- 
cise statement.  In  law,  an  abridged  re- 
lation of  the  facts  of  a  htigated  case.  A 
writ  summoning  a  man  to  answer  to  any 
action.  A  papal  or  apostolical  brief,  let- 
ters Avhich  the  Pope  addresses  to  individ- 
uals or  religious  communities  upon  Diat- 
ters  of  discipline,  distinguished  from  a  bull 
in  being  more  concise,  written  on  paper, 
sealed  with  red  wax  and  impressed  with 
the  seal  of  the  fisherman,  or  Peter  in  a  boat; 
while  a  bull  is  more  ample,  written  on 
parchment  and 
sealed  with 
lead  or  green 
wax. 

Brig:,  brig.  A 
vessel  with  two 
masts,  square- 
rigged  nearly  . 
like  a  ship's' 
mainmast  and . 
foremast.    The  ■ 

term,  however,  —      . 

is  variously  ap-  Brig. 

plied  by  the  mariners  of  difterent  nations, 

Brig-ade,  bri-gad'.  A  division  of  troops, 
consisting  of  several  regiments,  squadrons 
or  battalions.  A  body  of  individuals  or. 
ganized  and  acting  under  authority  ;  as  o 
fire  brigade. 

Brigradier-general,  brig-a-der"-jen'er- 
al.  The  ofiicer  who  commands  a  brigade  j 
in  rank  next  below  a  major-general. 

Brigand,  'and.  A  robber ;  a  freebooter ; 
especially  one  of  those  who  live  in  gangs 
in  secret  retreats. 

Brigantine,  brig'an-tln.  A  light  sailing 
vessel  formerly  much  used  by  corsairs ; 
a  two-masted  vessel  partly  square-rigged, 

Bright,  John,  brit.  A  distinguished 
English  manufacturer,  orator  and  states-^ 
man  ;  b.  1811,  and  still  in  active  fife  (1884). 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Commons,  and  an 
advanced  Liberal. 

Brighton,  brit'un.  The  most  noted 
English  watering-placa,  in  Sussex,  4T  m. 
s.  of  London  ;  pop.  93,871. 

Bright's  Disease,  brits'  diz-ez.  A  dis- 
ease characterized  by  a  granular  condition 
of  the  cortical  part  of  the  kidneys  and  in- 
flammation of  the  malpighian  bodies. 
Called  also  Granular  Degenei-ation  of  the 
Kidneys. 

Brilliant,  bril'yant.  A  diamond  of  the 
finest  cut,  formed  into  faces  and  facets  so 
as  to  reflect  and  refract  the  light  in  the 
most  vivid  manner.  The  principal  face, 
called  the  table,  is  octagonal  in  form,  and 
is  surrounded  Jby  sloping  facets.    In  print- 


BEIMSTONK 


125 


BEOMINE 


lug,  a  type  a  size  less  than  diamond.    In 

the  manege,  a  high-si>irited  horse. 

Brimstone,  brim'ston.    Sulphur. 

Brindle,  rin'dl.  A  mixture  of  colors  of 
which  gray  is  the  base,  with  bands  of 
darker  gray  or  black. 

Brine,  brin.  Water  strongly  impregnat- 
ed with  salt,  like  the  artificial  brine  used 
for  the  |)reservation  of  flesh  of  animals, 
fish,  vegetables,  &c. 

Brine-sh.rimp,  'shrimp.  A  branchi- 
opodous  crustacean,  the  Artemia  sahna, 
which  lives  naturally  in  a  briny  solution  of 
sufficient  strength  to  pickle  beef. 

Brinjaree,  brin'ja-re.  A  variety  of 
greyhound,  said  to  be  the  best  hunting- 
dog  in  India. 

Brinvilliers,  Marquise  de,  bran- 
ved'e-ai.  A  notorious  French  woman, 
convicted  of  poisoning  her  father,  brother 
imd  two  sisters,  also  several  hospital  pa- 
tients. She  was  guillotined  and  her  body 
burned,  167C. 

Bristle,  bris'l.  One  of  the  stiff,  coarse, 
glossy  hairs  from  the  back  of  the  hog 
and  wild  boar,  used  by  brushmakers, 
shoemakers,  saddlers,  «fec.  A  similar  ap- 
dendage  on  plants. 

Bristol,  bris'tol.  One  of  the  oldest  cities 
of  England,  a  seaport  at  the  junction  of 
the  rivers  Avon  and  Frome,  and  third  in 
commercial  importance;  j'Op.  196,400. 

Bristol-stone,  -stun.  Kock-crj'stal,  or 
Bristol-diamond,  small,  round  crystals  of 
quartz. 

Britain-crown,  brit'an-kroun.  An 
English  gold  coin  of  the  reign  of  James  I., 
a  fourth  part  of  a  unity,  of  the  value  of 
5s.,  afterward  raised  to  5s.  6d. 

Britannia-metal,  bri-tan'i-a-met'al. 
An  alloy  used  chiefly  for  teapots,  spoons, 
&c.  The  general  proportions  are  85^  tin, 
10^  antimony,  3  zinc,  and  1  copper. 

Britinian,  -tin'i-an.  A  monk  of  the  or- 
der of  St.  Augustine,  distinguished  for 
their  austerity.  In  1256  they  were 
merged  in  the  general  union  of  all  the 
fraternities  of  the  Augustine  order. 

Britzska,  brits'ka.  A  Russian  carriage 
with  a  calash  top,  and  space  for  reclining. 

Broad-arrow,  brad'a-ro.  The  British 
royal  mark  for  government  stores  of  every 
description,  to  obliterate  or  deface  which 
is  felony. 

Broad-axe,  'aks.  Formerly,  a  military 
weapon  ;  battle-ax.     A  broad-edged  ax. 

Broad-cloth.,  'kloth.  A  species  of  wool- 
en cloth,  so  called  from  Its  breadth. 

Broad-piece,  'pes.    A  denomination  of 


some  old  English  gold -pieces,  broader 
than  a  guinea,  especially  Caroluses  and 
Jacobuses. 

Broad-seal,  'sol.  The  national  seal  of  a 
country. 

Broadside,  'sId.  A  discharge  of  all  the 
guns  on  one  side  of  a  ship  at  the  same 
time.  The  side  of  a  ship  above  the  water 
from  the  bow  to  the  quarter.  A  house- 
front.  In  printing,  a  sheet  of  paper,  one 
side  of  which  is  covered  by  a  single  page. 

Broadsword,  'sord.  A  sword  with  a 
broad  blade  and  cutting  edges,  formerly 
the  national  weapon  of  the  Highlanders. 

Brobding:nag'g:ian,brob-ding-nag'i-an. 
Gigantic,  like  an  inhabitant  of  the  fabled 
region  of  Brobdingnag  in  Swift's  "  Gulli- 
ver's Travels." 

Brocade,  bro-kad'.  Silk  or  other  stuflf 
variegated  with  gold  or  silver,  or  having 
raised  flowers,  foliage  or  other  ornaments. 

Brocatel,  'ka-tel.  Sienna  marble,  a  cal- 
careous stone  or  species  of  brecciated 
marble  composed  of  fragments  of  various 
colors.  A  thin  woolen  cloth  of  silky  sur- 
face, used  for  linings,  &c. ;  linsey-woolsey. 

Broclxantite,  brok'an-tlt.  A  mineral 
consisting  of  hydrous  sulphate  of  copper. 

Brochnre,  bro-sh6r'.  A  p^paiphlet,  es- 
pecially one  on  a  matter  of  transitory  in- 
terest. 

Brocket,  brok'et.  A  red-deer  two  years 
old ;  a  pricket. 

Broella,  bro-el'la.  A  coarse  kind  of  cloth 
used  for  the  ordinary  dresses  of  country- 
men and  the  monastic  clergy  in  the  mid- 
dle ages. 

Brogrlie,  Achille  Leonce  Victor 
Charles,  Due  de.  A  distinguished 
French  statesman  ;  b.  1TS5,  d.  ISTO.  He 
married  Mme.  de  Stael's  only  daughter. 

Brogue,  brog.  A  coarse  shoe  made  of 
raw  or  half-tanned  leather  ;  a  stout,  coarse 
shoe.  A  dialectical  manner  of  pronuncia- 
tion ;  especially  applied  to  the  mode  oi 
pronunciation  peculiar  to  the  Irish. 

Broker,  bru'ker.  An  agent  or  negotiator 
Avho  is  employed  by  merchants  to  make 
and  conclude  bargains  for  them  for  a  fee 
or  rate  per  cent,  or  who  ti-ansacts  other 
business  for  his  employers. 

Broma,  'ma.  Ahment.  A  chocolate 
preparation  from  cocoa  seeds  or  beans. 

Bromal,  'mal.  A  compound  obtained 
by  the  action  of  bromine  on  alcohol.  It  has 
a  penetrating  odor  which  attacks  the  eyes. 

Bromine,  'min.  A  simple  non-metallic 
element  resembling  chlorine  and  iodine, 
existing  in  minute  quantities  in  sea- water, 


BEOMOPOEM 


126 


BEUCE 


the  ashes  of  marine  plants,  animals,  and 
salt  springs.  It  has  bleaching  powers  like 
chlorine,  and  is  very  poisonous.  Its  com- 
binations are  termed  bromides. 

Sromoforza,  'mo-form.  A  liquid  pro- 
duced by  bromine  with  caustic  potash 
acting  on  wood-spirits  or  alcohol,  analo- 
gous to  chloroform,  but  containing  bro- 
mine in  place  of  chlorine. 

Bromyrite,  'mi-rlt.  Native  bromide  of 
silver,  consisting  of  57.5  parts  silver  and 
42.5  bromine. 

Bronchotomy,  brong-kot'o-mi.  An  in- 
cision into  the  wind-pipe  or  larynx,  to  af- 
ford a  passage  for  the  au-  into  and  out  of 
the  lungs.  Called  tracheotomy  when  the 
opening  is  made  into  the  trachea,  and 
laryngotomy  when  made  into  the  larjTix. 

Bronte,  Charlotte,  bron'te.  A  cele- 
brated English  novelist,  "Currer  Bell." 
B.  1815,  D.  1S55. 

Bronteum,  bron-te'um.  In  ancient 
Greek  theaters,  a  brazen  vessel  used  for 
imitating  thunder  by  rolling  stones  in  it. 

Brontozoum,  -to-zo'um.  A  name  given 
to  the  animal  producing  certain  bird-like 
footprints,  20  inches  long,  occuiTingin  the 
new  red  sandstone  of  MassachusettB  and 
Connecticji^ 

Bronze,  bronz.  A  compound  of  from  2 
to  20  parts  of  copper  to  1  of  tin,  to  which 
other  metallic  substances  are  sometimes 
added,  especially  zinc.  It  is  brittle,  hard 
and  sonorous,  and  used  for  statues,  bells 
and  cannon.  An  ancient  bronze  generally 
contains  4  to  15  per  cent,  of  tin.  Any 
statue  or  other  work  of  art,  cast  of  bronze. 
A  brown  color  resembling  bronze ;  a  pig- 
ment prepared  for  the  purpose  of  imitating 
bronze.  Imitation  bronze,  tombac, 
prince's  metal,  or  Mannheim  gold,  terms 
applied  to  alloys  of  zinc  and  copper.  An 
alloy  of  about  85  parts  copper,  11  zinc,  and 
4  tin,  is  used  for  statues. 

Bronze-liquor,  'lik-er.  A  solution  of 
chloride  of  antimony  and  sulphate  of  cop- 
per, used  for  bronzing  gun-barrels,  «fcc. 

Bronze-powder,  'pou-der.  A  powder 
mixed  with  oil-paint,  for  coloring  objects 
in  imitation  of  bronze.  It  is  composed  of 
pulverized  brass  or  copper. 

Bronze-steel,  'stel.  The  name  given  to 
bronze  condensed  and  hardened  for  the 
making  of  cannon. 

Bronzite,  'it.  A  mineral,  a  variety  of 
diallage,  nearly  allied  to  Labrador  horn- 
blende or  hypersthene,  a  silicate  of  mag- 
nesia and  iron. 

Brooch,  broch.  An  ornamental  pin  or 
clasp  used  for  fastening  the  dress  or  for 


display,  worn  mostly  by  women,  and  at 
the  throat ;  but  formerly  worn  by  men  on 
the  cap  or  hat.     In  painting,  of  one  color. 

Brooklyn,  brook 'lin.  Cap.  of  Kings 
County,  N.  T.,  situated  on  Long  Island, 
and  separated  from  Manhattan  Island  by 
the  East  Kiver ;  pop.  625,000  ;  the  third 
largest  city  in  the  United  States.  It  is 
connected  with  New  York  by  the  Brook  - 
lyn  or  East  Eiver  bridge,  one  of  the  most 
massive  and  costly  bridges  on  the  globe, 
opened  May  24,  1883. 

Broom-corn,  brom'korn.  Sorghum  vul- 
gare  or  Guinea-corn.  The  branched  pan- 
icles are  made  into  brooms  and  brushes. 

Brora-beds,  bro'ra-bedz.  A  series  of 
strata  of  the  lower  oolite,  remarkable  for 
containing  the  thickest  bed  of  true  coal 
found  in  the  secondary  strata  of  Britain. 

Brosimuux,  'si-mum.  A  gen.  of  Arto- 
carpaceai,  one  species  of  which  is  the  cow- 
tree  of  South  America.  B.  Alicastrum 
produces  nuts,  which,  when  roasted,  are 
used  as  bread. 

Brougrham,  bro'am.  A  one-horse  close 
carriage,  either  two  or  four  wheeled. 

Broug-hanx  and  Vaux,  Henry, 
liOrd,  broom.  One  of  England's  most 
distinguished  orators  and  statesmen  ;  b. 
1779,  D.  18C8. 

Broussonetia,  bros-on-e'shi-a.  A  gen. 
of  trees,  ord.  Morace*.  B.  papyrifera,  or 
paper-mulberry,  atfords  tho  chief  paper- 
making  material  in  China  and  Japan ; 
cloth  is  made  from  the  inner  bark. 

Brown,  Jacob,  Gen.  An  American 
officer,  Avho  gained  distinction  in  Canada 
in  1814;  became  commander-in-chief  of 
the  army  in  1821 ;  b.  in  Pennsylvania, 
1775,  D.  1828. 

Brown,  John.  A  distinguished  anti- 
slavery  agitator,  b.  in  Conn.,  1800 ;  exe- 
cuted for  treason  against  Virginia  at  Char- 
leston, Dec.  2,  1869. 

BrowTlie,  broun'i.  In  Scotland,  an  ami- 
able imaginary  spirit  that  haunts  farm 
houses. 

Brovming",  Elizabeth  Barrett.  One 
of  England's  most  prolific  and  delightful 
poetesses,  wife  of  llobert  Browning,  also 
a  well-known  poet ;  b.  1809,  d.  1861. 

Brownist,  'ist.  A  follower  of  Eobert 
Brown,  a  Puritan  or  dissenter  from  the 
Church  of  England  in  the  16th  century. 

Brown-spar,  'spar.  A  crystallized  va- 
riety of  dolomite  containing  carbonate  of 
iron,  and  having  the  crystals  straight. 
Siderite  and  breunnerite  ai-e  also  called 
brown-spar. 
Bruce,   Robert.     The  heroic  King  ol 


BEUCmE 


12T 


BUCHANITE 


Scotland,  who  totally  defeated  the  English 
under  Edward  II.  at  Bannockburn ;  b. 
1274,  crowned  1309,  d.  1378. 

Brucine,  bros'in.  A  vegeto-alkaloid, 
discovered  in  the  bark  of  the  Brucea  an- 
tidysenterica,  and  afterward  as  accom- 
panying strychniain  nux  vomica. 

Brucite,  'it.  A  native  hydrate  of  mag- 
nesia, a  mineral  found  in  thin  foliated 
plates.    Another  name  for  Chondrodite. 

Bruin,  bro'in.  A  name  given  to  the  bear. 

Brumaire,  bru-mar.  The  2d  month  in 
the  calendar  adopted  by  the  first  French 
republic,  beginning  on  the  28d  October 
and  ending  21st  November. 

Brunei,  Isambard,  Sir,  The  En- 
glish engineer  who  built  the  Thames  tun- 
nel ;  B.  1769,  D.  1849.  His  son,  Isam- 
bard Kingdom,  designed  the  Great  East- 
ern, the  largest  stfeamship  ever  built ;  b. 
1806,  D.  1859. 

Brunette,  bro-net.  A  person  wltn  a 
brown  or  dark  complexion. 

Brunonian,  bru-no'nian.  A  theory  of 
medicine  founded  by  John  Brown,  ac- 
cording to  which  diseases  are  divided  into 
those  resulting  from  a  deficiency,  and 
those  due  to  an  excess  of  excitement. 

Brunswick,  Duchy,  of,  brunz'wik.  A 
small  Btate  of  N.  Germany  ;  area,  1,526 
sq.m.;  pop.  509,476.  The  reigning  family  is 
descended  from  the  Geulphs.  B.,  thecap., 
is  an  ancient  city  on  the  Ocker,  contain- 
ing many  fine  mediaeval  buildings ;  pop. 
61,000. 

Brush,  brush.  An  instrument  made  of 
bristles  or  similar  material  bound  togeth- 
er, used  for  dressing  the  hair,  removing 
dust  from  clothes,  laying  on  colors  and  the 
like.  The  small  trees  and  shrubs  of  a 
wood.  A  skirmish  ;  a  slight  encounter  ; 
a  collision.  In  Elec.  the  luminous  ap- 
pearance of  electric  matter  issuing  in  di- 
verging rays  from  a  point.  The  bushy 
tails  of  some  animals. 

Brussels,  brus'elz.  Cap.  of  Belgium, 
on  the  Senne,  50  m.  fi-om  the  sea ;  pop. 
174,612. 

Brussels-lace,  brus'elz-las.  A  lace 
made  at  Brussels. 

Brute,  brot.  A  beast ;  any  animal  des- 
titute of  reason.  A  brutal  person  ;  alow- 
bred,  unfeeling  man. 

Brutus,  liucius  Junius,  bru'tiis.  In 
Rom.  ant.  son  of  Tarquinia,  sister  of 
Tarquin,  the  Proud.  His  father  and 
brother  were  assassinated  by  the  king,  and 
he  escaped  by  assuming  serai-idiocy.  Af- 
ter the  cruel  rape  and  outrage  upon  Lu- 
cretia  by  Sextus,  son  of  Tarquin,  he  threw 


off  his  disguise,  roused  the  people,  ex- 
pelled the  Tarquins,  and  established  a  re- 
public, of  which  Collatinus  and  himself 
were  selected  consuls.  He  sentenced  his 
two  sons  to  death  for  conspiring  to  re- 
store the  monarchy,  and  lost  his  own  life 
in  a  personal  encounter  with  Aruns,  son 
of  Tarquin,  whom  he  slew  ;  b.  abt  560, 
j>.  507  B.  c. 

Brutus,  Marcus  Junius.  Nephew  of 
Cato  and  a  partisan  of  Pompey,  whom  he 
deserted  for  Ca\sar,  but  later  joined  in  the 
conspiracy  agawist  the  latter,  and  was  one 
of  those  who  assassinated  him .  After  fly- 
ing from  Rome  B.  was  joined  Avith  Cas^ 
sius  in  command  of  the  army,  and  after 
the  defeat  at  Philippi  killed  himself  by 
falling  on  his  sword  ;  b.  85,  n.  42  b.  c. 

Bryant,  "William  Cullen.  An 
American  journalist  and  poet;  B.in  Mass., 
1794,  ».  1878.  He  was  for  many  years 
chief  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  New 
York  Evening  Post.  His  first  poems  were 
-written  in  his  14th  year. 

Bryology,  bri-ol'o-jj.  The  science  of 
mosses. 

Buansuah,  bo-an-so'a.  The  native 
nameofthe  Cuon(Chry8oeus)  primaevus, 
or  -wild  dog  of  Northern  India,  supposed 
to  be  the  original  type  of  the  dog  tribe. 

Bubalus,  bu'ba-lus.  The  gen.  to  which 
the  buffalo  belongs. 

Bubo,  bu'bo.  A  gen.  of  owls,  Including 
the  great  owl  or  eagle  owl,  and  the  Vir- 
ginian horned  owl. 

Bubulin,  'bQ-lin.  A  peculiar  substance 
existing  in  the  dung  or  horned  and  other 
beasts,  applied  to  calico  printing. 

Buccaneer,  buk'a-ner.  A  pirate ;  more 
especially  the  adventurers,  English  and 
French,  who  combined  to  make  depreda- 
tions on  the  Spaniards  in  America  in  the 
17th  and  18th  centuries. 

Bucentaur,  bu-sen'tar.  A  mythological 
monster,  half  man  and" half  ox.  The  state 
barge  of  Venice,  in  which  tho  doge  and 
senate  went  to  wed  the  Adriatic. 

Bucephalous,  bu-sefa-lus.  The  war- 
horse  of  Alexander  the  Great,  who  suf- 
fered none  but  his  master  to  mount  him  ; 
fatally  wounded  in  battle,  he  carried  his 
master  to  a  place  of  safety,  and  died  soon 
after. 

Buchanan,  James.  The  15th  Presi- 
dent of  the  IT.  S  ;B.inPenn.l7»l;  elected 
President  1856 ;  d.  1863.  The  secession 
of  the  S.  States,  consequent  upon 
the  election  of  President  Lincoln, 
began  in  the  last  year  of  B.'s  term. 

Buchanite,  buch'an-it.    One  of  an  ex< 


BUCK 


128 


BUFF-COAT 


Buck  of  Fallow-deer. 


traordinary  sect  of  fanatics  which  sprang 
up  in  1T83,  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  under  the 
leadership  of  a  \^j,^  \^  ,'':^s^<^ 
Mrs.  Buchan.  .«     -^.v    .. 

Buck,  buk.  The 
male  of  the  fal- 
low deer,  goat, 
rabbit  and  hare. 
B.  of  the  first 
head,  in  Her.  a 
roe-buck  in  the 
fifth  year.  Great 
buck,  a  roe- 
buck in  its  sixth  year  or  older.  A  fop, 
blood,  dandy.     The  mark  of  a  cuckold. 

Buck-board,  'bord.  A  four-wheeled  ve- 
hicle, consisting  of  a  board  resting  direct- 
ly on  the  axles  of  the  wheels. 

Buck-eye,  'i  An  American  name  for  dif- 
ferent species  of  horse-chestnut.  An  in- 
habitant of  Ohio,  called  the  Buckeye  State. 

Buckingham,  G-eorge  Villiers, 
Duke  of,  buk'ing-ham.  A  notorious 
proUigatc,  favorite  of  King  James  I.  and 
Charles  I.  of  England;  u.  1592,  d.  by  as- 
sassination 1G28. 

Buckle,  '1.  An  instrument  consisting  of 
a  ring  or  rim  with  a  chape  and  tongue, 
used  for  fastening  harness,  &c.,  together. 

Buckler,  'ler.  A  kind  of  shield,  a  piece 
of  defensive  armor  worn  on  the  left  arm. 
One  of  two  pieces  of  wood  fitted  together 
to  stop  the  hawse-holes  to  prevent  the 
ship  taking  in  water. 

Buckra,  'ra.  A  term  applied  to  the 
white  men  by  the  native  blacks. 

Buckram,  'ram.  A  coarse  linen  cloth 
stiffened  with  glue,  used  in  garments  to 
keep  them  in  the  form  intended.  Wild 
garlic. 

Buckskin,  'skin.  The  skin  of  a  buck. 
A  soft  leather  made  by  treating  deer-skins 
in  a  peculiar  way,  sometimes  prepared 
from  sheep-skins. 

Buckwheat,  'whet.  The  name  com- 
monly given  to  the  Fagopyrum  esculen- 
tum,  or  Polygonum  Fagopyrum,  ord. 
PolygonaceiE,  and  also  to  its  seeds. 

Bucranium,  bu-kra'ni-um.  A  sculp- 
tured ornament  representing  an  ox-skull 
adorned  with  wreaths,  employed  to  deco- 
rate the  frieze  of  the  entablature  in  Ionic 
and  Corinthian  architecture. 

Buda,  bu'dah.  A  Hungarian  city,  A^ith 
Pesth,  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Danube, 
the  cnp.  of  the  state ;  pop.  59,442. 

Buddha,  bod'da.  The  wise  or  enlight- 
ened :  the  sacred  name  of  the  founder  of 
Buddhism,  who  appears  to  have  lived  in 
the  6th  century  b.  c. 


Buddhism, 'izm.  The  religious  system 
founded  by  Buddha,  one  of  the  most 
prominent  doctrines  of  which  is  that  nir- 
vana, or  an  absolute  release  from  exist- 
ence, is  the  chief  good.  Its  adherents  are 
said  to  comprise  about  a  third  of  the  hu- 
man race. 

Buddhist,  'ist.  Eelating  to  Buddha  or 
to  Buddhism.  B.  architecture,  the  oldest 
and  only  true  native  style  of  Indian  eccle- 
siastical architecture,  the  earliest  speci- 
mens dating  to  250  b.  c. 

Buddie,  bud'l.  A  square  frame  of  boards 
used  in  washing  metalliferous  ore. 

Bude-bumer,  bud'bern-er.  An  arrange- 
ment of  two  or  more  concentric  argand 
burners,  each  inner  one  rising  a  little 
above  the  outer,  by  which  a  very  power- 
ful light  is  produced. 

Budge-barrel,  buj'bar-el.  A  small  bar- 
rel with  only  one  head,  used  for  carrying 
powder  with  a  gun  or  mortar. 

Budgero,  'e-ro.  A  cabined  boat  of  the 
Ganges  and  Hoogly. 

Buena  Vista,  bwe'nah  vis'tah.  A 
Mexican  village,  90  m.  S.  W.  of  Monte- 
rey, noted  as  the  scene  of  the  decisive 
battle,  Feb.  22-23,  1^47,  between  tho 
Americans  under  Gen.  Zach.  Taylor  and 
the  Mexicans  under  Santa  Anna,  the  lat- 
ter being  defeated. 

Buenos  Ayres,  bo'nos  a'riz.  A  prov. 
and  city  of  the  Argentine  Confederation, 
S.  America.  The  prov.  has  an  area  of 
63,000  sq.  m.;  pop.  543,000.  The  city, 
cap.  of  tho  Confederation,  is  situated 
on  the  La  Plata,  125  m.  N.  "W.  of  Monte- 
video, and  has  the  most  extensive  com- 
merce of  any  S.  American  seaport:  pop. 
191,460. 

Buff,  buf.  A  leather  prepared  from 
the  skin  of  the  bufi'alo,  dressed  with  oil, 
like  shammy.    The  bare  skin. 

Buffalo,  buffah-low.  A  city  of  N.  T. 
State,  at  the  junction  of  the  Erie  Canal 
with  Lake  Erie,  and  controls  the  westera 
lake  trade  ;  pop.  164,205. 

Buffalo.  A  large  ruminant  mammal, 
fam.  BovidjE,  the  best  known  species  of 
which  is  the  Bubalus  Buffelus  or  Boa 
Bubalus,  domesticated  in  India,  Italy,  &c. 
The  female  gives  more  milk  than  the  cow, 
from  which  the  ghee  or  clarified  butter  of 
India  is  made.  The  name  is  applied  to 
wild  oxen  in  general,  and  particularly  to 
the  bison  of  N.  America. 

Buffalo-robe,  -r6b.  The  skin  of  the  W- 
son  prepared  with  the  hair  on. 

Buff-coat,  'kot.  A  close  militm^  outer 
garment  worn  by  soldiers  in  the  17th 
century  as  a  defense. 


BUFFER 


129 


BULL-FROG 


Buffer,  'fer.  Any  apparatus  for  deaden- 
ing the  concussion  between  a  moving 
body  and  the  one  on  which  it  strikes.  A 
foolish  fellow;  a  term  expressive  of  ex- 
treme familiarity. 

Buffet,  'fet.  A  cupboard,  sideboard  or 
closet,  to  hold  china  and  like  articles. 
The  place  set  apart  for  refreshments  in 
public  places.  That  part  of  an  organ  that 
incloses  the  pipes. 

Buffon,  Georges  Louis  Leclerc, 
Coujlt  de,  biiffong.  The  most  emi- 
nent of  French  naturalists ;  b.  1707,  d. 
1788. 

Buffont,  'font.    A  projecting  covering  of 
gauze  or  linen  for  a  lady's  breast. 
Buffoon,   -fon'.    A  man  who  makes  a 
practice  of  amusing  others  by  low  tricks 
and  vulgar  pleasantries. 
Bufonite,  bu'fon-it.      Toadstone;   the 
petrified  teeth  of  the  Sphserodus,  Pycno- 
dus,  and  other  mesozoic  ganoid  fishes. 
Bug",  bug.     The  name  formerly  applied 
loosely   to  insects,  and  still  of  wide  ap- 
plication.   In  the  United  States  the  name 
is  generally  used  where  beetle  would  be 
used  in  England.    The  Cimex  lectularius, 
the  house-bug  or  bed-bug,  or  any  mem- 
ber of  this  gen.  or  of  the  fam.  Cimicidje. 
Buggy,   'i.      A  name  given  to  several 
species  of  carriages  or  gigs. 
Bugle,  bu'gl.    A  hunting  horn.    A  brass 
wind-instrument.      A  ghvss  bead.      The 
popular  name  for  Ajugareptans,  a  labiate 
plant. 

Bugler,  bug'ler.  One  who  plays  a  bugle; 
specifically,;  a  soldier  who  conveys  the 
commands. 

Buhl,  bill.  Unburnished  gold,  brass  or 
mother-of-pearl  worked  into  patterns,  for 
inlaying;  also  ornamental  furnitm-e,  &c., 
ornamented  with  buhlwork. 
Bulbul,  bul'bul.  The  Persian  name  of 
a  species  of  nightingale. 
Bulgaila,  bul-ga're-ah.  One  of  the  Bal- 
tic provinces,  formerly  under  exclusive 
Turkish  control,  but  since  1877  having  a 
Christian  administration  subject  to  Tur- 
key ;  area  81,1&4  sq.  m. ;  pop.  8,246,459. 
Bulgurian,  bul-ga'ri-an.  A  member  of 
the  Bulgarian  race.  The  language  of  the 
Bulgarians,  two  dialects — Old  and  New 
Bulgai-ian.  The  former  is  extinct  as  a 
living  tongue,  but  is  used  as  the  sacred 
language  of  the  Greek  Church. 
Bulgaric,  -gar'ik.  One  of  the  four 
branches  of  the  Finnish  languages,  the 
other  three  being  the  Permic,  Ugric  and 
Chudic. 


Bull,  bul-  Originally  the  seal  appended 
to  the  edicts  and  briefs  of  the  pope.  A 
letter,  edict,  or  rescript  of  the  pope,  pub- 
lished or  transmitted  to  the  churches  over 
which  he  is  head,  containing  some  decree, 
order  or  decision,  used  chiefly  in  matters 
of  justice  or  of  grace.  If  the  former,  the 
lead  or  seal  is  hung  by  a  hempen  cord; 
if  the  latter,  by  a  silken  thread. 

Bull.  The  male  of  any  bovine  quadru- 
ped. Taurus,  one  of  the  twelve  signs  of  the 
zodiac.  In  stock  exchange  slang,  one  who 
operates  in  order  to  effect  a  rise  in  the 
price  of  stock  ;  the  opposite  of  a  bear. 

Bulla,  'la.  An  ornament  worn  round 
the  neck  by  noble  Roman  children  till 


leaden  Bulla  of  Pope  Alexander  IV. 
they  were  17  years  old ;  in  later  times,  a 
leaden  seal  attached  to  a  document. 

Bull-baiting,  'bai-ing.  The  practice  of 
baiting  bulls  with  dogs. 

Bull-dog,  'dog.  A  species  of  dogs  very 
strong  and  muscular,  and  of  remarkable 
courage  and  ferocity.  The  great  gun 
tn  the  officers'  ward-room  cabin ;  also  a 
general  term  for  main-deck  guns.  A  de- 
composed protosilicate  of  iron,  used  as  a 
lining  for  the  boshes  of  furnaces. 

Bullen-nail,  'en-nal.  A  short  round- 
headed  nail,  tinned  and  lacquered. 

Bullet,  'let.  A  small  ball.  A  projectile 
intended  to  be  discharged  from  fire-arms 
or  other  missile  weapons. 

Bulletin,  'le-tin.  An  authenticated  of- 
ficial report  concerning  some  public  event. 
Any  notice  or  public  announcement.  Pe- 
riodical records  of  learned  societies. 

Bull-fight, 'fit.  A  combat  between  men 
and  a  bull  or  buUs ;  an  amusement  among 
the  Spaniards 
and  Portu- 
guese. 

Bullfinch, 
'  f  i  n  s  h.  An 
insessorial 
bird,  Pyrr- 
hula  rubicilla, 
fam.  Fringilli- 
da3  or  finches. 

Bull-frog,  'frog 


Bullflnch. 
The  Rana  pipieno,  a 


BTJLLrDiB 


180 


BUNTAN 


y . ■■     ' 

large  species  of  frog,  the  hind  legs  of 
■which  are  a  table  delicacy. 
BuUidae,  ''i-de.  A  fam.  of  tectibranch- 
iate  gasteropod  mollusks,  sec.  Monoecia, 
Mith  male  and  female  organs  in  the  same 
Individual,  including  the  genera  Acera, 
Bullaea,  Bulla,  &c. 

Bullion,  'yon.  Uncoined  gold  or  silver, 
not  current  or  not  in  the  form  of  current 
coin.  A  heavy  tvdsted  fringe,  the  cords 
of  which  are  prominent.  In  glass-making, 
the  bulb  at  the  end  of  the  blowing  tube. 

Bullock,  'ok.  A  young  or  little  bull ;  an 
ox  or  castrated  bull. 

Bull's-eye,  bftlz'I.  An  oval  wooden 
block  Avithout  a  sheave.  A  round  piece  of 
thick  glass,  for  the  purpose  of  admitting 
light.  A  small  cloud,  supposed  to  por- 
tend a  hurricane  or  storm.  In  Astron. 
Aldebaran,  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude  in 
the  eye  of  Taurus  or  the  bull.  A  small 
lantern.  In  Archery  and  Gun,  the  center 
of  a  target ;  a  shot  that  hits  the  bull's-eye. 
The  knob  in  a  sheet  of  glass  marking 
where  the  tube  by  which  it  was  blown  was 
inserted.    An  old-fashioned  watch. 

Bull  B.UI1.  An  insignificant  creek  in  N. 
Virginia,  made  famous  by  two  great 
battles  in  the  late  civil  war.  The  first, 
July  18-21,  1861,  was  between  the  Fede- 
ral "army,  under  Gen.  McDowell,  and  the 
Confederates,  under  Qens.  Beauregard  and 
J.  E.  Johnston,  the  former  being  defeated. 
The  second,  Aug.  30,  1868,  was  between 
the  Federals  under  Gen.  Pope,  and  the 
Confederates  under  Gens.  Lee,  Longstreet 
and  Jackson.  The  Federals  were  again 
defeated.  The  first  is  also  called  the  battle 
of  Manassas. 

Bull-terrier,  bul'ter-l-er.  A  cross-breed 
between  the  bull-dog  and  the  terrier. 

Bull-trout,  'trout.  A  species  of  fish  of 
the  salmon  fam.,  the  Salmo  eriox.  A  name 
given  to  the  huso  or  Danube  salmon. 

Bulrush.,  'rush.  The  popular  name  for 
large  rush-like  plants  growing  in  marshes, 
not  very  definitely  applied,  but  generally 
restricted  to  Scirpus  lacustris,  irom  which 
the  bottoms  of  chairs,  &c.,  are  manufac- 
tured. The  bulrush  of  Egypt  is  Juncus 
globulosus. 

Bulse,  buls.  In  the  East  Indies,  a  bag 
or  purse  to  carry  or  measure  valuables  ;  a 
certain  quantity  of  diamonds  or  other 
valuables. 

Bultow,  bfll'to.  A  mode  of  fishing  for 
cod,  by  stringing  a  number  of  hooks  on 
one  line. 

Bumble-bee,  bum'bl-be,  A  large  bee, 
sometimes  called  humble-bee. 


Bungalov 


Bumboat,  bum'bOt.  A  boat  lor  currying 
provisions  to  a  ship. 

Bummalo,  'ma-16.  E.  Indian  name  for 
a  small  glutinous,  transparent  teleostean 
fish,  which  when  dried,  is  used  as  a  relish ; 
the  Saurus  ophiodon,  fam.  Scopelidae. 
Bungrall,  bun'gal.  A  base  coin  current 
in  Ireland  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth. 
At  one  time  it  went  for  sixpence,  ulti- 
mately for  a  penny. 

Bung-alow,  bung'ga-lo.  In^India,  a 
house  or  resi- 
dence, generally 
of  a  single  floor. 
Native  bunga- 
lows are  con-i 
structed  of 
wood,  bamboos, i 
&c.,  tiled andin- 
variably  s  u  r  - 
rounded  by  a 
verandah.  A 
dak-bungalow  is 

a  house  for  travelers,  constructed  at  in- 
tervals of  from  12  to  15  miles  on  the  high- 
roads at  the  expense  of  the  authorities. 
Bungarus,  bung'ga-rus.  A  gen.  of 
venomous  serpents,  fam.  Elapida;,  closely 
allied  to  the  Naja,  called  also  Eock-serpent. 
Bunker  Hill.  A  height  at  Charlestown, 
Mass.,  noted  as  the  scene,  June  17,  1TT5, 
of  a  sanguinary  engagement  between  the 
British  regulars  and  American  militia, 
the  latter  having  liastily  thi-own  up  earth- 
works commanding  Boston.  The  British 
succeeded  in  capturing  the  works  after 
several  repulses,  the  ammimition  of  the 
Americans  having  given  out.  The  forces 
engaged  numbered  about  2,500  on  each 
side;  the  loss  of  the  Americans  was  145 
killed,  804  wounded  ;  that  of  the  British, 
226  kUled,  828  wounded.  Gen.  Warren, 
fighting  as  a  volunteer,  was  killed  in  the 
battle,  and  a  granite  monument,  200  ft.  in 
height,  commemorates  the  battle  and 
designates  the  spot  where  Gen.Warren  fell. 
Bunting-,  bunt'ing.  The  popular  namo 
of  a  number  of  insessorial  birds,  fam. 
Emberizidae,  chiefly  included  in  the  gen. 
Emberiza.  The  snow-bunting  is  one  of 
the  few  birds  of  the  polar  regions.  A  thin 
woolen  stuff,  of  which  flags  and  signals 
are  made ;  a  vessel's  flags  collectively. 
Bunyan,  John,  biin'yjin.  Author  of 
the  celebrated  allegories,  Pilgrim's  Pro- 
gress and  Holy  War ;  b.  in  England,  1628, 
D.  1C88.  When  young  he  was  dissipated, 
but  in  early  manhood  reformed  and  joined 
the  Baptists,  becoming  so  zealous  as  to 
invite  persecution.    His  great  work  was 


BUOY 


181 


BURMAH 


Navy  life-buoy. 


written  in  Bedford 
jail. 

Buoy,  hTToi.  A 
•  floating  object  fixed 
at  a  certain  place  to 
show  the  position 
of  shoals,  rocks, 
Ac. ,  or  to  mark  out 
the  course  a  ship  is 
to  follow.  An 
empty  cask  or  piece 
of  wood  employed 
to  float  a  cable 
in  rocky  anchor- 
ages. A  floating  object  used  to  throw 
overboard  for  a  person  who  has  fallen 
into  the  water,  called  a  life-buoy. 
Buphagra,  bii'fa-ga.  A  gen.  of  insesso- 
rial  birds,  fam.  Sturnidse  (starlings),  called 
beef-eaters  or  ox-peckers. 

Buprestidse,  -pres-ti-de.  A  fam.  of  col- 
eopterous insects,  distinguished  by  the 
uncommon  brilhancy  and  highly  metallic 
splendor  of  their  colors. 

Bur,  ber.  A  rough  prickly  covering  of  the 
seeds  of  certain  plants,  as  of  the  chestnut 
and  burdock.  In  Engr.  a  slight  ridge  of 
metal,  and  which  is  removed  by  a  scraper, 
as  it  retains  superfluous  ink  In  printing. 
The  rough  neck  left  on  a  bullet  in  casting. 
The  guttural  pronunciation  of  the  rough  r 
common  in  some  of  the  northern  counties 
of  England, 

Burbot,  'hot.  A  fish  of  the  fam.  Gadidoe, 
gen.  Lota  (L.  vulgaris). 

Bureau,  bu-ro'.  A  desk  or  writing-table, 
with  drawers  for  papers ;  an  escritoire. 
A  department  for  the  transaction  of  pub- 
lic business.    A  chest  of  drawers. 

Burette,  -ret'.  A  graduated  glass  tube 
used  in  the  laboratory  and  assay  oflBce, 
for  the  purpose  of  dividing  liquid  into 
small  quantities. 

Burs',  berg.  Buildings  of  great  antiquity, 
found  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  Orkney 
and  Shetland,  older  than  the  Scandinavian 
Invasions,  and  probably  date  almost  from 
the  bronze  age. 

Burgranet,  ber'ga-net.  A  helmet,  with 
a  small  visor,  its  lower  rim  so  fitted  to  the 
upper  rim  of  the  gorget  that  the  head 
could  be  turned  without  exposing  the 
neck. 

Burgree,  'je.  A  flag  or  pennant  which 
ends  in  two  points.  A  kind  of  coal  for 
burning  in  the  furnaces  of  engines. 

Bujgess,  'jea.  An  inhabitant  of  a  bor- 
ough or  wailed  town ;  a  citizen  or  free- 
man of  a  borouffh.  A  representative  of  a 
borough  in  Parliament.    The  term  given 


before  the  Eevolution  to  the  representa- 
tives in  the  popular  branch  of  the  legisla- 
ture of  Virginia.  A  magistrate  of  a  coi'- 
porate  town. 

Burg-h,  bu'ro.  A  corporate  town  or  bor- 
ough, the  Scotch  term  con-esponding  to 
the  English  borougrh,  applied  to  different 
kinds  of  corporations,  and  to  towns  and 
cities  in  Scotland. 

Burgher,  berg'er.  An  inhabitant  who 
enjoys  the  pri%ilege8  of  the  borough  of 
which  he  is  a  freeman.  One  of  a  body  of 
Scotch  Presbyterians,  constituting  "the 
majority  of  the  early  Secession  Church. 
Btirgh-master,  'mas-ter.  A  burgomas- 
ter. An  oflicer  in  tin  mines  who  lays  out 
the  meers  for  the  workmen. 
Burglar,  'lar.  One  guilty  of  nocturnal 
housebreaking. 

Burgromaster,  ber'go-mas-ter.  The 
chief  magistrate  of  a  municipal  town  in 
Holland,  Flanders  and  Germany,  corre- 
sponding to  mayor.  An  aquatic  bird,  the 
glaucous  gull,  common  in  arctic  regions. 
Burgojme,  John,  Gten.,  bur-goin'. 
An  English  officer  in  the  American  devo- 
lution, who  was  defeated  and  surrendered 
his  army  to  Gen.  Gates  at  Saratoga  in 
1777  ;  B.  1714,  n.  1792. 
Burgnndy,  biir'gun-dl.  An  ancient 
province  of  N.  France,  which  was  ac- 
quired by  Germany  in  1033,  afterward  be- 
came a  free  state  under  the  Dukes  of  B., 
and  in  1477  was  reunited  to  France.  It  is 
famous  for  its  red  ^\'ines. 
Burgundy  Pitch,  'gun-di  pich.  A 
resin  from  the  Norway  spruce  and  other 
pines. 

Burin,  bu'rin.  A  graver  ;  a  steel  instru- 
ment for  engi-aving  on  copper.  The  man- 
ner of  execution  of  an  engraver. 
Burke,  Edmujad,  burk.  A  distin- 
guished Irish  statesman,  writer  and  ora 
tor;  B.  in  Dublin,  1730,  i>.  1797.  Ho 
passed  nearly  30  years  in  Parliameni,  and 
one  of  his  orations  on  the  trial  of  Warren 
Hastings  occupied  9  days. 
Burke,  burk.  To  murder  by  suifocation 
so  as  to  produce  few  signs  of  violence  upon 
the  -victim.  To  smother  ;  to  shelve. 
Burlingame,  Anson,  biir'lin-gHm. 
An  American  statesman  and  diplomatist ; 
B.  in  N.  Y.,  1822 ;  elected  to  Congress 
from  Mass.,  1854,  '56,  '58;  appointed 
minister  to  China,  1861,  and  sent  as  Chi- 
nese Embassador  to  the  U.  S.  and  the 
principal  governments  of  Europe,  1867  ; 
T>.  in  St.  Petersburg,  1870. 
Burmah,  bur'mah.  One  of  the  largest 
empires  of  S.  Asia,  situated  E.  of  the 


BUEMESE 


BUSH 


Gant^es ;  area,  2,000,000  sq.  m.;  pop. 
9,400,000.  The  chief  towns  are  Mande- 
lay,  the  cap.,  Ava,  and  Bhamo ;  chief 
rivers,  Irrawaddy,  Si-tang  and  San-Luen  ; 
principal  mountains,  the  Phungan,  a 
range  of  the  Himalayas.  The  govern- 
ment is  a,  hereditary  and  absolute  despot- 
ism ;  the  religion  Buddhism.  The  king- 
dom dates  back  to  543  b.  c. 

Burmese,  bur'mez.  An  inhabitant  or  in- 
habitants of  Burmah.  The  language  of 
the  Burmese;  one  of  the  monosyllabic 
languages. 

Burnett's  Liquid,  ben'net'slik-wld. 
A  solution  of  chloride  of  zinc,  employed  to 
preserve  dead  bodies. 

Bumingr  Bush,  bern'ing-bvish.  The 
emblem  adopted  by  the  Ch.  of  Scotland. 
The  name  applied  to  an  ornamental  shrub, 
Euonymus  atropurpureus. 

Burningr-g-lass,  -glas.  A  double  con- 
vex lens  which,  when  exposed  to  the  di- 
rect rays  of  the  sun,  collects  them  into  a 
focus,  producing  an  intense  heat. 

Burning'-inirror,  -mir'er.  A  concave 
mirror  which,  being  exposed  to  the  direct 
rays  of  the  sun,  reflects  them  to  a  focus, 
where  their  heat  is  concentrated. 

Burnisher,  ber'nish-er.  The  person 
who  burnishes  or  makes  glossy.  An  in- 
strument used  in  burnishing  by  rubbing 
with  pressure. 

Bumoose,  'nos.  A  white  woolen  man- 
tle, vnth  hood  woven  in  one  piece,  worn 
by  the  Arabs.  A  kind  of  mantle  worn  by 
ladies. 

Burns,  Robert.  The  celebrated  Scotch 
poet ;  B.  1759,  d.  1796.  He  was  of  hum- 
ble birth,  and  his  songs  appeal  especially 
to  the  popular  heart. 

Bumside,  Ambrose  Everett,  Qen. 
The  successor  of  Gen.  McClellan  as  Com- 
mander of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in 
the  Eebellion  ;  b.  in  Indiana,  1824;  grad- 
uated from  West  Point  1857;  entered  the 
war  as  colonel,  commanded  a  brigade  at 
Bull  Kun,  and  was  soon  after  made  major 
general;  given  command  of  the  army 
Nov.  7, 1862,  he  was  defeated  by  Gen.  Lee 
at  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13,  losing  over  10- 
000  men.  Relieved  from  the  chief  com- 
mand soon  after,  he  jjerformed  gallant 
service  both  in  the  "West  and  the  East.  En- 
tering political  life  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
he  was  elected  Governor  of  Ehode  Island 
for  several  sdccessive  terms. 

Burnt-ear,  bemt'er.  A  disease  in  corn, 
in  which  the  fructification  of  the  plant  is 
destroyed ;  minute  germs  of  a  parasitical 
mushroom,  the  Uredo  carbo  or  U,  sege- 
tum. 


Burnt-offering",  'of-fer-ing.  Something 
offered  and  burnt  on  an  altar  as  an  atone- 
ment for  sin. 

Burnt-sienna,  'si  en-na.  Sienna  earth 
submitted  to  the  action  of  fire,  by  which 
it  is  converted  into  a  fine  orange-red  pig- 
ment. 

Burnt-stone,  'ston.  A  term  applied  to 
antique  carnelians  found  in  ruins,  which 
apparently  have  been  acted  upon  by  fire. 

Burr,  Aaron.  A  brilliant  and  notorious 
American  politician,  b.  in  New  Jersey  in 
1756,  served  from  1775  to  1779  in  the 
army,  attaining  the  rank  of  lieutenant  col- 
onel ;  in  17S9  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate, 
and  in  1800  elected  Vice-President  on 
the  ticket  with  Thomas  Jefferson  ;  en- 
gaged in  a  treasonable  scheme  to  detach 
some  of  the  S.  States  from  the  Union,  and 
erect  an  independent  government  with 
them  and  a  part  or  the  whole  of  Mexico ; 
tried  at  Eichmond,  Va.,  1807,  and  acquit- 
ted, but  never  regained  the  confidence  of 
his  fellow-citizens  ;  d.  1836.  He  killed 
Alexander  Hamilton  in  a  duel. 

Burras-pipe,  bur'as-pip.  A  tube  to 
contain  lunar  caustic  or  other  corrosive. 

Burrel-shot,  'el-shot.  Small  shot,  nails* 
stones,  pieces  of  old  iron,  &c.,  put  into 
cases,  to  be  discharged  at  short  range ;  an 
emergency  shot. 

Burr,  ber.  A  name  given  to  cer- 
tain siliceous  or  siliceo-calcareous  stones, 
whose  dressed  surfaces  present  a  burr  or 
keen-cutting  texture,  used  for  millstones. 

Bursar,  bers'er.  A  treasurer  or  cash- 
keeper,  as  the  bursar  of  a  college.  A  stu- 
dent to  whom  a  bursary  is  paid. 

Burse,  bers.  A  purse :  now  used  only 
as  the  designation  of  one  of  the  official  in- 
signia of  the  lord  high  chancellor  of  Eng- 
land. A  receptacle  for  the  corporal  and 
chalice  cover,  placed  over  the  chalice  veil 
when  the  sacred  vessels  are  carried  to  the 
altar. 

Bursting-chargre,  berst'ing-chiirj.  A 
small  charge  of  fine  powder,  placed  in, 
contact  with  coarse  powder  to  insure  th© 
ignition  of  the  latter.  The  charge  re- 
quired for  bursting  a  shell  or  case-shot. 

Busby,  buz'bi.  A  military  head-dress 
worn  by  hussars,  artillerymen  and  en- 
gineers. 

Buscone,  bus'kon.  One  who  prospects 
for  ores ;  also,  a  miner  who  pays  part  of 
the  proceeds  of  his  work  to  the  owner  of 
the  mine. 

Bush,  bash.  A  lining  of  harder  material 
let  into  aji  orifice  to  guard  against  wear- 


BUSH-BUCK 


BUTTE 


Ing  hy  friction ;  the  perforated  box  or 
tube  fitted  into  certain  parts  of  machinery. 

Bush-buck,  'buk.  The  name  given  to 
several  species  of  the  gen.  Tragelaphus, 
especially  to  T.  sylvatica,  an  antelope  of 
Catfraria  and  Cape  Colony. 

Bush.el,  bush'el.  a  dry  measure  con- 
taining 8  gallons. 

Bush.-liaininer,  'ham-mer.  A  mason's 
breaking  hammer ;  a  hammer  for  dressing 
millstones. 

Bush.man,  'man,  A  -woodsman  ;  a  set- 
tler in  a  new  country.  An  aboriginal  of 
Bushmanland,  near  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope ;  a  Bosjesman. 

Bush-metal,  'met-al.  Hard  brass ;  gun- 
metal  ;  a  composition  of  copper  and  tin, 
used  for  journals,  beai-ings  of  shafts,  &c. 

Bush-rangrer,  'ranj-er.  In  Australia,  a 
criminal,  generally  an  escaped  convict, 
who  lives  by  robbery. 

Bush-shrike, 'shrik.  Oneofasub-fam. 
(Thamnophilinae)  of  the  Formicariidae  or 
ant-birds. 

Bush-whacker,  'whak-er.  One  accus- 
tomed to  sojourn  In  the  woods,  or  beat 
about  bushes  ;  irregular  soldiers.  A  strong 
scythe  for  cutting  bushes. 

Busk,  busk.  A  piece  of  steel,  whalebone 
or  wood,  worn  by  Avomen  in  front  of  their 
stays. 

Buskin,  bus'kin.  A  kind 
ofbootorhigh  shoe  cov- 
ering the  foot  and  leg  to 
the  middle  and  tied  under- 
neath the  knee.  A  simi- 
lar covering  worn  by  ac- 
tors in  tragedy  among  the 
ancients  in  contradistinc-- 
tion  to  the  sock  worn  by 
comedians.  In  the  li.  0. 
Ch.  a  stocking  of  precious 
stuff  worn  by  bishops  when  celebrating. 

Bussu-palm,  bns'so-pfim.  The  mani- 
caria  saccifera,  found  in  the 
swamps  of  the  Amazon, 
whose  leaves  are  often  30 
feet  long  by  4  to  5  feet  in 
■  breadth. 

Bust,  bust.  The  figure  of 
a  person  in  relief,  showing 
only  the  head,  shoulders  and 
breast.  The  chest  or  thorax ; 
the  trunk  of  the  human 
body. 

Bustle,  '1.  A  pad  worn  by  ladies  for  the 
purpose  of  setting  off  the  smallness  of  the 
waist,  but  more  especially  to  relieve  the 
weight  of  the  clothes. 


Buiklns. 


Bust 


Bustard, 
bus'terd.  A 
bird  of  the 
gen.Otis,ord, 
Cursores,  ap- 
proaching 
the  waders. 
The     great 

bustard  is  the  _      ^  t>     ^    ^ 

largest  Euro-  Great  Bustard, 

pean  bird,  often  weighing  30  pounds. 

But,  but.  The  outer  apartment  of  a  house 
having  only  two  apartments  ;  the  kitchen ; 
the  other  apartment  being  the  ben. 

Butcher-bird,  buch'er-berd.  An  inses- 
sorial  bird,  gen.  Lanius,  sub-fam.  Laniinse; 
shrike. 

Buteo,  bu'te-o.  A  gen.  of  raptorial  birds, 
fam.  Falconidae,  containing  the  buzzards. 

Butler,  but'ler.  A  servant  in  a  house- 
hold whose  business  is  to  take  charge  of 
the  liquors,  plate,  &c. 

Butler,  Benjamin  Franklin.  An 
American  politician,  b.  in  N.  Hampshire, 
ISIS,  he  studed  law  and  settled  in  Mass., 
where  he  became  recognized  as  the  leading 
Democrat  of  New  England;  a  delegate  to 
the  Charleston  and  Baltimore  nominating 
conventions,  betook  a  leading  part  in  the 
movement  which  nominated  Breckin- 
ridge and  divided  the  party.  He  prompt- 
ly entered  the  service  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  civil  war,  and  had  command  of  the 
departments  of  the  Gulf  and  of  the  S.  At- 
lantic, acquiring  no  military  fame  but 
great  notoriety  for  his  arbitary  civil  regu- 
lations. Elected  to  Congress  by  the  Mass. 
Republicans  in  1S6(>  and  1868,  but  de- 
feated in  1ST4,  he  deserted  that  party,  and 
in  1SS2  was  elected  governor  by  the  Dem- 
ocrats ;  re-nominated  in  18S3,  he  was  de- 
feated. 

Butt.  The  larger  end  of  a  thing,  as  of  a 
piece  of  timber  ;  the  thick  end  of  a  mus- 
ket, whip-handle,  &c.  In  Agri.  an  irregu- 
larly shaped  piece  of  land.  In  Mach.  the 
square  end  of  a  link,  to  which  the  bush- 
bearing  is  attached  by  a  strap  fastened  to 
the  butt  by  a  cotter  and  gib.  In  Carp,  a 
hinge  for  a  door.  The  thickest  part  of 
tanned  ox-hides,  used  for  soles  of  shoes, 
trunks,  &c.  The  metal  ring  at  the  ends  of 
the  hose  of  a  fire-engine.  A  mark  to  be 
shot  at.  In  rifle-practice,  the  protection 
in  which  the  marker  sits.  A  cask  holding 
126  gallons  of  wine  or  2  hogsheads ;  called 
also  a  pipe. 

Butte,  but.    An  American  term  applied 

:  to  a  detached  ridge  rising  abruptly,  too 
high  to  be  called  a  hill,  Avithout  being  high 
enough  to  be  called  a  mountain. 


BUTTER 


134 


BYZANTINE 


feutter,  'er.  An  unetuous  substance  ob- 
tained from  cream  or  milk  by  churning,  a 
concrete  oil  furnished  by  female  Mam- 
malia, especially  by  the  cow  and  goat.  B. 
and  tallow  tree,  gen.  P^tadesma,  the  P. 
butyracea.  Eock  butter,  a  peculiar  min- 
eral composed  of  alum  and  iron.  Shea 
butter,  a  vegetable  butter  occurring  in  the 
nut  of  the  Bassia  Parkii  of  tropical  Africa. 

Butter-fish,  -iish.  A  small  acanthop- 
terygious  fish,  allied  to  the  blennies ;  the 
Murajnoides  guttatus,  or  spotted  gunnel. 

Butterfly,  -flr.  The  common  name  of  all 
the  diurnal  lepidopterous  insects,  corre- 
sponding to  the  gen.  Papilio,  in  their  fully 
developed  state.  A  person  whose  atten- 
tion is  given  up  to  a  variety  of  trifles. 

Butterfly-shell,  -shel.  The  popular 
name  of  a  gen.  (Voluta)  of  testaceous 
mollusks. 

Butterfly-valve,  -valv.  In  pumps,  a 
species  of  double  clack-valve,  employed 
in  the  iift-buckets  of  large  water-pumps, 
and  for  the  air-pump  buckets  of  condens- 
ing steam-engines. 

Butterine,  -in.  An  artificial  butter  made 
from  animal  fat,  churned  with  milk,  some 
gweet  butter  and  the  yelks  of  eggs,  the 
•whole  of  the  contents  being  converted 
into  butterine. 

Butteris,  -is.  An  instrument  of  steel  set 
in  wood  for  paring  thehoof  of  a  horse. 

Butter-milk,  -milk.  The  milk  that  re- 
mains after  the  butteris  separated  from  it. 

Butter-nut,  -nut.  The  fruit  of  Juglans 
cinerea,  sometimes  called  oil-nut  and 
white  walnut.  The  nut  of  Caryocar  bu- 
tyracem  and  C.  nuciferum  ;  also,  called 
Suwarra  Nut. 

Butter-tree,  -trS.  A  species  of  Bassia, 
found  in  Africa,  which  yields  a  substance 
called  shea  butter. 

Buttery,  -i.  An  apartment  in  which 
■wines,  liquors  and  provisions  are  kept. 
In  colleges,  a  room  where  refreshments 
are  kept  for  sale  to  the  students. 

Button-tool,  'n-tol.  An  Instrument  for 
cutting  out  the  disks  of  leather  which 
serve  as  nuts  in  the  mechanism  connected 
•with  the  keys  of  the  organ  and  piano. 

Buttress,  'res.  A  projecting  support  to 
the  exterior  of  a  ■wall. 

Butty,  'ti.  A  miner  who  raises  coal  or 
ore  by  contract,  employing  men  to  do  the 
work.  B.  gang,  a  gang  to  Avhom  a  por- 
tion of  the  work  in  large  enterprises  is 
'-!  let,  the  proceeds  being  di"vided. 

Butyric,  bu-tir'ik.      Pertaining  to  or  de- 

,  rived  from  butter.  B.  acid,  obtained  from 


butter;  it  also  occurs  in  perspiration, 
juiceof  flesh,  cod-liver  oil,  &c.  B.  ether 
is  formed  from  butyric  acid. 

Bu'tyrin,  'ti-rin.  A  peculiar  oleaginous 
matter  derived  from  butter. 

Buxina,  buk'sin-a.  An  alkaloid  obtained 
from  the  box-tree. 

Buzzard,  buz'erd.  A  gen.  (Buteo)  of 
large  raptorial  birds,  falcon  fam. 

Byard,  bi'ard.  A  piece  of  leather  cross- 
ing the  breast,  used  by  men  who  drag 
wagons  in  coal-mines. 

Bye.  In  cricket,  a  run  made  on  a  ball  not 
struck  by  the  batsman,  but  which  the 
•wicket-keeper  and  long  stop  have  failed 
to  stop. 

Bye-altar,  -al'ter.  A  minor  or  second- 
ary altar,  in  distinction  to  the  high  altar. 
Anciently,  a  table  for  holding  the  vest- 
ments, the  sacred  vessels,  &c. 

By-law,  'la.  A  local  or  private  law ;  a 
law  made  by  any  incorporated  body  for  the 
regulation  of  its  own  aflairs. 

Byron,  Q-eorg-eG-ordon  Noel,  Lord. 
An  EngUsh  poet,  b.  ITSS,  d.  1824  at  Mis- 
solonghi,  in  Greece,  where  he  had  gon» 
to  offer  his  services  in  the  war  of  inde- 
pendence. His  domestic  life  was  infelici- 
tous, he  and  his  wife  living  together  but  a 
single  year,  when  he  left  her  and  England, 
never  "returning.  Much  of  his  poetry  is 
immoral. 

Byrrhidse,  bir'ri-de.  A  fam.  of  pen- 
tamerous  coleopterous  insects,  common- 
ly known  as  pill-beetles. 

B3nThus,  'us.  The  typical  gen.  of  the 
above  family,  containing  B.  pilula,  the 
common  pill-beetle,  which,  ■when  alarmed, 
simulates  death. 

Byssolite,  bis-o-llt.  An  azure  blue  tran- 
sparent mineral,  in  long,  fine  capillary 
crystals.  A  name  given  to  the  finer  fi- 
brous varieties  of  filamentous  minerals, 
as  amianthus,  tremoUte,  actinolite,  &c. 

Byssus,  'us.  Among  the  ancients,  a 
cloth  of  exceedingly  fine  texture.  One  of 
the  byssl,  filamentous  crvptogamic  plants. 
A  long,  silky  bunch  of  filaments,  by  means 
of  which  the  Mytilus,  Pinna  and  other  bi- 
valve mollusks  are  attached  to  fixed  ob- 
jects. 

Bjrttneriaceee,  bit-no-ri-a'se-e.  A  nat. 
ord.  of  plants,  sometimes  included  among 
the  Sterculiaceje.  The  typical  gen.  is 
Byttneria,  but  the  most  important  is 
Theobroma,  to  which  the  tree  yielding  the 
cocoa-bean  belongs. 

Byzantine,  biz-an'tin.  Pertaining  to 
Byzantium,  an  ancient  city  of  Thrace, 
situated  on  the  Bosphorus.    In  the  year 


1S5 


CABLE 


830  Constantine  the  Great  fixed  the  seat 
of  government  of  the  Eoman  Empire  at 
Byzantium,  enlarged  and  embellished  it, 
and  changed  its  name  to  Constantinople. 
B.  architecture,  a  style  developed  abont 
A.  D.  300,  and  which  continued  in  use  till 
the  conquest  by  the  Turks,  a.  d.  1453. 
Both  the   Norman  and   the  Lombardlc 


styles  may  be  considered  as  varieties  of 
the  Byzantine,  and  all  are  comprised  un- 
der the  term  Eomanesque.  The  Mosque 
of  St.  Sophia,  Constantinople,  and  the 
Church  of  St.  Mark's,  Venice,  are  prom- 
inent examples  of  B.  architecture.  B.  his- 
torians, Greek  historians  who  lived  be- 
tween the  6th  and  l&tU  centuries. 


c 


CIS  the  third  letter  in  the  English  alpha- 
bet  and  the  second  of  the  consonants. 
It  represents  two  perfectly  distinct 
sounds,  namely,  the  guttural  pertaining 
to  k,  and  the  hard  or  thin  sound  of  s,  the 
former  being  that  which  historically  be- 
longs to  it ;  while  it  also  forms  with  h 
the  Trench  digraph  ch.  In  the  Latin  al- 
phabet c  had  the  k  sound,  and  this  was 
the  sound  which  belonged  to  the  letter  in 
Anglo-Saxon.  As  a  numeral,  C  stands  for 
100  ;  CC  for  200  ;  &c. 

Caaba,  ka-a'ba.  An  oblong  stone  build- 
ing within  the  great  mosque  at  Mecca, 
containing  the  famous  black  stone  or  Keb- 
lah  presented  by  the  angel  Gabriel  to 
Abraham  on  the  occasion  of  building  the 
original  Caaba. 

Caaingr-whale,  ka'ing-whal.  The 
round-headed  porpoise"(Globicephalus  de- 
ductor,  Delphinus  melas,  or  D.  globiceps), 
fam.  Delphinidae. 

Cab,  kab.  A  Hebrew  dry  measure,  con- 
taining about  2  pints.  A  kind  of  hackney 
carriage,  with  two  or  four  wheels,  drawn 
by  one  horse.  The  covered  part  of  a  loco- 
motive. 

Cabala,  'a-la.  A  mysterious  science 
among  Jewish  rabbins,  pretended  to  have 
been  delivered  to  Moses  on  6inai,  and 
transmitted  by  oral  tradition,  serving  for 
the  interpretation  of  difficult  passages  of 
Scripture.  Every  letter,  word,  number 
and  accent  of  the  law  is  supposed  to  con- 
tain a  mystery,  and  the  Cabalists  pretend 
even  to  foretell  future  events  by  the  study 
of  this  science, 

Cabalist,  'al-ist.  A  Jewish  doctor  who 
professes  the  study  of  the  cabala,  or  the 
mysteries  of  Jewish  traditions. 

Cabalistic,  'ik.  Pertaining  to  the  cab- 
ala or  mvsterious  science  of  Jewish  tradi- 
tions.   Containing  an  occult  meaning. 

Caballaria,  -la'ri-a.  A  feudal  tenure  of 
lands,  the  tenant  furnishing  a  horseman 
suitably  equipped  when  the  lord  had  occa- 
•lou  for  his  service. 


Caballero,  ya'ro.  A  grave  and  stately 
Spanish  dance. 

Cabaret,  kab'a-ret.  A  tavern  ;  a  house 
where  liquors  are  retailed. 

Cabbag'e,  kab'baj.  The  popular  name 
of  speciespf  Brassica,  ord.  Crucifera-,  and 
especiallj^Ppplied  to  the  garden  varieties 
ofB.  oleracea,  cultivated  for  food. 

Cabbagre-flly,  -fli.  Anthomyia  Brassicae, 
belonging  to  the  same  fam.  as  the  house- 
fly, and  the  same  gen.  as  the  turnip  and 
potato  flies. 

Cabbag-e-rose,  -roz.  Eosa  centlfolia, 
having  many  A-arieties,  eminently  fitted 
for  the  manufacture  of  rose-water  and 
attar  from  its  fragrance  ;  Provence  rose. 

Cabbagre-tree,  -tre.  The  cabbage  palm 
(Areca  oleracea).  The  unopened  bud  of 
young  leaves  is  much  prized  as  a  vegeta- 
ble, but  the  removal  of  it  destroys  the 
tree. 

Cabeca,  ka-ba'sa.  Portuguese  name  of 
the  finest  silk  received  from  India.  A 
nominal  money  of  account  on  the  west 
coast  of  Africa, 

Caber,  ka'ber.  A  pole  ;  a  beam ;  in  High- 
land games  of  strength  a  long  stem  of  a 
tree  for  tossing  or  turning  over. 

Cabin,  kab'in.  A  small  room  ;  a  hut  or 
small  house.    An  apartment  in  a  ship. 

Cabinet,  -et,  A  closet ;  a  retired  apart- 
ment. A  private  room  in  which  consulta- 
tions are  held.  The  select  council  of  a 
prince  or  executive  government ;  the  col- 
lective body  of  ministers  who  direct  tho 
government  of  a  country.  A  piece  of  fur- 
niture, with  drawers  and  doors.  Any  part 
of  a  building  set  apart  for  the  conservation 
of  works  of  art,  antiquities,  &c.  C.  picture, 
large-sized  photograph,  highly  finished. 

Cabiri,  ka-bl'r!.  Ancient  Greek  divini- 
ties. Very  little  is  known  regarding  them. 

Cable,  ka'bl.  A  strong  rope  or  chain  used 
to  retain  a  vessel  at  anchor,  made  of  hemp, 
jute  or  iron.  Submarine  or  electric  tele- 
graph cable  is  composed  of  copper  wires 


CABLEGRAM 


CADI 


imbedded  in  a  series  of  gutta-percha  and 
resinous  substances,  each  layer  being  sep- 
arated from  tlie  others,  and  the  whole  pro- 
tected by  iron  wires  bound  round  it  In  the 
form  of  a  spiral.  Cable  bends,  small 
ropes  for  fastening  the  ends  of  a  rope-ca- 
ble so  as  to  secure  the  knot  by  which  it  is 
attached  to  the  anchor-ring.  In  Arch, 
certain  styles  of  molding. 

Cablegrara,  -gram.  A  message  sent  by 
ocean  telegraph. 

Cablet,  ka'blet.  Any  cable  under  9  inches 
in  circumference. 

Cabocle,  ka-bok'la.  The  Brazilian  name 
of  a  mineral  resembling  red  jasper,  con- 
taining phosphoric  acid,  alumina,  lime, 
baryta,  protoxide  of  iron  and  water. 

Caboose,  -bos'.  The  cook-room  of  a  ship 


In  smaller  vessels,  an  incloseg^earth,  or 
stove  for  cooking  on  the  mainipck 


Also 


called  a  galley, 

Cabot,  -bo.  In  the  Isle  of  Jersey,  a  vari- 
able dry  measure.  The  potato  and  apple 
cabot  weighs  about  28  lbs. 

Cabot,  Sebastian.  A  British  navigator, 
of  Italian  descent,  n.  in  Bristol,  Eng., 
1477,  n.  1557.  He  made  a  voyage  to 
America  under  Spanish  auspiooft,  fn  1524, 
but  was  afterward  appointed  Grand  Pilot 
of  England. 

Cabul,  kah-booF.  Cap. 
of  N.  Afghanistan,  on 
C.  Eiver  ;  pop.  67,000. 

Cacao,  -ka'6.  The  choc- 
olate-tree (Theobroma 
Cacao),  ord.  Byttner 
aceaj.  Its  fruit  is  con 
tained  in  pods,  each  in-; 
closing  50  to  100  seeds. 
These  are  very  nutritive, 
of  an  agreeable  flavor,  Cacao 
and  used,  both  fresh  and 
dried,  as  an  article  of  diet.  Cocoa  and 
chocolate  are  prepared  from  them.  The 
seeds  when  roasted  and  crushed  are  called 
cocoa  nibs.  They  yield  an  oil  called 
butter  of  cacao,  used  in  pomatum  and 
in  making  candles,  soap,  &c. 

Cacatuinae,  kak'a-tu-i"ne.  A  sub-fam. 
of  scan sorial  birds,  fam.  Psittacidse.  The 
cockatoos. 

Cacbalot,  kash'a-lot.  A  cetaceous  mam- 
mal, the  Catodon  microcephalus,  or  blunt- 
headed  sperm-whale,  fam.  Physeteridae or 
CatodontidflB.  Besides  spermaceti  it  yields 
sperm-oil  and  ambergris. 

Dache.  A  hole  in  the  ground  or  ice  for 
hiding  and  preserving  provisions. 

Cacliiri,  ka-she're.    A  fermented  liquor, 


Cacolet. 


resembling  perry,  made  from  the  root  of 

the  manioc. 
Cacholong,  kash'o-long.    A  mineral  of 

the  quartz  family,  a  variety  of  opal,  often 

called  Pearl-opal. 
Cachou,  ka-sho.    A  sweetmeat  made  of 

the  extract  of  liquorice,  cashew-nut,  gum, 

&c.,  used  to  sweeten  an  offensive  breath. 
Cachuca,  '-cha'ka.   A  Spanish  dance  per- 
formed by  a  man  and  woman. 
Cacique,  ka-sek'.    Native  chiefs  of  the 

W.  Indies  and  parts  of  America  when  it 

was  discovered. 
CacogTaphy,  ka-kog'ra-fi.   Bad  spelling 

or  writing. 

Caco  1  et, 

kak-o-la.  A 
contrivan  c  e 
fixed  on  the 
back  of  a 
mule  or 
horse  for  car- 
rying travel- 
ers, sick  on 
wounded 
persons.  The 
French  were 
the    first   to 

employ  cacolets  in  the  Crimean  war, 
1S54-5. 

Cacoon,  ka-kon'.  A  commercial  name 
for  the  largo  beans  of  the  Entada  scan- 
dens,  ord.  Leguminosae,  used  for  making 
scent-bottles,  purses,  &c. 

Cacoxene,  -kok'sen.  A  silky  mineral,  a 
native  ferric  phosphate  with  water,  con- 
taining peroxide  of  iron  and  phosphoric 
acid. 

<3actaceaB,  kak-ta'se-5. 
An  order  of  dicotyledo- 
nous plants,  the  cactus  or 
Indian  fig.  The  princi- 
pal genera  are  Melocac- 
tus,  Echinocactus,  Opun- 
tia,  and  Mammillaria. 

Cade,  kad.  A  barrel  or 
cask.  A  cade  of  herrings 
is  500;  of  sprats,  1,000. 

Cade-oil,  'oil.  An  oil 
used  for  veterinary  pur-  Cactus, 

poses,  made  of  the  fruit  of  the  Junipe- 
rus  Oxycedrus. 

Cadet,  ka-det'.  The  youngest  son.  One 
who  carries  arms  in  a  regiment,  as  a  pri- 
vate, -with  a  view  to  acquire  military  skill 
and  to  obtain  a  commission.  A  young  man 
in  training  for  an  officer  in  the  army  or 
navy,  or  in  a  military  school. 

Cadi,  kad'i.    A  judge  among  the  Turks. 


CADILESKER 


187 


CALABABH-TREE 


Oadilesker,  -i-les'ker.  The  chief  judge 
in  the  Turkish  empire. 

Cadiz,  ka'diz.  Cap.  of  pror.  of  C,  in 
Andalusia ;  pituated  on  the  Atlantic,  and 
one  of  the  principal  commercial  cities  of 
Spain ;  pop.  70,000. 

Oadmean,  me'an.  Relating  to  Cadmus, 
,  a  legendary  prince  of  Thebes,  "n  Greece, 
1  -vvho  is  said  to  have  introduced  into  Greece 
the  sixteen  simple  letters  of  the  alphabet, 
which  are  therefore  call  C.  letters.  A  C. 
victory,  a  proverbial  phrase  for  a  victory 
In  which  the  victors  suffer  as  much  as  the 
vanquished. 

Oadmium,  'mi-um.  A  metal  found  in 
carbonate  of  zinc. 

Oadmium-yellow,  -yel-16.  A  pigment 
prepared  from  the  sulphide  of  cadmium. 

Oadrans,  'ranz.  An  instrument  for 
measuring  angles  in  cutting  gems,  and 
keeping  them  at  a  proper  angle. 

Oaduceus,  ka-du'se-us.  In  Class,  myth. 
Mercury's  rod  ;  a  wand  entwisted  by  two 
serpents,  borne  by  Mercury  as  an  ensign 
•f  quality  and  office. 

Oserebinae,  se-re-bl'ne.  The  guit-guits, 
a  sub-fam.  of  tenuirostral  passerine  birds, 
fam.  Nectarinidffi,  of  which  the  Osereba 
Cyana  may  be  taken  as  the  type. 

Csesar,  'zer.  A  title,  originally  the  sur- 
name of  the  Julian  family  at  Rome,  which, 
after  being  dignified  in  the  person  of  the 
dictator  C.  Julius  Cjesar,  was  adopted  by 
successive  Roman  emperors,  and  came  to 
te  appHed  to  the  heir  presumptive.  It 
was  perpetuated  in  the  Kaiser  of  the  Holy 
Roman  Empire,  first  assumed  by  Charle- 
magne. 

Caesium,  'zi-um,  A  rare  alkaline  miner- 
al found  in  mineral  waters.  The  metal  oc- 
curs in  the  mineral  lepidolite,  and  is  al- 
ways found  in  connection  with  rubidium. 

Caf,  kaf.  The  name  of  the  mountain 
which,  according  to  the  Mohammedans, 
environs  the  whole  earth. 

Oafe,  -a.  AcoSee-house;  a  restaurant. 
C.  chantant,  a  cofl'ee-house  in  France 
where  the  guests  are  treated  with  music. 

Cafenet,  'e-net.  In  Tuikey,  a  house  of 
rest  for  travelers ;  a  coffee-house. 

Caffeine,  ka-fS'in.  A  substance  found 
in  coffee-beans,  tea-leaves,  &c.  Coffee 
contains  from  .8  to  3.6,  and  tea  from  2  to 
4  per  cent.    Called  also  Theine. 

Caffeone,  'on.  The  aromatic  principle 
of  coffee,  a  brown  oil. 

Caffer-bread,  kafer-bred.  The  pith  of 
certain  cycadaceous  plants,  gen.  Ence- 
phalartos,  used  by  the  Caffres  as  food. 


Caffer-corn,  -korn.  Indian  millet,  or 
Sorghum  vulgare,  cultivated  in  Africa  as 
a  cereal. 

Cafaia,  kafi-la.  An  official  Persian  car- 
avan ;  a  company  of  travelers  or  mer- 
chants. 

Gag's,  kaj.  A  box  for  confining  birds  or 
beasts.  Formerly,  a  place  of  confine- 
ment for  potty  malefactors.  A  skeleton 
framework  of  any  kind.  A  cup  contain- 
ing animalcules  to  be  examined  under  a 
microscope. 

Caimacaxn,  ka-ma-kam'.  A  lieutenant 
or  a  lieutenant-general  in  the  Turkish 
service  ;  a  title  of  the  deputy  of  the  grand 
vizier,  and  governor  of  Constantinople. 

Caiuite,  kan'It.  A  member  of  a  sect  of 
the  2d  century  who  professed  to  venerate 
Cain,  Korah  and  the  Sodomites. 

Cainozoic,  kii-no-zo'ik.  A  term  applied 
to  the  latest  of  the  three  divisions  into 
which  strata  have  been  arranged,  with 
reference  to  the  age  of  the  fossils  they  in- 
clude. It  corresponds  nearly  with  what 
has  been  called  the  age  of  mammals. 

Cairn,  kfirn.  A  heap  of  stones  ;  especially 
one  of  those  common  in  Great  Britain,  of 
various  sizes.  Some  are  evidently  sepul- 
chral, others  were  erected  to  commemo- 
rate some  great  event,  and  etill  others 
for  religious  rites.  The  modern  cairn  is 
set  ixp  as  a  landmark. 

Cairngorm,  'gorm.  A  variety  of  rock- 
crystal  or  crj'Stallized  silica,  found  on  the 
Cairngorm  range  in  Scotland. 

Cairo,  ki'ro.  The  cap.  of  Egvpt,  on  the 
Nile,  5  m.  from  its  delta  ;  founded  abt.  170 
A.  p.;  pop.  325,000. 

Caisson,  kas'son.  An  ammunition  wagon 
or  chest.  In  Arch,  a  sunken  panel,  a  la- 
cunar. In  Civil  Engin.  a  vessel  used  as  a 
flood-gate  in  docks ;  an  apparatus  oh 
which  vessels  may  be  raised  and  floated. 
A  water-tight  ca'sing  used  in  building 
structures  in  water  too  deep  for  the  coffer- 
dam. 

Cajeput,  kaj'i-put.  An  oil  resembling 
that  of  cardamons,  obtained  from  the 
Melaleuca  Oajuputi,  or  cajeput  tree. 

Cal,  kal.  A  mining  term  for  bastard 
metal  found  in  tin  ore  ;  wolfram. 

Calabar  Bean,  -a-bar'ben.  The  seed  of 
Physostigma  venenosum,  a  leguminous 
Afncan  plant,  nearly  allied  to  the  kidney- 
bean,  a  powerful  narcotic  poison. 

Calabash-tree,    -a-bash-tre.     Popular 

name  of  the  trees  or  shrubs,  gen.  Crecen- 

tia,  because  of  theii  gourd-like  fruits,  the 
shells  of  which  are  made  into  domestic 

utensils.  A  name  also  given  to  the  oaobab- 


OALABRIA 


188 


CALENDAE 


Calabria,  kah-la'bre-ah.  The  southern- 
most prov.  of  Italy,  a  long-  narrow  moun- 
taiuoiis  peninsula';  pop.  1,168,412. 

Calade,  ka-lad'.  The  slope  or  declmty 
of  a  manege-ground. 

Calais,  ka'la.  A  seaport  of  N.  France, 
the  nearest  to  England,  being  but  26  m. 
from  Dover  ;  pop.  13,719. 

Calamanco,  kal-a-mang'ko.  A  woolen 
stutf  of  a  fine  gloss  and  checkered  in  the 
warp. 

Calamander  "Wood,  -man'der  wftd. 
A  beautiful  wood,  the  product  of  Diospy- 
ros  quaisita,  ord.  Ebenacese,  resembling 
rosewood,  but  extremely  hard. 

Calamary,  'a-ma-ri.  The  general  name 
for  decapod  cuttle-fishes,  fam.  Teuthidae, 
ord.  Dibranchiata,  but  properly  used  to 
designate  those  of  the  gen.  Lohgo.  Called 
also  Squid,  Sea-sleeve,  Preke,  or  Penflsh. 

Calaraine.  -min.  The  native  siUceous 
oxide  of  zinc,  from  which  the  metal  is 
got  by  distillation. 

Balamite,  -mit.  A  mineral,  probably  a 
variety  of  tremolite.  Its  structure  is 
foliated,  its  luster  vitreous.  A  fossil  of 
the  gen.  Calamites. 

Oalamites,  -a-ml'tez.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
plants,  characteristic  of  the  carboniferous 
rocks. 

•CalanxtLS,  'a-mus.  In  Scrip,  the  word 
used  to  translate  a  Hebrew  term  brelieved 
to  mean  an  aromatic  substance  obtained 
from  some  kind  of  reed  or  cane.  The 
root  of  the  sweet  flag  or  sweet  rush.  A 
gen.  of  palms,  the  stems  of  which  are  the 
rattan  canes.  In  the  K.  C.  Ch.  a  tube  of 
precious  metal,  anciently  used  by  com- 
municants when  partaking  ol  the  eu- 
charist.  The  kings  of  France  used  it  at 
their  coTOBation  when  they  partook  of 
both  kinds  in  the  sacrament. 

Calandra,  ka-lan'dra.  A  species  of  lark, 
Alauda  calandra.  A  gen.  of  coleopterous 
insects,  section  llhynchophora,  fam.  Cur- 
cuUonidae,  very  destructive. 

Oalapitte,  kal'a-pit.  A  stony  concretion 
occasionally  present  in  the  cocoa-nut, 
called  also  Vegetable  Bezoar,  worn  by  the 
Malays  as  an  amulet. 

Calash.,  ka-lash'.  A  light  carriage  with 
very  low  wheels.  The  folding  top  some- 
times fitted  to  such  a  carriage.  A  cover 
for  the  head  used  by  French  ladies. 

Calatrava,  kal-ah-tra'va.  An  order  of 
Spanish  knighthood,  founded  by  Sancho 
III.,  1158,  of  which  the  ruling  King  of 
Spain  is  Grand  Master. 

Calcar,  'kar.    In  glass-works,  a  furnace 


used  for  the  calcination  of  sand  and  salt  of 
potash,  and  converting  them  into  frit. 

Calchas,  kal'kas.     A  noted  Greek  sooth- 
sayer who  was  present  a^    the  siege  of 
Troy  and  prophesied  the  principal  events  . 
of  the  long  and  eventful  war. 

Calcimine,  kal'si-min.  A  superior  wash 
for  the  walls  of  rooms,  ceilings,  «&:c. 

Calcimurite,  -si-mu'rit.  A  species  of 
earth  consisting  of  calcareous  earth  and 
magnesia  tinged  with  iron. 

Calcite,  'sit.  A  term  applied  to  various 
minerals,  modifications  of  the  rhombohe- 
dral  form  of  calcium  carbonate,  including 
limestone,  all  the  white  and  most  of  the 
colored  marbles,  chalk,  Iceland-spar,  &c. 

Calcium,  'si-um.  The  metallic  basis  of 
lime,  the  most  widely  diffused  of  the  alka- 
line metals. 

Calcography,  -kog'ra-fi.  The  art  of 
drawing  with  colored  chalks. 

Calc-sinter,  kalk'sin-ter.  A  stalactitlc 
carbonate  of  lime,  a  variety  of  calcite, 
forming  stalactites  and  stalagmites. 

Calc-spar,  'spar.  Calcareous  spar,  or 
crystallized  carbonate  of  lime. 

Calculus,  kal'kii-lus.  In  Pathol,  a  gen- 
eral term  for  inorganic  concretions  of  va- 
rious kinds  formed  in  various  jrnrts  of  the 
body.  In  Math,  a  method  of  computation. 

Calcutta,  kal-kut'ta.  Cap.  of  British 
India,  on  the  Hoogly,  a  branch  of  the 
Ganges,  100  m.  ft-om  Bay  of  Bengal;  it 
ranks  second  to  Canton,  the  commercial 
emporium  of  Asia  ;  pop.  688,436. 

Calderari,  -da-ra're.  A  politico-relig- 
ious sect  in  Italy  during  the  reign  of  Mu- 
rat,  opposed  to  the  Carbonari. 

Caledonite,  'i-do-nlt.  A  mineral,  a  cu- 
preous sulphato-carbonate  of  lead. 

Calefactor,  -i-fak'ter.     A  small  stove. 

Calefactory,  'to-ri.  A  warming-room 
in  a  monastery.  A  chafing-dish  placed 
upon  the  altar  in  cold  weather. 

Calemberre,  -em-ber',  A  rare  species  of 
Coromandel  wood. 

Calendar,  'en-der.  A  register  of  the 
year,  in  which  the  months,  weeks  and 
days  are  set  down  in  order,  with  tbo 
feasts  observed  by  the  church,  .fee. ;  an  al- 
manac. An  orderly  enumeration  of  per- 
sons or  things,  as  a  list  of  criminal  causes 
which  stand  for  trial.  C.  month,  a  solar 
month  as  it  stand  in  almanacs.  A  ma- 
chine consisting  of  cylinders  revolving  so 
nearly  in  contact  that  cloth  passing  be- 
tween them  is  smoothed  and  glazed  by 
their  pressure.  An  estabUshment  in 
which  woven  fabrics  are  pressed,  stretch- 


CALENDER 


CALK 


ed,  starclied,  &c.  A  person  who  manages 
such  a  business  ;  a  calenderer. 

Calender.  One  of  an  order  of  dervishes 
in  Turkej'  and  Persia,  of  not  A-ery  strict 
morals,  who  preach  in  the  market  places 
and  Uve  upon  alms. 

Calends,  'endz.  Among  the  Eomans, 
thu  tirst  day  of  each  month, 

Calenduline,  ka-len'dfi-lin.  A  'gum 
obtained  from  the  marigold,  the  Calendula 
of  botanists. 

Calf,  kaf.  Properly  the  young  of  the 
bovine  gen.  of  quadrupeds,  but  applied 
also  to  the  young  of  the  marine  mam- 
malia, as  the  whale.  An  ignorant,  weak 
or  cowardly  man.  Naut.,  a  mass  of  floe- 
ice,  breaking  from  under  the  floe,  and 
rising  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  often 
with  violence. 

Calhoun,  Joh.n  Caldwell.  An  Amer- 
ican statesman  and  orator;  b.  in  S.  Caro- 
lina 17S2,  D.  1850.  He  was  elected  to 
Congress  in  1810  ;  appointed  Secretary  of 
Wai-'lSlT ;  in  1824  elected  Vice-President, 
and  re-elected  in  1828 ;  resigned  the  Vice- 
Presidency  in  1882,  and  was  afterward 
elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  being  re-elect- 
ed until  his  death.  He  was  the  author  of 
the  nullification  law  of  S,  Carolina,  the 
basis  of  the  later  act  of  secession,  and 
but  for  the  firmness  of  President  Jackson 
the  Union  would  have  been  disrupted  in 
1829. 

Caliatour-wood,  kal'i-a-tor-wHd.  A 
dye-wood  sometimes  confounded  with 
i-ed  sandal-wood. 

Caliber,  -ber.  The  diameter 
of  a  body ;  usually  the  di- 
ameter of  the  bore  of  a  fire- 
arm .  Fig .,compassor capac- 
ity of  mind.  C.  compasses, 
or  calipers,  have  arched  legs 
to  measure  the  diameter  of 
globular  bodies,  or  straight 
legs  and  retracted  points,  to  Calipers, 
measure  the  interior  or  bore 
of  anything.  C.  rule,  gunner's  calipers, 
an  instrument  to  determine,  from  a  ball's 
weight,  its  diameter  or  caliber,  and  vice 
versa.  C.  square,  a  rule  carrying  two 
cross-heads,  one  of  which  is  adjusted 
slightly  by  a  nut,  the  other  movable. 

Calico,  -ko.  A  term  for  any  white  cotton 
cloth.  Calico  was  first  manufactured  in 
India.  Printed  cotton  cloth  coarser  than 
muslin. 

Calico-printing-, -prlnt-ing.  The  art  of 
impressing  calicoes  -with  variegated  fig- 
ures and  colors. 
Oaliinila.  Cains  Caesar,  kah-lig'u-lah. 


The  4th  Koman  emperor,  son  of  German- 
icus  and  Agrippina,  b.  a.  d.  12,  crowned 
37,  reigned  3y.  10  m.,  and  was  assassi- 
nated 47  A.  r.  He  was  notorious  in  dissi- 
pation, cruelty  and  disregard  of  all  moral 
restraint,  one'of  his  most  disgusting  per- 
formances being  a  decree  appointing  his 
favorite  horse  consul. 
California.  One  of  the  Pacific  States, 
admitted  to  the  American  Union  in  1850  ; 
area  188,981  sq.  m.;  pop.  864,094;  of 
which  number  75,132  are  Chinese.  Iti 
principal  cities  are  San  Francisco,  Sacra- 
mento, the  cap.,  San  Jose  and  Stockton ; 
chief  rivers,  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joa- 
quin ;  mountains,  the  Monte  Diablo 
range  along  the  Pacific  and  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vada. The  Bay  of  San  Francisco  is  one 
of  the  fljiest  harbors  in  the  world,  and  tho 
city  of  the  same  name,  situated  at  its 
head,  is  the  commercial  emporium  of  the 
entire  western  coast. 

Calin,  ka'lin.  A  compound  metal,  of 
which  the  Chinese  make  tea-canisters  and 
the  like. 

Calipasll,    kal'i-pash.      That  part  oi  a 
turtle  which  belongs  to  the  upper  shield. 
Calipee,  -pe.     That  part  of  a  turtle  ^hich 
belongs  to  the  lower  shield. 
Caliph,   ka'lif.      A    title  given   to    tho 
acknowledged  successors  of  Mohammed, 
regarded  as  being  vested  with  supreme 
dignity  and  power.  The  sultans  of  Tm-kcy 
assume  this  as  one  of  their  titles. 
Calippic,  ka-lip'ik.    Of  or  pertaining  to 
Calippus,  a  Greek  astronomer  of  the  4th 
century  before  Christ. 
Calisaya  Bark,  kal-i-sa'a  bark.  A  name 
for  the  febrifugal  inner  barks  of  Cinchona 
flava. 

Calixtine,  ka-liks'tln.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Hussites  in  Bohemia,  who  published  their 
confession  in  1421,  the  leading  article  of 
which  was  I  demand  to  ])artake  of  the  cup 
(calix)  as  well  as  of  the  bread  in  the  Lords 
Supper.  A  follower  of  George  Cali.xtus, 
who  died  in  1656.  He  wrote  against  celi- 
bacy, and  proposed  a.  reunion  of  Catho- 
lics and  Protestants  upon  the  basis  of  the 
Apostles'  Creed. 

Calixtus,  St.,  Pope.  Succeeded  Zeph- 
irinus  219  ;  martyred  223.  C.  II.,  son  of 
William  of  Bur'gundv,  s.  Pope  Gelasius 
II.,  1119,  V.  1124.  C."  III.  (Alfonso  Bor- 
gia),  s.  Nicholas  V.,  1435,  d.  1458 ;  was 
uncle  to  Pope  Alexander  VI. 
Calk,  kak.  A  piece  of  iron  with  sharp 
points  worn  on  the  sole  of  the  .shoe  to  prc^ 
vent  slipping  on  the  ice.  The  extremity 
of  a  horseshoe  bent  downward  to  prevent 


CALKIN^G 


140 


CALYAET 


the  horse  slipping.  A  ring  of  iron  nailed 
to  the  heel  of  a  shoe  to  make  it  wear  long- 
er. 

Calking:,  'ing.  Copying  a  picture  or  de- 
sign by  rubbing  the  back  with  chalk  or 
crayon,  and  tracing  lines  through  -with  a 
point. 

Callao,  kal-la'o.  The  principal  seaport 
of  Peru,  C  m.  from  Lima,  the  cap. ;  pop. 
21,400. 

Call-bell,  kaltel.  A  stationary  hand-bell 
rung  by  means  of  a  clapper  pivoted  at  one 
end,  and  acted  on  by  means  of  a  vertical 
plunger. 

Callichroma,  kal-i-kro'ma.  A  gen.  of 
coleopterous  insects,  sec.  Longicornes, 
fam.  Cerjimbycidaj ;  the  musk-beetle. 

Callichthys,  -ik'this.  A  gen.  of  fish, 
.ibdouiinal  malacopterygians,  fam.  Silu- 
ridie  or  sh«at-fishes. 

CalligTaphy,  -lig'ra-fi.  The  art  of  pen- 
manship. 

Calling-crab,  kal'ing-krab.  Popular 
name  for  the  gen.  Gelasimus. 

Callionymus,  kal-li-on'i-mus.  A  gon. 
of  acauthopterygious  fishes  of  the  goby 
fum.,  knovm  as  drago- 
uets  and  gowdics. 

Calliope,  -ll'o-pe.  In 
class  Myth,  the  muse 
that  presides  over  elo- 
quence and  heroic  po- 
etry. The  name  given 
to  a  steam  musical  in- 
strument. 

Callipeva,  -i-pe'va. 
The  Mugil  liza,  a  river 
mullet  of  the  W.  In- 
dies. Its  scales  ai-e  used 
for  ornaments,  and  its 
roes  form  an  excellent 
caviare. 

Callisthenics,  kal-is-then'iks.  The 
practice  of  taking  exercise  for  health,  or 
grace  of  movement. 

Callitris,  kal'i-tris.  A  gen.  of  conifers 
which  supplies  the  aromatic  gum-resin 
called  sandarac. 

Calnxnck,  'muk.  A  member  of  a  remark- 
able branch  of  the  Mongol  race,  spread 
over  a  largo  portion  of  Asia. 

Calomel,  'o-mel.  Heml-,  di-,  sub-,  or 
pro  to -chloride  of  mercury,  or  mercurous 
chloride ;  a  preparation  of  mercury  found 
native  as  horn  quicksilver. 

Calophyllum,  -fil'um.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  GruttifenD.  C.  Inophyllum  yields  a 
medical  resin,  tacamahac.  The  seeds 
afford  an  oil  which  is  used  for  burning, 
making  ointment,  «Ssc. 


Calliope. 


Caloric,  ka-lor'ik.  A  supposed  subtle 
imponderable  fluid  to  which  the  sensa- 
tion and  phenomena  of  heat  were  formerly 
attributed.  C.  engine,  a  name  given  by 
Captain  Ericsson  to  Ma  improved  air- 
engine. 

Calorie,  -lo-re.  The  quantity  of  heat 
necessary  to  raise  the  temperature  of  a 
kilogramme  of  water  one  degree  Centi- 
grade. 

Calorimeter,  kal-o-rim'e-ter.  An  ap- 
paratus for  measuring  quantities  of  heat 
or  the  heat  of  bodies. 

Calorimotor,  ka-lor'i-mo"ter.  A  gal- 
vanic instrument  which  produces  consid- 
erable heat,  attended  by  small  electrical 
power. 

Calosoma  kal-o-so'ma.  A  gen.  of  cole- 
opterous insects,  fam.  Carabida;. 

Calotte,  ka-lot'  A  plain  skull-cap  or 
coif  of  hair,  worn  in  Catholic  countries  as 
an  ecclesiastical  ornament,  and  in  Eng- 
land by  sergeants-at-law  on  their  wigs; 
also,  a  military  skull-cap.  Anything  hav- 
ing the  form  of  a  small  cap,  as  the  cap  of 
a  sword-hilt. 

Calottist,  'tist.  A  member  of  a  society 
which  sprang  up  in  Paris  in  the  reign  of 
Louis  XIV.,  and  formed  a  regiment  un- 
der the  name  La  Calotte  (a  Hat  cap  worn 
by  the  priests),  which  was  the  symbol  of 
the  society. 

Calotype,  kal'o-tip.  The  process  of  pro- 
ducing i>hotographs  by  the  action  of  light 
upon  nitrate  of  silver. 

Caloyer,  ka-loi  er.  One  of  a  sect  of 
monks  of  the  Greek  Church,  divided  into 
cenobites,  anchorets  and  recluses. 

Calp,  kalp.  A  sub-species  of  carbonate 
of  lime,  intermediate  between  compact 
limestone  and  marl,  called  also  Argillo- 
ferruginous  Limestone. 

Calp-slates,  'slats.  A  series  of  shale, 
calp  and  flaggy  sandstone  strata  developed 
in  Ireland  between  the  two  great  banda 
of  carboniferous  limestone. 

Caltrop,  kaPtrop.  An  in- 1 
strument  with  four  iron 
points.  They  are  used  to 
obstruct  the  movements  of 
cavalry.  In  Bot.  the  com- 
mon caltrops  is  the  star- 
thistle  ;  the  water  caltrop 
isTrapanatans.  Caltrop. 

Calunxet,  'u-met.  A  tobacco  pipe  used 
by  the  American  Indians.  The  calumet 
of  peace  is  smoked  to  ratify  alliances,  «fec.; 
its  rejection  means  Avar. 

Calvary,  'va-ri.  A  place  of  skulls; 
G-olgotha  ;  the  place  where  Christ  was 


CALVINISM 


141 


CAMEPwA 


Calyx. 


Cam. 


crucified.  In  E.  C.  countries,  a  chapel, 
in  memory  of  the  place  where  our  Saviour 
suffered. 

Calvinism,  'rin-izm.  The  theological 
tenets  or  doctrines  of  John  Calvin,  who 
was  born  in  Picardy  in  France,  and  in  1536 
chosen  professor  of  divinity  and  minister 
of  a  church  in  Geneva,  Switzerland. 

Calyptrseidae,  ka-lip-tre'i-de.  A  fam. 
of  gasteropodous  mollusks,  knovtn  as  bon- 
net or  chambered  limpets. 

Calyx,  ku'Uks.  In  Bot.  the  ex- 
terior covering  of  a  flower  with- 
in the  bracts  and  external  to  the 
corola,  which  it  incloses  and 
supports.  In  Anat.  small  cup- 
like  membranous  canals  which 
invest  the  raints  of  the  papillae 
of  the  kiduey. 

Cam,  kam.    In  Mach.  a  simple 
contrivance  for  converting  a  xmi- 
form   rotatory   motion   into    a 
varied     rectilineari 
motion. 

Cambaye,  -ba'.  A  O 
cotton  cloth  made 
in  India.  _^ 

Camber, 'ber.  A  \:^ 
convexity  upon  an 
upper  surface,  as  a 
deck  amidships,  a  bridge.  The  part  in  a 
dockyard  where  timber  Is  stored,  and 
where  cambering  is  performed. 

Cam.ber-beam.,  'ber-bem.  In  Arch,  a 
beam  laid  upon  the  straining  beam  of  a 
truncated  roof,  supporting  the  covering 
of  the  summit. 

Camberwell  Beauty,  -wel  bu'ti.  A 
rare  British  butterfly,  Vanessa  Antiopa. 

Cambistry,  'bis-tri.  The  science  of  ex- 
change, weights,  measures,  &c. 

Cambrasine.  'bra-sen.  A  fine  linen  cloth 
fabricated  in  Egypt,  resembling  cambric. 

Cam.brian,  'bri-an.  Relating  or  per- 
taining to  "Wales  or  Cambria.  C.  gi-oup,  an 
extensive  series  of  gritstones,  sandstones, 
or  slates,  often  metamorphosed  into  chlo- 
rite and  mica  schists,  and  gneiss,  lying  un- 
der the  lower  Silurian  beds. 

Cambric,  kara'brik,  A  fine  linen  fabric, 
named  from  Cambray  in  Flanders,  where 
it  was  first  manufactured.  An  imitation 
is  also  made  of  fine  cotton. 

Cambro-Briton,  kam'brS-bri-ton.  A 
Welshman. 

Camail,  ka-mal.  The  chain-mail  or  ar- 
mor ai)pertaining  to  the  casque  or  bas- 
clnet,  falUng  down  over  the  shoulders. 

Camaldolite,  -mal'do-llt.    A  nearly  ex- 


tinct fraternity  of  monks  founded  in  1018, 
by  St.  Romuald  ;  they  wear  white  robes. 

Camarilla,  kam-a-ril'a.  A  company  of 
secret  counsellors  or  advisers;  a  cabal; 
a  clique. 

Camayeu,  ka-ma'ii.  A  stone  or  onyx 
engraved  in  relief;  a  cameo.  In  fine  arts, 
monochrome  painting. 

Camel,  kam'el.  A  large  quadruped,  gen. 
Camelus,  family  Camehdas,  ord.  Rumi- 
nantia.  There  are  two  varieties,  one  strong 
and  slow,  for  burdens,  the  other  slighter 
and  fleeter,  for  traveling.  The  gen.  Au- 
chenia  (llamas)  have  no  hump.  A  water- 
tight structure  placed  beneath  a  vessel  to 
raise  it  in  the  water. 

Camelidae,  ka-mel'i-de.  A  fam.  of 
quadrupeds,  including  the  true  camels  of 
the  eastern  hemisphere,  and  the  llamas  of 
the  western.  They  are  the  only  rumi- 
nants with  canine  and  incisor  teeth  in  the 
upper  jaw. 

Camelopardalis,  kam'el-o-par"da  lis. 
A  gen.  of  ruminant  quadrupeds  of  which 
the  camelopard  is  the  sole  species.  A 
northern  constellation,  situated  between 
Oepheus,  Perseus,  Ursa  Major  and  Minor, 
and  Draco,  containing  82  stars. 

Cam.elopardel,  ka-mel'o-par-del.  An 
imaginary  beast  of  heraldic  creation, 
formed  by  the  addition  of  two  hoi-ns  on 
the  head  of  the  camelopard. 

Cameo,  kam'e-6.  A  general  name  for  all 
stones  cut  in  relief,  in  contradistinction  to 
those  hoUowed  out,  or  intaglios.  C.  in- 
crustation, the  art  of  producing  bas-relief 
casts  within  a  coating  of  flint-glass. 

Cam.eotype,  -tip.  A  small  vignette 
daguerreotype  for  mounting  in  a  jeweled 
setting. 

Camera  , 
'er-a.  In  Auc. 
ai'ch.  an  arch- 
ed roof,  ceil- 
ing, or  cover- . 
ing;  a  vault. 
The  variety  of 
camera  obscu- 
ra  used  by 
photog  r  a  p  h- 
ers.  C.  lucida, 

an     invention         Camera  Obscura: 
for  facihtatmg 

the  delineation  of  distant  objects,  and  also 
copjTUg  or  reducing  drawings,  by  pro- 
ducing a  reflected  picture  of  them  upon 
paper.  C.  obscura,  an  apparatus  in  which 
the  Images  of  external  objects,  received 
through  a  double  convex  lens,  are  exhib- 
ited distinctly,  and  in  their  natural  colors, 
on  a  white  surface  placed  at  the  focus  of 


CAMEELHTGO 


142 


CANAI^ 


the  lens.  The  C.  obscura  employed  by 
jthotographers  is  a  box,  one  half  of  which 
slides  into  the  other,  with  a  tube  in  front 
containing  an  object  glass  at  its  extremity. 

Canierling"0,  ka-mer-Ien'go.  The  high- 
est officer  in  the  papal  household ;  the 
chamberlain. 

Cameronian,  kam-er-rG'ni-an.  One  of 
tae  followers  of  llichard  Cameron  in  Scot- 
land, who  lefused  to  accept  th&  indul- 
gence granted  to  the  Presbyterian  clergy 
by  Chai-les  II.  They  constituted  the  Ke- 
formed  Presbyterian  Church,  the  majori- 
ty of  which  in  1S76  joined  the  Free 
Church.  A  name  given  to  the  26th  Eeg- 
iment  of  British  infantry, 

Camisard,  'i-ziird.  One  of  the  French 
Calvinists  of  the  Cevennes,  in  revolt  from 
16S8  till  1705. 

Camisole,  -sol.  A  short  light  garment 
worn  by  ladies  when  dressed  in  negligee. 
A  straight-jacket  put  upon  lunatics.  A 
sort  of  straiight  jacket  put  upon  prisoners 
in  France  after  condemnation  to  the  guil- 
lotine. 

Camlet,  'let.  A  stuff  originally  made  of 
camel's  hair,  now  of  avooI,  silk,  or  hair, 
especially  that  of  goats,  with  wool  or  silk. 
The  pure  oriental  camlet  is  made  from  the 
hair  of  the  Angora  goat. 

Camorra,  ka-mor'ra.  A  secret  society 
in  Neapolitan  cities,  whose  members, 
styled  Camoristi,  exercised  a  lawless  In- 
fluence over  the  lower  classes. 

Camp,  kamp.  The  place  where  an  army 
or  other  body  of  men  is  encamped  ;  the 
collection  of  tents  or  other  erections 
for  the  accommodation  of  a  number  of 
men.  An  intrenched  camp  is  surrounded 
by  earthworks,  &c.  A  flying  camp  is  one 
occupied  for  a  very  brief  period.  C.  of 
instruction,  a  camp  formed  for  the  recep- 
tion of  troops  to  be  maneuvered  in  large 
bodies.  Body  of  troops  moving  and  en- 
camping together ;  an  army. 

Carapagnol,  kam-pag-nol.    A  species  of 
lield-rat  or  vjle,  the  Arvicola  arvalis. 
Campanile,  -pa-ne'la.  In 
Arch,  a  clock  or  bell  tower ; 
applied  to  detached  build- 
ings erected  for  the  pur- 
pose  of  containing  bells,  x 
That  at  Cremona   is    395  ^ 
feet  high.  t|i 

Camphene,    'lEn.     Thel^ 
generic  name  for  the  vola-  »y'°' 
tile  oils  or  hydrocarbons, 
isomeric  or  polymeric  with 
oil  of  turpentine,  as  oil  of 
bergamot,  cloves,  copaiba,    Oampanile 
&c. 


Camphor,  'fer,  A  translucent  sub- 
stance, of  granular  or  foliated  fracture, 
having  a  bitterish  aromatic  taste  and  a 
pungent  smell.  In  chemical  character  it 
belongs  to  the  vegetable  oils. 

Camphor-oil,  -oil.  A  fragrant,  limpid, 
colorless  oil  obtained  from  the  Dryobala- 
iiops  Camphora  by  distilltng  the  wood 
with  water. 

Camphor-tree,  -tre,  Camphora  offici- 
narum,  ord.  Lauracese,  the  tree  from 
which  common  camphor  is  obtained.  AH 
l)arts  of  the  tree  yield  camphor,  but  it  is 
obtained  chiefly  from  the  wood. 

Camp-m.eeting-,  kamp'met-ing.  A  re- 
ligious meeting  held  in  the  open  air,  the 
attendants  encamping  for  some  days  for 
continuous  devotion. 

Campo,  kam'po.  The  Portuguese  name 
of  the  wide  grass  plains  of  Brazil,  once  the 
site  of  forests.    A  kind  of  Bohea  tea. 

Campong",  'pong.  A  native  village  in 
the  islands  of  the  Eastern  Archipelago. 

Cam.p-stool,  kamp'stiil.  A  seat  or  stool 
Avith  cross  legs,  so  made  as  to  fold  up. 

Camp- vinegar,  -vin'e-ger.  A  mixture 
of  vinegar,  Cayenne  pepper,  soy,  walnut- 
catsup,  anchovies  and  garlic. 

Campylite,  kam'pi-lit.  A  variety  of 
mimetite  or  arsenate  of  lead  in  which 
X)hosphoric  largely  replaces  arsenic  acid. 

Cam- wheel,  'whel.  A  wheel  formed  so 
as  to  move  eccentrically  and  produce  a  re- 
ciprocating rectilineal  and  interrupted 
motion  in  connecting  machinery. 

Cam-wood,  'wud.  A  red  dye-wood,  the 
produce  of  Baphia  nitida,  ord.  Legumi- 
nosae.  It  is  used  also  for  making  knife- 
handles  and  knobs  to  furnitm-e. 

Can,  kan.  A  term  applied  to  A^arioua 
vessels,  especially  to  vessels  made  of  sheet' 
metal,  for  containing  liquids ;  in  some 
cases  provided  with  a  handle  and  spout. 

Canaanite,  kiVnan-lt.    An  inhabitant  of 
the  land  of  Canaan,  before  the  return  of 
the  Israelites  from  Egyjtt ;  a  descendant 
of  Canaan,  son  of  Ham. 
Canada  Balsam,  kan'a-da  bal'sam.   A 
fluid  resin  mixed  vvith  a  volatile  oil  ob- 
tained from  blisters  in  the  bark  of  the 
balsam  fir  and  of  Eraser's  balsam  fir. 
Canada  Rice,  ris.    Zizania  aquatica  or 
Hydropyrum  esculentum,  a  plant  prolific 
in  large  farinaceous  seeds,  Avhich  afford 
good  meal. 
Canaille,  ka-nrd'.     The  lowest  order  of 
the  people ;  the  rabble,  the  vulgai-. 
Canal,  -nal'.    An  artificial  water-course, 
particulaiiy  one  constructed  for  the  pass- 


CANAL-LIFT 


14S 


CANDLE-BOMB 


Canaiy. 


age  of  vessels.  In  Arch,  a  channel ;  a 
groove  or  a  flute.  In  Zool.  a  groove  In 
parts  of  certain  univalve  shells,  adapted 
for  the  protrusion  of  the  siphon  or  breath- 
ing tube. 

Canal-lift,  'Uft.  A  hydro-pneumatic 
elevator  for  raising  boats  from  one  level 
of  a  canal  to  another. 

Canard,  -nard'.  An  absurd  storj'  which 
one  attempts  to  impose  on  his  hearers  or 
readers ;  a  fabricated  story  to  which  cur- 
rency is  given  by  newspapers.  A  broad- 
side cried  in  the  streets,  from  the  gener- 
ally sensational  nature  of  its  contents. 

Canarium,  -na'ri-um.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Amyridaceae,  consistingof  trees  which 
exude  valuable  resin  or  balsam  and  oil. 

Canar  y . 
Wine  made  in 
the  Canary; 
Islands.  An 
old  dance  in- 
troduced from 
the  Canary 
Islands.  A 
canary-bird. 

Cana  r  y- 
bird,  -berd. 
An  insessorial 
singing  bird,  a  kind  of  finch,  the  Car- 
duehs  canaria,  or  FringUla  carduelis, 
fam.  Fringillldae.  They  were  introduced 
into  Europe  300  to  400  years  ago. 

Canary-gn:ass,  -grass,  Phalaris  canari- 
«nsis,  ord.  Graminese ;  the  seed  is  used  as 
food,  and  is  largely  collected  for  chamber 
birds. 

Canary-stone,  -ston.  A  beautiful  and 
rare  variety  of  cameUan. 

Cancan,  kan'kan.  An  extravagant  and 
lascivious  French  dance  performed  by 
men  and  women. 

Cancelli,  -sel'li.  Lattice  work ;  specific- 
ally, in  E.  C.  churches,  the  partition  be- 
tween the  choir  ajid  the  body  of  the 
church,  so  constructed  as  not  to  intercept 
the  view.  In  Compar.  Anat.  the  spongy 
texture  of  bones. 

Cancer,  'ser.  The  crab 
gen.,  ten-footed,  anomural 
or  short-tailed  crustace- 
ans, now  used  to  include 
only  the  common  edible 
crab  and  allied  species.  In: 
Astron.  one  of  the  twelve 
signs  of  the  zodiac,  limit- 
ing the  sun's  course  north 
ward  in  summer.  A  mor- 
bid growth,  arising  from  a  vitiated  con- 
stitution and  ending  in  ulceration,  divided 


3BS 


Cancer. 


Candelabra. 


into  scirrhous,  encephaloid,  colloid,  and 
epithelial  cancer. 

Cancroma,  kang-kro'ma.  A  gen.  of 
birds,  ord.  Grallai ;  the  boat-bills. 
Candareen,  kan- 
da-ren'.  A  Chinese 
weight,  the  100th 
part  of  a  tael,  equal 
to  10  cash,  about  6 
grains ;  its  money 
value  ranges  from 
ten  to  fourteen  cop- 
per cash. 

Candelabrum, 
kan-de-la-'brum.    In 
Antiq.  a  tall  candle- 
stick, often   highly- 
ornamented.    A, 
stand      by     which , 
lamps  were  support- 
ed.   A  branched  or- 
namental candlestick. 
Canderos,  'de-ros.    A  gum,  of  the  ap- 
pearance of  amber,  but  white  and  pellu 
cid,  sometimes  turned  into  toys. 
Candidate,  'di-dat.    A  person  who  as- 
pires or  is  put  forward  as  an  aspirant  to 
an  office  of  honor ;  one  who  offers  him- 
self, or  who  is  proposed  for  preferment, 
by  election  or  appointment. 
Candied,  'did.    Preserved  with  sugar, 
or  incrusted  with  it.    Wholly  or  partially 
converted  into  sugar. 

Candiot,  'di-ot.  An  inhabitant  of  Candia. 
Candle,  'dl.  A  taper ;  a  cylindrical  body 
of  tallow,  wax,  spermaceti,  or  other  fatty 
material,  formed  on  a  ■wick,  used  for  a 
portable  light.  A  candle  power.  Excom- 
munication by  inch  of  candle,  a  form  in 
which  the  offender  is  allowed  time  to  re- 
pent only  while  a  candle  burns  out.  Eush 
candle,  made  of  the  pith  of  certain  rushes, 
peeled  except  on  one  side,  and  dipped  in 
tallow.  The  game  is  not  worth  the  can- 
dle (Le  jeu  ne  vaut  pas  la  chandelle),  a 
phrase  of  French  origin,  indicating  that 
an  object  is  not  worth  the  pains  requisite 
for  its  attainment. 

Candle-berry,  -be-ri.  The  fruit  of  the 
candle-beny  tree,  the  kernels  of  which  aro 
used  by  the  Polynesians  as  candles. 
Called  also  Candle-nut. 
Candle-berry  Tree,  tre.  The  Aleu- 
rites  triloba.  Also  the  Myrica  certicra, 
or  wax  mjTtle,  ord.  Myricacese,  the 
drupes  or  berries  of  which  are  covered 
with  a  wax  of  which  candles  are  made. 
Candle-bomb,  -bom.  A  small  glass 
bubble  filled  with  water  placed  in  the  wick 


CAOT)LE-FISn 


144 


CANNOW 


of  a  candle,  whore  it  explodes  from  the 

force  of  the  steaiu  which  is  generated. 

Candle-fish,  -fish.     A  sea-fish  of  the 

salmon   fum.,  the  Thaleichthys  Paciflcus, 

used  not  only  for  food,  but  for  making  oil, 
and  as  a  natural  candle. 

Candlemas,  -mas.  An  ecclesiastical 
festival,  held  on  the  2d  day  of  Februaiy, 
in  honor  of  the  purification  of  the  Virgin 
Mary.  On  this  day  the  Catholics  conse- 
crate all  candles  and  tapers  to  bo  used  in 
the  churches  during  the  year. 

Candle-power,  -pou-er.  The  illuminat- 
ing power  of  a  candle,  taken  as  a  unit  in 
estimating  the  luminosity  of  any  agent ; 
as  gas  of  25  candle-power.  The  standard 
is  a  spermaceti  candlo  burning  at  the  rate 
of  120  grains  per  hour. 

Candroy,  'droi.  A  machine  used  in  pre- 
paring cotton  cloths  for  printing. 

Candy,  'di.  A  soUd  preparation  of  sugar 
or  molasses,  either  aJone  or  in  combination 
■with  other  substances,  to  flavor,  color  or 
give.it  the  desired  consistency.  An  East- 
ern measure  of  weight,  varying  from  600 
to  821i-  lbs.  In  Malabar,  a  measure 
equivalent  to  28i  inches. 

Cane,  kan.  A  term  applied  to  the  stems 
of  the  bamboo,  rattan  and  sugar-cane.  A 
walking-stick.  A  long  measure  in  several 
counti-ies  of  Europe ;  at  Naples,  7  feet  Si- 
inches  ;  in  Toulouse,  5  feet  8^  inches ;  in 
Provence,  &c.,  6  feet  5^  inches. 

Cane-grun,  'gun.  A  Aveapon  comprising 
a  gun -barrel  with  its  discharging  devices 
arranged  within  a  walking-stick. 

Canepliorus, 
ka-nefo-rus.  One 
of  the  bearers  of 
the  baskets  con- 
taining the  imple- 
ments of  sacrifice, 
in  processions  at 
ancient  Greek  fes- 
tivals, an  office 
much  coveted  by 
virgins.  In  Arch. 
A  term  applied  to 
figures  bearing 
baskets  on  their 
heads. 

Canes  Venatici, 
ka'nez    ve-nat'i-sl.         Canephorus. 
The  Hounds,  a  con- 
stellation containing  25  stars. 

Canga,  kang'ga.  The  auriferous  iron- 
conglomerato  of  Brazil,  probably  of  glacial 
origin.  The  word  is  a  contraction  of 
tepanhuna,  negro,  and  acauga,  head. 

Caxigran,  ■'gan.     A  coarse  cotton  cloth 


mannfacture<l  in  China,  19  inches  broad 
and  6  yards  long,  which  has  a  fixed  valu# 
in  currency. 

Canicula,  ka-nik'u-la.  A  star  in  tie 
constellation  of  Canis  Major,  called  also  tie 
Dog-star  or  Sinus,  the  largest  and  brigMt- 
est  of  all  the  fixed  stars.  Canicular  dars, 
or  dog-days,  a  certain  number  of  days  be- 
fore and  after  the  heUacal  rising  of  Canic- 
ula. Canicular  year,  the  Egyptian  nat- 
ui-al  year,  computed  from  one  heliacal  ris- 
ing of  Canicula  to  the  next. 

Canidae,  kan'i-de.  The  dog  tribe,  a  fam. 
of  digitigrade  carnivorous  mammalia,  in- 
cluding the  dog,  fox,  wolf  and  jackal. 

Canis  Major,  ka'nis  mii'jor.  The 
Great  Dog,  a  constellation  of  the  southern 
hemisphere,  below  Orion's  feet;  it  con- 
tains 31  stars,  among  which  is  Sirius. 

Canis  Minor,  mi'nor.  The  Little  Dog, 
a  constellation  of  the  northern  hemisphere, 
containing  14  stars,  among  which  is  a 
bright  star  called  Procyon. 

Canister,  kan'is-ter  A  small  basket 
made  of  reeds,  twigs,  or  the  like.  A  small 
box  or  case  for  tea,  cotfee,  &c.  In  the  K. 
C.  Ch.  the  vessel  used  to  contain  the  wa- 
fers before  consecration. 

Canker-fly,  kang'ker-fll.  A  fly  that 
preys  on  fruit. 

Canker-worm,  -werm.  A  worm  or 
larva  destructive  to  trees  or  plants.  The 
larva  of  Geometra  brumata  or  winter  moth. 

Canna,  kan'na.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Marantaceaa.  Their  leaves  are  large  and 
tough,  and  are  employed  as  envelopes  for 
articles  of  commerce.  Nearly  all  the 
species  contain  stai-ch,  and  are  used  as 
food.  An  ItaUan  measure  of  length  equal 
to  6  or  7  feet. 

Cannabinaceae,  -bi-na"se-e.  The  hemp 
tribe,  a  natural  order  of  apetalous  di- 
cotyledonous plants,  containing  two  gen- 
era^ amongst  whose  species  are  "the  hemp 
and  hop. 

Cannel-coal,  'nel-kol.  A  coal  which 
burns  with  a  bright  flame  like  a  candle. 
It  is  bituminous  and  is  chiefly  used  in 
making  gas. 

Cannibal,  'ni-bal.  A  human  being  that 
eats  human  flesh;  a  man-eater  or  an- 
thropophagite. 

Cannon,  'nun.  A  large  DGolitary  engine 
for  throwing  balls 
and  other  missiles  by 
the  force  of  gun- 
powder ;  a  big  gun  ori 
piece  of  ordnance, 
made  of  iron,  brass, 
bronze  or  steel.  The 


Cannon. 


CANUON-BALL 


145 


CANTARA 


100-ton  gun  requires  840  lbs.  of  powder, 

and  discliarges  a  bolt  of  the  weight  of  2,000 
pounds.  Cannons  are  classified  as  guns, 
howitzers,  carronades  and  mortars  ;  also 
as  field,  mountain,  coast,  sea  and  sieg* 
guns.  In  Mach.  a  hollow  cylindrical 
piece  through  which  a  revolving  shaft 
passes,  and  on  which  ij;  is  carried,  and 
may  revolve  independently.  In  billiards, 
the  act  of  hitting  a  ball,  so  that  the  latter 
strikes  a  second  ;  a  carambole. 

Cannon-toall,  -bal.  A  ball  to  be  thrown 
fi^m  cannon.  Projectiles  are  now  mostly 
elongated,  so  that  the  term  ball  as  applied 
to  them  is  no  longer  strictly  correct.  Can- 
non-ball tree,  a  name  sometimes  given  to 
the  Lecythis  OUaria. 

Cannon-pinion,  -pin-yon.  In  watch- 
making, a  squared  tubular  piece  placed  on 
the  arbor  of  the  center-wheel,  to  hold 
the  minute-hand  and  enable  It  to  be 
turned  by  means  of  the  key. 

Cannula,  'u-la.  A  tube  used  by  sur- 
geons, as  a  sheath  to  a  sharp  instrument, 
along  with  which  it  is  thrust  into  a  tumor; 
the  perforation  made,  the  instrument  is 
withdrawn  and  the  tube  left,  that  the 
fluid  may  pass  through  It. 

Canoe,  ka-no'.  A  light  boat,  narrow,  and 
propelled  by  paddles,  originally  formed  of 
the  trunk  or  base  of  a  tree.  Similar  boats 
are  now  made  of  galvanized  iron,  caout- 
chouc, and  paper. 

Canoe-bircll,  'berch.  Betula  papyr- 
acea,  or  paper-birch  tree,  the  bark  of 
which  is  used  for  making  canoes. 

Canon,  kan'on.  A  law  or  rale  in  general. 
Eccles.,  a  law  or  rule  of  doctrine  or  discip- 
line, enacted  by  a  council  and  confirmed 
by  the  sovereign.  The  books  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  universally  received  as  genuine 
by  Chiistians.  The  rules  of  a  religious 
order,  as  monks  and  nuns  ;  also  the  book 
in  which  'such  rules  are  written.  The 
catalogue  of  members  of  the  chapter  of  a 
cathedi-al  or  collegiate  church.  A  dig- 
nitary who  possesses  a  revenue  allotted 
for  the  performance  of  divine  service  in  a 
cathedral  or  collegiate  church.  A_  cata- 
logue of  saints  in  the  E.  C.  Church.  The 
secret  words  of  the  mass  from  the  preface 
to  the  pater,  in  the  middle  of  which  the 
priest  consecrates  the  host.  The  people 
rehearse  this  on  their  knees,  and  in  a  whis- 
per. In  Music,  a  fugue,  in  which  the  dif- 
ferent parts  repeat  the  same  air.  In  Phar. 
a  rule  for  compounding  medicines.  In 
Printing,  one  of  the  largest  sizes  of  body 
type. 

Canon,  ka-nyon'.  A  term  applied  to 
mountainous  gorges  or  deep  ravines  with 


precipitous  sides  in  the  great  western  pla- 
teausofN.  America. 

Canoness,  kan'on-es.  A  woman  who 
enjoys  a  i>rebend  affixed  by  the  founda- 
tion to  maids,  without  obhging  them  to 
renounce  the  world. 

Canonicals,  ka-non'ik-alz.  The  habit 
prescribed  by  canon  to  be  worn  by  the 
clergy  when  they  officiate.  Also,  some 
parts  of  the  dress  of  civil  officials  and  col- 
legians. 

Canonization,  kan'on-iz-a"shon.  The 
act  of  ranking  a  deceased  person  In  the 
catalogue  of  saints,  called  a  canon.  It  is 
preceded  by  beatification,  and  an  examina- 
tion into  the  life  and  miracles  of  the  per- 
son, after  which  the  pope  decrees  the  can- 
onization. 

Canon-la'W,  -la.  A  collection  of  ecclesi- 
astical constitutions  for  the  regulation  of 
the  Church  of  Eome  and  the  Church  of 
England. 

Canopic,  ka-nop'ik.  Of  or  pertaining  to 
Canopus,  in  Egypt.  C.  vases  were  used 
by  Egyptian  priests  to  hold  the  entrails  of 
embalmed  bodies. 

Canopus,   -no'pus.    A  star  of  the  first 
magnitude  in  the  constellation  Argo.    An 
Egyptian  jar,  made  of  baked  earth,  and 
used  for  keeping  water  cool. 
Canopy,  kan'O-pi.      A  covering  over  a 
throne  or  bed.      In  Arch,   a  decoration 
serving  as  a  hood  or  cover. 
Cant,  kant.    An  external  or  salient  angle. 
A  bolt  head  having  six  angles  is  said  to 
be  six-canted.    One  of  the  segments  form- 
ing a  side-piece  in  the  head  of  a  cask.    A 
segment  of  the  rim  of  a  wooden  cog-wheel. 
An  inclination  fi-om  a  horizontal  line. 
Cantab,  kan-tab'.    Abbreviation  of  Can- 
tabrigian. 

Cantabrian,    -ta'bri-an.    Pertaining  to 
Cantabria,  on  the  Bay  of  Biscay. 
Cantabrigian,  -ta-brij'i-an.    An  inhab- 
itant or  native  *of  Cambridge.    A  student 
or  graduate  of  Cambridge  University. 
Cantalever,  -ta-lev'er.     A  block  framed 
into  the  Avail  of  a  house,  and  projecting 
from   it    to  cany  moldings,  eaves,   bal- 
conies,  &c.    C.  bridge,  a  form  of  iron 
bridge  for  railroad  or  heavy  traflic,  re- 
cently invented.  " 
Cantaloupe,  -lop.    A  variety  of  musk- 
melon  of  a  very  dq^cate  flavor. 
Cantara,  -ta'ra.    A  measure  of  weight 
used  in  many  countries  ;  in  Turkey  it  is 
about  125  lbs. ;  In  Egypt,  98 ;  in  Malta, 
ITS,  &c.    The  Spanish  wine  measure  can- 
tara is  about  8i  gallons. 


CANTATEICE 


146 


CAISTADA 


Cantatrice,  -ta-tre'cha.  A  female  singer. 

Canteen,  -ten'.  A  sutler's  shop  in  bar- 
racks, camps,  &c.  A  vessel  used  by  sol- 
diers for  carrjing  water  or  liquor.  A 
square  box,  with  compartments,  in  which 
otiicers  pack  a  variety  of  articles. 

Canter,  'ter.  To  move  in  a  moderate 
gallop,  raising  the  two  fore-feet  nearly  at 
the  same  time.  Also  called  Canterbury 
gallop. 

Canterbury,  -be-ri.  A  receptacle  for 
music,  portfolios,  loose  papers,  &c.;  a 
stand  with  divisions. 

Cantharellus,  -tha-rellus.  A  gen.  of 
fungi  nearly  allied  to  Agaricus.  C.  ciba- 
rius  is  one  of  the  best  mushrooms. 

Oantharidin,  -thar'i-din.  That  peculiar 
substance  which  causes  vesication,  exist- 
iag  in  the  Spanish  fly. 

Canth.aris,  'tha-ris.  A  gen.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  type  of  the  fam.  Canthari- 
da^,.  The  best-kn«wn  species  is  the  Span- 
ish or  blistering  fly. 

Cantharus,  -rus.  A  gen.  of  acanthop- 
tervgious  fishes,  fam.  Sparoidel.  C.  gri- 
seus  is  the  black  bream. 

Canth.ook,  kant'hok.  A  wooden  lever 
with  an  iron  hook  at  the  end  for  turning 
over  logs. 

Canticle,  kan'ti-kl.  The  Song  of  Songs 
or  Song  of  Solomon.  An  unmetrical 
hymn  taken  from  Scripture,  arranged  for 
chanting. 

Canton,  'ton.  A  small  portion  of  land 
or  division  of  territory  ;  also  a  district  con- 
stituting a  distinct  State  or  government, 
as  in  Switzerland.  In  Her,  a  portion  of 
the  shield  comprising  a  third  part  of  the 
chief.  A  distinct  division,  as  the  cantons 
of  a  painting  or  flag. 

Cantonment,  -ton'ment,  A  division  of 
a  town  assigned  to  a  particular  regiment ; 
the  dweUing- places  occupied  by  an  army 
during  a  suspension  of  operations,  fre- 
quently used  to  designate  the  winter  quar- 
ters of  an  army. 

Cantoon,  kan-ton.  A  kind  of  fustian 
with  a  fine  cord  visible  on  one  side. 

Canvas,  kan'vas.  A  coarse  cloth  made 
of  hemp  or  flax,  used  for  tents,  sails  of 
ships,  paiatings,  &c.  A  cloth  woven  reg- 
ularly in  squares,  used  for  working  tapes- 
try.   Naut.,  sails  in  general. 

Canvas-back,  -bak.  A  species  of  wild 
duck,  the  Fuligula  valisneria,  highly  es- 
teemed for  its  deUcacy. 

Caoutchine,  ko'chin.  An  inflammable 
volatile  oil  produced  by  distillation  of 
caoutchouc. 


Caoutchouc,  'chok.  An  elastic  gummy 
substance,  the  inspissated  juice  of  several 
tropical  plants;  india-rubber;  gum -elas- 
tic. Obtained  ft-om  Siphonia  elastica,  a 
euphorbiaceous  plant,  and  Ficus  elastica, 
oi'd.  Moracese;  also  from  several  apocynace* 
ous  plants,  as  the  Urceola  elastica,  Castil- 
loa  elastica  and  other  artocarpads,  &c.  Itia 
impervious  to  water,  and  is  composed  of 
87.5  per  cent,  carbon,  and  12,5  per  cent. 
hydrogen. 

Cap,  kap.  A  part  of  dress  made  to  cover 
the  head,  of  softer  material  and  less  defi- 
nite form  than  a  hat.  The  badge  or  en- 
sign of  some  dignity ;  specifically,  of  a 
cardinalate.  The  top  or  chief ;  the  acme. 
A  size  of  paper.  Anything  resembling  a 
cap  in  appearance  or  use.  C.  of  dignity, 
a  head  tire  formerly  worn  by  dukes  and 
commanders,  now  an  ornament  of  state 
carried  before  the  sovereigns  of  England 
at  their  coronation,  and  also  before  the 
mayors  of  some  cities. 
Calvin,  John,  Rev.  A  distinguished 
religious  reformer,  b.  in  France,  1509,  d. 
in  Switzerland,  1564.  He  was  a  prolific 
Avriter  and  eloquent  orator.  He  relin- 
quished CathoUcism  at  the  age  of  25. 
Calirpso.  In  Myth,  one  of  the  Ocean- 
ides,  or,  according  to  some  writers,  one  of 
the  daughters  of  Atlas.  Ulysses  was  ship- 
wrecked on  her  coasts,  and  she  detained 
him  seven  years,  off"ering  him  immortality 
if  he  would  marry  her,  an  offer  he  refused. 
Cambridgre,  kam'brij.  Cap  of  C.  of 
same  name  in  England,  and  seat  of  the 
famous  university  founded  1237  ;  pop.  30,- 
000.  Cambridge,  a  city  of  Massachusetts, 
separated  from  Boston  by  Charles  Kiver ; 
the  seat  of  Harvard  CoUtge,  founded  1638; 
pop.  52,669. 

Camillus,  Marcus,  Purius,  kah-mil'- 
lus.  A  Koman  patriot,  elected  director 
five  times.  He  was  banished  for  dividing 
the  spoils  of  Veil.  During  his  exile  Eome 
was  captured  by  the  Gauls  under  Bren- 
nus.  C.  M'as  recalled,  and  drove  the  en- 
emy out  of  the  country ;  b.  abt.  473  b.  c; 
D.  365  B.  c. 

Campag'na    di   Koma,  kam-pan'yah 
de  ro'mah.     The  plain  near  the  center  of 
Avhich  is  the  city  of  Kome.    It  is  mias- 
matic and  sparsely  populated. 
Cana,    ka'nah.       The   GalUlean    village 
where  Christ  performed  his  first  miracle, 
turning  water  into  Avltie;  now  in  dilapida- 
tion, and  called  Kana-el-Jelil. 
Canaan,  ka'nan.      Scriptural  rame  for 
the  portion  of  Palestine  W.  of  Jordan. 
Canada,  The  Dominion  of,  kan 
dah.    The  federal  union  of  the  British' 


CANAEY  ISLANDS 


147 


CAPITOLINE 


provinces  of  N.  America,  formed  in  1867, 
and  governed  by  an  appointee  of  tlie 
Crown,  called  a  Governor  General,  and  a 
parliament;  area,  3,330,162  sq.  m.;  pop. 
5,824,615.  The  provinces  are  Ontario, 
Quebec.  New  Brunswick,  Nova  Scotia, 
Prince  Edward's  Island,  British  Columbia 
and  Manitoba.  The  principal  cities  are 
Quebec,  Montreal,  Halifax,  St.  John,  Ot- 
tawa, Toronto  and  Kingston  ;  chief  rivers, 
the  St.  Lawrence,  Ottawa,  Saguenay  and 
Thames. 

Canary  Islands.  A  N.  Atlantic  group 
(Spanish)  of  7  large  and  several  small 
Islands,  135  m.  N.W.  of  Cape  Bojador,  W. 
Africa;  area.  8,256  sq.  in.;  pop.  250,000. 
Teneriffe  is  the  principal  island  and  con- 
tains the  cap.,  SanU  Cruz  de  Teneriflfe; 
pop.  10,000. 

Cap-a-pie,  -a-p5'.  Rrom  head  to  foot ;  all 
over. 

Caparison, 
ka-par'i-s  o  n. 
A  cloth  cov- 
ering, more 
or  less  orna- 
mented, laid| 
over  the  sad-i 
die  or  furnl- 
ture  of  a 
horse.  Cloth- 
ing, especial- 
ly gay  cloth" 
ing.  

Cape,  kap.  A    "War-horse  Caparisoned 
piece  of  land 

jutting  into  the  sea  or  lake  ;  a  headland  ; 
a  promontorj'.  A  kind  of  wine  from  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope.  The  part  of  a  gar- 
ment hanging  from  the  neck  behind. 

Cape  of  Good  Hope.  The  8.  W.  point 
of  Africa  ;  doubled  by  Yasco  di  Gama  in 
1497.  Cape  Colony, 'or  Colony  of  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  is  under  British'dominion, 
and  includes  the  greater  part  of  the  conti- 
n«nt  S.  of  lat.  29°  30'.  It  is  governed  by 
a  viceroy,  and  is  the  key  to  the  Indian 
Ocean.  Its  principal  cities  are  Cape  Town, 
the  cap., Grahams-town  and  <]  wellendam  ; 
chief  rivers,  the  Orange,  Elephant  and 
Great  Fish;  area,  183,286  sq.  m.;  pop. 
861,400. 

Capel,  ka'pl.  A  compound  stone  consist- 
ing of  quartz,  schorl  and  hornblende. 

Capella,  ka-pel'la.  A  bright  fixed  star  in 
the  left  shoulder  of  the  constellation 
Auriga. 

Capellmeister,  'mTs-ter.  The  musical 
director  of  a  church  in  Germany ;  a  pre- 
centor. The  conductor  of  a  band  or  an 
opera. 


Capercailzie,  ka-per  kal'yi.  Scotch 
name  for  the  wood-grouse,  the  largest  of 
the  gallinaceous  birds  of  Europe.  The 
male  is  called  the  mountain-cock  or  cock 
of  the  woods. 

Caper-sauce,  -sas.  A  sauce  seasoned 
wth  capers. 

Caper-tea,  -te.  A  kind  of  black  tea,  ^vith 
a  knotty  curled  leaf. 

Capet,  Hugrues,  ka'pa.  Founder  o(* 
the  Capertiau  (3d)  dynasty  of  French 
monarchs ;  b.  abt.  938,  d.  abt.  996  H* 
was  Count  of  Paris,  and  usurped  thd 
throne  on  the  death  of  Louis  V.,  the  lasl 
of  the  Carlovingian  line.  The  Capets 
gave  118  sovereigns  to  Europe,  36  kings 
to  France,  and  a  smaller  number  to  Spain, 
Portugal,  Naples  and  Sicily,  Hungary  and 
Navarre ;  also  3  emperors  to  Con-stanti  • 
nople.  and  dukes  to  Brittany,  Burgundy, 
Lorraine  and  Pai-ma. 

Capias,  'pi-as.  In  law,  a  writ  of  two 
sorts ;  one  before  judgment,  called  ad  re- 
spondendum ;  the  other,  after  judgment, 
ad  satisfaciendum. 

Capillaire,  ka-pil-lar'.  Originally  a 
sirup  prepared  with  maiden  hair  fern, 
but  now  applied  to  any  simple  sirup. 

Capital,   kap'i-tal.    ^^ 
The  head  or  uppermost  ^^ 
member  of  any  part  of . 
a  building ;  but  gener- 1 
ally  applied  to  the  up- 
permost part  of  a  col- 
umn, pillar  or  pilaster. 
In  Fort,  the  line  which 
bisects  the  salient  angle 
of  a  ravelin.    The  chief 
city     or    town     in    a  Egyptian  Capital, 
kmgdom    or    state ;    a    ^' ' 
metropolis.      A    t\'pe ;    a    capital   letter. 
Money  or  wealth  employed  in  any  busi- 
ness. 

Capitalist,  -ist.  A  man  who  has  a  capi- 
tal or  stock  in  trade. 

Capitan-pacha,  -i-tan'pa-sha'.  The 
chief  admiral  of  the  Turkish  fleet. 

Capitol,  'i-tol.  In  ancient  Eome,  the  hill 
crowned  by  a  temple  dedicated  to  Jupiter 
and  by  a  citadel ;  also  the  temple  in 
which  "the  senate  assembled.  The  name 
was  given  to  the  principal  temples  of  the 
Eomans  in  their  colonies.  In  the  United 
States,  the  edifices  occupied  by  Congress 
and  the  State  Legislatures. 

Capitoline,  -in.  Pertaining  to  the 
Capitol  in  Eome,  or  to  Jupiter.  C.  games, 
annual  games,  instituted  by  Camilius  in 
honor  of  Jupiter,  and  in  commemoration 
of  the  preservation  of  the  Capitol  from  the 
Gauls,  and  reinstituted  by  Domitian,  after 


CAPLTX 


\48 


CAPTBAEA 


■which  they  were  celebrated  every  5th 
'^ear. 

Caplin,  'Jin.  Salmo  arcticus  or  Mallotus 
viliosus,  fam.  Sahuonidae,  largely  used  as 
cod  bait. 

Capnomor,  'no-mer.  A  fluid  obtained 
from  the  smoke  of  organic  bodies  or  from 
the  tar  of  wood. 

Capoc,  'ok.    A  cotton  of  the  E.  Indies. 

Capon,  kii'pon.    A  castrated  cock. 

Cappadine,  kap'pa-dln.  Silk  flock  from 
the  upper  part  of  the  cocoon  after  the  true 
silk  has  been  wound  ofi'. 

Cappagrh.  Brown,  'pach  broun.  Man- 
ganese-brown ;  a  bituminous  earth,  color- 
ed by  oxide  of  manganese  andiron,  which 
yields  pigments  of  rich  brown  colors. 

Cai)-paper,  'pa-per.  A  size  of  writing 
paper,  usually  called  foolscap. 

Cappeline,  'pel-in.  A  small  skull-cap 
of  iron  worn  by  archers  in  the  middle  ages. 

Capricorn,  'ri- 
korn.  One  of  the  12 
signs  of  the  zodiac, 
the  winter  solstice; 
represented  by  the 
figure  of  a  goat,  or 
a  figure  having  the 
fore  part  like  a  goat, 
and  the  hind  part 
like  a  fish.  C.  beetle, 
the  gen.  Cerambyx. 

Capridae,  -de.  The  goat  tribe,  a  subdi- 
vision of  the  Cavicornia,  which  includes 
sheep,  antelopes,  «&;c. 

Caprifoliaceae,  -fo-h-a"8e-e.  An  ord. 
of  monopetalous  dicotyledons,  aUied  to  the 
Eubiaccfe,  including  the  honeysuckle, 
elder,  viburnum  and  snowberry. 

Caprimulgidse,  -ri-mul'ji-de.  The  goat- 
suckers, a  fam.  of  insessorial,  fissirostral 
birds,  allied  to  the  swallow  tribe,  including 
the  whip-poor-will  and  the  night-hawk. 

Caprin,  'rin.  A  substance  which,  with 
butyrine  and  caprone,  gives  butter  its 
agreeable  taste  and  odor.  It  is  a  caprate 
of  glycerine. 

Caproic,  ka-pro'ik.  Of  or  pertaining  to 
a  goat.  0.  acid,  the  6th  in  the  series  of 
fatty  acids,  produced  from  butter,  cocoa- 
nut  oil,  and  other  sources ;  its  salts  are 
termed  caprates. 

Capromys,  kap'rO-mis.  The  hog-rat,  a 
gen.  of  rodents,  fam.  Muridae. 

Caprone,  'ron.  A  clear  oil  obtained  from 
butter. 

Caprovis,  ka-pro'vis.  A  gen.  of  the 
sheep  fam.,  comprehending  the  moufflon 
and  argali. 


Capricorn. 


Capstan. 


Capsicine,  kap'si-sin.  An  alkaloid,  the 
active  prlacipls  of  the  capsules  of  Cayenne 
pepper. 

Capsictun,  -kum.  A  gen.  of  annual  sub- 
shrubby  plants,  ord.  Solanacese.  The 
fruit  is  used  for  pickles,  sauces,  &c.,  and 
also  in  medicine.  Cayenne  pepoer  consists 
of  the  ground  pods  of  C.  frutescens  and 
C.  annuum. 

Cap-sill, 'sil.    The  upper  beam  in  the 
framing   of  bridges,    via- 
ducts, «fec. 

Capstan,  'stan.  An  ap- 
paratus working  on  the 
principle  of  the  wheel  and. 
axle,  and  consisting  of  a; 
cylinder  adjusted  on  an  up- 
right axis,  chiefly  used  on 
ships  for  weighing  anchor, 
hoisting  sails,  &c.  It  differs  from  a  wind- 
lass by  the  axis  being  vertical. 

Capsule,  'sul.  A  dry  fruit  which  de- 
hisces by  regular  valves.  In  Chem.  a 
small  saucer  for  roasting  ores.  A  shallow 
vessel  for  evaporations,  solutions,  and  the 
like.  In  Anat.  a  membranous  production 
inclosing  a  part  like  a  bag.  A  gummy  en- 
velope for  nauseous  medicines.  The  metal- 
lic cover  for  closing  a  bottle. 

Captain,  'tan.  One  who  is  at  the  head 
of  or  has  authority  over  others  ;  a  leader. 
The  military  officer  who  commands  a 
company.  An  officer  in  the  British  navy 
next  in  rank  above  the  commander,  rank- 
ing with  a  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  army. 
The  master  of  a  merchant  vessel.  In  ball 
games  the  head  of  the  body  of  players  on 
one  side. 

Capuchin,  -u-shen'.  A  monk  of  the  or- 
der of  St.  Francis,  so  called  from  the 
capuce,  a  stuff  cowl,  the  badge  of  the  or- 
der. The  C.  go  barefooted,  and  never 
shave.  A  garment  for  females,  consisting 
of  a  cloak  and  hood.  A  fam.  of  cowled 
pigeons. 

Capybara,  ka-pi-ba'ra.  The  largest 
known   rodent,   Hydrochaerus  capybara. 


Capybara. 
fam.  Cavldse,  of  aquatic  habits.  It  is  < 


sily 


CAR 


149 


CARBONAEO 


tamed,  and  ita  flesh  is  esteemed.  Called 
also  Water-hog. 

Car,  kjir.  A  two-wheeled  vehicle ;  a  cart. 
Any  vehicle  of  dignity  ;  a  chariot  of  war, 
and  the  like.  A  carriage  for  running  on 
rails  ;  horse  and  steam  railway  carriages. 
Phoebus'  car,  the  sun.  The  Northern 
Car,  the  constellation  also  called  Chai-les' 
Wain  or  the  Plow. 

Garabidae,  ka-rab'i-de,  A  fam.  of  cole- 
opterous insects,  section  Pentamera,  com- 
prising more  than  6,000  species.  The  bom- 
bardier beetle  belongs  to  this  family. 

Carabine,  kar'a-bin.  A  Spanish  fire- 
ai-m,  shorter  in  the  barrel  than  the  musket 
or  rifle,  usually  spelled  carbine.  They  are 
used  by  cavalry,  and  by  Irish  constabu- 
lary. 

Carabus,  kar'a-bus.  A  gen.  of  coleop- 
terous carnivorous  insects,  fam.  Carabidse; 
beetles. 

Caracal,  kar'a-kal.  A  species  of  African 
lynx.  It  possesses  great  strength  and 
fierceness,  and  when  tamed  is  sometimes 
used  for  hunting. 

Caracalla,  Marcus  Aurelius  An- 
touius,  kar-a-k:il'lah.  The  most  infa- 
mous of  Roman  emperors  ;  b.  abt.  180  a. 
D.,  crowned  211,  assassinated  217. 

Caracara,  kii-ra-ka'ra.  Birds  of  the 
6ub-fain.  Polyborinse.  fam.  Falconidse. 

Caracci,  kah-ratch'e.  The  name  of  three 
brothers,  distinguished  painters,  natives 
of  Italy.  Annibale,  b.  1555,  b.  1609 ; 
Agostino,  B.  155S,  D.  1602 ;  Ludovico,  b. 
1560,  D.  1619. 

Caracole,  kar'a-kol.  In  the  manege,  a 
semi-round  or  half-turn  which  a  horse- 
man makes.    In  Arch,  a  spiral  staircase. 

Caracoly,  -kol-i.  An  alloy  of  gold,  silver 
and  copper,  for  inferior  jewelry. 

Caradoc  Sandstone,  -dok  sand'ston. 
The  upper  division  of  the  lower  Silurian 
rocks,  <:onsisting  of  micaceous  and  some- 
times quartzose  grits,  and  Umestones  con- 
taining corals,  moUusca  and  trilobites. 

Carafe,  ka-raf.    A  glass  water-bottle. 

Carambola,  -ram 'bo-la.  Indian  fruit 
used  in  making  sherbets,  tarts  and  pre- 
serves ;  the  fruit  of  Averrhoa  Carambola. 

Caramel,  kar'a-mel.  Anhydrous  or 
burnt  sugar,  used  for  giving  a  brown  color 
to  spirits  and  sirups.  The  name  given  to 
a  popular  confection. 

Caranx,  ka'rangks.  A  gen.  of  acanthop- 
terygian  fishes,  fam.  Scomberidse ;  one 
specie."*  is  called  horse-mackerel. 

Carapace,  kar'a-pas.  The  shell  which 
protects  the  chelonian  reptiles,  as  the  tor- 


toise or  turtle ;  the  covering  of  the  crus- 
taceans. 

Carat,  'at.  The  weight  of  4  grains,  used 
in  weighing  precious  stones  and  pearls, 
A  term  used  to  express  the  proportionat* 
fineness  of  gold. 

Carauna,  ka-ra'na.  A  resin  produced 
by  the  tree  Bursera  acuminata. 

Caravan,  kar'a-van.  A  company  of 
travelers,  pilgrims  or  merchants,  who  as- 
sociate together  that  they  may  travel  with 
greater  security.  A  large  close  carriage 
for  conveying  traveling  exhibitions  from 
place  to  place.    An  animal  exhibition. 

Caravansary,  'sa-ri.  In  the  East,  a 
place  for  receiving  and  lodging  caravans ; 
a  kind  of  inn  where  travelers  rest  at  night, 
but  which  furnishes  no  other  accommoda- 
tions. 

Caravel,  -vel.  A  Portuguese  vessel  of 
100  to  150  tons  burden:  also  a  fishing 
vessel  of  10  to  15  tons.  A  large  Turkish 
ship  of  war. 

Oarbazotic  Acid,  kar-ba-zot'ik  as'id.  A 
substance  obtained  by  the  action  of  nitrio 
acid  on  indigo  and  som  other  substances, 
of  great  importance  in  dyeing. 

Carbide,  'bid.  A  compound  of  carbon 
with  a  metal.    Formerly  called  Carburet. 

Carbohydrate,  'bo-hj-drat.  A  com- 
pound of  carbon  and  the  elements  of 
water,  such  as  starch  and  cellulose. 

Carbolic  Acid,  -bol'ik  as'id.  An  acid 
found  in  that  part  of  the  oil  of  coal  which 
boils  between  800°  and  400°,  much  em- 
ployed as  a  therapeutic  and  disinfectant. 

Carbon,  'bon.  Pure  charcoal :  a  simple 
body,  black,  brittle,  light  and  inodorous. 
When  crystaUized  it  forms  the  diamond. 
Wood  carbon  or  chai'coal  is  employed  to 
convert  iron  into  steel  by  cementation.  It 
enters  into  the  composition  of  gunpowder, 
forms  the  basis  of  black  paints,  Indian 
and  printers'  ink.  C.  occurs  as  diamond, 
wood  charcoal,  animal  charcoal,  graphite, 
lamp-black,  and  anthracite;  its  compounds 
are  more  numerous  than  those  of  all  the 
other  elements  taken  together.  C.  points, 
In  electric  lighting,  two  pieces  between 
which  the  circuit  is  broken,  so  that  the  re- 
sistance oflfei-ed  to  its  passage  produces  a 
light  of  extraordinary  brilUancy.  C.  print- 
ing, in  Photog.  a  process  by  which  per- 
manent pictures,  &c. ,  ajt-e  printed  from 
photographic  negatives. 

Carbonaro,  -bo-na'rd.  A  name  given 
to  the  members  of  a  secret  political  societ}'-, 
foi-med  by  the  Neapolitan  republicans  dur- 
ing Mwrat's  government,  for  the  expul- 
sion of  the  stranger  and  the  establishment 
of  a  demowatic  government. 


CAEBONATE 


150 


CAKDINAL 


Carbonate,  'bon-at.  In  Chem.  a  com- 
pound formed  by  the  union  of  carbonic 
acid  with  a  base,' as  carbonate  of  lime. 

Carbonic,  'ik.  Pertaining  to  carbon,  or 
obtained  from  it.  C.  acid,  more  properly 
C.  Anhydride,  or  C.  Dioxide,  is  a  gaseous 
compound  of  12  parts  carbon  and  32  oxy- 
gen, twenty-two  times  as  heavy  as  hydro- 
gen, and  existing  in  the  atmosphere  to 
the  extent  of  1  volume  in  2,500  ;  acts  as  a 
narcotic  poison  when  present  in  the  air  to 
the  extent  of  only  4  or  5  per  cent.  It  is 
disengaged  from  fermenting  hquors  and 
from  decomposing  vegetable  and  animal 
substances,  and  constitutes  the  choke- 
damp  of  mines.  It  has  a  pleasant,  acidu- 
lous, pungent  taste,  and  aerated  beverages 
of  all  kinds — beer,  champagne  and  car- 
bonated mineral  water — owe  their  refresh- 
ing qualities  ^to  its  presence,  for  though 
poisonous  when  takem  into  the  lungs,  it  is 
agreeable  when  taken  into  the  stomach. 
C.  oxide  is  obtained  by  transmitting  car- 
bonic acid  over  red-hot  fragments  of  char- 
coal, and  by  other  processes.  It  is  a 
colorless  gas,  very  poisonous,  and  is  pro- 
duced when  a  coal  fire  burns  with  a  smoke- 
less flame. 

Carboniferous,  -bo-nif'er-us.  Contain- 
ing or  yielding  carbon  or  coal.  C.  sys- 
tem, the  great  group  of  strata  which  lie 
between  the  old  and  the  new  red  sand- 
stones, including  the  coal  measures,  mill- 
stone grit,  and  mountain  limestone. 

Carbonometer,  -nom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment to  detect  an  excess  of  carbonic  acid. 

Carbon-spar,  'bon-spar.  A  name  given 
to' several  mineral  carbonates,  as  carbon- 
ate of  magnesium,  zinc,  &c. 

Carboy,  'boi.  A  large  bottle  of  green 
glass,  wicker  covered,  used  for  containing 
acids  and  other  corrosive  Hquids. 

Carbuncle,  'bung-kl.  A  beautiful  gem 
of  a  deep  red  color,  with  a  mixture  of 
scarlet,  called  by  the  Greeks  anthrax, 
found  adhering  to  a  heavy  ferruginous 
stone  of  the  emery  kind.  When  held  up 
to  the  sun  it  becomes  exactly  the  color  of 
a  burning  coal.  An  inflammatory  tumor, 
or  malignant  gangrenous  ulcer.  In  Her. 
a  charge  or  bearing,  generally  consisting 
of  eight  radii,  four  of  which  make  a  com- 
mon cross,  and  the  other  four  a  saltier. 

Carcajou,  'ka-jo.  A  species  of  badger, 
the  Meles  labradorica. 

Carcavelhos,  -val'yos.  A  sweet  wine, 
grown  in  Portugal. 

Carcharias,  -ka'ri-as.  A  gen.  of  elas- 
mobranchiate  fishes,  comprising  some  of 
the  most  voracious  of  the  sharks. 


Corcharodon,  'kar-o-don.  A  gen.  cf 
fossil  tertiary  sharks,  often  of  great  size. 

Carcinus,  'si-nus.  A  gen.  of  decapod 
Crustacea,  containing  the  gi-een  or  shore- 
crab. 

Card,  kard.  A  piece  of  thick  paper  or 
pasteboard.  A  piece  of  cardboard  on 
which  are  painted  figures  or  points ;  a 
playing  card.  A  piece  of  cardboard  with 
one's  name,  »fec.,  written  or  printed  on  it, 
and  indicating  the  name  or  name  ana 
business  of  the  person  presenting  it.  The 
paper  on  which  the  points  of  the  compass 
are  marked.  A  piece  of  pasteboard  on 
which  is  written  or  pi-inted  an  invitation 
to  an  entertainment.  An  instrument  for 
combing,  opening  and  breaking  wool  or 
flax,  freeing  it  from  the  coarser  parts  and 
from  extraneous  matter. 

Cardamom,  kar'da-mum.  The  aro- 
matic capsule  of  different  species  of  Amo- 
mum  and  Elettaria,  ord.  Zingiberaceie, 
employed  in  medicine  as  well  as  an  ingre- 
dient in  sauces  and  curries. 

Cardboard,  kiird'bord.  A  stiff  paper 
for  making  cards,  &c. ;  pasteboard. 

Cardiadse,  kar-di'a-de.  A  fam.  of  lamel- 
libranchiate  mollusks,  including  the 
cockles  and  their  allies. 

Cardinal,  'di-nal.  Chief,  principal,  pre- 
eminent or  fundamental.  C.  numbers, 
one,  two.  three,  &c.,  in  distinction  from 
first,  second,  third,  &c.,  ordinal  num- 
bers. C.  points,  north  and  south,  east  and 
west,  or  the  four  intersections  of  the  hori- 
zon with  the  meridian,  and  the  prime  ver- 
tical circle.  In  Astrol.  the  rising  and  set- 
ting of  the  sun,  the  zenith  and  nadir.  C. 
signs,  in  Astron.,  Aries,  Libra,  Cancer  and 
Capricorn. 

Cardinal.  An  ec- 
clesiastical prince 
in  the  E.  Ct  Ch., 
haying  a  voice  in 
the  conclave  at  the 
election  of  a  Pope, 
who  is  taken  from 
the  cardinals.  They  /^  ,.  i,  tt  a 
are  divided  into  3  Cardmal's  Hat. 
orders,  comprising  6  bishops,  50  priests 
and  14  deacons,  making  TO.  These  con- 
stitute the  Sacred  College  and  compose 
the  Pope's  council.  Originally  subordi- 
nate in  rank  to  bishops,  they  now  have  the 
precedence.  The  dress  of  a  cardinal  is  a 
red  soutaine,  a  rochet,  a  short  purple 
mantle  and  alow-crowned  broad-brimmed 
red  hat,  with  cords  depending  from  either 
side,  each  having  fifteen  tassels  at  its  ex- 
tremity. A  cloak,  originally  of  a  scar- 
let cloth  with  a  hood  to  it,  worn  by  ladies 


CAEDmAL-BIED 


151 


CAENALLITE 


of  the  18th.  century.  At  a  later  period  the 
material  and  color  varied. 

Caixiinal-bird.,  -herd.  Cardinalis  vir- 
ginianiis,  fam.  FrinprtHidne.  Its  song  re- 
sembles that  of  the  nightingale,  hence  one 
of  its  common  names,  Virginian  Nightin- 
gale. Called  also  Scarlet  Grosbeak  and 
Eed  Bird. 

Card.ing'-inachine,  kjird'ing-ma-shen. 
A  machine  for  combing,  breaking  and 
cleansing  wool  and  cotton. 

Cardiura,  kar'di-um.  The  cockle,  a  gen. 
of  mollusca,  fam.  Cardiaceffi. 

Cardol,  'dol.  An  oily  liquid  from  the 
pericarp  of  the  cashew-nut. 

Carduelis,  -da-e'lis.  A  gen.  of  coniros- 
tral  perching  birds,  finch  tribe,  including 
goldfinch  and  siskin. 

Carduus,  -us.  A  gen.  of  erect  herbs, 
ord.  Compositai;  the  thistle. 

Carentane,  kar'en-tJin.  A  papal  indul- 
gence, multiplying  the  remission  of  pen- 
ance by  forties. 

Carey,  Henry  Charles.  An  eminent 
American  political  economist ;  b.  in  Phila- 
delphia, 1793,  D.  1879. 

Cariacou,  'i-a-ko.  The  Yirginian  deer 
(Cerrus  virginianus). 

Carib,  kar'ib.  Aborigines  of  the  smaller 
W.  India  Islands  when  discovered  by  the 
Europeans ;  they  were  superior  to  most 
of  the  other  tribes  of  natives.  They  were 
nearly  annihilated  by  the  cruelties  of  the 
Spaniards,  and  the  remnant  took  refuge 
in  the  northern  portions  of  S.  Amei*ica. 

Caribbean  Sea.  That  part  of  the 
Atlantic  lying  between  N.  and  S.  Amer- 
ica, C.  America  and  the  W.  Indies  ;  area, 
1,250,000  square  miles. 

Cariboo,  -bo.  Tarandus  rangifer,  a 
variety  of  the  reindeer,  which  has  never 
been  domesticated. 

Carica,  -ka.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Papayaceaj,  containing  the  papaw-ti-ee. 

Carillon,  'il-lon.  A  small  instrument 
furnished  with  bells,  properly  tuned,  play- 
ed with  finger-keys  like  the  piano-forte. 
A  simple  air  to  be  performed  on  a  set  of 
bells. 

Carinaria,  -i-na'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  gaster- 
opodous  mollusks,  ord.  Heteropoda, whose 
shells  are  known  as  Venus  slippers  and 
glass  nautilus. 

Carinatee,  'to.  Huxley's  2d  order  of  the 
class  Aves,  the  others  being  Saururai  and 
Ratit*.  The  C.  include  all  existing  birds 
except  the  Cursores,  or  non-flying. 

Cariole,  'i-ol.  A  small  open  carriage ;  a 
kind  of  calaah..    A  o<wer©a  cart. 


Carlet,  kiir'let.  A  single-cut  file  with  a 
triangular  section,  used  by  comb -makers. 

Carlist,  'list.  A  follower  of  Don  Carlos 
of  Spain,  or  of  Charles  X.  or  Henry  V.  of 
France ;  a  legitimist. 

Carlock,  'lok.  A  Russian  isinglass,  made 
of  sturgeon's  bladder,  and  used  in  clarify- 
ing wine. 

Carlovingian,  -lo-vin'ji-an.  Pertain- 
ing to,  or  descended  from,  Charlemagne  ; 
as,  the  C.  race  of  kings. 

Carlsbad,  karlz'bad.  A  popular  spa  in 
Bohemia,  Austria ;  the  Spradel  spring  is 
the  hottest  in  Europe,  105"  Fah. ;  pop. 
5,800. 

Carlsbad  Twins,  twinz.  Large  felspar 
crystals  found  porphyritically  imbedded 
in  a  regularly  constituted  rock. 

Carlyle,  Thomas,  kar'lil.  A  distin- 
guished English  philosopher  and  histori- 
an ;  B.  1795, 1).  1888. 

Carmagnole,  kar-ma-nyol.  A  republi- 
can song  and  dance  in  the  first  French 
revolution  ;  since  a  generic  term  for  rev- 
olutionary songs.  The  dress  worn  by  the 
Jacobins  during  the  revolution.  The 
wearer  of  such  a  dress  ;  any  violent  rev- 
olutionist. 

Carmel,  Mt.  A  Syrian  mountain  or 
range  rising  in  the  plain  of  Esdraelon, 
and  ending  in  a  precipitous  bluff  on  the 
8.  W.  shore  of  the  Bay  of  Acre  ;  cele- 
brated in  Scrip,  as  the  scene  of  the  miracle 
and  destruction  of  the  500  jmests  of  Baal 
by  the  prophet  Elijah. 

Carmelite,  'mel-lt. 
A  mendicant  friar  of 
the  order  of  our 
Lady  of  Mount  Car- 
mel, established 
about  1150.  Being 
driven  by  the  Sara- 
cens to  Europe  in 
1247,  they  became  di- 
vided into  several 
branches,  one  being 
distinguished  by 
Avalking    barefooted. 

Carmine,  'min. 
The  coloring  matter 
of  cochineal.  A  pig- 
ment made  from 
cochineal. 

Cannot,  'mot.  The  name  given  by  al- 
chemists to  the  matter  of  which  they  sup- 
posed the  philosopher's  stone  was  consti- 
tuted. 

Carnallite,  'na-lTt.  A  mineral  consist- 
ing of  magnesium,  potassium,  chlorine, 
water,  rubidium,  casfrium  and  bromine. 


Carmelite. 


CAENATIOJT 


152 


C'AEEOIS-ADE 


Carnation,  -na'shon.  Flesli  color  ;  the 
parts  of  a  picture  which  are  naked  or  with- 
out drapery.  The  popular  name  of  Dian- 
thus  Caryophyllus,  a  perennial  glaucus 
plant  bearing  beautiful,  fragrant  flowers. 

Camelian,  -nO'll-an.  A  siliceous  stone, 
a  variety  of  clialcedony,  tolerably  hard, 
capable  of  a  good  polish,  and  used  for 
seals,  &c. 

Carnifex,  'ni-feks.  A  publie  execu- 
tioner. 

Carnival,  -val.  The  feast  or  season  of 
rejoicing  before  Lent,  observed  in  Catho- 
lic countries  with  great  re  vehy.  Peaating 
or  revelry  in  general. 

Carnivora,  -niv'6-ra.  A  tenn  generally 
applied  to  creatures  that  feed  on  flesh,  but 
restricted  to  an  order  of  mammiferous 
quadrupeds  which  prey  upon  other  ani- 
mals. They  are  divided  into  Plantigrades, 
comprising  the  bears,  badgers,  raccoons, 
gluttons  and  coatimondis;  the  Digiti- 
grades,  comprising  lions,  tigers,  cats, 
dogs,  and  the  Amphibious,  comprising  the 
seals  and  walruses. 

Carolan,  Turlougli  O'.  One  of  the 
last  and  most  famous  of  Ireland's  bards 
and  harpists  ;  B.  1670,  d.  1738. 

Carolin,  kar'6-lin.  A  gold  coin  former- 
ly current  in  parts  of  Germany,  worth 
about  $4. 75. 

Carolus,  -lus.  An  English  gold  coin  of 
the  reign  of  Charles  I.  and  originally  20s. 
in  value,  afterward  23s.  The  name  was 
given  also  to  various  other  coins. 

Carotid,  ka-rot'id.  An  artery  of  the  neck. 

Carouse,  -rouz'.  A  drinking  match ;  a 
noisy  banquet. 

Carp,  karp.  A  teleostean  fish,  fam. 
Cyprinidae.  The  type  is  the  common 
carp.  The  gold-fish  is  C.  auratus ;  and 
the  German  carp,  0.  carassius. 

Carpatllian,  kar-pil'thi-an.  The  range 
of  mountains  between  Poland,  Hungary, 
and  Transylvania.  C.  balsam,  a  resin  dis- 
tilled from  the  cones  of  Pinus  Cembra. 

Carpel,  'pel.  In  Bot.  the  single  cell  of 
an  ovary  or  seed-vessel,  together  with 
"what  belongs  to  that  cell,  as  a  separate 
style  and  sttgma  of  the  pistil ;  regarded  as 
a  modified  leaf. 

Carpet,  'pet.  A  thick  fabric  used  for 
covering  floors,  usually  woven,  but  in 
some  cases  Avrought  with  a  needle.  A 
soft  smooth  covering,  as  of  turf.  C. 
knight,  a  person  knighted  on  some  other 
ground  than  that  of  military  service  or 
distinction. 

Carpet-bagr,  -bag.  A  traveling  bag 
m»dc  of  the  same  material  as  carpets. 


Carpet-bag-g-er,  'er.  A  needy  politic.il 
adventurer  Avho  goes  about  the  country 
pandering  to  the  prejudices  of  the  igno- 
rant. 

Carpet-bedding-,  -bed-ing.  A  system 
of  bedding  in  which  dwarf  foliage  plants 
alone  are  used  in  the  form  of  mosaic, 
geometrical  or  other  designs. 

Carpenter,  'pen-ter.  An  artificer  who 
works  in  timber;  a  framer  and  builder  of 
houses  and  ships. 

Carpenter- 
bee,  -be.  The 
common  name 
of  the  diff'erent 
species  of  hy- 
menopterous  in- 
sects, gen.  Xylo- 
copa.  They 
usually  form 
their  nests  in  de- 
cayed wood,  cut- 
ting out  various  Carpenter-bee  and  Oells. 
apartments  for 
depositing  their  eggs. 

Carpocapsa,  -po-kap'sa.  A  gen.  of  lep- 
idopterous  insects  Avhose  larvae  are  de- 
structive to  fruit. 

Carpocratian,  -krii'shi-an.  A  member 
of  the  sect  of  Gnostics  of  the  2d  century, 
so  called  from  Carpocrates. 

Carpolite,  'po-llt.    A  fossil  fruit, 

Carrag-een,  kar'ra-gen.  Chondrus  cris- 
pus,  a  sea-weed  known  as  Irish  moss,  and 
us  ed  for  making  soups,  jellies,  size,  &c. 

Carrara,  kar-ra'rah.  A  city  of  central 
Italy,  prov.  Massa-Carrara,  noted  for  its 
quarries  of  fine  marble  used  by  sculptors  ; 
pop.  18,400. 

Carriag-e-spring,  'rij-spring.  An  elas- 
tic contrivance  adapted  to  carriages  to 
lessen  the  shocks  caused  by  inequalities 
of  the  road. 

Carrier,  'ri-er.  One  who  or  that  which 
carries  or  conveys ;  a  messenger.  One 
who  for  hire  undertakes  the  conveyance 
of  goods  or  persons.  A  pigeon  that  con- 
veys letters  tied  to  its  neck.  The  name 
of  a  particular  part  in  various  machines. 

Carrier-shell,  -shel.  A  shell  of  the 
gen.  Phorus. 

Carrion-crow, 
crow.   Corvus 
corone. 

Carronade, 
-ron-ad'.  A 
short  piece  of 
naval  ord- 
n  an  c  e  of 
large  caliber. 


-on-kro.    The  common 


Carronade. 


^ 


CART 


153 


CASEMATE 


Oart,  kart.  A  two-wheeled  veliicle, 
usually  without  springs. 

Carte.  A  bill  of  fare.  An  abbreviation 
for  carto-de-visite. 

Carte-de-visite,  'de-vi-zet.  A  visiting 
card.  Also  applied  to  a  photographic 
likeness  on  a  small  card. 

Cartel,  kiir'tel.  An  agreement  between 
Btates  at  \var,  for  the  exchange  of  prison- 
ers, or  for  some  mutual  advantage.  C. 
ship,  employed  in  the  exchange  of  prison- 
ers, or  in  carrying  propositions  to  aa  en- 
emy. 

Cartesian,  -te'zl-an.  Pertaining  to  the 
philosopher  Eeno  Descartes,  or  to  his 
philosophy.    C.  devil,  a  philosophical  toy. 

Carthage,  karth'ei.  The  ancient  rival  of 
Rome,  Nvith  which  war  prevailed  almost 
continuously  for  nearly  75  years ;  situated 
on  the  N.  coast  of  Africa,  near  modern 
Tunis,  and  mistress  of  Spain,  Sicilv  and 
Sardinia.  In  the  last  Pimic  war  C.  was 
'taken  and  entirely  destroyed  by  the  Ro- 
mans, 146  B.  c.  It  was  afterward  rebuilt 
and  became  the  cap.  of  the  Vandal  Em- 
pire in  the  5th  century,  but  was  again  cap- 
tured and  destroyed  by  the  Arabs  in  the 
last  of  the  7th  century. 

Carthusian, 
-thu'zi-an.  One  of 
an  order  of  monks, 
founded  in  1086, 
under  Benedictine 
rule,  by  St.  Bruno, 
80  called  from 
Chartreuse, 
France,  the  place 
of  their  institution. 
They  are  remark- 
able for  austerity. 
The  C.  nuns  origin- 
ated at  Salette  on 
the  Rhone,  about 
1230. 

Cartist,    kart'ist. 
A  Spanish  or  Por- 
tuguese supporter  of  the  constitutional 
charter. 

Carton,  kar'ton.  A  thin  pasteboard.  A 
box  made  from  it.  A  cartoon.  In  rifle 
practice,  a  small,  white  disk  fixed  on  the 
bull's-eye  of  a  target. 

Cartoon,  -ton'.  A  design  drawn  as  a 
study  for  a  picture  to  be  painted  of  same 
size,  and  more  especially  in  fresco.  A  pic- 
torial sketch  relating  to  any  prevalent 
event,  in  which  notable  characters  are 
represented. 

CaJ*touch,  -tosh.  A  case  of  wood  filled 
with  shot  to  be  fired  from  a  cannon ;  a  roll 


Carthusian. 


of  paper  containing  a  charge  ;  a  oartridge, 

A  portable  box  for 

charges  for  fire-arms. 

The  name  given  to 

ovals      on     ancient 

Egyptian      m  o  n  u  - 

ments,  and  in  papj-ri, 

containing  groups  of 


l^g 


Oartouch  of 
Ptolemy, 
characters  expressing  the  names  or  titles 
of  kings.  A  sculptured  ornament  in  the 
form  of  a  scroll  unrolled.  In  Her.  the 
escutcheon  of  the  Pope  or  of  a  churchman. 

Cartridge,  'trij.  A  case  of  pasteboard, 
copper,  &c.,  holding  the  charge,  including 
both  powder  and  bullet,  or  shot,  of  any 
fire-arm.  Blank  cartridge,  a  cartridge 
without  ball  or  shot. 

Caruto,  ka-ro'to.  A  beautiful  dye,  blu- 
ish-black, obtained  from  th«  fruit  of  Gen- 
ipa  americana,  ord.  Cinchonaceaj. 

Carvingr,  kiirv'ing.  The  act  or  art  ©f 
car\ing.  A  branch  of  sculpture,  limited 
to  wood,  ivory,  &c.  ;  sculpture,  properly 
so  called,  being  applied  to  carving  in 
stone,  and  chasing  to  carving  in  metal. 
The  device  or  figure  carved. 

Carvist,  kar^^st.  In  falconry,  a  hawk 
of  proper  age  and  training  to  be  carried  on 
the  hand. 

Caryatid,  kar-i-at'-Id.  In 
Grecian  arch,  a  figure  of  a 
woman  dressed  i  n  long 
robes,  serving  to  support  en- 
tablatures. 

Cascade,  kas'kad.  A  small , 
waterfall,  often  artificial ;  a ' 
fall  less  than  a  cataract. 

Casale.  An  Italian  citv,  on 
the  Po,  37  m.  N.  E.  of  Turin ; 
formerly  one  of  the  most 
elaborately  fortified  places  in 
Kiirope  ;  pop.  29,370. 

Cascade  Rang-e.  A  moun- 
tain chain  In  W.  Oregon  and 
Alaska,  fi-om  100  to  200  m. 
Inland.  Mt.  St.  Ellas,  In 
Alaska,  the  highest  peak,  is 
abt.  18,000  ft.  above  the  sea  level. 

Casco  Bay.  In  Mame,  bet.  Capes  Eliza- 
beth and  Small  Point;  over  300  small 
islands  dot  its  surface. 

Case-hardening.  A  method  of  con- 
verting the  outer  surface  of  iron  into  steel. 

Caseine,  kase-in.  The  principal  con- 
stituents of  cheese,  resembling  albumen. 

Casemate,  kas'mut.  A  vaulted  work  to 
protect  troops  not  on  duty  from  an  ene- 
my's fire.  A  vault  in  the  flank  of  a  bas- 
tion to  defend  the  opposite  bastion  and 
ditch. 


Caryatid. 


CASE-SHOT 


154 


CASSIUS 


Case-shot  (canister).  Musket  balls, 
scraps  of  iron,  &c.,  put  into  an  iron  case 
and  discharged  from  a  large  cannon. 

Case-rack,  'rak.  A  frame  of  wood  to 
receive  printers'  cases  when  not  in  use. 

Case-shot,  'shot.  Small  projectiles,  such 
as  musket  balls  or  grape-shot,  put  in  cases 
to  be  discharged  from  cannon ;  canister- 
shot.  A  shrapnel-shell ;  that  is,  a  spherical 
iron  case  inclosing  a  number  of  bullets  and 
exploded  by  a  fuse. 

Cash.,  kash.  Money ;  money  in  chest  or 
on  hand,  in  bank  or  at  command.  A  thin 
coin  of  a  very  base  alloy  of  copper,  used 
by  the  Chinese  as  small  change,  22  being 
equal  to  one  penny  sterling. 

Oashicla-WS,  'i-klaz.  An  old  Scotch  in- 
strument of  torture,  consisting  of  an  iron 
case  for  the  leg,  to  which  fire  was  applied. 

Cashmere,  'mer.  A  shawl  formed  of 
fine  downy  wool  found  about  the  roots  of 
the  hair  of  the  Cashmere  goat  and  the 
wild  goat  of  Thibet,  now  successfully  im- 
itated. 

Casimir,  kas'e-mer.  The  name  of  several 
kings  of  Poland.  C.  III.  (the  Great),  who 
reigned  from  1383  to  1370,  conquered  a 
large  part  of  contiguous  Eussia,  and  de- 
feated the  Bohemians. 

Casino,  ka-se'no.  A  small  country 
house ;  a  lodge ;  formerly  a  house  capable 
of  affording  defense  against  attack.  A 
club-house  or  pubUc  room  used  for  social 
meetings,  gaming,  music,  «fcc.;  a  public 
dancing  saloon. 

Cask,  kask,  A  close  vessel  for  containing 
liquors,  formed  by  staves,  heading  and 
hoops,  comprehending  the  pipe,  hogshead, 
butt,  barrel,  &c. 

Casket,  kas'ket.  A  small  chest  or  box 
for  jewels  or  other  small  articles.  Some- 
times applied  to  a  book  consisting  of 
selected  literary  or  musical  pieces. 

Caspian  Sea,  kas'pe-an.  A  salt  sea  in 
W.  Asia ;  area  abt.  120,000  sq.  m. 

Casque,  kask.  A  term  applied  to  hel- 
mets of  every  description.  In  a  more 
precise  use,  the  term  designates  a  head- 
jtiece  worn  more  for  parade  than  serious 
Avar  fare. 

Casquetel, 
kas'ket-el.  A 
small  steel  cap 
or  open  helmet, 

without  beaver  ^e^  ^^^^i:^ 

or  visor.  Casquetel,  Side  andBack 

C  a  s  s  a  nder.  View. 

Son  of  Antipoter,  King  of  Macedonia,  b. 
854,  I).  291  B.  c.  Assisted  by  Ptolemy, 
Seleucua    and    Lysimachus,  he  defeated 


Antif  orus  at  Ipsus,  the  latter  being  killed, 
Alexander's  empire  was  then  divided  be- 
tween the  conquerors,  the  four  kingdoms 
being  Macedon,  Egypt,  Syria  and  Thrace. 

Cassandra,  kas-san'drah.  In  Myth, 
daughter  of  Priam,  King  of  Troy,  "and 
Hecuba  ;  she  received  the  gift  of  prophe- 
cy from  Apollo.  On  the  fall  of  Troy  she 
was  allotted  to  Agamemnon,  and  was 
killed  by  Clytemnestra,  A. 's  jealous  wife. 

Cassava,  -su'va,  A  species  of  manihot 
(M.  utiUissima),  ord.  Euphorbiacea?,  The 
nutritious  starch  obtained  from  the  root 
of  the  plant  forms  a  valuable  article  of 
food,  upon  which  many  of  the  inhabitants 
of  S.  America  live  almost  entirely.  From 
cassava  the  tapioca  of  commerce  is  pre- 
pared. 

Casserole,  -61.  An  edging,  border  of 
paper,  or  encasement  of  rice,  paste,  or 
mashed  potatoes,  in  which  meats  are 
served  at  table. 

Cassia,  kash'i-a.  The  leaflets  of  several 
species  constituting  the  well-known  drug 
called  senna. 

Cassia-bud,  -bud.  The  flower-bud  of 
Cinnamomum  Cassia  and  other  species  of 
the  same  gen. 

Cassia-liirnea,  -lig-ne-a.  The  bark  of 
the  trees  that  yield  cassia-buds.  Its  flavor 
resembles  that  of  cinnamon. 

Cassia-oil,  -oil.  The  oil  of  cinnamon, 
procured  from  cassia  bark  and  buds. 

Cassican,  kas'si-kan.  An  insessorial 
bird,  gen.  Cassicus.  Sometimes  improp- 
erly applied  to  the  barita. 

Cassicus,  -kus.  A  gen.  of  insessorial 
birds,  fam.  Icteridae,  allied  to  the  star- 
lings, remarkable  for  the  ingenuity  Avith 
Avhich  they  Aveave  their  nests. 

Cassimere,  -mer.  A  thin  tAvilled  wool- 
en cloth  Avoven  in  imitation  of  Cashmere 
shawls. 

Cassiopeia,  -6-pe"a.  A  constellation  in 
the  northern  hemisphere,  situated  near 
Cepheus,  containing  55  stars. 

Cassis,  'sis.  A  gen.  of  gasteropodouft 
mollusks,  fam.  BucdnidaB,  including  the 
helmet-shells. 

Cassiterite,  'si-ter-it.  The  common  ore 
of  tin.  It  is  a  peroxide,  consisting  of  tin 
T9,  and  oxygen  21. 

Cassius,  -us.  A  purple  pigment,  used 
in  porcelain  and  glass  painting. 

Cassius,  Longrinus  Caius.  A  noble 
Eoman  philosopher  and  general,  Avho 
joined  Brutus  in  the  assassination  of  Julius 
Caesar,  and  commanded  one  Aving  of  the 
army  defeated  at  Philippi.  When  tha 
battie  waa  lost  he  killed  himself  by  falling 


CASSOCK 


155 


CASTLE-GUARD 


upon  the  sword  with  which  he  had  struck 
Caesar.  He  was  styled  by  Brutus,  who 
was  his  brother-in-law,  "the  last  of  all 
the  Romans."  B.  86,  d.  42  b.  c. 
Oassock,  'sok.  Any  loose  robe  or  outer 
coat.  A  tight-fitting  garment  worn  under 
the  gown  by  clergymen.  In  the  K.  C. 
Ch.  it  varies  in  color.  Priests  wear  black  ; 
bishops,  purple ;  cardinals,  scarlet ;  the 
pope,  white. 

Cassolette,  'so-let,  A  gold,  silver,  or 
ivory  box  for  containing  perfumery ,  hav- 
ing its  lid  pierced  >vith  holes  for  the  escape 
of  the  odor.  The  part  of  a  censer  perfo- 
rated for  the  emission  of  the  perfumes. 
Cassonade,  -son-ad'.  Eaw  sugar ;  sugar 
not  refined. 

Cassowary,  'so-wa-ri.  A  large  cursori- 
al bird,  gen.  Gasuarius,  fam.  Struthioni- 
dae.  It  rims  with  great  rapidity,  outstrip- 
ping the  swiftest  horse. 
Cast,  kast.  The  act  of  casting  ;  a  throw. 
The  form  into  which  anything  is  molded. 
A  tube  of  wax  fitted  into  a  mbld  to  give 
shape  to  a  metal.  Also  a  brass  or  copper 
conduit  in  a  mold  for  conveying  metal. 
Among  plumbers,  a  little  brazen  funnel 
for  casting  pipes  ^vithout  soldering.  An 
assignment  of  parts  of  a  i)lay  to  the  several 
actors  ;  the  company  of  actors  to  whom 
the  parts  of  a  play  are  as- 
signed. 

Castalia,  kas-ta'li-a.  The 
mythical  fountain  of  in- 
spiration on  Mount  Par- 
nassus, sacred  to  tho 
Muses. 

Castanet,  'ta-net.  An 
instrument  composed  of 
small  concave  shells  ofi 
ivory  or  hard  wood,  used 
bv  the  Spaniards  and  ^ 
Moors  as  an  accompan-  v./astanet8. 
iment  to  the  guitar. 

Caste,  kast.  One  of  the  classes  into  which 
tho  Hindus  are  divided  according  to  Brah 
manism.  They  are  four  in  number  ;  the 
Brahmans,  or  sacerdotal  caste ;  the  Ksha- 
triyas,  or  military  ;  the  Vaisyas,  or  hus- 
bandmen and  merchants  ;  the  Sudras,  or 
laborers  and  mechanics.  Men  of  no  caste 
are  called  Pariahs  and  regarded  as  out- 
casts. 

Castellan,  kas'tel-lan.    A  governor  or 
constable  of  a  castle. 

Castellated,    -lat-ed.     Furnished    with 
turrets  and  battlements  like  a  castle.    In- 
closed in  a  building,  as  a  foimtain  or  cis- 
tern. 
Caster,  kas'ter.     A  common   sufllx   in 


place-names ;  as,  Doncaster,  the  fort  on 
the  Don.  One  of  the  six  words  recog- 
nized as  inherited  from  the  Eoman  invad- 
ers of  Britain.  

Caster,  kas'ter.  One  who  i 
casts  or  one  who  computes. 
One  who  makes  castings;  a 
founder.  One  who  assigns  the 
parts  of  the  play  to  the  actors. 
A  cruet,  used  to  contain  condi- 
ments for  the  table ;  also,  a 
stand  containing  a  set  of  casters, 
wheel  on  a  8A:\ivel,  attached  to  the  leg  of 
a  piece  of  furniture. 

Castile,  kas'tel.  The  central  division 
of  Spain,  divided  by  the  mountain  range 
into  Old  and  NewC;  area,  72,447  sq.  m. 
Old  C.  includes  8  provinces.  New  C.  4. 
The  dialect  is  the  standard  language  of 
Spain,  and  the  Castilians  are  distinguished 
for  sobriety,  honor  and  piety. 
Castile-soap,  'sop.  A  white  or  mot- 
tled toilet  soap,  made  with  oUve  oil  and  a 
solution  of  caustic  soda. 
Castle.  '1.  A  building,  or  series  of  connect- 
ed buildings,  fortified  for  defense  agamst 
an  enemy;  a  fortress.     Castles  were  an 


A  French  Castle, 
out-growth  of  feudalism,  and  were  first 
brought  to  a  high  pitch  of  strength  ani 
completeness  by  the  Normans.  Tha 
house  or  mansion  of  a  person  of  rank  or 
wealth.  A  piece  made  in  tho  form  of  a 
castle,  used  in  the  game  of  chess ;  the 
rook.  C.  in  the  air,  a  ^isionary  project. 
C.  influence,  a  term  used  in  Ireland  to 
denote  the  poUtical  influence  of  the  court ; 
DubUn  Castle  being  the  official  residence 
of  the  lord  lieutenant. 
Castle-gruard,  -gai-d.  The  guard  which 
defends  a  ciistle.  A  feudal  tenure,  or 
special  knight  service.  A  tax  laid  upon 
those  Hving  within  a  certain  distance  of  a 


CASTOR 


156 


CATAPHEYGIAN 


obtained 


castle.  The  circuit  round  a  castle  taxed 
for  its  maintenance. 

Castor,  'ter.  A.  substance  secreted  by 
glandular  sacs  in  the  beaver,  largely  used 
in  medicine  and  by  perfumers.  A  gen.  of 
rodent  mammals  of  Avhich  the  beaver  is 
the  type.  A  beaver  hat.  A  heavy  qual 
ity  of  broadcloth. 

Castor  and  Pollux,  kas'tor,  pol'luks. 
In  Myth,  twin  sons  of  Jupiter  and  Leda. 
Mercury  carried  them  to  Pallena,  where 
they  were  educated,  and  at  manhood  they 
set  off  with  Jason  in  search  of  the  Golden 
Fleece.  Pollux  defeated  and  slew  Amyous, 
and  was  considered  the  patron  of  boxing 
and  wrestling,  while  Castor  was  noted  for 
horsemanship. 

Castor  and  Pollux.  In  Astron.  the 
constellation  Gemini  or  the  Twins,  into 
which  the  sun  enters  annually  about  the 
21st  of  May.  C.  is  also  the  name  of  one 
of  the  bright  stars  in  the  head  of  the 
Twins.  In  Meteor,  a  flery  meteor  in  the 
form  of  balls;  one  is  called  Helena;  two 
or  more.  Castor  and  Pollux,  or  Tyndaridae. 
The  name  given  to  two  minerals  found  in 
granite  in  the  island  of  Elba. 

Castorina,  -to-rl'na.  The  beaver  tribe  ; 
afam.  of  rodents. 

Castor-oil,  'ter-oil, 
from  seeds  of 
Eicinus  com- 
munis by  bruis- 
ing between  roll- 
ers and  then 
?ressing  them, 
'he  oil  that  first 
comes  away, 
called  c  o  1  d  - 
drawn  castor-oil, 
is  the  best. 

Castrato,  -tra'to.  A  male  person  emas- 
culated for  the  purpose  of  improving  his 
voice  ;  an  artificial  or  male  soprano. 

Cast-sh.ado"W,  kast'shad-6»  In  painting, 
a  shadow  cast  by  an  object  Avithin  the  pic- 
ture, serving  to  bring  it  out  against  objects 
behind  it. 

Cast-steel,  'stel.  Steel  made  by  fusing 
the  materials  and  running  the  product 
into  molds. 

Cat^  kat.  A  name  applied  to  certain  car- 
nivorous quadrupeds,  gen.  FeHs.  It  is  un- 
certain whether  any  animal  now  existing 
in  a  Avild  state  is  tlie  prototype  of  the 
domestic  cat;  probably  it  is  descended 
from  a  cat  originally  domesticated  in 
Egypt.  The  wild  cat  is  much  larger  than 
the  domestic  cat,  strong  and  ferocious.  A 
ship  or  rowboat  formed  on  the  Norwegian 
model.  A  strong  tackle  to  hook  and  draw 


Castor-oil  Plant. 


an  anchor  up  to  the  cat-head  of  a  ship.  A 
double  tripod  having  six  feet. 

Catabasion,  -a-ba'zi-on.  A  vault  under 
the  altar  of  a  Greek  church,  where  relics 
are  kept. 

Catacaustics,  -kas'tiks.  The  caustic 
curves  formed  by  the  reflection  of  rays  of 
light,  distinguished  from  the  diacaustic, 
formed  by  the  refracted  rays. 

Cataclysm,  'a-klizm.  A  deluge  or  over- 
flowing of  water  ;  specifically,  the  flood  in 
Noah's  days.  In  Geol.  a  term  appfied  to 
denote  the  efficient  cause  of  various  phe- 
nomena, as  the  deposition  of  difl'erent 
formations  of  diluvium  or  drift,  rather 
than  the  gradual  action  of  moderate  cur- 
rents, or  the  movement  of  ice. 

Catacomb,  -kom.  A  cave  or  subterra- 
neous place  for  the  burial  of  the  dead,  the 
bodies  being  deposited  in  recesses  called 
loculi.  The  term  is  applied  to  the  sub- 
terraneous sepulchres  about  3  miles  from 
Eome,  on  the  Appian  Way,  the  cells  and 
caves  in  which  primitive  Christians  con- 
cealed themselves. 

Catafalque,  -falk.  A  temporary  struc- 
ture representing  a  cenotaph,  placed  over 
the  coffin  of  a  distinguished  person  at  the 
altar  in  churches,  as  also  sometimes  over 
his  gi-ave. 

Catalan,  ka-ta'an.  A  native  of  Cathay 
or  China;  a  foreigner  generally;  and 
hence,  in  old  Avriters,  an  indiscriminate 
term  of  reproach. 

Catalonia,  kat-a-lo'ne-ah.  The  N.  E. 
division  of  Spain,  now  divided  into 4  prov- 
inces ;  area,  12,150  sq.  m.  It  is  a  moun- 
tainous region,  and  the  inhabitants  are  war- 
like. 

Catamaran,  'a-ma-ran".  A  float  or 
raft  consisting  of  three  pieces  of  wood 
lashed  together,  the  middle  piece  being 
longer  and  having  one  end  turned  up. 
This  name  was  also  applied  to  the  flat- 
bottomed  boats  constructed  by  Bonaparte 
for  the  invasion  of  England,  and  is  also 
applied  to  a  modern  American  yacht.  A 
quarrelsome  woman  ;  a  vixen. 

Catamount,  -mount.  The  wild-cat. 
The  N.  American  tiger ;  the  puma,  cou- 
gar, painter  or  panther.  In  Her.  a  charge 
always  borne  guardant. 

Cataphract,  -frakt.  A  piece  of  defensive 
armor,  worn  to  protect  the  breast  or 
whole  body,  or  even  the  horse  as  well  as 
the  rider.  In  Zool.  the  armor  protecting 
some  animals. 

Cataphrygian,  -a-frij'i-an.  One  of  a 
sect  of  heretics  of  the  2d  century  who  fol* 
lowed  the  errors  of  Montanus. 


I 


CATAPULT 


157 


CATHARLNE 


Catapult,  'a-pult.  One  of  the  ancient 
military  engines  used  for  discharging  mis- 
siles against  a  besieged  place  ;  originally 
distinguished  from  the  hallista  as  being  in- 
tended for  discharging  heavy  darts  or 
lances,  while  the  latter  was  used  for  throw- 


Cataptilt. 
\ng  heavy  stones  and  other  bulky  mis- 
siles, but  afterwards  confounded  wth  the 
ballista.    A  small  forked  stick  used  by 
boys  for  throwing  small  missiles. 

Cataract,  -rakt.  A  fall  of  water  over  a 
precipice,  as  that  ©f  Niagara.  Any  furi- 
ous rush  or  downpour  of  water.  A  dis- 
ease of  the  eye.  A  form  of  Avater-govern- 
or  for  regulating  the  stroke  of  single-act- 
ing steam-engines. 

Catarrhina,  -a-ri'na.  A  sec.  of  quad- 
rumauous  animals,  including  the  Bar- 
bary  ape,  gorilla,  chimpanzee,  orang,  &c. 

Catasterism,  ka-tas'ter-izm.  A  placing 
among  the  stars ;  a  cataloguing  of  stars. 

OatastDmus,  'to-mus.  A  gen.  ofteleos- 
tean  fishes,  allied  to  the  carps,  Abdominal 
Malacopterygii,  fam.  Cyprinidae. 

Catawba,  ka-ta'ba.  A  variety  of  N. 
American  grape,  of  a  rich  claret  color  when 
ripe.    The  wine  made  from  this  grape. 

Cat-bird,  kat'berd.  The  Turdus  lividus, 
a  species  of  American  thrush,  whose  note 
resembles  the  plaint  of  a  kitten  in  distress. 

Cat-block,  'blok.  A  two  or  three-fold 
block  used  to  draw  up  an  anchor  to  the 
cat-head. 

Catechism,  'e-kizm.  A  form  of  in- 
struction by  means  of  questions  and  an- 
swers, particularly  in  the  principles  of  re- 
ligion. An  elementary  book  containing  a 
summarj'  of  principles  in  science  or  art. 

Catecbumen,  -e-ku'men.  One  who  is 
under  mstruction  in  the  first  rudiments 
of  Christianity  ;  a  neophyte.  Generally, 
one  who  Is  beginning  to  acquire  any  kind 
of  doctrmes  or  principles. 

Category,  'e-gor-1.  In  a  popular  sense, 
class  ;  order.  In  Logic  and  Philos.  one  of 
the  highest  classes  to  which  objects  of 
thought  can  be  referred.  Aristotle  made 
ten  categories :  substance,  quantity,  qual- 


ity, relation,  action,  passion,  time,  place, 
situation  and  possession.  Kant  divides 
them  into  four  classes,  quantity,  quality, 
relation  and  modality.  Mill  makes  five, 
existence,  co-existence,  sequence,  causa- 
tion and  resemblance. 

Catelectrode,  -e-lek'trod.  The  negative 
electrode  or  pole  of  a  voltaic  battery  ;  the 
positive  being  termed  the  anelectrode. 

Catena,  ka-te-na.  A  chain  ;  a  series  of 
things  connected  -with  each  other.  C. 
patrum,  a  series  of  passages  from  the 
fathers,  arranged  for  the  elucidation  of 
portions  of  Scripture,  as  the  catena  aurea 
of  Thomas  Aquinas. 

Catenipora,  kat-e-nip'o-ra.  Chain-pore 
coral,  occurring  fossil  in  paliBOzoic  strata. 

Cater,  ka'ter.    The  four  of  cards  or  dice. 

Cateran,  kat'er-an.  A  Highland  or  Irish 
irregular  soldier.    A  freebooter  or  riever. 

Caterer,  ka'ter-er.  A  provider  or  pur- 
veyor of  provisions  ;  one  who  provides 
for  any  want  or  desire. 

Caterpillar,  kat'er-pil- 
lar.      Properly  the  larvaf 
of  the  lepidopterous  in- 
sects ;  but  also  applied  to^l 
the  larvffi  of  other  insects,^    raternillir 
such  as  the  Tenthredo  or     '-'^^erpmar. 
saw-fly.    The  name  of  plants,  gen.   Scor- 
piurus. 

Caterpillar-eater,  -et'er.  The  larvsa 
of  certain  ichneumon  flies,  bred  in  the 
body  of  caterpillars,  eating  their  way  out. 
A  bird  of  the  shrike  fam.  and  which  lives 
on  caterpillars. 

Cat-fall,  'fal.  The  rope  that  forms  the 
tackle  for  heaving  up  a  ship's  anchor. 

Cat-fisb,  'fish.  A  voracious  teleosteon 
fish,  the  Anarrhichas  lupus,  fam.  Gobies  ; 
the  Wolf-fish.  The  name  common  to  sev- 
eral fish,  gen.  Pimelodus.  P.  catus  is  the 
Horned  Pout  or  Bull-head. 

Cat-grold,  'gold.  A  variety  of  mica; 
sometimes  applied  to  iron  jtj'^rites. 

CatgTlt,  'gut.  The  intestines  of  sheep 
(sometimes  of  other  animals),  used  for 
musical  instruments  and  other  purposes. 
A  sort  of  linen  or  canvas,  Mith  wide  inter- 
stices. 

Catha.  kath'a.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Celastracese.  C.  eduus,  cultivated  by  the 
Arabs,  known  as  khat  or  cafta,  and  pos- 
sesses properties  analogous  to  those  of  tea 
and  coffee. 

Catharine,  -er-in.  The  name  of  three  of 
the  six  Avives  of  Henry  VIII.,  of  England; 
Catharine  of  Aragon,  his  brother's  widow, 
and  his  first  wife,  whom  he  forcibly 
divorced  in  1533  to  marry  Anne  Boley» ; 


CATHAEIST 


158 


CAT-STAlvTE 


C.  was  the  daughter  of  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella,  king  and  queen  of  Spain  ;  b. 
1483,  D.  1536.  C.  Howard,  third  wife  of 
Henry  VIII.,  was  convicted  of  infidelity 
and  beheaded  ;  b.  1506,  d.  1542.  C.  Parr, 
sixth  and  last  wife  of  Henry,  whom  she 
survived,  marrying  after  the  king's  death 
Lord  High  Admiral  Seymour ;  b.   1501, 

D.  1548.  Catharine  de  Medici,  wife  of 
Henri  II.  of  France,  and  mother  of  Francis 
II.,  Charles  IV.  and  Henri  III.,  succes- 
sively kings  of  France ;  b.  1522,  D.  1589. 
She  was  profligate,  cruel  and  artful,  in- 
stigating the  bloody  massacre  of  St.  Bar- 
tholomew, but  a  liberal  patron  of  the  arts 
and  literature.  Catharine  I.,  of  Eussia, 
daughter  of  a  Livonian  peasant,  whose  first 
husband  was  a  Swedish  army  oflicer; 
after  his  death  C.  was  of  loose  character, 
but  Peter  the  Great  having  fallen  in  love 
with  and  married  her  she  became  a  loyal 
and  most  devoted  wife,  sacrificing  her 
jewels  to  save  her  husband  and  his  army 
from  the  Turks.  After  the  death  of  Peter, 

C.  ruled  wisely  and  \igorously  ;  b.   1683, 

D.  1727.  C.  II.,  of  Russia,  a  German, 
Avife  of  Peter  III.;  b.  1728,  d.  1796.  Her 
life  was  one  round  of  infamy.  Her  chief 
favorite,  Alexis  Orlofl',  having  murdered 
her  husband,  she  ruled  with  great  vigor, 
carried  on  a  successful  war  with  Turkey, 
arranged  the  division  of  Poland,  and  ex- 
tended the  power  and  influence  of  Eussia 
in  all  directions. 

Catharist,  -rist.  One  who  pretends  to 
more  purity  than  others ;  a  puritan.  A 
term  used  by  the  Paulicians  in  the  7th 
century  ;  the  Anti-Catholic  sects  in  France 
and  Piedmont  of  the  12th  century  ;  the 
Montanists,  the  Novatians,  &c. 

Carthartes,  ka-thar'tez.  A  gen.  of  the 
vulture  family,  containing  the  turkey- 
buzzard  and  other  species. 

Carthartic,  'tik.  A  medicine  that 
cleanses  the  stomach  and  bowels  ;  a  pur- 
gative. 

Cathedra,  -thed'ra.  The  throne  or  seat 
of  a  bishop  tn  the  cathedral  of  his  diocese. 
The  professional  chair  of  any  one  entitled 
to  teach  with  authority. 

Cathedral,  -tho'dral. 
The  principal  church 
in  a  diocese ;  the 
church  of  the  bishop. 

Catherine- whe  e  1, 
'er-in-whel.  A  fire- 
work in  the  form  of  a 
wheel  which  rotates  as 
the  fire  issues  from  the 
aperture.  In  Arch, 
a  window  of  circular  Cathedral, 
form,  with  radiating  divisions. 


Cathode,  'od.  The  negative  pole  of  an 
electric  current,  or  that  by  which  the  cur- 
rent leaves  ;  opposed  to  anode. 

Catholic,  'o-lik.  A  member  of  the  uni- 
versal Christian  church.  A  member  of 
the  church  of  Eome  ;  a  Roman  Catholic. 

Catholicos,  ka-thol'i-kos.  The  spiritual 
head  of  the  Armenian  Church. 

Catling:,  kat'ling.  A  kitten.  Catgut; 
the  string  of  a  lute,  violin,  Ac.  A  dis- 
membering knife  used  by  surgeons. 

Catlinite,  'li-nit.  A  red  claystone,  allied 
to  agalmatolite. 

Cato,  ka'to.  The  name  of  two  distin- 
guished Roman  generals  and  philoso- 
phers, grandfather  and  gi-andson.  Tho 
first,  Marcus  Porcius  Priscus,  known  as 
Cato  Major,  b.  234,  d.  149  b.  c.  He  con- 
quered part  of  Spain,  and  fought  at  Ther- 
mopylae. His  literary  remains  include 
"  Origines"  and  "  De  Re  Rustica."  Mar- 
cus Porcius  (of  Utica)  C,  grandson  of  the 
above,  b.  105,  suicided  45  b.  c.  He  ac- 
quired military  fame,  and  was  noted  for 
austerity  of  life  and  the  strictest  integrity. 
His  reading  of  Plato's  treatise  on  the  im- 
mortality of  the  soul  is  said  to  have 
prompted  his  suicide. 

Catoblepas,  ka-tob'le-pas.  A  gen.  of 
ruminating  quadrupeds,  antelope  fam., 
containing  the  gnu. 

Catodontidse,  kat-o-don'ti-de.  A  fam. 
of  whales,  the  typical  gen.  of  which  is  cat- 
odon.  The  most  remarkable  member  is 
the  sperm-whale  or  cachalot. 

Catonian,  ka-to'ni-an.  Pertaining  to  or 
resembling  either  of  the  Romans,  Cato 
the  censor,  or  Cato  Uticonsis ;  grave  ;  in- 
flexible. 

Cat-o'nine-tails,  kat-o-nin'talz.  An  in- 
strument of  punishment,  consisting  of  a 
knotted  line  or  cord. 

Catopter,  ka-top'ter.  A  reflecting  opti- 
cal glass  or  instrument ;  a  mirror. 

Cat-rope,  kat'rop.  A  rope  used  to  haul 
up  the  anchor  of  a  ship  fi:om  the  water's 
edge  to  the  cat-head. 

Cat-salt,  'salt.  A  salt  beautifully  granu- 
lated, formed  out  of  leach-brine. 

Cat's-eye,  kats'I.  A  variety  of  quartz, 
very  hard  and  semi-transpai-ent.  Called 
also  Sunstone. 

Catskill,  katz'kil.  A  mountain  range  in 
E.  New  York  ;  a  portion  of  the  Appalach- 
ian ;  the  scenery  is  only  second  to  that  of 
the  Alps. 

Cat-stane,  kat'stan.  A  conical  cairn  or 
monolith  found  in  Scotland,  supposed  to 
mark  the  locality  of  a  battle. 


CATTLE 


150 


CAVEimiSH 


Cattle,  '1.  A  terra  applied  collectively  to 
the  larger  domestic  quadrupeds,  or  such 
as  serve  for  tillage  or  other  labor,  and 
for  food  to  man. 

Cattle-gruard,  -gard.  A  ditch  crossing 
beneath  a  railway,  to  prevent  the  straying 
of  cattle  onto  the  line. 

Cattle-plagne,  -plag.  A  virulently  con- 
tagious disease  atfecting  cattle;  rinder- 
pest. 

Cattle-run,  -run.  An  American  and 
colonial  term  for  an  open  grazing  ground. 

Cattle-show,  -sho.  An  exhibition  of 
domestic  animals  for  prizes. 

Caucasian,  ka-ka'zi-an.  The  highest 
typo  of  the  human  family,  including  near- 
ly all  the  Europeans,  the  Circassians,  Ar- 
menians, Persians,  Jews,  &c. 

Caucasus,  kau'ka-sus.  The  mountain 
range  between  the  Black  and  Caspian  seas, 
forming  part  of  the  boundary  between 
Europe  and  Asia ;  the  highest  peak  is 
18,500  ft.  above  sea  level. 

Caucus,  'kus.  A  private  meeting  of  citi- 
zens to  agree  upon  candidates  to  be  pro- 
posed for  election  to  offices,  or  to  concert 
measures  for  supporting  a  party. 

Caudle,  ka'dl.  A  warm  drink  made  of 
wine  or  alej  mixed  with  broad,  sugar  and 
spices. 

Caudle-cup,  ka'dl-kup.  A  vessel  for 
holding  caudle.  Acaudle-cupand  apostles' 
spoons  formerly  constituted  the  sponsor's 
gift  to  the  child  at  a  christening. 

Cauf,  kaf.  A  chest  with  holes  for  keep- 
ing fish  aUvein  water.  In  mining,  a  vessel 
of  sheet-iron  employed  to  raise  coal  from 
the  bottom  of  the  shaft. 

Caufle,  ''1.  A  drove  of  black  slaves ;  a 
coffle. 

Caul,  kal.  A  kind  of  head-covering  worn 
by  females ;  a  net  inclosing  the  hair ;  the 
hinder  part  of  a  cap.  A  portion  of  the 
amnion  or  membrane  enveloping  the  fetus, 
sometimes  encompassing  the  head  of  a 
child  when  born. 

Caulopteris,  ka-lop'ter-ls.  A  gen.  of 
fossil  ti-ee-fcrns,  found  in  the  coal-meas- 
ures. 

Causeway,  kaz'wa.  A  road  or  path 
raised  above  the  natural  level  of  the 
gi-ound,  serving  as  a  dry  passage  over  wet 
or  marshy  ground,  or  as  a  mole  to  confine 
water,  or  restrain  it  from  overflowing. 

Caustic,  kas'tik.  Any  substance  which 
burns,  corrodes,  or  disintegrates  the  tex- 
tures of  animal  structm-es ;  an  escharotic. 
Limar  caustic,  nitrate  of  silver  when  cast 
Into  sticks  for  the  use  of  surgeons,  &c.  In 
Math,  the  curve  to  which  rays  of  light,  I 


reflected  or  refracted  by  another  curve,  are 
tangents. 

Cauterization,  ka'ter-iz-a''shon.  The 
act  of  cauterizing  or"  searing  by  the  appli-. 
cation  of  a  hot  iron,  caustics,  &c.  The 
efl'ect  of  the  application  of  a  cautery  or 
caustic. 

Cauzi,  'ze.  An  Indian  Mohammedaa 
judge,  who  also  officiates  as  a  public  no- 
tary. 

Cavaigmac,  Louis  Eugrene,  kah- 
van'yak.  A  French  ofl3icer,  b.  1802,  d. 
1857.  He  was  appointed  governor-general 
of  Algeria  by  the  provisional  government 
of  the  republic,  1848,  and  the  same  year 
he  was  recalled  and  made  dictator  of 
France ;  he  resigned  after  suppressing  the 
Parisian  insurrection  of  June  23-26,  but 
was  recalled  to  the  military  command  ;  in 
November  of  the  same  year  he  was  muni- 
cipal rival  of  Louis  Napoleon  for  the  pres- 
idency, and  permanently  retired  from 
power  Dec.  20,  1848,  dying  in  retirement. 

Cavalcade,  kav'al-ksld.  A  procession 
of  persons  on  horseback. 

Cavalier,  -a-ler.  A  horseman,  especially 
an  armed  horseman ;  a  knight.  The  ap- 
pellation given  to  the  partisans  of  Charles 
I.,  as  opposed'  to  a  Roundhead,  an  adhe- 
rent to  the  Parliament.  A  gentleman  at- 
tending on  or  escorting  a  lady  ;  a  beau. 
In  Fort,  a  raised  work  commanding  all  ad- 
jacent works. 

Cavalry,  'al-ri.  A  body  of  troops  that 
serve  on  horseback,  classified  into  light 
and  heavy. 

Cave,  kav.  A  hollow  place  in  the  earth ; 
a  subterranean  cavern  ;  a  den.  The  Mam- 
moth cave  of  Kentucky  incloses  an  extent 
of  about  40  miles  of  subten-aneous  wind- 
ings. 

Cavea,  ka've-a.  Among  the  ancient 
Romans,  a  subterranean  cell  wherein  Avild 
beasts  were  confined  in  readiness  for  the 
fights  of  the  arena ;  by  synecdoche,  the 
amphitheater  itself. 

Caveach,  ka-vech'.  Pickled  mackerel ; 
a  "West  Indian  name. 

Cavear,  -ver.  A  money  of  Mocha,  worth 
about  one  cent.  A  nominal  division  of  the 
Spanish  dollar,  forty  cavears  making  one 
dollar. 

Cave-dweller,  kav'dwel-er.  A  name 
given  to  such  of  the  races  of  prehistoric 
man  as  dwelt  in  natural  caves,  subsisting 
on  sheU-fish  and  wild  animals.  A  name 
given  to  a  religious  sect  known  as  the 
Bohemian  Brethren,  in  the  15th  century. 

Cavendish,  Henry,  kan'dish.  An 
English  chemist  and  philosopher;  b.  1781, 
D.  1810.    He  was  the  originator  of  the  ex- 


CAVENDISH 


160 


CELESTm 


isting  system  of  chemistry,  discovered 
the  composition  of  water  and  nitric  acid, 
and  measm-ed  the  density  of  the  earth. 

Cavendish.,  kav'en-dish.  Tobacco  which 
has  been  softened  and  pressed  into  quad- 
rangular cakes.  C.  experiment,  an  im- 
portant mechanical  experiment  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  the  mean  density 
of  the  earth  by  means  of  the  torsion  bal- 
ance. 

Cave-swallow,  kav'swol-lo.  A  species 
of  swallow  which  suspends  its  mud-formed 
nests  to  the  roofs  of  caves. 

Oavia,  ka'vi-a.  A  gen.  of  rodent  ani- 
mals, type  of  the  fam.  Cavidae,  the  most 
familiar  example  being  the  guinea-pig. 

Caviar,  kav-i-ar'.  The  roes  of  fish  pre- 
pared and  salted.  The  best  is  made  from 
the  sterlet,  sturgeon,  sevruga  and  beluga, 
caught  in  the  waters  of  Eussia. 

Cavicomia,  -kor'nia.  A  fam.  of  rum- 
inants, characterized  by  persistent  horns, 
including  the  antelopes,  goats  and  oxen. 
The  prong-horn  antelope,  which  renews 
the  horny  sheath  periodically,  is  the  only 
exceptional  member  of  the  group. 

Cavour,  Camillo,  Count  di,  kah- 
voor'.  A  distinguished  Italian  statesman  ; 
B.  1810,  D.  1861.  He  contributed  largely 
to  the  imification  of  Italy,  and  as  prime 
minister  from  1852  to  his  death,  framed 
and  had  adopted  laws  guaranteeing  liberty 
of  the  press,  religious  toleration  and  free 
commerce. 

Cawquaw,  ka'kwa.  The  urson,  or  Can- 
adian porcupine.  Its  chief  food  consists 
of  iiving  bark.  One  cavvquaw  will  destroy 
a  hundred  ti-ees  in  a  single  winter. 

Caxton,  kaks'ton.  The  name  applied  to 
any  book  printed  by  Caxton,  who  intro- 
duced tlie  art  of  printing  into  England. 
He  died  1492.  "Ihe  Caxtons  are  all  in 
black-letter.  "  The  Eecuyell  of  the  His- 
toryes  of  Troye,"  printed  by  Caxton  at 
Cologne  in  1471,  is  considered  the  earliest 
specimen  of  typography  in  the  English 
language.  "  The  Game  and  Playe  of  the 
Chesse,"  printed  by  him  at  "Westminster 
in  1474,  is  regarded  as  the  first  work 
printed  in  England. 

Cay,  ka.  An  islet;  a  range  or  reef  of 
rocks  lying  near  the  surfiace  of  the  water; 
often  termed  a  Key. 

Cayenne  Pepper,  kl-en'  pep'er.     A 

f»o\vder  formed  of  the  dried  and  ground 
ruits  and  seeds  of  various  species  of  Cap- 
sicum, and  especially  of  C.  frutescens. 
Cayman,  ka'man.  A  name  applied  pop- 
ularly to  the  alligator,  but  properly  only 
to  Crocodilus. 


Cazique,  ka-zGk'.  The  name  of  native 
princes  or  head  chiefs  of  parts  of  America 
when  discovered  by  the  Spaniards.  Writ- 
ten also  Cacique. 

Cebidae,  se'bi-de.  A  fam.  of  platyrhin^ 
monkeys,  including  the  spider  monkeys, 
sapajous,  squirrel  monkeys,  &c. 

Ceccllin,  sek-ken'.  A  coin  of  Italy  and 
Barbaiy. 

CecidomyidsB,  se'si-do-ral"i-de,  A 
sub-fam.  of  dipterous  insects,  fam.  Tipu- 
lidiK. 

Cecils,  'silz.  In  cookery,  minced  meat, 
bread,  onions,  parsley,  &c.,  with  season- 
ing, made  into  balls  and  fried. 

Cecrops,  se'krops.  In  Myth,  the  found- 
er of  Athens,  abt.  1580  b.  c;  reputed  an 
Egyptian. 

Cecrops,  'krops.  A  gen.  of  parasitic  en- 
tomostracous  crustaceans,  fam.  Caligidae, 
found  on  the  gills  of  fish,  and  called  by 
fishermen  fish-lice. 

Cedar,  'der.  A  treo  I 
which  forms  fine 
woods  on  all  the 
mountains  of  Syria 
and  Asia  Minor,  an 
evergreen  which 
grows  to  a  great  size 
a  n  d  is  remarkable 
for  its  durability. 
Of  the  famous  ce- 
dars of  Lebanon 
comparatively  few 
now  remain.  The 
name  is  also  given 
to  the  deoda,  and  to  other. trees  which 
have  no  relation  to  the  true  cedar,  as  the 
Bermuda  cedar,  used  for  making  pencils, 
the  red  cedar,  the  Honduras,  or  bastard 
Barbadoes  cedar,  and  the  red  cedar  of 
Australia. 

Cedar-bird,  -herd.  The  American  wax- 
wing. 

Cedilla,  -dll'la.  A. mark  placed  under 
the  letter  c  (f)  to  show  that  it  is  to  be 
sounded  like  s. 

Celebes,  sel'e-bez.  An  island  in  the  E. 
Archipelago,  belonging  to  Holland  ;  area, 
74,000  sq.  m. ;  pop.,  '2,103,000. 

Celeres,  'er-ez.  In  Eom.  antiq.  a  body 
of  800  horsemen,  formed  by  Eomulus 
from  the  wealthier  citizens. 

Celestial,  se-les'ti-al.  An  inhabitant  of 
Heaven.  A  native  of  China,  the  so-called 
Celestial  Empire. 

Celestin,  sGl'es-tin.  Native  sulphate  of 
strontian,  a  mineral  so  named  from  its  oc- 
casional dolicate  blue  color. 


Cedar. 


CELESTINE 


161 


CENSUS 


Celestine,  -tin.  An  adherent  of  Pela- 
giaiiisni,  so-called  from  Coelestius.  One  of 
a  religious  order,  named  from  Pope.  C. 
A  member  of  an  order  of  Franciscan  her- 
mits now  extinct. 

Celibate,  'i-bat.  One  who  practices  cel- 
ibacy, a  bachelor. 

Celebite,  -bit.  A  monk  living  under  a 
common  and  regular  discipline. 

Celidography,  -i-dog'ra-fi.  A  descrip- 
tion of  the  spots  on  the  disk  of  the  sun  or 
planets. 

Oell.  A  small  or  close  apartment,  as  in  a 
convent  or  a  prison.    A  small  or  mean 

flace  of  residence,  as  a  cave  or  hermitage. 
n  Arch,  the  part  of  a  temple  where  the 
image  of  a  god  stood  ;  a  hollow  place  be- 
tween the  ribs  of  a  vaulted  roof.  A  small 
cavity  or  hollow  place,  as  the  cells  of  the 
brain,  or  of  a  honey-comb.  In  Biol,  a 
membranous  bag  with  lluid  contents,  and 
almost  always  a  nucleus,  as  epithehal  and 
fat  cells  ;  a  semi-solid  mass  of  matter  with 
no  definite  boundary-wall.  In  Elect,  a 
single  jar,  containing  plates,  united  to 
their  opposites  or  to  each  other. 

Cellar,  'ler.  A  room  in  a  house  or  other 
building,  wholly  or  partly  under  gro-und, 
adapted  for  storage  pm-poses. 

Cellar-book,  -buk.  A  book  containing 
details  regarding'  wines  and  liquors  i-e- 
ceived  into  and  given  out  from  a  cellar 

Cellarer,  -er.  An  officer  in  a  monastery 
who  has  charge  of  procuring  and  keeping 
the  provisions  ;  also,  an  ofiicerin  chapters, 
Avho  has  the  care  of  the  temporals.  One 
who  keeps  wine  or  spu-it  cellars. 

Cellaret,  -et'.  A  case  for  holding  bottles 
of  liquors. 

Cellarino,  chel-la-rc'no.  In  Arch,  the 
IVirt  of  a  capital  below  the  annulets. 

Cellepora,  sel-lep'o-ra.  A  gen.  of  corals, 
class  Polyzoa. 

Cellulares,  -lii-la'rez.  One  of  the  grand 
(Uvisions  of  the  vegetable  kingdom,  form- 
ing the  greater  though  humbler  portion 
of  the  acotyledonous  or  cryptogamic 
plants. 

Cellulicolae,  -lik'6-le.  A  fam.  of  spiders, 
ord.  Pulmonaria. 

Cellulose,  -los.  The  substance  of  which 
the  permanent  cell-membranes  of  plants 
are  alwaj^s  composed. 

Celsus,  Aurelius  Cornelius.  A  Eo- 
man  physician,  of  the  reign  of  Tiberius, 
said  to  have  been  tlie  first  public  practi- 
tioner of  the  art  in  the  city.  He  wrote 
"De  Medicina,"  regarded  as  the  most 
valuable  of  ancient  treatises,  and  often  re- 


printed ;  also,  works  on  agriculture,  rhet- 
oric and  military  science. 

Celt,  selt.  One  of  the  earliest  Aryan  in- 
habitants of  the  south  and  west  of  Europe, 
The  familj^  has  two  branches,  the  Gad- 
helic,  compi-ising  the  Highlanders  of  Scot- 
land, the  Irish,  and  Manx  ;  and  the  Cym- 
ric, comprising  the  Welsh  and  Bretons. 

Celt.  An  implement  of  stone  or  metal, 
found  in  ancient  tumuli  and  barrows  of 
the  Celtic  period.  Some  suppose  it  to  be 
a  weapon,  others  contend  that  it  is  a  tool. 

Celtiberian,  -i-be'ri-an.  Pertaining  to 
Ccltiberia  and  its  inhabitants,  an  ancient 
people  of  Spain. 

Celtic.  The  language  or  group  of  dia- 
lects spoken  by  the  Celts,  including  Welsh, 
Armoric  or  Breton,  Irish,  Gaelic,  and 
Manx. 

Cement,  se-ment'.  Any  glutinous  or 
other  substance,  capable  of  uniting  bodies 
in  close  cohesion,  as  mortar,  glue,  &c. : 
hydraulic  limes  which  contain  silica  and 
therefore  set  quickly.  Hydraulic  cements 
harden  under  water  and  consolidate  al- 
most immediately. 

Cement-stone,  'ston.  A  calcareous 
mineral,  a  species  of  septaria,  which  by 
being  calcined  is  converted  into  a  cement. 

Cemetery,  sem'e-te-ri.  A  place  set 
apart  for  interment ;  a  graveyard ;  a  ne- 
cropolis. 

Cenci,  Beatrice,  chen'che.  Daughter 
of  Count  Francisco  Cenci,  a  notorious 
Italian  libertine;  b.  1576,  x>.  1599.  She 
became  the  victim  of  her  father's  lust,  and 
vainly  imploring  the  protection  of  Pope 
Clement  V  III.,  she,  vnth  other  members 
of  the  family,  was  charged  with  a  con- 
spiracy to  assassinate  her  father,  and  de- 
spite then*  protestations  of  innocence  all 
were  executed.  Guido  Reni's  beautiful 
poi  trait  of  B.,  in  the  Barberini  Gallery, 
Eome,  is  familiar  to  all  visitors. 

Cenobite,  sen'o-blt.  One  of  a  religious 
order  living  in  a  community  ;  in  opposi- 
tion to  an  anchoret,  who  lives  in  solitude. 

Censor,  'ser.  An  ofllicer  in  ancient 
Rome  who  kept  a  register  of  the  citizens 
and  their  property,  for  the  purposes  of 
taxation ;  he  also  kept  Avatcn  over  the 
moi-als  of  the  citizens,  having  power  to 
censure  and  punish  vice  and  immorality. 
One  empowered  to  examine  books  before 
they  are  published. 

Census,  'sus.  In  Rom.  Antlq.  an  enu- 
meration and  register  of  the  Roman  citi- 
zens and  their  property.  In  modern 
times,  an  official  enumeration  of  the  in- 
habitants of  a  state. 


CENOTAPH 


CENTEIFUGAL 


Cenotaph,  -taf 
An  empty  tomb 
erected  in  honor 
of  8  o  m  0  de- 
ceased person ; 
a  monument 
erected  to  one 
b  u  r  i  e  d  else- 
■\vhere. 

Censer,  sen'- 
s  e  r.  A  V  a  s  e 
or  pan  in  which. 
Inceuse  is 
burned ;  a  ves- 
sel for  burning  „  ^  ■,  o-r^  -^  . 
and  Avafting  in-  Cenotaph  of  Robert 
cense.  Censers,  xSurns. 

called  also  thuribles,  are  used  in  the  E.  C. 
Church,  as  well  as  in  some  Anglican  and 
other  churches. 

Cent,  sent.  A  hundred,  commonly  used 
with  per,  as  ten  per  cent,  that  is,  in  the 
proportion  of  ten  to  the  hundred.  In  va- 
rious countries,  a  coin  equal  to  the  hun- 
dredth part  of  that  which  forms  the  mon- 
etary unit. 

Cental,  sen'tal.    A  weight  of  100  lbs. 
Centaur,     ^tar .      I  n 
Greek  Myth,  a  fabulous 
being    represented    as 
half  man  and  half  horse. 
The    Centaur    Cheiron 
was    distinguished    for 
his  knowledge  of  medi- 
cine.    Part  of  a  south- 
ern     constellation,     ia 
form  of  a  centaur,  usu- 
ally   joined   with    the 
Wolf,     containing     35 
stars ;  the  Archer. 
Centenaar,     'te-niir. 
Amsterdam       quintal, 
nearly  equal  to  100  lbs. 
Centenarian,  -te-na'-         Centaur, 
ri-an.    A  ])erson  a  hundred  years  old. 
Centenary,  'te-na-ri.    The  space  of  a 
hundred  years. 

Centennial,  -ten'ni-al.  The  commemo- 
ration of  any  event  which  occurred  a  hun- 
dred years  before. 

Centering,  'ter-ing.  The  framing  of 
timber  by  which  the  arch  of  a  bridge  or 
otlier  structure  is  supported  during  its 
construction  ;  the  wood-work  or  framing 
on  which  any  vaulted  work  is  constructed. 
Centesimal,  -tes'i-mal.  In  Arith.  hun- 
dredth part ;  the  next  step  of  progression 
after  decimal. 

Centesinxation,  -ma"shon.  A  military 
punishment   for   mutiny;    or   tiie   like, 


where  one  person  in  a  hundred  is  selected 
for  execution. 

Centesimo,  -tez'c-mO.  In  Italy,  the  hun- 
dreth  part  of  a  lira,  equal  to  the  Frer.ch 
franc  in  value.  An  Argentine  money,  the 
hundredth  part  of  a  dollar. 

Centetes,  -tC'tCz.  A  gen.  of  mammals, 
fam.  Talpidae,  nearly  allied  to  the  hedge- 
hogs ;  the  tcnracs. 

Centiare,  'ti-ar.  A  square  meter ;  the 
hundredth  part  of  the  French  are,  equal 
to  1 .  19  square  yards. 

Centigrade,  -grad.  Consisting  of  a  hun- 
dred degrees ;  graduated  into  a  hundred 
divisions  of  equal  parts.  C.  thermome- 
ter, a  thermometer  whicli  dindes  the  in- 
terval between  tlic  freezing  and  boiling 
points  of  water  into  100  degi-ees,  while  in 
Fahrenheit's  the  same  interval  is  divided 
into  ISO  degrees. 

Centime,  -tern'.  The  hundredth  part  of 
a  franc. 

Centipede,  'ti-pod.  A  term  applied  to  va- 
rious insects  having  many  feet,  ord. 
Cheilopoda,  class  Myriapoda;  those  belong- 
ing to  the  gen.  Scofopendra  inflict  danger- 
ous bites. 

Centner,  sent'ner.  A  weight  divisible 
first  into  a  hundred  parts  and  then  into 
smaller  parts.  A  common  European 
name  for  a  hundredweight.  In  Switzer- 
land itis  equal  to  110  lbs.;  Austria,  llOi ; 
Sweden,  112.00 ;  Germany,  110.25. 

Center,  sen'ter.  A  point  equally  distant 
from  the  extremities  ;  the  middle  point  or 
place. 

Center-bit,  -bit.  A  carpenter's  tool  for 
boring,  which  turns  on  an  axis  when  in 
operation. 

Center-cliuck,  -chuk.  A  chuck  which 
can  be  screwed  on  the  mandrel  of  a  lathe, 
and  has  a  hardened  steel  cone  fixed  in  it ; 
also,  a  projecting  arm  or  driver. 

Center-drill,  -dril.  A  drill  used  for 
making  holes  in  the  ends  of  a  shaft  about 
to  be  turned,  for  the  entrance  to  the  latho 
centers. 

Center-piece,  -pes.  An  ornament  in  the 
middle  or  center  of  a  table  or  mantle-shelf, 
or  between  other  ornaments. 

Center-pin,  -pin.  The  pivot  on  which 
the  compass  needle  oscillates. 

Centrifugal,  -trif'u-gal.  Tending  to 
recede  from  the  center.  C.  force  is  that 
force  by  which  all  bodies  moving  in  a 
curve  tend  to  fly  off  from  the  axis  of  their 
motion  in  a  tangent  to  the  periphery  of 
the  curve.  Acting  by  or  depending  oa 
centrifugal  force,  as  a  oentrifuffal  pump, 
a  centrifugal  machine. 


CENTRIPETAL 


163 


OERAUNOSCOPE 


Centripetal,  -trip'e-tal.  Tending  toward 
the  center.  (J.  force  is  that  force  which 
draws  a  body  towards  a  center,  and  there- 
by acts  as  a  counterpoise  to  the  centrif- 
ugal force  in  circular  motion.  Gravity  ii 
a  centripetal  force. 

Centriscus,  tris'lcus.  A  gen.  of  teleos- 
tean  fishes,  sec.  Acanthopterygii,  fam. 
Fistularidte,  including  the  bellows-fish  and 
trumpet-fish. 

Centropus,  'tro-pus.  A  gen.  of  scansorial 
birds,  cuckoo  fam. ,  the  pheasant  cuckoo. 

Oentumvir,  -tum'rir.  One  of  a  hundred 
and  five  judges  in  ancient  Rome  appoint- 
ed to  decide  common  causes. 

Centurion,  -tii'ri-on.  A  Roman  officer 
who  commanded  a  century  or  company 
of  a  hundred  men,  answering  to  the  cap- 
tain in  modern  armies. 

Century,  'ri.  In  Rom.  Antiq.  a  division 
of  the  people  for  the  purpose  of  electing 
magistrates  and  enacting  laws,  the  people 
voting  by  centuries ;  also  a  company  con- 
sisting of  a  hundred  men.  A  period  of  a 
hundred  years.  Centuries  of  Magdeburg, 
an  ecclesiastical  history,  arranged  in  thir- 
teen centuries.  C.  i)lant,  the  Amei'iean 
aloe,  formerly  supposed  to  flower  only 
once  in  a  century. 

Cephalalg-ic,  sef-a-lal'jik.  A  medicine 
for  the  headache. 

Ceph.alaspis,  -las'pis.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
ganoid  fishes,  occuri-ing  in  the  old  red 
sandstone. 

Cephalata,  -la'ta.  A  div.  of  mollusks 
having  a  distinct  head,  with  eyes,  as  the 
gastcropods,  pteropods,  cuttle-fishes. 

Cephalophus,  se-fal'o-fus.  An  African 
gen.  of  antelopes,  including  the  duyker- 
bok  or  impoon,  the  rhoode-bok,  red- 
buck  or  Natal  bush-buck  and  the  blue- 
buck. 

Ceplialopoda,  sef-a-lop'o-da.  A  class 
of  mollusca,  the  highest  in  organization, 
divided  into  two  sections,  Tetrabranchi- 
ata  and  Dibranchiata.  The  nautilus, 
and  tho  fossil  genera  Orthoceras,  Ammon- 
ites, Goniatites,  &c.,  belong  to  the 
Tetrabranchiata.  The  dibranchiate  in- 
cludes the  argonaut,  the  octopus  or  eight- 
armed  cuttle-fishes,  and  the  ten-armed 
forms,  as  the  calamaries,  the  fossil  b«lem- 
nites,  &c. 

Cephalopteridae.  'a-lop-ter"i-de.  A 
sub-fam.  of  the  ray  fish,  of  which  the  gen. 
Cophaloptera  is  the  type ;  fin-headed 
rays  or  horned  rays. 

Cephalote,  -lot.  A  fatty  substance,  in- 
soluble in  alcohol,  but  soluble  in  ether, 
obtained  firom  the  brain  ;  a  mixtm-o  of  the 


cerebrates  of  potassium  and  sodiiim,  with 
traces  of  olien  and  oleo-phosphoric  acid. 

Cephalotome,  -lo-tom.  An  instrument 
for  cutting  into  the  fetal  head  to  assist 
contraction  and  facilitate  dehvery. 

Cephalotribe,  -trib.  An  obstetrical  in- 
strument for  crushing  the  head  of  the  in- 
fimt  in  the  womb. 

Cephens,  sG'fe-us.  A  constellation  in 
the  northern  hemisphere,  surrounded 
by  Cassiopeia,  Ursa  Major,  Draco  and; 
Cygnus,  containing  35  stars.  One  of  the 
moss  mites,  fam.  Oribatldse. 

Cepola,  sep'6-la.  A  gen.  of  fishes,  sec. 
Acanthopterygii.  A  species  is  known  as 
the  red  band-fish  and  red  snake-fish. 

Oepolidae,  sC-pol'i-de.  Ribbon-fishes ; 
band-fishes.  A  fam.  of  acanthopterygian 
fishes.     Also  called  Tajniodese. 

Cerago,  -ra'go.     Bee-bread ;  a  substance 

consisting  chiefly  of  the  pollen  of  flowers, 

used  by  bees  for  aliment. 
CerambycidSB,   -ram-bis'i-de.    A  fam. 

of  coleopterous  insects,  sec.  Longicornes. 

The  musk-beetle  belongs  to  this  fam. 

Ceramic,  se-ram'ik.  Of  or  belonging  to 
the  fictile  arts  or  pottery,  as  ceramic  art. 

Cerapliron,  ser'a-fron.  A  gen.  of  minute 
parasitic  insects,  fam.  Proctotrnpidae, 
some  of  which  prey  on  insects  destruc- 
tive to  plants. 

Cerapus,  -pus.  The  caddis-shrimp,  a 
gen.  of  amphipodous  crustaceans,  which 
live  in  a  tube. 

Cerasin,  -sin.  A  gum  which  exudes 
from  cherry  and  plum  trees. 

Cerasite,  -sit.  A  cherry -like  petrifaction. 
The  native  muriate  of  lead. 

Cerastes,  se-ras'tez.  A  gen.  of  African 
vipers,  remarkable  for  their  fatal  venom  ; 
liorned  vipers. 

Cerate,  se'rat.  A  thick  ointment,  com- 
posed of  wax,  lard,  or  oil,  with  other  in- 
gi-edients. 

Ceratites,  ser-a-tl'tez.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
Ammonitidse,  allied  to  the  ammonites. 

Ceratodus,  se-rat'o-dus.  A  fish,  allied 
to  the  lopidosiren.  The  native  salmon  or 
Barramunda  of  Australia. 

Ceratospong-iae,  ser'a-to-spon''ji-c.  An 
order  of  sponges  of  which  the  bath  spongo 
is  the  type. 

Ceraunite,  se-ra'nlt.  A  thunder-stone  ;  a 
belemnite. 

Ceraunoscope,  'no-skop.  An  instru- 
ment used  in  the  mysteries  of  ancients  to 
imitate  thunder  and  lightning. 


CEEBERUS  164 


CERTHIAD^ 


Cerberus,  ser'ber-us. 
In  Class.  Myth,  the 
Avatchdog  of  the  infer- 
nal logioiis,  offspring  of 
T>-phaou  and  the  ser- 
pent woman  Echidna, 
usually  rep  r  e  s  e  n  te  d 
with  three  heads,  the 
tail  of  a  serpent,  and 
serpents  round  his  neck. 
^  A  sub-gen.  of  serpents. 
Cercaria, -ka'ri-a.  The 
second  larval  stage  of 
a  trematode  "worm  or 
fluke.  The  cycle  is— 1, 
Distomum,  parent  form ; 
Cercaria ;  4,  Encysted  Cercaria 
tomum. 

Cercis,  'sis.  A  gen.  of  trees  or  shrubs, 
ord.  Leguminosae.  The  best  known  spe- 
cies is  the  Judas-tree,  so  called  from  the 
tradition  that  it  was  upon  one  of  these 
Judaa  Iscariot  hanged  himself. 
Cercocebus,  -ko-se'bus.  A  gen.  of 
monkeys,  including  the  malbrouk,  or 
dog-tailed  monkey,  the  mangabys  and 
the  green  monkeys. 

Cercolabes,  -kol'a-bez.  A  gen.  of  Bra- 
zilian porcupines,  remarkable  for  their  long 
prehensile  tails. 

Cercopidae,  -kop'i-de.  A  sub-fam.  of 
homopterous  insects,  fam.  Cicadellina,  in- 
eluding  the  cuckoo-spits  and  frog-hoppers. 
Cercopithecus,  'k6-pi-thc"kus.  A  gen. 
of  long-tailed  monkeys,  very  active,  and 
are  often  prettily  variegated.  Among 
them  is  the  Mona. 

Cerdocyon,  -dos'i-on.  A  gen.  of  the 
dog  tribe,  intermediate  between  the  true 
dogs  and  the  foxes,  having  a  singular  pro- 
pensity to  steal  and  secrete  brilUant  ob- 
jects. 

Cereal,  se're-al.  A  general  term  for  any 
plant,  such  as  wheat,  barley  and  other 
grasses,  cultivated  for  the  «ake  of  their 
seed  as  food. 

Cerebrin,  ser'e-brin.  A  name  given  to 
several  substances  obtained  chemically 
from  the  brain. 

Cerement,  'ment.  Cloth  dipped  in  melt- 
ed wax,  with  which  dead  bodies  are  en- 
folded when  embalmed.  Grave-clothes  in 
general.  The  under-cover  of  an  altar-slab. 
Ceremonial,  -e-mo'ni-al.  A  system  of 
rites  or  ceremonies  in  leligious  worship, 
social  intercourse,  or  in  courts ;  formal- 
ities to  be  observed  on  any  occasion. 
The  order  for  rites  and  forms  in  the  E.  C. 
Church,  or  the  book  containing  the  rules 
to  be  observed  on  solemn  occasions. 


Ceres. 


Cereopsis,  se-re-op'sis.  A  gen.  of  birds, 
fam.  Antidae.  There  is  only  one  species, 
known  as  the  Australian  goose. 
Ceres,  'rez.  In  Class. 
Myth;  a  Koman  god- 
dess,corresponding  to  "i 
the  Greek  Demeter; 
she  was  the  daughter 
of  Kronos  and  Ehea, 
and  the  mother  of 
Proserpine  and  Bac- 
chus. She  was  the 
goddess  of  earth  in  its 
capacity  of  brining 
forth  fruits.  The  first 
discovered  of  the  as- 
teroids which  revolve 
between  the  orbits  of 
Mars  and  Jupiter,  in 
size  less  than  the 
moon. 

Cerin,  'rin.  A  waxy 
substance  which  pre- 
cipitates, on  evaporation,  from  alcohol  di- 
gested on  grated  cork.  The  name  given 
to  that  portion  of  bees'-wax  soluble  in  al- 
cohol. An  ore  of  cerium,  a  variety  of  al- 
lanite. 

Cerinthian,  -rin'thi-an.  One  of  a  sect 
of  early  heretics,  so  called  from  Cerinthus, 
one  of  the  first  heresiarchs  in  the  church. 
Ceriph,  ser'if.  One  of  the  fine  lines  of  a 
letter,  especially  one  of  the  fine  cross  lines 
at  the  top  or  bottom,  as  of  I. 
Cerite,  se'rit.  A  rare  mineral,  a  hydrated 
silicate  of  cerium,  very  hard.  It  is  the 
chief  source  of  cerium,  and  contains  also 
lanthanium  anddidymium. 
Cerithiidee,  ser-i-thl'i-de.  Club-shells, 
a  fam.  of  plant-eating  gasteropodous  mol- 
lusks,  containing  numerous  species,  both 
marine  and  fresh -water,  some  fossil  spe- 
cies being  characteristic  of  tertiary  strata. 
The  typical  gen.  is  Cerethium. 
Cerography,  se-rog'ra-fl.  The  act  of 
writing  or  engraving  on  wax.  The  art  of 
painting  in  wax  colors  ;  encaustic  paint- 
ing. 

Ceroma,  -ro'ma.    That  part  of  ancient 
gymnasia  and  baths    in  which    batheri 
and  wrestlers  used  to  anoint  themselves 
with  a  composition  of  oil  and  wax. 
Ceroplastic,  -i)las'tik.     The  art  of  mod- 
eling  or  of  forming  models  In  wax. 
Cerro  G-ordo.     A  defile  between  Yen 
Cruz  and  the  city  of  Mexico,  noted  for  th< 
signal  victory  achieved  by  the  Americau 
army  under  Gen.  Scott  over  the  Mexican? 
imder  Santa  Anna,  April  18,  1847. 
CertbiadSB,  serth'i-a-de.    The  creepers, 


CERTIOKARI 


166 


CHACO 


a  fam.  of  tenuirostral  perching'  birds,  con- 
sisting- of  the  tree-creepers,  nut-hatches, 
&c. 

Certiorari,  ser'8hi-6-ra"ri.  In  Law,  a 
writ  of  a  superior  court,  to  call  up  the 
records  of  an  inferior  court  or  remove  a 
cause  there  depending. 

Ceruleum,  se-rH'le-um,  A  blue  pig- 
ment, consisting  of  stannate  of  protoxide 
of  cobalt,  stannic  acid  and  sulphate  of 
lime. 

Cerumen,  se-ru'men.  The  wax  secreted 
by  certain  glands  lying  in  the  external 
canal  of  the  ear. 

Cerura,  se-ro'ra.  A  gen.  of  moths,  fam. 
Bombycidae,  of  which  the  best  known  is 
the  puss-moth. 

Ceruse,  'rus.  White-lead,  a  compound 
of  hydrate  and  carbonate  of  lead,  produced 
by  exposing  the  metal  in  thin  plates  to 
the  vapor  of  vinegar.  Load  is  sometimes 
found  native  in  the  form  of  ceruse,  but  in 
this  case  it  is  an  anhydrous  metacarbonate. 
C.  of  antimony  is  a  white  oxide  which 
separates  from  the  water  in  which  dia- 
phoretic antimony  has  been  washed, 

Cerusite,  'rji-sit.  A  native  carbonate  of 
lead,  a  common  lead  ore,  found  often  in 
conjunction  with  galena  or  sulphide  of 
lead,  and  supposed  to  be  derived  from  the 
decomposition  of  galena. 

Cervelat,  ser've-lat.  An  ancient  musical 
instrument,  producing  tones  resembUng 
a  bassoon. 

Cervidae,  M-de,  The  deer  tribe.  The 
principal  genera  are  represented  by 
the  stag  or  red-deer,  wapiti,  roebuck,  &c., 
the  elk  or  moose-deer,  the  reindeer  or 
cariboo,  the  fallow-deer  and  the  muntjac. 
They  are  first  found  fossil  in  miocene 
strata. 

Cestoidea,  ses-toi'de-a.  An  order  of  in- 
testinal worms,  class  Scolecida ;  tape- 
worms. 

Cestraciontidee,  -tra'si-on"ti-de.  A 
fam.  of  cartilaginous  fishes,  consisting  only 
of  a  single  living  genus  and  species,  the 
Costracion,  although  fossil  forms  are 
abundant. 

Cestrum,  ses'trum.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  fcolanaceaj ;  the  bastard  jasmines. 

Cestura,  'tum.  A  gen.  of  Ctenophora  or 
higher  Actinozoa,  represented  by  the 
Venus's  girdle,  which  exhibit  phosphor- 
escence at  night. 

Oestus,  'tus.  In  Eom.  Myth,  the  girdle 
of  Venus,  on  which  was  represented  every- 
thing that  could  awaken  love.  A  marriage- 


girdle  given  by  a  newly  mar- 
ried wife    to  her   husband. 
Among  the  ancient8,a  leather  ^ 
boxing-glove     or    gauntlet. ' 
loaded  with  lead  or  iron. 

Cetacea,  se-ta'she-a.  An  ord.  Cestus. 
of  marine  mammiferous  an- 
imals, surpassing  In  size  all  others  in  ex- 
istence. The  Balaenidae,  or  whalebone 
whales ;  the  Physeteridse,  or  sperm 
whales ;  the  Delphmidae,  or  dolphins  ;  the 
Khynchoceti,  or  beaked  whales ;  and  the 
Zeuglodontidae.  All  are  fossil.  The 
Sirenia  form  a  distinct  ord. 

Cetiosaurus,  'ti-6-sa"rus.  A  gen.  of 
fossil  saurian  s,  the  most  gigantic  of  the 
ord.  Deinosauria.  Their  remains  are 
found  in  the  ooUte  and  wealden  forma- 
tions. 

Cetoniadee,  -to-ni'a-de.  A  fam.  of 
coleopterous  insects,  one  of  the  most  ex- 
tensive gi-oups  of  the  beetle  tribe.  The 
type  gen.  is  Oetonia. 

Cetrarin,  'tra-rin.  A  vegetable  principle 
extracted  by  alcohol  from  several  lichens, 
as  Iceland  moss. 

Cetus,  'tus.  In  Astron.  the  Whale,  a 
constellation  of  the  southern  hemisphere 
containing  97  stars. 

Ceutorhynchus,  sQ-to-ring'kus.  A 
gen.  of  coleopterous  insects,  fam.  Curcu- 
lionidae,  including  the  turnip-seed  char- 
lock, and  the  turnip-gall  weevil. 

Ceylon,  se-16n'.  An  island  S.  of  Hin- 
dostan,  belonging  to  Gt.  Britain ;  area, 
27,400  sq.  m.;  pop.  2,326,000.  The  in- 
habitants are  Buddhists,  and  the  sacred 
tooth  of  Buddha  is  preserved  in  one  of  the 
temples. 

Ceylon-moss,  'moss.  Ploearia  Candida, 
an  alga,  lately  introduced  as  a  substitute 
for  farinaceous  foods,  having  the  same 
properties  as  carrageen  or  Irish  moss. 

Cha,  cha.  A  kind  of  Chinese  tea,  rolled 
up  like  tobacco. 

Chabasie,  kab'a-se.  A  variety  of  zeolite 
which  occurs  in  crystals  whose  primitive 
form  is  nearly  a  cube. 

Chablis,  shab-lS.  A  celebrated  white 
French  wine,  having  an  exquisite  per- 
fume. 

Chabouk,  cha-buk'.  A  long  whip ;  the 
whip  used  in  India  for  inflicting  corporal 
punishment. 

Chacma,  chak'ma.  A  S.  African  bab- 
oon. 

Chaco,  cha'ko.  The  native  name  for  an 
unctuous  earth  in  8.  America,  which  is 
eaten  with  chocolate. 


CHADAM 


166 


CHALICOTHEPwIUM 


Ch.ad.ara,  chad'am.  A  money  of  sujcount 
\n  some  parts  of  Asia,  equal  to  one  paysa, 
25  cowries  or  a  half-farthing. 

Chseronea,  ke-ro-no'ah.  Acity  of  BoBOtia, 
the  birthplace  of  Plutarch,  celebrated  as 
the  scene  of  the  victory  of  Phihp  of  Mace- 
don  over  the  Confederate  Athenians  and 
Thebans,  b.  c.  388. 

Clisetonotus,  kc-to-no'tus,  A  remark- 
able gen.  of  rotifers  or  wheel  animalcules. 

Chsetophoraceee,  'to-fo-ra^sG-G.  A 
fam.  of  coufervoid  alga3,  growing  in  sea 
or  fresh  water,  and  invested  with  gelatin- 
ous matter. 

Chafant,  cha'fant.  In  Her.  a  term  ap- 
plied to  a  boar  when  represented  as  en- 
raged. 

Cliafer,  chafer.  A  beetle  ;  generally  used 
with  some  prefix;  as,  cock-chafer,  rose- 
chafer,  &c. 

Chafery,  -i,  A  forge  in  an  iron-mill,  at 
wliich  the  iron  is  wrought  into  bars  ;  also, 
a  kind  of  blacksmith's  forge. 

Chaffinch,  chaf'finsh.  A  British  bird, 
gen.  Fringilla,  whose  song  is  heard  from 
early  spring  to  the  middle  of  summer. , 

Ch.afi.Ug-dish,  chafing-dish.  A  vessel 
to  hold  coals  for  heating  anything ;  a 
portable  grate. 

ChaiUu,  Paul  B.  Du,  du  sha-yQ.  An 
American  of  French  descent,  celebrated 
for  his  travels  in  Central  Africa  ;  b.  1820. 
He  was  the  first  to  positively  verify  the 
existence  of  the  gorilla. 

Chain,  chan.  A  series  of  links  or  rings 
fitted  into  one  another.  In  weaving,  the 
warp  threads  of  a  web.  Links  or  plates  of 
iron  bolted  to  the  ship's  side,  used  to 
contain  the  dead-eyes.  In  Surv.  a  meas- 
uring instrument,  generally  consisting  of 
100  links,  each  7.92  inches  in  length. 

C  h  a  i  n  - 
pump, 


Chain-pump. 

Dhain-gang",  'gang,     A  number  of  con- 
victs chaiued  together. 


Chain-gruard,  'gard.    A  mechanism  In 
watches,  provided  with  a  fusee,  to  pre- 
vent the  watch  being  over-wound. 
Chain-shot,      'shot 
Two  balls  connected  bj  | 
a  chain.  ,,    .      ,    ^ 

Chain-stitch,  'stich.  ^^^a^^-sli^t. 
In  sewing,  tlu-eads  or  cords  linked  to- 
gether in  the  form  of  a  chain,  as  line.il 
chaining  or  tambour  work,  reticulation  or 
net- work,  &c.  A  sewing-machine  stitch. 
Chain-wheel,  'whel.  An  inversion  of 
the  chain-pump,  by  which  it  is  converted 
into  a  recipient  of  water-power. 
Chair,  char.  A  movable  seat,  with  a 
back.  A  seat  of  office  or  authority ;  as, 
the  chair  of  a  judge  ;  the  oflice  itself,  es- 
pecially the  oftice  of  a  professor,  as,  to 
hold  the  chair  of  logic  or  divinity.  Also 
used  for  the  chairman  of  a  meeting  or  as- 
sembly. One  of  the  iron  blocks  which 
support  and  secure  the  rails  in  a  railway. 
Chaise,  shaz.  A  two-wheeled  carriage 
generally  furnished  with  a  movable  hood 
or  top.  A  gold  coin  current  in  France 
from  1346  to  1430,  varying  in  value  at 
different  periods.  Chaises  were  also  coin- 
ed in  England  in  the  reign  of  Edwai-d  III, 
Chalcedony,  kal-sed'o-ni.  A  sub-species 
of  quartz,  a  mineral ;  white  agate.  Tliere 
are  several  varieties,  as  common  chalced- 
ony, chrysoprase,  sard  and  sardonyx. 
Chalcedonirx,  -niks.  A  variety  of  agate, 
in  which  white  and  gi-ay  layers  alternate. 
Chalcogrraphy,  -kog'ra-fi.  The  art  of 
engraving  on  copper  or  brass. 
Chaldea,  kul-de'ah.  The  country  lying 
between  the  rivers  Tigris  and  Euphrates. 
The  name  of  Chaldean  was  anciently  ap- 
plied to  the  learned  Babylonians. 
Chaldron,  chiil'dron.  An  English  meas- 
ure of  coals  consisting  of  86  bushels,  or 
26^  cwt. ;  the  Newcastle  chaldron  is  52^  or 
53  cwt.  In  America  the  weight  is  gen- 
erally 26J^  cwt. 
Chalet,  sha-lii.  One  of  the  huts  in  which 
cattle  and  herdsmen  are  housed  for  tha 
night  on  the  Swiss 
mountains,  and  where 
the  cheese  is  manu- 
factured ;  any  dwell- 
ing of  the  Swiss  peas- 
antry having  local  char- 
acteristics. 

Chalice,  chal'is.  A 
communion  cup  i^sed 
to  administer  the  wine 
In  the  celebration  of  the 
holy  eucharist. 
Clxalicotherium,     kal'l-k6-ths"ri-um. 


Chalice. 


CHALK 


16T 


CHAMPAONE 


A  gen.  of  fossil  pachydermatous  animals, 
allied  to  the  tapirs.,  comprising  two  spe- 
cies, found  in  strata  of  the  miocene. 

Chalk,  chak.  An  earthy  limestone,  of 
an  opaque'  white  color,  soft,  and  admit- 
ting no  polish.  It  is  an  impure  carbonate 
of  lime,  the  rock  which  forms  the  higher 
part  of  the  cretaceous  system,  constitut- 
ing the  upper  strata  of  the  secondary  age, 
immediately  preceding  the  tertiary.  True 
or  white  chalk  is  formed  of  the  shells  and 
debris  of  the  shells  of  foraminiferous  ani- 
malcules, and  hence  is  a  rock  of  organic 
origin. 

Chalk-dra-wing-,  'dra-ing,  A  drawing 
sketched  and  filled  in  with  colored  chalks. 

Chalybeate,  ka-lib'G-at.  Any  water  or 
other  liquid  into  which  iron  enters. 

Chalybite,  kal'i-blt.  A  native  anhy- 
drous metacarbonate  of  iron,  found  in 
gneiss,  mica-slate,  clay-slate,  in  connec- 
tion with  the  carboniferous  system,  and 
occasionally  in  trap  rocks.  It  is  often 
met  with  in  conjunction  with  other  met- 
als. Clay  ironstone,  one  of  its  A'arieties, 
occurring  in  the  coal-measures,  is  one  of 
the  most  abundant  and  valuable  ores  of 
iron. 

Chama,  ka'ma.  The  gaping  cockle,  a 
gen.  of  large  marine  bivalve  shells,  fam. 
Chamaceas. 

Chamaesaura,  kam-e-sa'ra.  A  genus 
of  snake-like  lizards,  consisting  only  of 
one  species,  the  Chamsesaura  anguina  or 
snake-Hzard. 

Chamber,  cham'ber.  A  room  of  a  dwell- 
ing-house; a  sleeping  apartment.  A  room 
where  professional  men,  as  lawyers,  con- 
duct their  business  ;  the  room  in  which 
judges  sit  for  the  disposing  of  matters  not 
sufficiently  important  to  be  argued  in 
court.  A  place  where  an  assembly  meets; 
as,  the  star-chamber ;  the  assembly  itself; 
as  the  chamber  of  commerce. 

Chamberlain,  -Ian.  A  person  charged 
with  the  management  of  a  chamber.  An 
officer  charged  with  the  direction  of  the 
private  apartments  of  a  monarch  or  noble- 
man. The  Lord  Chamberlain  of  Great 
Britain  is  the  sixth  officer  of  the  crown, 
and  has  under  him  a  vice-chamberlain.  A 
receiver  of  rents  and  revenues,  as  the 
chamberlain  of  a  corporation. 

Chamber-m.usic,  -mu-zik.  Composi- 
tions suitable  for  performance  in  a  cham- 
ber or  parlor,  as  opposed  to  a  ooncert-hall. 

Chamber-organ,  -or-gan.  A  small  or- 
gan suitable  for  a  private  room  or  cham- 
ber. 

Chambeusburgr.    Cap.  of  Franklin  Co. , 


Penn.,  burned  br  the  Confederates  July 

30,  1864 ;  pop.  6,87T. 

Chambertin,  shon-ber-tan.     A  superior 

red  Burgundy  wine. 

Chambranle,  sham-branl'.  An  orna- 
ment bordering  the  three  sides  of  doors, 
windows  and  chimneys.  The  top  part  Is 
called  the  traverse,  the  sides  the  ascend- 
ants. 

Chambray,  'bra.  A  kind  of  gingham, 
with  linen  linish. 

Chambrel,  kam'brel.  The  joint  of  the 
upper  part  of  a  horse's  hind-leg. 

Chameck,  sha-mek'.  A  Brazilian  mon- 
key, gen.  Ateles,  fam.  Cebid*,  suscejitible 
of  a  high  degree  of  training. 

C  h  ameleon, 
ka-me'lC'-on.  A 
lizard,  gen. 
Chamaeleo,  the  ___„.^ 

best  known  ^^PfSTL^^^^^i^^ 
species  being 
C.  africanus  or 
C.  vulgaris. 
The  extraordi- 
nary  faculty  Chameleon, 

which  tlie  cha- 
meleon possesses  of  changing  its  color,  is 
duo  to  the  presence  of  pigment-bearing 
contractile  cells  in  the  skin,  their  contrac- 
tions and  dilatations  being  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  nervous  system.  A  constella- 
tion near  the  south  pole,  invisible  in  our 
latitudes. 

Chamfer,  cham'fer.  In  Carp,  a  small 
gutter  or  furrow.    A  bevel  or  slope. 

Chamfron,  'fron.  The  defensive  armor 
for  the  face  of  a  war-horsa» 

Chamois,  sham'wa. 
A  species  of  goat-like 
or  capriform  ante- 
lope, inhabiting  inac- 
cessible mountains. 
Its  skin  is  made  into 
a  soft  leather  called 
chamois  or  shammy. 
A  soft  leather  made 
from  va«-ious  skins 
dressed  with  fish-oil ; 
chamois-leather. 

Champ,  champ.  In  Arch,  the  field  or 
ground  on  which  carving  is  raised. 

Cham.pac,  cham'pak.  A  beautiftil  In- 
dian tree,  ord.  Magnoliacese,  held  in  high 
esteem  by  Brahmanists  and  Buddhists. 
Its  flowers  are  A'ery  fragrant. 

Champag-ne,  sham-pan.  A  wine  (red 
and  white,  still  or  sparkling)  made  chiefly 
in  the  department  of  Marne,  in  the  fornix* 
province  of  Champagne,  Frfcooe. 


Chamois. 


CHAMPIGNOK^ 


138 


CHAOS 


Champignon,  pin'yon.  The  French 
name  for  mushrooms  in  general. 

Champion,  'pi-on.  The  title  given  to  a 
person  who  has  defeated  all  rivals  at  open 
competitions ;  as  the  champion  sculler, 
pedestrian,  pugilist,  &c. 

Champlain,  Lake.  Located  in  K  E. 
New  York,  extending  into  Canada,  and 
connected  with  the  St.  Lawrence  by  the 
Chambly  Canal ;  length  110  m. ;  gi-eatest 
width  U  m. 

Chancel,  chan'sel.  That  part  of  the  choir 
of  a  church  between  the  altar  and  the  rail- 
ing that  incloses  it.  An  inclosed  space  in 
courts  of  judicature. 

Chancellor,  -er.  Originally,  a  chief  no- 
tary under  the  Koman  emperors  ;  but  in 
later  times  an  English  officer  invested 
with  judicial  powers,  and  particularly  with 
the  superintendence  of  all  official  writings 
of  the  crown  that  require  to  be  solemnly 
authenticated ;  the  keeper  of  the  great 
seal.  From  the  Koman  empire  this  office 
passed  to  the  Church,  and  hence  every 
bishop  has  his  chancellor.  In  the  new 
German  Empire  the  chancellor  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Federal  Council.  In  the  U. 
8.,  a  chancellor  is  the  judge  of  a  court  of 
chancery  or  equity. 

ChancellorsviUe.  A  village  of  Spott- 
sylvauia  Co.,  Va.,  75  m.  N.  W.  of  liich- 
mond,  the  scene  of  one  of  the  longest  and 
most  desperately  fought  battles  of  the 
civil  war.  The  Federals  under  Gen. 
Hooker  were  first  attacked  in  flank  by 
Gen.  "  Stonewall"  Jackson,  April  30, 1868, 
and  he  repeated  this  on  May  2,  badly  de- 
moralizing the  11th  corps  ;  May  3  the  en- 
tire Confederate  force  under  Gen.  Lee  ad- 
vanced to  the  attack,  and  fighting  was 
almost  continuous  for  three  days,  the 
Federals  being  finally  forced  to  retreat 
across  the  Rappahannock  River  on  the  6th. 
The  Federal  loss,including 6,000  prisoners, 
was  17,197 ;  Confederate  loss,  12,277,  of 
whom  2,000  were  prisoners.  Gen,  "Stone- 
wall "  Jackson  was  mortally  wounded  by 
his  own  troops  during  a  night  reconnois- 
sance  on  the  3d,  dying  May  10. 

Chancery,  'se-ri.  In  England,  formerly 
the  highest  court  of  justice  next  to  Par- 
liament, but  since  1873  a  division  of  the 
High  Court  of  Justice.  In  Scotland,  an 
office  in  the  general  register-house  of 
Edinburgh,  managed  by  the  director  of 
chancery  and  his  deputies.  In  the  United 
States,  a  court  of  equity. 

Chandelier,  shan-de-ler'.  A  stand  with 
branches  to  hold  a  number  of  candles.  In 
Fort,  a  movable  parapet,  serving  to  sup- 
port fascines  to  aover  pioneers. 


Chandoo,  chan-do'.  An  extract  of  opium, 
used  by  the  Chinese  for  smoking. 

Chang",  chang.  A  Chinese  long  measure, 
equal  to  11}  feet. 

Changr-Choo-Foo.  An  important  com- 
mercial city  of  China,  prov.  Fokien,  36 
m.  S.  W.  of  Amoy,its  port;  pop.  850,000. 

Chang-e-wheel,  chanj'whel.  One  of  a 
set  of  cog-wheels,  used  to  vary  the  angu- 
lar velocity  of  the  axis  or  arbor  of  a  ma- 
chine in  any  required  degree. 

Chank,  changk.  The  common  conch- 
shell  fished  up  by  divers.  Large  fossil 
beds  of  chanks  have  been  found.  These 
shells  are  sewed  into  rings  or  bracelets 
called  bangles,  and  worn  as  ornaments  by 
the  Hindu  women. 

Chpnnel,  chan'nel.  The  bed  of  a  stream 
of  water.  The  deeper  part  of  an  estuary, 
bay,  &c.,  where  the  current  flows.  A 
narrow  sea  between  two  continents  or  be- 
tween a  continent  and  an  island.  C.  of  a 
horse,  the  hollow  between  the  two  nether 
jaw-bones  where  the  tongue  is  lodged.  C. 
stone,  a  stone  used  in  the  game  of  curling. 

Channel.    One  of  the  pieces  of  plank 
projecting  horizon- 
tally   from  a    ves- 
sel's    sides.     The 
chain     plates     are 
carried        through 
notches     on    their 
outer  edge  in  order' 
to       extend       the  t 
shrouds    and  keepj 
them  clear  of  thel 
gunwale. 

Channel,      The 
Eng-lish.  Awidf 
strait      connecting  Shrouds  on  the  Chan- 
the     German     nnd  nels. 

Atlantic       Oceans, 

the  narrowest  part  called  Straits  of 
Dover.  C.  Islands,  a  group,  in  the  chan- 
nel,belonging  to  England,  of  which  Jersey, 
Guernsey  and  Alderney  are  the  chief. 

Channingr,  William  EUery.  An 
eminent  Unitarian  divine  and  publicist ; 
B.  at  Newport,  E.  I.,  1780,  d.  1842. 

Chant,  chant.  A  short  musical  compo- 
sition consisting  generally  of  a  long  recit- 
ing note,  on  which  an  indefinite  number 
of  words  may  be  intoned,  and  a  melodic 
phrase  or  cadeuce. 

Chanter,  'er.  One  who  chants  ;  a  singer 
or  songster.  The  chief  singer  or  priest  of 
a  chantry.  In  bagpipes,  the  tube  with 
finger-holes  for  playing  the  melody. 

Chanticleer,  chan'ti-kl5r.    A  cock. 

Chaos,  ka'os.    That  confusion  in  which 


CHAPALA 


159 


CHARGE  D'AFFAIRES 


matter  is  supposed  to  have  existed  before 
it  was  reduced  to  order  by  the  creating 
power  of  God. 

Chapala,  shap'ah-lah.  Mexico's  larjirest 
lake  ;  area  1,800  sq.  m.  It  is  an  expansion 
of  the  rirer  Rio  Grande  de  Lerma,  which 
empties  into  the  Pacilic. 

Chaparral,  chap-ar-ral'.  A  grove  of 
low  evergreen  oaks.  A  clump  of  thicket 
formed  by  thorny  shrubs,  mingled  with 
brambles. 

Chape,  chap.  The  shding-loop  on  a  belt 
to  which  a  bayonet-scabbard  is  attached  ; 
the  back-piece  by  which  a  buckle  is  fixed 
to  the  garment.  The  transverse  guard  of 
a  sword.  A  metal  tip  at  the  end  of  a 
scabbard,  or  the  termination  of  a  belt  or 
girdle. 

Chapel,  chap'el.  A  subordinate  place  of 
worship  usually  attached  to  a  church  or 
cathedral,  devoted  to  special  services.  A 
building  subsidiary  to  a  parish  church.  A 
place  of  worship  connected  with  a  royal 
palace,  a  private  establishment,  or  a  cor- 
poration. A  place  of  worship  used  by 
dissenters  from  the  Church  of  England. 
A  union  of  the  workmen  in  a  printing- 
office  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  and 
enforcing  order  among  themselves. 

Chapel-royal,  roi'al.  A  chapel  at- 
tached to  a  royal  palace. 

Chaperon,  shap'er-on.  An  ancient  hood 
or  cap  generally  worn  ;  afterward  appro- 
priated to  doctors  and  licentiates  in  col- 
leges. A  hood  or  cap  worn  by  the 
Knights  of  the  Garter  when  in  full  dress. 
A  small  shield  containing  crests,  initials, 
«fec.,  placed  on  the  head  of  horses  which 
drew  the  hearse  in  pompous  funerals. 
One  who  attends  a  lady  to  public  places. 

Chaplain,  chap'lan.  An  ecclesiastic  who 
officiates  in  a  chapel.  An  ecclesiastic 
who  officiates  at  court,  in  the  household  of 
a  nobleman,  or  in  an  army,  ship,  institu- 
tion, &c.  C.  of  the  pope,  auditors  or 
judges  of  causes  in  the  sacred  palace. 

Chaplet,  'let.  A  garland  or  wreath  to 
be  worn  on  the  head  ;  a  circlet.  In  Her. 
a  garland  of  leaves  with  four  flowers 
amongst  them,  at  eaual  distances.  A 
string  of  beads  used  by  Catholics  in 
counting  their  prayers,  having  only  a 
third  of  the  beads  of  a  rosary. 

Chapter,  'ter.  A  division  of  a  book  or 
treatise.  The  council  of  a  bishop,  con- 
eisting  of  the  canons,  and  other  clergy- 
men attached  to  a  cathedral  church,  pre- 
sided oyer  by  a  dean.  The  meeting  of 
certain  organized  orders  and  societies,  as 
to  hold  a  chapter   of    the    Garte-r.      A 


Chaptrei. 


branch  of  some  society  or  brotherhood.  A 
decretal  epistle. 

Chapter-house,  -hous.  The  building 
attached  to  a  cathedral  or  religious  house 
in  which  the  chapter  meets  for  business, 

Chaptrei.  Tlie  capital  of  a 
pier  or  pilaster  which  re- 
ceives an  urch. 

Chapultepec,  shah-pul'te- 
pek.  A  precipitous  height, 
surmounted  by  a  strong  cas  - 
tie,  heavily  fortified,  2  m. 
from  the  city  of  Mexico, 
stormed  by  the  American 
troops  under  Gen.  Scott, 
Sept.  13,  1841. 

Char,  chiir.  A  name  given  to  two  spe- 
cies of  gen.  Salmo,  or  common  char,  and 
Windcmere  char,  the  most  delicious  and 
beautiful  of  the  Salmonidas. 

Character,  kar'ak-ter.  A  distinctive 
mark  on  stone,  metal  or  other  hard  mate- 
rial, used  to  form  words  and  communicate 
ideas;  a  letter,  figure  or  sign.  Musical 
characters,  the  conventional  forms  or 
marks  used  for  signs  of  clefs,  notes,  rests, 
&c.  The  peculiar  form  of  letters  ;  as  the 
Greek  character,  the  Runic  character.  The 
qualities  impressed  by  nature  or  habit  on 
a  person,  which  distinguish  him  from 
others.  An  oral  or  written  account  of  a 
servant  or  employe's  character  or  qualifi- 
cations. 

Charade,  sha-rad'.  An  enigma,  the  srlu- 
tion  of  which  is  a  word  of  two  or  more 
syllables  to  be  discovered  from  description 
or  representation.  When  dramatic  repre- 
sentation is  used  to  indicate  the  meaning 
it  is  called  an  acting  charade. 

Charadrius,  cha-ni'dri-us.  A  gen.  of 
birds,  ord.  Grallatores,  ineluding  the 
golden  plovers. 

Charagr,  k.^'rag.  A  tribute  exacted  in 
Turkey  from  Jews  and  Christians. 

Charcoal,  chiir'kol.  Coal  made  by  char- 
ring wood ;  the  carbonaceous  residue  of 
vegetable,  animal,  or  combustible  mineral 
substances,  when  they  undergo  smothered 
combustion. 

Charcoal-black,  -blak.  One  of  a  series 
of  black  pigments,  consisting  of  burnt 
ivory,  bones,  vine-twigs,  peach-stones,  nut 
and  almond  shells,  the  condensed  smoke 
of  resin,  &c. 

Chard,  chard.  The  leaves  of  artichoke, 
covered  with  straw  In  order  to  blanch 
them,  and  make  them  less  bitter.  Beet 
chards,  the  leaf-stalks  and  midribs  of  a 
v.-iriety  of  white  beet  dressed  for  the  table. 

Chargo   d' Affaires,  sliiir-zha  daf-far. 


CHARGER 


170 


CIIAROlir 


Grecian  Chariot. 


One  who  transacts  diplomatic  business  at 
a  foreign  court  during  the  absence  of  liis 
superior,  the  ambassador.  Also  the  third 
or  lowest  class  of  foreign  ministers,  ac- 
credited to  the  department  for  foreign 
affairs. 

Charg-er,  chSrj'er.  One  who  or  that 
whicli  charges.  A  large  dish.  A  war- 
horse. 

Charsre-slioet,  'shet.  A  paper  kept  at 
a  police-station  to  receive  the  names  of 
jjersons  brought  in,  with  the  accusation 
and  name  of  the  accuser, 

Cliariot, 
char'i-ot.  A 
stately  four- 
wheeled  pleas- 
ure or  state 
carriage  hav- 
ing one  seat. 
A  car  or  ve-' 
hide  formerly 
used  only  in 
■war,in  proces- 
sions, and  for 
racing,  drawn 

hv  two  or  more  horses.  Among  the 
€rreek8  these  were  highly  ornamented. 

Cliariotee,  -o-tc".  A  small  pleasure  char- 
iot with  two  seats  and  four  wheels. 

Charioteer,  -ter'.  The  person  who  drives 
or  conducts  a  chariot. 

Cliarisza,  kar'izm.  A  miraculous  girt 
conferred  on  early  Christians,  as  of  heal- 
ing, of  tongues,  &c. 

Charity,  char'i-tl.  In  a  general  sense, 
the  good  affections  men  ought  to  feel 
towards  each  other.  In  a  theological 
sense,  love  to  God  and  universal  good 
wll  to  men.  Liberality  to  the  poor,  or 
to  benevolent  institutions.  A  charitable 
Institution  ;  a  foundation  for  relief  bv 
alms,  education,  or  otherwise  ;  an  hospi- 
tal. Sisters  of  C.,  nuns  who  minister  to 
the  poor  and  nurse  the  sick ;  a  congrega- 
tion founded  by  Vincent  dt  Paul. 

Charity-school,  -skol.  A  school  main- 
tained by  voluntary  contributions  or  be- 
quests. 

Charivari,  shS-re-va-ro.  A  mock  ser- 
enade of  discordant  music,  kettles,  tin- 
horns, (fee,  performed  in  Fr-ance  before 
the  houses  of  old  people  who  re-married, 
and  practiced  in  the  U.  S.  as  a  means  of 
nocturnal  annoyance. 

Charlatan,  shar'la-tan.  One  who  makes 
unwarrantable  pretensions  to  skill ;  a 
quack;  an  empiric;  a  mountebank. 

Charlemagme,  sharl'man.  Son  and  s. 
to  Pepin  lo  Bref,  and  gi*andson  to  Charles 


Martel ;  King  of  France ;  b.  742,  n.  804. 
He  conquered  a  large  part  of  Spain  and  It- 
aly, and  all  of  Germany  to  the  Bohemian 
borders,  being  crowned  Emperor  of  the 
West  by  the  Pope  in  800.  He  was  the 
most  enlightened  as  well  as  the  most  en- 
ergetic European  sovereign  of  the  century. 

Charles.  Tho  name  of  numerous  Eu- 
ropean emperors,  kings  and  lesser  poten- 
tates, Germany  having  had  four  kings  and 
three  emperors  bearing  this  name  ;  Swe- 
den fifteen  kings,  the  present  ruler  being 
the  fifteenth  ;  Spain  four,  France  ten,  Na- 
ples four.  Navarre  three,  England  two, 
Sardinia  two  and  Hungary  two  kings. 
The  name  was  also  borne  by  Dukes  ol 
Baden,  Lorraine,  Savoy  and  Burgundy. 

Charles  Martel.  The  illegitimate  son 
of  the  Duke  of  Austrasia,  who  by  his 
bravery  and  wisdom  became  Duke  of  the 
Franks.  His  son,  Pepin  le  Bref,  was 
made  king  of  France,  and  was  the  found- 
er of  the  illustrious  Carlovingian  line  of 
kings,  the  name  being  taken  from  C.  Mar 
tel. 

Charleston.  The  commercial  cap.  of  S. 
Carolina,  built  on  a  neck  of  land  formed 
by  the  Ashley  and  Cooper  rivers,  6  m. 
from  tho  Atlantic,  noted  as  the  scene  of 
the  commencement  of  hostilities  in  the 
late  Civil  War,  the  two  forts,  Moultrie  and 
Sumter,  occupied  by  Federal  troops  un- 
der Major  Anderson,  being  captured  by 
the  Confederates  under  Gen.  Beauregard ; 
pop.  49,984. 

Charlestown.  A  city  of  Middlesex  Co., 
Mass.,  a  suburb  of  Boston  ;  burned  by  the 
British,  in  1775,  during  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill.  A  U.  S.  navy  yard  is  locat- 
ed here ;  pop.  6,700. 

Charles's  "Wain,  chark'iz-wan.  The 
seven  brightest  stars  in  the  constellation 
Ursa  Major,  or  the  Great  Bear. 

Charnel-house,  char'uel-hous.  A  place 
where  human  bones  are  deposited ;  an- 
ciently, a  portico  or  gallerj-  on  which  the 
bone.?  were  laid  after  tho  flesh  was  con- 
sumed. 

Charon,  ka'ron.    In  Myth,  the  son  of 


Charon  and  Spirits. 
Erebos,  whose  office  was  to  ferry  the  soult 


CHAKPOT 


in 


CHASrBLE 


of  the  deceased  over  the  Styx,  a  river  of 
the  infernal  regions,  for  a  piece  of  money, 
which  was  placed  in  the  mouth  of  the 
corpse  previous  to  burial. 

Charpoy,  char'poi.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a 
sujall,  portable,  stretcher  bed. 

Charqui,  char'kc.  Jerked  beef;  beef 
cut  into  strips  about  an  Inch  thick,  and 
dried  by  exposure  to  the  sun. 

Chart,  chart.  A  sheet  on  which  Informa- 
tion is  exhibited  in  a  methodical  or  tabu 
lated  form,  as  an  historical  or  genealoerical 
chart.  A  draughtofpartofthe  earth's  sur- 
face, with  the  coasts,  islands,  rocks,  points 
of  compass,  depth  of  water,  &c.,  to  regu- 
late the  courses  of  ships.  The  term  chart 
is  applied  to  a  marine  map ;  map  is  applied 
to  a  draught  of  some  jiortion  of  land. 
Selenographic  charts  represent  the  spots 
and  appearances  of  the  moon.  Topo- 
graphic charts  are  draughts  of  particxilar 
places. 

Charter,  chilr'ter.  A  written  Instrument, 
given  as  evidence  of  a  grant,  contract,  or 
whatever  has  been  done  between  man  and 
man  ;  any  insti-ument  executed  with  form 
and  solemnity  bestowing  rights  and  priv- 
ileges. In  Com.  the  letting  or  hiring  of 
a  ship  by  special  contract ;  the  limits  or 
terms  of  such  a  contract ;  the  written  in- 
strument embodying  the  terms  of  the 
contract.  In  politics,  a  document  em- 
bodying the  i)rinciples  oi  the  Chartists. 

Charter-house,  hous.  A  charitable 
institution  founded  in  London  in  1611  by 
Sir  Thomas  Sutton.  It  maintains  80  poor 
brothers  and  44  scholars. 

Chartist,  chart'ist.  One  of  a  body  of 
political  reformers  that  sprung  up  in  Eng- 
land in  1833.  They  advocated  universal 
suflfrage,  no  property  qualification  for  a 
seat  in  Parliament,  annual  parliaments, 
equal  representation,  payment  of  mem- 
bers, and  vote  by  ballot. 

Chartographer,  kar-tog'raf-er.  One 
wlio  jtrepares  or  publishes  maps  or  charts. 

Chartography,  'ra-fi.  The  art  of  draw 
ing  mai)S  or  charts. 

Chartometer,  -tom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  maps  and  charts. 

Chartreuse,  shar'troz.  A  celebrated 
monasteiy  of  Carthusians  in  the  Dep.  of 
Isiire,  France,  noted  for  the  severity  of  its 
regulations.  A  tome  liquor  obtained  by 
distilling  aromatic  plants  growing  on  the 
Alps,  which  derives  its  name  from  the 
monastery. 

Chartreux,  -tro.  A  Carthusian  monk 
or  friar. 

Chartulary,  k5r'tu-la-ri.  A  officer  in  tha 


ancient  Latin  Church,  who  had  the  car« 
of  charters  and  other  public  papers.  A 
register,  as  of  a  monastery. 

Charybdis,  ka-rib'dis.  A  whirlpool  on 
the  coast  of  Sicily,  over  against  a  rock, 
Scj'lla,  on  the  Italian  coast. 

Chase,  chas.  An  open  piece  of  ground 
stored  with  wild  beasts  or  game.  A  term 
in  the  game  of  tennis.  An  iron  fram« 
used  by  printers  to  coafine  types  in  col- 
umns or  pages.  Tha  part  of  a  gun  in 
front  of  the  trunnions. 

Chase,  Salmon  Portland.  An 
American  ]nnsi  and  statesman  ;  b.  in  N. 
IL,  1818,  r>.  18T3.  Ee  was  sent  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  and  to  the  IT. 
S.  Senate  from  Ohio,  and  was  elected 
Governor  of  that  State  ;  appointed  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  by  President  Lincoln, 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  ho  con- 
ducted the  finances  Avith  rare  skill  and 
success  ;  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  in  1864,  he  held  this  oflice 
at  his  de.nth. 

Chaser,  'er.  One  Avho  chases  ;  a  hunter. 
A  vessel  which  pursues  another.  A  gun 
in  a  vessel  for  firing  when  in  chase  or  be- 
ing chased ;  a  bow-chaser  and  a  stern- 
chaser.  A  steel  tool  used  for  cutting 
threads  of  screws ;  the  cutting  instrument 
In  a  chasing-lathe. 

Chassepot,  shas-po.  The  breech-load 
ing  ride  used  in  the  French  army. 

Chasseur,  -ser.  One  of  a  body  of  sol* 
diers  mounted  or  on  foot,  trained  for  rapid 
movements.  An  attendant  dressed  in 
military  style. 

Chassis,  -se.  A  traversing  frame  or 
movable  railway,  on  which  carriages  ol 
guns  move  backward  and  forward. 

Chasuble, 
chas'u-bl.  In 
its  first  use  a  , 
circular  gar- 1' 
ment  of  one 
piece,  with-" 
out  sleeves  or 
opening  In 
front,  with  a 
hole  in  the 
center  for  the 
head  to  pass 
through, 
worn  by  the 
common  peo- 
ple, now  re- 
garded as  the 
principal 
vestment     of  Chasuble, 

t  h  e    R.      C. 
priest,  being  put  on  over  the  alb  and  stole. 


CHAT 


172 


CHEESE-CAKE 


It  is  now  made  oblong,  hanging  down  be- 
fore and  behind,  leaving  the  arms  free. 

Chat,  chat.  The  popular  name  of  birds 
of  the  gen.  Saxicola,  fam.  SylviadiB  or 
warblers. 

Chateau,  sha-to.  A  castle;  a  country- 
seat. 

Chateaubriand,  Francois  Au- 
gxiste,  Viscount.  An  eminent  French 
philosopher,  poet  and  historian ;  b.  1768, 
D.  184S.  His  greatest  work  is  the  "  Gen- 
ius of  Christianity,"  but  his  travels,  nov- 
els and  poems  are  of  scarcely  less  repute. 

Chatelaine,  shat'e-lan.  A  female  cas- 
tellan. A  bunch  of  chains  depending  from 
a  lady's  waist,  from  each  of  which  is  sus- 
pended some  article  of  household  use. 

Chatham,  William  Pitt,  Earl  of. 
A  distinguished  English  statesman ;  b. 
1708,  D.  1778.  He  was  prime  minister  in 
1766,  and  in  the  early  part  of  the  struggle 
for  American  independence  sided  with 
the  colonists.  C,  William  Pitt,  his  sec- 
ond son,  also  became  prime  minister. 

Chati,  shii-te.  A  species  of  leopard, 
very  destructive  to  small  quadrupeds  and 
birds,  but  so  gentle,  when  domesticated, 
as  to  be  called  Leopardus  mitis,  or  gentle 
leopard. 

Chatoyant,  sha-toi'ant.  A  stone  or  gem 
having  Avhen  cut  and  polished  a  chatoyant 
luster;  cat's-eye. 

Chatta,  chat'tah.    In  India,  an  umbrella. 

Chattanoogra  A  city  of  S.  Tennessee, 
on  the  Tennessee  River,  noted  for  the  san- 
guinary battle,  Nov.  25,  1863,  in  which 
the  Federals  under  Gen.  Grant  defeated 
the  Confederates  under  Gen.  Bragg,  the 
latter  losing  10,000  killed,  wounded  and 
prisoners,  and  40  guns  ;  the  former  losing 
5,106.  C.  is  now  the  center  of  a  large 
manufacturing  industry ;  pop.  9,000. 
Chattel,  'tcl.  An  item  or  article  of  goods, 
movable  or  immovable,  except  such  as 
have  the  nature  of  freehold.  Chattels  are 
real  or  personal. 

Chaucer,     Geoffrey.      An     eminent 
English  poet,  called  "Father  of  English 
Poetry";  b.  1328,  d.  1400. 
Chauflfer,  shafcr.     A   small  furnace:  a 
cylindrical  iron  box,  open  at  the  top,  with 
a  grating  near  the  bottom. 
Chauliac,    G-uy  de,    sho'le-yak.      A 
French  surgeon  ;  b.  1327,  i).   1394.      His 
principal  work  was  a  text-book  through- 
out Europe  for  200  years,  and  is  the  basis 
of  modern  surgical  practice. 
Chauncey,  Isaac.     An  American  com- 
modore; B.  in  Conn.,  1772,  d.  1840.      He 
won  distinction  in  the  war  with  Tripoli, 


and  on  the  northern  lakes  in  the  war  ol 
1812-14  with  Great  Britain. 

Chaus,  ka'us.  A  gen.  of  lynxes,  includ- 
ing the  Libyan  chaus,  and  the  Caffre-cat. 

Chaus,   chous.     A  Turkish  messenger, 

interpreter,  or  attendant  on  a  great  man. 

Chausses,  shos.  The  tight  covering,  of 
Oriental  origin,  for  the  legs,  and  reaching 
to  the  waist,  formerly  worn  by  nearly  all 
males  throughout  Europe. 

Chautauqua.  A  co.  in  W.  New  York, 
noted  for  its  beautiful  lake,  said  to  be  the 
most  elevated  navigable  Avater  on  the  con- 
tinent, 1290  ft.  above  sea  level  and  726  ft. 
above  Lake  Erie.  It  Is  a  favorite  summer 
resort. 

Chauvin,  sho-van.  One  of  those  veter- 
ans of  the  first  French  Empire  who  pro- 
fessed, after  the  fall  of  Napoieon,  a  sort  of 
adoration  for  his  person  and  his  acts. 

Cha vender,  chav'en-der.  A  fish ;  the 
Chub  or  Cheven. 

Chebec,  cht;-bek.  A  large  boat  em- 
ployed in  the  Newfoundland  fisheries. 

Check-book,  'b^k.  A  book  containing 
blank  bank-checks. 

Checker,  'er.  One  of  the  squares  of  a 
checkered  pattern ;  the  pattern  itself.  In 
Arch,  stones  in  the  facings  of  walls 
presenting  the  appearance  of  check-work. 
The  game  of  draughts.  A  piece  of  this 
game.  A  common  name  in  olden  times 
for  Inns  having  checkered  sign-boards, 
probably  to  announce  that  games  were 
played  within.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that 
houses  marked  -with  signs  of  this  kind 
have  been  exhumed  in  Pompeii. 

Checkmate,  'mat.  In  Chess  the  po- 
sition of  a  king  when  he  cannot  release 
himself.  As  the  king  cannot  bo  captured, 
this  brings  the  game  to  a  close. 

Cheddar,  ched'der.  A  rich  fine-flavored 
English  cheese. 

Cheek-pouch,  chek-pouch.  A  bag  In 
the  cheek  of  a  monkey,  in  which  it  stows 
away  food  for  future  consumption. 

Cheese,  chez.  The  curd  or  caseino  of 
milk,  coagulated  by  rennet  or  some  acid, 
separated  form  the  serum  or  whey,  and 
pressed  in  a  vat,  hoop  or  mold.  It  is 
composed  of  80  to  50  per  cent,  water,  3  to 
5  per  cent,  nitrogen,  18  to  30  per  cent, 
fat,  and  4  to  6  per  cent,  mineral  matter. 
A  mass  of  pomace  or  ground  apples 
pressed  together. 

Cheese-cake,  'kak.  A  cake  filled  with 
a  jelly  make  of  soft  curds,  sugz-.r  and 
butter.  A  cake  made  -with  a  variety  of 
ingredients,  as,  lemon  cheese-cake,  appl« 
cheese-cake,  &c. 


CHEESE-FLY 


173 


CHERBOURG 


Cheese-fly,  -fli.  A  dipterous  insect 
bred  in  cheese,  the  Piophila  casei,  fani. 
Miisclda?,  the  same  to  which  the  house-flj', 
blow -fly,  &c.,  belong. 

Cheese-mite,  -mit.  An  arachnidan,  gen, 
Acarus,  which  infests  cheese. 

Cheese- pale,  'piil.  A  sharp  instrument 
for  piei-cing  clieese,  so  as  to  enable  it  to 
be  tasted  without  cutting. 

Cheese-press, 'pres.  An  apparatus  for 
pressing  curd  in  making  cheese. 

Chef,  shef.  Head  or  chief;  the  head  cook 
of  a  nobleman's  household,  a  club,  &c. 

Chef-d'ceuvre,  sha-do-vi*.  A  master- 
I)iece  ;  a  fine  work  in  art,  literature,  &c. 

Cheilog-natha,  ki-log'na-tha.  An  ord. 
of  myriapods,  represented  by  the  hairy 
worrns  of  millipeds. 

Cheilopoda.  -lop'o-da.  One  of  the  two 
orders  of  Myriapoda,  represented  by  tne 
centipeds. 

Cheilostomata,  -16-stom'a-ta.  •'»  sub- 
ord.  of  funnel-shaped  (infundibulaVe)  ma- 
rine Polyzoa. 

Cheiracanthus,  -ra-kan'thus.  A  fossil 
ganoid  fish  of  the  Devonian  or  old  red 
system. 

Chelrolepis,  -rol'e-pis.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
ganoid  fishes,  with  rery  minute  scales, 
belonging  to  the  fam.  Acanthodes. 

Cheiromys,  'ro-mis.  A  gen.  of  lemurine 
quadrupeds,  consisting  of  a  single  spe- 
cies, the  aye-aye. 

Cheironectes,  -nek'tez.  A  gen.  of 
acanthopterygious  fishes,  having  the  pec 
toral  fins  supported,  like  short  feet,  upon 
peduncles  ;  also  called  frog-fish  and  hand- 
fish.  They  can  live  on  t  of  water  for  two 
or  three  days.  The  name  given  the 
Yapock  opossum,  a  marsupial  quadruped, 
found  in  S.  America. 

Cheiroptera,  -rop'ter-a.  An  ord.  of 
mammals — the  bats. 

Cheirotes,  -r5'tez.  A  gen.  of  lizards 
forming  the  fam.  Cheirotida',  containing 
but  one  species,  C.  canaliculatus,  an  ani- 
maJ  of  subterranean  habits  like  the  am- 
phiobsena. 

Chelrotherium,  -ro-thc'ri-um.  A  name 
given  io  the  great  unknown  animal  that 
formed  the  large  footsteps  on  the  slabs  of 
the  new  red  sandstone,  which  resemble 
the  human  hand;  supposed  to  be  Identical 
with  the  newt-like  labyrinthodon. 
Chekmak,  chek'mak.  A  Turkish  fabric 
of  silk  and  cotton,  with  golden  threads. 
Chelonia,  ke-l()'ni-a.  An  ord.  of  reptiles 
distinguished  by  the  body  being  inclosed 


in  a  double  shell,  including  the  various 
species  of  tortoise  and  turtle,  divided  into 
five  families— the  Chelididje  or  frog  tor- 
toises ;  Testudinidse,  or  land  tortoises; 
Emyda?,  the  terrapins  or  fresh-water  tor- 
toises ;  Trionychidse,  the  mud-turtles  or 
soft  tortoises  ;  Chelonidse,  or  sea  turtles. 

Cheluridee,  -lu'ri-de.  The  wood-boring 
shrimps,  a  fam.  of  marine  shrimps  de- 
structive to  ship  timber, 

Chemig-lyphic,  kem-i-gllfik  Any- 
thing engraved  by  the  agency  of  the  gal- 
vanic battery. 

Chemise,  she-mez'.  An  under-garment 
worn  by  females.  A  wall  that  lines  the 
face  of  an  earthwork  ;  abreast-wall. 

Chemisette,  shem-i-zet'.  A  short  under- 
garment worn  on  the  breast  over  the  che- 
mise. 

Chem.ist,  kem'ist.  A  person  versed  in 
chemistry  ;  one  whose  business  is  to  mako 
chemical  examinations  or  investigations. 
One  who  deals  in  drugs  and  medicines. 

Chemistry,  -ri.  The  science  Avhich  in- 
vestigates matter  as  it  is  acted  upon 
by  the  force  called  chemical,  the  dis- 
ti'ngutehing  feature  of  chemical  action  be- 
ing the  production  of  substances  of  quite 
different  properties  from  the  original 
bodies.  In  studying  the  changes  which 
matter  undergoes  the  chemist  arrives  at  a 
classification  of  all  matter  into  elements, 
that  is,  substances  which  he  is  unable  to 
decompose,  and  compounds  or  substances 
which  can  be  broken  up  into  simpler 
bodies.  It  is  subservient  to  the  various  arts 
and  manufactures,  and  of  high  impor- 
tance in  medicine. 

Chemitype,   'i-tip.    A  process  for  ob- 
taining casts  in  relief   from   engravings, 
particularly  adapted  for  producing  maps. 
Cheng:,   Cheng.      A  Chi- 
nese musical  wind  instru- 
ment, consisting  of  a  se- 
ries of  tubes  having  free 
reeds.     Its    Introduction 
into  Europe  led  to  the  in- 
vention of  the  accordion, 
harmonium     and     other  J 
free-reed  instruments. 
Chenille,     she-nel'.      A 
tufted    cord    of    silk    or  \ 
worsted,     somewhat  re- 
sembling a  caterpillar, 
Cheops,    ke' ops.    An 
Egyptian     king,     8.     of 
Ehampoinitus,   the    sup- 
posed builder  of  the  great 
Pyramid,  between  n.  o.  3280-2120. 
Cherhourg',  shair'boorg.    A  seaport  and 


Cheng. 


CHEROKEE 


174 


CHEVALIER 


principal  naval  arsenal  of  France,  impreg- 
nably  fortified ;  situated  on  Marche  Bay, 
185  m.  N.  W.  of  Paris ;  pop.  48,300. 
Cherokee,  chcr'o-ko'.  One  of  the  Ap- 
palachian tribes  of  N,  American  Indians, 
formerly  occupying  the  country  E.  and  S. 
of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  but  now 
occupying  a  reservation  W.  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, 'adjoining  Arkansas  ;  they  number 
abt.  20,000,  and  are  largely  Christianized. 

Cheroot,  she-rijt'.  A  cigar  of  cyhndrlcal 
or  tapering  shape,  with  both  ends  cut 
square  olf. 

Cherry,  che'ri.  The  fruit  of  species  of 
Cerasus,  which  is  commonly  regarded  as 
a  sub-gen.  of  prunus  ;  a  tree  producing 
this  fruit,  which  is  a  pulpy  drupe  inclos- 
ing a  one-seeded  smooth  stone.  A  cor- 
dial composed  of  cherry  juice  and  spirit, 
sweetened  and  diluted. 

Chersonese,  ker'so-nez.  A  peninsula  ; 
a  tract  of  land  nearly  surrounded  by 
water,  but  united  to  a  larger  tract  by  a 
neck  of  land  or  isthmus,  as  the  Cimbric 
C,  or  Jutland  ;  the  Tauric  0*-,  or  Crimea. 

Chert,  chert.  A  variety  of  quartz,  com- 
monly called  also  Hornstone,  Petrosilex, 
or  Eock  flint.  It  is  less  hard  than  com- 
mon quartz,  and  occurs  often  in  veins, 
especially  metallic,  in  primitive  moun- 
tains. The  name  is  also  applied  to  other 
minerals. 

Cherub,  cher'ub.  One  of  an  order  of 
angels  variously  represented,  but  gener- 
ally as  "winged  spirits  with  a  human  coun- 
tenance, and  distinguished  by  their 
knowledge  from  the  seraphs,  whose  dis- 
tinctive quality  is  love.  In  the  celestial 
hierarchy  cherubs  are  represented  as  sjnrits 
next  in  order  to  seraphs.  A  beautiful 
child. 

Cherubim,  'u-bim.  The  Hebrew  plural 
of  cborub. 

Cherub ini,  Maria  Luigi  Carlo 
Zenobi  Salvatore,  ka-roo-be'ne.  An 
eminent  Italian  composer ;  b.  1T60,  ». 
1842.  His  operas  and  sacred  pieces  are  of 
equal  merit. 

Cherusci,  ke-riis'si.  A  tribe  of  German 
Goths  who  totally  destroyed  the  Eoman 
army  under  Yaras  in  the  Teutoburg  for- 
est, '9  A.  D.  They  do  not  appear  in  his- 
tory from  abt.  the  close  of  the  4th  cen- 
tury. 

Chesapeake  Bay.  The  largest  bay  on 
the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  IT.  S.,  200  m. 
long,  by  a  breadth  of  from  4  to  40  m.;  the 
Potomac,  James,  Susquehanna  and  Y'ovk 
rivers  empty  into  it. 

Chess,  chos.    A  game  played  by  two  per- 


sons, with  different  pieces,  on  a  board  di- 
vided into  sixty -four  squares.  Each  has 
eight  dignified  pieces— a  king,  queen,  two 
bishops,  two  knights,  and  two  rooks  or 
castles ;  also  eight  pawns.  The  object  is 
to  checkmate  the  enemy's  king. 

Chess-board,  'bord.  The  board  used  in 
tlie  game  of  chess. 

Chess-man,  'man.  A  piece  used  in 
playing  the  game  of  chess. 

Chest,  chest.  A  box  of  considerable  size, 
made  of  wood  or  other  material.  In  Com. 
a  casein  which  tea,  indigo,  &c.,  are  packed 
for  transit ;  the  quantity  such  a  chest  con- 
tains. The  trunk  of  the  body  from  the 
neck  to  the  belly  ;  the  thorax. 

Chesterfield,  Philip  Dormer  Stan- 
hope, Earl  of.  A  notorious  English 
infidel  and  roue,  celebrated  for  his  Avit, 
and  quoted  as  an  authority  in  manners ; 
K.  1694,  u.  1773.  He  was  appointed 
Viceroy  of  Ireland  in  1746.  His  "  Letters  " 
to  his  illegitimate  son  are  a  mixture  of 
Avorldly  wisdom,  Avit  and  immorality. 

Chest-founder,  'found-er.  A  disease 
in  horses  ;  a  rheumatic  affection  of  the 
muscles  of  the  chest  and  forelegs. 

Chestnut,  ches'nut.  The  seed  of  the 
chestnut-tree.  The  tree  or  its  timber. 
The  color  of  the  husk  of  a  chestnut ;  a  red- 
dish-brown color. 

Cheston,  'ton.     A  species  of  plum. 

Chetah,  che'ta.  The  Felis  jubata,  or 
hunting  leopard  of  India. 

Chettik,  chet'tik.  A  tree  of  Java,  the 
Strychnos  Tieute,  yielding  a  very  viru- 
lent poison,  known  by  the  name  o'f  Upas 
Tieute.  It  owes  its  properties  to  strych- 
nine. It  is  more  powerful  than  the  poison 
obtained  from  the  upas-tree. 

Chetvert,  'vert.  A  Eussian  grain  meas- 
ure, equal  to  0.7218  ofan  imperial  quarter, 
or  5.77  bushels. 

Cheval,  she-val'.  A  horse ;  cavalry.  In 
Comp.  a  support  or  frame,  as  a  cheval- 
glass.  A  cheval,  on  each  side  so  as  to 
command  any  intermediate  s]>ace. 

Cheval-grlass,  'glas.  A  s\ving  looking- 
glass  mounted  on  a  frame,  and  larg* 
enough  to  reflect  the  whole  figure. 

Chevaux-de-frise, 
Bhe-vo'de-frez.  Pieces 
of  timber  traversed' 
■with  wooden  spikes, 
pointed     with     iron,  ___ 

used  to  defend  a  pass-  rii,„„ ,  ,i/^  t^^-^^ 

age,  form  an  obstacle  ChevauxdeFnse. 
to  the  advance  of  cavalry,  &c. 

Chevalier,  shev-a-Ier'.    A  horseman  ;  a 

knight ;  a  cavalier.     In  Her.  a  horseman 


CEEVET 


1T5 


CHIEF 


anted  at  all  points,  A  member  of  certain 
ordevs  of  knighthood,  as  the  Chevalier  de 
St.  Owrge.  In  Oruith.  the  gi-eenshank. 
C.  d'itdustrie,  one  who  gdns  r  living  by 
dishontst  means ;  a  sharper  ;  a  thief. 

Che  vet.  -va.  In  Arch,  a  variety  of  the 
apse  larg'ely  confined  to  French  Gothic 
churches.  It  is  always  inclosed  'uy  an  open 
screen  of  columns  on  the  ground  floor, 
and  opensinto  an  aisle,  M'hich  again  always 
opens  into  three  or  more  apsidal  chapels. 

Cheviots,  chev'yots.  A  range  of  low 
mountains  on  the  boundary  between  Eng- 
land and  Scotland,  and  extending  back 
into  both  countries. 

Cheviot,  chc'vi-ot.  A  favorite  variety  of 
sheep,  in  the  N.  of  England. 

Chevrette,  shev-ret.  A  machine  used 
In  raising  guns  or  mortars  into  their  car- 
riages. 

Chevron,  'run.  In  Her.  an  honorable 
ordinary,  represent- 
ing two  rafters  of  a 
house  meeting  at 
the  top.  Achevronel 
is  half  its  breadth  ;  a 
couple-close,  one-  Chevron  Molding, 
fourth.    In  Arch,  a 

variety  of  fret  ornament  common  in  Nor- 
man architecture.  Milit.  marks  on  the 
sleeves  of  the  non-commissioned  officers' 
coats,  to  mark  the  rank  of  the  bearer. 

Chevrotain,  'ro-tan.  The  Tragulus 
pygma'us,  fam.  Tragulidai,  a  species  of 
small  mnsk-deer. 

Chewing-ball,  chG'ing-bal.  A  medicinal 
ball  for  a  horse,  composed  of  the  wood  of 
the  bay  and  juniper  trees,  asafetida,  liver 
of  antimony,  and  pellitory  of  Spain. 

Cheyennes,  shi'enz.  A  warlike  tribe 
of  N.  American  Indians,  who  roam  over 
a  large  territory  between  "W.  Kansas  and 
the  Eocky  Motmtains. 

Chian,  kl'an.  Pertaining  to  Chios,  an  isle 
in  the  Levant.  C.  earth,  a  dense  com- 
pact earth,  used  anciently  in  medicine. 
C.  turpentine,  procured  from  the  Pistacia 
Terebinthus. 

Chiastolite,  -as'to-llt.  A  mineral  of  the 
cyanite  fam.,  generally  regarded  as  a  vari- 
ety of  andalusite,  and  also  called  Macle, 
whose  crystals  are  arranged  in  a  peculiar 
manner. 

Chibouque,  shi-buk.    A  Turkish  pipe. 

Chica,  chG'ka.  A  red  color  extracted 
from  the  leaves  of  Bignonia  Chica,  made 
use  of  by  some  Indian  tribes  to  stain  their 
skins.  A  fermented  liquor  of  S.  America, 
derived  from  Indian  corn. 


Chicagro,  she-ka'go.  The  commercial 
capital  of  Illinois,"on  Lake  Michigan,  the 
largest  gTain  entrepot  of  the  world,  and 
also  having  a  large  trade  in  cattle,  hogs  and 
lumber.  It  is  a  large  manufacturing  cen- 
ter. C.  was  almost  totally  destroyed  by 
fire  Oct.  9-10,  1871,  some  2,300  acres  in 
the  business  center  of  the  city  being 
burned  over,  involving  a  loss  of  nearly 
$200,000,000.  Within  two  years  the  city 
had  been  rebuilt  in  much  finer  and  more 
substantial  style  than  originally.  In  1874 
another  very  destructive  conflagration 
ravaged  the  city,  but  its  effects  were  only 
temporary ;  pop.  503,185. 

Chickadee,  chik'a-de.  In  America,  a 
name  given  to  the  black-cap  titmouse  and 
allied  birds . 

Chickahominy.  A  river  of  Virginia, 
which  rises  in  Hanover  Co.,  and  joins  the 
York  8  m.  above  Jamestown,  noted  as 
the  scene  of  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  May 
8, 1862,  in  which  Gen.  Casey's  division  of 
the  Federal  army  was  defeated  by  the 
Confederates  under  Gen.  Lee ;  also  for 
what  is  known  as  the  Seven  Days  of 
Richmond,  the  series  of  battles  in  which 
Gens.  Hooker  and  McClellan  were  defeated 
at  White  Oak  Swamp,  Mechanicsville, 
Gaines'  Mill  and  Malvern  Hill,  by  the 
Confederates  under  Gens.  Lee,  Jackson 
and  Longstreet. 

Chickamaugra,  chik-ah-mau-gah.  A 
creek  rising  in  N.  Georgia  and  emptying 
into  the  Tennessee  Eiver,  near  Chattanoo- 
ga, noted  for  the  defeat  of  the  Federal 
army  under  Gen.  Thomas  by  the  Confed- 
erates under  Gen.  Bragg,  Sept.  19-20, 
18G3.  The  battle  was  stubbornly  contested, 
and  the  victors  were  so  crippled  as  to  be 
unable  to  take  advantage  of  their  success. 

Chicaree,  -re.  The  Sciurus  hudsonius, 
or  American  red  squiiTcl. 

Chickasaws,  shik'ah-sauz.  A  tribe  of 
N.  American  Indians,  originally  occupy- 
ing the  country  between  the  Ohio  and 
Tennessee  rivers ;  now  allied  with  the 
Choctaws,  i»ad  largely  civihzed. 

Chicory,  'o-ri.  The  popular  name  of 
Cichoriuna  Intybus.  The  roots  are  exten- 
sively employed  as  a  substitute  for  coff'ee, 
or  to  mLx  vvith  coffee ;  it  is  also  cultivated 
for  feeding  cattle,  and  the  blanched  leaves 
are  sometimes  used  as  a  salad. 

Chief,  chef.  The  ■nerson  highest  in  au- 
thority ;  as  the  chief  of  the  foreign  office. 
A  military  commander ;  the  person  who 
heads  an  army.  The  principal  person  of 
a  clan,  tribe,  family,  or  congregation,  &c. 
The  principal  part  or  portion.  In  Her. 
the  upper  part  of  an  escutclieon,  cut  off 


CHIEF- B  AEON 


176 


CHIMBOEAZO 


horizontally  by  a  straight  line,  and  con- 
taining a  third  part  of  the  dimensions  of 
the  escutcheon. 

CMef-baron,  'bar-on.  President  of  the 
British  court  of  exchequer. 

Chief-justice,  'jus-tis.  The  presiding 
judge  of  a  court. 

Claieftain,  'tan.  A  leader  or  command- 
er ;  a  chief;  the  head  of  a  troop  or  clan. 

Chiflf-chaff,  chifchaf.  The  white- 
throat,  an  English  song-bird. 

Chiflfonnier,  -shif'o-ner.  A  small  side- 
board ;  a  kind  of  cabinet.    A  rag-picker. 

Chig-non,  she-nyon.  The  term  applied 
to  ladies'  back  hair  when  raised  and 
folded  up. 

CMg-oe,  chig'6.  AW.  Indian  insect  re- 
sembling the  flea,  but  more  minute,  which 
burrows  beneath  the  skin  of  the  foot,  and 
soon  acquires  the  size  of  a  pea,  becoming 
distended  with  eggs.  If  the  eggs  hatch 
great  irritation  and  even  troublesome 
sores  are  sure  to  result. 

Chihuahua,  she-wah'wah.  A  pror.  of 
N.  E.  Mexico  on  the  Eio  Grande,  haying 
rich  silver  mines;  area,  107,500  sq.  m.; 

fiop.  217,450.  C,  the  cap.,  has  a  pop.  of 
4,600. 
Chikara,  chi-ka'ra.  The  Hindu  name 
for  a  species  of  goat-like  antelope  of  which 
the  male  is  furnished  with  four  horns. 
Child,  child.  A  son  or  daughter,  of  any 
age;  a  male  or  female  descendant  in  the 
first  degree. 

Childe.  A  noble  youth  ;  especially  one 
of  high  birth,  before  advanced  to  the 
honor  of  knighthood ;  a  squire. 
Childermas-day,  chil'der-mas-da.  An 
anniversary  of  the  Church  of  England, 
held  December  28,  in  commemoration  of 
the  children  of  Bethlehem  slain  by  Herod  ; 
called  also  Innocents'-day. 
Childrenite,  'dre-nit.  A  mir.eral  sub- 
stance, a  i^hosphate  of  alumina  and  iron. 
Chili,  chil'e.  A  republic  of  W.  S.  Amer- 
ica, between  the  Andes  and  the  Pacific, 
1,150  m.  in  length  by  110  to  120  in 
I  breadth  ;  area  132,624 sq.  m.;  pop.  2,364,- 
109.  Santiago  is  the  cap.,  and  Val- 
paraiso, Valderia,  Concepcion  and  Taka 
the  chief  cities.  C.  became  independent 
of  Spain  in  1817,  and  progressed  rapidly 
in  commercial  importance  until  1882, 
when  she  engaged  in  war  with  Peru,  and 
in  two  years  Peru's  armies  and  navy 
were  completely  defeated  and  almost  de- 
stroyed and  the  country  overrun  by  the 
victors.  Peace  was  formally  declared  in 
January,  1884,  P.  submitting  to  the  most 
humiliating  terms. 


Chiliad,  kil'i-ad.  A  thousand;  a^ollec 
tion  or  sum  containing  a  thousand  indi- 
viduals or  particulars.  The  period  of  a  thou- 
sand years. 

Chilagron,  -a-gon.  A  plane  figure  of  a 
thousand  angles  and  sides. 

Chiliarch,  -ark.  The  miUtary  command- 
er or  chief  of  a  thousand  men. 

Chill,  chil.  A  shivering  with  cold  ;  sen- 
sation of  cold  in  an  animal  tody.  That 
condition  of  the  atmosphere  or  other  ob- 
ject Avhich  produces  the  sensation  of  cold. 
In  Metal,  a  piece  of  iron  introduced  into 
a  mold  so  as  to  rapidly  cool  the  surface  of 
molten  iron. 

Chill-hardening,  'hard-n-mg.  A  mode 
of  tempering  steel  by  exposing  the  red- 
hot  metal  to  cold  air. 

Chiltern  Hundreds,  'tern  hun'dredz. 
A  district  of  Buckinghamshire,  England, 
which  has  belonged  to  the  crown  from 
time  immemorial.  To  this  a  nominal  of- 
fice is  attached,  the  title  being  "Steward 
ofthe  Chiltern  Hundreds."  As  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Commons  cannot  resign  his 
seat  directly,  any  member  who  wishes  to 
resign  may  accomplish  his  obiect  by  ac- 
cepting the  stewardship  of  the  Chiltern 
Hundreds,  which  vacates  the  seat. 

Chimaera,  ki-me'ra.  In  Class.  Myth,  a 
flre-bre  ithing  monster,  the  fore  parts  of 
whose  body  were  those  of  a  lion,  the  mid- 


Chimaera, 

die  of  a  goat,  and  the  hinder  of  a  dragon  ; 
supposed  to  represent  a  volcanic  moun- 
tain in  Lycia.  In  ornamental  art,  a  fan- 
tastic assemblage  of  animal  forms  so  com- 
bined as  to  produce  one  complete  but  un- 
natural design,  frequently  seen  on  an- 
tique e  n- 
gravedgems 
and  bas-re- 
liefs. A  vain 
or  idle  fan- 
cy. In  Ich. 
a  gen. of  car-  Chimsera  monstrosa. 
tilaginous  fishes.  The  only  known  spe- 
cies is  the  Chimajra  monstrosa,  sometimes 
called  the  king  of  herrings. 

Chimseridse,  ki-mc'ri-de,  A  fam.  of 
cartilaginous  fishes,  containing  the  gen- 
era Chimsera  and  Callorhynchus. 

Chimborazo,  chim-bo-rah'zo.  One  of 
the  highest  peaks  ofthe  Andes,  21,420  ft., 
in  Ecuador. 


CHIME 


ITT 


CHmOLIJfE 


Ch.illie,  chim.  The  harmonious  sound  of 
bells  or  musical  instruments.  A  set  of 
bells  tuned  to  a  musical  scale  and  struck 
by  haiiMners.  Some  onsist  of  40  to  50 
bells.  An  airangement  of  bells  and  strik- 
ers in  an  organ,  music  box,  «fec.,  operated 
in  harmony  with  the  reeds,  pipes  or 
tongues.  Altar  chime,  a  set  of  three  small 
bolls  used  in  the  E.  C.  church  service. 

Chirae.  The  edge  or  brim  of  a  cask  or 
tub,  formed  by  the  ends  of  the  staves 
projecting  beyond  the  head.      In    ship- 

/  building,  that  hollowed  part  of  the  water- 
way at  the  side  left  above  the  deck. 

Chimere,  shi-mer'.  The  upper  robe,  to 
which  the  lawn  sleeves  of  a  bishop  are  at- 
tached. In  the  English  Church  it  is  of 
black  satin.  English  prelates  of  the  R. 
C.  Church  wear  one  of  purple  silk ;  car- 
dinals of  scarlet. 

Cliinmey,  chim'ni.  An 
erection  containing  a  pas- 
sage by  which  the  smoke 
of  a  fire  or  furnace  escapes 
to  the  open  air  ;  a  flue ; 
also  the  funnel  of  a  steam 
engine.  A  glass  to  sur- 
round the  flame  of  a  lamp 
to  protect  it  and  promote 
combustion. 

Chimney-pot,  -pot.  A 
cylindrical  pipe  placed  on; 
top  of  chimneys  to  pre 
vent  smoking. 

Chimney-cap,  -kap. 
An  abacus  or  cornice  form- 
ing a  crowning  termina- 
tion for  a  chimney.  A  de- 
vice for  assisting  the  ex- 
pulsion of  smoke  by  pre- 
senting the  chimney  exit 
always  to  leeward  by  a 
rotatory  device. 

Chimney-flue,  -flu.  The  aperture  in 
the  wall  of  a  building  leading  from  the 
fireplace  to  the  top  «>f  the  chimney. 

Chimney-piece,  -pes.  The  assemblage 
of  architectural  dressings  around  a  fire- 
place. 

Chimney-stalk,  -stak.  A  long  chim- 
ney, such  as  that  connected  with  manu- 
factories. 

Chimney-sweep,  -swep.  One  whose 
occupation  is  to  clean  chimneys  of  soot. 

Chimpanzee,  -pan'ze.  A  largo  ape  be- 
longing to  the  anthropoid  or  man-like 
monkeys,  most  nearly  related  to  the  go- 
rilla. 

China,  chl'na.  An  empire  of  Eastern 
Asia ;    area  4,153,000  sq.  m. ;   one-third 


Elizabethan 
Chimney. 


the  entire  continent ;  pop.  abt.  500,000,000. 
C.  is  divided  into  20  provinces,  and  6  trib- 
utary provinces.  Pekin  is  the  cap.,  and 
the  principal  cities  are  Shanghai,  Canton, 
Ningpo,  Amoy,  Foo-chow-foo,  Tien-sin, 
Swatow,  Formosa,  Chefoo,  Han-kow, 
New-chwang,  Chin  kiang,  andKin-kiang; 
the  chief  rivers  are  the  Hoang-ho,  or  Yel- 
low Elver,  the  Tarim,  Brahmapootra, 
Amoor,  Yang-tse-Kiang,  the  largest  in 
Asia,  the  Hei-ho,  Pei-ho,  Ilan-kiang,  and 
theSi-kiang;  the  mountains  include  the 
Tangun-Ouler,  the  Dauriun,  Inshan-Gar- 
jan,  Shan-AH,  Altai,  Thian-shan,  Pe-Hng, 
Shen-se,  Kan-se,  Nan-ling,  and  Himalaya 
ranges ;  the  principal  islands  are  Formosa, 
Hal -nan,  the  Chusan  Archipelago  and  the 
Loo-choo  group.  C.  is  the  most  ancient 
organized  nation  on  the  globe,  her  history 
going  back  nearly  2,500  years,  and  tho 
habits  and  laws  are  very  little  changed 
from  the  earliest  traditions. 

China.  A  species  of  earthenware  made 
in  China,  or  an  imitation. 

Chinampa,  -nam'pa.  Native  name  of 
floating  gardens  once  common  on  Mex- 
ican lakes. 

Chinch,  chinch.  The  common  bed- 
bug, Cimex  lectularius.  The  popular 
name  of  certain  fetid  American  insects  re- 
sembling the  bed-bug,  very  destructive  to 
cereals. 

ChinchilU- 
dee,  chin-chiF- 
li-de.  A  small 
fam.  of  rodent 
animals.  One 
gen.  is  the  La- 
gostomus  o  r 
viscacha,  about - 
the  size  of  the- 
rabbit,  and  re- 
sembling it  In 
form. 

Chine,  chin. 
The    backbona 

or  spine  of  an  animal.  The  piece  of  the 
backbone  of  an  animal,  with  the  adioining 
parts,  cut  for  cooking.  The  edge  or  brim 
of  a  cask. 

Chinese,  chi-nez^  Pertaining  to  China. 
C.  fire,  a  composition  used  in  fire-works. 
C.  glue,  a  superior  glue  and  varnish  ob- 
tained from  a  species  of  Chinese  &lgie.  C. 
white,  the  white  oxide  of  zinc,  a  valuable 
pigment,  a  substitute  for  the  preparations 
of  white-lead. 

Chinka,  chingk'a.  The  single  cable 
bridge  of  the  E.  Indies,  upon  Avhich  tra- 
verses a  seat  in  the  form  of  an  ox-yoke. 

Chinoline,  kin'o-lin.    An  oily  liquid  ob- 


Chinchilla, 


CHmTZ 


178 


CHLAMYPHORUS 


tained  by  distilling  quinine  vnth.  potash 
and  water  or  by  the  dry  distillation  of 
coal. 

Ch.intz,  chints.  Cotton  cloth  printed 
■with  llowers  or  other  devices  in  at  least 
five  different  colors,  and  generally  glazed. 

Chin-India.  That  portion  of  S.  E.  Asia 
Avhich  includes  Cochin-China,  Burmah, 
Loos,  Siam  and  Malacca, 

Chione,  ki'o-na.  In  Myth,  daughter  of 
Ua'dalion,  transformed  by  Juno  Into  a 
hawk  becaase  of  her  beauty ;  loved  by 
both  Apollo  and  Mercury. 

Chionidse,  k!-on'i-de.  A  fam.  of  birds 
including  the  gen.  Chionis. 

Chip,  chip.  A  piece  of  wood,  stone,  or 
other  substance,  separated  from  a  body 
by  a  blow  of  a  sharp  instrument.  Wood 
split  into  thin  slips  for  the  manufacture  of 
hats,  bonnets,  &c.  Naut.,  the  quadrant- 
shaped  piece  of  wood  attached  to  the  end 
of  the  log-line ;  the  log. 

Chip-hat,  'hat.  A  hat  made  of  chips, 
plaited,  so  as  to  resemble  a  straw  hat. 

Chipmunk,  'mungk.  The  popular  name 
of  animals  of  the  gen.  Tamias. 

Chippewas.  A  N.  American  Indian 
tribe,  Algonquin  fam.,  formerly  occupy- 
ing the  country  around  Lake  Superior ; 
now  located  N.  of  Minnesota. 

Chipping,  'ing.  The  act  of  cutting  off 
in  small  pieces ;  frequently  applied  to 
cast-iron  when  taken  from  the  mold,  to 
cut  away  the  hard  dark  rind  or  outside 
crust.  The  breaking  off  of  edges  of  pot- 
ter's ware  and  porcelain  A  piece  cut  off 
or  separated  by  a  cutting  or  engraving 
instrument. 

Chippingr-bird, -herd.  A  kind  of  spar- 
row, Zenotrichia  socialis, 

Chipping-piece,  -pes.  An  elevated 
cast  or  forged  surface,  affording  surplus 
metal  for  reduction  by  the  tools.  The  pre- 
lecting piece  of  iron  cast  on  the  face  of 
framing,  intended  to  rest  against  another 
piece. 

Chirag-ra,  kl-rag'ra.     Gout  in  the  hand. 

Chiretta,  ki-ret'ta.  An  E.  Indian  bitter 
derived  from  the  dried  stems  of  Agathotes 
Chirayta. 

Chirographer,  'raf-er.  One  who  pro- 
fesses the  art  of  writing.  One  who  tells 
fortunes  by  examining  the  hand. 

Chirogrymnast,  'ro-jim-nast.  A  con- 
trivance for  exercising  and  strengthening 
the  fingers  of  a  pianist. 

Chirology,  -rol'o-ii.  The  art  of  using  the 
manual  alphabet  for  deaf  mutes. 


Chiromancy,  'ro-man-si.  Divination 
by  the  hand ;  palmistry. 

Chiron,  kl'ron.  In  Myth.,  a  centaur,  son 
of  Philyra  and  Saturn,  famous  for  judiciaJ 
knowledge  and  skill  in  music  and  hunting; 
he  taught  mankind  the  use  of  herbs,  and 
being  mortally  wounded  by  Hercules,  the 
gods  placed  him  among  the  constellations, 
where  he  la  known  as  Sagittai-ius. 

Chironomus,  -ron'omus.  A  gen.  of 
dipterous  insects,  fam.  Tipulidag,  resem- 
bling gnats. 

Chiroplast,  'ro-plast.  An  instrument 
employed  to  form  the  hand  for  playing  on 
the  piano-forte. 

Chiropod,  -pod.  A  member  of  the  mam- 
malia having  hands,  or  feet  resembling 
hands.  • 

Chiropodist,  -rop'od-ist.  One  who 
treats  diseases  of  the  hands  or  feet ;  a  cut- 
ter or  extracter  of  corns. 

Chisel,  chiz'el.  An  instrument  of  iron 
or  steel,  used  in  carpentry,  masonry, 
sculpture,  &c.,  for  paring,  hewing  or 
gouging. 

Chisel-tooth,  -toth.    A  name  given  to 

the  incisor  teeth  of  rodent  animals,  from 

their  form. 
Chisleu,   kis'le-o.    The  ninth  month  of 

the  Jewish  year,  answering  to  a  part  of 

November  and  December. 

Chiton,  kl'ton.  A  tunic ;  the  under  gar- 
ment worn  by  the  ancient  Greeks. 

Chitonidee,  'i-de.  A  fam  of  gasteropoda. 
The  shell  in  the  typical  gen.  Chiton  is 
composed  of  eight  pieces. 

Chivalry,  shiv'al-ri.  Knighthood  ;  tho 
system  to  which  knighthood  with  all  its 
laws  and  usages  belonged.  The  qualifl- 
tions  of  a  knight,  as  courtesy,  valor  and 
dexterity  in  arms.  A  body  or  order  of 
knights  ;  any  body  of  illustrious  warriors, 
especially  cavalry.  Court  of  C,  estab- 
lished by  Edward  III.,  of  which  the  Lord 
High  Constable  and  the  Earl-Marshal  of 
England  were  joiijt  judges,  now  in  abey- 
ance, except  as  represented  in  the  Herald's 
College  by  the  Earl-Marshal's  court. 

Chlamydosaurus,  klam'i-do-sa"ras. 
A  gen.  of  Australian  lizards.  The  C. 
Kingii,  or  frilled  lizard,  has  acrenated  ruff 
round  its  neck,  which  lies  back  in  plaits 
when  the  animal  is  tranquil,  but  which 
elevates  itself  Avhen  it  is  irritated  or  fright- 
ened. 

Chlam3rphorus,  kla-mif  o-rus.  A  gen. 
of  quadrupeds,  ord.  Edentata.  The 
pichiciago  resembles  the  mole  in  its  habits, 
and  is  nearly  allied  to  tho  armadillo. 


CHLAMY8 


179 


CHOKHADAE 


Ohlarays,  klam'is. 
Alight  flowing  scarf 
or  plaid  worn  by  the 
ancients  as  an  outer, 
garment.  It  was  ob- 
long in  shape,  gener- 
ally about  twice  as 
long  as  it  was  broad. 
A  purple  cope;  one 
of  the  pontifical  vest- 
ments. In  Bot.  the 
floral  envelope  of  a 
plant. 

Chloe,  klo'e.  The 
name  of  the  heroine  ^, , 

of  Longus'    pastoral  Chlamys. 

romance,  "Daphnis  and  Chloe,"  and  of  a 
shepherdess  in  Sydney's  "Arcadia;"  hence, 
applied  in  literature  to  a  female  lover. 
Chloral,  klo'ral.  A  liquid  prepared  from 
chlorine  and  alcohol ;  also  by  the  action 
of  chlorine  on  starch.  The  hydrate  of 
chloral  is  a  white  crystalline  substance, 
which,  in  contact  Avith  alkaUes,  separates 
Into  chlorofoi-m  and  formic  acid.  C.  kills 
by  paralyzing  the  action  of  the  heart. 
Cixloranil,  klor'a-nil.  A  compound  pro- 
duced by  the  action  of  chlorine  on  an- 
aline,  phenol,  salicin  and  allied  bodies. 
Chlorate,  klo'rat.  A  salt  of  chloric  acid, 
very  analogous  to  the  nitrates.  The  chlo- 
rates of  sodium  and  potassium  are  used  in 
medicine. 

Chlorination,  -ri-na'shon.  A  process 
for  extracting  gold  by  exposure  of  the 
auriferous  material  to  chlorine  gas. 
Chlorine,  -rin.  An  elementary  gaseous 
substance  contained  in  common  salt,  from 
which  It  is  liberated  by  the  action  of  sul- 
j)huric  acid  and  manganese  dioxide.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  powerful  bleaching 
agents,  and  a  valuable  disinfectant. 
Chloriodine,  -ri'od  in.  A  compound  of 
chloi-ine  and  iodine. 

Chlorite,  'rit.  A  mineral  consisting  of 
silica,  alumina,  magnesia  and  protoxide 
of  iron,  closely  allied  to  mica  and  talc.  In 
Chem.  a  salt  of  chlorous  acid. 
Chloro-,  'ro.  A  term  formed  from  the 
Greek,  to  indicate  a  clear  gi-een  color. 

Chloroforra,  'ro-fonn.  The  perchloride 
of  formyle,  prepared  by  distilling  together 
a  mixture  of  alcohol,  water  and  chloride 
of  lime  or  bleaching-powder.  Its  vapor 
is  con.sidered  one  of  the  safest  of  anaesthet- 
ics ;  it  is  also  a  powerful  solvent. 

Chlorometer,  -rom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  testing  the  bleaching  powers  of 
chloride  of  lime  ;  also  for  testing  chloride 
of  potash  and  soda. 


Chloropal,  -ro'pal.  A  mineral  of  two 
vai-ieties,  the  conchoidal  and  the  earthy, 
possessed  of  magnetic  properties.  It  is  a 
hydrated  sihcate  of  iron. 
Chlorophseite,  'ro-fe-It.  A  rare  mineral 
found  in  amygdaloidal  trap-rocks,  sup- 
posed to  be  decomposed  olivine,  and  con- 
sisting of  silica,  iron  peroxide,  magnesia 
and  water. 

Chlorophane,  'ro-fan.  A  variety  of 
fluor-spar  which  exhibits  phosphorescent 
light  when  heated. 

Chlorophyll,  -fil.  The  green  coloring 
matter  of  plants,  somewhat  analogous  to 
Avax,  soluble  in  ether  or  alcohol,  but 
insoluble  in  water.  Light  is  indis- 
pensable to  its  formation,  and  hence  arises 
the  etiolation  or  blanching  of  plants  by 
privation  of  light. 

Chlorosis,  -ro'sis.  The  gi-een-sickness, 
a  peculiar  form  of  anaemia  or  bloodlessness 
which  affects  young  females. 
Choanite,  ko'an-it.  A  gen.  of  spongi- 
form fossil  zo5phytes  of  the  chalk,  called 
petrified  anemones. 

Choar,  chor.  The  Hindu  name  for  a 
mountain  thief  or  robber. 
Choate,  B,ufus.  A  distinguished  Amer- 
ican lawyer  and  statesman  ;  n.  in  Mass. 
1T99,  D.  1858.  He  served  with  distinction 
in  the  lower  house  of  Congi-ess,  and  from 
the  death  of  Daniel  "Webster  was  recog- 
nized as  the  ablest  and  most  eloquent 
advocate  of  the  country. 
Chocolate,  chok'6-lat.  A  paste  or  cake 
composed  of  the  kernels  of  the  Theobroma 
cacao  ground  and  combined  with  sugar  and 
vanilla,  cinnamon,  cloves,  or  other  flavor- 
ing substances.  The  beverage  made  from 
chocolate. 

Choctaws,  'tauz.  A  North  American 
Indian  tribe  formerly  occupying  parts  of 
Mississippi  and  Alabama,  now  allied  with 
the  Cherokees  in  the  Indian  Territory  and 
largely  civilized. 

Choir,  kwir.  A  collection  of  singers, 
especiaUy  in  divine  service.  A  part  of 
a  church  appropriated  for  the  singers.  In 
nunneries,  a  hall  adjoining  the  church, 
Avhere  the  nuns  sing  the  oflSce. 
Choir-organ,  'or-gan.  One  of  the  ag- 
gregated organs  combined  in  an  organ  of 
larger  power. 

Choke,  chok.  An  Indian  term  for  the 
principal  street  of  a  town  or  village 
Choke-strap,  'strap.  A  strap  passing 
from  the  lower  portion  of  the  collar  to 
the  belly-band  of  the  harness. 
Chokhadar,  'ha-dar.  An  East  Indian 
poflceman. 


CHOLAGOGUE 


180 


CHOSROES 


Cholag-ogne,  kol'a-gog.  A  medicine 
ttiat  has  the  quality  of  carryicg  off  bile. 

Chelate,  kO'lat.  A  salt  formed  by  the 
union  of  cholic  add  with  a  base. 

Choleate,  'iG-fit.  A  salt  formed  by  th« 
union  of  cholelc  acid  with  a  base. 

Cholera,  kol'er-a.  The  name  applied  to 
two  diseases  utterly  dissimilar ;  the  one 
known  as  common  or  English  cholera, 
the  other  as  cholera  morbus  or  malignant 
cholera.  Some  pathologists  recognize  a 
third  variety  under  the  name  of  cholera 
asphyxia,  which  differs  from  cholera  mor- 
bus in  a  more  rapid  progress,  more  violent 
spasms,  in  asphyxia  or  cessation  of  pulse, 
and  speedy  death. 

Cholerine,  -in.  The  first  stage  of  epi- 
demic cholera. 

Chondrog-lossus,  kon-drO-glos'sus.  A 
muscle  running  from  the  cartilaginous 
joining  of  the  body  and  horn  of  the  hyoid 
bone  to  the  tongue. 

Chondropteryg-ii,  'drop-te-rij"i-T.  One 
of  the  two  great  sections  into  which  Cu- 
vier  divides  the  class  Pisces.  The  families 
include  the  sturgeon,  shark,  ray  and  lam- 
prey. 

Chondrus,  'drus.  A  gen.  of  sea-weeds, 
including  Irish  moss. 

Chop,  chop.  The  chap ;  the  jaw.  The 
mouth  or  entrance  to  a  channel.  An  of- 
ficial mark  on  Aveights  and  measures  to 
show  their  accuracy.  An  Eastern  custom- 
house stamp  on  goods  that  have  paid  duty. 
A  word  used  in  China  to  signify  quahty. 
The  entire  bulk  of  a  certain  kind  of  tea 
brought  to  market. 

Chop-house,  'hous.  A  house  where 
provisions  ready -dressed  are  sold  ;  an  eat- 
ing-house. In  China,  a  custom-house  for 
the  collection  of  transit  dues. 

Chopin,  'in.  An  old  liquid  measure  in 
France.  An  old  English  measure  equal 
to  half  a  pint.  In  Scotlana,  a  measure 
equal  to  half  a  Scotch  pint. 

Chopin,  Frederick,  sho'peen.  An  em- 
inent musical  composer  and  pianist ;  b.  in 
Poland  1810,  D.  in  Paris  1849. 

Chopine,  en'.  A  lofty  clog  or  patten,  in 
some  cases  resembling 
a  short  stilt,  formerly 
worn  by  ladies  under 
their  shoes  to  elevate 
them  from  the  ground,  i 

Chopstick,  'stik.  One 
of  two  small  sticks  of 
wood,  ivoiy,  &c.,  used 
by  tiie  Chinese  and 
Japanese  for  conveying 
food  to  the  mouth. 


Chord. 


Chopines. 


Chord,  kord.    The  string  of  a  musical  in- 
strument.    In  music,  the  simultaneoas 
combination  of  different      ^  Re- 
sounds, consonant  or  dis- 
sonant.    In    G  e  o  m.  a 
straight  lino  supposed  to  a 
extend  from  one  end  of  > 
an   arc  of  a  circle  to  the 
other.     Thus  a  c  and  a  b 
are  the  chords  of  the  arcs 
A  c  and  A  c  B. 
Chore,  chor.     A  chare  or  small  job  ;  mi- 
nor work  of  a  domestic  kind.  • 
Chorea,  ko're-a.    St.  Vitus'  dance. 
Choreg-raphy,   -reg'ra-fi.     The  art   of 
representing  dancing  by  signs,  as  singing 
is  represented  by  notes. 
Chorobates,  -rob'a-tez.     An  instrument 
used  to  determine  the   slope  of  an   aque- 
duct, and  levels. 

Chorogrraph,  'ro-graf.  An  instrument 
to  construct,  by  mechanical  means,  two 
similar  triangles  on  two  given  straight 
lines,  their  angles  being  given  ;  important 
in  marine  surveying. 

Chorog-raphy,   -rog'ra-fi.    The  ai-t    or 
practice  of  making  maps. 
Chorometry,   -rom'et-ri.      The    art  of 
measuring    or  surveying    a    district;    a 
survey. 

Chorus,  'rus.  In  the  Greek  drama,  a 
company  danc- 
ing in  a  ring  ac-^i 
companied  by" 
singing.  P  e 
sons  supposed 
to  behold  what 
passed  in  a  trag- 
edy, and  sing 
their  sentiments 
between  the 
acts.  Verses  of  a 
song  in  which 
the  company 
join  the  singer. 
In  Music,  a  com- 
position sung  by  many  voices.  The  whole 
body  of  vocalists  other  than  soloists, 
whether  in  oratorio,  opera  or  concert.  An 
ancient  musical  instrument  of  the  bagpipe 
type.  This  name  was  also  given  to  the 
Welsh  crvvth,  and  in  Scotland  to  a  trum- 
pet of  loud  tone. 
Chose,  shoz.  In  law,  property ;  a  right 
to  possession  ;  or  that  which  may  be  de- 
manded and  recovered  by  suit  or  action 
at  law. 

Chosroes,  kos'ro-ez.  Two  warlike 
Persian  kings.  C.  I.  (the  Great),  crowned 
534  A.  D.,  fought  the  Romans,  but  Avas 
defeated  by  Belisarius  and   again  by  Tlbe* 


Chorus, 


CHOUAN 


181 


CHEISTmA 


rius;  d.  579.  C.  II.,  crowned  590,  invaded 
Africa  and  conquered  Carthage,  but  was 
defeated  and  captured  by  Heraclius,  and 
D.  in  prison  G27. 

Chouan,  sliii-on.  A  member  of  a  band 
of  insurgent  royalists  of  Brittany,  France, 
who  rose  in  1792  against  the  republic,  and 
were  not  suppi-essed  till  1799. 

Chougrll,  chuf.  A  bird,  gen.  Fregilus, 
crow  fam.,  nearly  allied  to  the  stai-lings, 
In  Her.  it  is  sometimes  called  the  Aylet, 
and  was  at  one  time  confined  as  a  bearing 
to  Cornish  families. 

Choultry,  chol'tri.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a 
place  of  rest  and  shelter  for  travelers, 
similiar  to  the  caravansary  of  W.  Asia. 

Chouse,  chous.    To  cheat,  defraud. 

Chout,  chout.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a  fourth 
part  of  the  clear  revenue. 

Chow,  chou.  In  China,  a  town  or  city 
of  the  second  class. 

Chow-Chow,  'chou.  A  Chinese  term 
for  any  mixture,  but  in  trade  circles  con- 
fined to  mixed  pickles. 

Chowder,  'der.  A  dish  of  fish  or  clams, 
with  vegetables,  biscuits,  &c. 

Chrematistics,  kre-ma-tis'tiks.  The 
science  of  wealth  ;  political  economy. 

Chrism,  krizm.  Holy  oil  consecrated  by 
a  bishop  and  used  in  the  administration 
of  baptism,  confirmation,  ordination  and 
extreme  unction.  In  the  Greek  and  K. 
C.  Churches  it  is  prepared  on  Holy  Thurs- 
day with  much  ceremony.  The  baptis- 
mal cloth  laid  upon  the  head  of  a  child  ; 
a  chrismal.     The  baptismal  vesture. 

Chrismal,  kriz'mal.  The  vessel  in  which 
the  consecrated  oil  is  contained.  The 
pyx.  A  cloth  used  to  cover  relics.  The 
white  cloth  laid  over  the  head  of  one  new 
ly  baptized.  The  cloth  used  for  wiping 
the  parts  anointed. 

Chrismatory,  'ma-to-ri.  In 
the  K.  C.  and  Greek  Churches, 
a  receptacle  for  the  chiism  or 
holy  oil.  In  the  K.  C.  Church 
the  chrismatory  usually  com- 
prises three  separate  vessels. 

Christ,  krist.    The  anointed : 
an  appellation  given  to  the  Sa- 
viour of  the  world,  and  synony-  Chrisma- 
mous  with  the  Hebrew  Mes-     tory. 
siah. 

Christ,  Orders  of.  The  name  given 
to  the  Templars  in  Portugal,  after  their 
formal  suppression  by  Pope  Clement  IV., 
1812.  They  were  recognized  by  Pope 
John  XXII.',  1317,  and  confirmed  'in  their 
title,  "The  Order  of  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Chi-ist."    The  King  of  Portugal  is  Grand 


Master.  Also  a  Papal  order  of  merit, 
the  members  of  which  wear  a  star  from 
which  depends  a  cross. 

Christadelphian,  kris-ta-deFfi-an.  A 
brother  of  Christ ;  one  of  a  sect  of  Chris- 
tians.    Called  also  Thomasites. 

Christendom,  'n-dum.  The  countries 
chiefly  inhabited  by  those  who  profess  the 
Christian  religion.  The  whole  body  of 
Christians. 

Christian,  'tyan.  One  who  believes  in 
the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion  and 
studies  to  follow  the  example  and  obey 
the  precepts  of  Christ.  One  born  in  a 
Christian  country  or  of  Christian  i)arents. 
An  old  Danish  gold  coin. 

Christian.  The  names  of  9  kings  of 
Denmark  and  Norway,  the  last  of  whom 
is  at  present  on  the  throne  ,  b.  1818  ;  s. 
to  Frederick  YIII.  1863  ;  his  eldest  son  is 
heir  to  the  three  thrones  of  Denmark, 
Sweden  and  Norway  ;  his  -d  son  is  King 
of  Greece;  his  eldest  daughter  is  wife  of 
the  Prince  of  Wales,  and  his  second  daugh- 
ter is  Czarina  of  liussia. 

Christiania,  -te-ah'ne-ah.  Cap.  of  Nor- 
way, on  the  Agger,  at  the  head  of  the  Gulf 
of  C.;  pop.  6i,500. 

Christiana,  -ti-a'na.  An  old  Swedish 
silver  coin. 

Christianite,  'tyan-It.  A  mineral  of  Mt. 
Vesuvius,  an  oblique  rectangular  prism. 

Christians,  'tyans.  A  religious  sect  in 
N.  America,  seceders  from  the  Methodist, 
Baptist  and  Presbyterian  churches,  in  the 
years  1793,  1800  and  1801. 

Christiansted,  -sted.  Cap.  of  the  island 
of  St.  Croix  and  the  place  of  residence  of 
the  Danish  Viceroy  of  the  Danish  W.  In- 
dies; pop.  6,100. 

Christina,  kris-tl'na.  Daughter  and 
8.  of  Gustavus  Adolphus,  King  of  Sweden  ; 

B.  1626,  crowned  1632.  On  attaining  her 
majority,  1644,  C.  at  once  took  active  per- 
sonal charge  of  the  government,  which  she 
administered  until  1654  with  wisdom  and 
vigor,  carrying  on  a  successful  war  with 
Denmark.  Deciding  to  renounce  Protes- 
tantism C.  abdicated  in  fixvor  of  her  cousin 
Call  Gustav,  and  retired  to  Brussels,  where 
she  embraced  the  Catholic  faith.  Eemov- 
ing  to  Paris,  she  killed  Monaldeschi,  her 
master  of  horse,  under  a  suspicion  of  hav- 
ing betrayed  her  confidence.  On  the 
death  of  Carl  Gustav  in  1660,  C.  reclaimed 
the  Swedish  throne,  but  her  people  re- 
jected her  because  of  her  religion,  and  she 
retired  to  Eome,    where  she  died,  1689. 

C.  Maria,  daughter  of  Francis  I.  of  Sicily, 
wifo  of   Ferdinand  VII.  of  Spain,    and 


CHRISTMAS 


CHRONOSCOPE 


mother  of  ex-Qu  een  Isabella  II.  C.  be- 
came notorious  alter  her  husband's  death, 
as  regent  durin?  her  daughter's  minority, 
having  contracted  a  private  marriage  with 
her  paramour  Muftoz,  a  private  soldier,  by 
whom  she  had  several  children;  she  was 
banished  from  Spain  in  1854. 

Christmas,  'mas.  The  festival  of  the 
Christian  church  observed  annually  on  the 
25th  day  of  December,  In  memory  of  the 
birth  of  Christ.  The  festival  includes 
twelve  days.    Christmas-day. 

Christmas-log-,  'mas-log.  A  large  log 
of  Avood,  which  formed  the  basis  of  the  fire 
at  Christmas. 

Christm.as-rose,  'mas- 
roz.  A  plant,  Hellebo- 
rus  niger,  Avhich  blos- 
soms during  the  winter 
months. 

Christolyte,  'to-1  i  t . 
One  of  the  sect  of  Chris- 
tians of  the  6th  century 
who  held  that,  wheii  christmas-rose. 
Christ  descended  mto 
hell,  he  left  both  his  body  and  soul  there, 
and  rose  Avith  his  divine  nature  alone. 

Christopher,  kris'to-fiir.  The  nam  es  of 
3  kings  of  Denmark.  C.  I.,  elected  1252, 
D.  1259.  C.  II.,  son  of  Eric  VII.,  b.  1276, 
s.  his  brother  Eric  VIII.  1318,  D.  1333.  C. 
III.  of  Bavaria,  became  successively  King 
of  Denmark,  Sweden  and  Norway  in  the 
years  1440^1-42.  He  made  Copenhagen 
his  capital  and  reigned  wisely. 

Chromatics,  kro-mat'iks.  The  science 
of  colors. 

Chromatype,  'ma- tip.  A  process  for  ob- 
taining colored  photographic  pictures  by 
the  employment  of  paper  sensitized  by 
some  of  the  salts  of  chromium.  A  picture 
produced  by  this  process. 

Chrom.e-alum.,  Jjrom'al-um.  A  crystal- 
lizr.ble  double  salt,  formed  by  the  sul- 
phates of  chromium  and  potassium. 

Chrome-g"reen,  'grcn.  A  green  pig- 
ment prepared  from  the  oxide  of  chro- 
mium. 

Chrome-orang-e,    'or-anj.      A    yellow 

'  pigment  prepared  from  chromate  of  lead. 

Clirome-red,  'red.  A  red  pigment  prc- 
l)ared  i\-om  red-load. 

Chrome-yellow,  'yel-lo.  A  name  given 
to  chromate  of  lead,  a  brilliant  yellow  pig- 
ment. 

Chromic,  'ik.  Pertaining  to  chi-ome  or 
chromium,  or  obtained  from  it;  as,  C. 
acid. 

Chromidse,  krom'i-de.  A  fam.  of  tele- 
ostean  fishes,  allied  to  the  Labridse  or  true 


Chrom.ium,  kru'mium.  A  metal  which 
never  occurs  native,  but  may  be  obtained 
by  reducing  the  oxide,  employed  to  give 
a  deep  green  color  to  the  enamel  of  porce- 
lain, glass,  &c. 

Chrom.OCher,  krom'6-ker.  A  mineral 
containing  the  oxides  of  chrome  and  of 
iron,  silica  and  alumina. 
Chromo  -  lithography,  kro"mo-li- 
thog'ra-fi.  A  method  of  producing  a  col- 
ored lithographic  picture,  by  using  stones 
having  different  portions  of  the  picture 
drawn  upon  them  -with  inks  of  various 
colors. 

Chromosphere,  'mo-sfer.  The  name 
given  to  the  gaseous  envelope  supposed 
to  existroundthebodyof  thesun,  through 
which  the  light  of  the  photosphere  passes. 
Stellar  chromosphere,  the  gaseous  enve- 
lope supposed  to  exist  round  the  body  of 
a  star. 
Chronicle,  kron'i-kl.  A  historical  ac- 
count of  facts  or  events  disposed  in  the 
order  of  time.  The  title  of  two  books  of 
the  Old  Testament  ascribed  to  Ezra. 
Chronog'ram,  'o-gram.  An  inscription 
in  which  the  date  or  epoch  is  expressed 
by  numeral  letters. 

Chronograph,  -graf.  The  name  given 
to  various  de\ices  for  measuring  and  reg- 
istering minute  portions  of  time  Avith  pre- 
cision. Benson's  chronograph  registers 
to  one-tenth  of  a  second.  Strange's  to 
one-hundredth  of  a  second.  Schultze's, 
in  which  electricity  is  applied,  to  the  five- 
hundred-thousand  part  of  a  second.  By 
it  the  initial  velocity  of  a  bullet  may  be 
ascertained. 

Chronologist,  kro-nol'o-jist.  One  who 
investigates  the  dates  of  past  events. 
Chronology,  -ji.  The  science  of  com- 
puting time  by  regular  periods,  according 
to  the  revolutions  of  the  sun  or  moon, 
termed  astronomical  chronology.  The 
science  of  ascertaining  the  true  periods 
Avhen  past  events  took  place,  called  his- 
torical chronology.  "When  the  word  is 
used  without  a  qualifying  term  it  has  this 
signification. 

Chronometer,  -nom'et-er.    Any  instru- 
ment that  measures  or  divides  time  into 
equal  portions,  as  a  clock,  Avatch  or  dial. 
Applied  to  time-keepers  used  for  deter- 
mining the  longitude  at  sea,  or  for  any- 
other  puri)ose  Avhere  an  accurate  measure 
of  time  is  required. 
Chronoscope,  kron'o-skop.    An  instrur 
ment  for  measuring  the  duration  of  ex-  j 
tremely  short-lived  plienomena  ;  more  es-  j 
pecially,  instruments  for  measuring  the  ' 
velocity  of  projectiles. 


CHEYSALIS 


CHURCHESSET 


Chrysalsis. 


Chrysalis,  kris'a-lis.  A  form  which 
b  u  1 1 0  r  fl  i  es,  i^ 
moths  and  iMJ 
other  insects  f™ 
assume  when  lf^\% 
they  cliange-'** 
from  the  state 
of  larva  or  cat- 
erpillar, and 
before  they  ar- 
rive at  their 
winged  or  per- 
fect state.  The  animal  is  in  a  state  of  rest 
or  insensibility  and  exists  without  nutri- 
ment, but  an  elaboration  is  going  on,  giv- 
ing the  organs  of  the  future  animal  their 
proper  development. 

Chryselephantine,  'el-B-fan"tIn.  Com- 
posed of  gold  and  ivory  ;  specially  applied 
to  statues  overlaid  with  gold  and  ivory. 
The  statue  of  Athene  by  Phidias  is  the 
most  celebrated  specimen. 
Chrysoberyl,  '6-ber-iI.  A  siliceous 
gem,  next  to  the  sapphire  in  hardness,  the 
specimens  which  present  an  opalescent 
play  of  light  being  especially  admired.  It 
is  an  aluminate  of  glucina,  with  traces  of 
silica,  iron,  &c. 

Chrosochloris.  -Icl6-ris.    A  gen.  of  in- 
sectivorous mammals  allied  to  the  moles. 
C,    aureus,    the    Cape    chrysochlore     or 
changeable  mole,  is  the  best  known  spe- 
cies. 
Chrysography,  kri-sog'ra-fi.     The  art 
of  writing  in  letters  of  gold.     The  writing 
itself. 
Chrysolite,  kris'6-lTt.    A  mineral  com- 
posed of  silica,  magnesium  and  iron,  liard- 
er  than  glass,  but  less  hard  than  quartz. 
Chrysomelidae,  -o-mel'i-de.     A  fam. 
of  coleopterous  insects,  sec.  Tetramera  of 
Latreille,  constituting  a  numerous    and 
beautiful  family  of  the  beetle  tribe.    .. 
Chrysoprase,  'o-praz.     A  quartz,  a  va- 
riety of  chalcedony,  of  a  hardness  little  in- 
ferior to  that  of  flint. 
Chrysops,   'ops.     A  gen.   of  dipterous 
insects,  fam.  Tabanidae  ;  the  clegs.    Their 
larvas    destroy    aphides,    and    are  called 
aphis-lions. 

Chrysostom,  John,  St.,  kre-sos'tom. 
One  of  the  most  eloquent  preachers  and 
logical  writers  of  the  early  Christian 
Fathers  ;  b.  at  Antioch,  34T,  d.  407.  He 
was  consecrated  Bp.  of  Constantinople  in 
898,  and  introduced  such  vigorous  reforms 
as  to  excite  extreme  opposition,  resulting 
in  his  banishment,  403.  His  festival  is 
celebrated  by  the  E.  C.  Church,  Jan.  27. 
Chrysotype,  kris'o-tip.  A  photographic 
process  produced  by  a  solution  of  gold.  A 


photographic  agent  prepared  by  impreg- 
nating paper  witli  a  neutral  solution  of 
chloride  of  gold. 

Chubdar,  'diir.  In  India  a  servant  who 
announces  the  arrival  of  company ;  a 
mace-bearer. 

Chuck-Will's-widow,  c  h  u  k'  w  i  1  z- 
wid'o.  The  popular  name  of  a  bird, 
fam.  Caprimulgida)  or  goat-suckers. 
Chudder,  chud'der.  In  India,  a  lady's 
wrapper  made  of  silk,  muslin  or  cambric, 
worn  in  loose  folds. 

Chulan,  cho'lan.  A  Chinese  plant,  the 
Chloranthus  inconspicuus,  ord.  Chlor- 
anthacea?,  the  spikes  of  the  flowers  of 
which  are  used  to  sc  int  tea. 
Chum,  chum.  One  who  lodges  or  resides 
in  the  same  room ;  a  close  companion  ;  a 
bosom-friend. 
Chumar,  chu'miir.  An  Indian  shoe- 
maker ;  a  cobbler. 

Chunam,  chu'nam.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a 
mixture  made  of  lime,  as  stucco.  Madras 
chunam,  made  of  calcined  shells,  is  the 
best. 

Chupatty,  chu'pat-ti.  An  Indian  un- 
leavened cake  made  of  flour,  water  and 
salt. 

ChUQUisaca,  choo-kwe'sah-kah.  Cap. 
of  Bolivia,  S.  America;  pop.  abt.  12,500. 
Church,  cherch.  A  house  consecrated 
to  the  worship  of  God  among  Christians ; 
the  Lord's  house.  Also  called  chapel  and 
meeting-house.  The  collective  body  of 
Christians  called  the  Catholic  and  Uni- 
versal Church.  A  particular  body  of 
Christians  united  under  one  form  of  ec- 
clesiastical government.  The  woi-ship- 
ers  of  Jehovah  or  the  true  God  before 
the  advent  of  Christ;  as,  the  Jewish 
Church.  A  temple ;  a  place  devoted  to 
religious  ceremonies.  C.  militant,  that 
portion  of  Christians  now  on  earth.  C. 
triumphant,  the  collective  body  of  saiuts 
in  heaven. 

Church,    Frederick    Edwin.      An 
American  painter,  disting-uished  as  a  delin- 
eator of  scenery  ;  u.  in  Conn.,  1S26. 
Church  of  God.    An   American  sect, 
founded  in  1830  by  seceders   from  the 
German    Reformed 'Church.     It  numbers 
abt.  40,000  members,  Avith  500  churches. 
Ghurch-bugr,  'bug.  The  Oniscus  asellus, 
a    species  of  the   wood-lice   fam.,   ord. 
Isopoda,  class  Crustacea. 
Church-court,  'kort.    A  court  for  hear- 
ing and  deciding  ecclesiastical  causes. 
Churchesset,  'es-set.     A  certain  meas- 
ure of  corn,  anciently  given  to  the  church 
by  overy  man  on  St.  Martin's  day. 


CHURCHMAN 


1S4 


CIMBfiX 


Churcliinan,  'man.  An  ecclesiastic  or 
clergyman  ;  one  who  ministers  in  sacred 
thinjrs.  In  England,  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  England. 

Churchwarden,  'war-den.  A  keeper 
or  guardian  of  a  church,  and  a  represept- 
ative  of  a  parish. 

Churl,  cherl.  A  rustic ;  a  peasant ;  in 
English  history,  one  who  held  land  from 
or  worked  on  the  estate  of  his  lord.  A 
rude,  selfish,  rough-tempered  man. 

Churn,  chern.  A  vessel  in  which  cream 
or  milk  is  agitated  for  separating  the  oily 
parts  from  the  caseous  and  serous  parts, 
to  make  butter. 

Churrus,  chur'nis.  The  Indian  name 
of  a  resinous  extract  which  exudes  from 
the  Indian  hemp.  A  powerful  narcotic 
and  highly  intoxicating. 

Churubusco,  choo-roo-boos'ko.  A  vil- 
lage 6.  m.  8.  of  the  city  of  Mexico,  noted 
for  the  victory  of  the  Americans  under 
Gen.  Scott  over  the  Mexicans  under  San- 
ta Anna,  Aug.  20,  1847.  The  fight  ex- 
tended to  Contreras,  7  m.  distant,  a-id 
was  the  hardest  fought  of  the  war.  The 
Mexican  loss  aggregated  10,000;  the 
American  1,053. 

Chute,  shot.  A  river-fall  or  an  opening 
in  a  dam  through  which  to  float  timber ; 
an  inclined  trough  or  tube  through  which 
articles  are  passed  from  a  higher  to  a  low 
er  level. 

Chutney,  chut'ni.  An  E.  Indian  con- 
diment compounded  of  sweets  and  acids. 
Mangoes,  raisins,  spices,  sour  herbs,  cay- 
enne, lemon-juice  pounded  and  boiled  to- 
gether and  bottled  for  use. 

Chyle,  kll.  A  milky  fluid  separated  from 
ahments  by  means  of  digestion,  found 
in  the  intestines  after  food  has  been  mixed 
with  the  bile  and  pancreatic  juice.  The 
chemical  constituents  of  chyle  are  nearly 
the  same  as  those  of  blood. 

Chyme,  kim.  Digested  food  before  the 
chyle  is  extracted. 

Ciborium,  si-bo'ri-um.  The  pyx.  A 
pendent  tabernacle  for  the  pyx.  A  recep- 
tacle for  relics.  A  portable  altar.  A  case 
for  displaying  the  calendar  of  feasts  in 
Greek  churches.  In  Arch,  an  insulated 
building  composed  of  an  arched  vault  sup- 
ported on  four  columns  ;  a  baldachino. 

Cicero,  Marcus  Tullius,  sis'e-ro.  Son 
of  a  Koman  knight,  and  a  lineal  descendant 
ofthe  ancient  kings  of  the  Sabines,  illustri- 
ous as  a  statesman,  philosopher  and  ora- 
tor ;  B.  106  B.  c;  assassinated  by  order  of 
the  second  triumvirate,  b.  c.  48.  He  de- 
tected aixl  suppressed  the  Cataline  con- 


spiracy, and  denounced  Mark  Antony  foi 
the  murder  of  Csesar. 

Cicerone,  'ne.  In  Italy,  guides  who 
show  travelers  the  antiquities  of  the 
country ;  hence,  one  who  explains  the 
curiosities  of  a  place ;  a  guide.  An  elder- 
ly female  companion  to  a  younger  in  pub- 
lic places. 

Ciceronian,  'ni-an.  An  imitator  of 
Cicero. 
I  Cichoracese,  sik-o-ra'se-e.  A  subdivis- 
ion of  the  uat.  ord.  Composite,  including 
the  succory,  endive,  lettuce,  salsafy.  trag- 
opogon,  dandelion,  «fec. 
Cicindelidse,  sis-in-del'i-de.  A  fam.  ol 
coleopterous  insects,  sec.  Pentaraera,  the 
tiger-beetles  and  sparklers.  The  typical 
gen.  is  Cicindela. 

Cicisbeo,  sisis'be-o.  A  dangler  about 
females  ;  in  Italy,  the  professed  gallant  ol 
a  married  lady.  A  knot  of  ribbon  attached 
to  walking-sticks,  hilts  of  swords,  or  han- 
dles of  fans. 
Ciconia,  sl-ko'ni-a.    The  gen.  and  fam, 

of  birds  to  which  the  stork  belongs. 
Cid,  sid.  A  chief;  applied  to  Euy  or 
Eoderigo  Diaz,  Count  of  Bivar  (E'  Cid 
Campeador),  a  champion  of  Christianity 
and  Spanish  royalty  against  the  Moors  in 
the  11th  century ; "also  the  name  of  an 
epic  which  celebrates  his  exploits. 
Cidaridae,  si-dar'i-de.  A  fam.  of  Echin- 
odermata,  ord.  Echinoidea.  Cidaris  is 
the  typical  gen. 

Cidaris,  sid'ar-is.  A  gen.  of  sea-urchins, 
fam.  Cidaridse. 

Cidarite,  sid'ar-it.  A  fossil  specimen  oi 
the  gen.  Cidaris,  fam.  Cidaridae,  found  in 
the  carboniferous  limestone  and  upwards. 
Cider,  si'der.  A  name  formerly  given  to 
the  juices  of  fruits,  and  various  kinds  of 
strong  liquor  ;  but  now  appropriated  to 
the  juice  of  apples. 
Ciergre,  serj.  A  candle  carried  in  relig- 
ious processions. 

Cigarette,  sig-ar-et'.  Tobacco  rolled  up 
in  tissue  paper  so  as  to  form  a  small  cyl- 
inder for  smoking. 

Cilia,  sil'i-a.  The  hairs  which  grow  from 
the  margin  of  the  eyelids  ;  eyelashes. 
Hairs  or  bristles  situated  on  the  margin  of 
a  vegetable  body,  as  those  of  the  inner 
peristome  of  a  moss.  Small,  hair-like  ap- 
pendages, found  on  the  surface  of  the 
tissues  of  most  animals,  and  in  some 
vegetable  organisms. 

Cimbex,  sim'beks.  A  gen.  of  hymen- 
opterous  insects,  fam.  Tenthredinid©  • 
the  largest  species  of  saw-flies. 


CIMBIA 


186 


CmQUE-FOIL 


Cimbia,  'bi-a.  A  fillet  round  the  shaft  o* 
a  column  to  strengthen  it. 

Cimbri,  'bre.     A  German  tribe,  inhabit- 

ins:   what   is   now    known  as  Denmark. 

They  were  entirely  defeated  in  an  invasion 
of  Gaul,  102  B.  c,  by  Marius. 

Cimex,  sl'meks.  A  gen.  of  hemipterous 
insects,  sub-ord.  Heteroptera,  fam.  Ci- 
micidfe.     The  bed-bug  is  the  type. 

Cimmerians,  sim-me're-ans.  The  an- 
cient inhabitants  of  the  Crimea,  a  no- 
madic race,  expelled  by  the  Scythians,  and 
taking!  refuge  in  Asia  Minor.  They  dis- 
appeared from  history  abt.  CI  7.  Tradition 
asserted  that  their  country  was  involved 
in  darkness,  and  from  this  originated  the 
phrase  "  Cimmerian  darkness." 

Cim.olite,  '6-lit.  A  species  of  clay,  or 
hydrous  silicate  of  magnesia,  useful  in 
taking  spots  from  cloth.  Another  species 
is  the  steatite  or  soap-rock,  and  from  a 
variety  found  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  tobacco- 
pipes  are  made. 

Cincboua,  siu-ko'na.  A  gen.  of  trees, 
ord.  llubiaceae.  There  are  numerous 
species,  some  of  which  yield  the  valuable 
medicinal  bark,  the  cinchona  of  commerce. 
The  medicinal  bark  of  several  species  of 
cinchona  ;  Peruvian  bark. 

Cincinnati.  The  principal  commercial 
city  of  Ohio,  on  the  Ohio  River;  cap.  of 
Hamilton  Co.,  opposite  mouth  of  the 
Licking  Elver;  pop.  255,139. 

Cincinnati,  Society  of  the.  An  as- 
sociation founded  by  officers  of  the  Ameri- 
can army  in  17S-3,  A\-ith  patriotic  and  be- 
nevolent objects.  The  membership  is  re- 
stricted to  descendants  or  collateral  rela- 
tives of  Eevolutionary  ancestors. 

Cincinnatus,  Lucius  duintius.  A 
Koman  hero  who  was  elected  dictator, 
458  B.  c,  when  the  Equi  and  Yolsci  in- 
vaded the  country.  He  Avas  found  plow- 
ing in  the  field,  but  at  once  took  command 
of  the  troops  and  expelled  the  invaders, 
returning  to  his  farming  as  soon  as  the 
danger  Avas  passed.  In  439  he  was  again 
called  to  the  dictatorship  on  account  of 
intestine  troubles,  again  resigning  power 
and  resuming  his  simple  life  when  peace 
was  restored. 

Cinclosoma,  sin-kld-so'ma.  A  gen.  of 
insessorial  birds,  allied  to  the  shrikes. 

Cinclus,  singk'lus.  A  gen.  of  bu-ds,  fam. 
Merulidaj,  including  the  water-ouzel  or 
dipper. 

Cinder,  sin'der.  A  solid  piece  of  matter, 
remaining  after  having  been  subjected  to 
combustion,  and  in  which  fire  is  extinct. 
A  small  coal ;  an  ember.  A  scale  thrown 
off  whila  forging  iron,  &c. 


Cinder-bed,  -bed.  A  stratum  of  the  up- 
per Purbeck  series,  almost  wholly  com^ 
posed  of  oyster-shells ;  a  marine  bed 
among  fresh-water  deposits. 

Cineration,  -e-ru'shon.  The  redueing 
of  anything  to  ashes  by  combustion. 

Cingalese,  sing'ga-lez.  A  n)  ember  of 
the  primitive  race  inhabiting  Ceylon. 

Cingulum.  'gu-lum.  The  girdle  with 
which  the  alb  of  a  priest  is  gathered  in  at 
the  waist.     In  Zodl.  the  neck  of  a  tooth. 

Ciniflonidae.  sin-i-flon'i-de.  A  family 
of  spiders  residing  in  crevices  of  rocks 
and  walls,  &c.,  or.  under  leaves  or  old 
bark. 

Cinnabar,  'a-bar.  Eed  sulphide  of  mer- 
cury. Native  cinnabar  is  a  compact,  very 
heavy  amorphous  mineral.  Artificial  cin- 
nabar is  prepared  by  subliming  the  amor- 
phous sulphide  ;  it  is  used  as  a  pigment, 
and  is  also  called  vermilion.  Hepatic  cin- 
nabar is  an  impure  variety.  A  resinous 
juice  obtained  from  an  E.  Indian  tree ; 
dragon's  blood. 

Cinnamomum,  -mo'mum.  A  gen. 
of  plants,  ord.  Lauracese.  All  the  species 
possess  an  aromatic  volatile  oil ;  two  yield 
cinnamon  and  cassia-lignea. 

Cinnamon,  -mon.  The  name  given 
to  trees,  gen.  Cinnamomum,  especially  to 
C.  zej'lanicum,  sometimes  confounded 
with  C.  cassia,  A\1iich  yields  the  Chinese 
or  common  variety  of  cassia-lignea.  The 
inner  bark  of  C.  zeylanicum — true  cinna- 
mon. Oil  of  cinnamon  is  obtained  from 
the  bark  of  diff"erent  trees  of  the  gen.  0. 

Cinnamon-stone,  -ston.  A  variety  of 
garnet,  used  in  jewelry. 

Cinnamon-water,  -wa-ter.  A  medici- 
nal beverage  obtained  by  distilling  cinna- 
mon, infused  in  barley  water,  in  spirits. 

Cinnyridee,  -nir'i-de.  A  fam.  of  inses- 
sorial birds  ;  the  sun-birds.  The  typical 
gen.  is  Cinnyris. 

Cinque-foil,  'foil.    An  ornament  In  the 


Cinqne'M  'Window. 


crs-QUE 


186 


CIECUS 


pointed  style  of  architecture,  consisting  of 
five  cuspidated  divisions  ;  called  also  Five- 
fin  f^er. 

Cinque,  singk.  A  five  ;  a  word  used  in 
games. 

Cinque-ports,  'ports.  Five  ports  on  the 
southern  shore  of  England,  Hastings, 
liomney,  Hythe,  Dover  and  Sandwich ; 
to  vi'hlch  were  afterwards  added  Winchel- 
sea,  Rj^e  and  Seaford. 

Ciph.er,  si'fer.  In  Arith,  a  character 
M'hich,  standing  by  itself,  expresses  noth- 
ing, but  increases  or  diminishes  the  value 
of  other  figures,  according  to  its  position. 
Something  of  no  value  or  consequence. 
An  intertexture  of  letters,  engraved  or 
•written  on  a  seal;  plate,  picture,  &c.  ;  a 
monogram.  A  secret  or  disguised  man- 
ner of  writing. 

Cipher-key,  -ke.  A  key  for  deciphering 
secret  writings, 

Cipolin,  sip'ol-in.  A  green  marble  from 
Eome,  containing  white  zones. 

Cippus,  'pus.  In  Eom.  Antiq.  a  low 
column,  often  bearing  an 
inscription,  serving  as  a 
sepulchral  monument ; 
decrees  of  the  Senate 
were  also  inscribed  upon 
C,  while  others  served 
as  milestones  or  marks 
of  divisions  of  land.  An 
intrenchment  made  of 
the  trunk  of  trees  and 
palisades. 

Circassia,  slr-kash'ya. 
A  prov.  of  Russia  in  Asia, 
between  the  Caspian  and 
Black  seas,  noted  for  the  beauty  of  its 
females,  many  of  whom  become  members 
of  the  harems  of  the  highest  Turkish  dig- 
nitaries, and  for  the  bravery  of  its  men. 
Although  numbering  less  than  500,000 
souls,  the  C.  under  their  chief,  Schamyl, 
successfully  resisted  the  Russians  for 
many  years;  he  surrendered  in  1859,  under 
pledges  acceptable  to  his  people. 

Circe.  In  Myth,  daughter  of  Sol  and 
Perseis,  celebrated  for  her  knowledge  of 
magic  ;  she  Avas  placed  by  her  father  on 
the  island  of  ^a;a,  and  when  Ulysses 
visited  her  coast  on  returning  from  the 
Trojan  war  she  changed  his  companions 
into  swine,  Ulysses  himself  being  proof 
against  her  spells  through  the  forethought 
of  Mercury.  C.  finally  restored  his  com- 
panions to  their  natural  condition,  and 
suffered  them  to  leave  the  island. 

Circinus,  ser'si-nus.  The  Compasses,  a 
constellation  near  the  south  pole,  consist- 
ing of  4  stars. 


Circle,  'kl.  A  plane  figure,  comprehended 
by  a  single  curve  line,  called  its  circumfer- 
ence, every  i)art  of  which  is  equally  distant 
from  the  centre.  Astronomical  instru- 
ments of  a  circular  form.  A  number  of 
persons  associated  by  some  tie;  a  coterie; 
a  set.  C.  of  declination,  a  great  circle  the 
I)lane  of  which  is  perpendicular  to  the  equa- 
tor. C.  of  latitude,  in  A  stron.  a  great  circle 
perpendicular  to  the  plane  of  the  ecliptic. 
In  Geog.  a  small  circle  of  the  sphere  the 
plane  of  which  is  perpendicular  to  the 
axis.  C.  of  longitude,  in  Astron.  one  of 
the  lesser  circles  parallel  to  the  ecliptic, 
diminishing  as  they  recede  from  it.  C.  of 
perpetual  apparition,  one  of  the  lesser 
circles  ^larallel  to  the  equator.  The  stars 
within  this  circle  never  set.  C.  of  per- 
petual occultation,  another  lesser  circle  at 
a  like  distance  from  the  equator,  which 
includes  all  the  stai-s  which  never  appear 
in  our  hemisphere.  C.  of  the  sphere,  a 
circle  described  on  the  sphere  of  the  earth 
or  the  heavens.  The  equator,  ecliptic, 
meridians,  and  parallels  of  latitude  are  all 
circles  of  the  sphere. 

Circular,  'ku-ler.  A  letter  or  paper  of 
which  a  copy  is  sent  to  several  persons  on 
some  common  business. 

Circum-,  'kum.  A  Latin  prefix  signify- 
ing about ;  in  a  circle  ;  on  all  sides  ;  as, , 
circumambulate,  to  walk  round. 

Circumcellion,  -sel'li-on.  One  of  a  class 
of  wandering  monks.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Donatist  Christians  in  Africa  in  the  4th 
century. 

Circumcision ,  -si  'zhon .  The  act  of  cir- 
cumcising  or  cutting  off  the  prepuce  or 
foreskin  ;  a  Jewish  religious  rite. 

Circumference,  'fer-ens.  The  line  that 
bounds  a  circle  or  any  regular  curvilinear 
figure;   periphery. 

Circumferentor,  -ep-ter.  An  instru- 
ment used  by  surveyors  for  taking  angles, 
now  almost  superseded  by  the  theodolite. 

Circumflex,  -fleks.  A  wave  of  the 
voice,  embracing  both  a  rise  and  a  fall  on 
the  same  syllable.  In  Gram,  an  accent 
placed  only'^on  long  vowels. 

Circumlittoral,  -lit'to-ral.  The  fourth 
of  the  zones  into  which  naturalists  have 
divided  the  sea-bottom  in  accordance  with 
the  depth  of  water  covering  each. 

Circumnavigator,  -nav'i-ga-ter.  One 
Avho  circumnavigates  or  sails  round ;  one 
Avho  has  sailed  round  the  globe. 

Circus,  'kus.  In  Rom.  Antiq.  a  building 
adapted  for  races  and  athletic  exercises, 
furnished  with  rows  of  eeata  rising  one 


CIEEIPEDIA 


18T 


CITY 


above  another.  In  modern  times,  a  mova- 
ble place  of  amusement. 

Cirripedia,  -ri-pe'di-a.  An  ord.  of 
lower  crustaceous  animals,  formerly 
ranked  among  the  mollusks. 

Cirrostomi,  -ros'to-mi.  A  term  applied 
to  an  ord.  of  fishes  represented  by  the 
lancelet  or  amphioxus,  the  lowest  fish. 

Cirrus, 'rus.  In  Bot.  a  tendril;  along 
thread-like  organ  by  which  a  plant  climbs. 
In  Zoul.  a  filamentary  appendage  to  the 
feet  of  certain  animals,  as  barnacles,  and 
the  jaws  of  certain  fishes.  A  form  of 
cloud. 

Cis,  sis.  A  gen.  of  coleopterous  insects, 
fam.  Xylophaga. 

Cis.  A  Latin  preposition  signifying  "on 
this  side,"  often  prefixed  to  the  names  of 
rivers,  mountains,  &c.  Eome  was  con- 
sidered the  point  of  departure  in  words  of 
Koman  origin. 

Cisalpine  Republic.  A  division  of 
Italy  made  by  Napoleon  I.  in  1797;  in 
1802  called  the  lUiliau  Repui)lic,  and  in 
1S05  constituting  the  principal  part  of  the 
Italian  Kingdom.  It  included  portions  of 
Mantua,  Milan,  Valtelhna,  Venetia  W.  and 
8.  of  the  Adige,  Modena  and  the  N.  Pon- 
tifical states. 

Cisco,  sis'ko.  A  fish  of  the  herring 
kind. 

Ciselure,  sGz-liir.  The  art  of  chasing. 
CSiased  metal  work. 

Cispadaue  Republic.  One  of  two 
(the  Transpadane  R.  being  the  other) 
Italian  States,  founded  by  Napoleon  I. 
from  territory  reconquered  from  Austria, 
1796 ;  in  1797  it  was  attached  to  the  Cisal- 
pine R. 

Cissoid,  sis'soid.  A  curve  of  the  2d  or- 
der, invented  by  Diodes  with  a  view  to 
the  solution  of  the  famous  problem  of  the 
duplication  of  the  cube, 

Cissus,  'sus.  The  wiid  grape,  a  group  of 
plants  included  in  the  same  genus  with 
the  true  vine. 

Cist,  sist.  A  case;  a  chest;  a  basket; 
In  Archaeol. 
the  term  ap- 
plied to  the 
mystic  bas- 
kets used  in 
processions  Cist. 

connected  with  the  Eleusinian  mysteries. 
A  place  of  interment  of  an  early  or  prehis- 
toric period,  sometimes  hewn  in  the  rock 
itself. 

Cistern,  'tern.  An  artificial  receptacle 
for  holding  water  or  liquor. 


Cistercian,     sis-ter'- 
shi-an.    A  member  of 
a  religious  order  which 
takes    its    name  from 
Citeaux,    near    Dijon, 
where  the  society  was 
founded     in    1093   by 
Robert,  Abbot  of  8o- 
lesraes,  under  the  rule 
of  St.  Benedict.   From 
the  C.    emanated    the 
Feuillants   in  France, 
the  nuns  of  Port-Roy-i 
al,    the    Recollects  In' 
Spain,  and  the  monks 
of  La   Trappe.    They  '^^^^^. 
wear  a  white  cassock        Cistercian, 
with  black  scapulary,  but  when  officiating 
are  clothed  with  a  largo  white  gown  and 
white  hood. 

Citadel,  sit'a-del.  A  fortress  or  castle 
in  or  near  a  city. 

Citation,  si-ta'shon.  A  summons  ;  an 
official  call  or  notice  given  to  a  person  to 
appear  in  a  court.  A  reference  to  decided 
cases  or  books  of  authority  to  maintain  a 
point  of  law. 

Cithara,  sith'a-ra.  An  ancient  stringed 
insti-ument  resembling  the  modern  cit- 
tern, or  guitar. 

Cithaeron,  -e'ron.  In  Myth,  a  moun- 
tain in  Ba?otia,  sacred  to  Jupiter  and  the 
Muses.  On  its  slopes  Hercules  slew  the 
lion, and  Actaeon  was  devoured  by  his  dogs. 
It  is  now  called  Helatea. 

Citizen,  sit'i-zen.  The  native  of  a  city, 
or  an  inhabitant  who  enjoys  the  freedom 
and  privileges  of  the  city  in  which  he  re- 
sides. An  inhabitant  of  a  city,  as  opposed 
to  a  rural  district.  A  member  of  a  state 
with  full  political  privileges, 

Citril-finch,  'ril-finsh.  A  beautiful 
song-bird  of  Italy  ;  Fringilla  citrinella. 

Citrine,  'rin.    Lemon  color 

A  variety  of  quartz. 
Citron,  'ron.     The  fruit  of 

the  citron-tree,  a  large  species 

of  lemon  ;  the  tree  itself. 

Citrus,  'rus.  A  gen,  of  plants, 
ord.  Amantiacea),  including 
the  orange,  lemon,  citron,  &c. 

Cittern,  'tern.  An  old  in- 
strument of  the  guitar  kind, 
strung  with  wire  instead  of 
gut.  Cittern. 

City,  'i.  In  a  general  sense,  a  large  and 
important  to\vn ;  any  town  holding  an 
important  position  in  the  state  in  which  it 
is  situated ;  a  town  corjjorate.     In  Amer- 


CIVET 


CLAEK 


ica  a  city  is  a  town  incorporated  and  gov- 
erned by  a  mayor  and  aldermen. 

Civet,  siv'et.  A  substance,  of  the  con- 
sistence of  honey,  taken  from  the  anal 
glands  of  animals  of  the  gen.  Viverra, 
called  civet-cats.  It  is  used  as  a  perfume. 
The  animal  itself. 

Civilian,  si-vil'i-an.  One  skilled  in  the 
Roman  or  civil  law ;  a  professor  of  civil 
law.    A  student  of  civil  law  at  a  univer- 

,sity.  One  whose  pursuits  are  those  of 
civil  life,  not  military  or  clerical. 

Civita  Vecch.ia,  che-ve'tah  vek'ke-ah. 
The  seaport  of  Kome,  on  the  Mediterra- 
nean, 7  m.  N.  "W.  of  that  city  ;  pop. 
12,000. 

Clack,  klak.  A  sharp,  abrupt  sound,  con- 
tinually repeated.  The  instrument  that 
strikes  the  hopper  of  a  grist  mill,  to  shake 
It.  A  bell  that  rings  when  more  corn  is 
requked  to  be  put  in.  A  ball-valve  con- 
nected with  the  boiler  of  a  locomotive. 

Clack-box,  'boks.  In  Mach.  the  box  in 
which  a  clack-valve  works.  The  box  fit- 
ted to  a  locomotive  boiler  in  Avhich  a  ball- 
valve  is  placed  close  to  the  orifice  of  the 
feed-pipe. 

Clack-valve,  'valv.  A  valve  in  pumps 
Avith  a  single  flap,  hinged  at  one  edge,  and 
consisting  of  a  plate  of  leather  between 
two  plates  of  iron. 

Cladocera,  kla-dos'er-a.  An  ord.  of  en- 
tomostracous  Crustacea,  with  two  pairs 
of  branched  antennae,  the  lower  pair  of 
which  serve  as  oars,  and  with  only  one 
largo  eye.  The  Avater-flea,  a  microscopic 
object,  is  one  of  them. 

Claire,  St.,  (Santa  Clara).  An  Italian 
lady  of  noble  descent,  b.  1193,  d.  1253. 
She  renounced  the  world  and  founded  the 
order  of  Benedictine  nuns,  known  as 
the  Damianists.  A  less  austere  branch  is 
called  Urbanists,  C.  was  canonized  in 
1255. 

Claire-cole,  klar'kol.  In  painting,  a 
preparation  of  size  put  on  an  absorbent 
surface  to  prevent  the  sinking  in  of  oil- 
paint.  In  gilding,  a  coating  of  size  under 
gold-leaf. 

Clamp,    klamp.     Something  rigid  that 
fastens  or  binds ;  a  piece  of  wood  or  met- 
al fastening  two  pieces  to- 
gether.    A  thick  plank  on 
the  inner  part  of  a   ship's 
side.      Any    plate    of  iron 
made  to  turn  or  open  and 
shut  so  as  to  confine  a  spar 
or  boom.     In  joinery,  an  in-      n^«^r^. 
strument  used  for  holding      ^^^mp. 
piec«3  of  timber  closely  together  until  the 


glue  hardens.  One  of  a  pair  of  movable 
cheeks  covering  the  jaws  of  a  vise.  A  pile 
of  bricks  laid  up  for  burning ;  a  pile  ol 
ore  for  roasting  or  of  coal  for  coking. 

Clairvoyance,  klar-voi'ans.  A  power 
attributed  to  persons  in  the  mesmeric 
state.     The  clairvoyant  is  alleged   to  see 

'  by  the  spirit  rather  than  by  the  eye. 

Clamper,  klamp'er.  A  frame  of  iron 
having  sharp  prongs  on  the  lower  part, 
slipped  onover  the  shoe  to  enable  a  person 
to  walk  safely  on  ice. 

Clan,  klan.  A  race  ;  a  family  ;  a  tribe  ; 
an  association  of  persons  under  a  chieftain. 
A  clique  or  body  of  persons  united  by 
some  common  interest  or  pursuit. 

Clapper,  klap'er.  A  person  Arho  ap- 
plauds by  clapping.  That  which  claps  or 
strikes,  as  the  tongue  of  a  bell.  In  the 
mediaeval  church,  a  wooden  rattle  used  as 
a  summons  to  prayers  on  the  last  three 
days  of  holy  Aveek,  when  the  bells  Avere 
silent.     A  clack-valve. 

Claque,  klak.  A  name  apphed  collec- 
tively to  a  set  of  men,  called  claqueurs, 
Avho,  in  theaters,  are  hired  to  applaud. 
Claqueurs  have  each  a  respective  role — 
thus,  the  rieur  nmst  laugh  at  the  comic 
parts  ;  the  pleureur  weep  at  the  pathetic  ; 
the  bisseur  call  encore,  &c. 

Clarence,  klar'ens.  A  close  four-Avheeled 
carriage,  Avith  one  seat  inside. 

Clarenceux,  'en-su.  In  Great  Britain, 
the  2d  king-at-arms,  inferior  only  to  the 
Garter.  His  proAince  comprises  that  part 
of  England  S.  of  the  river  Trent. 

Claret,  'et.  The  red  wines  of  Bordeaux. 
In  France  the  name  clairet  is  given  only 
to  Avines  of  a  hght  red  color. 

Claribel-flute,  'i-bel-flut.  An  organ 
stop  similar  to  the  claribella,  bnt  generally 
of  four  feet  pitch. 

Claribella,  'la.  An  organ  stop,  of  soft 
sweet  tone,  consisting  of  open  wood 
pipes,  usually  of  eight  feet  pitch. 

Clarichord,  'i-kord.  An  ancient  musi- 
cal stringed  instrument,  resembling  the 
manichord. 

Clarinet,  -net.  A  Avind-instrument  of 
wood,  similar  in  shape  to  the  oboe,  but 
larger.  It  has  a  fixed  mouthpiece,  con- 
taining a  reed,  Avhich  forms  the  upper 
joint  of  the  instrument. 

Clarino,  kla-re'no.  A  clarion.  An  or- 
gan stop  consisting  of  reed  pipes,  generally 
of  four  feet  pitch. 

Clarion,  klar'i-on.  A  trumpet  whose 
tube  is  narroAver  and  tone  more  acute  than 
that  of  the  common  trumpet. 

Clark,  Abraham.     One  of  the  signers 


CLAEKE 


CLEADING 


of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a  na- 
tive of  N.  Jersey  ;  b.  1726,  d.  1794. 

Clarke,  Adam.  An  English  theolo- 
gian, celebrated  for  his  "  Commentary  on 
the  Bible  ;"  b.  1762,  d.  1832. 

Clasp-knife,  klasp'nif.  A  knife,  the 
blade  of  which  folds  into  the  handle  ;  also 
a  large  knife  the  blade  of  which  folds  in, 
and  may  be  locked  when  open. 

Class,  klas.  In  Anc.  Hist,  a  term  ap- 
plied to  each  of  the  large  divisions  of  the 
lloman  people.  An  order  or  rank  of  per- 
sons. A  number  of  pupils  or  students 
of  the  same  standing.  In  Nat.  Hist,  a 
group  of  plants  or  animals  formed  by  the 
association  of  several  orders. 

Classic,  'ik.  An  author  of  the  first  rank  ; 
a  writer  whose  style  is  pure,  correct  and 
refined.  A  literary  production  of  the 
first  rank  ;  the  classics,  specifically,  an- 
cient literature. 

Classicalist,  -al-ist.  A  devoted  admirer 
of  classicalism.  One  who  scrupulously 
adheres  to  the  canons  of  Greek  or  Eoman 
art. 

Classis,  'sis.  An  ecclesiastical  body, 
convention  or  assembly  ;  a  judicatory  cor- 
responding to  a  presbytery. 

Class-man,  'man.  In  universities,  a 
candidate  for  graduation  who  has  passed 
an  examination  in  one  of  the  departments 
in  wliich  honors  are  conferred,  and  is 
placed  according  to  merit  in  one  of  sev- 
eral classes. 

Claudius,  klau'de-us.  The  name  of  two 
Eoman  emperors  :  Tiberius  Drusus  Nero 
(C.  I.)  was  the  4th  emperor,  s.  his  nephew 
Caligula;  b.  10b.  c;  crowned  a.  d.  41. 
He  was  twice  married,  and  both  his  wives 
were  infamous ;  Messalina  was  executed 
br  his  order;  Agrippina  poisoned  him 
after  inducing  him  to  make  her  son  by 
L.  Domitius  his  successor ;  d.  54  a.  d.  ; 
Marcus  Aurelius  Flavius  (C.  II.)  b.  214, 
8.  Gallienus,  268  ;  d.  270.  Under  C.  I. 
Britain  was  partially  conquered  ;  under 
C  II.  the  Goths  were  defeated  ta  several 
battles. 

Clavaria,  kla-va'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  fungi, 
division  Hymencmycetes ;  club-shaped 
fungus.  Some  species  are  edible. 
Clavecin,  klav'e-sin.  A  harpsichord.  A 
key  Avith  which  a  player  of  carillons  per- 
forms on  the  bells. 

Clavellinidae,  -el-lin'i-de.  A  fam.  of  so- 
cial ascidians.  Each  has  its  own  heart, 
respiratory  apparatus  and  digestive  or- 
gans ;  but  each  is  fixed  on  a  foot-stalk, 
through  which  circulation  takea  place  that 
connects  them  alL 


Clavicle,  'i-kl.  The  collar-bone,  form- 
ing one  of  the  elements  of  the  pectoral 
arch  in  vertebrate  animals. 

Clavicornes,  -kor'nez.  A  fam.  of  pen- 
tamerous  beetles,  partly  terrestrial  and 
partly  aquatic.  The  burying  and  bacon- 
beetles  are  examples. 

Clavier,  kla'vl-er.  The  key -board  of  a 
piano-forte,  organ,  or  other  instrument 
whose  keys  are  arranged  on  the  same 
plan. 

Clavis,  Ms.  That  -which  serves  to  un- 
lock or  explain  any  difliculty,  as  a  trans- 
lation of  a  foreign  author  ;  or  that  which 
serves  to  explain  a  cipher  ;  a  key. 

Claw-hammer,  'ham-mer.  A  hammer 
having  one  end  divided  into  two  claws, 
for  convenience  of  drawing  nails  out  of 
wood. 

Claw- wrench.,  'rensh,  A  wrench  hav- 
ing a  loose  pivoted  jaw  and  a  relatively 
fixed  one  so  arranged  as  to  bite  together. 

Clay,  Henry.  A  distinguished  Ameri- 
can statesman  and  orator;  b.  in  Va.,  1777; 
D.  in  Washington,  1852.  He  represented 
Kentucky  in  her  Legislature,  and  in  both 
branches  of  Congress ;  was  a  member  of 
the  Peace  Commission  of  1814,  Secretary 
of  State  in  1825,  and  was  the  unsuccessftil 
Whig  candidate  for  the  presidency  in  three 
campaigns. 

Clay,  kla.  The  name  common  to  various 
viscous  earths,  compounds  of  silica  and 
alumina,  sometimes  with  hme,  magnesia, 
soda  or  potash,  and  metallic  oxides  ;  the 
materials  of  brick,  tiles,  pottery,  &c.  C. 
ironstone,  a  ferriferous  rock,  from  which 
iron  is  procured. 

Claymore,  'mor.  The  large  two-handed 
sword  of  the  Scotch  Highlanders  ;  now  a 
basket-hilted,  double-edged  broadsword. 

Clay-slate,  'slat.  A  rock  consisting  of 
clay  hardened  and  otherwise  changed, 
often  aff'ording  good  roofing  slate. 

Clay-stone,  'ston.  An  earthy  felstone 
or  felspathic  rock  of  the  igneous  group. 

Clayton,    John    Middleton.       An 

American  statesman ;  b.  in  Delaware, 
1796;  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  Del.,  1837; 
elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  1829-35-45 
and  1851  ;  made  Secretary  of  State,  1849  ; 
negotiating,  1850,  the  treaty  with  Great 
Britain  known  as  the  Clayton -Bulwer 
treaty. 

Cleading,  kled'ing.  In  engines,  the 
jacket  of  the  cylinder ;  also,  a  timber 
casing  inclosing  "the  boiler  of  a  locomotive 
engine  and  fire-box;  a  covering  of  hair-felt 
on  steam -pipes.  Any  kind  of  plank  cover- 
ing. 


CLEAEING 


190 


CLEVELAND 


ClearirLgr,  klcr'ing.  The  act  of  clearing ; 
as,  the  clearing'  of  land.  The  act  of  de- 
fending or  vindicating  one's  self.  Among 
bankers,  exchanging  drafts  on  each 
other's  houses  and  settling  the  differences , 
In  railway  management,  distributing 
among  the  different  companies  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  through  traffic.  A  tract  of 
land  cleared  of  wood. 

Cleariug--hoTise,  -hous.  The  place 
where  the  operation  termed  clearing  in 
banks  and  railways  is  carried  on. 

Clearingr-nut,  -nut.  The  fruit  of  the 
Strychnos  potatorum,  used  in  the  E.  In- 
dies for  clearing  muddy  water. 

Clear-story,  'sto-ri.  The  upper  story 
of  a  church  or  other  building,  perforated 
by  a  range  of  windows,  which  form  the 
principal  means  of  lig^hting  the  central 
portions  of  the  building. 

Cleaver,  klev'er.  A  butcher's  ax  for 
cutting  carcasses  into  joints  or  pieces. 

Cleddyo,  kled'yo.  An  ancient  bronze, 
leaf-shaped,  two-edged  sword.  They  are 
occasionally  dug  up  in  Great  Britain  and 
elsewhere,  and  are  supposed  to  have  been 
Koman  weapons. 

Clegrgr,  kleg.  A  name  applied  to  various 
insects,  the  females  of  which  are  trouble- 
some from  their  blood-sucking  habits,  as 
the  great  horsefly. 

Cleistogramic,  klis-to-gam'ik.  A  term 
applied  to  flowers,  as  those  of  the  dog- 
violet  and  wood-sorrel,  from  their  small 
size  and  from  never  opening,  so  that  they 
resemble  buds. 

Clemens,  Titus  Flavius  (Clement 
of  Alexandria).  A  celebrated  Christian 
Father;  b.  abt.  150  A.  v.,  d.  abt.  220. 

Clement.  The  name  of  14  Popes  of 
Eome.  C.  I.  is  believed  to  have  been  St. 
Paul's  friend  and  fellow -laborer ;  b.  abt. 
30  A.  D. ;  according  to  tradition  he  was 
baptized  bv  St.  Peter  and  consecrated 
Pope  of  Eome,  91 ;  n.  abt.  100.  He  is  re- 
garded as  a  saint  and  martyr.  The  last 
C.  (XIV.)  8.  C.  XIII.,  1769,  and  in  1T73 
issued  a  bull  abolishing  the  order  of  Jes- 
uits ;  D.  1774. 

Clementine,  klem'ent-In.  One  of  a  se- 
ries of  compilations  ascribed  to  St.  Clem- 
rfnt,  a  contemporary  of  St.  Paul,  but  now 
believed  to  be  apocryphal.  A  decretal  of 
Pope  Clement  V. 

Cleobulus,  kle-o-bu'lus.  One  of  the 
"seven  Avise  men  of  Greece";  b.  m 
Ehodes  in  the  5th  century  b.  o. 
Cleombrotus.  King  of  Sparta  ;  b,  324 
B.  c. )  killed  in  the  battle  of  Leuctra,  371 
B,  c.    The  Spartans  were  nearly  annihi- 


lated in  the  battle,  and  from  that  time  be- 
came a  secondary  power  in  Greece. 

Cleomenes  III.  King  of  Sparta;  b. 
260  B.  c. ;  s.  his  father  Leonidas  ;  was  de- 
feated in  the  battle  of  Sellosia  by  the 
Achaean  League,  222  ;  fled  to  Egypt  and 
committed  suicide,  219. 

Cleon.  A  tanner  of  Athens,  who  became 
noted  for  his  eloquent  opposition  to  Peri- 
cles, after  whose  death  C.  became  a  popu- 
lar and  successful  general ;  b.  580  b.  c, 
killed  in  an  expedition  against  Thrace,  422. 

Cleopatra,  kle-o-pa'tra.  Daughter  of 
Ptolemy  Auletus,  and  Queen  of  Egypt, 
notorious  for  her  beauty  and  licentious- 
ness. She  captivated  Julius  Caesar  when 
but  17,  and  bore  him  a  son.  After  his 
death  she  persuaded  Marc  Antony  to  re- 
pudiate his  wife  Octavia,  and  bore  him 
several  children.  After  the  defeat  of  An- 
tony at  Actium,  she  despaired  of  making 
terms  with  Augustus,  and  [jut  an  end  to 
her  life  by  permitting  an  asp  to  bite  her  ; 
B.  C9  B.  c,  D.  30. 

Cleostratus.  A  great  astronomer  of  the 
6th  century  b.  c,  who  first  arranged  the 
zodiacal  signs. 

Clepsydra, 
klep'si-  d  r  a. 
A  name  com- 
mon to  de- 
vices of  va- 
lious  kinds 
fbr  measur- 
ing time  byj 
t^i  e  d  i  s  -' 
charge  ofVl< 
water. 

Clergy 
man,  kler'- 
ji-man.  A« 
man  in  holy 
orders;  a 
man  authorized  to  preach  the  gospel  and 
administer  ordinances  according  to  the 
rules  of  any  denomination  of  Christians. 

Clerk,  klerk.  A  clergyman  or  ecclesias- 
tic ;  a  man  in  holy  orders,  especially  in 
the  Church  of  England.  A  man  that  can 
read ;  a  man  of  letters ;  a  scholar.  The 
layman  who  leads  in  reading  responses  in 
the  service  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  One 
who  is  employed  to  keep  records  or  ac- 
counts ;  an  officer  attached  to  courts,  mu- 
nicipal and  other  corporations,  associa- 
tions, &c.,  whose  duty  is  to  keep  records 
of  proceedings.  An  assistant  in  the  shop 
of  a  retail  dealer. 

Cleveland.  The  principal  lake  port  of 
Ohio,  on  Lake  Erie,  and  2d  city  in  size  in 
the  state ;  pop.  100,146. 


Clepsydra. 


I 


CLEVIS 


191 


CLOCK 


Clevis,  klev'is.  An  iron  bent  to  the  form 
of  a  stirrup,  vith  the  ends  perforated  to 
receive  a  pin,  used  to  connect  a  draft-chain 
or  tree  to  a  cart  or  plow. 
Clich,  klich.  A  broad-bladed  Turkish  sa- 
ber. 

Cliclie,  kle-sha.  A  stereotype  plate,  es- 
pecially one  derived  from  an  engTa\'ing, 
In  Photog.  a  negative  picture.  C.  casting, 
a  mode  of  obtaining  a  cast  from  a  wood- 
cut for  printing. 

Click,  klik.  Alow,  sharp  sound.  The 
cluck  of  the  natives  of  South  Africa.  A 
small  piece  of  mechanism  which  enters 
the  teeth  of  a  ratchet  wheel ;  a  detent  or 
ratchet. 

Clicker,  'er.  In  shoemaking,  a  cutter 
out  of  uppers  and  soles  of  boots  and  shoes. 
In  printing,  the  compositor  who  receives 
copy  and  distributes  it  among  the  other 
compositors,  makes  up  pages,  «&ic. 
Cliff,  kllf.  A  precipice ;  the  rugged  face 
of  a  rocky  height ;  a  steep  rock  ;  a  head- 
land. 

Climacteric,  kll-mak-ter-'ik.  A  critical 
period  in  human  life,  in  which  some  great 
change  is  supposed  to  take  place  In  the 
human  constitution.  The  63d  year  is 
called  the  grand  climacteric. 
Climate,  'mat.  In  Old  Geog.  a  zone 
measured  on  the  earth's  surftuje  by  lines 
parallel  to  the  equator,  there  being  thirty 
between  the  equator  and  the  pole.  The 
condition  of  a  tract  or  region  in  relation 
to  the  various  phenomena,  as  tempera- 
ture, wind,  moisture,  miasmata,  «fcc. 
Climatology,  -ma-tol'o-ji.  The  science 
of  climates ;  an  investigation  of  the  causes 
on  which  the  climate  depends. 
Climber,  klTm'er.  One  who  climbs  or 
rises  by  the  hands  and  feet.  In  Bot.  a 
plant  that  rises  by  attaching  itself  to  some 
support.  In  Ornith.  the  name  applied  to 
climbing  birds,  ord.  Scansores,  as  the  par- 
rots, cockatoos,  woodpeckers,  «fec. 
Clingr-stone,  klmg'ston.  A  variety  of 
peach,  whose  pulp  adheres  to  the  stone. 
Clinic,  klin'ik.  One  confined  to  the  bed 
by  sickness.  One  who  receives  baptism 
on  a  sick-bed. 

Clink-stone,  klingk'ston.  A  felspathic 
rock  of  the  trachytic  group,  sometimes 
used  as  roofing  slate. 

Clinker-work,  'er-werfil.  In  ship-build- 
.  ing,  the  disposition  of  the  planks  in  the 
side  of  a  boat  or  vessel,  so  the  lower  edge 
overlies  the  upper  edge  of  the  next  below. 
Clinton,  De  "Witt.  A  distinguished 
American  statesman;  b.,  in  N.  Y.,  1769, 
■  D.    1828.      He  was  a  member   of  both 


branches  of  the  N.  Y.  Legislature,  also 
of  the  U.  S.  Senate,  resigning  the  latter 
position  to  accept  the  mayoralty  of  N.  Y. 
City  ;  elected  Lieutenant-governor  of  N. 
Y.  from  ISll  to  1813,  and  Governor  in 
1816;  he  was  the  active  promoter  of  the 
great  Erie  Canal. 

Clinton,  Greorgre.  An  American  gen- 
eral and  statesman,  cousin  of  De  Witt  C. ; 
B.  in  In'.  Y.,  1789,  d.  1812.  He  was 
elected  to  the  Continertal  Congress  in 
1775  ;  appointed  brigadier-general  in  1777, 
and  the  same  year  elected  Governor  of  N. 
Y.,  an  office  to  which  he  was  re-elected 
five  successive  tarms  ;  chosen  Yice-Presi- 
dent  of  the  U.  8.  in  1804  ;  he  was  an  un- 
BuccessM  candidate  for  President  in  1808, 
but  was  re-elected  Yice-President. 
Clio,  kll'6.  In  Myth,  the 
muse  who  presided  over 
history.  She  is  usually  rep- 
resented with  a  scroll  in 
her  hand,  and  sometimes 
with  a  case  to  keep  MSS. 
in  by  her  side.  An  asteroid 
discovered  in  1850.  A  gen. 
of  pteropodous  mollusks, 
constituting  the  principal 
food  of  the  whale. 
Clionidae,  -on'i-de.  A^ 
fam,  of  naked  marine  mol- 
lusks, class  Pteropoda,  hav- 
ing for  its  type  the  gen. 
Clio. 

Clipper,  klip'er.  One  who  clips;  one 
who  cuts  off  the  edges  of  coin.  A  vessel 
with  sharp,  forward-raking  bows  and 
masts  raking  aft,  built  and  rigged  with  a 
\iew  to  fast  saihng. 

Clitus.  A  general  under  Alexander  the 
Great,  who  saved  the  latter' s  life  in  the 
battle  of  Granicus,  and  Avas  slain  by  Alex- 
ander, in  a  drunken  frenzy,  326  b.  c. 
Clive,  Robert,  Ixjrd.  An  English 
general  who  rose  from  ensign  through 
his  gallantry  and  talents  to  the  viceroyalty 
of  India ;  b'.  1725,  d.  by  suicide,  1774.  H« 
distinguished  himself  by  winning  several 
victories  from  the  French  in  1751,  and  in 
1757  routed  Suraj-ad-Dowlah  with  an 
army  of  50,000  at  the  head  of  an  English 
force  of  only  8,000.  Toward  the  close  of 
his  life  he  became  insane. 
Cloak,  klok.  A  loose  outer  garment 
worn  over  other  clothes  both  by  men  and 
women.  That  which  conceals. 
Cloak-room,  'rom.  A  room  attached 
to  any  place  of  general  resort,  where  outer 
garments  are  deposited. 
Clock,  klok.  An  instrument  or  machine 
for  measuring  time,  indicating  the  hours, 


CUo. 


CLOCK-STAR 


192 


CLOVER-WEEVIL 


minutes  and  seconds  by  means  of  hands 
moving  over  a  dial-plate. 

Clock-star,  'star.  Prominent  stars  used 
for  regulating  astronomical  clocks. 

Clock-work,  'werk.  The  machinery  of 
a  clock  ;  a  complex  mechanism  produc- 
ing regularity  of  movement. 

Clog*-d.ance,  klog'dans.  A  dance  with 
clogs,  in  which  the  feet  perform  a  noisy 
accompaniment. 

Cloister,  klois'ter.  An  archway  or  cov- 
ered walk  round  the  walls  of  monastic 


Cloister,  Westminster  Abbey, 
and  collegiate  buildings.    A  place  of  relig- 
ious retirement ;  a  monastery ;    a   con- 
vent.   Any  arcade  or  colonnade  round  an 
open  court;  a  piazza. 

Clontarf,  klon-tarf.  A  village  of  Lein- 
ster,  Ireland,  8  m.  N.  of  Dublin,  the  scene 
of  the  crushing  defeat  of  the  Danish  invad- 
ers under  King  Sitric  by  Brian  Boroihme 
(Boru),  1034.  The  Danes  lost  13,000  out 
of  21,000,  the  Irish  7,000  out  of  20,000 
men.   Brian  and  his  son  were  both  killed. 

Close,  klos.  An  inclosed  place  ;  the  pre- 
cinct of  a  cathedral  or  abbey.  A  narrow 
passage  or  entry  from  a  main  street  to  the 
stair  of  a  building ;  the  entry  to  a  court. 

Closet,  kloz'et.  A  small  room  or  apart- 
ment for  retirement;  a  supplementary 
apartment  communicating  with  another, 
as  a  dressing-room  with  a  bed-room.  A 
small  recess  for  etoring  utensils,  provi- 
sions, &c. 

Clotaire,  klo'tair.  The  names  of  four 
kings  of  France.  C.  I.,  son  of  Clovis  I., 

B.  507,  became  ruler  of  the  entire  kingdom 
through  the  death  of  his  brothers  ;  D.  561. 

C.  IV.,  B.  6T1,  D.  T20,  was  onlv  the  nom- 
inal king  for  tAvo  years,  the  real  ruler  be- 
ing Charles  Martel. 

Clcth,  kloth.  A  fabric  of  wool,  hair,  cot- 
ton, flax,  hemp,  or  other  vegetable  fila- 
ments, formed  by  weaving  or  intertexture 
«f  threads,  and  used  for  various  purposes; 
as  woolen  cloth,  cotton  cloth,  hair  cloth. 


A  professional  dress,  specifically  that  of  a 
clergymen;  hence  the  ofiice  of  a  clergyman. 

Clothes-moth,  klothz'moth.  The  name 
common  to  several  moths  of  the  gen. 
Tinea,  whose  larv.-e  are  destructive  to 
woolen  fabrics,  feathers,  furs,  &c. 

Clotho,  klo'tho.  In  Greek  Myth,  that 
one  of  the  three  Fates  whose  duty  it  was 
to  put  the  wool  for  the  thread  of  lite  round 
the  spindle,  while  that  of  Lachesis  was  to 
spin  it,  and  that  of  Atropos  to  cut  the 
thread  off  when  a  man  had  to  die. 

Cloth-pro ver,  kloth 'pniv-er.  A  mag- 
nifying glass  employed  in  counting  the 
threads  in  cloth. 

Cloth-'wheel,  'whol.  A  polishing  wheel, 
covered  with  cloth  charged  with  an  abrad- 
ing or  polishing  material,  as  pumice-st<me, 
putty-powder,  «fec. 

Cloud,  kloud.  A  collection  of  visible  va- 
por or  watery  partieles  suqjended  In  ttie 


Cloud — Cumulus, 
atmosphere  at  some  altitude.  A  like  col- 
lection near  the  e^Tth  is  called  fog.  The 
average  height  of  the  clouds  is  supposed 
to  be  between  2  and  3  miles,  but  this  va- 
ries. Clouds  have  been  classified  as  Cirrus, 
Cumulus  and  Stratus.  These  are  sub-di- 
vided into  Cirro-cumulus,  Cirro-stratus, 
Cumulo-stratus,  and  Nimbus,  cumulo- 
cirro-stratus,  or  rain-cloud.  What  resem- 
bles a  cloud,  as  a  body  of  smoke  or  flying 
dust ;  a  dark  area  of  color  in  a  lighter  ma- 
terial.   A  multitude ;  a  mass. 

Clout,  klout.  A  patch  ;  a  piece  of  cloth 
or  leather,  &c.,  used  to  mend  something. 
In  Archery,  the  mark  fixed  in  the  center  of 
the  butts.  An  iron  plate  on  an  axle-tree« 
to  keep  it  from  wearing.  A  blow  with  the 
hand. 

Clove,  klov.  A  very  pungent  aromatic 
spice,  the  dried  flower-buds  of  Caryophyl- 
lus  aromaticus,  belonging  to  the  myrtle 
tribe.  Oil  of  cloves,  an  essential  oil  ob- 
tained from  the  buds  of  the  clove-tree, 
consisting  of  eligenic  acid  and  a  neutral  oil. 

Clover-weevil,  klo'ver-we-vil.  A  wee- 
vil, gen.  Apion,  which  feeds  on  the  seeds 
of  the  clover,  on  tai-es  and  other  legumin- 
ous plants. 


CLOVIS 


193 


COAL 


Clovis,  'vis.  The  name  of  three  kings 
of  France.  C.  I.,  son  and  s.  ofChilderic  I., 
King  of  the  Franks;  b.  467,  D.  511  ;  he 
Avas  the  real  foundei  of  the  French  mon- 
archy; driving  the  Romans  from  Gallia, 
and  defeating  the  Alemanni,  he  married 
the  Christian  princess  Clotilda,  of  the 
house  of  Burgundy,  and  soon  after  em- 
braced Christianity  wth  3,000  of  his  sub- 
jects. On  his  death  his  kingdom  wa«  di- 
vided among  his  four  sons.  C.  III.,  B. 
G57,  reigned  as  a  child  5  years,  under  the 
tutelage  of  Pepin  d'lleristal,  mayor  of 
the  palace ;  d.  695. 

Clown,  kloun.  A  lout ;  a  boor;  a  person 
■without  refinement.  A  jester, or  buffoon, 
as  in  a  theatre,  circus  or  other  place  of  en 
tertainment.     A  peasant ;  a  rustic. 

Club-house,  klub'hous.  A  house  occu- 
pied by  a  club  ;  places  of  rendezvous  and 
entertainment,  always  open  to  those  who 
are  members. 

Cluck,  kluk.  A  sound  uttered  by  a  hen. 
A  kind  of  articulation  common  to  natives 
of  S.  Africa,  especially  the  Kaffirs  and 
Hottentots.  There  are  four  such  clucks  or 
clicks,  cerebral,  palatal,  dental  and  lateral. 

Clue,  klfi.  A  ball  of  thread.  The  thread 
that  forms  a  ball.  From  the  mythologi- 
cal story  that  Theseus  was  guided  by  a 
clue  of  thi-ead  through  the  Cretan  laby- 
rinth, anything  that  directs  one  in  an  in- 
tricate case.  A  corner  of  a  sail.  Clues  of 
a  hammock,  the  small  lines  by  which  it  is 
suspended. 

Clump,  klump.  A  thick,  short  piece  of 
wood  or  other  solid  substance ;  a  shapeless 
mass.  A  cluster  of  trees  or  shrubs.  The 
compressed  clay  of  coal  strata. 

Cluniac,  klo'ni-ak.  One  of  a 
reformed  order  of  Benedictine 
monks,  so  called  fromClunyin 
France. 

Clupeidae,  klu-pe'i-de.  The 
herrings,  a  fam.  of  teleostean 
fishes,  sec.  AMominales,  in- 
cluding the  herring,  sprat, 
white-bait,  pilchard,  &c. 

Clustered  Column.  In 
Arch,  a  pier  which  appears 
to  consist  of  several  columns 
or  shafts  clustered  together. 

Clutcli,  kluch.  A  gi-ipping 
or  pinching  of  the  fingers; 
seizure  ;  grasp.  A  contrivance 
for  connecting  shafts  with 
each  other  or  vdth  wheels,  so 
that  they  may  be  disengaged 
at  pleasure.  The  cross-head  Clustered 
of  a  piston-rod.  The  paw  or  Column, 
talofl  ofa  rapacious  animal. 


Clyde,  klld.  The  principal  river  of  Soot- 
land,  noted  for  ita  ship  building  ;  it  rises 
in  8.  Lanarkshire  and  empties  into  the 
Frith  of  Clyde,  near  Glasgow.  The  Falls 
of  Clyde,  230  ft.  high,  are  near  Lanark. 

Clyde,  Colin  Campbell.  A  British 
general  b.  1792,  d.  1S63.  He  served  in 
the  Indian  campaigns  of  lSlS-52,in  the 
Crimea,  and  again  in  India  as  commander 
in-chief,  1S57,  relieving  Lucknow  and 
quelling  the  Sepoy  mutiny. 

Clymenia,  kh-me'ni-a.  A  gen.  of  ex- 
tinct cephalopodous  mollusks  or  cuttle- 
fishes, fam.  Nautilidas. 

Clymer,  George.  One  of  the  signers  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence;  b.  in 
Penn.,  1739,  d.  1813, 

Clytemnestra.  Daughter  of  Tyndareus, 
King  of  Sparta,  and  Leda,  and  \vife  of  Aga- 
memnon, King  of  Argos  ;  she  became  in- 
timate with  Agysthis,  cousin  of  Agamem- 
non, while  the  latter  was  absent  at  the 
siege  ©f  Troy,  and  on  her  husband's 
return  murdered  him  and  Cassandra, 
whom  he  had  brought  with  him.  C.  as- 
sumed the  throne,  but  Orestes,  son  of 
Agamemnon,  slew  her  and  her  paramour 
in  the  Temple  of  Apollo. 

Clypeasteridae,  klip'e-as-ter'i-de.  A 
sub.  fam.  of  sea-urchins,  fam.  Echinoidea. 

Coach.,  koch.  A  four-wheeled  close 
vehicle  of  considerable  size.  A  private 
tutor,  generally  employed  to  cram  a  per- 
son for  a  specific  examination. 

Coach-dogr,  'dog.  A  dog  of  Dalmatian 
breed,  of  handsome  form,  and  generally 
white,  spotted  \nih.  black. 

poachman,  'man.  A  man  who  drive*  a 
coach. 

Coach-trimmer,  'trim-er.  A  workman 
who  prepares  and  finishes  trimmings  for 
cai-riage-builders. 

Coadjutor,  ko-ad-jut'er.  One  who  aid* 
another ;  an  assistant.  One  empowered 
or  appointed  to  perform  the  duties  of  an- 
other. The  assistant  of  a  bishop  or  other 
prelate. 

Coaita,  ko-i'ta.  A  small  species  of  S. 
American  monkey. 

Coal,  kol.  A  piece  of  wood  or  other  com- 
bustible substance,  ignited,  burning  or 
charred ;  charcoal ;  a  cinder.  A  solid, 
opaque,  inflammable  substance  formed 
from  masses  of  vegetable  matter  deposit- 
ed through  the  luxurious  growth  of  plants 
in  former  epochs  of  the  earth's  history, 
divided  into  three  chief  kinds — anthracite, 
bituminous  and  lignite  ;  under  which  di- 
visions are  included  many  varieties. 


COAL-BED 


194 


COBCAL 


Coal-bed,  'bed.    A  formation  in  which 
there  are  on'>  or  more  strata  of  coals. 
Coal-brass,   'bras.      The   iron    pyrites 
found  in  coal-measures. 
Coal-field,  'feld.    A  deposit  or  bed  of 
coal.     A  district  where  coal  abounds. 
Coal-gras,  'gas.     A  -variety  of  carbureted 
hydrogen  which  produces    the  gas-light 
now  so  extensively  used. 
Coal-measures,  'mezh-urz.   The  upper 
division  of  the  carboniferous  system,  con- 
sisting of  alternate  layers  of  sand-stone 
with  thinly  laminated  beds  of  clay  shale, 
and  sometimes  bituminous  shale,  between 
which  the  coal-seams  occur,  usually  rest- 
ing on  beds  of  fire-clay. 
Coal-mine,  'min,  A  mine  or  pit  in  which 
coal  is  dug. 

Coal-plant,  'plant.  A  plant,  the  re- 
mains of  which  form  coal,  principally  cryp- 
togamic,  belonging  to  the  orders  Fihces, 
Lycopodiacefe  and  Equisetacese.  Many 
fruits  and  some  stems  of  gymnosperms 
are  also  met  with  in  coal  deposits. 
Coal-slack,  'slak.  The  dust  or  grime 
of  coal. 

Coal-tar,  'tar.  A  thick,  black,  viscid, 
opaque  liquid  which  condenses  in  the 
pipes  when  gas  is  distilled  from  coal.  It 
is  a  chief  ingredient  in  printer's  ink,  in 
the  shape  of  lamp-black.  It  is  also  made 
into  asphalt  for  pavements,  and  with  coal- 
dust  forms  an  excellent  fuel. 
Coal-tit,  'tit.  The  Parus  ater,  one  of  the 
titmice. 

Coasting',  kost'ing.  Sailing  near  the 
coast,  or  from  port  to  port  in  the  same 
country.  C.  pilot,  a  pilot  who  conducts 
vessels  along  a  coast.  C.  trade,  carried 
on  between  different  ports  of  the  same 
country.  A  popular  winter's  amusement 
in  hilly  sections ;  sliding  dovm  hiU  on  a 
hand-sled. 
Coat,   kot. 

An  upper  /?g^3^W<5W?^iik  1B'N!*«'!IL* 
garment,  in ' 
modern 
times  applied 
to  the  outer 
g  arm  en  t 
worn  by  men 

;"r?V'TS  Co»t-fM'.<l. 

body.  The  vesture  of  an  order  of  men,  and 
hence  the  order  itself,  or  the  office  held 
by  the  order  ;  cloth.  An  external  cover- 
ing, as  the  wool  of  sheep,  &c.  A  layer  of 
one  substance  covering  another.  0.  of 
arms,  in  the  middle  ages,  a  short-sleeved 
military  garment,  worn  by  princes  and 


great  barona  over  their    armor.      C.   of 
mail,  a  piece  of  armor  worn  on  the  upper 

f)art  of  the  body,  fastened  to  a  strong 
tnen  or  leather  jacket.  The  Grecian  tho- 
rax consisted  oi"  two  parts,  one  a  defense 
to  the  back,  the  other  to  the  breast.  The 
Koman  lorica  did  not  ditfer  much  from 
the  Grecian  thorax.  The  armor  collect- 
ively was  also  called  a  coat  of  mail. 
Coat-armor,  'iir-mer.  A  coat  of  arms  ; 
armorial  ensigns. 

Coat-card,    ktird.      A   card   bearing   a 
coated  figure,  as  the  king,  queen  or  knave.  " 
now  corrui>ted  into  Court-card. 
Coati,  ko'a-ti.  A  plantigrade  carnivorous 
mammal,  gen.  Nasua,  belonging  to  the 
Ursidse  or  bears,  but  recaUing  in  appear- 
ance the  Viverridae  or  civets. 
Coat-link,  kot-lingk.    A  pair  of  buttons 
held  together  by  a  Unk,  used  for  fastening 
a  coat  over  the  breast. 
Cob,  kob.    A  roundish  lump  of  anything ; 
specifically,  a  cob-loaf.    A  Spanish  coin 
formerly  cun-ent  In    Ireland ;    also,   the 
name  still  given  at  Gibraltar  to  a  Spanish 
dollar.     The  shoot  or  receptacle  on  which 
the  grains  of  maize  grow  in  rows.    A  bull 
or    pellet   for   feeding   fowls.    A  short- 
legged  stout  horse  or  pony.    A  wicker 
basket,  to  be  carried  on  the  arm,  used  for 
carrying  seed  while  sowing. 
Cobalt,  ko'balt.    A  mineral,  very  brittle, 
fine  close  grain,  compact,  but  easily  reduc- 
ible to  powder.    It  is  never  found  in  a 
pure  state,  but  as  an  oxide,  or  combined. 
Avith  arsenic  or  its  acid,  with  sulphur, 
iron,  &c.    The  great  use  of  cobalt  is  to 
give  a  X)ermanent  blue  color  to  glass  and 
enamels  upon  metals,  porcelain  and  earth- 
en wares. 

Cobb,  Ho'well.  An  American  states- 
man, u.  in  Ga.,  1S15,  b.  1S(>S.  lie  repre- 
sented Ga.  in  the  Lower  House  of  Con- 
gress, and  was  elected  Speaker  in  1849 ; 
was  Governor  of  his  State,  and  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  under  President 
Buchanan ;  resigned  when  Ga.  seceded, 
was  president  of  the  Confederate  Congress 
and  a  brigadier-general  in  the  Confederata 
army. 

Cobble,  kob'l.  A  roundish  stone ;  a  large 
pebble,  A  lump  of  coal. 
Cobden,  Bicbard.  A  celebrated  Eng- 
lish reformer  and  political  economist ;  B. 
1804,  T>.  1865.  He  began  life  as  a  private 
soldier,  but  rose  to  be  a  member  of  Parlia- 
ment, and  received  a  testimonial  of  $150,- 
000  for  his  eiforts  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of 
the  Corn  laws  and  free  trade. 
Cobcal,  'kal.  A  sandal  worn  by  ladies  In 
the  East. 


CX)BITIS 


195 


eOGK-PEATHER 


Oobitis,  ko-bl'tis.  A  gen.  of  fishes  be- 
longing to  the  abdominal  Malacopterygii 
and  fani.  Cyprtnidse.  It  includes  the 
loaches. 

Coblentz,  kob'lSnts.  A  strongly  fortified 
Prussian  city  at  the  junction  of  the  Rhine 
and  Moselle ;  a  free  port  with  consider- 
able commerce ;  pop.  31,000. 

Cobra-de-Capello,  kob'ra-de-ka-pel'I6. 
The  hooded  or  spectacle  snake,  of  the 
most  venomous  nature.  The  name  spec- 
tacle snako  is  derived  from  a  mark  of  that 
form  on  the  back  of  the  neck. 

Coburg:,  ko'borg.  A  thin  fabric  of 
worsted  and  cotton,  or  worsted  and  silk, 
twilled  on  one  side,  for  ladies'  dresses. 

Coca,  'ka.  The  dried  leaf  of  Erythroxy- 
lon  Coca,  ord.  Erythroxyleae ;  the  plant 
itself.  It  is  a  stimulating  narcotic,  in 
eftect  somewhat  similar  to  opium.  A 
small  quantity  of  it  enables  a  person  to 
bear  up  against  fatigue,  but  used  in 
excess  it  brings  on  various  disorders,  and 
thedesu-oforit  increases  with  indulgence, 
so  that  a  confirmed  coca-chewer  is  said  to 
have  never  been  reclaimed. 

Coccidae,  kok'si-de.  The  scale-insects, 
or  mealy  bugs,  a  fam.  of  hemipterous  in- 
sects belonging  to  the  sec.  Momomera. 
The  males  only  have  wings. 

Coccinellidae,  -sl-nelli-dil.  The  lady- 
birds, a  fam.  of  coleopterous  insects. 

Codes,  P.  Horatius.  A  Roman  hero, 
who  with  two  companions,  Spurius 
Lartius  and  Herminius,  kept  the  entire 
army  of  Porsenna  at  bay  at  the  bridge 
over  the  Tiber  until  the  bridge  was  broken 
down  behind  him,  when,  although  wound- 
ed, he  SAvam  the  river,  and  rejoined  his 
command. 

Coccosteus,  -kos'te-us.  A  gen.  of  pla- 
coganoid  fossil  fishes  occurring  in  the 
old  red  sandstone,  having  back  and  belly 
covered  with  a  cmrass. 

Cocculus,  'ku-lus.  A  gen.  of  Indian 
menispermaceous  plants.  The  species 
are  generally  powerful  bitter  febrifuges. 
The  fruit  of  C.  is  sometimes  employed  in 
medicine  as  a  narcotic,  and  is  used  in 
malt  liquors  to  give  bitterness  and  in- 
crease their  stupefying  qualities. 

Coccus,  'kus.  A  gen.  of  insects,  ord. 
Hemiptera.  There  are  upwards  of  twenty 
specie^  the  most  important  being  the 
Coccus  cacti,  or  cochineal  insect. 

Cochin-Cliiiia,  koch'in-chl-na.  A  term 
applied  to  a  large  varietv  of  the  domestic 
fowl,  native  to  Cochin-China, 

CocMneal,  'I-niil.  A  crimson  or  scarlet 
dye-stuff  consisting  of.  the  dried  bodies  of  | 


a  species  of  insect,  the  Coccus  cacti, 
found  on  the  cochlneal-fig  tree. 
Cock,  kok.  The  male  of  birds,  particu- 
larly of  the  gallinaceous  domestic  or  barn- 
door fowls.  C.  of  the  rock,  a  beautiful 
bu-d  which  inhabits  Guiana,  and  forms  the 
tvpe  of  the  gen.  Rupicola.  C.  of  the  wood, 
the  capercailzie.  A  vane  in  shape  of  a 
cock ;  a  weathercock.  A  faucet  contrived 
for  the  purpose  of  permitting  or  arresting 
the  flow  of  fluids  through  a  pipe,  as  feed- 
cock,  gauge-cock,  &c.  A  portion  of  a  lock 
of  a  firearm ;  in  a  percussion  lock,  the 
hammer.  The  style  or  gnomon  of  a  dial. 
The  piece  which  forms  the  bearing  of  a 
balance  in  a  clock  or  watch. 

Cockade, -ad'.  A  ribbon  or  knot  of  rib- 
bon ;  a  rosette  of  leather,  worn  on  the 
hat.  Colored  cockades  sometimes  serve 
as  badges  for  political  parties. 

Cockaigme,  an'.  An  imaginary  country 
of  idleness  and  luxury.  The  land  of 
Cockneys ;  London  and  its  suburbs. 

Cockatoo, 
-a-to.  A  name 
common  to 
beautiful  birds, 
gen.  Cacatua,of 
the  parrot  kind. 
There  are  sev- 
eral species,  as 
the  broad-crest- 
ed, the  great 
sulphur-c  rest- 
ed, the  r  e  d- 
vented,  and  the 
tricolor- or est-^  .  , 
ed  cockatoo.      Tricolor-crested  Cockatoo. 

Cockatrice,  'a-tris.  A  fabulous  monster 
said  to  be  hatched  by  a  serpent  from  a 
cock's  egg,  and  represented  as  possessing 
characters  belonging  to  both  animals ;  a 
basilisk.  In  Her.  the  cockatrice  is  borne 
combed,  wattled  and  sparred  like  tbo 
cock,  and  with  a  serpentine  tail. 

Cockchafer,  'chaf-er.  The  Melolontha 
vulgaris,  a  lamellicoru  beetle,  called  also 
the  May-bug. 

Cocker,  'er.  A 
cock-fighter.  A 
dog  of  the  spaniel 
kind,  used  for 
hunting  wood- ' 
cocks. 

Cockerel,  er-el. 
A  young  cock. 

Cock -feather,  ri^„v„ 

'fcth-er  ,  In  arch-  ^«^«^- 

C)ry,  the  feather  that  stood  up  on  the  ar- 
row when  placed  upon  the  string. 


COCKNEY 


196 


COFFEE-HOUSE 


Cockney,  'ni.  A  native  or  resident  of 
London, 

Cockpit,  'pit.  A  pit  or  area  where 
game-cocks  fight.  An  apartment  under 
the  lower  gun-deck  of  a  ship  of  war,  in  ac- 
tion devoted  to  the  surgeon  and  his  assist- 
ants and  patients.  The  room  in  West- 
minster in  which  Her  Majesty's  privy- 
council  hold  their  sittings. 

Cockroach., 
'roch.  The  pop- 
ular name  of  the 
insects  of  the 
o  r  t  h  o  p  terous 
gen,  Blatta, 
comprising  sev- 
eral species,  of 

which  the  famil-  ^    ,         , 

iar  black-beetle  Cockroaches, 

may  be  regarded  as  the  type. 

Cockscomb,  koks'kom.  The  caruncle 
or  comb  of  a  cock.  A  name  given  to 
flowering  plan  ts  of  various  genea^.  A  fop 
or  vata  silly  fellow. 

Cockswain,  kok'swen.  The  person  who 
eteers  a  boat ;  one  who  has  the  care  of  a 
ship's  boat  and  its  crew  under  an  ofl3.cer. 

Cocktail,  'tal.  A  species  of  beetles  (Ocy- 
pas  olens),  tribe  Brachelytra.  A  half- 
bred  horse.  A  beverage,  made  of  brandy 
or  gin  mixed  with  sugar  and  flavored. 

Coco  Maricopas.  A  seml-civiUzed 
tribe  of  N.  American  Indians,  occupying 
the  Gila  valley,  New  Mexico. 

Cocoa,  ko'ko.  A  palm, 
gen.  C0008,  producing 
the  cocoa-nut.  The 
finiitis  in  bimches  of 
twelve  to  twenty;  each 
has  a  single  seed  in- 
closed in  a  hard  shell, 
smTounded  by  a  thick 
fibrous  rind,  which  is 
made  into  matting ;  the  ? 
coarse  yam  obtained 
from  it  is  called  coir.  A 

valuable  oil  is  obtained 

from  the  rut.    A  spirit   Cocoanut  Tree, 

called   toddy  is   made 

from  the  sweet  iuice  of  the  tree.    The 

groimd  kernels  of  the  cacao  or  chocolate 

tree. 

Cocoa-nut,  -nuL  The  fruit  of  the  cocoa- 
tree. 

Cocoa-plum,  -plum.  The  fruit  of  Chrys- 
obalanus  Icuco,  about  the  size  of  a  plum, 
with  a  sweet  pleasant  pulp. 

Cocoon,  -kon'.  The  silky  tissue  or  enve- 
lope which  the  larvse  of  many  insects  spin 
as  a  covering  for  themselves  while  they 


are  in  the  chrysalis  state.  An  antelope  ol 
S.  Africa  allied  to  the  gnu. 

Cocum-butter,  'kum-butter.  A  solid 
oil  got  from  the  seeds  of  Garcinia  pur- 
purea, a  tree  of  the  same  gen.  with  man- 
gosteen,  used  in  India  to  adulterate  ghee 
or  fluid  butter. 

Cod,  kod.  A  species  of  teleostean  fish, 
fam.  Gadidee,  the  Gadus  morrhua  or 
Morrhua  vulgaris,  rivaling  the  herring  in 
Its  Importance  to  mankind.  It  has  be- 
come of  greater  value  by  reason  of  the 
discovery  of  the  therapeutic  value  of  cod- 
liver  oil. 

Codeine,  ko-de'in.  An  alkaloid  obtained 
from  opium,  in  which  it  exists  to  the 
am.ount  of  6  to  8  oz,  per  100  lbs. 

Codex,  'deks.  A  manuscript  volume,  as 
of  a  classic  work  or  ofthe  Scriptures.  la 
Med.  a  collection  of  approved  medical 
formute. 

Codger,  koi'er.  A  mean  miserly  man. 
A  curious  old  fellow ;  a  character. 

Codilla,  ko-dil'la-  The  coarsest  pajt  of 
hemp  or  flax. 

Cod-liver  Oil,  kod'Uv-er  oil.  An  oil  ob- 
tained from  the  liver  of  the  common  cod 
and  allied  species.  It  is  an  important 
medicine  in  cases  of  rheumatism,  con- 
sumption, scrofula,  &c. 

Codringijon,  Edward,  Sir.  An  Eng- 
lish admiral;  b.  1770,  d.  1851 ;  celebrated 
as  commanding  the  allied  fleets  of  France, 
Russia  and  England  in  the  battle  of  Nav- 
arino,  which  gavo  Greece  independence. 

Codrus.  The  last  king  of  Athens;  b. 
abt.  IOTOb.  o.  When  the  Heraclidse  in- 
vaded  Attica  O.  sacrificed  his  life  to  save 
his  country  under  the  prediction  of  the 
oracle  that  the  chief  of  the  successful 
army  should  be  killed.  The  Athenians 
were  victorious. 

Coehom,  ko'hom.  A  small  mortar  for 
thro-^Ning  grenades,  capable  of  being  car- 
ried by  a  few  men. 

Coelacanthi,  se-la-kan'thl.  A  fam.  of 
fossil  ganoid  fishes,  ranging  from  the  per- 
mian  to  the  chalk,  and  embracing  the 
genera  Coelacanthus,  Macropoma,  &c. 

CoendOO,  ko-en'do.  The  Cercolabea 
prebensihs  or  Brazilian  porcupine,  a  tree- 
climbing  porciipine  with  a  prehensile  tail. 

Coeval,  -e'val'.  One  of  the  same  age; 
one  who  begins  to  exist  at  the  came  time. 

Coffee-bugr,  -bug.  The  Lec&nium  cof- 
fefe,  an  insect,  fam.  Coccid*,  very  de- 
structive to  coffee  plantations. 

Coffee-house,  -hous.  A  house  of  enter- 
tainment where  guests  are  supphed  >tith' 
coffee  and  other  refreshments. 


,'l 


COFFEE 


197 


CX)LA-NTJT 


Coffee,  kof  fi.  The 
berry  of  a  ti-ee  be- 
longing to  the  gen. 
Coffea  (C.  arabica), 
ord,  llnbiacese. 
The  fruit  is  a  small 
red  fleshy  berry, 
each  containing 
tvo  seeds,  called 
coffee-beans  or  cof- 
fee-nibs. A  drink 
made  from  the 
seeds  of  the  coffee-  Coffoo  Plant, 

tree,  by  infusion  or  decoction.  Coffee  acts 
as  aslightstiuiulant,  and  aids  digestion. 
The  use  of  coffee  is  said  to  have  been 
made  known  in  Europe  by  Leonhard  Eau- 
wolf,  a  German  physician,  whose  travels 
appeared  in  1582. 

Coffer,  'fer.  A  chest,  trunk,  or  casket, 
more  particu- 
larly one  for 
holding  muni- 
ments, jewels, 
or  money.  In 
Arch,  a  sunk 
panel  or  com- 
partment in  a 
ceiling  or 
Boflit,  usually 
with  mold- 
ings and  hav- 
ing a  rose,  Coffered  Ceiling, 
promegranati,  ^ 
&c  ,  in  the  center;  a  caisson.  In  Fort,  a 
hoUow  lodgment  across  a  dry  moat.  A 
trough  in  ^vhich  tin-ore  is  broken  to  pieces. 
A  kind  of  caisson  or  floating  dock. 
Cofferdam, -dam.  A  wooden  inclosure 
formed  in  a  river,  in  order  to  obtain  a  lirm 
ar.d  dry  foundation  for  bridges,  piers,  &.c. 

CoflB.li,  'fln.  The  cbest  or  box  in  which 
a  dead  himaan  body  is  buried  or  deposited 
in  a  vault.  In  fairiery,  the  hollow  part  of 
a  horse's  hoof;  or  the  whole  hoof  above 
the  coronet,  including  the  coffin-bone. 

Coflie,  'fl.  A  gang  of  slaves  in  Africa 
proceeding  to  market  or  port  of  ship- 
ment. 

Cog,  kog.  The  tooth  of  a  wheel,  by  which 
it  drives  another  wheel  or  body.  A  kind 
of  notch,  made  use  of  in  tailing  joists  or 
wail  plates. 

Cognac,  k6-nyak.  'A  popular  French 
brandy. 

Cogrnomen,  kog-no'men.  A  surname; 
a  distinguishing  name;  speciflcaSy,  the 
last  of  the  three  names  by  which  a  Roman 
of  good  family  was  known,  indicating  the 
house  to  which  he  belonged. 


Cogr-'wh.eel, 

'whel.  A  wheel 
with  cogs  or 
teeth. 

Co-h.eir,k6'ar.  A 
joint-heir;  one 
who  succeeds  to 
a  share  of  jvn  in- 
heritance. 

Co-heiress,  'iir-es. 


CogT'Wheel. 


A  female  who  Inner- 


its  a  share  of  an  estate. 

Cohort,  'hort.  In  Rom.  Antiq.  a  body 
of  about  500  or  600  men.  Each  cohort 
consisted  of  three  maniples,  each  maniple 
of  two  cenlTiries  ;  and  ten  cohorts  consti- 
tuted a  legion.  A  band  or  body  of  war- 
riors in  general. 

Coif,  koif.  A  close-fitting  cap  or  head- 
dress. Its  chief  original  use  was  to  cover 
the  clerical  tonsure.  A  kind  of  close-fit- 
ting cap  of  mail ;  a  coiffette. 

Coiffette,  kwa-fet'.  A  skuE-cap  of  iron 
or  steel  worn  "in  the  12th  and  18th  cen- 
turies. 

Coiffare,  koif  fiir.    A  lady's  head-dress. 

Coigme,  koin.  An  Irish  terra  for  an  old 
custom  of  the  landlords  quartering  them- 
selves upon  their  tenants  at  pleasure. 

Coin.  Tho  die  employed  for  stamping 
money.  A  piece  of  metal,  as  gold,  stiver, 
copper,  or  some  alloy,  converted  into 
money  by  impressing  on  It  mai-ks,  figm-es, 
or  characters.  That  which  serves  for 
payment  or  recompense. 

Coiner,  'cr.  One  who  stamps  coin  ;  a 
minter;  v.sualJy  ipplied  to  a  maker  of 
base  or  counterleit  coin.  An  inventor  or 
maker,  as  of  words. 

Coiningr-press,  'ing-pres.  A  power- 
lever  screw-press,  by  which  metal  plates 
called  blanks  are  impressed  with  a  design 
and  legend,  and  so  converted  into  coin. 

Coir,  koir.  A  species  of  yarn  manufac- 
tured from  the  husk  of  cocoa-nuts. 

Coke,  kok.  Coal  deprived  of  its  bitumen, 
sulphur,  or  other  extraneous  or  volatile 
matter  by  fire. 

Coke,  Edward,  Sir.  A  celebrated 
EngMiJurist  and  publicist ;  b.  1562,  ». 
1663.  His  principal  work,  "  Coke  upon 
Littleton,"  is  one  of  the  highest  judicial 
authorities. 

Colander,  kul'an-der.  A  vessel  with  a 
bottom  perforated  with  little  holes  for 
straiuingliquors. 

Cola-nut,  ko'la-nut.  A  bitter  seed,  about 
the  size  of  a  chestnut,  pro(iuced  by  Cola 
acuminata,  ord.  Sterculiaceaa,  which  thO 
natives  of  Guinea  value  highly  as  a  eondi- 
ment  and  digestive. 


COLBERT 


198 


OOLLEOE 


Colbert,  Jean  Baptiste,  Marquis  de 
Seig'nelay,  kOI'bair.  A  French  peasant, 
who  became  Superintendent  of  Finance, 
Minister  of  Marine,  on  recommendation 
of  Mazzarin ;  b.  1619,  d.  16S3.  C,  Jean 
Baptiste,  2d,  his  son,  s.  him  as  Minister 
of  Marine,  and  raised  the  French  navy  to 
its  greatest  eflBciency ;  b.  1651,  d.  1690. 

Colbum,  "Warren.  A  distinguished 
American  mathematician;  p,  in  Mass., 
1T93,  D.  1833.  His  "  First  Lessons  in  In- 
tellectual Arithmetic"  was  immensely 
popular  in  America  and  England. 

Oolcothar,  kol'ko-thar.  The  peroxide 
which  remains  after  the  distillation  of 
the  acid  from  i-ilphate  of  Iron ;  used  for 
polishing. 

Colchis.  A  coimtry  of  Asia,  N.  of  Ar- 
menia, famous  as  the  birth-place  of 
Medea,  and  the  scene  of  tho  Argonautic 
expedition ;  now  included  in  Trans-Cau- 
casus. 

Cold-  blast,  kold'blast.  A  cun-ent  of  cold 
fllr  ;  especially  air  at  its  natural  tempera- 
ture forced  through  furnaces  for  smelting 
Iron ;  opposed  to  hot-blast. 

Oold-chisel,  -chiz-el.  A  chisel  for  cut- 
ting metal  in  its  cold  state. 

Cold-cream,  'krem.  A  cooling  unguent 
for  the  skin,  made  by  heating  four  pai-ts 
of  olive-oU  with  one  of  white  wax. 

Coldstreams,  'ptrGmz.  A  distinguished 
regiment  of  foot-guards,  the  oldest  corps 
In  tie  British  army  except  tlie  1st  Foot 
(Royal  Scots"). 

Colenso,  John  "William,  Bishop. 
An  English  Episcopal  theologian  and 
mathematician;  b.  1814,  d.  1882.  Ap- 
pointed Bp.  of  Natal,  8.  Africa,  1854,  he 
shocked  the  orthodox  world  by  publish - 
lug  a  work  in  which  the  inspiration  and 
historical  accuracy  of  seyeral  books  of  the 
Old  Testament  is  denied.  His  arithmetic 
Is  the  standard  in  English  colleges. 

Ooleoptera,  kol-5-op'ter-a.  One  of  the 
orders  into  which  insects  are  divided,  the 
species  being  commonly  known  as  beetles. 
They  are  usually  classed  under  four  sec- 
tions :  Pentamera,  with  five;gotnted  tarsi ; 
Heteromera,  with  five-jointed  tarsi  to  the 
two  anterior  paii-s  of  legs,  and  four  to  the 
posterior  pair :  Tetramera,  with  four- 
jointed  tarsi  to  all  the  legs;  Trimera, 
with  three-jointed  tarsi  to  all  the  legs. 

Coleridge.  Samuel  Taylor.  A  dis- 
tinguished English  poet  and  philosopher  ; 
B.  1772,  D.  1834. 

Colfax,  Schuyler.  An  American 
statesman,  grandson  of  Gen.  Wm.  Colfax, 

^  commander  of  'Washin£:ton's  Life  Guards ; 


B.  In  N.  T.,  1823.  Removing  to  Indiana, 
he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  Con- 
gress, became  Speaker  in  1868,  and  was 
elected  Vice-President  on  the  ticket  with 
Gen.  Grant,  1868. 

Coligrny,  Gaspard  de  Chatillon, 
Sire  de,  ko-lain-ye'.  A  noted  French 
Huguenot;  b.  1517  ;  murdered  in  the  St. 
Bartholomew  massacre,  1 572.  In  early  life 
he  attained  great  distinction  as  a  militaiTr 
leader,  and  was  created  admiral  in  1 552. 
After  the  accession  of  Charles  IX.  ho  be- 
came a  Protestant,  and  on  the  breaking 
out  of  the  civil  war  he  became,  vith  the 
Prince  de  CoBd6,  the  leader  of  the  Hugue- 
nots, 

Colius,  'i-u8.  A  gen.  of  AlHcan  coniros- 
tral  birds,  ord.  Passeres,  fam.  Oolidaa  or 
collies,  allied  to  the  plantain  eaters. 
Collar,  'ler.  Something  worn  round  the 
neck,  whether  for  use,  ornament  or  re- 
stxaint ;  thus  the  name  is  giA  en  to  a  neck- 
lace or  chain  worn  by  knights  of  several 
orders,  and  having  the  badge  of  the  order 
appended  to  it ;  to  a  part  of  the  harness  of 
any  animal  vised  for  draught;  and  to  an 
article  of  dress  or  part  of  a  garment  going 
round  the  neck.  Anything  resembling  a 
collar.  In  Arch,  a  ring  or  cincture ;  also 
a  collar-beam.  In  Bot.  the  ring  upon  tho 
stipe  (stem)  of  an  agaric ;  the  point  of 
junction  between  the  radicle  and  plumula; 
the  point  of  divergence  of  the  root  and 
f^tem.  In  Mech.  a  rnff  on  a  shatt  at 
one  end  of  a  joxirnal,  to  prevent  the  shaft 
from  shifting  endwise.  Aplaie  of  inetfi 
upon  tha  stuflang-box  of  a  sleamen- 
gme,  for  the  piston-rod  to  pass  through. 
A  ring  in  a  lathe  nuppet  for  holding  the 
end  of  the  manarel  next  the  chuck.  A 
f.teel  ring  which  confines  a  planchet,  in 
coining.  Naut.  an  eye  in  the  bight  of  a 
shroud  or  stay.  A  rope  formed  into  a 
^vreath,  with  iiie  heart  or  dead-eye  in  the 
bight.  In  Zool.  the  colored  ring  round 
the  neck  of  birds.  The  thickened  secret- 
ing margin  of  the  mantle  of  the  testaceous 
gnsteropods. 

Collar-day,  -da.  A  day  on  which  knights 
appear  at  court  in  their  collars. 
Collaret,  -et.  A  small  collar  of  linen,  fiir, 
or  the  like,  worn  by  women. 
Collect,  'lekt.    A  short  comprehensive 
prayer ;  a  form  of  prayer  adapted  to  a 
particular  day  or  occasion. 
CoUegre,  'lej.    A  society  of  men  invested 
with  certain  powers  and  rights,  engaged 
in  some  common  employment  or  pursuit ; 
a  guild  ;  a  corporation  ;  as  the  college  or 
cardinals,  a  college  of  physicians  or  sur- 
geons.   Especially,  a  society  incorporated 


COLLET 


199 


COLOEADO  BEETLE 


for  purposes  of  instruction  and  study  in 
the  higher  branches.  The  edifice  belong- 
ing to  a  college. 

Collet,  'let.  A  band  or  collar  ;  specifical- 
ly, a  small  band  worn  by  the  inferior 
clergy  of  the  E.  C.  Church.  Among  jewel- 
ers, the  horizontal  face  or  plane  at  the 
bottom  of  brilliants.  The  part  of  a  ring 
containing  the  bezel  in  which  the  stone 
is  set.  In  glass-making,  that  part  of  glass 
Te?*cls  which  sticks  to  the  instrument 
used  in  taking  the  substance  from  the 
melting-pot.  In  Mach.  a  small  band  of 
Tiiet  al,  as  the  ring  which  fastens  the  pack- 
ing of  a  piston.  In  Bot.  the  part  of  a  plant 
fvom  which  spring  the  axes. 
Collibert,  -le-bar.  A  member  of  a  de- 
s])ised  race  of  people  inhabiting  Poltou, 
Maine  and  Anjou  in  France,  and  reeem- 
Ming  the  cagols  of  the  Pyreneea. 
Collie,  'li.  A  variety  of  ScoUJh  shepherd 
dog. 

Collier,  'yer.  A  digger  of  coal.  A  coal 
merchant.  A  coasting  vessel  employed 
in  the  coal  trade. 

Colliery,  'yer-1.  The  place  where  coal 
is  dug ;  a  coal-mine  or  pit. 
Collimator,  -lim'a-ter.  A  telescope 
used  for  determining  the  colilmatlon  er- 
ror in  astronomical  instruments.  The  ob- 
ject-glass of  the  telescope  of  a  spectro- 
scope to  which  the  slit  is  attache«i. 
Collin,  'lin.  The  purest  form  of  gelatine, 
taken  as  the  type  of  all  similar  substances, 
which  are  hence  called  colloids. 
Collins,  "William.  An  eminent  Ene- 
Hsh  poet;  ^.  1720,  n.  1756.  C,  William,'a 
celebrated  English  painter ;  b.  1797,  d. 
1847.  C,  William  Wilkie,  son  of  the  lat- 
ter ;  B.  1824  ;  a  popular  novelist. 
Collodion,  -lo'di-on.  A  substance  pr«- 
p-irod  by  dissolving  pjToxlline  or  gun-cot- 
ton in  ether,  or  ether  and  alcohol,  forming 
a  useful  substitute  for  adhesive  plaster  in 
the  case  of  slight  wounds.  In  a  slightly 
modified  form  collodion  is  employed  as  the 
basis  of  a  photographic  process. 
Collodiotype,  'di-o-tlp.  A  picture  pro- 
duced by  the  coDodion  process,  or  the 
method  by  which  such  pictures  are  pro- 
duced. 

Colloid,  loid.  The  name  given  to  a 
transparent,  viscid,  slightly  granular  mat- 
ter, resembling  hquid  gelatine.  Colloids, 
as  starch,  gum,  albumen  and  gelatine, 
diffuse  through  a  given  septum,  as  parch- 
ment paper,  much  more  slowly  than  crvs- 
talloids,  and  while  permeable  by  crystal- 
loids are  impermeable  to  each  other. 

PoUot  d'Herbois,  Jeau  Marie,  kol'- 1 


lo-dair-bwah.  A  leader  of  the  Jacobins ; 
B.  1753,  D.  1796.  In  1793  it  is  esthnated 
he  caused  the  murder  of  more  than  16,000 
souls.  He  was  active  in  the  deposition  of 
Eobespien-e,  but  was  soon  after  arrested 
and  banished  to  Cayenne,  Avhere  he  died. 

Collyrium,  -lir'i-um.  Eye-salve  or 
wash ;  a  topical  remedy  for  disorders  of 
the  eyes. 

Colobium,  ko-ir/bi-um.  The  sleeveless 
dress  of  a  monk.  An  episcopal  vestment, 
similar  in  kind  to  the  tunic,  only  without 
sleeves.  A  dress  worn  by  a  king  at  his 
coronation,  corresponding  to  the  clerical 
dalmatica. 

Cologne,  -Ion'.  Cap.  of  the  Prussian 
Ehine  provinces,  connected  with  Deutz 
by  a  massive  iron  bridge ;  it  is  strongly 
fortified,  and  noted  for  its  magnificent 
cathedral,  only  now  completed,  although 
begun  in  1218.  C.  was  founded  by  the 
Eomans,  pop.  125,629. 

Cologne-earth,  'erth.  A  ligut  bastard 
ochre,  durable  in  water -color  painting ;  an 
earthy  variety  of  lignite  or  partially  fosell- 
ized  wood. 

Colombia,  United  States  of.  A  8. 
American  republic,  formtrly  known  as 
New  Granada,  situated  in  theN.  W.  angle 
of  the  Continent;  area  475,(X)0  sq.  m.; 
pop.  3,186,450.  Principal  cities,  Bogota,  the 
cap.;  Carthagena,  Aspinwall,  Panama  and 
Chagres;  chief  rivers,  Cauca  and  Mar- 
dalena;  chief  mountaLna,  the  Andes,  divid- 
ed into  three  ranges. 

Colombo.  Cap.  of  the  British  island  of 
Ceylon;  pop.  61,S00. 

Colon,  'Ion.  In  Anat.  the  largest  portion 
of  the  intestines,  forming  the  middle  sec- 
tion of  the  large  intestine.  In  Gram,  a 
point  or  character  formed  thus  [:],  used 
to  mark  a  pause  greater  than  that  of  a 
semicolon,  but  less  than  that  of  a  period. 

Colonel,  ker'nel.  The  commander  of  a 
regiment  of  troops,  infantry  or  cavalry. 
Any  grade  above  this  converts  him  into  a 
general  oflicer  belonging  to  the  army  col- 
lectlvely,  not  to  one  particular  regiment. 

Colonist,  kol' on-ist.  An  inhabitant  of  « 
co'.ouy  ;  a  settler  in  a  colony. 

Colorado,  -o-rah'do.  One  of  the  W. 
States  of  the  American  Union  ;  admitted, 
1875.  Principal  cities,  Denver,  the  cap,. 
Central  City,  Black  Hawk,  Pueblo,  San 
Louis,  and'  Canyon  City;  chief  rivers, 
Arkansas,  Grand,  Costilla,  Yampa  and 
Grande  del  Norte.  The  Snowy  range  of 
the  Eockv  mountains  intersects  the  State 
abt.  the  center  ;  pop.  194,A&U. 

Colorado  Beetle,  be'tl.  A  coleopteroaa 


GOLOKIMETER 


COLUMN 


ingoct,  fam.  ChrysomelidEe,  beion^ring  to 
the  tetramerous  section  of  the  order. 

Colorimeter,  -rim'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  the  depth  of  color  in  a 
Jiquid  by  comparison  with  a  standard 
tint.  » 

Colosseum,  -os-se'um.  The  Flavian 
Amphitheatre  in  Eome,  a  large  edifice  for 
gladiatorial  combats,  fights  of  wild  beasts, 
and  similar  sports. 

Colossochelys,  ko-los's6-kel-is.  A  gen. 
of  gigantic  tortoises,  found  in  a  fossil 
state  in  India. 

Colossus.  A  mammoth  brazen  image  of 
Apollo,  which  spanned  the  entrance  to 
the  harbor  of  Rhodes,  over  100  feet  in 
height ;  it  stood  for  14  centuries,  but  was 
overturned  by  an  earthquake,  224  b.  c. 
It  was  considered  one  of  the  seven  won- 
ders of  the  world. 

Color-blindness,  kul'er-blind-nes.  To- 
tal or  partial  incapability  of  distinguishing 
colors. 

Color-sergeant,  -sar-jent.  A  non-com- 
ruissiotied  officer  who  ranks  higher  than 
an  ordinary  sergeant,  and  who  attemls 
the  colors.  There  is  one  to  each  regiment 
of  infantry. 

Colporteur,  kol-por-ter.  In  France,  a 
ha«  ter  of  wares ;  a  hawker  of  bor>ks  and 
pamphlets.  In  America  and  England  a 
class  of  men  subsidized  by  societies  or 
associations  with  the  A'iew  of  disseminat- 
ing religious  literature  by  Avay  of  sale. 

Colt,  kolt.  A  young  hor«e,  or  a  young 
animal  of  the  horse  genus  ;  commonly 
applied  to  the  male,  filly  being  the  female. 
In  the  Bible  it  is  applied  to  a  young  camel 
or  a  j'^oung  ass.  A  rope's  end  used  for 
punishment.  A  piece  of  rope  vith  a 
loaded  end  used  as  a  weapon. 

Colt,  Samuel.  An  American  inventor, 
noted  for  his  improvements  in  fire-arms  ; 
B.  in  Conn.  1814,  d.  1862. 

Colubridae,  ko-l&'bri-de.  A  group  of 
opuidian  reptiles,  having  no  poison  fangs, 
the  type  gen.  of  which  is  Coluber. 

Columba,  -lum'ba.  A  gen.  of  birds  con- 
stituting the  fam.  Columbidae.  In  the 
incdiaival  church,  the  name  given  to  the 
vessel  in  which  the  sacrament  was  kept. 
It  was  of  precious  metal,  and  was  sus- 
]>ended  by  a  chain  fi-om  the  roof,  before 
the  high  altar.  C.  Noachi,  Noah's  Dove  ; 
a  constellation  in  the  southern  hemisphere, 
close  to  Canis  Major,  consisting  of  10 
stars. 

Columba,  St.  The  patron  saint  of  the 
Scotch  Highlanders;  b.  in  Ireland  521, 
D.  59T. 


Columbacei,  kol-um-ba'se-I.  A  eub-ord. 

of  rasorial  birds,  comprising  the  pigeons. 

They  constitute  Avith  the  domestic  fowl 

and  "its  congeners  (Gallinacese)  the  order 

Kasores. 
Colurabarium,  'num.    In  Eom  Antiq. 

a  place  of  sepulture  for  the  ashes  of  the 


Columbarium, 
dead,  after  the  custom  of  cremation  had 
been  tatroduced.  Columbaria  consisted 
of  arched  and  square-headed  recesses 
formed  in  walls  in  which  the  cinerary 
urns  were  deposited.  In  Arch,  a  hole  left 
in  the  wall  for  the  insertion  of  the  end  of 
a  beam. 

Columbia,  British.  All  the  unorgan- 
ized i)ortion  of  the  British  Pro\ince8  in  N. 
America,  W.  of  the  llockv  Mountams, 
500  miles  in  length  by  400  in  breadth; 
pop.  78,000. 

Columbia,  District  of.  The  territorial 
division  of  the  U.  S.,  ceded  by  Virginia 
and  Maryland,  10  m.  sq.,  under' the  direct 
jurisdiction  of  Congress,  and  containing 
Washington  city,  the  national  capital. 
Georgetown  is  the  only  other  city  within 
the  district ;  pop.  147,307. 

Columbian,  ko-lum'bi-an.  Pertaining 
to  the  United  States  or  to  America. 

Columbier,  'bi-er.  A  size  of  drawing 
paper  measuring  84^  by  28  inches. 

Columbine,  kol'um-bln.  The  popular 
name  of  plants,  gen.  Aqullegia.  The 
name  of  the  mistress  of  Harlequin  in  pan- 
tomimes. 

Columbus,  Christopher.  The  dis- 
coverer of  America ;  b.  in  Genoa,  Italy, 
1436,  D.  at  Seville,  Spain,  1506.  His  voy- 
ages were  made  under  the  patronage  of 
Ferdinand  and  Isabella  of  Spain  ;  the  voy- 
age in  which  America  was  discovered  was 
ui^dertaken  to  demonstrate  the  rotundity 
of  the  earth,  and  that  India  could  be 
reached  by  sailing  due  west;  he  sailed 
from  Palos  Aug.  3,  1492,  and  discovered 
San  Salvador  Oct.  11. 

ColuHUi.    A  body  of  greater  length  than 


OOLUMN-EITLE 


201 


COMMENCEMEIJT 


thickness,  ^'enerally  serving  as  a  support 
to  something  resting  on  its  top ;  a  pillar. 
Columns  are  distinguished  by  the  styles 
of  architecture,  as  Hindu,  Egyptian,  Gre- 
cian, Koman  and  Gothic;  also,  by  the 
name  of  their  order,  as  Doric,  Ionic  or 
Corinthian  ;  and  again  by  some  peculiar- 
ity, as  attached,   twisted,  cabled  or  ru- 

!  dented  and  carolytic.  In  Bot.  the  united 
stamens  and  styles  of  plants  when  they 
form  a  solid  central  body,  as  iu  the  gen. 
Orchis.  Mili'u  a  formation  of  troops,  nar- 
row iia  front,  and  deep  from  front  to  rear. 
Xaut.  a  body  of  ships  follo%ving  each 
other.  In  prtating  and  writing,  a  division 
of  a  page. 

Column-rule,  -r5l.  In  printing,  the 
name  given  to  pieces  of  brass  of  ditferent 
thicknesses,  mado  type  height,  used  to 
separate  matter  that  requires  to  b«  dis- 
tinct, as  into  columns,  Ac. 
Colure,  ko-liir.  One  of  two  cu-cles  sup- 
posed to  intersect  each  other  at  right  an- 
gles in  the  poles  of  the  world,  one  passing 
through  the  solstitial  and  the  other 
through  the  equinoctial  points  of  the 
ecliptic,  viz.  Cancer  and  Capricorn,  Arii^s 
and  Libra,  dividing  the  ecUptic  into  four 
equal  parts.  The  p..)tnts  where  these  lines 
intercept  the  ecliptic  are  called  cardinal 
poiGts. 

Colymbidae,  ko-lim'bi-de.  A  fam.  of 
natatorial  or  swimming  birds ;  the  divers. 
Coma  Berenices,  ko'ma  ber-e-ni'sez. 
Berenice's  Hair,  a  constellation  of  the 
northern  hemisphere,  composed  of  indis- 
tinct stars  between  the  Lion's  Tail  and 
Bootes. 

Comanches,  ko-man^chez.  A  savage 
and  warUke  tribe  of  N.  American  Indians, 
whose  range  extends  over  portions  of  Tex- 
as, New  Mexico,  California  and  Mexico ; 
estimated  at  20,000  sotds,  with  3,000  war- 
riors. 

Comb,  kom.  An  instrument  with  teeth 
for  separating,  cleansing  and  adjusting 
hair,  wool  or  flax  ;  also,  an  instrument  of 
tortoise-shell,  ivory,  tnetal.or  other  materi- 

'    al,  used  by  women  for  keeping  the  hair  in 
place.    The  crest,  canmcle,  or  red,  fleshy 
tuft  growing  on  a  cock's  head.    The  top 
or  crest  of  a  wave.    Honeycomb. 
Comb-broach.,  'broch.    The  tooth  of  a 
comb  with  which  wool  is  dressed. 
Comboloio,  kom-bo-16'yo.    A  Moham- 
medan rosary  consisting  of  beads. 
Comepboms,  ko-mef' or-us.    A  gen.  of 
fishes,  ord.  Gobioidse.    C.  baicalensis,  the 
sole  species  is  collected  and  pressed  for 
oil,  but  not  eaten. 
Comet,  kom'et.    Celestial  bodies  which 


appear  at  irregular  intervals,  moving 
through  the  heavens  in  paths  Avhich  seem 
to  correspond  with  parabolic  curves,  or  in 
a  few  instances  in  elliptical  orbits  of  gr«iat 
eccentricity.  The  former,  after  being 
visible  from  the  earth  for  a  shorter  or 
longer  time,  disappear  into  space  ,'vppar- 
ently  jiever  to  return ;  tho  latter  return 
periodically. 

Cometarium.  -a'ri-um.  An  astronoml- 
ciil  instrument  intended  to  represeuc  the 
revolution  of  a  comet  roimd  the  sun. 

Comet-fi.nder,  -find-er.  A  telescope  of 
low  power,  but  with  a  widts  Held,  used  to 
discover  comets. 

Comfit,  kum'flt.  A  dry  sweetmeat ;  fruit 
or  root  preserved  with  sugar  and  dried ;  a 
ball  of  sugar  with  a  seed  in  the  center  ;  a 
bon-Don. 

Comforter,  'fert-er.  One  who  comforts 
or  consoles.  The  Holy  Spirit,  whoso 
oflSce  it  is  to  comfort  and  support  the 
Christian.  A  knit  woolen  fabric, long  and 
narrow,  for  tying  round  the  neck  in  cold 
weather. 

Comitia,  ko-mi'shi-a.  In  Eoni.  antiq, 
assembiie.H  of  the  people.  These  were  of 
three  kmds :  the  assemblies  of  the  patri- 
cian houses  or  populus  in  wards  or  curtte ; 
the  assembUes  of  the  whole  lioman  people, 
including  patricians,  clients,  and  plebe- 
ians in  centuries ;  and.  the  assemblies  of  the 
plebeian  tribes  only. 

Commander,  kom-mand'er.  A  chief; 
one  who  has  supreme  authority;  the  chief 
officer  of  an  army  or  any  division  of  it. 
Naut.,  an  oflficer  next  in  rank  above  lieu- 
tenant and  under  captain,  ranking  >vith  a 
lieutenant-ooionel  In  the  army.  Com- 
maudei'-iii -chief,  the  highest  staff  appoint- 
ment in  the  British  army  ;  a  title  borne  by 
the  President  of  the  United  States. 

Commandery,  -i.  A  term  used  in  sev- 
eral seiuses  in  connnection  with  military 
and  religious  orders.  Among  several 
orders  of  knights,  as  the  Templai-s,  Hos- 
pitallers, &c.,  a  district  under  the  conti-ol 
of  a  member  of  the  order,  still  used  by 
Free  Masons.  In  certain  religious  orders, 
as  those  of  St.  Bernard  and  St.  Anthony, 
the  district  under  the  authority  of  a  com- 
mander. 

Commandment,  'ment.  A  command ; 
a  mandate ;  an  injunction  given  by  author- 
ity. A  precept  of  the  decalogue  at  Moimt 
Sinai :  one  of  the  laws  given  by  God  to 
the  Israelites. 

Commencement,  -mens'ment.  The 
act  or  fact  of  commencing ;  beginning ; 
rise;  origin.  In  colleges  anJ  higha* 
schools,  the  day  whoa  students  receive 
their  degrees. 


COMMENSAL 


202 


COMMUTATOE 


Ck)xnraezLSal,  -men' sal.  One  of  two  ani- 
mals or  plants  always  found  together ;  an 
animal  whicli  lives  on  or  in  another,  with- 
out being  parasitic,  as  the  Pinnotheres  or 
pea-craba  live  within  the  cavity  of  shell- 
fish. 

Comniination,  -mi-na'shon.  A  threat 
or  threatening  ;  a  denunciation  of  punish- 
ment or  venfreance.  An  office  in  the  lit- 
urgy of  the  Ohui-ch  of  England,  appointed 
to  be  read  on  Ash  Wednesday  or  on  the 
first  day  of  Lenc. 

CJommissariat,  -mis-sii'ri-at.  The  de- 
partment of  an  army  whose  duties  consist 
in  supplying  transports,  provisions,  for- 
age, cainp  equipage,  &c.,  to  the  troops ; 
also,  ths  Dody  o'f  o3icer.s  in  that  depai-t- 
raent. 

Commissary,  'mis-sar-i.  In  a  general 
sense,  a  commissioner :  one  to  whom  is 
committed  some  charge,  duty,  or  office,  by 
a  superior  power.  Eccles.  an  officer  un- 
der a  bishop,  intrussted  ^■^^th  the  perform- 
ance of  duties  in  the  bishop's  absence. 
Milit.  a  name  given  to  officers  or  officials 
of  various  kinds,  especially  t»  officers  of 
the  commissariat  department. 
Commissioner,  -mi'shon-er.  One  who 
commissions.  A  person  who  has  a  com- 
mission or  warrant  from  proper  authority 
to  perform  some  office  or  execute  some 
busmess  for  the  person  or  government 
which  employs  him  or  gives  htm  author- 
ity. Specifically,  an  officer  having  charge 
of  some  department  of  the  public  service 
which  is  put  into  commission.  Civil-ser- 
vice commissioners,  a  body  appointed  to 
superintend  the  examination  of  candidates 
for  situations  in  pubUc  offices. 
Com.mode,  'mod.  A  head-dress  formerly 
worn  by  ladies.  A  chest  of  drawers,  often 
Avith  shelves  and  other  conveniences  ad- 
ded.    A  night-stool. 

Commodore,  'mo-dor.  An  officer,  gen- 
erally a  cap<ain,  Avho  commands  a  ship  or 
detachment  cf  ships  in  the  absence  of  an 
admiral.  The  senior  captain  of  a  line  of 
merchant  vessels.  The  president  of  a 
yachting  club.  The  leading  ship  in  a  ficet 
•f  merchantmen,  which  carries  a  light  in 
her  cop  to  direct  the  other  ships. 
Com.m.olition,  -li'shon.  The  act  of 
grindin'   together. 

Commons,  'monz.  The  common  peo- 
ple, or  luoh  as  inherit  or  possess  no  honors 
or  titles.  In  Great  Britain,  the  lower 
house  of  parliament,  called  the  House  of 
C.  Eood  provided  at  a  common  table,  as 
in  colleges.  Doctors'  C,  in  London,  a 
college  for  professors  of  the  civil  law,  where 
eiviiiaQE  used  to  oommon  together. 


Commonwealth,  'mon-welth.  The 
whole  body  of  people  in  a  state  ;  the  body 
politic.  A  repubUcan  state  ;  specifically, 
the  form  of  government  which  existed  in 
England  from  the  death  of  Charles  I.  in 
1649  to  the  abdication  of  Kichard  Crom- 
well in  1659. 

Commxmalism,  'mun-al-izm.  The 
theory  of  government  by  communes 
or  corporations  of  towns  and  districts, 
adopted  by  the  advanced  republicans  of 
France  and  elsewhere. 
Coxnnxune.  A  small  territorial  district 
in  France,  and  some  other  countries,  as 
Belgium.  It  sometimes  embraces  a  num- 
ber of  villages,  while  some  large  cities  are 
divided  into  a  number  of  communes.  In 
either  case  each  commune  is  governed  by 
an  officer  called  a  mayor.  The  C.  of  Paris, 
a  revolutionary  committee  which  took  the 
place  of  the  nmnicipahty  in  the  French 
revolution  of  1TS9,  and  soon  usurped  su- 
preme authority  in  the  state,  amongst  its 
chiefs  being  Chaumctte,  Hebert,  Danton, 
and  Eobespierre.  A  committee  of  com- 
munalists  Avho  in  1871  for  a  brief  period 
ruled  Paris  after  the  evacuation  by  the 
German  troops,  and  who  nad  to  be  sup- 
pressed by  severe  fighting. 
Commnnicant, -mri'ni-kant.  One  who 
is  entitled  to  p:irtake  of  the  sacrament  at 
the  Lord's  supper. 

Communion,  -mun'yon.  Participation 
of  something  in  common ;  fellowship  ; 
concord.  Intercourse  between  two  or 
more  persons ;  interchange  of  thoughts  or 
acts.  Union  in  religious  worship,  or  In 
doctrine  and  discipline;  union  with  a 
church.  A  body  c." Christians  who  have 
one  common  faith  and  discipline.  The  act 
of  partaking  in  the  sacrament  of  theeu- 
chanst.  C.  elements,  the  bread  and  vrine 
iised  in  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
C.  service,  the  office  of  the  administration 
of  the  holy  sacrament.  C.  table,  the  table 
at  or  near  which  the  communicants  sit  or 
kneel  to  partake  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
Communism,  'miin-izm.  The  economic 
system  which  upholds  the  absorption  of  all 
proprietary  rights  in  a  common  interest, 
an  equitable  di\ision  of  labor,  and  a  com- 
mon fund  ;  the  doctrine  of  the  negation  of 
individual  ri^ts  in  property. 
Communist,  -ist.  One  holding  the  doc- 
trines of  Communism.  Bible  C,  one  of  an 
American  communistic  sect,  called  also 
Perfectionists. 

Commutator,  'mu-ta-ter.  An  apparatus 
used  in  connection  with  electrical  instru- 
ments for  reversing  the  current  from  the 
battery,  without  changing  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  condactorfl. 


C0MKENU8 


COMPOTATOR 


ComnenTiS.  A  noble  Byzantine  family, 
which  gave  6  emperors  to  the  East,  10  to 
Trebizond,  and  1  to  Heraclea.  C,  Isaac, 
reigned  in  Constantinople  1057-1059; 
Alexis  I.,  1081-1118;  John,  111&-1140; 
Manuel,  1143-1180  ;  Alexis  II.,  1180-1183; 
Andronicus,  1183-1185,  dethroned  by  Isaac 
Angelus. 

Como,  ko'mo.  The  most  beautiful  lake 
of  N.  Italy;  length  35  m.;  breadth  3  m.  A 
city  at  8.  end  of  Lake  C;  pop.  24,500. 
The  ancient  Comum  Novum. 

Companion,  kom-pan'yon.  The  framing 
and  sash  lights  upon  the  quarter-deck  or 
round-house,  through  which  light  passes 
to  the  cabins  and  deck  below.  A  raised 
hatch  or  cover  to  the  cabin  stair  of  a  mer- 
chant vessel.  C.  ladder,  the  steps  leading 
to  the  quarter-deck.  C.  way,  the  stair- 
case at  the  entrance  to  a  cabin.  Compan- 
ions of  the  Bath,  the  third  or  lowest  class 
of  the  members  of  the  order  of  the  Bath. 

Compass,  kum'pas.  A  passing  round ; 
a  circuit.  Limit  or  boundary  ;  range.  An 
instrument  used  to  indicate  the  magnetic 
meridian  or  the  po-  ^       ^     ta , 

sition  of  objects  with 
respect  to  that  me-       '<t-> 
ridian.     The   mari-'''*^^ 
ner's  compass  con-  _  , 
sists  of  three  parts ;   Vj 
the  box,  the  card  or 
fly,  and  the  needle. 
The     needle    is    of     ^^ 
magnetized  steel,  in  0    S,   "in 

the  center  of  which  „  _. ''  •,  ^  *" 
is  a  conical  socket  Mariners'  Compass, 
poised  on  a  pointed  pin  so  that  the  card 
turns  freely  round  its  center  ;  and  one  of 
the  points,  by  the  property  of  the  needle, 
Avill  always  be  directed  toward  the  north 
pole.  Hanging  compass,  a  mariner's 
compass  suspended  with  its  face  down- 
wai'd.  A  mathematical  instrument  for  de- 
scribing circles,  measuring  figures,  dis- 
tances between  two  points,  «fec.  Common 
compasses  or  dividers  consist  of  two  point- 
ed legs,  movable  on  a  pivot,  used  for 
measuring  and  transferring  distances. 
Hair  compasses,  a  spring  attached  to  the 
inside  of  one  of  the  legs,  and  pressing  out- 
ward against  the  lower  part  of  the  other, 
thus  tending  to  keep  the  legs  apart.  By 
means  of  a  fine  screw  the  distance  of  the 
legs  can  bo  i-egulated  to  a  hair's  breadth. 
Bow  compasses,  instruments  for  measur- 
ing distances,  describing  arcs,  &c.,  having 
the  legs  united  at  top  by  a  bow  or  spring. 

Compass-dial,  -di'al.  A  small  sun-dial 
fitted  into  a  box  for  the  pocket,  by  which 
the  hour  can  be  ascertained. 


Compline,  kom'plin.  The  last  of  the 
seven  canonical  hours  In  the  E.  C.  brevi- 
ary ;  the  last  prayer  at  night  to  be  recited 
after  sunset.     Called  also  Completory, 

Complutensian,  -plQ-ten'si-an.  A 
term  appUed  to  the  first  polyglot  edition 
of  the  Bible  published  at  Complutum  or 
Alcala  de  Henares,  in  Spain,  1514-1517, 
by  Cardinal  Ximenes. 

Compluvium,  'vl-um.  An  opening  in 
the  roof  of  the  atrium  or  entrance-hall  ol 
ancient  Koman  houses,  left  for  the  pur- 
pose of  admitting  light  and  collecting  the 
rain-water. 

Compo,  'po.  A  concrete  used  for  the 
outside  of  brick  houses,  so  as  to  give 
them  the  appearance  of  stone.  Naut. ,  the 
monthly  portion  of  wages  paid  to  a  ship's 
company. 

Compone,  'na.  In  Her.  composed  of 
small  squares  of  two  tinctures  alternately 
in  one  row.  Borduro  compone,  a  border 
round  the  shield  composed  of  angular 
parts  or  checkers  of  two  colors ;  a  mark 
of  illegitimacy. 

Composingr-rule,  -poz'ing-rol.  In  print- 
ing, a  piece  of  steel  or  brass  rule  which  is 
laid  in  a  compositor's  composing-stick, 
and  upon  which  ho  arranges  the  types. 

Composing'-stick,  -stik.  In  printing, 
an  adjustable  Instrument  in  which  types 
are  set  from  the  cases. 

Composite,  'poz-it.  Made  up  of  dis- 
tinct parts,  elements  or  substances ;  com- 
:)0unded.  In  Arch,  a  term  applied  to  the 
ast  of  the  five  orders ;  so  called  because 
composed  of  the  Tuscan,  Doric,  Corin- 
thian and  Ionic.  It  is  called  also  the 
Eoman  or  the  Italic  order.  C.  Arch,  the 
lancet  or  pointed  arch.  In  ship-building, 
a  wooden  skin  on  an  iron  framework.  In 
Bot.  belonging  to  the  order  Compositae. 
C.  carriage,  a  railway  carriage  made  up  of 
compartments  of  different  classes,  as,  first, 
second  and  third.  C.  numbers,  such  as 
can  be  measured  exactly  by  a  number  ex- 
ceeding imity,  as  6  by  2  or  3,  so  that  4  it 
the  lowest  composite  number. 

Compositor,  -p6z'i-ter.  In  printing, 
one  who  sets  types. 

Compos  mentis,  'pos  men 'tis.  Of 
sound  mind.  Non  compos  mentis,  being 
of  unsound  mind. 

Compost,  'post,  A  mixture  or  composi- 
tion of  various  manuring  substances  for 
fertilizing  land.  A  composition  for  plas- 
tering the  exterior  of  houses,  usually 
called  Compo. 

Compotator,  -po-ta'ter.  One  who 
drinks  with  another. 


COMPOTE 


204 


C0]!T00EDA1^CE 


Compote,  'pot.  Fruit  stewed  or  pre- 
served, in  sirup. 

Compound,  'pound.  In  the  E.  Indies, 
the  inclosure  in  which  isolated  houses 
stand. 

Com.pounder,  -pound'er.  One  who 
compounds ;  one  who  naixes  different 
things.  One  who  attempts  to  bring  par- 
ties to  terms  of  agreement :  one  who 
brings  about  or  enters  into  a  compromise. 
One  who  compounds  with  a  debtor  or 
felon.  In  Eng.  Hist,  a  member  of  one  of 
the  two  sections  into  which  the  Jacobite 
party  divided  shortly  after  the  Kevolu- 
tion. 

Comprador,  -prfi'dor.  In  the  Chinese 
open  ports,  a  native  trading  manager  for 
European  merchants  and  residents. 

Comprint,  'print.  The  surreptitious 
printing  of  a  work  belonging  to  another  ; 
a  work  thus  printed. 

Compsog-natlius,  komp-sog'nath-us. 
An  extinct  reptile  (0.  Longipes),  ord. 
Dinosauria,  occurring  in  the  lithographic 
slate  of  Solenhofen,  and  remarkable  for 
the  singular  affinities  which  it  exhibits  to 
the  true  birds. 

Comte,  Auguste,  komt.  A  French 
philosopher,  b.  1795,  D.  185T  ;  noted  as 
the  founder  of  the  School  of  Positive  Phil- 
osophy. 

Comptroller,  kon-trol'ler.  A  control- 
ler ;  an  oflEicer  appointed  or  elected  to  keep 
a  counter-register  of  accounts. 

Comus,  ko'mus.  In  Myth,  the  god  of 
revelry,  depicted  as  a  drunken  young  man 
with  a  torch  in  his  i  ight  hand. 

Concave,  con'kav.  Hollow 
and  curved  or  rounded,  a^ 
the  inner  surface  of  a  spherical] 
body.  A  surface  is  concav 
when  straight  lines  drawn  Concave, 
from  point  to  point  in  it  fall 
between  the  surface  and  the  spectator, 
and  convex  when  the  surface  comes  be- 
tween him  and  such  lines.  C.  lens,  a  lens 
having  either  one  or  both  sides  concave.  A 
concave  leaf  has  its  edge  raised  above  the 
disk. 

Concentrator,  'sen-tra-ter.  An  appa- 
ratus for  the  separation  of  dry,  comminut- 
ed ore,  according  to  the  p-av'ity  of  its  par- 
ticles by  exposing  a  falling  sheet  of  ore 
dust  tointermittent  pufts  of  air. 

Concepcion,  -thep  the-on.  The  name  of 
several  8.  and  C.  American  towns,  the 
principal  being  in  Chili,  cap,  of  prov,  of 
same  name  ;  pop,  18,724. 

Concertina,   -ser-t5^na.    A  musical  in- 


strument, the  principle  of  which  is  similar 
to  that  of  the  accordion. 

Concerto,  -char' to,  A  piece  of  music  for 
a  concert ;  a  species  of  composition,  usu- 
ally in  symphonic  form,  written  for  one 
principal  instrument,  with  accompani- 
ments for  a  fuU  orchestra. 

Concettism,  -set'tizm.  The  use  of  af- 
fected Avit  or  concetti. 

Concll,  kongk.  A  marine  shell,  especially 
that  of  the  Strombus  gigas,  sometimes 
called  fountain  shell.  A  spiral  shell  used 
by  the  mythological  divinities  called  Tri- 
tons as  a  trumpet.  The  external  portion 
of  the  ear,  more  especially  the  hollow  part 
of  it.  In  Arch,  the  plain  ribless  surface  of 
a  vault  or  pendentive ;  the  semi-dome  of 
an  apse  ;  the  apse  Itself.  One  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  Bahamas  and  neighboring 
islands. 

Conchifera,  kong-kif'er-a.  That  large 
class  of  acephalous  molluscous  animals 
which  are  protected  by  shells  consisting  of 
two  pieces,  commonly  known  by  the  name 
of  bivalves.  They  include  the  LameUi- 
branchiata  and  the  Brachiopoda. 

Conclioid,  'koid.  The  name  of  a  curve 
of  the  4th  order,  given  to  it  by  its  inventor, 
Nicomedes. 

ConcholOffy,  -kol'o-ji.  The  department 
of  zoology  which  treats  of  the  shells  with 
which  the  bodies  of  many  moUusca  are 
protected. 

Conchometer,  -kom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  molluscous  shells  and 
the  angle  of  their  spire. 

Concierg-e,  kon-syai-zh.  One  who  at- 
tends at  the  entrance  to  an  edifice,  public 
or  private ;  a  door-keeper  to  a  hotel,  house, 
jjrison,  &c.;  a  janitor,  male  or  female  ;  a 
porter. 

Conclave,  kon'klav.  A  private  apart- 
ment, particularly  the  place  in  which  the 
cardinals  of  the  E.  C.  Church  meet  for  the 
election  of  a  pope.  The  meeting  of  the 
cardinals  shut  up  for  the  election  of  a  pope; 
hence,  the  body  of  cardinals. 

Conclavist,  -ist.  An  attendant  whom 
a  cardinal  is  allowed  to  take  with  him  into 
the  conclave. 

Concord.  A  tovm  in  Middlesex  Co., 
Mass.,  20  m.  N.  W.  of  Boston,  celebrated 
as  the  scene  of  the  first  battle  in  the  Kev- 
olutionary  war.  A  city,  cjip.  of  N.  Hamp- 
shire ;  pop,  18,843. 

Concordance,  -kord'ans.  The  state  of 
being  concordant;  agreement;  harmony. 
A  book  in  which  the  principal  words  used 
in  any  work,  as  tlie  Scriptures,  Shake- 
speare, &c.,  are  arranged  alphabetically, 


COITCOEDAT 


CONE-PULLET 


and  the  subdivision  in  which  each  word 
occurs  noted. 

Conoordat,  -kor'dat  An  agreement; 
convention  or  agreement  concerning  some 
beneftciary  matter,  under  canon  law,  as  a 
resignation,  permutation,  promotion,  and 
the  like.  A  formal  agreement  between 
the  see  of  Rome  and  any  secular  govern- 
ment, for  the  settling  of  ecclesiastical  re- 
lations. Since  the  middle  of  the  18th  cen- 
tury concordats  have  generally  been  ad- 
verse to  the  power  of  the  popes. 

Concrete,  kong'kret.  A  mass  formed  by 
spontaneous  union  or  coalescence  of  par- 
ticles of  matter  in  one  body ;  a  compound. 
A  com  pact  mass  of  gravel,  coarse  pebbles, 
or  stone  chippings  cemented  together  by 
hydraulic  or  other  mortar. 

Concubine,  'ku-bln.  A  woman  who  co- 
habits with  a  man  without  being  legally 
married  to  him ;  a  kept-mistress.  A  wife 
of  inferior  condition,  Such  were  Hagar 
and  Keturah,  the  concubines  of  Abraham, 
and  such  concubines  were  allowed  by  the 
Greek  and  Roman  laws. 

Concurrent,  kon-kur'ent.  The  name 
given  to  the  day,  or  in  the  case  of  leap- 
year  the  two  days,  required  to  be  added 
to  lifty-two  weeks  to  make  the  civil  year 
correspond  with  the  solar :  so  called  be- 
ouse  they  concur  with  the  solar  cycle, 
whose  course  they  follow. 

Concussion-fuse,  -cu'shon-fiiz.  A  fuse 
which  is  ignited  by  the  concussion  of  the 
shell  in  falling. 

Concordia.  In  Roman  rites,  the  tutelar 
goddess  of  Concord,  to  whom  Camillus 
erected  a  temple. 

Conde,  kon'da.  A  distinguished  French 
family  descended  from  Jacques  de  Bour- 
bon, Count  de  la  Marche,  1335.  His 
grandson  Louis  assumed  the  title  of 
prince,  and  won  renown  as  a  leader  of  the 
Huguenots  ;  he  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Jarnac  ;  B.  1530,  d.  15G9.  His  great  grand- 
son, Louis  II,  (the  Great  Conde),  b.  1621, 
D,  1686.  His  career  was  a  succession  of 
brilliant  victories,  ending  -with  the  defeat 
of  the  Prince  of  Orange  (afterward  Will- 
iam III.  of  England)  in  the  sanguinary 
battle  of  Senef,  1674.  The  house  became 
extinct  with  the  suicide  of  Duke  Louis 
Henri  Joseph  de  Bourbon,  1830. 

Condenser,  -den'ser.  A  pneumatic  en- 
gine or  syringe  in  which  air  is  compressed. 
A  vessel  in  which  aqueous  or  spirituous 
vapors  are  reduced  to  a  Uquid  form,  either 
by  injection  of  a  quantity  of  cold  water,  as 
in  the  condenser  of  a  steam-engine,  or  by 
placing  the  condenser  in  another  vessel 
through  whidi  is  maintained  a  constant 


Condor. 


current  of  water.  In  optics,  a  lens  to 
gather  and  concentrate  the  rays  collected 
by  the  mirror  and  direct  them  upon  the 
object.  In  wool  manufac.  a  machine  for 
stubbing  the  wool.  C.  of  electricity,  any 
apparatus  by  which  the  electric  fluid  can 
be  accumulated. 
Condor,  'der. 
One  of  the 
largest  of  th 
known  Vul- 
turida}  or  vul- 
turine  birds. 
Its  greatest 
expanse  o  f 
wing  is  about 
14  feet,  but  it 
rarely  attains . 
that  size. ' 
Th  ey  are 
found  most 
commonly  in 
the  Andes 
chain,  frequenting  regions  from  10,000  to 
15,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 
Two  of  them  will  successfully  attack 
sheep,  goats,  deer,  &c.,  though  as  a  rule 
they  prefer  carrion. 

Condottiere.  -dot-tya'ra.  One  of  a  class 
of  mercenary  Italian  military  adventurers 
in  the  14th  and  15th  centuries. 

Conductor,  -duk'ter.  A  leader ;  a  guide  ; 
one  who  goes  before  or  accompanies  and 
shows  the  way.  A  chief ,  one  who  leads 
an  army.  The  director  of  a  chorus  or  or- 
chestra. The  person  who  attends  to  the 
passengers  in  an  onmibus,  a  railway  train 
or  the  like.  In  physics,  a  body  tlaat  re- 
ceives and  transmits  force  in  any  of  its 
forms;  as  metals  are  conductors  of  elec- 
tricit5'andof  heat.  A  lightning-rod.  Prime 
conductor,  that  part  of  an  electric  ma- 
chine which  collects  and  retains  the  elec- 
tricity. 

Conduit,  kun'dit.  A  pipe,  tube,  or  other 
channel  for  the  conveyance  of  water  or 
other  fluid.  A  fountain  to  which  water  is 
brought  by  pipes  and  from  Avhich  it  is 
drawn  for  use.  A  narrow  walled  passage, 
usually  under  ground,  for  the  purpose  of 
secret  communication. 
Condurrite,  kon-dur'rit.  A  peculiar 
ore  of  copper,  containing  a  considerable 
proportion  of  arsenious  acid. 
Condylura,  -di-lu'ra.  A  gen.  of  insec- 
tivorous mammifers,  of  the  mole  fam.,  of 
Avhich  the  best  known  species  is  Condy- 
lura cristata  or  star-nose. 
Cone-pulley,  'p«l-i.  A  puller  gradu- 
ally tapeiing  from  a  thick  to  a  thin  end. 


COKE 


CONGIAEY 


Cone,  kon.    A  solid  figure  rising  straight 
up  from  a  circular  base  and  ta- 
pering to  a  point.     One  of  the 
molluscous    shells  called    cone- 
shells.     The  hill  surrounding  the 
ci'ater  of  a  volcano,  formed  by  the 
gradual  accumulation  of  the  eject- 
ed material.  A  cone  of  rays,  iii  op-    Qqj^q 
tics,  Includes  all  the  rays  of  light 
Avhlch  proceed  from  a  radiant  point  and 
fall  upon  the  surface  of  a  glass. 

Cone-shell,  'shel.  The  name  given  to 
the  shells  or  the  mollusks  themselves  of 
the  gasteropodous  gen.  Conus,  fam.  Co- 
nida?,  ord.  Pectinibranchiata. 

Confalon,  kon'fal-on,  One  of  a  E.  C. 
order  of  seculars,  called  also  Penitents, 
erected  Into  a  confraternity  by  Pope 
Clement  IV.  in  126T.  The  pilncipal  end 
of  this  association  was  to  dehver  Christian 
X>risoner8  from  the  Saracens, 

Confarreation,  -fa're-a"shon.  The 
solemnization  of  marriage  among  the  Eo- 
mans  by  a  ceremony  In  which  the  groom 
and  bride  tasted  a  cake  called  far  or  panis 
faiTCus,  in  presence  of  the  high  priest  and 
at  least  ten  -witnesses. 

Confectioner,  -fek'shon-er.  One  whose 
occupation  is  to  make  or  sell  sweet-meats 
or  confections. 

Confederate,  -fed'er-at.  One  who  is 
united  with  others  in  a  league  ;  a  person  or 
nation  engaged  in  a  confederacy  ;  an  ally. 
One  who  took  side  with  the  Confederate 
Statesof  Americain  the  civil  war  which 
followed  their  attempt  to  secede  from  the 
Union.    Opposed  to  Federal. 

Confervite,  -ferMt.  A  fossil  plant,  oc- 
curring chiefly  in  the  chalk  formation,  ap- 
parently alhed  to  the  aquatic  confervae. 

Conf es  -  " ' 


Confessional. 
penitent,  kneeling  without,  makes  confes- 
sion. 

Confessor,  -fes'er.  One  who  acknowl- 
edges a  crime  or  fault.  One  who  makes  a 
profession  of  his  faith  in  the  Christian  re- 
ligion ;  specifically,  one  whd  avows  his  re- 


ligion in  the  face  of  danger,  and  adheres  to 
it  in  defiance  of  persecution  and  torture. 
It  was  formerly  used  as  synonymous  with 
martyr.  A  priest  who  hears  confession 
and  assumes  power  to  grant  absolution. 

Configruration,  -fig'ii-ra"shon.  Exter- 
nal form,  figure,  or  shape  of  a  thing  as  re- 
sulting from  the  disposition  and  shape  of 
its  parts.  In  Asti-ol.  relative  position  or 
aspect  of  the  planets. 

Confirmation,  -ferm-fi'shon.  The  act 
of  confirming  or  estabhshing.  The  act  of 
rendering  more  clear  or  showing  to  be 
true,  as  by  new  evidence ;  the  act  of  cor- 
roborating, rendering  valid  or  ratifying. 
The  ceremony  of  laying  on  of  hands  by 
a  bishop  in  the  admission  of  baptized  per- 
sons to  the  enjoyment  of  Christian  privi- 
leges, practiced  in  the  Greek,  E.  C.  and 
English  churches. 

Conflagration,  -fla-grii'shon.  A  great 
fire,  or  the  burning  of  any  great  mass  of 
combustibles. 

Confluent,  'flu-ent.   A  tributary  stream. 

Confraternity,  -fra-ter'ni-li.  A  broth- 
erhood ;  a  society  or  body  of  men  united 
for  some  purpose  or  in  some  profession  ; 
as,  the  confraternity  of  Jesuits. 

Confrere,  kon-frar.  A  colleague ;  an  as- 
sociate in  something. 

Confucius,  kon-fu-'shus.  The  eminent 
Chinese  philosopher  and  lawgiver  (Kimg- 
foo-stse)  ;  n.  551,  d.  483  a.  c.  He  Avas  of 
low  descent  and  poor  parentage,  but  spent 
his  mature  life  traveUng  from  place  to 
place,  teaching  and  urging  moral  and  so- 
cial reforms.  His  -writings,  which  form  9 
volumes,  are  considered  the  sacred  book 
of  the  Chinese.  They  inculcate  rigid  mo- 
rality, and  the  immortality  of  the  soul, 
but  do  not  teach  the  existence  of  a  Su- 
preme Being. 

Cong',  kong,  A  medical  abbreviation  for 
Congius,  a  gallon  of  4  quarts. 

Conge,  kon'jG.    Leave  to  depart;  fare- 
well ;  dismissal.    An  act  of  respect  per- 
formed by  persons  on  separating  or  tak- 
ing leave ;  a  bow  or  a  courtesy.  C.  d'elire 
the  sovereign's  license  or  permission  to  » 
dean  and  chapter  to  choose  a  bishop. 
Congener,  -je'ner.    A  thing  of  the  same 
kind  or  nearly  allied ;  specifically,  a  plant 
or  animal  belonging  to  the  same  genus. 
Conger,  kong'ger.    C.  vulgaris,  a  large 
voracious  species  of  sea  eel. 
Congiary,  'ji-a-ri.  A   largess  or  distribu- 
tion of  corn," oil,  or  wine,  afterwards   of 
money,  among  the  people  or  soldiery  of 
ancient  Eome.    A    coin    sti-uck  in  com- 
memoration of  the  Eoiuan  congiaria. 


C0NGIU8 


207 


CONNECTING-EOD 


Cozxgius,  -us.  A  measure  of  capacity 
aiaong  the  Romans,  the  eighth  part,  of  the 
air.phora,  and  equal  to  about  6  pints.  In 
Phar.  a  gallon. 
Conglomerate,  -glom'er-at.  A  sort  of 
pudding-stone,  made  up  of  various  rocks 
cemented  together  by  a  matrix  of  siliceous, 
calcareous,  or  other  cement. 
Oongrlutinant,  -glu'tin-ant.  A  medi- 
cine that  promotes  the  healing  of  wounds 
by  closing  them  up. 

Ck^ngro,  kong'go.  A  section  of  W.  Africa, 
8.  of  the  equator,  between  the  river  Congo 
on  the  N.  ana  theDando  on  the  S.,  of  un- 
defined width  and  but  partially  explored. 
The  inhabitants  are  negroes  of  the  lowest 
type. 

Oongro,  kong'go.  The  second  lowest 
quahty  of  black  tea,  being  the  third  pick- 
riig  from  a  plant  during  the  season. 
Oongro-snake.  A  name  given  to  one  oi 
two  of  the  amphibians  of  the  film.  Amphi- 
umida;. 
Oongreg-ation,  'gre-ga^shon.  The  act 
of  bringing  together  or  assembling.  A 
collection  or  assemblage  of  separate 
things.  An  assembly  of  persons,  especial- 
ly an  assemblage  of  persons  meeting  for 
the  worship  of  God  and  for  religious  in- 
etruction.  An  assembly  of  ecclesiastics 
or  cardinals  appointed  by  the  pope,  to 
which  is  intrusted  the  management  of 
some  branch  of  the  affairs  of  the 
church.  A  fraternity  of  religious 
persons  forming  a  subdivision  of  a 
monastic  order,  &c.  At  Oxford  and  Cam- 
bridge, the  assembly  of  masters  and  doc- 
tors in  which  the  giving  of  degrees,  &c.. 
Is  transacted.  In  Scotland,  an  appella- 
tion assumed  by  the  adherents  of  the  re- 
formed Mth  about  the  middle  of  the  16th 
century. 

Ctongrregrationalist, -gre-ga'shon-al-ist. 
One  who  belongs  to  a  Congregational 
church  or  society;  one  who  holds  that 
each  congregation  is  entirely  exempt  from 
any  extraneous  jurisdiction,  and  the  gov- 
ernment of  whose  church  is  vested  in  all 
the  members  of  the  congregation,  not  in 
sessions,  &c. 
Congress,  'gres.  A  meeting  together  of 
Individuals  in  privateer  social  intercourse. 
The  meeting  of  the  sexes  in  sexual  com- 
merce. Ah  assembly  of  envoys,  commis- 
sioners, deputies,  «&c.;  particularly,  a 
meeting  of  sovereign  princes  or  of  the  rep- 
resentatives of  several  courts,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  arranging  International  affairs. 
The  term  apphed  to  three  differently  con- 
stituted bodies  of  representatives  of  the 
people  which  have  succeeded  each  other  in 


the  government  of  what  is  now  the  United 
States  of  America.    The  Continental  C, 
assembled  in  1774,  the  Federal  C,  in  1781, 
and  the  C.  of  the  United  States,  1789. 
Congressman,      kong'gres-man.       A 
member  of  the  United  States  Congress. 
Congreve,  William,  Sir,    An  Eng- 
lish officer  who  invented  the  war  rocket 
bearing  his  name ;  b.  1772,  v.  1828, 
Conies,  kon'iks.    That  part  of  the  geom- 
etry of  curves  which  treats  of  the  cone 
and  the  several  curve  lines  arising  from 
the  sections  of  it. 

Conidae,  ko'ni-de.    A  fam.  of  gasteropo- 
dous  mollusks,  ord.  Peetinibranchiata,  the 
cone  shells.    The  type  gen.  is  Conus. 
Conifer,  ko'ni-fer.    A  plant  producing 
cones  ;  one  of  the  Coniferae. 
Conirostres,  -ros'trez.     A   section   or 
sub-ord.  of  insessorial  birds,  including  the 
crows,  flnchss,  sparrows,  hnnets,  larks, 
starlings,  hornbills,  birds  of  paradise,  &c. 
Conite,  kon'it.  A  mineral  occurring  mas- 
sive or  stalactitic  in  Saxony  and  Iceland. 
Conjugatse,   kon-jii-ga'te.      A  tribe  of 
green-spored  Algae,  distinguished  from  the 
Confervaceae  by  their  endochrome,  or  col- 
oring matter,    being  spiral,   stellate,    or 
otherwise  disposed,  and  not  equally  dif- 
fused, or  simply  denser  in  the  center. 
Connaught,   nawt.  The  westerly  of  the 
N.  provinces  of  Ireland,  having  several 
fine  bays ;  chief  rivers,  the  Shannon  and 
Moy ;    lakes,    Corrib,    Cong,    Carra   and 
Mask ;  pop.  abt.  1,000,000. 
Connecticut,  kon-net'e-kiit.  One  of  the 
original  New  England  or  Eastern  States  of 
the  American  Union,  adjoining  8.  New 
York  on  the  W.;  area,  4,730  sq.  m.;  pop. 
622,700.    Principal  cities,  Hartford,    the 
cap..     New    Haven,    Norwich,    Bridge- 
port, New  London,  Norwalk  andStoning- 
ton  ;  chief  rivers,  Connecticut,  Housatonic 
and   Thames,    all    emptying   into  L.  I. 
Sound  ;  the  Green  Mountains  skirt  its  W. 
boundary. 

Connecticut  River.  The  largest  river 
of  the  New  England  States,  rising  in  N. 
Vermont,  and  running  through  that  State, 
New  Hampshire  and  Connecticut,  empty- 
ing into  Long  Island  Sound  at  Saybrook  ; 
length,  410  m. 

Connecting-rod,  -nekt'ing-rod.  Th« 
rod  which  connects  the  piston  with  the 
crank  of  the  driving-wheel  axle  of  loco- 
motive engines.  The  outside  rod  which 
connects  the  wheels  of  locomotive  engines. 
The  rod  connecting  the  cross-head  of  a 
beam-engine  with  tiiat  end  of  the  work- 
ing-beam.    ,. 


COKNECTOR 


CONSONANT 


Connector,  -nek'ter.  A  flexible  tube  for 
connecting^  the  ends  of  g-lass-tnbes  in 
pneumatic  experiments.  In  Elect,  a  de- 
vice for  holding  two  parts  of  a  conductor 
in  intimate  contact. 

CJonner,  'er.  A  fish  found  on  the  New 
England  coast.     Called  also  Blue  Perch. 

Conner.  One  who  tests  or  examines ; 
one  Avho  has  a  special  knowledge  of  any- 
thing. One  who  directs  the  steersman  of 
a  ship. 

Connoisseur,  'is-siir.  A  critical  judge 
of  any  art,  particularly  of  painting  and 
sculpture. 

Conoid,   kon'oid.      A    solid 
formed  by  the  revolution  of  a 
conic  section  about  its  axis.    A  M. 
skew  surface.      In    Anat.  the 
pineal  gland.  Conoid. 

Conqueror,  kong'ker-er.  One  who  con  • 
quers ;  one  who  gains  a  victory.  The  C, 
an  epithet  apphed  to  William  I.  as  ex- 
pressing his  conquest  of  England  in  1066. 

Conrad,  kon'rad.  The  name  of  several 
sovereigns  of  Germany.  C.  I.  (Count  of 
Franconia),  elected  emperor  911,  J>.  918. 
C.  II.  elected  King  of  Germany  1024,  aiid 
crowned  emperor  1027 ;  i>.  1039.  C.  III. 
(Hohenstautfen\  DukeofFranconia,  elect- 
ed emperor  1138,  d.  1152.  C.  IV.,  son  ol 
Frederick  II.,  assumed  the  title  1250  ;  n. 
1254.  C.  v.,  son  of  the  preceding,  was 
dispossessed  by  his  uncle  Manii-ed,  cap- 
tured and  beheaded,  1268. 

Consangruinity,  -sang-gwin'i-ti.  The 
relation  of  persons  by  blood,  in  distinction 
from  affinity  or  relation  by  marriage. 

Conscript,  'skript.  One  compulsorUy 
enrolled  for  military  or  naval  service. 

Consecration,  -se-kra'shon.  The  act  or 
ceremony  of  separating  from  a  common 
to  a  sacred  use,  or  of  devoting  and  dedi- 
cating a  person  or  thing  to  the  service  and 
worship  of  God,  by  certain  rites  or  solem- 
nities. In  speaking  of  the  ancient  Eoman 
emperors,  deification ;  the  ceremony  of 
the  apotheosis  of  an  emperor.  In  the 
E.  0.  Church,  canonization.  The  act  of 
rendering  venerable. 

Conservatoire,  -sar-va-twar.  An  es- 
tablishment for  promoting  the  study  of 
any  special  branch,  first  established  at 
Naples  in  1537  for  the  study  of  music  and 
declamation. 

Conservatory,  -serv'a-tor-i.  A  place 
for  preserving  anything  from  loss,  decay, 
■waste  or  injury.  A  greenhouse  for  pre- 
serving exotics  and  other  tender  plants. 

Conserve,  -serv.  A  sweetmeat  made 
of  the  inspissated  juiee  of  fruit  boiled  with 


sugar,  A  form  of  medicine  conti-lved  ta 
preserve  the  flowers,  roots,  fruits,  &ft,  in 
their  natural  fresh  state. 
Consignee,  -sin -e'.  One  to  whom  goods 
or  other  things  are  delivered  in  ti-ast,  foi 
sale  or  superintendence. 

Consigner,  'er.  One  who  consigns ; 
one  who  sends,  delivers  or  commits  goods 
to  anotlior  for  sale  or  to  ship. 

Consistentes,  -sis-tent'ez.  The  third 
or  highest  order  of  penitents  in  the  early 
church.  They  were  permitted  to  be  pres- 
ent at  the  celebration  of  sacraments,  but 
were  not  allowed  either  to  join  in  making 
oblations  or  to  receive  the  holy  com- 
munion. 

Consistory,  'sis-tor-i.  Primarily,  a 
place  of  meeting ;  a  council  house  or  place 
of  justice.  A  place  of  justice  in  a  spiritual 
court,  or  the  court  itself;  the  court  of 
every  diocesan  bishop,  held  in  cathedral 
churches,  for  the  trial  of  ecclesiastical 
causes.  An  assembly  of  prelates;  the 
college  of  cardinals  at  Eome.  A  solemn 
assembly  or  council. 

Consociation,  -so'shi-a^shon.  In  the 
United  States,  fellowship  or  union  of 
churches  by  their  pastors  and  delegates ; 
a  meeting  of  pastors  and  delegates  of  a 
number  of  Congregational  churches,  form- 
ing an  advisory  council  in  ecclesiastical 
affairs. 

Consols,  -solz'.  The  chief  funded  security 
of  Gt.  Britain,  formed  of  consolidated  an- 
nuities, paying  3  per  cent,  interest. 

Consolato  dal  Mare,  -hl'to  del  ma'ra. 
A  very  ancient  compilation  of  the  trading 
customs  of  Venice,  Genoa,  Pisa  and 
Amalfl,  with  Barcelona,  Marseilles,  &c. 
Its  precise  date  is  unknown,  but  a  Span- 
ish edition  was  pubhshed  about  the  end 
of  the  13th  century.  It  has  formed  the 
basis  of  most  compilations  of  maritime 
laws. 

Console,  'sol. 
The  French  term 
for  a  bracket,  or 
ancon,  but  applied 
by  English  writers 
to  a  bracket  or 
corbel  of  any  kind 
in  classical  archi- 
tecture. 

Consonant,  's6-nant. 
because  sounded  only  in  connection  with 
a  vowel.  But  some  consonants  have  no 
sound  even  when  united  with  a  vowel, 
and  others  have  a  very  imperfect  sound. 
The  consonants  begin  or  end  syllables, 
and  their  use  is  to  determine  the  mannei 
of  beginning  or  ending  the  vocal  sounds, 


Console. 
A  letter,  so  named 


eONSOET 


CONSTANTINE 


Consort,  'sort.  A  companion;  a  partner, 
an  intimate  associate ;  a  wife  or  husband. 
Queen  consort,  the  wife  of  a  king,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  a  queen  regnant,  who 
rules  alone,  and  a  queen  dowager,  the 
widow  of  a  king. 

ConspecttlS^  -spek'tus.  A  view ;  an  ab- 
stract, draught  or  sketch. 

Constable,  kun'sta-bl.  An  officer  of 
high  rank  in  several  of  the  mediiBval  mon- 
archies. The  Lord  High  Constable  of 
England  was  anciently  the  seventh 
officer  of  the  crown.  The  power  of  this 
officer  was  so  improperly  used  that  it  was 
forfeited  in  the  person  of  Edward  Stafford, 
Duke  of  Buckingham,  in  1521.  It  has 
never  been  granted  to  any  person  since 
that  time,  except  on  a  particular  occasion. 
The  Lord  High  C.  of  Scotland  had  ancient- 
ly command  of  the  army  in  the  absence  of 
the  king.  He  was  likewise  judge  of  all 
crimes  or  offenses  committed  within  4 
miles  of  the  king's  person,  the  parliament, 
the  privy-council,  ©r  of  any  general  con- 
vention of  the  states  of  the  kingdom.  The 
office  is  hereditary  in  the  family  of  Errol. 
C.  of  France,  the  lirst  military  officer  of 
the  crown,  commander-in-chief  of  the 
army  and  the  highest  judge  in  all  ques- 
tions of  chivalry  and  honor.  This  office 
was  suppressed  in  1627.  Napoleon  re-es- 
tablished it  in  favor  of  the  Prince  of  Wa- 
gram,  buthe  had  no  successor.  C.  of  a 
castle  Avas  the  keeper  or  governor  of  a 
castle  belonging  to  the  king  or  a  great 
noble.  Constables  in  Great  Britain  at  the 
present  day  are  of  two  grades  :  high  con- 
stables and  petty  constables  or  tithing- 
men.  In  the  U.  S.  constables  are  town 
or  city  officers  of  the  peace  invested  -svith 
powers  to  execute  civil  as  well  as  criminal 
processes,  and  levy  executions. 

Constance,  kon'stanz.  A  handsome 
city  of  Baden  at  the  headof  Lake  C,  pop. 
8,340.  Lake  C,  a  beautiful  and  romantic 
sheet  of  water,  bet.  Switzerland  and  Ba- 
den, 42  m.  in  length  by  9  m.  in  width. 
The  Ehine  flows  through  it. 

Constance,  Council  of.  The  E.  C. 
Council,  held  at  the  city  of  C,  1414-18, 
summoned  to  considei  the  claims  of  John 
XVIII.,  Gregory  XII.,  and  Benedict 
VIII.  to  the  papacy,  and  pronounce  upon 
the  doctrines  of  John  Huss.    It  was  com- 

Sosed  of  the  Emoeror  Sigismund,  Pope 
ohn  XXIIL,  26 "princes,  120  counts,  20 
cardinals,  7  patriarchs,  20  archbishops,  91 
bishops,  600  prelates  and  doctors,  and  abt. 
4,000  priests.  It  pronounced  against  all 
three  claimants  to  the  papacy,  elected 
Martin  V.  as  Pope,  and  condemned  John 


Huss  and  Jerome  of  Prague  to  be  burned 
at  the  stake. 

Constans  I.,  Flavius  Julius.  Third 
son  of  Constantine  the  Great,  who  inher- 
ited the  sovereignty  of  Italy.  Africa  and 
W.  Illyricum,  337,  and,  by  the  defeat 
and  assassination  of  his  brother  Constan- 
tine, became  sovereign  of  the  entire  West- 
ern empire ;  his  tyranny  resultr-i  in  a  re- 
volt in  which  he  was  killed,  850.  C.  II., 
Flavius  Herachus,  b.  630,  s.  his  father 
Constantine  III.,  as  «mperor  of  the  East, 
640.  Defeated  by  the  Saracens  and  also 
by  the  Arabs  at  sea,  he  exhibited  such 
avarice  and  cruelty  that  be  was  assassi- 
nated in  668. 

Constantine,  kon'stan-tin.  The  name 
of  13  emperors  of  Eome  and  the  East. 

C.  I.  (The  Great)  was  the  first  Christian 
emperor  of  Rome  ;  b.  272,  s.  his  father  Con- 
stantius  Chlorus  806.  Just  pending  a 
battle  in  which  he  defeated  his  rival  Max- 
entius,  C.  claimed  to  have  seen  a  cross  in 
the  sky,  which  he  interpreted  as  an  omen 
of  victory ;  he  soon  afterward  embraced 
Christianity,  and  made  it  the  religion  of 
the  state.  In  325  the  Council  of  Nice 
was  held  at  his  suggestion,  and  Arianism 
condemned  ;  in  328  he  removed  the  seat 
of  the  emi)ire  to  Byzantium,  changing  its 
name  to  Constantinople ;  D.  387.  C.  II., 
eldest  son  of  the  above,  s.  to  the  sover- 
eignty of  Spain,  Gaul,  Britain  and  a  portion 
of  Africa  ;  he  was  defeated  and  slain  by 
his  brother  Constans,  340.  C.  III.  (Novns), 
emperor  of  the  East.  b.  612,  crowned  641, 

D.  641.  C.  IV.  (Pogonatus),  crowned  em- 
peror of  the  East  668,  d.  682.  C.  V. 
crowned  743,  d.  775.  C.  VI.  (Flavius)  s. 
his  father  Leo  IV.  780,  under  the  regency 
of  his  mother  Irene,  who  it  is  believed 
caused  his  murder,  775.  C.  VII.  (Por- 
phyrogenitus),  crowned  905,  v.  959.  C. 
VIII.,  crowned  946,  d.  -within  a  few 
months.  C.  IX.,  b.  961 ;  shared  the 
throne  with  his  brother  Basil  until  the 
brother's  death,  1025;  d.  1028.  C.  X. 
(Monomachus)  became  emperor  through 
his  marriage  with  Zoe,  daughter  of  C.  IX. 
The  schism  between  the  Roman  and  Greek 
churches  began  in  his  reign  ;  d.  1054.    C. 

XI.  (Ducas),  crowned  1059,   D.  1067.     C. 

XII.  was  crowned  1071,  but  never  actu- 
ally reigned.  C.  XIII.  (Palaeologus),  b. 
1394;  8.  hisbrother  John  VII.,  1448; killed 
1453,  when  Constantinople  was  stormed 
by  the  Turks.  He  was  the  last  of  the 
Byzantine  emperors. 

Constantine,  Flavius  Julius.  A 
gallant  Roman  soldier,  raised  to  the  pur- 
ple 409  ;  conquered  Spain  and  Gaul,  and 
fixed  his  court  at  Aries.    Taken  priaoiwa 


COKSTANTDTE 


210 


CONTEABASSO 


by  Constantius,  general  to  the  emperor 
Ilonorius.    C.  was  executed,  411. 

Constantine.  The  name  of  four  kings 
of  Scotland.  C.  I.  reigned  468-479  ;  C. 
II.,  858-8T1 ;  C.  III.,  903-943 ;  C.  IV.  was 
a  usui'per  who  was  captured  and  killed  by 
the  brother  of  the  rightful  king,  Kenneth, 
1002. 

Constantinople.  Cap.  of  the  Turkish 
empire  in  Europe,  and  chief  Moslem  city 
of  the  world ;  situated  on  the  Bosphorus, 
a  narrow  strait  connecting  the  sea  of 
Marmora  and  the  Euxine,  also  dividing 
Europe  and  Asia.  C.  was  the  ancient 
Byzantium,  founded  by  Byzas,  656  b.  c.  ; 
destroyed  by  Severus,  it  was  rebuilt  by 
Constantino  the  Great,  a.  d.  828,  and 
made  capital  of  the  Roman  empire :  after- 
ward the  cap,  of  the  Easterner  Byzantine 
empire,  until  stormed  by  the  Turks,  1453, 
eince  which  time  it  has  been  the  cap.  of 
the  Turkish  empire ;  pop.  625,000. 

Constantius,  kon-stan'shus.  Father  of 
Constantine  the  Great ;  b.  25T.  Distin- 
guishing himself  as  a  soldier,  he  was  de- 
clared Caisar  in  292  and  placed  in  com- 
mand of  Gaul,  Spain  and  Britain ;  he  re- 
conquered Britain,  disastrously  defeated 
the  Alemanni  and  obtained  the  title  of 
Augustus  in  806 ;  d.  at  York  807.  C.  II. 
fFlavius  Julius),  son  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  was  proclaimed  CiEsar  320  and  as- 
sumed the  purple  837.  In  the  division  of 
the  empire  C.  selected  the  East  as  his 
share  ;  d.  861. 

Constant  White,  'stant  whit.  A  pois- 
onous pigment  prepared  from  the  sul- 
phate of  barytes,  used  in  water-color 
painting. 

Constellation,  -stel-lu'shon.  A  group 
of  the  fixed  stars  to  which  a  definite  name 
has  been  given.  The  names  have  mostly 
their  origin  in  the  mythology  of  the 
Greeks,  derived  and  modified  from  the 
Egyptians  and  the  East;  and  the  stars 
forming  each  configuration  are  ranged  and 
named  in  order  of  brilliancy  by  letters  of 
the  Greek  alphabet.  Ursa  Major,  the 
Great  Bear,  In  the  northern,  and  Orion  in 
the  southern  hemisphere,  are  the  most 
important  of  the  constellations.  The  con- 
stellations are  divided  into  northern,  34 ; 
Bouthern,  45 ;  and  zodiacal,  12. 

Constrictor,  -strikt'er.  That  which 
draws  together  or  contracts.  Specifically, 
a  muscle  which  closes  an  orifice  of  the 
body.  A  name  applied  to  the  larger  class 
of  serpents  which  envelop  and  crush  their 
prey,  as  the  boa  constrictor. 

Consubstantiation,  -sub-stan'shi-a''- 
shon.  The  union  of  the  body  of  our  bless- 


ed Saviour  with  the  sacramental  elements,' 
Impanation.  A  dogma  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

Consul, 'sul.  The  chief  magistrate  of  the 
Eoman  republic,  invested  vrith  regal  au- 
thority for  one  year.  Two  were  annually 
chosen  in  the  Campus  Martins.  At  first 
they  were  selected  from  patrician  families, 
but  in  the  year  of  Eome  388  the  people  ob- 
tained the  priAdlege  of  electing  one  of  the 
consuls  from  their  own  body,  and  some- 
times both  were  plebeians.  In  French  Hist, 
the  title  given  to  the  three  supreme  mag- 
istrates of  the  French  republic,  after  the 
dissolution  of  the  Directory  in  1799.  Con- 
sular government  was  abolished  in  1804, 
and  Bonaparte,  the  first  C,  was  pro- 
claimed emperor.  In  modern  usage,  a 
person  commissioned  by  a  sovereign  or 
state  to  reside  in  a  foreign  country  as  an 
agent  or  representative. 

Oontarini,  -ta-re'ne.  A  noble  Vene- 
tian family  which  gave  to  the  state  5 
doges  and  other  eminent  public  servants. 
During  the  administration  of  Domenico 
O.  II.  Candia  was  surrendered  to  the 
Turks  after  a  siege  in  which  they  lost 
100,000  men. 

Contemporary,  -tem'p6-ra-ri.  One 
who  lives  at  the  same  time  with  another. 

Conti,  kon'te.  The  title  of  a  branch  of  tho 
French  Bourbons,  descendants  of  Armand 
de  Bourbon,  j^ounger  brother  of  Prince  de 
Cond6 ;  b.  1629,  d.  6660. 

Continent,  'ti-nent.  In  Geog.  a  great 
extent  of  land  not  disjoined  or  inter- 
rupted by  seas,  as,  the  Eastern  and  West- 
em  continents.  In  reaUty  there  is  no  true 
continent,  a  continent  differing  from  an 
island  only  in  extent.  Land,  as  contain- 
ing, inclosing,  or  bounding  seas  and  rivers. 

Continental,  'al.  A  native  or  inhabi- 
tant of  a  continent,  specifically  of  the  conti- 
nent of  Europe.  In  Amer.  Hist,  a  sol- 
dier belonging  to  the  army  of  the  con- 
federated states  in  the  Eevolutionary  war. 

Contortionist,  -tor'shon-ist.  One  who 
practices  vny  motions  or  twistings  of  the 
body. 

Contoume,  -tor-na.  A  term  in  Her., 
used  when  a  beast  is  represented  stand- 
ing, passant,  courant,  &c.,  with  its  face  to 
the  sinister  side  of  the  escutcheon. 

Contraband,  'tra-band.  Illegal  or  pro- 
hibited traffic.  Articles  by  law  prohibited 
to  be  imported  or  exported. 

Oontrabasso,  -bas's5.  The  largest 
of  the  violin  species  of  Instruments,  of 
which  it  forms  the  lowest  bass  ;  the 
double-bass. 


CONTEA-DAKCE 


211 


COOKIE 


Ck>zitra-dauce,  -dans.  A  dance  in 
which  the  partners  are  arranged  face  to 
face  or  in  opposite  lines. 

Contralto,  -tral'to.  In  Music,  the  high- 
est voice  of  a  male  adult,  or  the  lowest  of 
a  woman  or  boy,  called  also  the  Alto,  or 
when  possessed  by  a  man.  Counter-tenor. 
The  person  who  sings  with  this  voice. 

Conteate,  'trat.  Having  cog  a  or  teeth 
projecting,  parallel  to  the  axis  ;  used  chief- 
ly in  the  wheels  in  clockwork. 

Oontre,  kon'tr.  In  Her.  an  appellation 
given  to  bearings  on  account  of  their  cut 
ting  the  shield  contrary  and  opposite 
ways ;  contre-bends,  contre-chevron  ;  con- 
tre-pale,  &c. 

CJontre-temps,  -tan.  >  An  unexpected 
and  untoward  accident. 

Contusion,  -tu'zhon.  The  act  of 
beating  and  bruising,  or  the  state  of  being 
bruised.  The  act  of  reducing  to  powder 
or  fine  particles  by  beating.  In  Surg,  a 
bruise. 

Conundrum,  ko-nun'drum.  A  riddle 
in  which  some  odd  resemblance  is  pro- 
posed for  discovery  between  things  quite 
unlike,  the  answer  involving  a  pun. 

Conus,  'nus.  A  gen.  of  gasteropodous 
mollusks,  the  type  of  the  fiim.  Conidae. 
This  gen.  forms  part  of  the  Bucclnoid 
fern,  of  the  Pectinibranchiate  ord.  of  gas- 
teropods.  In  Bot.  a  term  denoting  that 
form  of  inflorescence  called  a  sti-obilus  or 
cone. 

Convalescent,  kon-va-les'ent.  One 
who  has  recovered  health  after  sickness. 

Convent,  'vent.  A  community  of  per- 
sons devoted  to  religion  ;  a  body  of  monks 
or  nuns.  A  house  for  persons  devoted  to 
^  religion  ;  an  abbey  ;  a  monastery ;  a  nun- 
nery. 

Conventicle,  -ven'ti-kl.  An  assembly 
or  gathering,  especially  a  secret  assembly. 
A  meeting  of  dissenters  from  the  estab- 
lished church  of  England  for  religious  wor- 
ship. 

Convention,  'shon.  The  act  of  coming 
together ;  a  meeting ;  an  assembly, 
union  ;  coalition.  A  formal,  recognized, 
or  statutory  meeting  for  civil  or  ecclesias- 
tical purposes  ;  particularly  an  assembly 
of  delegates  or  representatives  for  consul- 
tation on  important  concerns,  civil,  politi- 
cal, or  ecclesiastical. 

Conversazione,  -ver-sa'tsi-o^na.  A 
meeting  for  conversation,  particularly  on 
literary  subjects. 

Convert,  'vert.  A  person  who  is  con- 
verted from  one  opinion  or  practice  to 
aiiother ;  who  rsnoimces  a  religious  sys- 


tem or  party,  and  embraces  another ;  ap- 
plied particularly  to  those  who  change 
their  religious  opinions.  In  monasteries, 
a  lay  Mar  or  brother  admitted  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  house,  without  orders,  and  not 
allowed  to  sing  in  the  choir.  Proselyte  is 
sometimes  used  as  a  synonym  for  con- 
vert, but  is  strictly  confined  to  one  who 
changes  his  rehgion ;  and  proselj^tism  does 
not,  like  conversion,  necessarily  imply 
conviction. 

Convex,  'veks.  Eising 
or  swelling  into  a  spherical 
or  rounded  form;  gibbous, 
opposed  to  concave. 

Convexo-concave,      Convex, 
'o-kon-kav.    Convex  on  one  side  and  con- 
cave on  the  other. 

Convexo-convex,  -veks.  Convex  on 
both  sides,  as  a  lens ;  otherwise  termed  a 
double-convex  lens. 

Conveyancer,  -va'ans-er.  One  whose 
•cciipation  is  to  draw  conveyances  of 
property,  deeds,  &c. 

Convict,  'vikt.  A  person  found  guilty 
of  a  crime,  either  by  the  verdict  of  a  jury 
or  other  legal  decision. 

Convocation,  -ro-ka'shon.'  The  act  of 
calling  or  assembling  by  summons.  An 
assembly  of  the  clergy  to  consult  on  ec- 
clesiastical affairs. 

Cony,  ko'ni.  A  rabbit ;  a  quadruped  of 
the  gen.  Lepus.  In  Scrip,  a  species  of 
Ilyrax  included  in  a  special  order  of 
mammals. 

Cony-wool,  -wul.  The  fur  of  rabbits 
used  in  hat  manufacture. 

Cooie,  kii'i.  The  cry  or  call  of  the  Aus- 
tralian aborigines. 

Cook,  James,  Oapt.  An  English  sea- 
man ;  B.  1728 ;  d.  1779,  murdered  by  the 
savages  of  Hawaii ;  he  circumnavigated 
the  globe  and  discovered  many  unknown 
islands. 

Cook  Inlet.  On  the  Alaskan  coast,  130 
m.  N.  and  8.  by  70  m.  in  width.  C. 
Islands,  a  Pacific  group,  bet.  Tahiti  and 
the  Tonga  Archipelago.  C.  Straits,  sepa- 
rates the  two  islands  which  form  New 
Zealand,  All  the  above  were  discovered 
by  and  named  for  Capt.  James  Cook. 

Cook,  kuk.  One  whose  occupation  is  to 
prepare  "victuals  for  the  table;  who 
dresses  meat  or  vegetables  for  eating. 

Cook-house,  'hous.  An  erection  on  a 
ship's  deck  for  contidning  the  caboose  or 
cooking  apparatus  ;  the  galley. 

Cookie,  'i.  A  kind  of  small  sweet-bread 
for  eating  at  tea ;  a  bim. 


COOL  AEBOR. 


212 


COPPEE 


Cold  Harbor.  The  scene  of  a  desperate 
battle,  Junes,  1864,  between  the  Federals 
under  Gens.  Grant,  Meade  and  Hancock, 
and  the  Confederates  under  Gens.  Lee  ana 
Lonpstreet,  just  W.  of  the  Chickahominy 
river.  The  assault  was  made  by  the 
former,  and  in  20  minutes  of  fighting  the 
Federals  were  driven  from  the  field  with 
a  total  loss  of  over  13,000  ;  the  Confeder- 
ates lost  about  1 .000,  300  being  prisoners. 
Grant's  force  said  to  be  150  m.  men;  Lee'B 
50  M.,  strongly  intrenched. 
Cooler,  'er.  That  which  cools  ;  any  sub- 
stance which  abates  heat  or  excitement. 
A  metal  vessel  made  doable  and  filled  be- 
tween with  charcoal  or  other  non-conduc- 
tor of  heat,  for  holding  ice  and  water  for 
drinking.  A  vessel  in  which  liquor  or 
other  things  are  cooled. 
Coolie,  'i.  In  the  E.  Indies,  originally 
the  name  of  a  Turanian  hill  tribe  em- 
ployed in  Bombay  and  elsewhere  as  por- 
ters and  laborers.  The  term  is  now  ex- 
tended to  all  emigrant  laborers  from  east- 
ern countries. 

Coomb,  kom.    A  dry  measure  of  four 
bushels. 

Coon,  kon.  An  abbreviation  of  raccoon. 
Coop,  kop.  A  latticed  box  for  keeping 
fowls  in  confinement.  A  pen ;  an  in- 
closed place  for  small  animals. 
Cooper,  James  Fenim.ore.  A  dis- 
tinguished American  novehst ;  b.  in  N. 
Y.  17S9,  D.  1S51.  His  well-known 
"  Leather  Stocking  "  series  of  Indian  tales 
have  been  translated  into  every  European 
language. 

Coopor,  Astley,  Sir,  Bart.  An  emi- 
nent English  surgeon  ;  b.  1768,  d.  1841. 
Coot,  kiit.  A  gral- 
latorial  bird  of  the 
gen.  FuHca,  fam. 
Kallida^  The  coot 
of  Asia  is  identical 
with  that  of  Eu- 
rope, but  the  N. 
Ameiican  coot  is 
recognized  as  a  dis- 
tinct species,  and 
has  received  the  name  of  F.  "Wilsoni. 
Copal,  ko-pal'.  The  resinous  product  of 
several  different  tropical  trees,  which,  di- 
luted vnth  spirit  of  turpentine,  forms  a 
beautiful  transparent  varnish,  exceedingly 
durable  and  hard,  and  susceptible  of  a  fine 
polish. 

Copalin,  'lin,    Highgate  resin,  a  fossil 
resin,  resembling  copal  resin  in  appear- 
ance and  some  of  its  characteristics. 
Copan, -pan'.    An  ancient  city  of  Guate- 


Coot. 


Oope. 


mala,  C.  America,  now  in  rulna  ;  among 
its  interesting  antiquities  are  the  cl6brlB  ol 
a  temple  650  ft.  in  length. 
Cope.  kop. 
An  ecclesias- 
tical vestment 
resembling  a 
cloak,  worn  in 
processi  o  n  s , 
at  vespers,  at 
benediction, 
consecration 
and  other  sa- 
cred func- 
tions, worn  by 
the  pope  and 
other  bishops, 
as  well  as  by- 

Sriests.  As 
istinguish  e  d 
from  the 
chasuble  it  is 
a  processional  vestment,  "while  the  chasn- . 
ble  is  eucharistic.  It  is  one  of  the  vest-' 
ments  retained  by  the  clergy  of  the  Church 
of  England.  Anything  spread  or  extend- 
ed over  the  head  ;  hence  the  arch  or  con- 
cave of  the  sky,  the  roof  or  covering  of  a 
house,  the  arch  over  a  door.  In  founding, 
the  top  part  of  a  flask. 
Copeck,  ko'pek.  A  Kussian  coin,  worth 
the  hundredth  part  of  a  silver  rouble,  the 
approximate  value  of  which  is  70  cents. 
Copenhagen,  -pen-ha'gen.  Cap.  of  Den- 
mark, a  fortified  citv,  located  on  the  islands 
of  Zeeland  and  Am^ak  ;  pop.  227,000. 
Copepoda,  -pe'p6-da.  An  ord.  of 
minute  entomostracous  fresh-water  and 
marine  Crustacea.  Those  species  which 
have  two  eyes  so  closely  set  together  as 
to  appear  one,  form  the  famihes  Cyclopidse^ 
Notadelphidae  and  Harpactidse ;  those 
which  have  two  or  more  eyes,  the  famiUes 
Pontellidae  and  Calanidse;  while  those 
with  two  very  distinct  sessile  eyes  consti- 
tute the  family  Gorv'ceidse. 
Copernicus,  Nicholas.  A  Prussian 
{?3tronomer,  founder  of  the  accepted 
(Oopernican)  svstem  of  astronomy;  b. 
1478,  D.  1543.  The  system  was  originally 
taught  by  Aristarchus  of  Samos  in  the  3d 
century  b.  c,  but  had  long  been  rejected. 
Cophinus,  kof  in-us.  The  name  given 
to  curious  organic  markings  in  the  Silu- 
rian rocks,  of  the  form  of  an  inverse  pyra- 
mid, probably  produced  by  the  stems  of 
encrinites  swajang  about  in  the  material 
of  the  rocks  while  it  was  only  micaceous 
mud. 

Copper,  kop'per.  A  metal;  nexttogoM, 
eilver  and  pi 


A  metal ;  next  to  goiOj 
1,  the  most  ductile  and 


COPPEEAS 


218 


CORAL 


malleable  of  the  metals,  more  elastic  than 
any  except  steel,  and  the  most  sonorous 
except  aluminium. 

Copperas,  -as.  Sulphate  of  iron  or  green 
vitriol,  a  salt  much  used  in  dyeing  black, 
in  making  ink,  and  in  medicine  as  a  tonic. 
It  is  usually  made  by  the  decomposition 
of  iron  pyrites. 

Copper-head,  -hed,  A  poisonous  Amer- 
ican serpent,  the  Trigonocephalus  contor- 
trix,  which  gives  no  ■warning  of  its  attack. 
Hence,  a  secret  foe  ;  a  name  given  during 
the  civil  war  of  the  United  States  by  the 
Federals  to  the  peace  party. 

Coppermine  River.  One  of  the  larg- 
est of  British  N.  America,  emptying  into 
the  Atlantic  Ocean  N,  of  Bear  Lake. 

Copper-plate,  -plat.  A  plate  of  pohshed 
copper,  on  which  concave  lines  are  en- 
graved or  corroded,  according  to  some 
dehneated  figure  or  design.  A  print  or 
impression  from  a  copper-plate. 

Copper-smith,  -smith.  One  whose  oc- 
cupation is  to  manufacture  copper  uten- 
sils. 

Copper-wonn,  -werm.  A  worm-like 
mollusk,  the  Teredo  Navalis,  or  ship- 
worm,  that  frets  garments,  and  a  name 
given  to  a  worm  that  breeds  in  one's  hand. 

Coppice,  'pis.  A  wood  of  small  growth  ; 
a  wood  cut  at  certain  times  for  fuel. 

Copra,  'ra.  The  dried  kernel  of  the  co- 
coa-nut, from  which  the  oil  has  been  ex- 
pressed. It  is  used  as  an  ingredient  of 
curry. 

Co-presbyter,  ko-pres'bi-ter.  A  cleri- 
cal member  of  the  same  church  presbytery 
with  another. 

Copridse,  kop'ri-de.  A  fam.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  so  called  from  the  typical 
gen .  Copris. 

Coprolite,  'ro-lit.  The  petrified  faecal 
matter  chiefly  of  extinct  lizards  or  sauroid 
fishes.      In  form   they  resemble    oblong 

{)ebbles,  varjing  from  2  to  4  inches  in 
ength.  and  from  1  to  2  inches  in  diameter ; 
some  are  much  larger,  as  those  of  the  ich- 
thyosauri. 

Coprophag-i,  ko-profa-1T.  A  sec.  of 
lamellioorn  beetles,  which  live  in  and  upon 
the  dung:  of  animals. 

Cop-spinner,  kop'spin-er.  An  Ameri- 
can invention,  combining  the  qualities  of 
the  throstle  and  mule  in  one  frame,  capa- 
ble of  spinning  double  the  quantity  of  the 
fiyer  spindle  with  one-naif  the  power. 

Copt,  kopt.  A  descendant  of  the  ancient 
Egyptian  race,  belonging  to  the  Jacobite 
sect  of  MonophyBit©  Christians,  who  have 


for  eleven  centuries  been  in  possession  oi 
the  patriarchal  chair  of  Alexandria. 

Coptic,  kop'tik.  The  language  of  the 
Copts,  an  ancient  Hamitic  tongue,  used  In 
Egypt  till  within  the  last  three  or  four 
centuries,  but  now  superseded  as  a  living 
language  by  Arabic.  It  is  stiU  used  by  the 
Copts  in  religious  services,  but  after  be- 
ing read  is  explained  in  Arabic.  There  is 
an  extensive  Coptic  Christian  literature. 

Copyingr-machine,  'i-ing-ma-shen.  A 
machine  for  copying  any  piece  of  writing 
with  perfect  accuracy. 

Copyright,  -rit.  The  exclusive  privi- 
lege which  the  law  allows  an  author  of 
printing,  reprinting,  publishing  and  sell- 
ing his  original  work.  International  copy- 
right is  an  arrangement  by  which  the 
copyright  of  an  author  residing  in  one 
country  is  protected  in  such  countries  as 
are  parties  to  the  arrangement. 

Coquette,  ko-ket'.  A  vain,  airy,  trifling 
gu-1,  who  endeavors  to  attract  the  admira- 
tion of  males  from  a  desu-e  to  grati<^' 
vanity  ;  a  jilt. 

Coquilla-nut,  -kwil'la-nut.  The  seed  u/ 
the  palm  Attalea  funifera,  one  of  the  co- 
coa-nut group  extensively  used  in  turnery, 
and  especially  for  making  umbrella- 
handles. 

Coquito,  'ke-to.  The  Jubaea  spectabilis, 
a  very  beautiful  S.  American  palm,  allied 
to  the  cocoa-nut,  from  the  sap  of  which 
palm  honey  is  made. 

Coraciadee,    -ra-sl'a-de.    The  rollers,  a 
fam.of  fissirostral,  birds,  ord.  Insessores, 
including    the     sub-families 
Todlnffi,    Eurylaiminte,    and 
The  gen.  Coracias  is  the  type. 

Coracle,  'ra-kl.  A 
boat  used  in  Wales  and 
on  the  Irish  coast  by 
fishermen,  made  by 
covering  a  AAicker  frame 
with  leather  or  oilcloth. 

Corah,  'ra.  An  In- 
dian pattern  silk  hand- 
kerchief. 

Coral,    'ral.      A   gen- 3 
eral  terra  for  the  hard"^  _^ 
calcareous  skeleton  se-    ^-JJ^"*^"^^^?^ 
creted    by  the  marine  _.  .    '"^^      ."T 
coelenterate   polyps  for  Fisherman  with 
their  support  an d  habit-         Coracle, 
ation  (polypidom).     The  coral-producing 
zoophytes  are  usually  compound  animals, 
young  buds  sprouting  from  the  body  oi 
the  parent  x>olyp,  and  remaining  connected 
■with  it  on  the  same  spot  even  after  It  is 
dead.    CoraJ  is  nearly  a  pure  carbonate 


Coracianse, 
MomotinaD. 


COEALLmA 


214 


COEDOIT 


Eed  Coral. 


of     lime     mixed 
with     liorny      or 
gelatinous      mat- 
ter.   The  fine  red 
coral,    so     much 
used     for     orna- 
ments, is  a  sclero- 
basic  coral,  found 
chiefly  in  the  Mediterranean. 
Corallina,  -i'na.    A  gen.  of  rose-spored 
algaj,  with  calcareous  jointed  fronds.  The 
spores  are  borne  in  lu-n-shaped  concepta- 
cles.     A  term  applied  to  indicate  many  of 
the  zoophytes  and  polyzoa.     The  polypi- 
dom  of  the  coralUnes. 
Corallinite,  -In-It.    A  fossil  polypidom 
of  the  corallines. 
Corallite,    -it.      A    mineral    substance 
or  i)etrifaction  in  the  form  of  coral.     The 
hard  skeleton  secreted  by  an  individual 
polyp  of  a  composite  coral  mass. 
Corallum,    'lum.     The   hard    structure 
deposited  in  or  by  the  tissues  of  an  ac- 
tinozoon — commonly  called  a  coral. 
Coral-wood,     -wud.      A  hard    cabinet 
wood,  susceptible  of  a  fine  polish.     When 
first  cut  it  is  yellow,  but  changes  to  a 
beautiful  red  or  bright  coral. 
Corax,  'raks.    A  gen.  of  minute  triangu- 
lar sharks'  teeth  found  in  the  chalk  for- 
mations, differing  from  recent  teeth  in  be- 
ing solid. 

Corban,  kor'ban.  In  Jewish  Antiq.  a 
solemn  consecration  of  anything  to  God, 
as  of  one's  self,  one's  services  or  posses 
sions.  An  interdiction  of  one's  self  from 
giving  or  receiving  some  particular  thing, 
as  if  it  were  corban.  An  alms-basket ;  a 
gift ;  a  treasury  of  the  church  wh^re  of- 
ferings arc  deposited. 

Corbeil,  'bGl.  A  basket,  to  be  filled  mth 
earth  and  set  upon  a  parapet,  to  shelter 
soldiers  from  the  fire  of  besiegers.  In 
Arch,  a  carved  basket  with  sculptured 
flowers  and  fruits. 
Corbel,  'bel.  In  Arch, 
a  projection  from  the 
vortical  fiice  of  a  wall  to 
support  some  superin- 
cumbent object.  Cor- 
bels are  of  a  great  vari- 
ety of  forms,  and  are 
ornamented  in  many 
wajrg.  A  niche  left  in 
a  Avail  for  an  image, 
statue  or  figure ;  in  this 
iise  written  also  Corbet. 
Tl|ie  vase  or  tambour  of 
the  Corinthian  column, 
so  called  from  its  re- 
semblance to  a  basket.  Corbel. 


Corbel-steps.     iStcps   into   which   the 
sides  of  gables  from  the  eaves  to  the  apex 
are    broken.     Sometimes    called    Corbie- 
steps. 
Corbel-table,     -ta-bl.      A     projecting 
course ;  a  tier  of  windows  ;  an  entabla- 
ture, or  other  architectural  arrangement 
which  requires  the  support  of  numerous 
corbels. 
Cord,  kord,    A  string  or  small  rope  com- 
posed of  several  strands  twisted  together. 
A  measure  of  wood  or  other  material,  con- 
taining 128  cubic  feet. 
Cordal,'al.  In  Her.  a  string  of  the  mantle 
or  robe  of  estate,  made  of  silk  and  gold 
threads,  interwoven  hke  a  cord,  with  tas- 
sels at  the  end. 
Cordate,  kor'dat.     Having  the  form  of  a 
heart ;  heart-shaped,  a  term  largely  used 
by  naturahsts. 

Corday  d'Armans,  Charlotte,  kor'- 
f  a'  Granddaughter  of  the  dramatist 
Corneille ;  b.  in  Normandy,  France,  176S ; 
stung  to  patriotic  desperation  by  the 
atrocities  of  Mar;it,  she  obtained  access  to 
his  house  by  a  pretense,  and  while  in  the 
act  of  handing  him  a  false  list  of  suspects 
she  stiibbed  him  to  the  heart,  1793.  She 
was  guillotined,  preserving  her  ibrtitudo 
to  the  last. 

Cordelier,  'el-er.  The  name  applied  in 
France  to  the  strictest  branch  of  Francis- 
can friars,  on  account  of  their  wearing  a 
girdle  of  knotted  cord,  The  name  as- 
sumed by  one  of  the  Parisian  political 
clubs  in  the  time  of  the  revolution,  which 
numbered  Uanton  and  Marat  among  its 
chief  members. 

Cordiceps,  kor'di-seps.  A  gen.  of  fungi, 
some  of  which  are  found  on  dead  leaves 
and  branches,  while  others  are  remarkable 
for  growing  on  the  larvte  of  insects. 
Cordillera,  -dil-le'ra.  A  name  some- 
times given  to  the  mountain  range  of  the 
Andes  in  South  America  but  properly 
applicable  onlj^  to  its  innermost  and  high- 
est ridge. 

Cordon,  'don.  In  Fort,  a  row  of  stono 
jutting  before  the  rampart  and  the  basis  of 
"the  parapet  or  between  the  wall  which  liea 
aslope,  and  the  parapet  which  is  perpen- 
dicular. A  series  of  military  posts  or  sen- 
tinels, inchjsing  or  guarding  any  particular 
place,  to  prevent  the  passage  of  persons 
other  than  those  entitled  to  pass.  In 
Arch,  the  edge  of  a  stone  on  the  outside 
of  a  building.  In.  Her.  a  baldrick  or  rib- 
bon worn  across  the  breast  by  knights  of 
the  first  class  of  an  order.  A  tasselecl 
lace  or  string  of  a  mantle  on  state  and  in- 
stallation robe». 


CORDOYA 


215 


cork: 


Cordova, k6r-do'va.  Cap.  of  the  Span- 
ish pi-ov,  of  C,  on  the  Gaudalqulver,  In 
Andahisia;  C.  was  captured  by  the 
Moors  in  til,  and  occupied  by  them  till 
1236 ;  it  contains  the  remains  of  a  Moorish 
mosque,  built  in  the  8th  century ;  pop. 
abt.  36,000.  Cap.  of  a  pro  v.  of  same  name 
in  the  Ai-gentino  Republic,  8.  America ; 
pop.  abt.  30,000. 

Corduroy,  -dii-roi'.  A  thick  cotton 
stutf  corded  or  ribbed  on  the  surface.  C. 
road,  constructed  with  logs  laid  together 
over  swamps  or  marshy  places. 

Cordwain,  kord'wan.  Spanish  leather ; 
goat-skin  tanned  and  dressed. 

Cord-vrood,  'w^d.  Wood  cut  and  piled 
for  sale  by  the  cord,  in  distinction  from 
long  wood;  properly,  wood  cut  to  the 
length  of  4  feet. 

Core,  kor.  The  heart  or  inner  part  of  a 
thing;  particularly  the  central  part  of 
fruit  containing  the  kernels  or  seeds.  In 
Mining,  the  number  of  hours  each  party 
of  miners  work  before  being  reUeved. 

Coregronus,  ko-reg'on-us.  A  gen.  of 
fresh  water  fish,  including  the  vendaee, 
the  gwyniad,  the  powan  or  fresh-water 
herring,  the  pollan  and  the  white-flsh,  by 
some  regarded  as  the  finest  of  all  fish. 

Co-respondent,  -ro-spond'ent.  In  Law, 
a  ioint  respondent,  or  one  opposed,  along 
w'ith  another  or  others,  to  the  plaintiff;  a 
man  charged  with  adultery,  and  made  a 
party  to  a  suit  for  dissolutiojx  of  man-iage. 

Corfu,  kor'foo.  A  Grecian  island,  one  of 
the  Ionian  group ;  area  22T  sq.  m. ;  pop. 
82,100.  Anciently  called  Corcyra;  the 
island  has  for  ceiMturies  been  an  important 
naval  station ;  the  Corinthians,  Byzan- 
tines, Normana,  Venetians  and  the  British 
having  used  it  for  this  purpose.  The  cap. 
C.  is  a  fortified  city,  with  an  excellent 
harbor ;  pop.  27,462. 

Cor  Hydrse,  kor  hi'dre.  The  heart  of 
the  Hydra ;  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude 
in  the  constellation  of  Hydra. 

Corinna,  ko-rin'na.  A  Theban  poetess, 
daugliter  of  Archelodorus ;  a  successful 
competitor  of  llndar,  winning  five  prizes 
for  which  he  entered.  She  lived  about 
500  B.  c.  Only  fragments  of  her  Avritings 
are  now  extant. 

Corinthi,  kor'inth.  An  ancient  Greek 
city,  in  the  Morea,  5  m.  from  Athens, 
founded,  according  to  tradition,  by  Sisy- 
phus, in  Myth,  son  of  ^olus ;  it  was  a 
considerable  city  657  b.  c,  and  took  a 
leading  i)art  in  the  history  of  Greece  down 
to  146  B.  c,  when  it  was  completely  de 
stroyed  by  the  Roman  general,  L.  Mum- 


mius,  it  baing  considered  the  head  of  the 
the  Achaean  League.  Rebuilt  by  Julius 
Caisar,  and  made  the  cap.  of  Achaia,  it 
again  became  an  important  centre.  St. 
Paul  established  a  church  there,  and  two 
of  his  most  important  epistles  were  ad- 
dressed to  it.  It  afterward  passed  into 
the  possession  of  the  Venetians,  was  cap- 
tm-ed  by  the  Turks,  and  retaken  by  each 
power,  losing  both  prestige  and  commer- 
cial importance.  At  one  time  having  a 
pop,  of  70,000,  it  is  now  a  village  of  2,500. 
Isthmus  of  C.  connects  the  Morea  with 
the  Grecian  mainland,  20  m.  in  length. 
Corinth.  A  village  in  Alcorn  Co.,  Miss., 
noted  for  an  obstinate  two  days'  battle, 
Oct.  8-4, 1862,  between  the  Federals  un- 
der Gen.  Rosecrans,  and  the  confederates 
under  Gen.  Van  Dorn.  The  latter  num- 
bered 30,000,  and  made  the  attack ;  the 
former  had  but  20,000,  but  held  the  field. 
Federal  loss,  2,359  ;  Confederate,  9,363. 

Corinthian,  ko-rin' 
thi-an.  Pertaining  to 
Corinth,a  celebrated  city 
of  Greece,  noted  for  the 
magnificence  of  its  arch- 
itecture, its  luxury  and 
licentiousness.  The  C. 
is  the  most  dehcate  of 
all  the  orders,  and  en- 
riched with  a  profusion 
of  ornaments.  The  cap- 
ital is  usually  adorned 
with  olive  leaves  or 
acanthus.  A  gay,  licen- 
tious person.  A  mem- 
ber of  the  aristocracy. 
Two  epistles  written  by 
St.  Paul  to  the  Church 
of  Corinth,  about  a.  d.  Corinthian  Order. 
57  or  58.  From  1  Cor. 
V.  9,  it  has  been  coniectured  that  a  previous 
•pistle  is  lost. 

Coriolanus,  Caius  Marcus.  A  legen 
dary  Roman  general,  tlie  subject  of 
Shakespeare's  tragedy.  C.  attained  his 
surname  from  a  great  victory  over  thT 
Corioli;  afterward  made  the  subject  o! 
jealous  distrust,  he  joined  the  Volsci,  and 
led  them  against  Rome.  Faltering  in  his 
purpose,  through  the  Intercession  of  his 
wife  and  mother,  he  was  slain  by  TuUus 
Anfidius. 

Cork.  A  species  of  oak,  Quercus  Siiber, 
having  a  thick,  rough  bark,  for  whicn  it 
is  cultivated.  It  yields  bai-k  every  six  or 
eight  years  for  150  years.  The  outer 
bark  of  the  tree  or  epiphlueam,  of  which 
stopples  for  bottles  and  casks  are  made. 
This  bark  is  also  burned  to  make  Spauislj 


CORIUM 


216 


CORN-LAWS 


black.  "When  oxidized,  cork  yields  oxalic, 
suberic,  and  ceraic  acids  ;  it  is  chiefly  com- 
posed of  a  raoditication  of  cellulose  called 
suberin.  Mountain  cork,  a  variety  of  as- 
bestos. 

Corium,  kO'ri-um.  Lea- 
thern body-armor,  worn 
by  the  Romans  and  other 
nations  of  antiquity.  The 
innermost  layer  of  the 
skin  in  mammals,  the  cu- 
tis vera  or  true  skin. 


Cork,  kork.  A  county  and 
city  of  8.  Ireland,  prov.  of 
Munster ;  pop.  of  Co., 
560,213;  of  city,  83,480.1 
The  latter  is  one  of  Ire- 
land's principal  seaports, 
its  harbor,  known  as  the 
Cove  of  C,  being  large,  safe  and  pictur- 
esque. 

Cork-fossil,  'fos-sil.  A  mineral ;  a  spe- 
cies of  Amianthus,  resembling  vegetable 
cork  ;  the  lightest  of  all  minerals. 

Cork-jacket,  'jak-et.  A  sleeveless  jack- 
et, padded  with  cork,  designed  to  buoy 
up  a  person  in  the  water. 

Cor  Leonis,  kor  le-6'nis.  The  Lion's 
Heart ;  another  name  for  Regulus,  a  star 
of  the  first  magnitude  in  the  constellation 
Leo. 

Corn,  korn.  A  single  seed  of  cereal 
plants,  as  wheat,  rye,  barley  and  maize ;  a 
grain.  The  seeds  of  cereal  plants  in  gen- 
eral, in  bulk  or  quantity.  In  this  sense 
the  word  comprehends  all  kinds  of  food 
grain,  bxit  in  England  it  is  generally  ap- 
plied to  wheat,  rye,  oats  and  barley,  in 
Scotland  only  to  oats,  and  in  the  United 
States  it  is  appropriated  to  maize. 

Corn.  A  hard  excrescence  or  induration 
of  the  skin  on  some  part  of  the  feet. 

Corn-beetle,  'bc-tl.  The  Cucujus  tes- 
taceous, a  minute  beetle,  the  larva  of 
which  is  often  very  destructive  to  grain. 

Cornbrash,  'brash.  A  rubbly  limestone, 
forming  a  soil  in  Wiltshire,  England.  The 
term  is  used  by  geologists  to  indicate  the 
strata,  the  highest  member  of  the  lower 
oolite. 

Corn-cutter,  'kut-er.  A  machine  for 
reaping  corn,  or  for  cutting  up  stalks  of 
corn  for  food  of  cattle. 

Corneille,  Pierre,  k6r-n«el'.  A  cele- 
brated French  dramatist;  b.  1606,  b.  1684. 
His  tragedies  are  as  famous  in  France  as 
Shakespeare's  in  England. 

Cornelia.  The  most  renowned  of  Ro- 
man matrons,  daughter  of  Scipio  AfHca- 
nus  and  mother  of  the  two  Gracchi,  Tibe- 


rius and  Caius.    She  died  in  the  2d  cen- 
tury B.  c. 

Cornelius,  Peter  Von.  A  celebrated 
German  painter;  n.  17S7,  d.  186T.  His 
"  Last  Judgment,"  in  thech.  of  St.  Louis, 
Munich,  is  30  by  GO  ft. 
Corner-tooth,  kor'ner-toth.  One  of  the 
outer  of  the  incisor  teeth  in  either  jaw  of 
a  horse.  There  are  two  above  and  two 
below,  and  they  shoot  when  the  horse  is 
four  and  a  half  years  old. 
Cornet,  'net.  A  wind  instrument,  blown 
with  the  mouth,  originally  serpentino'ia 
form,  and  increasing  in  diameter  from 
the  mouth-piece  out.  A  cornet-i-piston. 
A  stop  in  an  organ,  intended  to  imitate 
the  tone  of  the  old  cornet.  Millt.,  a  com- 
pany of  cavahy.  The  former  title  of  tho 
officer  who  carries  the  colors  In  a  troop  of 
horse,  now  the  second  lieutenant.  A  little 
cap  of  paper  t\visted  at  the  end,  in  which 
retailers  inclose  small  wares.  In  Costume, 
the  square  cap  of  a  doctor  of  divinity.  A 
portion  of  the  head-dress  of  ladies  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  VIII.,  called  afterward 
the  upper  pinner.  The  cornet  or  coronet 
of  a  horse,  the  lower  part  of  his  pastern. 
Corn-excbangre,  korn'eks-chanj.  A 
place  where  grain  is  sold  or  bartered. 
Corn-fly,  'fll.  A  name  given  to  several 
insects  of  the  genera  Chlorops  and  Oscinis, 
fam.  Muscida?,  from  the  injury  they  inflict 
on  growing  crops. 

Com-huskingr,  -husk-ing.  An  assem- 
blage of  friends  and  neighbors  at  the 
house  of  a  farmer  to  assist  him  in  strip- 
ping the  husks  from  his  Indian  coi-n, 
called  also  a  husking  bee. 
Cornice,  kor'nis.  Any  molded  projec- 
tion which  finishes  the  part  to  which  it  is 
aflixed ;  specifically,  the  highest  part  of 
an  entablature  resting  on  the  frieze. 
When  plain  it  is  called  a  coping.  C.  ring, 
the  ring  in  a  cannon  next  behind  the  muz- 
zle ring. 

Cornine,  'nin.    A  principle  in  the  bark 
of  C!ornus  Florida,  having  properties  ro 
sembling  those  of  quinine. 
Comingr-house,     korn'ing-hous.       A 
house  where  gunpowder  is  granulated. 
Cornish,  'ish.    The  ancient  language  of 
Cornwall,  a  dialect  of  the  Celtic.    It  be- 
came extinct  as  a  spoken  language  about 
the  beginning  of  the  present  century. 
Corn-laws,  'laz.   Legislative  restrictions 
relating  to  the  trade  of  grain.    The  corn- 
laws  of  Great  Britain  were  repealed  in 
1846,  and  foreign  grain  admitted  on  pay- 
ment of  a  nominal  duty,  which  -yvaa  re- 
pealed in  1869. 


COEMJCOPIA 


217 


OORPOEAL 


Cornucopia,  kor-nu-ko'pi-a.  In  Class. 
antiq.  a  -wreathed  horn  overflowinp:  Avith 
fruit,  flowers  and  grain,  the  symbol  of 
plenty  and  concord,  and  still  much  used 
as  an  ornament.  A  gen.  of  grasses  whose 
spikes  resemble  tlie  cornucopia. 

Cornwallis,  Charles,  Marquis.  A 
Jiritish  general ;  u.  17-38,  r.  1805.  He  com- 
manded in  Amei-icd  during  the  Revolution, 
and  after  gaining  several  minor  victories 
surrendered  his  army  of  8.000  men  to  the 
American  and  French  armies  imder  Yv^ash- 
ington  and  Lafayette,  at  Yorktown,  Oct. 
19,  17*31.  He  was  afterward  appointed 
Governor-general  of  India,  defeating 
Tippoo  Sahib ;  then  made  Yiceroy  of  Ire- 
land, and  sent  again  to  govern  India,  in 
which  country  he  died. 

Cororaandel.  The  8.  E.  coast  of  Hin- 
dostan,  between  Point  Calimere  and 
Gondegam. 

Coromandel-wood,  ko-ru-man'del- 
wud.  A  beautiful  brown  cabinet  wood 
from  the  coast  of  Coromandel. 

Corona,  'na.  In  Arch,  part  of  a  cor- 
nice between  the  bed  molding  and  cymat- 
ium.  It  consists  of  a  broad,  vertical  pro- 
jecting face.  Its  soffit  is  generally  recess- 
ed upward  to  facilitate  the  fall  of  rain  from 
its  face.  Among  workmen  called  the 
drip.  In  Anat. 
the  upper  portion 
of  the  molar 
teeth.  C.  ciliaris, 
ciliary  ligament. 
C.  glandis,  the 
margin     of    the 

flans  penis.  In 
lot.  the  margin 
ofa  radiated  com- 
pos! t  e  flower. 
An  appendage  of 
the  petals  of  a 
flower  proceeding 
from  the  base  of 
the  limb.  The  ap- 
pendage   to    the 

top  of  seeds  which  enables  them  to  dis- 
perse. In  Astron.  the  portion  of  the 
aureola  observed  during  total  eclipses  of 
the  sun,  which  lies  outside  the  chromo- 
sphere, or  region  of  colored  prom- 
inences. A  crown  or  circlet  suspended 
from  the  roof  of  churches  to  hold  tapers 
lighted  on  solemn  occasions ;  called  also 
C.  Lucis.  Among  the  Romans,  a  crown 
bestowed  as  a  reward  for  distinguished 
military  service.  A  peculiar  phase  of  the 
aurora  "borealis.  C.  borealis,  the  North- 
ern Crown,  ft  constellation  cont lining  21 
etars.  C.  australis,  the  Southern  Ci-own, 
a  constellation  containing  12  stars. 


Corona  Lucis 


Coronach.,  kor'6-nach.  A  dirge ;  a 
lamentation  for  the  dead.  The  custom  of 
singing  dirges  at  funerals  anciently  prev- 
alent in  Scotland  and  Ireland,  is  still 
practiced  in  some  districts. 

Coronal,  ko-ro'nal.  A  crown  ;  Avreftth ", 
garland.     The  first  suture  of  the  skull. 

Coronation,  kor-o-na'shon.  The  act  of 
crowning  a  king  or  emperor ;  the  act  of 
investing  a  prince  with  the  insignia  of 
royalty  on  his  succeeding  to  the  sovereign- 
t3^  I'he  assembly  attending  a  coronation. 
C.  oath,  the  oath  taken  by  a  king  at  his 
coronation. 

Coronellidse,  -nel'i-de.  A  sub-fam.  of 
ophidian  reptiles,  fam.  Colubridje.  It  in- 
cludes several  genera,  Psammophylax  and 
Coronella. 

Coroner,  'o-ner.  The  title  of  an  office 
established  in  Anglo-Saxon  times,  of 
which  the  holder  was,  in  a  peculiar  man- 
ner, the  ofiicer  of  the  crown,  whose  pri- 
vate rights  of  property  It  was  his  duty  to 
maintain  and  superintend  in  the  county 
for  which  he  acted.  The  principal  func- 
tion Avhich  the  coroner  now  exercises  Is 
that  of  holding  inquests  on  the  bodies  of 
such  as  either  die  or  are  supposed  to  die  a 
violent  death. 

Coronet,  -net. 
An     inferiors 
crown  Avorn  by* 
princes,     prin- 
cesses and  no- 
blemen.   The  ***^ 
coronet  of  the     Coronets  of  Prince  of 
Prince      of  "Wales  and  younger  chil- 
Wales  is  com-        dren  of  the  Queen, 
posed  of  a  fillet 

of  gold ;  on  the  edge  four  crosses  patt6e 
between  as  many  fleurs-de-lis,  and  from 
the  tAvo  center  crosses  an  arch  surmount- 
ed with  a  mound  and  cross.  Those  of  the 
younger  members  of  the  royal  family  lack 
the  arch  and  upper  cross.  That  of  a  duke 
is  adorned  Avith  straAvberrv  leaves  ;  that 
of  a  marquis  has  leaves  with  pearls  Inter- 
spersed ;  tn  that  of  an  earl  tne  pearls  are 
above  the  leaves ;  that  of  a  viscount  is 
surrounded  Avith  pearls  only  ;  that  of  a 
baron  has  but  six  pearls. 

Corozo-nuts,  ro'zo-nuts.  The  seeds  of 
a  tropical  American  palm,  the  Phytelephas 
macrocarpa,  Avhose  hardened  albumen  is 
knoAvn  as  vegetable  ivory. 

Corporal,  kor'po-ral.  The  lowest  non- 
commissioned oflicer  of  a  company  of  in- 
fantry. The  ship's  corporal  is  the  supe- 
rior of  the  first-class  Avorking  petty  offi- 
cers, and  attends  to  police  matters  under 
the  master-at-arms. 


COEPOSANT 


218 


COEVETTE 


Corposant,  -zant.  A  name  given  by 
seamen  to  a  ball  of  electric  light  often  ob- 
served in  dark  tempestuous  nights. 

Corps,  kor.  A  body  of  troops ;  any  divi- 
sion ofan  army.  0.  d'armee  the  largest 
division  of  the  army  in  the  field.  C.  de 
bataille,  the  main  body  of  an  army  drawn 
up  for  battle  between  the  wings.  C.  de 
garde,  a  post  occupied  by  a  body  of  men 
on  watch,  also  the  body  which  occupies  it. 
C.  de  reserve,  troops  kept  out  of  action, 
with  a  ^iew  of  being  brought  forward  if 
their  aid  should  be  required.  C.  diplomat- 
ique, the  body  of  ministers.  C.  Legisla- 
tif,  the  lower  house  of  the  French  legisla- 
ture. 0.  volant,  a  body  of  troops  in- 
tended for  rapid  movements. 

Corpse,  korps.  The  dead  body  of  a  hu- 
man being. 

Corpus  Christi.  A  festival  of  the  E. 
C.  Church,  celebrated  Thursday  after 
Pentecost  week. 

Corpuscle,  kor'pus-1.  A  minute  parti- 
cle, molecule,  or  atom  of  matter.  A  mi- 
nute animal  cell  generally  inclosing  granu- 
lar matter,  and  sometimes  a  spheroidal 
body  called  a  nucleus ;  as,  blood  corpus- 
cles, chyle  corpuscles. 

Ck>rral,  -ral'.  A  pen  or  inclosure  for 
horses  or  cattle.  An  inclosure  formed  of 
wagons  employed  by  emigrants  as  a 
means  of  defense  against  Indians.  A 
strong  stockade  for  capturing  wild  ele- 
phants. 

Corregidor,  ko-re'ji-dor.  In  Spain  the 
chiefmagistrateofa  town.  In  Portugal, 
a  magistrate  possessing  administrative, 
but  no  governing,  power. 

Oorreg-g-io,  Antonio  Allegrri,  kor- 
red'jo.  An  eminent  Italian  painter  ;  b. 
1494,  B.  1534. 

Correlig-ionist,  -re-li'jon-ist.  One  of 
the  same  religious  persuasion  as  another, 
one  belonging  to  the  same  branch  of  the 
church. 

Corridor,  'ri-dor.  A  gallery  or  passage 
in  a  building  leading  to  rooms  at  a  dis- 
tance from  each  other.  The  covered  way 
round  the  whole  compass  of  the  fortificar 
tions  of  a  place. 

Corroboree,  -rob'o-re".  The  native 
name  of  the  Australian  war-dance. 

Corsak,  'sak.  A  species  of  yellowish 
fox  or  dog  found  in  Tartary. 

Cor  Scorpionis,  gkor-pi-6'nis.  A  name 
for  Antares,  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude 
in  the  zodiacal  constellation  Scorpio. 

Corsica,  'se-ka.  A  French  island  in 
the  Mediterranean,  sepai-ated  from  Sar- 
dinia by  the  Straits  of  Bonifacio ;  45  by 


Corselet. 


120  m.;  pop.  204,318.  Ajaccio,  the  cap., 
is  noted  as  the  bii'thplace  of  Napoleon  I., 
and  the  island  as  the  place  of  his  first 
banishment. 

Corselet,  kors'let.  A  cuirass 
or  armor  to  cover  and  protect 
the  body,  worn  formerly  by 
pikemen.      In   England   it 
was  enacted  in  1558  that  all 
persons  having    estates    of 
£1,000  or  upward,  should, 
along  with   other   descrip- 
tions of  armor,   keep  forty 
corselets.      That   part  of  a  < 
■winged  Insect  to  which  thej 
Avings  and  legs  are  attached;| 
the  thorax. 

Corset,  kor'set.  Something 
worn  to  give  shape  to  the 
body  ;  a  bodice  ;  stays. 

Cortege,  -tazh.    A  train  of  atten  dants. 

Cortes,  'tez.  The  Spanish  and  Portu- 
guese name  of  the  States  of  the  kingdom, 
composed  of  nobility,  clergy  and  repre- 
sentatives of  cities;  the  assembly  of 
States  answering  in  some  measure  to  the 
Parliament  of  Great  Britain. 

Cortes,  Hernando.  A  Spanish  adven- 
turer ;  B.  1485,  D.  154T.  Celebrated  as  the 
conqueror  of  Mexico. 

Cortex,  'tex.  Bark,  as  of  a  tree;  hence, 
an  outer  covering.  The  cortex  of  plants 
consists  of  an  inner  fibrous  layer  called 
the  liber  or  endophlreum,  a  middle  cellu- 
lar layer,  the  mesophlceum,  and  an  outer 
corky  layer,  the  epiphlosum,  on  the  ex- 
terior of  Avhich  is  the  epidermis  or  cuticle. 
In  Med.  Peruvian  bark. 

Corticata,  'ti-ka-ta.  The  barked  corals, 
a  family  including  the  polyps  formiug  the 
red  coral  of  commerce.  The  species  prop- 
agate by  buds  and  eggs. 

Cortile,  kort'i-la.  A  small  court,  inclosed 
by  the  divisions  of  a  building.  The  area 
or  courtyard  of  a  dwelling-house. 

Corundum,  ko-run'dum.  The  earth  alu- 
mina, as  found  native  in  a  crystalline 
state.  In  hardness  it  is  next  to  the  dia- 
mond ;  the  amethyst,  ruby,  sapphire, 
topaz,  emery,  «S6C.,  are  varieties  of  this 
mineral.  It  is  nearly  pure  anhydrous 
alumina,  and  its  specific  gravity  Is  nearly 
four  times  that  or  water. 

Corunna.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name 
in  E.  Spain,  a  fine  seaport  on  the  Bay  of 
Betanzas ;  pop.  33,600. 

Cojrvette-  kor- vet'.  A  flush-decked  ves- 
sel, ship-rigged,  but  without  a  quarter- 
deck, and  having  only  one  tier  of  gims. 


COKVID^ 


219 


COSTEANING 


Corvidse,  'vi-do.  The  crows,  a  fam.  of 
conirostral  birds,  including  the  common 
crow,  rook,  raven,  magpie,  jay,  jackdaw, 
nut-cracker,  Cornish  cliough,  &c. 

Corvisart,    Jean  Nicolas,  Baron. 

A  distinguished  French  surgeon  ;  b  .  1T55, 
D.  1821.  He  was  physician -in -chief  to  Na- 
poleon I.  from  1800  until  his  abdication. 

Corvus  ''vus.  A  constellation  of  the 
Southern  hemisphere,  containing  9  stars. 
The  name  given  to  several  ancient  mili- 
tary war  engines. 

Corwin,  Thomas.  An  eloquent  Amer- 
ican statesman  ;  b.  in  Ky.,  1T94,  d.  in 
"Washington,  1865.  He  served  in  the 
State  Legislature,  both  houses  of  Con- 
gress, as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and 
Minister  to  Mexico. 

Corybant,  ko'ri-bant.  A  priest  of  Cy- 
bele  wh©  celebrated  the  mysteries  with 
mad  dances  to  the  sound  of  drum  and 
cymbal. 

Corynida,  -rin'i-da.  A  fam.  of  hy- 
droid  ca-lenterates.  The  body  consists 
either  of  a  single  polypite,  or  of  several 
united  b}^  a  coeosarc,  Avhich  usually  de- 
velops a  firm  outer  layer  or  polypary, 

Corjrpheena, -ri-fc'na.  A  gen.  of  teleos- 
tean  fishes,  fam.  Scomberidffi,  to  which 
the  name  dolphin  has  been  popularly 
transferred.  By  some  naturalists  this  gen. 
has  been  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  fam.  un- 
der the  name  Coryphsenidaj. 

Coryphee,  -re-fa.    A  ballet  dancer. 

Coryphodon,  -rif  o-don.  A  gen.  of  ex- 
tinct IJngulata,  forming  a  link  between 
the  elephants  and  tapirs,  found  in  the 
Eocene  formations  of  England  and  France. 

Corystidse,  -rist'I-de.  A  fam.  of  short- 
tailed  crustaceans  or  crabs,  of  which  the 
gen.  Corystes  is  the  type. 

Co-secant,  ko-se'kant.  In  Geom.  the  se- 
cant of  arc  which  is  the  complement  of 
another  to  90°;  or  the  co-secant  of  an  arc 
or  angle  is  the  secant  of  its  complement 
and  vice  versa. 

Coshering:,  kosh'er-ing,  In  Ireland  an 
old  feudal  custom  Avhereby  the  lord  of  the 
soil  was  entitled  to  feast  himself  and  fol- 
lowers at  a  tenant's  house,  afterwards 
commuted  for  chief-rent. 

Co-sine,  ko-sln.  In  Geom.  the  sine  of  an 
arc  which  is  the  complement  of  another 
to  90°;  or  the  co-sine  of  any  arc  or  angle 
Is  the  sine  of  its  complement. 

Cosmetic,  koz-met'ik.  Any  preparation 
that  renders  the  skin  soft,  pure  and 
white. 

Cosmic,  'mik.     Eelating  to  the  universe 


and  to  the  laws  by  which  its  order  it 
maintained.  Harmonious,  as  the  uni- 
verse ;  orderly.  Pertaining  to  the  solar 
system  as  a  whole,  and  not  to  the  earth 
alone.  In  Astron.  rising  or  setting  with 
the  sun  ;  the  opposite  of  acronycal.  Of 
inconceivably  great  or  prolonged  dura- 
tion. C.  speed,  that  inconceivably  rapid 
rate  at  which  cosmical  bodies  move  in 
their  orbits. 

Cosmogrony,  -mog'on-i.  The  genera- 
tion, origin,  or  creation  of  the  world  or 
universe  ;  the  science  of  the  origin  or  for- 
mation of  the  universe. 

Cosmography,  'ra-fl.  A  description  of 
the  world  or  universe. 

Cosmolatry,  -mora-tri.  The  worship 
paid  to  the  world  or  its  parts  by  the 
heathen. 

Cosmometry,  -mom'et-ri.  The  art  of 
measuring  the  world  by  degrees  and  min- 
utes. 

Cosmopolitan,  -mo-pol'i-tan.  A  per- 
son who  has  no  fixed  residence ;  one  who 
is  at  home  in  every  place  ;  a  citizen  of  the 
■v^orld, 

Cosmorama,  -ra'ma.  A  view  or  series 
of  views  of  the  world  ;  a  comprehensive 
painting. 

Cosmos,  'mos.     Order,  harmony. 

Cosnxosphere,  'mo-sfer.  An  apparatus 
for  showing  the  position  of  the  earth,  at 
any  given  time,  with  respect  to  the  fixed 
stars. 

Co-sovereig-n.  ko-sov'e-rin.  A  joint- 
sovereign  ;  a  king  or  queen  consort. 

Coss,  kos.  In  India,  a  road-measure, 
ranging  between  ^  and  2  miles. 

Cossack,  'sak.  One  of  a  warlike  people, 
very  expert  on  horseback,  inhabiting  the 
steppes  in  the  south  of  Eussia,  about  the 
Don,  &c. 

Cossas,  'saz.    Plain  India  muslin, 

Cossonus,  -so'nus.  A  gen.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  fam.  Curculionidse,  of 
which  C.  lineai-is  is  the  type. 

Cossiis,  'sus.  A  gen.  of  moths,  fam. 
HepiaUdae  or  Xylotropha ;  woodborers. 

Cossyphus,  'si-fus.  A  gen.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  sec.  Heteromera. 

Costa  Rica.  A  S.  American  EepubUc, 
bet.  the  river  San  Juan  and  Isthmus  of 
Panama;  area,  16,250  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt. 
200,000.  Its  chief  towns  are  San  Jose,  the 
cap.,  Punta  Arenas  and  Matira. 

Costeaningr,  'te-an-ing.  The  process  of 
sinking  small  pits  to  discover  a  mining 
lode. 


COSTEEL 


OOTYLOPHORA 


Costrel,    kos'trel.      A  small   vessel   of 


Costrels. 
leather,  wood,  or  earthenware,   g'enerally 
with  ears ;  a  vessel  for  holding  wine.    An 
ancient  drinking  cup,  generally  of  wood. 

Costumer,  ''tfim-er.  One  who  prepares 
costumes,  as  fortheatres,  fancy  balls,  &c.; 
one  who  deals  in  costumes. 

Co-tangrent,  ko-tan'jent.  The  tangent 
of  an  arc  which  is  the  complement  of 
another  to  90°  ;  or  the  tangent  of  the  com- 
plement of  any  arc  or  angle. 

Cote,  kdt.    A  sheepfold. 

Coterie,  ko'te-re.  A  set  or  circle  of 
friends  in  the  habit  of  meeting  for  social 
intercourse  or  other  purposes ;  a  clique. 

Cothurnus,  -them'us.  A  bus- 
kin, a  kind  of  shoe,  laced  high, 
such  as  Diana  and  her  nymphs 
are  represented  as  wearing. 

Coticular,  -tik'ii-ler.  Per- 
taining to  whetstones ;  suitable 
for  whetstones. 

Cotillon,  ko-tcl-yon.  A  brisk 
dance,  performed  by  eight  per- 
sons together.  A  tune  which 
regulates  the  dance.  Cothurnus. 

Cotopaxi,  ko-to-psik'se.  A  noted  volcanic 
peak  of  the  Andes  in  Ecuador;  3t  m.  S. 
E.  of  Quito ;  18,875  ft.  above  sea  level, 
its  crater  being  4,000  ft.  high,  and  impos- 
sible of  ascent. 

Cotswold,  kots'wold.  A  wold  where 
there  are  sheepcotes.  The  name  of  a 
range  of  hills  in  Gloucestershire,  Eng.  C. 
sheep,  a  breed  remarkable  for  the  length 
of  their  wool. 

Cotta,  kot'ta.  An  African  measure  con- 
taining 12,000  cowries. 

Cottag-e,  'tfij.  A  small  detached  suburb- 
an house,  adapted  to  a  moderate  scale  of 
living. 

Cottagre-piano,  pi-a-no.  A  small  up- 
right piano. 

Cottise,  'tis.  In  Her.  a  diminution  of 
the  bend,  containing  ia.  breadth  one  half 


of  the  bendlet ;  when  borne  alone  termed 
a  cost,  but  when  borne  in  pairs  cottises. 

Cottle,  'tl.  A  part  of  a  mold  used  by 
pewterers. 

Cotton,  'n.  A  soft  downy  substance  re- 
sembling flne  wool,  growing  in  the  cap- 
sules or  pods  of  Gossypium. 

Cottonade,  -ad.  Astout,  thick  fabric  of 
cotton. 

Cotton-grin,  -jin.  A  machine  to  separate 
the  seeds  from  cotton. 

Cottonian,  -'tO-'ni-an.  The  name  of  a 
famous  library,  founded  by  Sir  Eobert 
Cotton  early  in  the  17th  century,  added  to 
by  his  son  and  grandson,  and  handed  over 
to  trustees  for  the  benefit  of  the  British 
nation.    It  is  now  in  the  British  Museum. 

Cotton-plant, 
'tn-plant.     The 
popular  name  of 
several    species 
of    Gossypium, 
ord.    Malvaceae, 
from  which  the 
well-known  tex-; 
tile      substance 
cotton     is     ob- 
tained.      The' 
genus  is  indige- , 
nous  to  both  the 
Old  and  the  New 
World.    TheN. 

American     cot-  -^    ,  /^  ^      -r,,     ^ 

ton  is  produced  Herbaceous  Cotton  Plant 
by  Gossypium  barbadense;  that  grown 
in  S.  America  is  obtained  from  G.  peru- 
vianum,  called  also  kidney-cotton.  The 
indigenous  Indian  species  is  G.  herbaceum, 
which  yields  a  short-stapled  cotton. 

Cotton-press,  -pres.  A  machine  for 
pressing  cotton  into  bales. 

Cottus,  'tus.     A  gen.  of  teleostean  fishes, 

including  the  bull-head  or  miller's-thumb, 

the  sea-scorpion,  and  father-lasher. 
Cotyledon,    -il-e'don.      The    seed-leaf; 

the  first  leaf  or  leaves  of   the  embryo 

plant. 
Cougrar,  ko'gar 

A  voracioui 

quadruped  of  the 

catkiud,bysome 

called  the  puma 

or  red  tiger.      It 

is    one    of    the 

most  destructive  _s^ 

of  the  animals  of  ^ 

America,  partic- 

ularly   in    the 

warmer  climates. 
Cotylophora,  -of  6-ra.    A  name  applied 


Cougar. 


COUCHEE 


221 


COUNTESS 


to  all  bovine  and  cervine  animals  (except 
Tragulus  and  tbe  camels),  the  placenta 
being  cotyledonai-y. 

Couchee,  kush-a.  Bed-time ;  a  visit  re- 
ceived about  bed-time  ;  opposed  to  levee. 

Cougrnar,  kug'nar.    A  three-masted  Ma- 


Cougnar. 
lay  boat,  rigged  with  square  sails.    It  is 
broaid,  sits  low  in  the  water,  and  is  decked 
or  not  according  to  fancy. 

Coulisse,  ko-les.  A  piece  of  timber  vtith 
a  groove  in  it,  as  the  slides  in  which  the 
side  scenes  of  a  theatre  run,  the  upright 
posts  of  a  Hoodgate  or  sluice,  &c.  One  of 
the  side  scenes  of  the  stage  In  a  theatre, 
or  the  space  included  between  the  side 
scenes. 

Coulter,  kSFter.  An  iron  blade  or  knife 
inserted  into  the  beam  of  a  plow  for  the 
purpose  of  cutting  the  ground  in  front  of 
the  plowshare. 

Coulter-neb,  kolt'er-neb.  A  popular 
name  for  the  sea-bird  otherwise  known  as 
the  puffin. 

Coumaron,  ko-ma-ron.  The  native 
name  of  the  tree  (Dipterix  odorata),  ord. 
Leguminosffi,  which  yields  the  sweet- 
scented  Tonka  bean  of  the  perfumers. 

Count,  kount.  A  title  of  nobility,  equiv- 
alent to  the  English  earl,  and  whose  do- 
main is  a  county.  C.  Palatine,  formerly 
the  proprietor  of  a  county,  who  had  his 
own  courts,  appointed  judges  and  law  of- 
ficers, and  could  pardon  criminals. 

Counter,  'er.  A  term  in  nmsic.  That 
part  of  a  horse's  forehand  between  the 
shoulders  and  under  the  neck.  In  a  ship, 
an  arched  space  between  the  bottom  of 
the  stern  and  the  Aving-transoms  and  but- 
tock.    The  heel  part  of  a  boot. 

Counterba  lance,  koun'ter-bal-ans. 
Equal  weight,  power,  or  agency  acting  in 
opposition  to  anything.  A  weight  to  bal- 
ance the  vibrating  parts  of  machinery 
upon  their  axis  ;  also,  a  weight  by  which 
a  lever  acted  upon  by  an  intermitting 
force  is  returned  to  its  position. 


Counter-flory,  -tio-ri.  In  Her,  denoting 
that  flowers  with  which  an  ordinary  is 
adorned  stand  opposite  each  other  alter- 
nately. 

Counter-irritant,  -ir-it-ant.  In  Med. 
a  substance  employed  to  produce  an  arti- 
ficial or  secondary  disease,  in  order  to  re- 
lieve the  primary  one.  The  commonest 
counter-irritants  are  mustard,  cantharides 
or  Spanish  flies,  tartar  emetic,  setons  and 
the  actual  cautery. 

Countermand,  -mand.  A  contrary  or- 
der ;  revocation  of  a  former  order  or  com- 
mand. 

Countermark,  -mark.  A  mark  added 
to  marks  already  existing  for  greater  se- 
curity or  more  sure  identification.  A  fig- 
ure or  inscription  stamped  on  ancient 
coins  after  they  had  been  struck,  pointing 
to  a  change  of  value  or  showing  that  the 
money  had  been  taken  from  an  enemy. 
An  artificial  cavity  made  in  the  teeth  of 
horses  to  disguise  their  age. 
Countermine,  -mln.  Milit.,  a  gallery 
running  underground  in  search  of  the 
enemy's  mine  to  defeat  its  effect.  A  strat- 
agem or  project  to  frustrate  any  contriv- 
ance. 

Counterpane,-  pan.  A  bed-cover ;  a 
quilt. 

Counterplot,  -plot.  A  plot  or  artifloe 
opposed  to  another. 

Counterpoint,  -point.  In  Music,  a 
term  used  as  an  equivalent  of  harmony ; 
also  as  meaning  the  art  of  musical  compo- 
sition generally. 

Counter-pointe.  In  Her.  when  two 
chevrons  meet  with  their  points  in  the 
centre  of  the  escutcheon. 
Counterproof,  -prof.  In  Engr.  an  im- 
pression yielded  by  a  newly  printed  proof 
of  a  plate,  by  passing  the  proof  again 
through  the  press  with  a  fresh  sheet  of 
paper. 

Counterround,  -round.  A  body  of 
officers  going  to  inspect  the  sentinels. 
Counterscarp,  -kiirp.  In  Fort,  the  ex- 
terior talus  or  slope  of  the  ditch ;  some- 
times the  whole  covered  way,  with  its 
parapet  and  glacis. 

Countersign,  -sin,  A  private  signal 
given  to  soldiers  on  guard,  with  orders  to 
let  no  man  pass  unless  he  first  gives  that 
sign.  A  watchword  in  various  secret  oiv 
ders.  The  signature  of  a  subordinate  olfi- 
cer  to  a  writing  signed  by  the  principal. 
Countersink,  -singk.  A  drill  or  brace- 
bit  for  countersinking.  The  cavity  for  re- 
ceiving the  head  of  a  screw  or  bolt. 
Coxuitess,   kount'es.    The   wife   of  an 


COUTifTEY 


COUSm-GEEMAN 


earl  or  count,  or  a  lady  possessed  of  the 
dignity  in  her  own  right. 

Country,  kun'tri.  A  tract  of  land;  a 
kingdom.  Eural  parts  of  a  region,  as  op- 
posed to  cities  or  towns.  Land,  as  op- 
posed to  water. 

County,  koun'ti.  Originally,  the  dis- 
trict or  territory  of  a  count  or  earl.  Now, 
a  district  of  a  state  or  kingdom,  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  territory  for  certain 
purposes  in  the  administi-ation  of  justice. 

Coup,  ko.  A  French  terra  for  stroke  or 
blow,  and  used  to  convey  the  general  idea 
of  promptness  and  force. 

Coupe,  -pa.  The  front  seats  of  a  French 
diligence  ;  the  front  compartment  of  a 
first-class  railway  carriage.  A  four- 
wheeled  carriage  carrying  two  inside, 
with  a  seat  for  the  driver  oh  the  outside. 

Couped,  kupt.  In  Her.  a  term  used  to 
express  that  the  head  or  any  limb  of  an 
animal  is  cut  off  from  the  trunk :  in  con- 
tradistinction to  erased,  which  indicates 
that  the  head  or  limb  is  torn  off. 

Couple-close,  kup'1-klos.  In  Arch,  a 
pair  of  spars  for  a  roof;  couples.  In  Her. 
the  fourth  of  a  chevron,  never  borne  but 
In  pau's  except  there  is  a  chevron  between 
them. 

Couplingr-box,  -  i  n  g  - 
boks.  In  Mach.  the  box  or 
ring  of  metal  connecting 
the  contiguous  ends  of  two 
lengths  of  shaft. 

Coupon,  kd'pon.  An  in- 
terest certificate  attached 
to  transferable  bonds  given 
for  a  term  of  years.  One  r'r^„t'i\"'t.  v^^ 
of  a  series  of  tickets  which  Couphng-box. 
binds  the  issuer  to  perform  some  service, 
or  give  vaj^ue  for  certain  amounts  at  dif- 
ferent pepiods,  in  consideration  of  money 
received. 

Courant,  -rant'.  In  Her.  ahorse,  hound, 
or  other  beast  represented  running.  A 
piece  of  music  in  triple  time;  also,  a 
kind  of  dance,  consisting  of  a  time,  a  step, 
a  balance,  and  a  couple.  A  cu'culating 
gazette  ;  the  title  of  a  newspaper. 

Courap,  -rap'.  A  distemper  in  the  E.  In- 
dies, in  which  there  is  a  perpetual  irrita- 
tion and  eruption. 

Courier,  're-er.  A  messenger  sent  ex- 
press with  letters  or  dispatches.  A  trav- 
ehng  servant  whose  especial  duty  is  to 
make  all  arrangements  at  hotels  on  the 
journey.   A  frequent  title  of  a  newspaper. 

Course,  kors.  In  a  general  sense,  a 
moving  or  motion  forward  in  any  direc- 

ytion;  a  continuous  progression  or  advance. 


Disk 


The  direction  of  motion ;  the  line  iu 
which  a  body  moves.  In  pedestrianism 
and  horse-racing,  the  ground  or  distance 
to  be  covered.  I'he  charge  of  one  mounted 
knight  or  champion  against  another  in  the 
lists.  The  period  occupied  by  a  revolution 
of  the  moon,  or  of  the  earth  round  the 
sun.  The  continual  advance  or  progi-ess 
of  anything.  The  part  of  a  meal  served  at 
on.e  time. 

Courser,  'er.  A  swift  horse  ;  a  runner ; 
a  war  horse.  One  who  pursues  the  sport 
of  coursing  hares.  One  of  the  gen.  of 
grallatorial  birds  (Cursorius),  belonging 
to  the  plover  tribe,  Chariadriada?.  One 
of  the  order  of  birds  called  Cursores  or 
runners. 

Court,  kort.  An  Inclosed  uncovered  area, 
behind  or  in  front  of  a  house,  or  surround- 
ed by  buildings ;  a  court-yard.  A  palace; 
the  place  of  residence  of  a  king  or  sover- 
eign prince.  All  the  surroundings  of  a 
sovereign  in  his  regal  state;  the  body  of 
persons  composing  the  retinue  or  council 
of  a  monarch. 

Courtezan,  'e-zan.  A  woman  who  pros- 
titutes herself  for  hire. 

Court-gnide,  'gid.  A  directory  or  book 
containing  the  addresses  of  the  nobihty 
and  gently. 

Court-house,  'hous.  A  house  in  which 
established  courts  are  held. 

Court-martial,  -mar'shal.  A  court  con- 
sisting of  mihtaiy  or  naval  officers,  forth© 
trial  of  military  and  naval  ofl'enses,  the 
members  acting  both  as  judge  and  jury. 

Court-plaster,  'plas-ter.  Silk  varnished 
over  with  a  solution  of  isinglass,  often  per- 
fumed with  benzoin,  used  for  covering 
sUght  wounds. 

Coury,  kou'ri.  A  superior  catechu  made 
in  India  from  the  nuts  of  Areca  Catechu. 

Cous-COUS,  koz'koz.  A  favorite  W.  Af- 
rican dish,  consisting  of  millet-flour,  flesh, 
and  the  leaves  of  the  Adansonia  digitata, 
or  baobab. 

Cousin,  kuz'n.  In  a  general  sense,  one 
collaterally  related  more  remotely  than  a 
brother  or  sister.  Specifically,  the  son  or 
daughter  of  an  uncle  or  aunt.  In  the  sec- 
ond generation  they  are  called  second 
cousins.  A  title  given  by  a  king  to  a  no- 
bleman, particulai'Iy  to  those  of  the  Coun- 
cil. 

Cousin,  Victor,  koo'zang.  A  distin- 
guished French  philosopher  ;  b.  1792,  d. 
1867.  He  was  the  founder  of  Systematic 
Eclecticism. 

Cousin-grerman,  -jer-man.  A  cousin  i^ 
the  first  generation ;  a  fii-st  cousin. 


COUSSINET 


COWLET 


Coussinet,  kGs-si-net.  The  crowning- 
stone  of  a  pier.  The  ornament  in  the  Ionic 
capital  beween  the  abacus  and  the  echinus. 

Couteau.,  ko-to'.  A  short  dagger  in  use 
during  the  middle  ages  ;  a  hanger. 

Couthon,  G-eorges,  koo-tong.  A  mem- 
ber of  the  bloody  French  triumvirate,  his 
associates  being  Robespierre  and  St.  Just; 
B.  1T56,  guillotined  July  28,  1T94. 

Couvade,  -viid.  A  singular  custom  prev- 
alent among  some  of  the  primitive  races 
in  all  parts  of  the  world.  After  the  birth 
of  a  child  the  father  takes  to  bed  and  re- 
ceives the  food  and  complimenxs  usually 
given  to  the  mother.  Travelers  _  have 
met  with  the  custom  among  the  Chinese, 
the  Dyaks  of  Borneo,  the  negroes,  the  ab- 
original tribes  of  N.  and  S.  America,  &c. 

Cove,  kov.  A  small  inlet,  creek  or  bay. 
Any  kind  of  concave  molding  ;  the  con- 
cavity of  a  vault.  C.  bracketing,  the 
wooden  skeleton  forming  a  cove. 

Ck)ved,  kovd.    Forming  an  arch ;  curv- 


Coved  Ceiling. 
ing.    C.  ceiling,  a  ceiling  coved  or  arched 
at  its  junction  with  the  side  Avails. 

Covenanter,  kuv'en-ant-er.  One  who 
makes  a  covenant.  A  term  applied 
to  those  who  joined  in  the  Solemn 
League  and  Covenant  in  Scotland,  and  in 
particular  those  who  forcibly  resisted  the 
government  of  Charles  II. 

Coventry,  'n-try.     One  of  the  oldest 

English  cities,  18  m.  N.  E.  of  Birmingham, 

noted  for  its  beautiful  cathedral.    It  has 

large  manufactories  of  lace,  ribbons,  &c.; 

,•  pop.  43,790. 

Coverdale,  Miles.  An  English  prel- 
ate, and  one  of  the  earUest  reformers ; 
B.  1467,  ».  1568.  He  published  the  first 
entire  English  Bible,  1535. 

Coverlet,  'er-let.  The  upper  covering  of 
abed. 

Cover-point,  -point.  A  fielder  in 
the  game  of  cricket,  who  stands  behind 
I)oint,  and  whose  duty  is  to  stop  the  ball. 

Covey,  'e.  A  brood  of  birds  ;  an  old  fowl 
with  her  brood  ;  a  number  of  fowls  to- 
gether ;  as  a  covey  of  partridges.  A  com- 
pany; a  set. 


Cow,  kou.  The  general  term  applied  to 
the  females  of  the  gen.  Bos  or  ox.  Sea- 
cow,  the  Manatus,  a  gen.  of  herbivorous 
cetaceans. 

Co"W-boy,  'boi.  A  person  who  has  charge 
of  cattle.  The  name  given  to  a  band  of 
marauders  during  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, who  infested  the  neutral  ground  be- 
tween the  Bi-itish  and  American  lines,  and 
plundered  the  Revolutionists ;  tory 
refugees. 

Cow-bunting,  kou'bunt-ing.  The  Mo- 
lothrus  pecoris,  belonging  to  the  fam. 
Sturnidse  or  starUng  tribe ;  forming  one 
of  the  many  connecting  links  between 
that  family  and  the  Fringillida?  or  finches. 
Its  most  remarkable  trait  is  the  practice 
of  dropping  its  eggs  into  the  nests  of  other 
birds,  and  abandoning  its  progeny  to  the 
care  of  strangers.  It  has  never  been 
known  to  drop  more  than  one  egg  into 
the  same  nest. 

Cow-catdier,  'kach-er.    A  strong  fram« 


Locomotive  with  Cow-catcher. 
In  front  of  locomotives  for  removing  oV 
structions  from  the  rails. 

Cowhagre,  'aj.  The  hairs  of  the  pod  of 
a  leguminous  plant,  Mucuna  pruriens. 
They  easily  penetrate  the  skin,  and  pro- 
duce an  intolerable  itching.  They  are  em- 
ployed medicinally  as  a  mechanical  ver- 
mimge. 

Cowish,  'ish.  A  plant  found  in  the  val- 
lev  of  the  Oregon.  The  root  is  of  the  size 
of  a  walnut,  and  resembles  in  taste  the 
sweet-potato. 

CoAvl,  koul.  A  hood,  especially  a  monk's 
hood.  A  covering  for  the  top  of  a  chim- 
ney, which  turns  with  the  wind.  A  wire 
cap  on  the  top  of  an  engine  funnel. 

Cowley,  Abraham.  An  English  poet ; 
B.  1618,  D.  1667. 


COW-LICK 


224 


CEAKE 


Cow-lick,  kou'lik.  A  reversed  tuft  of 
>air  on  the  human  forehead. 

Cowpens.  A  village  in  Spartanburg  dis- 
trict, S.  Carolina,  noted  for  a  brilliant  vic- 
tory by  the  Americans,  under  Gen.  Morgan 
over  the  British,  under  Col.  Tarleton,  Jan. 
IT,  1781. 

Cowper,  William.  An  English  poet, 
B.  1731,  D.  ISUO.  He  became  insane  be- 
fore his  death. 

Crabbe,  George  An  English  poet ;  b. 
17M,  1).  lS.3-i. 

Cow-pox,  'poks.  The  vaccine  disease 
which  appears  on  the  teats  of  a  cow,  in 
the  form  of  vesicles,  containing  a  limpid 
fluid  or  virus  capable  of  communicating 
genuine  cow-pox  to  the  human  subject, 
and  of  conferring,  in  a  great  majority  of 
instances,  complete  security  against  small- 
pox. The  disease  called  grease,  in  the 
horse's  heel,  is  said  to  possess  the  same 
virtue. 

Cowry,  'ri.  A  small  gasterop'odous  shell, 
the  Cypraea  moneta,  used  for  coin  in  parts 
of  Africa  and  Asia.  They  vaiy  in  value. 
In  India  6,000  to  T,000  are  equal  to  a  ru- 
pee (50  cents),  while  in  the  interior  of 
Africa  600  are  worth  about  the  same.  The 
name  is  also  given  to  other  shells  of  the 
gen.  Cypraea. 

Coxcomb,  koks'kom.  The  comb  resem- 
bling that  of  a  cock  which  licensed  fools 
wore  formerly  in  their  caps;  hence  used 
often  for  the  cap  itself.  A  fop  ;  a  vain, 
showy  fellow.  The  name  given  to  a 
fasciated  variety  of  Celosia  cristata. 

Coxswain,  'wen.  The  person  who  steers 
a  boat ;  the  captain  of  a  boat's  crew. 

Coyote,  koi-ot.  The  American  prairie 
wolf  (Canis  ochropus  or  Lyciscus  latrans). 

Coypou,  'po.  The  native  name  of  a  S. 
American  rodent  mammal,  the  Myopota- 
mus  coypus,  valued  for  its  fur,  which  was 
formerly  used  in  the  manufacture  of  hats. 

Crab,  krab.  A  popular  name  for  all  the 
ten-footed,  short-tailed  crustaceans  con- 
stituting the  sub-ord.  Brachyura,  ord. 
Decapoda,  comprising  many  genera.  The 
common  large  edible  crab  belongs  to  the 
gen.  Cancer  ;  the  small  edible  crab  to  the 
gen.  Carcinus  ;  the  long-armedcrabto  the 
gen.  Corystes  ;  the  hermit-crab  to  the  gen. 
Pagurus,  and  the  land-crab  to  the  gen. 
Gecarcinus.  Cancer,  a  sign  in  the  zodiac. 
A  name  given  to  various  machines,  used 
in  building  operations  for  raising  weights, 
and  in  loading  and  discharging  vessels.  A 
machine  used  in  rope- works  for  stretching 
the  yarn  to  its  fullest  extent  before  it  is 
worked  into  strands.      Grab's  eyes,  ia 


materia  medica,  concretions  formed  in 
the  stomach  of  the  crayfish,  formerly  when 
powdered  in  much  repute  as  antacids. 
To  catch  a  crab,  in  rowing,  to  miss  a 
stroke  and  fall  backwards. 

Crab-apple,  'ap-1.  A  wild  apple ;  also  a 
small  cultivated  apple. 

Crab-catcher,  'kach-er.  A  species  of 
bittern,  the  Herodias  vkescens,  indigenous 
to  Jamaica. 

Crabronidae,  kra-bro'ni-de.  A  fam.  of 
hymenopterous  insects,  sec.  Aculeata, 
sub-sec.  ^ossores  or  false  wasps,  including 
several  genera,  the  type  gen.  being  Crabro. 

Cracidae,  kras'i-de.  The  curassows,  a 
fam.  of  galUnaceous  birds,  which  connect 
the  Insessores  with  the  Easores.  The 
typical  gen.  is  Crax. 

Cracker,  krak'er.  A  small  firework  filled 
with  combustible  matter,  which  explodes 
with  a  smart  crack  or  with  a  series  of 
sharp  noises.  A  small  rich  biscuit.  A 
bird,  the  pin-tail  duck.    (Anas  acuta). 

Crackling,  'ling.  Slight  abrupt  reports 
frequently  repeated.  The  browned  skin 
of  roast  pig.  A  kind  of  cake  used  for 
dogs'  food,  made  from  the  refuse  of  tal- 
low-melting. 

Cracksman,  kraks'man.    A  burglar. 

Cracovienne,  kra-ko-ve-en'.  The  fa- 
vorite dance  of  the  Polish  peasantry 
around  Cracow. 

Cracow,  kra'ko.  An  Austrian  city,  on 
the  Vistula,  160  m.  8.  W.  of  Warsaw;  the 
ancient  cap.  of  Poland,  many  of  whose 
kings  are  buried  in  its  cathedral ;  pop. 
abt.  51,000. 

Cracowes,  Hcoz.  Long-toed 
boots  or  shoes,  introduced  in 
13S4 — named  from  the  city  of 
Cracow ;  worn  now  by  some 
comic  athletes. 

Crag,  krag.    A  steep,    rug- 
ged   rock  ;  a  rough   broken 
rock,  or  point  of  a  rock.      In 
Geol.  shelly  deposits  of  the 
older  pliocene  period,  sub-di  ' 
vided  into  three   members, 
the  upper  or  mammaliferous 
crag,  the  red  crag  and    the 
lower  or  coralline  crag.   Crag 
and  tail,  a  form  of  secondary 
hills,  in  which  a  precipitous 
front   is    presented     to    the   Cracowes. 
west   or    north-west,    while 
the  opposite  side  is  a  sloping  declivity. 
The   rock    on  which  Edinburgh  Castle 
stands  presents  a  fine  example. 

Crake,  krak.  Crex,  a  gen.  of  migratory 
grallatorial  birds,  fam,  EaUidse.    The  beek 


CKAM 


CEAWFOED 


known  species  is  the  corncrake  or  land- 
rail (Crex  pratensis). 

Cram,  kram.  In  weaving,  awarpliaving 
more  than  two  threads  in  each  dent  or 
split  of  the  reed.  Matters  of  fiict,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  principles,  committed  to 
Kitmory  with  a  view  to  immediate  tise ; 
information  acquired  hurriedly  for  an  ex- 
amination or  other  special  purpose.  A  lie. 
Crampit,  'pit.  A  piece  of  metal  at  the 
end  of  the  scabbard  of  a  sword  ;  a  piece  of 
iron  wth  small  spikes  in  it,  for  keeping 
the  foot  firm  on  ice. 

Crampoon,  'pon.  An  iron  instrument 
fastened  to  the  shoes  of  a  storming  party, 
to  assist  them  in  climbing  a  rampart.  An 
apparatus  used  in  the  raising  of  timber  or 
stones. 

Cramp-ringr,  kramp'ring.  A  ring  of 
gold  or  silver,  which,  after  being  blessed 
by  the  English  sovereign,  was  formerly 
"believed  to  cure  cramp  and  falling  sick- 
ness. The  custom  of  blessing  great  num- 
bers on  Good  Friday,  continued  down  to 
the  time  of  Queen  Mary.  _ 

Crane,  krun.  A 
migratory  grallato- 
rial  or  wading  bird 
of  the  gen.  Grus, 
fam.  Gruidai,  hav- 
ing long  legs  and  a 
long  neck,  being; 
destined  to  Avadej 
and  seek  their  Ibod : 
among  grass  and  | 
reeds  in  marsky  j 
grounds.  A  ma- 
chine for  raising 
great  weights,  con- 
Btructed  on  the  prln-  f\^Tm^^A./\.»ria 
ciple  of  the  wheel  Crowned  Crane. 
and  axle,  cog-wheel  and  wheel  and  pinion. 
A  machine  for  weighing  goods  on  the 
principle  of  the  crane  for  lifting  weights. 
A  movable  iron  arm  attiiched  to  tlie  side 
of  a  fire-place,  used  for  supporting  a  pot 
or  kettle  over  a  fire.  Naut.  pieces  at  a 
vessel's  side  for  stowing  boats  or  spars 
upon.  A  siphon  for  drawing  liquors  out 
of  a  cask. 

Crane-fly,  'fll.  A  gen.  of  insects,  fam. 
Tipulida;.  T.  oleracea  is  the  weU-known 
daddy-long-legs. 

Crang-on,  krang'gon.  The  shrimp,  a 
gen.  of  macrurous  or  long-tailed  crusta- 
ceans. 

Craniognomy,    kra-ni-og'no-mi.    The 
science  which  treats  of  the  skull. 
Cranioscopy,   -os'ko-pi.    An  examina- 
tion of  the  skull  with  the  view  of  discov- 


Crank. 


ering  the  relative  prominence  of  the  or- 
gans of  the  brain  ;  phrenology. 

Cranium,  -um.    The  skull  of  an  animaL 

Crank,  krangk.  An  axis 
serving  for  communicating 
circular  motion;  as  the 
crank  of  a  gi-indstone ;  or  for^ 
changing  circular  ui  to  recip- 
rocating motion ,  as  in  a  saw- 
mill, or  reciprocating  into 
circular  motion,  as  in  a 
steam-engine.  An  iron  brace  for  various 
purposes.  An  instrument  of  prison  dis- 
cipUne,  consisting  of  a  small  wheel,  like 
the  paddle-wheel  of  a  steam  vessel,  which, 
revolves  on  prisoners  turning  a  crank,  as 
a  punishment.  A  slang  term  for  a  person 
of  unbalanced  mind. 

Crank-pin,  'pin.  In  a  steam  engine,  th© 
piece  joining  the  ends  of  the  crank  arms, 
and  attached  to  the  connecting-rod,  or 
piston-rod. 

Cranny,  kran'ni.  Any  narrow  opening, 
fissure  or  chink.  In  glass-making,  au 
iron  instrument  for  forming  the  necks  of 
glasses. 

Crantara,  -ta'ra.  The  fiery  cross  which 
forms  the  rallying  symbol  in  the  High- 
lands of  Scotland,  so  called  because  diso- 
bedience inferred  infamy. 

Crape,  krap.  A  thin,  transparent  stuflF, 
made  of  raw  silk  gummed  and  twisted  on 
the  mill  and  woven  without  crossing. 

Crash,  krash.  A  coarse  linen,  mostly 
used  for  towels. 

Orassus,  Marcns  Licinius,  kras'sus. 
One  of  the  Koman  trium\Trs,  his  associates 
being  Caesar  and  Pompey,  which  de- 
stroyed the  senatorial  power ;  b.  190,  D. 
53  B.  o.  C.  acquired  immense  wealth 
through  trading  in  slaves  and  was  notori- 
ous for  his  avarice.  He  was  defeated  by 
Surena,  the  Parthian,  in  Mesopotamia, 
20,000  Eomans  being  killed  and  10,000 
made  prisoners,  including  C,  who  was 
put  to  death  by  the  victors. 

Crater,  kra'ter.  The  orifice  or  mouth  of 
a  volcano.  A  constellation  of  the  south- 
ern hemisphere,  containing  31  stars; 
called  also  the  Cup. 

Cratippus.  A  celebrated  Mytilene 
philosopher  of  the  Peripatatics,  flourished 
about  50  B.  c.  Ho  was  the  teacher  of 
Cicero,  who  pronounced  him  the  ablest 
man  of  the  age. 

Cravat,  kra-vat'.  A  neck-cloth  ;  an  arti- 
cle worn  by  men  about  the  neck. 

CrarvrfOTd,  Thomas.  An  Amerieaa 
sculptor,  B.  in  New  York,  1814,'d.  in  Lon- 
don, 185T.    Among  his  works  are   th« 


CEAWFOED 


226 


CEEEPEE 


bronze  statue  of  Beethoven  in  Boston  Mu- 
sic Hall,  an  equestrian  statute  of  Gen. 
Washington  at  the  Capitol,  Kichmond, 
Va.,  and  a  number  of  marble  and  bronze 
piocos  in  the  Capitol,  Washington. 

Crawford,  William  Harris.  An 
American  statesman ;  b.  in  A'irgtnia, 
1772,  D.  1S34.  He  was  reared  and  entered 
public  life  in  Georgia,  being  elected  to  the 

,  State  Legislature,  and  afterward  to  the  U. 
8.  Senate,  being  made  president  of  that 
body  in  1812;  in  1813  appointed  Minister 
to  Prance,  he  was  recalled  in  1815  and 
made  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  In  1824 
he  was  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  the 
Presidency. 

Crax,  kraks.  Curassow,  a  gen.  of  galli- 
naceous birds,  fam.  Cracidaa. 

Crayfish,  kra'flsh.  Astacus  fluviatilis, 
the  river  lobster,  a  raacrurous,  ten-footed 
crustacean,  esteemed  as  food. 

Crayon,  'on.  A  pencil  of  colored  pipe- 
clay, chalk  or  charcoal,  used  in  drawng 
upon  paper.  A  composition  pencil  made 
of  soap,  resin,  wjvx  and  lamp-black,  used 
for  drawing  upon  lithogi-aphic  stones. 

Cream,  krem.  The  butyraceous  part  of 
mUk,  which  rises  to  the  surface.  This  by 
agitation  forms  butter.  It  contains  about 
4  parts  of  butter,  4  of  casein,  a  little  inor- 
ganic matter,  and  92  of  serum.  The  best 
part  of  a  thing.  A  sweatmeat  or  viand 
prpared  Irom  cream  ;  as  iced  cream.  A 
name  common  to  line  liquors,  rosoglio, 
maraschino,  &c.  C.  oi  lime,  the  scum  of 
lime  water.  C.  of  tartar,  the  scum  of  a 
boiling  solution  of  tartar ;  purified  and 
crystallized  supertartrate  of  potash. 

Creamery,  'er-i.  An  establishment  in 
which  the  cream  of  the  cows  of  a  district 
is  manufactured  into  butter  and  cheese. 

Crease,  kres.  A  Malay  dagger  or  short 
sword. 

Creasing'-tool,  'ing-tol.  A  tool  used 
by  workers  in  sheet-metals  in  producing 
tubes  and  cylindrical  moldings. 

Cieasote,  kre'a-sot.  A  substance  ex- 
tracted from  wood  tar,  generally  obtained, 
however,  from  the  i)roducts  of  the  de- 
structive distillation  of  wood.  It  is  a  pow- 
erful antiseptic. 

Creationism,  -a'shon-izm.  The  doctrine 
that  a  soul  is  specially  created  for  each 
human  fetus  as  soon  as  it  is  formed  in  the 
womb ;  opposed  to  Traducianism  and  In- 
fusionism. 

Creator,  -at'er.  One  who  creates,  pro- 
duces, or  constitutes ;  distinctively,  the 
Almighty  Maker  of  all  things. 

Creche,  krash.    A  public  nursery  fbr  the 


Credence  Table. 


children  of  poor  women  who  have  to  work 
out  during  the  day. 

Crecy  (Cressy),  kres'se.  A  village  of 
dept.  of  Somme,  France,  noted  as  the 
scene  of  the  decisive  victory,  134(5,  of  Ed- 
ward III.  of  England  over  Philip  VI.  of 
France,  in  which  the  latter  took  the  King 
of  Bohemia,  9  princes,  80  knights  banner- 
et, 1200  knights,  1500  seigneurs,  and  over 
4,000  men-at-arms. 

Credence,  kro'- 
dens.  Belief;  cred- 
it. The  small  table 
by  the  side  of  the 
communion  table, 
on  which  the  bread 
and  ^vine  are  placed 
before  they  are; 
consecrated.  In^ 
mediaeval  times 
a  buffet  or  sid^ 
boaid  Avhere  food! 
was  tasted  before 
being  served  to  the 
guests,  as  a  precau- 
tion against  poisoning. 

Credendum,  -den'dum.  In  Theol. 
something  to  be  believed ;  as  distinguished 
from  agendum,  a  thing  to  be  done. 

Credit  Foncier,  kra-do  fon-syfi.  A  mode 
of  raising  money  on  land  in  France,  the 
repayment  of  the  loan  being  by  an  annuity 
terminable  at  a  certain  date. 

Credit  Mobilier,  mo-be-lya.  A  scheme 
which  originated  in  France  in  1862,  its  ob- 
jects being  to  undertake  trading  enter- 
prises of  all  kinds  on  the  principle  of 
limited  liability.  A  similar  scheme  in  the 
United  States,  which  involved  the  reputa- 
tion of  a  number  of  public  men. 

Credo,  kre'do.  The  creed,  as  said  or  sung 
in  the  service  of  the  E.  C.  Church. 

Creed,  kred.  A  brief  summary  of  the 
articles  of  the  Christian  faith  ;  as,  the 
Apostolic  Creed.  Any  system  of  prin- 
ciples, believed  or  professed. 

Creek,  krek.  A  small  inlet,  or  cove.  A 
small  river;  a  rivulet. 

Creek  Indians.  A  N.  American  tribe 
formerly  occupying  a  section  covering 
portions  of  Florida,  Georgia  and  Alabama, 
and  among  the  most  wavlike  of  the  ab- 
original races.  They  sided  with  Great 
Britain  in  the  Eevolution,  and  in  17S7  and 
1813  made  war  on  the  whites,  in  the  latter 
campaign  being  signally  defeated  by  Gen. 
Jackson  ;  in  the  Seminole  war  of  1818  they 
were  the  allies  of  the  Avhites.  They  are 
new  peacefully  located  in  the  Indian 
Territorj'. 

Creeper,  krep'er.    One  who  creeps;  that 


CEEMATION 


2-2T 


CEIBBAGE 


whicli  creeps  ;  a  reptile ;  a  creeping  plant. 
An  iron  used  to  slide  along  the  grate  in 
kitchens.  A  patten  or  clog  worn  by 
women ;  also,  an  appliance  with  iron  points 
fixed  on  a  shoe  to  prevent  slipping.  An 
instrument  with  claws  for  dragging  in 
water.  The  popular  name  of  a  family  of 
birds  (Certhiadsb)  which  resemble  the 
Avoodpeckers. 

Cremation,  kre-ma'shon.  The  act  or 
custom  of  burning  the  dead. 

Cremona,  -mo'na.  A  general  name  given 
to  violins  made  at  Cremona,  the  capital  of 
Milan,  in  the  17th  century,  by  the  Amati 
family,  and  by  Straduarius  in  the  18th 
century. 

Crenate,  'nat.  Notched;  indented; 
scalloped. 

Crenarula,  -nat'u-la.  A  gen.  of  the  bi- 
valve shells  of  the  mussel  and  pearl-oyster 
fani.,  found  in  sponges,  and  moored  to 
corallines. 

Crenellated,  'nel-lat-ed.  Furnished 
witli  crenelles,  as  a  parapet  or  breast-work; 
embattled ;  indented. 

Crenilabrus,  -ni-l:Vbrus.  A  gen.of  fishes, 
sec.  Acanthopterygii,  fam.  Labridae,  to 
which  the  gilt-head  or  golden  maid,  and 
the  goldfinny  or  goldsinny,  belong. 

Creole,  'ol.  A  native  of  the  West  Indies 
and  Spanish  America,  descended  from 
European  ancestors.  A  native  of  the  W. 
Indies  and  Spanish  America  of  any  color, 
but  not  of  indigenous  blood. 

Creon.  In  Myth.  King  of  Corinth,  who 
betrothed  his  daughter  Glance  to  Jason, 
the  latter  having  abandoned  Medea.  In 
revenge  Medea  sent  Glance  a  present  of  a 
poisoned,  inflammable  dress  which  took 
fire  and  destroyed  the  palace  -with  Glance, 
Creon  and  the  remainder  of  his  family. 

Creon.  In  Myth.  King  of  Thebes,  whose 
territories  were  ravaged  by  the  Sphinx.  C. 
offered  his  crown  to  whoever  would  solve 
the  riddles  and  thus  clear  tlie  country  of 
the  Sphinx,  a  feat  which  was  accom- 
plished by  (Edipus,  who  became  King  of 
Thebes. 

Crepon,  ''pon.  A  fine  stuff  made  of 
wool,  or  wool  and  silk,  of  which  the  warp 
is  twisted  much  harder  than  the  weft. 
The  crepons  of  Naples  consist  altogether 
of  silk. 

Crepuscnlaria,  -pus'ku-lu"ri-a.  A  sec. 
of  lepidopterous  insects  occupjing  an 
intermediate  station  between  the  butter- 
flies and  moths. 

Crescent,  kres'ent.  The  increasing  or 
new  moon  ;  also,  the  old  or  decreasing 
mooa.    The  figure  of   the    new  moon, 


as  borne  in  the  Turkish  flag  or  na- 
tional standard ;  the  standard  itself,  and 
figuratively,  the  Tui-kish  power.  In  Her. 
a  bearing  in  the  form  of  a  new  moon. 
The  name  of  three  orders  of  knighthood, 
the  first  instituted  by  Charles  I.  of  Na- 
ples and  Sicily  in  1268  ;  the  second  at  An- 
glers in  14G4  by  Eeno  of  Anjou,  a  revival 
of  the  former ;  and  the  third  by  Selim, 
Sultan  of  Turkey,  in  1801,  in  honor  of 
Lord  Nelson.  A  Turkish  military  music- 
al instrument  -svith  bells  or  jingles.  In 
Arch,  a  range  of  buildings  in  the  form  of 
a  half-moon. 

Cresset,  'et.  A' 
name  ancisntly 
given  to  fLx';d  can- ' 
dlesticks  in  great  ffiS^fV  'WSST  li 
halls  and  church- 
es, to  lights  used 
as  beacons  and  to 
lamps  or  fire- 
pans suspended  Cressets, 
on  pivots  and  carried  on  poles. 

Cretaceous  Period.  In  Geol.  the  up- 
per strata  of  the  secondary  series,  first  be- 
low the  Tertiary  and  above  the  Oolite. 
The  maximum  depth  of  the  strata  is  8,700 
ft.,  of  which  about  1,100  in  Europe  is  chalk. 

Cretin,  kre'tin.  A  name  given  to  de- 
formed idiots  in  the  valley  of  the  Alps. 

Cretism,  kret'izm.  A  falsehood ;  a  Cre- 
tan practice.  Derived  from  Crete,  the  in- 
habitants of  which  in  ancient  times  were 
so  much  given  to  mendacity,  that  a  Cretan 
and  a  liar  were  considered  synonymous. 

Cretonne,  kre-ton'.  A  cotton  cloth 
printed  on  one  side  with  pictorial  and 
other  patterns. 

Creuse,  kruz,  A  dept.  of  Central 
France  ;  cap.  Gu6nt ;  pop.  abt.  280,000. 

Crevasse, 
kre-vas'.Arent 
across  a  gla- 
cier as  deep  as 
the  glacier  is 
thick.  A  breach 
in  the  embank- 
ment or  levee 
of  a  river,  oc- 
casioned by  a 
pressure  of 
water. 

Crewel,  kro'- 
el.  A  fine 
wor  s  t  G  d  or 
thread  of  silk 
or  wool. 

Cribbag-e, 
krib  '  aj  .  A 
game  at  cards, 


Crevasse  la  a  Glacier. 


CRICETU8 


CEOCODILIA 


Cricket. 
There  are  several  spe- 


plaj-^ed  with  the  whole  pack  by  two,  three, 
or  four  persons.  C.  board,  a  board  used 
for  marking  in  the  game. 

Cricetus,  kri-sG'tus.  The  hamster,  a 
gen.  of  rodent  animals,  with  teeth  like 
those  of  the  rat,  very  destructive  to  grain. 

Criclaton,  James,  'ton.  An  accom- 
plished Scotchman  ;  b.  1560,  assassinated 
at  Mantua  in  1582.  He  was  surnamed 
Admirable,  from  his  great  natural  gifts 
and  accomplishments. 

Cricket,  krik'- 
et.  An  insect 
of  the  gen. 
Gryll  us,  or 
Acheta  of  some 
natu  r  a  1  i  s  1 8 , 
ord.  Orthoptera 
cies. 

Cricket.  An  open-air  game  played  with 
bats,  balls,  and  wickets. 

Cricket-club,  -klub.  An  association  or- 
ganized for  playing  cricket. 

Crimea,  The,  kri-me'a.  A  peninsula 
of  8.  Eussia,  noted  as  the  scene  of  the 
war  of  1854-56,  in  which  the  Turks  Avere 
assisted  by  the  British  and  French,  and 
resulted  in  the  capture  and  destruction  of 
Sebastopol.  Pop.  abt.  200,000;  mostly 
Tartars. 

Criminal,  krim'in-al.  A  person  who 
has  committed  an  offense  against  pub- 
lic law  ;  a  violator  of  law,  divine  or  hu- 
man; more  particularly,  a  person  in- 
dicted or  charged  with  a  public  offense^ 
and  found  guilty,  by  confession  or  proof' 

Crimp,  krimp.  One  who  decoys  another 
Into  the  naval  or  military  service. 

Crimpingr-machine,  'ing-ma-shen.  A 
machine  for  forming  plaiting  or  fluting  on 
frills  or  ruffles. 

Crinoid,  krln'oid.  A  fossil  hly-shaped 
animal ;  an  encrinite. 

Crinoline,  krin'o-lin.  An  article  of  fe" 
male  attire,  consisting  of  an  expansive 
skirt,  stiffened  in  any  way. 

Crioceridse,  kri-6-ser'i-de.  A  fam.  of 
coleopterous  insects,  sec.  Tetramera.  The 
type  is  the  Crioceris,  but  the  most  com- 
niion  species  is  the  asparagus-beetle. 

C  r  i  o  - 
8  p  h  i  n  X, 
-Bflngks.  One  /^a. 
of  the  three  A^jf^yJ^'J. 
varieties  of  the 
Egyptian 
ephinx,  having 
the  head  of  a 


and  hieraco-sphinx  or  hawk-headed 
sphinx. 

Crisper,  krisp'er.  He  who  or  that  which 
crisps  or  curia  ;  an  instrument  for  friezing 
or  crisping-  cloth. 

Crispin,  kris'pin.  A  familiar  name  for  a 
shoemaker,  from  Crispin  or  Orispinus,  the 
patron  saint  of  the  craft. 

Crispin,  St.  The  patron  saint  of 
shoemakers;  b.  in  Eome,  231,  suffered 
martyrdom  as  a  Christian,  287. 

Criss-cross,  'kj-os.  A  mark  or  cross,  as 
the  signature  of  one  who  cannot  write.  A. 
game  played  on  slates  by  children  at 
school. 

Crittenden,  John  Jordan.  An  Amer- 
ican statesman  ;  n.  in  Kentucky,  1776,  »• 
1863.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Legis- 
lature in  1816,  and  to  the  U.  S.  Senate» 
1817  ;  appointed  Attorn ev-General  of  the 
U.  8.  in  1841,  and  in  1848  was  elected 
Governor  of  Kentucky.  Keappointed  as 
Attorney -General  in  1850,  he  retired  from 
public  hfe  with  the  close  of  President  Fill- 
more's administration.  In  1860-61  he 
vainly  attempted  to  stem  the  tide  of  se- 
cession through  a  public  convention  of 
prominent  conservatives  from  all  sections. 

Crizzel,  kriz'l.  A  roughness  on  the  sur- 
face of  glass  which  clouds  its  transparency. 

Croak,  krdk.  The  low,  harsh  sound  ut- 
tered by  a  frog  or  raven,  or  a  like  sound. 

Croatia,  kro-a'she-a.  An  ancient  kingdom 
of  central  Europe,  adjoining  and  depen- 
dent upon  Hungary,  now  a  prov.  of  Aus- 
tria, governed  bv  a  viceroy,  called  the 
Ban.  Cap.  Agram',  pop.  abt.  1,200,000. 

Crochet,  kro'sha.  A  species  of  knitting 
performed  by  means  of  a  small  hook,  the 
material  being  fancy  worsted,  cotton  or 
silk. 

Crociary,  'shi-a-n.  The  official  who  car- 
ries the  cross  before  an  archbishop. 
Crock,  krok.  An  earthen  vessel.  Soot, 
or  the  black  matter  collected  from  com- 
bustion. The  escape  of  color  from  dresa 
goods. 

Crockery,  'e-ri.    Earthenware;  vessels 
formed  of  clay,  glazed  and  baked. 
Crocodil- 


Crio-sphinx. 


ram,   as  distinguished  from    the    andro- 
ephinx,  with  the  head  of  a  human  being, 


Crocodile, 
comprising  the  three  families  Orooodilidaa, 


CKOCKET 


CEOSS-BEAPwER 


Alligatorio3  and  Gavialidae,  of  which  the 
crocodile  of  Eg-ypt,  the  American  alUga- 
tor,  and  the  Indian  gavial  are  respectively 
the  best  known  members. 

Crocket,  'et.  In  Gothic  arch,  an  orna- 
ment, usually  in  imitation  of  cui-ved  and 
bent  foliag-e,  placed  on  the  angles  of  the 
inclined  sides  of  pinnacles,  gables,  c%c. 
One  of  the  terminal  snags  on  a  stag's 
liorn. 

Crocoisite,  -koi'zite.  A  mineral,  native 
chromate  of  lead  or  red-lead  ore  used  as  a 
pigment. 

Croesus,  trc'siis.  The  last  king  of  Lydia, 
famed  for  his  immense  riches  ;  b.  590,  b. 
c. ;  assassinated  548,  by  order  of  Camby- 
ses,  King  of  Persia,  son  of  C3TUS,  by 
whom  C.  was  defeated  and  captured,  546. 

Cromeruach.  The  name  of  the  chief 
Idol  of  the  Irish  before  their  conversion 
by  St.  Patrick.  It  was  a  gold  or  silver 
image,"  surrounded  by  twelve  little  brazen 
ones. 

Cromlech., 
krom'lek.  Large 
flat  stones  laid 
across  others  in 
an  upright  posi- 
tion ;  very  com- 
mon in  Great 
Britain  and  Cen- 
t  r  a  1    Europe ;  Cromlech, 

also  found  in  Asia  and  America.  From 
having  been  found  in  burial  mounds  or 
barrows,  with  their  rude  chambers  filled 
with  sepulchral  remains,   they  are  sup- 

fosed  to  have  been  sepulchral  monuments, 
n  Franco  they  are  called  dolmens. 

Cromorna,  kro-mor'na.  A  reed-stop  in 
the  organ,  voiced  like  the  oboe,  and  bear- 
ing the  same  relation  to  the  oboe  as  the 
stopped  diapason  to  the  open.  Some- 
times written  Cremona. 

Cromwell,  Oliver.  Lord  Protector 
of  the  Commonwealth.  The  descendant 
of  a  noble  English  family,  b.  at  Hunt- 
ingdon, 1599.  He  early  attached  himself 
to  the  Puritans,  and  entered  Parliament  in 
1628,  leaving  it  to  take  up  arms  in  the 
civil  war,  1642.  He  rapidly  rose  to  the 
chief  command,  sat  as  one  of  the  Judges 
of  Charles  I..  1649,  in  1653  dissolved  Parlia- 
ment by  force  and  in  1654  was  proclaimed 
dictator  under  the  above  title.  He  gov- 
erned \igorously  but  wisely,  d.  1658. 

Cromwell,  Richard.  Son  and  s.  to 
his  father,  Oliver,  b.  1626,  p.  1712.  He 
resigned  the  Protectorship  in  1659. 

Cromwell,  Thomas,  Earl  of  Essex. 
An  English  statesman,  b.  1490  ;  beheaded 


on  a  false  charge  of  treason,  1540.  H« 
held  the  office  of  prime  minister  undei 
Henry  VIII. 

CroxLStadt,  kron'stat.  A  Enssian  sea- 
port,  strongly  fortified,  abt.  20  m.  W.  ol 
St.  Petersburg,  on  the  Gulf  of  Finland  ; 
pop.  50,100. 

Crook,  krok.  Any  bend,  turn  or  curve. 
Any  bent  or  curved  instrument ;  a  shep- 
herd's staff,  curving  at  ihe  end.  The  pas- 
toral stalf  of  a  bishop  or  abbot,  fashioned 
in  -the  form  of  a  shepherd's  stalf.  The 
iron  chain  with  its  appropriate  hooks,  by 
which  pots,  &c.,  are  hung  over  the  fire. 
A  small  curved  tube  applied  to  a  trumpet, 
horn,  &c.,  to  change  its  key.  A  slang 
term  for  a  thief. 

Croon,  kriin.    A  low,  continued  moan. 

Cropper,  krop'er.  A  breed  of  pigeons 
■s\ith  a  large  crop.  A  fall,  as  from  horse- 
back ;  hence,  failure  in  an-  undertaking. 

Croppy,  'i.  A  person  whose  ears  have 
been  cut  off,  especially  for  treason ;  an 
Irish  rebel.  A  Eoundhead.  One  who 
has  had  his  hair  cropped  in  prison. 

Cross,  kros.  A  gibbet,  consisting  of  two 
pieces  of  timber  placed  across  each  other; 
the  ensign  of  the  Christian  religion.  The 
doctrines  of  Christ's  sufferings  and  of  the 
atonement.  In  sporting  a  contest  de- 
cided dishonestly,  for  the  sake  of  gaining 
money.  In  Her.  an  ordinarj'^,  composed 
of  four  lines,  two  parallel  lines  perpendic- 
ular, and  two  transverse,  held  by  many 
authorities  to  be  the  most  honorable 
charge  in  all  heraldry.  A  mixing  of  breedi 
in  producing  animals. 
Crosses,  in  architectural 
antiq.  are  of  various  de- 
scriptions, according  to 
the  occasion  or  purpose 
of  their  erection.  They  ' 
include  preaching  cross 
es,  market  crosses, 
weeping  crosses,  crosses 
of  memorial,  the  monu- 
mental or  sepulchral 
cross,  the  palm  cross, 
and  boundary  crosses. 
Cross  and  pile,  a  play 
with  money,  at  which  it 
was  put  to  chance 
whether  a  coin  should  yn 
fall  with  that  side  upj" 
which  bears  the  cross,- 
or  the  other. 

Cross-bearer,  'bar-er. 
In  the  E.   C.    Church, 
the  chaplain  of  an  arch- 
bishop who  bears  a  cross  before  him  on 
solemn  occasions.    A  certain  oflScer  in  tha 


CROQUET 


CROWN 


Inquisition,  who  made  a  yow  before  the 
Inquisitors  to  defend  the  Catholic  faith, 
though  with  the  loss  of  fortune  and  life. 

Oroquet,  kro'ka.  An  open-air  game 
played  with  a  mallet,  balls,  pegs  or  posts, 
and  a  series  of  iron  hoops  or  arches.  It 
can  be  played  by  two  or  more,  and,  in  the 
case  of  several  playing,  they  may  either 
be  divided  Into  parties,  or  play  each  for 
their  own  hand. 

Croquette,  -ket.  A  fried,  force-meat 
ball,  made  of  chicken,  meat,  and  butter. 

Cross-bill,  kros'bil.  Name  of^irds,  gen. 
Loxia,  fam.  Fringillidae, 
ord.  Passeres,  the  man- 
dibles of  whoso  bill 
curve  opposite  ways 
and  cross  each  other. 

Cross-bow,    'bo.      A 
weapon      formed     by 
placing  a  bow  athwart 
a    stock.      There    are 
several     kinds,     some 
being    furnished    viith. 
implements    for   bend- 
ing the  bow,a3  the  cross- 
bow with  windlass  ;  the 
German     cross-bow,    Cross-bow  with 
with  a  wheel  attached ;        Windlass, 
the  Chinese  cross-bow, 
some  of  which  are  furnished  with  a  slide 
enabling  them  to  discharge  twenty  arrows 
in  succession. 

Cross-breed,  'bred.  A  breed  produced 
from  parents  of  different  breeds. 

Crosscut-saw,  'kut-sa.  A  saw  adapted 
for  cutting  timber  across  the  grain. 

Cross-days,  Maz.  The  three  days  pre- 
ceding the  feast  of  the  Ascension. 

Crosse.  The  Implement  used  in  the  game 
oflacrosse. 

Cross-eye,  'I.  That  sort  of  squint  by 
which  both  eyes  turn  toward  the  nose,  so 
that  the  rays  of  light  cross  each  other ; 
strabismus. 

Crossopteryg-idse,  -op'ter-ij"i-de.  A 
8ub-ord.  of  ganoid  fossil  and  recent  fishes. 
By  far  the  greater  number  of  the  old  red 
Bandstone  fishes  belong  to  this  sub-ord., 
also  the  living  gen.  Polypterus. 

Cross-staff,  'staf.  An  instrument  for- 
merly used  to  take  the  altitude  of  the  sun 
or  stixr.  In  Surv.  an  instrument  consist- 
ing of  a  staff  carrying  a  brass  circle,  divided 
into  four  equal  parts  or  quadrants. 

Crotalidae,  kro-tal'i-de.  A  fam.  of  ven- 
omous serpents,  ord.  Ophidia,  divided 
into  several  genera,  of  which  Crotalus  and 
Trigonocephalus  are  the  principal. 

Crotalo,  'ta-lo.    A  Turkish  musical   in- 


strument, corresponding  with  the  ancient 
cymbalum. 

Crotalus,  -lus.     The  rattlesnake. 

Crotopbaga,  -tofa-ga.  The  horn-bill 
cuckoos,  a  gen.  of  birds,  ord.  Scansores, 
fam.  Cnculidffi. 

Croupier,  kro'pG-er.  One  who  superin- 
tends and  collects  the  money  at  a  gam- 
ing-table. One  who  at  a  public  dinner 
party  sits  at  the  lower  end  of  the  table,  as 
assistant-chairman. 

Crow,  kro.  A  general  name  for  members 
of  the  gen.  Corvus,  type  of  the  fam.  Cor- 
vidse.  The  carrion  crow  is  the  Cor^'^l3 
corone ;  the  raven,  Corvus  corax ;  the 
hooded  crow,  Corvus  comix  ;  the  rook, 
CorvTis  frugilegus ;  the  jackdaw,  Corvus 
monedula.  The  cry  of  the  cock.  The 
mesentery  or  ruffle  of  a  beast,  so  called  by 
butchers. 

Crowbar,  'biir.  A  bar  of  iron  with  a 
bent  and  sometimes  forked  end,  used  as  a 
lever.  , 

Crown,   kroun.    An  orna- 
ment for  the  head,  originally 
in  the  form   of  a  Avreath  or 
garland,  and  worn  by  the 
Greeks  and  Romans  on  spe-i 
cial  occasions.  Crowns,  made] 
at  first  of  grass,  flowers  orj 
twigs,  but  later  of  gold,  were  ' 
awarded  Aictors    in    public , 
games,  and  citizens  who  had 
done  the  state  marked  ser- 
vice.   A  badge  of  sovereign- 
ty in  modern   states.      The 
crown  of  England  is  a  gold  circle,  adorned 
with  pearls  and       i 
precious  stones, 
having       alter- 
nately four  Mal- 
tese crosses  and 
four    fleurs-de- 
lis.     From    the 
top    of     the 
crosses  rise  im- 
perial     arches, 
closing  under  a 
mound    and' 
cross.      The 
whole  covers  a 
crimson    velvet 
cap  with  an  er-     1,    Imperial    Crown 
mine      border.  (Charlemagne's).  2,  Ans- 
The    crown    of  trian  Crown.    3,  Russian 
Charlcm  a  g n  e.  Crown.  4,  French  Crown. 

f  reserved  in  the 
mperial  Treasury  of  Vienna,  is  composed 
of  eight  plates  of  gold,  four  large  and  four 
small,  connected  by  hinges.  The  large 
plates  are  studded  with  precious  stones, 
the  front  one  being  surmounted  with  a 


CROWIf-GLASS 


281 


CETPTOGAMIA 


cross,  the  smaller  ones,  placed  alternately 
■with  these,  are  ornamented  with  enamels 
representing  Solomon,  David,  Hezekiah, 
and  Isaiah,  and  Christ  seated  between  two 
flaming  seraphim.  The  Austrian  crown 
is  a  sort  of  cleft  tiara,  ha\ing  in  the  mid- 
dle a  semicircle  of  gold  supporting  a 
mound  and  cross  ;  the  tiara  rests  on  a 
circle  with  pendants  like  those  of  a  mitre. 
The  royal  crown  of  France  is  a  circle  orna- 
mented with  eight  fleurs-de-lis,  from 
which  rise  as  many  quarter-circles  closing 
under  a  double  fleur-de-lis.  The  triple 
crown  of  the  popes  is  more  commonly 
called  tlie  tiara. 

Crown-glass,  'glas.  The  finest  com- 
mon window-glass,  used  in  connection 
with  flint-glass  for  dioptric  instruments. 

Crown-piece,  'pes.  A  British  coin 
worth  5s. ;  a  crown. 

Crown-prince, 'prins.  The  prince-royal, 
legitimate  successor  to  the  crown. 

Crown-wheel,  'whel.  A  wheel  with 
teeth  set  at  right  angles  with  its  plane. 

Crow's-feet,  kroz'fet.  The  wrinkles 
brought  out  by  age  under  and  around  the 
outer  corners  of  the  eyes. 

Crow's-nest,  'nest.  A  bairel  or  box 
fitted  up  on  the  cross-trees  of  a  vessel  for 
the  shelter  of  the  look-out  man. 

Crozier,   kro'zhi-er.      An  or- 
namental staff  surmounted  by 
a   floriated    cross  or  crucifix, 
borne  by  or  before  an  arch- 
bishop on    solemn    occasions. 
The  crozier  is  often  confounded 
■with     the    bishop's     pastoral 
staff",  which  is  quite  dissimilar,    Crozier. 
being  made  in  the  form  of  a 
crook.     In  Astron.  a  southern  constella- 
tion, consisting  of  stars  in  the  form  of  a 
cross ;  the  Southern  cross. 

Crucian,  kro'shi-an.  A  fish,  the  Cypri- 
nus  carassius,  or  German  carp,  fam. 
Cyprinida). 

Crucible,  'si-bl.  A  melting  pot,  made 
of  earth,  and  so  tempered  and  baked  as  to 
endure  extreme  heat -without  fusing,  used 
for  melting  ores,  metals,  &c.  Crucibles 
are  sometimes  made  of  other  materials, 
as  black-lead,  platina,  clay,  &c.  A  hol- 
low place  at  the  bottom  of  a  chemical  fur- 
nace. In  a  moral  sense,  a  severe  or 
searching  test. 

Crucifix,  'si-fiks.  A  representation  of  a 
cross  with  the  figure  of  Christ  crucified 
upon  it. 

Cruet,  'et.    A  vial  or  small  glass  bottle 
for  holding  vinegar,  oil,  &c. 
Cruet-stand,  'et-stand.    A  metal  frame 
for  holding  cruets. 


The  rough  shaggy  part   of 


Cruise,  kroz.  A  voyage  ;  a  sailing  to  and 

fro,  as  in  search  of  an  enemy's  ship,  or 

for  pleasure. 
Cruiser,  'er.    An  armed  ship  that  sails 

to  and  fro  for  capturing  an  enemy's  ships, 

for  protecting  the  commerce  of  the  coun- 
try, or  for  plunder. 
Crumb-cloth,  kram'cloth.    A  cloth  to 

be  laid  under  a  table  to  receive  the  falling 

fragments. 
Crusades,  The.    The   name   given  to 

the   seven  great  Christian    invasions    of 

Asia  by  Europeans  for  the  conquest  of 

Palestine.     The  first  was   organized  br 

Peter  the  Hermit,  109G  ;  the  second,  1142; 

third,    1180;   fourth,    1217;   fifth,    1228; 

sixth,  1249  ;  seventh  and  last,  1270. 
Crut,  krut. 

oak  bark. 
Crutched,      krucht.      Supported     with 

crutches.     Crossed  ;  badged  with  a  cross. 

C.  Friars,  an  order  founded  at  Bologna  in 

1169. 
Crux,    kruks.     The    Cross,   a  Southern 

constellation  consisting  of  4  bright  Btars» 

situated  close  to  the  hinder 

legs    and  under    the    body 

of    Centaurus.      C.    critioo- 

rum,  the  greatest  difficulty 

that  can  occur  to  critics,  as  a 

passage  in  a  Greek  author. 
Crwth,  krvith.    A  kind  of  I 

violin  -with  six  strings,  for-  f 

merly  much  used  in  Wales. 

Four   of  the    strings   were 

played  on  by  a  bow,  and  two 

twanged  by  the  thumb. 
Cryopho- 


Crwth. 


rus,  kri-of'o- 
rus.  An  in- 
strument for 
showing  the 
diminution  of 


£       h 


Cryophorus. 


tempemture  in  water  by  evaporation. 

Crypl^  kript.  A  subteiranean  cell  or 
cave,  especially  one  constructed  for  the  in- 
terment of  bodies.  That  part  of  a  cathe- 
dral or  church  beneath  the  floor,  set  apart 
for  monumental  purposes,  and  some- 
times used  as  a  chapel.  In  Bot.  a  round 
receptacle  for  secretion  present  in  the 
leaves  of  some  pl.ants,  as  in  the  orange 
and  myrtle.  In  Anat.  a  little  rounded  ex- 
crescence, in  which  the  ramifications  of 
the  arteries  terminate  in  the  cortical  part 
of  the  kidneys. 

Cryptocephalus,  krip-to-sefal-us.  A 
gen.  of  coleopterous  insects,  fam.  Cryso- 
melidse. 

Cryptogramia.  -ga'mi-a.  The  name  giveai 
by  Linnasus  to  plants  which  do  not  bear 


ORTPTOLOGT 


CUCTTLLira 


true  flowers  consisting-  of  stamens  and 
pistils.  They  are  divided  into  cellulai- 
and  vascular  cryptogams.  The  first 
group  includes  the  algae,  fungi,  lichens, 
charas,  liverworts,  and  mosses ;  the 
second,  ferns,  horse-tails,  moonworts, 
rhizocarps,  and  lycopods. 

Cryptolog^r,  -tol'o-ji.  Secret  or  enig- 
matical language. 

Cryptopentamera,  -to-pen-tam"e-ra. 
A  Bee.  of  coleopterous  insects,  having  five 
tarsi  to  all  the  legs,  the  fifth  tarsus  being, 
however,  concealei. 

Ciyptoplaagus,  -tofa-gus,  A  gen.  of 
coleopterous  insects,  fam.  Engidae,  minute 
beetles,  found  in  fungi  and  flowers. 

Crystal,  kris'tal.  An  inorganic  body, 
which,  by  the  operation  of  affinity,  has  as- 
sumed the  form  of  a  regular  soHd,  termi- 
nated by  a  certain  number  of  plane  and 
smooth  surfaces.  A  species  of  superior 
glass.  The  best  is  the  Venice  crystal. 
The  glass  of  a  watch-case,  a  body  re- 
sembling crystal  in  its  qualities.  Eock  or 
mountain  crystal,  a  general  name  for  all 
the  transparent  crystals  of  quartz.  Ice- 
land crystal,  a  variety  of  calcareous  spar, 
or  crystallized  carbonate  oflime. 

Crystalline,  -in.  A  crj'stallized  rock,  or 
one  partially  crystallized,  as  granite.  In 
Chem.  an  old  nam^  for  aniline. 

Crystalloid,  -old.  The  name  given,  to 
bo<lies  which  have  the  power,  when  in 
solution,  of  passing  through  membranes, 
as  parchment-paper.  Metallic  salts,  suiiar, 
morphia,  and  oxalid  acid,  are  crystalloids. 
They  are  opposed  to  colloids,  which  have 
not  this  permeating  power. 

CrystallometiT,  -om'et-ri.  The  art 
of  measuring  the  forms  of  crystals. 

Ctenobranchiata,  ten-o-brangk-i'a"- 
ta.  Van  der  Hoeven's  10th  family  of  mol- 
lusks.  The  whelk  is  the  best  known  mem- 
ber. The  sexes  are  separate,  and  ^e  ex- 
ternal organs  of  generation  distinctP 

Ctenodactylus,  -dak'til-us.  A  gen.  of 
rodent  animals,  tam.  Octodontina. 

Ctenoidei,  -oid'e-i.  The  3d  ord.  of  fossil 
fishes,  according  to  the  classification  of 
Agassiz,  including  the  perch,  flounder 
and  turbot. 

Ctenomys,  'o-mis.  .  A  gen.  of  rat-like, 
rodent  animals,  with  habits  of  the  mole. 

Ctenophora,  -of'o-ra.  An  ord.  of  a«a- 
lephs,  of  which  the  gen.  Beroe  maybe 
taken  as  a  type.  They  are  ft-ee-swimming 
ocean  forms  which  never  develop  a  coral. 

Cub,  kub.  The  young  of  the  dog,  lion, 
bear  or  fox ;  a  puppy  ;  a  whelp.  A  young 
boy  or  girl— in  contempt. 


f\ 

N 

k 

\ 

Cube. 


Cuba.  The  largest  and  most  imoortant 
of  the  W.  Indies,  called  the  "Queen  of 
the  Antilles ;"  area  48,469  sq.  m.  ;  length 
660  m. ;  breadth  from  11  to  135  m.  C.  be- 
longs to  Spain,  and  is  ruled  by  a  captain- 
general  ;  slavery  still  exists,  but  is  in  pro- 
cess of  gradual  abolition  ;  chief  cities  and 
ports  are  Havana,  the  cap.,'  Matanzas, 
Puerto  Principe,  Cardenas<fendManzanillo; 
pop.  1,620.000. 

Cube,  kub.  In  Geom.  a  regu- 
lar solid  body  with  six  equal 
sides,  all  squares,  and  con- 
taining equal  angles;  a  rec- 
tangular parallelopii)ed  which 
has  all  its  six  sides  squares. 
In  Arith.the  product  of  a 
number  multiplied  into  it- 
self, and  that  product  multiphed  into 
the  same  nu.x-ber.  In  Alg.  the  third 
power  in  a  scries  of  geometrical  propor- 
tionals continued  ;  as  a  is  the  root,  a^  the 
square,  and  a^  the  cube.  C.  root  is  the 
number  which,  multiphed  into  itself,  and 
then  into  the  product,  produces  the  cube ; 
or  which  twice  multiphed  into  itself,  pro- 
duces the  number  of  which  it  is  the  root. 

Cubit,  kii'bit.  In  Anat.  the  ulna,  a  bone  of 
the  arm  from  the  elbow  to  the  wrist.  A 
lineal  measure,  being  the  length  of  a 
man's  arm  from  the  elbow  te  the  extrem- 
ity- of  the  middle  finger.  The  Eoman 
cubit  was  174-10  inches,  the  Hebrew 
cubit  a  httlo  less  than  22  inches,  and  the 
English  cubit  18  inches. 

Cubo-cube,  ku'bo-kub.  In  Math,  the 
sixth  power  of  a  number  ;  the  square  of  a 
cube  ;  thus,  64  is  the  cubo-cube  of  2. 

Cubo-cubo-cube,  'bo-kub.  In  Math,  the 
ninth  power  of  a  number ;  the  cube  of  the 
cube ;  thus,  512  is  the  cubo-cubo-cube  of  2. 

Cuckingr-stool,  kuk'ing-stol.  A  chair 
in  which  an  ott'ender  was  placed,  usually 
before  her  or  his  own  door,  to  be  hooted 
at  or  pelted  by  the  mob. 

Cuckold,  'old.  A  man  whose  wife  is 
false  to  his  bed;  the  husband  of  an  adul- 
teress. 

Cuckoo,  ku'- 
ki).  A  scanso- 
rial  or  climbing 
bird,  gen.  Cu- 
culus,  the  type 
of  the  fam.  Cu- 
cuhdae.  It  be-\ 
longs  to  the 
zygodactylo  u  s 
or  jroke-footod  tribe. 

Cucullus,  -kul'us.  A  cowl  or  hood  worn 
by  the  ancient  Komans  and  by  monks. 
In  Bot.  a  hood  or  terminal  hollow. 


Cuckoo. 


CUCUKBIT 


CUPRITE 


Cucurbit,  'keu-bit.  A  chemical  vessel 
made  of  copper,  glass,  tin,  or  stoneware, 
and  used  in  distillation.  This  ressel,  with 
its  cover,  constitutes  the  alembic. 

Cucurbitacae,  -a"se-6.  An  ord.  of  pol- 
ypetalous  dicotyledonous  plants,  compre- 
hending the  melon,  gourd,  cucumber,  col- 
ocynth  and  bryony. 

Cudbear,  kud'bar.  A  powder  used  in 
dyeing  violet,  purple  and  crimson,  pre- 
pared from  hchens. 

Cuddle,  'dl.    A  hug ;  an  embrace. 

Cui  bono,  kl  bo'no.  For  whose  benefit  ? 
Popularly,  for  what  use  or  end  ? 

Cuinagre,  kmn'aj.  The  making  up  of 
tin  into  pigs,  &c.,  for  carriage. 

Cuirass,  kwl-ras'.  A  breastplate  ;  a  piece 
of  defensive  armor  covering  the  body  from 
the  neck  to  the  gu'dle.  The  1st  and  2d 
Life  Guards  and  Eoyal  Horse  Guards 
Blue  are  the  only  cuirassiers  in  the  British 
army. 

Cuir-Bouilly,  kwC-r-bo-il-U.  Leather 
softened  and  impressed  with  ornaments, 
used  for  shields,  girdles,  sword-sheaths, 
coffers,  pen -cases,  shoes  and  many  other 
articles ;  also,  in  the  16th  century,  for 
hangings  for  rooms. 

Cuisb.,  kwis.  Defensive  armor  for  the 
thighs,  originally  of  buff  leather,  but  later 
of  iron  or  steel. 

Cuisine,  kwe-z5n'.  A  kitchen ;  the 
cooking  department.  Manner  or  style  of 
cooking ;  cookery. 

Cujas,  Jacques,  koo'zhas.  A  French 
jurist ;  B.  1520,  ».  1590.  Hallam  eulogizes 
him  as  the  "  greatest  of  civil  lawyers." 

Culdee,  kul'de.  One  of  an  ancient  order 
of  monks  In  Scotland,  Ireland  and  Wales, 
supposed  to  have  been  founded  in  the  6th 
century  by  St.  Columba. 

Cul-de-sac,  kfd'de-sak.  A  street  or  pass- 
age closed  at  one  end  ;  a  blind  alley. 
Millt.  an  army  hemmed  in  at  the  rear  and 
flanks,  and  having  no  exit  but  by  the  front. 

Culicidse,  ku-hs'i-de.  A  sub-fam.  of 
dipterous  insects,    fam.    Tipulidae.     The 

.'  gen.  Gulex  comprehends  the  common  gnat 
and  mosquito. 

CuUet,  kul'et.  Broken  glass  brought  to 
the  glass-house  for  the  purpose  of  being 
molted  up  -jnth.  fresh  materials. 

Culloden.  A  moor  in  Scotland,  near 
Inverness,  celebrated  for  the  total  defeat 
of  Prince  Charles  Edward  Stuart  by  the 
English  under  the  Duke  of  Cumberland, 
1745. 

Culm,  kulm.  Anthracite  shale,  an  Im- 
pure coal. 


Culmination,  kul-mi-nS'shon.  The 
transit  of  a  planet  over  the  meridian,  or 
highest  point  of  altitude  for  the  day. 
Top  ;  crown. 

Cult,  kult.  Homage  ;  worship.  A  system 
of  religious  belief,  especially  the  rites  and 
ceremonies  employed  in  worship. 

Culverin,  'ver-in.  Along  piece  of  artil- 
lery, serving  to  carry  a  ball  to  a  great  dis- 
tance. 

Culvert,  'vert.  An  arched  drain  carried 
under  a  road;  «fec.,  for  the  passage  of 
water. 

Cuma,  kli'ma.  The  first  Greek  settle- 
ment in  Italy,  1050  b.  c,  in  the  Campagna, 
near  Baise. 

Cumana,  koo-ma'na.  The  first  city 
founded  by  Europeans  in  America,  1523, 
in  VSnzuela;  present  pop.  abt.  10,000. 

Cumberland,  William,  Duke  of. 
Second  son  of  George  II.,  of  England,  n. 
1721,  D.  1765.  He  commanded  the  English 
army  at  its  defeat  by  the  French  at  Fonte- 
noy,  1745,  and  the  same  year  defeated 
Prince  Charles  Edward  Stuart,  at  Cullo- 
den,  Scotland. 

Cumberland  Gap.  An  important 
strategic  defile  in  the  mountains  dividing 
Kentuckj'  and  eastern  Tennessee,  sucoess- 
flilly  occupied  by  the  Union  and  Confed- 
erate forces  in  the  late  Civil  War. 

Cumberland  Mountains.  A  branch 
of  the  Appalachian  range,  dividing  Vu-- 
ginia,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  ex- 
tending through  Tennessee  into  Alabama. 

Cumberland  River.  A  considerable 
stream,  which,  rising  in  Kentucky  and 
running  through  a  portion  of  Tennessee, 
re-enters  Kentucky  and  empties  into  the 
Ohio  ;  length  600  m. 

Cummer-bund,  kum'er-bund.  A  cloth 
girdle  or  waist  band  worn  in  Hindustan, 
sometimes  embroidered  and  ornamented 
with  lace  and  pearls. 

Cumshaw,  'sha.  In  the  East,  a  present 
or  bonus ;  originally  applied  to  that  paid 
on  ships  which  entered  the  port  of  Can- 
ton. 

Cuneiform,  ku-ne'i-form.  Having  the 
shape  or  form  of  a  wedge;  specifically, 
the  epithet  applied  to  the  inscriptions 
found  on  old  Babylonian  and  Persian 
monuments. 

Cupola-furnace,  -fer-nas.  A  furnace 
for  melting  iron. 

Cuppingr-g-lass,  kup'ing-glas,  A  glass 
vessel  to  be  applied  to  the  skin  in  the 
operation  of  cupping. 

Cuprite,  ka'prlt.  The  red  oxide  of  cop* 
per ;  red  copper  ore. 


CUPEL 


284 


CUEEENCT 


Cupel,  'pel.  A  small 
porous  yessel  used  ia  re- 
fining metals.  Tbus,  Avlien 
a  mixture  of  lead  with 
gold  or  silver  is  heated  in  a 
strong  lire  the  lead  sinks  in- 
to the  substance  of  the  cu- 
pel, while  the  gold  or  silver 
remains  pure.  It  is  usually 
made  of  phosphate  of  lime 
or  the  residue  of  burned^^i 
bones. 

Cupid,  'pid.     The   Eom? 
'  ame  of  the  Grecian  pod  of 
love.     Eros,  the  son  of  Her- 
mes (Mercury)  and  Aphro-       Cunid 
dito  (Venus.)  ^ 

Cupola,  kii'po- 
la.  In  Arch,  a 
spherical  vault 
on  the  top  of  an 
edifice;  a  domd, 
or  the  round 
top  of  a  dome. 
The  round  top 
of  any  struc- 
ture, as  of  a 
furnace  ;  the 
furnace  itself. 
In  Anat.  the 
dome-hke  ex- 
tremity of  the 
canal  of  the 
cochlea. 

Cup-valve,  kup'valv.  A  valve,  the 
Beat  of  which  is  made  to  fit  a  cover  in  the 
form  of  a  rase,  or  of  the  portion  of  a  sphere. 

Curacoa,  ko-ra-so.  A  liquor  or  cordial 
flavored  with  orange  peel,  cinnamon  and 
mace. 

Curari,  ku'ra-r^.  A  resinous  substance, 
consisting  of  the  aqueous  extract  of  Strych- 
nos  toxifera,  used  by  the  S.  American  In- 
dians for  poisoning  their  arrows.  Curari 
may  be  introduced  with  comparative  im- 
])unity  into  the  alirnentarj^  canal,  but  if 
introduced  into  a  puncture  so  as  to  mix 
Avith  the  blood,  the  eff'ects  are  instantly 
fatal. 

Curate,  'rat.  A  clergyman  in  Episcopal 
churches  employed  to  perform  divine  ser- 
vice in  the  place  of  theincumbent,  parson, 
or  vicar.  There  are  two  kinds  of  curates, 
stipendiary  and  perpetual. 

Curator,  'ter.  One  who  has  the  care  and 
superintendence  of  anything,  as  a  univer- 
sity, public  library,  museum,  »fec. 

Curba,  ker'ba.  An  African  measure  of 
capacity,  varying  from  1\  to  IS  gallons, 
vised  by  the  negroes  in  the  sale  of  palm- 
oil,  g3-aiQ,  pulse,  <bc. 


Cupola. 


Curassow, 

ku-ras'so.  The 
name  given  to     - 
birds    of     the 
gen.  Crax.  The 
crested    curas- 
sow is  the  Crax  | 
alector,  the  red  i 
curassow  is  the  | 
Crax     rubra.  I 
The     cushew- 
bu-d    (Ourax; 
pauxi)  is  called  ^ 
the     galeated  "^  r^    .   ■,  r^ 
curassow.  Crested  Curassow. 

Curb-roof,  kerb'rof.  A  roof  in  which 
the  rafters  are  of  different  slopes,  so  that 
the  roof  presents  a  bent  appearance,  called 
also  a  Mansard  roof,  from  its  inventor. 

CurculionidaB,  ker'ku-li-on"i-de.  The 
weevils  or  snout-beetles,  one  of  the  most 
extensive  families  of  coleopterous  insects 
About  8,000  species  are  described,  all 
found  on  plants. 

Curcuma-paper,  -ma-pji-per.  Paper 
stained  with  a  decoction  of  turmeric  acid, 
used  as  a  test  of  free  alkali,  by  the  action 
of  which  it  is  stained  brown. 

Curfew,  'fu.     A  bell  rung  in  the  even- 
ing as  a  signal  to  the  inhabitants  to  rake 
up  their  fires  and  re- 
tire to  rest.  This  prac- 
tice was  introduced  in- 
to England  by  William 
the  Conqueror,  and 
believed  to  have  orig-  ] 
inated  as  a  precaution  i 
against    the    outbreak^ 
of  fires.     A    bell   still 
rung  in  some  parts  in    Curfew  for  fire, 
continuation    of     this 
old  custom.     A  cover  for  a  fire 
plate. 

Curia,  kii'ri-a.  In  Eom.  antiq.  one  of 
the  thirty  divisions  made  by  Romulus  of 
the  Eoman  people.  A  building  in  which 
the  curiae  met  for  the  celebration  of  divine 
worship.  The  building  in  which  the 
senate  held  its  deliberations.  In  law.  a 
court  of  justice.  The  Eoman  see  in  its 
temporal  aspect,  including  the  pope,  car- 
dinals, &c. 

Curiologric,  -o-loj"ik.  Designating  a 
rude  kind  of  hieroglyphics,  in  which  a 
thing  is  represented  by  its  picture. 

Curran,  John  Philpot.  A  distinguish- 
ed Irish  advocate  and  statesman,  the  most 
eloquent  orator  of  his  day;  b.  1750,  d. 
181T. 

Currency,  kur'ren-si.  That  which  is  in 
circulation  as  a  medium  of  ti  ade.  Metallio 


fire- 


CURLEW 


CUSP 


Curlew. 


currency,  gold,  silyer  and  copper  coin. 
Paper  currency,  that  which  passes  cur- 
rent as  a  substitute  for  money  or  a  repre- 
sentative of  it. 

Curle-w,  ker'lu.     Fumenius,  a  gen.  of 
grallatorial  birds  of  the 
same  family  as  the  snipe 
and  woodcock. 

Curling-,  kerl'ing,  '  A 
winter  amusement, 
originating  in  Scotland, 
on  the  tee,  in  which  con- 
tending parties  slide 
large  smooth  stone*  of 
a  circular  form  from  one 
mark,  called  the  tee,  to 
another. 

Current,  'rent,  A  body  of  water  or  air 
moving  in  a  certain  direction.  The  set  of 
a  current  is  that  point  of  the  compass  to- 
ward which  the  water  runs;  and  the  drift 
is  the  rate  at  which  it  runs.  Electric  cur- 
rent, the  passage  of  electricity  from  one 
polo  of  an  apparatus  to  another. 

Curricle,  'ri-kl.  A  chaise  or  carnage  with 
two  wheels,  drawn  by  two  horses  abreast. 

Curriculum,  -rik'ii-lum,  A  race-course; 
a  place  for  running,  &c.  A  specified  course 
of  study  in  a  university,  school  or  the 
like. 

Curry,  'ri.  A  sauce  much  used  in  India, 
containing  cayenne-peper,  garlic,  tur- 
meric, coriander  seed,  ginger,  and  other 
strong  spices.  A  stew  of  fish,  fowl  &c., 
cooked  with  curry-sauce. 

Curry-comb,  -kdm.  A  comb  with  very 
short  metal  teeth,  for  cleaning  horses. 

Curry-powder,  -pou-der.  A  condiment 
used  for  making  curry,  composed  of  tur- 
meric, coriander  seed,  ginger,  and  cay- 
enne-pepper, to  which  salt,  cloves,  carda- 
moms, pounded  cinnamon,  onions,  garlic, 
and  sc!-aped  cocoa-nut  may  be  added  at 
pleasure. 

Cursores,  ker-so'rez.  The  nmners,  an 
ord,  of  birds,  fam.  Struthionidse  of  most 
ornithologists,  ord.  Eatitce  of  others),  so 
named  from  their  remarkable  velocity  in 
running.  The  order  comprises  the  ostrich, 
cassowary,  emu,  rhea,  and  apteryx.  A 
name  given  to  those  spiders  which  make 
no  webs,  but  cat(;h  their  prey  by  swft 
pursuit,  such  as  the  wolf-spider. 

Cursorius,  'ri-us.  A  gen.  of  grallatorial 
birds,  the  sub-fam.  Cursorin«  of  some 
naturalists,  belonging  to  the  jilover  tribe, 
including  the  black-bellied  courier,  the 
brazen-winged  courser,  and  the  cream- 
colored  courser  or  swift-foot. 

Curtation,  kert-a'shon.    The  difference 


between  a  planet's  true  distance  from  th« 
sun  and  the  curtate  distance. 

Curtein,  ker-tan.  The  pointless  sword, 
carried  before  the  kings  of  England  at 
their  coronation,  and  emblematicaJly  con- 
sidered as  the  sword  of  mercy. 

Curtis,  George  Ticknor.  An  Amer- 
can  jurist  and  writer  on  political  economy; 
B.  in  Mass.  1812. 

Curtis.  George  "William.  An  Amer- 
ican political  economist,  author  and  edit- 
tor,  for  some  years  editor  of  "Harper's 
Weekly,"  and  previous  to^that  editor  0/ 
"  Putnam"  a»d  "Harper's  Magazine;"  b. 
in  R.  I.  1824. 

Cuinile,  ku'rol.  Belonging  to  a  chariot. 
Privileged  to  sit  in  a  curule  chair,  C, 
chair  or  seat,  among  the  Romans,  an  em- 
bellished chair  or  seat  of  ivory,  gold,  &c., 
placed  in  a  chariot,  wherein  the  chief  of- 
ficers of  Rome  were  wont  to  be  carried  in- 
to council.  It  was  also  a  mark  of  distinc- 
tion for  dictators,  consuls,  praetors,  cen- 
sors and  ediles,  woo  were  from  this  cir- 
cumstance called  curule  magistrates. 

Curvilinead,  kerv-i-lin'e-ad.  An  In- 
strument for  describing  curves. 

Curvilinear,  -er.  Having  a  curve  line ; 
consisting  of  curve  lines ;  bounded  by 
curve  lines. 

Cushew-bird,  kush'u-berd.  Ourax 
pauxi,  a  bird  resembling  the  curassow, 
and  sometimes  called  the  galeated  curas- 
sow. 

Cushing,  Caleb.  An  American  jurist 
and  statesman  ;  b.  in  Mass.,  ISOO,  d.  1879. 
He  filled  the  civil  positions  of  member  of 
Congress,  Commissioner  to  China,  U.  8. 
Attorney -General  and  Minister  to  Spain, 
and  wasa  brijjadier-general  in  the  Mexican 
war. 

Cusp,kusp,  The  ™ 
point  or  horn  of,^| 
the  crescent, 
moon  or  other 
crescent-shaped 
luminary.  InAs- 
trol.  the  first  en- 
trance of  any 
house  in  calcula- 
tion of  nativities.. 
In  Math,  the  ter-j 
minal  point  or"^ 
corner  formed  by 
two  branches  of 
curves  meeting. 
In  Arch,  a  term  applied  to  the  points  of 
the  small  arcs  or  fouations  terminating  the 
internal  curves  of  the  tre-foiled,  cinque- 
foiled,  &c.,  heads  of  Gothic  wiiulows  and 
panels ;   also,  the  pendant  of  a  pointed 


Cusps. 


CTTSTAED-APPLE 


CUYIEE 


arch.  In  Zool.  the  prominence  on  the 
molar  teeth. 

Oustard-apple,  kns'terd-ap-pl.  The 
fruit  of  Anona  reticulata,  sometimes  called 
bullock's  heart. 

CJustodia,  -to'di-a.  The  shrine  of  pre- 
cious metal,  in  the  shape  of  a  cathedral, 
in  -which  the  host  is  carried  in  procession 
on  certain  solemn  occasions.  The  proces- 
sional shrine  containing  the  rehcs  of  a 
saint. 

Custodian,  -an.  One  who  has  the  care 
or  custody  of  a  library,  public  building, 
&c. 

Custom-house,  'tum-hous.  The  house 
where  vessels  are  entered  and  cleared,  and 
where  the  customs  are  paid.  The  whole 
system  by  means  of  which  the  customs 
revenue  is  collected  and  its  regulations 
enforced.  Custom-house  broker,  a  person 
authorized  to  act  for  parties  in  the  entry 
or  clearance  of  ships  and  the  transaction 
of  business  connected  with  the  customs. 

Customs-duty,  'tumz-du-ti.  The  tax 
levied  on  imports  or  exports. 

Custozza,  -tod'za.  A  strategic  point 
near  Mantna,  N.  Italy,  noted  for  the 
defeat,  Juiy  23,  1848,  of  the  Sardinians 
under  King  Charles  Albert,  by  the  Aus- 
trians  under  Marshal  liaditzky  ;  also  for 
the  defeat,  June  24:,  1866,  of  the  Italians, 
under  Gen.  MacMora  by  the  Austrians. 

Cutch.,  kuch.     The  spawn  of  the  oyster. 

Cutchery,  'e-ri.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a 
court  of  justice  or  public  office. 

Cuthbert,  St.  An  Anglo-Saxon  monk, 
noted  for  his  eloquence,  fervent  i)iety  and 
extraordinary  asceticism  ;  b.  abt.  625,  d. 
636. 

Cuti-ole,  ku'ti-kl.  The  outermost  thin 
transparent  skin  which  covers  the  surface 
of  'Ihe  body,  except  the  nails  ;  the  epider- 
mis or  scarf-skin.  The  external  covering 
o^  the  bark  of  a  plant ;  tho  outer  pellicle 
f^f  the  epidermis.  A  thin  skin  formed  on 
iho  surface  of  liquor. 

Cutlass,  kut'las.  A  broad  curving  sword 
used  by  cavalry  ;  a  hanger,  used  by  sea- 
men. 

Cutler,  'ler.  A  maker  or  dealer  in  knives 
and  other  cutting  instruments.  One  who 
sharpens  or  repairs  cutlery ;  a  knife- 
grinder. 

CutleriaceaB,  -I-n'sii-e.  A  fam.  of  the 
fucoid  &lgiB,  reprosented  by  the  gen.  Cut- 
leria. 

Cutlet,  'let.  A  piece  of  veal  or  mutton, 
generally  a  pnrt  of  the  rib  with  the  meat 
belonging  to  it. 


Cutter. 


Cut-off,  'of.  That  which  cuts  off  or  short- 
ens, as  a  nearer  passage  or  road.  A  con- 
trivance for  cutting  off  tho  steam  from  the 
steam-chest  to  the  cylinder,  when  the 
piston  has  made  the  part  of  a  strolce. 

Cut-purse,  'pers.  One  who  cuts  purses 
for  the  sake  of  stealing  them  or  their  con- 
tents ;  a  practice  common  when  men  wore 
purses  at  their  girdles ;  one  who  steals 
from  the  person. 

Cutter,  'er.  One 
who  cuts  out 
cloth  for  gar- 
ments according 
to  measure- 
ments.  An  in- 
strument that 
cuts ;  as,  a  straw- 
cutter.  A  fore- 
tooth, that  cuts, 
as  distinguished 
from  a  grinder; 
an  incisor.  A  small  boat  xised  by  ships  of 
war.  A  vessel  rigged  nearly  like  a  sloop, 
Mith  one  mast  and  a  straight  running  bow- 
sprit. Revenue  cutter,  an  armed  vessel 
employed  for  the  prevention  of  smuggling 
and  the  enforcement  of  the  eustom-house 
regulations.  A  soft,  yellow  malm-brick, 
used  for  face  work.  In  mining,  a  term 
applied  to  cracks  or  fissures  cutting  across 
the  strata.  In  Mineral,  a  crack  in  the 
substance  of  a  ciystal,  destroying  or  less- 
ening its  value. 

Cutter-bar,  -bar.  The  bar  of  a  boring- 
machine,  in  which  the  cutting  tools  are 
fixed. 

Cuttle,  'tl,  A  name  for  any  of  the  Ce- 
I)halopoda,  more  strictly  applied  to  those 
of  the  gen.  Sepia,  fam.  Sepiadae. 

Cuttle-bone,  -bon.  The  dorsal  plate  of 
Sepia  officinalis,  formerly  much  used  in 
medicine  as  an  absorbent,  but  now  used 
for  polishing  wood,  painting,  varnishing, 
itc,  also  for  pounce  and  tooth  powder. 

Cutwal,  'wal.  In  the  E,  Indies  the  chief 
police-officer  of  a  city. 

Cut- water,  'wa-ter.  The  fore  part  of  a 
ship's  prow.  The  lower  portion  of  the 
pier  of  a  bi-idge,  formed  with  an  angle  di 
rected  up  the  stream,  so  as  to  resist  the 
action  of  the  water,  ice,  &c. 

Cuvier,  Gteorgea  Chretien  Leo- 
pold Dagrobert,  Baron.  An  emi- 
nent French  naturalist ;  b.  1T69,  d.  1838. 
ITis  principal  work,  the  "  Animal  King- 
dom," consists  of  4  vols.,  and  is  a  classi- 
fication of  all  animals  into  the  four  supe- 
rior divisions — Vertebrata.  Mollusca,  Ar- 
ticulata  and  Radlata ;  it  is  the  accepted 
basis  of  zoelogical  study.     He    also   pub- 


CUYPH 


287 


CTCLOPID^ 


lisLed  the  "Natural  History  of  Fishes," 
in  8  vols.,  and  is  credited  with  bein<,'  the 
founder  of  the  science  of  CJomparative 
Anatomy. 

Cuyph  (Kuyph),  Albert,  koip.  An 
eirjineut  Dutch  painter  ;  a.  160C,  d.  1684. 

Cuzco.  The  cap.  of  Peru  at  the  time  of 
tho  Spanish  discovery,  captured  by  Pizar- 
ro,  1534.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been 
founded  by  Manco  Copac,  the  first  Inca, 
104^1  Situated  on  a  slope  of  tho  Andes, 
11,400  ft.  above  the  sea,  400  m.  S.  E.  of 
Lima.    Present  pop.  abt.  47,000. 

Cwt.  An  abbreviation  of  hundredweight, 
c  beinj»  the  symbol  for  a  hundred,  and  wt. 
tho  contraction  for  weight. 

Cyamus,  sl'a-mus.  A  gen  of  laemodi- 
podous  Crustacea,  the  species  of  which  are 
parasites  of  the  whale ;  whale-lice. 

Cyanometer,  -  an-om'et-er.  A  meteor- 
ological instrument  for  estimating  or  meas- 
uring degrees  of  blueness,  as  of  the  sky. 

Cyanosis,  -d'sis.  The  blue  disease ;  the 
blue  jaundice  of  the  ancients.  It  is  usual- 
ly due  to  malformation  of  the  heart, 
whereby  the  venous  and  arterial  currents 
mingle. 

Cyanotype,  'o-tTp.  A  photograph  ob- 
tained by  the  use  of  a  cyanide. 

Cybele,  sib'e-le.  In  Myth,  also  known 
as  Ceres,  Khea,  Ops  and  Vesta  ;  daughter 
of  Cq31us  (or  Uranus)  and  Terra,  Avifo  of 
Saturn,  and  mother  of  Jupiter  and  other 
deities ;  hence  called  "Mother  of  the 
Gods."  She  is  generally  represented  in  a 
chariot  di-awn  by  lions,  and  sometimes 
with  several  breasts,  symbolical  of  the  fe- 
cundity of  the  earth. 

Cybium,  'bi-um.  A  gen.  of  fishes,  fam. 
Scouiberida^ 

Cyclades,  sik'la-dez.  The  principal 
group  of  the  Grecian  Archipelago,  com- 
prising'18  islands.  It  forms  a  monarchy 
of  modern  Greece ;  cap.  Syi-a  ;  pop.  abt. 
120,000. 

Cyclas,  si'klas.  In  Antiq.  an  upper  gar- 
ment made  of  rich  stuff  or  silk,  worn  by 
both  sexes,  somewhat  similar  to  the  sur- 
coat ;  it  was  embroidered  or  interwoven 
■with  gold. 

Cycle,  'kl.  An  imaginary  circle  or  orbit 
in  the  heavens.  A  round  of  years,  or  pe- 
riod of  time,  in  which  a  certain  succession 
of  events  or  phenomena  is  completed,  and 
at  the  end  of  which  the  same  course  be- 
gins again.  A  long  period  of  years  ;  an 
age.  In  literature,  the  aggregate  of  le- 
gendary matters  accumulated  round 
some  heroic  event  or  character,  as  the 
Bioge  of  Troy.     In  Bot.  a  term  employed 


^U^ 


in  the  theory  of  spiral  leaf  arrangement, 
to  express  a  complete  turn  of  the  spire. 
0.  of  the  moon,  or  golden  number,  or 
Metonic  cycle,  a  period  of  19  years,  after 
which  the  new  and  full  moons  return  on 
the  same  day  of  the  month.  C.  of  the  sun, 
a  period  of  28  years,  when  the  dominical 
or  Sunday  letters  return  to  their  former 
place,  and  proceed  in  the  former  order,  ac- 
cording to  the  Juhan  calendar.  C.  of  in- 
diction,  a  period  of  15  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  the  Roman  emperors  imposed  an 
extraordinary  tax,  to  pay  the  soldiers  who 
were  obliged  to  serve  only  for  that  period. 

Cyclica,  'klik-a.  A  fam.  of  tetrameroua 
coleopterous  insects,  containing  the  tor- 
toise-beetles (Cassida)  and  Chrysomelae. 

Cyclobrancliiata,  'kl6-brangk'i-a-ta. 
An  ord.  of  gasteroiiods,  consisting  princi- 
pally of  the  limpets. 

Cyclogren,  -jen.  A  dicotyledon  with 
concentric  woody  circles  ;  an  exogen. 

Cyclograph,  -graf.  An  instrument  for 
describing  the  arcs  of  circles. 

Cycloid, 'kloid. 
A  curve  gen- 
erated by  a 
point     in      the 

plane  of  a  circle  Cycloid, 

when  the  circle 

is  rolled  along  a  straight  line,  and  kept  in 
the  same  plane. 

Oycloidei,  'e-I.  The  4th  order  of  fishes 
according  to  the  arrangement  of  M,  Agas- 
siz,  having  smooth,  round  or  oval  scales, 
as  the  salmon  and  herring. 

Cyclometopita,  'kir)-me-top"i-ta.  A 
tribe  of  brachyurous  crustaceans,  includ- 
ing the  genera  Cancer,  Portunus,  Xantho 
and  Carcinus.  The  common  edible  crab 
is  a  member  of  the  tribe. 

Cyclone,  'klon.  A  circular  or  rotatory 
storm  of  immense  force,  revolving  round 
a  calm  center,  which  advances  at  a  rate 
varying  from  2  to  30  miles  an  hour. 

Cyclopaedia,  -klo-pe'di-a.  A  work  con-  ^ 
taining  definitions  or  accoimts  of  the  prin- 
cipal subjects  in  one  or  aU  branches  of 
science,  art,  or  learning. 

Cyclops,  -klops.  In  Myth,  a  race  of 
giants,  having  but  one  eye  in  the  centre  of 
the  forehead  ;  they  were  the  armorers  of 
Jupiter,  forging  his  thunderbolts  beneath 
Mount  Etna,  under  direction  of  Vulcan. 
Homer  varies  this  account,  describing  the 
C.  as  a  gigantic  tribe  of  lawless  cannibals, 
who  were  destroyed  by  Apollo. 

Cyclopidse,  -klop'i-de.  A  fam.  of  mi- 
nute one-eyed,  entomostracous  Crustacea, 
divided  into  many  genera,  so  prolific  that, 


ctclopea:?^ 


CYNOSURE 


Cyclopean  "Walls. 


In  one  summer,  a  female  may  have  be- 
come the  progeniti-ix  of  more  than  four 
million  descendants.  They  undergo  many 
transformations.  Cyclopa  quadricornis  is 
the  common  water-fiea. 

Cyclope  a  n, 

cl6-pe'an. Per- 
taining to  the 
Cyclops;  vast ; 

,  f,'i<;rantic.      In 

/  Arch,  applied  K?] 
to  a  primitive 
style  of  build- 
ing fabled  to 
be  the  work  of 
the  Cyclops. 
It  is  distin- 
guished by  the 
immense  size 
of  the  stones 
and  the  ab- 
sence of  any 
cement.  Ex- 
amples occur  in  Greece,  Italy  and  Asia 
Minor.    Galled  also  Pelasgic. 

Cydostoma, -klos'to-ma.  A  gen.  of  air- 
breathing  gasteropods  or  snails. 

Cyclostomi,  -ml.  A  fam.  of  fishes  which 
have  circular  mouths,  as  the  lamprey  : 
synonymous  with  Marsipobranchii. 

Cyg-net,  sig'nct.  A  young  swan.  C. 
royal,  in  Iler.  a  swan  gorged  with  a  ducal 
coronet,  having  a  chain  attached  thereto 
and  reflexea  over  the  back. 

Cyg-ninse,  -ni'ne.  The  swans,  a  sub-fam. 
ord.  Natatores,  fam.  Anatidfe. 

Cygrnus,  'nus.  A  northern  constellation 
containing  81  stars.  The  bright  stars  in 
Aquila,  Lyra  and  Cygnus  form  a  remark- 
able triangle. 

Cylinder-press,  sil'in-der-pres.  In 
printing,  a  form  of  press  in  which  the  im- 
pression is  made  by  means  of  a  cylinder 
instead  of  a  flat  surface. 

Cylindroid,  -droid.  A  solid  body,  re- 
sembling a  right  cylinder,  but  having  the 
bases  elliptical. 

Cylindro-og-ival,     -dr6-o-iT"val.      In 
Gun.  a  term   applied  to  a  shot  having  a  | 
cylindrical  body  and  ogival  head. 

Cyma,  si'ma.  In  Arch,  a  moulding  of 
the  cornice,  the  profile  of  which  is  a  curve 
of  contrary  flexure.  There  are  tAvo  kinds, 
cyma  recta,  concave  at  the  top  and  con- 
vex at  the  bottom  ;  and  cyma  reversa,  con- 
vex at  the  top  and  concave  at  the  bottom. 
Rott.  kinds  are  also  called  Ogee. 

Cymaplien,  -fen.  An  appai-atus  in  a 
telephone  for  receiving  transmitted  elec- 
tric waves. 


Cymba,  sim'ba.  A  gen.  of  mollusca, 
fam.  A^olutidae. 

CyTnbal,  'bal,    A   musical  instrument, 
ckcular  and  hollow  like  a  dish,  made  ol 
brass  or  bronze,  two  of  which  are  struck       J 
together.    A  ti-iangular  instrument  made       !| 
of  steel  \Aire,  on  which  are  rings,  which       ' 
are  touched  and    shifted  with    an  iron 
rod  held  in  the    right  hand,  while  the 
cymbal  is  supported  in  the  left  by  a  cord. 

Cymotlioadae,  sT-mo-tho'a-de. '  A  fam. 
ofisopodous  crustaceans,  not  unlike  the 
wood-louse.  Cymothoa  a>strum  is  para- 
sitic upon  many  species  of  fish. 

C3rmry,  kim'ii.  The  name  given  to 
themselves  by  the  "Welsh.  In  its  wider 
application,  that  portion  of  the  Celtic  race 
which  at  one  time  occupied  all  Britain, 
and  were  expelled  from  the  Highlands  by 
the  Gadhelic  Scots,  and  fi-om  the  Lowlands 
of  Scotland  and  England  by  the  Saxons 
and  Scandinavians,  popularly  known  as 
the  ancient  Bwtains.  The  "Welsh,  Bretons 
and  Cornishmen  are  Cymry. 

CyTiantliropy,  si-nan'thro-pi.  A  kind  of 
madness  in  which  a  man  imagines  him- 
self a  dog,  and  imitates  its  voice  and  ac- 
tions. 

Cynic,  sin'ik.  One  of  an  ancient  sect  of 
jthilosophers  who  prided  themselves  on 
their  contempt  of  riches,  arts,  sciences 
aad  amusements  ;  disciples  of  Antisthenea 
of  Athens.  A  man  of  a  currish  temper; 
a  sneering  fault  finder ;  a  follower  of  Dio- 
genes ;  a  misanthrope. 

Cynicism,  'i-sism.  The  practice  of  a 
cynic  ;  a  morose  contempt-  for  the  pleas- 
ures and  arts  of  life. 

Cynictis,  -ik'tis.  A  gen.  of  carnivorous 
animals,  forming  a  connecting  link  be- 
tween the  civets  and  dogs. 

Cynipidee,  -ip'i-de.  The  gall-flies,  a 
gen.  of  hymenopterous  Insects  which 
puncture  plants,  depositing  with  their 
eggs  an  irritant  fliiid  which  produces  tu- 
mors, commonly  called  galls  or  nut-galls. 
The  gall  used  in  the  manufacture  of  ink 
is  caused  by  the  Cynips  gallae  tinctorisB 
piercing  a  species  of  oak. 

Cynocephalus,  sl-no-sef'a-lus.  The 
gen.  of  baboons  having  a  head  shaped  like 
that  of  a  dog. 

Cynog'ale, -nog'a-le.  A  gen.  of  mam. 
mals,  fam.  Yivcrrida^. 

Cynog'raphy,  sin-og'ra-fi.  A  history  of 
the  dog. 

Cynosure,  sf'no-zhor.  Ursa  Minor,  the 
Little  Bear;  the  constellation  near  the 
north  pole,  consisting  of  7  stars,  4  of 
which  ai-G  disposed  like  the  4  wheels  of  a 


CYNTHIA 


289 


CZAR 


chariot,  and  3  lengthwise,  like  the  beam ; 
hence  called  the  Chariot  or  Charles's  Wain. 
It  contains  the  pole-star,  and  the  eyes  of 
mariners  were,  in  ancient  times,  frequent- 
ly directed  to  it ;  hence,  anything  that 
strongly  attracts  attention  ;  a  center  of  at- 
traction. 

Cynthia,  sin'thi-a.  In  Myth,  one  of  the 
names  given  to  Diana.  In  Zool.  a  sub- 
gen,  of  AscididiE,  and  a  gen.  of  lepidop- 
terous  insects,  containing  the  painted  lady- 
butterfly.  A  gen.  ofci'ustaceans. 
CypllOIlidse,  si-fon'i-dG.  A  group  of 
beetles  detached  from  the  Cebrionida?  on 
account  of  their  small  size  and  other  dif- 
ferences. 

Cypraeidss,  -pre'i-de.  The  cowry  fam., 
marine  gasteropodous  mollusks,  one  of 
the  species  being  used  in  some  parts  of 
the  East  as  a  circulating  medium. 
Cypress,  'pres.  The  popular  name  of 
Cupressus,  a  gen.  of  coniferous  trees,  in- 
cluding C.  sempervirens  or  common  cy- 
press, the  evergreen  American  cypress  or 
white  cedar,  and  C.  disticha  or  deciduous 
American  cypress.  The  wood  is  remark- 
able for  its  durability.  The  coffins  in 
which  the  Athenian  heroes  were  deposited 
were  made  of  the  first  species,  and  some 
authorities  believe  that  the  gopher-wood 
of  which  Noah's  ark  was  built  was  also  of 
this  species.  The  emblem  of  mourning 
for  the  dead,  cypress  branches  havingr 
been  anciently  used  at  funerals. 
Cyprian,  'pri-an.  A  Cypriot;  a  lewd 
woman  ;  a  courteza/i. 
Cyprian,  St.,  Thascius  Csecilius 
Cyprianus.  Bishop  of  Carthage,  i?. 
abt.  200 ;  martyred  258.  C.  was  a  prolific 
writer,  and  his  works  are  still  considered 
authority. 

Cypridinidae,  -din'i-de.  A  fam.  of  ma- 
rine crustaceans  consisting  of  one  gen., 
Cypridina, 

Cyprinidse,  -prin'1-de.  A  fam.  of  teleos- 
tean  fishes,  sec.  Malacopterygii  Abdomi- 
nales.  The  gen.  Cyprinus  is  the  t\'pe  of  the 
family,  vihich  contains  the  carp,  "gold-fish, 
roach,  bleak,  barbel,  &c. 
Cypris,  'pris.  A  gen.  of  minute  fresh- 
water Crustacea,  inclosed  in  a  delicate  shell, 
and  which  s^vim  by  means  of  cilia.  Fossil 
shells  under  the  generic  term  Cypris  oc- 
cur in  all  rocks  from  the  coal  measures 
upward. 

C3rprus,  'prus.  An  important  Medi- 
terranean island,  Ijlng  betwe(?n  Syria  and 
Asia  Minor,  formerly  belonging  to  Tur- 
key, but  since  1878,  under  the  Berlin 
treaty,  occupied  by  Gt.  Britain  ;  pop.  abt. 
200,000. 


Cypselidee,  sip-sel'i-de.  A  fam.  of  in- 
sessorial  birds,  sub-ord.  Fissfrostres,  in- 
cluding the  swifts  and  their  congeners. 
Besides  the  gen.  Cypselus,  the  family  in- 
cludes the  N.  American  swallow  and  th« 
esculent  swallow. 

Csrrenaic,  si-re-na'ik.  Pertaining  to 
Cvrene,  a  Greek  colony  on  the  north 
co'ast  of  Afi-ica,  belonging  to  the  school  of 
Epicurean  philosophers  founded  by  Aris- 
tippus,  a  disciple  of  Socrates,  at  Cyrene. 
Cyril,  St.  Bishop  of  Jerusalem,  of 
which  place  he  is  believed  to  have  been  a 
native  ;  b.315,  b.  386,  in  exile.  A  second 
St.  Cyril,  Archbishop  of  Alexandria ;  b. 
370,  presided  at  the  Council  of  Ephesus, 
431,  and  was  excommunicated  by  the 
Council  of  Antioch,  the  same  year.  A 
third  St.  Cyril  (Constantine),  b.  in  Thes- 
salonica  abt.  800  ;  d.  868.  He  introduced 
Chi-istianity  along  the  Danube,  invented 
the  Sclavonic  alphabet  and  translated  tlie 
Bible  therein. 

Cyrillic,  si-ril'ik.  The  term  applied  to  an 
alphabet  adopted  by  all  the  Sclavonic  peo- 
ples belonging  to  the  Eastern  Church.  It 
superseded  the  Glagolitic  and  some  of  its 
signs  are  modified  from  the  Glagolitic.  It 
was  brought  into  general  use  by  St. 
Cyril's  pupil,  Clement,  first  bishop  of 
Bulgaria. 
Cyrus,  The  Great.  Also  known  as  the 
Elder,  son  of  Cambyses  and  Mandane, 
daughter  of  Astyages,  King  of  Media  ;  b, 
abt.  600  B.  c,  ascended  the  throne  of 
Media  559,  conquered  Lydia,  Babylon  and 
other  surroundmg  countries,  and  founded 
the  Persian  Kingdom.  C.  was  lulled  in 
an  invasion  of  Scythia,  529  b.  c;  Cjtus 
the  Younger,  son  of  Darius  Nothus,  King 
of  Persia,  revolted  against  his  brother  Ar- 
taxerxes,  who  s.  his  father,  and  was  de- 
feated and  killed ;  b.  abt.  470  b.  c,  d.  abt 
398. 

Cyst,  si  St.  In  Physiol,  a  hollow  organ 
with  thin  walls,  as  the  urinarv  bladder  or 
the  gall  bladder.  In  Pathol,  a  bladder- 
like  bag  or  vesicle  which  includes  mor- 
bid matter  In  animal  bodies. 
Cystidese, -Id'e-e.  A  fam.  of  fossil  echin- 
oderms,  occurring  in  the  Silurian  and  car- 
boniferous strata. 

Cythere,  sT-the're.  A  gen.  of  minute^ 
entoraostracous  bivalve  crustaceans,  of 
marine  habit,  and  found  fossil  in  the 
chalk  and  older  tertiaries. 
Czar.  zar.  A  king ;  a  chief.  A  title  of 
■  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  first  adopted  in 
1579  by  Ivan  II.,  who  styled  himself  Czar 
of  MoBoow. 


CZARKVNA 


240 


DAGHIESTAN 


Affairs  under  Alexander  I.  of  Russia,  but     / 
joined  in  the  revolt  of  1S81,  and  was  elect-     ' 
od  president  of  tho  temporal y  government.     ( 
Hi*  son,  Prince  Ladislaus,  b.  1828,  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  Queen    Christina  of 
Spain,  aiid  mudo  his  homo  in  England. 
Czemy,  Q-eorg-e,  zair'ne.    Tho  son  of  a 
Servian  i)easant,  it.  1770,  who  raised  hiin- 
Belftotho  leadership  of  his  countrymen 
in  their  revolt  against  the  Turks,  captured 
Belgrade,  and  on  peace  being  declared  was      ] 
elected  governor  and  recognized  as  prince* 
of  Servia  by  tho  Sultan.     During  the  in- 
vasion of  Ru.ssiaby  Naj)oleon,  C.  was  com- 
pelled to  abandon  Sorvia,  and  on  his  re- 
turn in  1  SI 7  was  ausassinated  by  order  of 
Prince  Milosoh. 


Czarevna,  zTi-rev'na.    The  >vife  of  the 

c/arouitz. 
Czarina,  -re'na.    A  title  of  the  Empress 

of  Russia. 

Czarowitz,  ziir'5-rits.  The  title  of  tho 
oldest  son  of  the  Czar  of  Russia. 

Ozartoryski,  char-to-ris'ke.  A  noblo 
Polish  f.wnily  of  very  ancient  renown  and 
roval  blood.  Stephen,  «.  1599,  d.  1665,  is 
called  tlio  Dnguesclin  of  Poland,  and  the 
liberator  of  his  country.  Adam  Casimir, 
cousin  of  King  Stanislaus,  b.  1731,  d.  1823; 
•was  starost  general  of  Podoliaand  presi- 
dent of  the  Diet.  Adam  Geoi-ge,  son  of 
tho  former,  B.  1770,  «.  in  Paris  in  e.xile. 
1S61.      He  became  Minister   of  Foreign 


DIN  the  English  alphabet,  is  the  4th  let- 
ter and  the  3d  consonant.  It  represents 
a  dental  sound,  formed  by  pbcing  the  tip 
of  tho  tongue  against  the  root  of  the 
upper  teeth,  and  then  forcing  up  vocalized 
breath,  the  soft  palate  being  raised  to  pre- 
vent its  escape  through  tho  nose.  When 
'  D  follows  a  wliispered,  non-vowd,  or  surd 
consonant  in  tlie  same  syllable  it  takes  the 
sound  of  t,  as  after  k,  p,  f,  ».  It  is  never 
silent  in  English  words,  except  in  a  rapid 
utterance  of  such  words  as  handkerchief. 
According  to  Grimm's  law,  where  d  ap- 
pears in  English  we  find  dh  in  Sanskrit, 
th  in  Greek,  fin  Latin,  and  t  in  German. 
As  a  numeral,  D  represents  500,  and  with 
a  dash  over  it,  5000.  In  Music,  D  is  the  2d 
note  of  the  natural  scale,  answering  to  re. 

Dab,  dab.  A  gentle  blow  with  the  hand 
or  some  soft  substance.  A  quick  or  sud- 
den blow.  A  small  mass  of  anything  soft 
or  moist.  A  name  common  to  fish  of  the 
gen.  Pleuroncctes,  but  especially  applied 
to  tho  llounder  or  fluke. 

Dacca  Former 
cap.  of  Bengal, 
127  m.  N.  E.  of 
Calcutta ;  pop. 
abt.  70,000. 

Dace,      das.  Dace. 

Leuciscus   vul- 
garis, fam.  CyprimdsB,  a  small  river  fish 
resembling  tho  roach,    Name  also  Dar, 
Dare  and  Dart. 

Dacia,  da'she-ah.  Ancient  n-ameofthat 
portion  of  the  Roman  empire  lying  along 
the  Danube,  inhabited  bv  a  warlike  Ger- 
man race,  the  Dacii ;  only  sul>duod  after  a 
struggle  of  75  years  by  Trajan,  105w 


DactylethridBB,  dak-ti-leth'ri-do.  A 
fam.  of  amphibian  vertebrata,  comprising 
only  one  gen.,  and,  so  flir  as  known,  two 
species. 

Dactyli,  'tl-ll.  In  Class.  Antiq.  fabulous 
beings  inh.ibiting  Mount  Ida  in  Plu-ygia, 
to  whom  tho  discovery  of  iron  and  the  art 
of  working  it  is  asciibed.  They  wore  ser- 
vants or  priests  of  Rhea,  and  are  some- 
times confounded  with  tho  Corybantes. 

Dactyliography,  -til'i-r>g"ra-fi.     The 

art  of  gem  engraving.  A  description  of 
engraved  linger-rings  and  precious  stones. 

Dactyliology,  -ol"o-ji.  Tho  science 
Mhich  treats  of  the  history  and  qualities 
of  hnger-rings. 

Dactylology,  -ol'o-ji.  The  art  of  oom- 
mtinicating  ideas  by  the  fingers ;  the  lan- 
guage of  the  deaf  and  dumb. 

Dactylopterous,  -op'ter-us,  A  gen.  of 
fishes,  ord.  Acanthoptervgii,  fam.  Cata- 
phracti.  It  contains  the  flying  gurnard  or 
Hying  fish. 

Daedalus,  dgd'a-liis.  In  Myth,  an  ar- 
tist-inventor who  designed  tho  Cretan 
Ijabyrinth,  and  invented  the  saw,  auger, 
wedge,  and  other  tools.  Confined  in  the 
Labyrinth  by  Minos,  King  of  Crete,  b« 
made  himself  wings,  and  accompanied  by 
his  son  Icarus,  attempted  to  escape  by 
flight.  Icarus  fell  into  the  sea,  since 
known  as  the  Icarian,  butD.  Lmded  safely 
at  Cumae,  where  he  built  a  temple  to 
Apollo.     « 

Dagrliestaxi.  That  portion  of  W.  Asia 
Iving  between  the  Caspian  Sea  and  the 
Caucasus ;  area  17,50()  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  abt. 
2,000,000,  pi-inoipally  Tartar  nomads. 


DAQeER 


241 


DAIMIO 


Dagger,  da^''- 
er.  A  weapon 
Avith  usually  a 
t  w  0  -  e  d  jj  e  d, 
eometiincs  a 
thre  e  -  e  d  p  e  d, 
sharp-poi  n  t  e  d' 
blade,  used  for 
stabbing  at 
close  quarters. 
In  feudal  times 
it  was  carried  in 
addition  to  the 
pword,  and  in  Various  forms  of  daggers, 
single  combat  it 

was  wielded  in  the  Iftft  hand  to  parry 
blows,  and  also  to  despatch  a  vanquished 
enemy,  unless  he  begged  for  quarter, 
whence  it  was  called  the  dagger  of  mercy. 
In  Fencing,  a  blunt  blade  of  iron  with  a 
basket  hilt,  used  for  defense.  In  Print- 
ing, the  second  mark  of  reference,  t. 
Dag-oba,  da-gO'ba.  The  name  given  to 
-  monumental  structures  contaiiiiiig  relics 


Ceylonese  Dagoba. 
of  Buddha  or  of  some  Buddhist  saint. 
They  are  of  brick  or  stone,  circular  in 
form,  and  erected  on  a  mound. 

Dag-obert  I.,  dug-o-bair'.  King  of  the 
Franks,  b.  abt.  595,  s.  his  father  Clovii 
II..  028,  D.  638.  He  was  vrarliko  but  ex- 
ti-avagant,  cruel  and  licentious.  I).  II., 
s.  his  father  Sigcbert  II.,  King  of  Austra- 
sia,  fv>fi,  I)  6T9.  D.  III.,  s.  his  father 
O'liildohort  III.,  King  of  the  Franks,  711, 
but  only  reigned  in  name  tlirough  Pepin 
d'Mcristal,  his  mayor  ;  d.  715. 

Dag-on.  da'gon.  The  national  god  of  the 
rhilistiiies,  represented  with  the  upper 
part  of  a  man  and  the  tail  of  a  flsh.  His 
most  famous  temples  wero  at  Gaza  and 
Ashdod.  He  had  a  female  correlative 
among  the  Syrians.  In  Babylonian  Myth, 
the  name  is  given  to  a  fish-fike  being  who 
rose  from  the  waters  of  the  Red  Sea  as 
ono  of  the  great  benefactors  of  men. 

Daguerre,  Louis  Jacques  Maude, 
da-gair.    An  iuyentivo  French  ai-ti»t ;  b. 


1789,  D.  1851.  He  invented  the  diorama 
and  the  daguerreotype. 

Daguerreotyye,  da-ger'6-tTp.  '  The 
name  given  to  an  invention  of  M.  Da- 
gucrre,  of  Paris,  first  published  in  1839, 
by  which  th«  lights  and  shadows  of  a 
landscape  or  figure  are  fixed  on  a  metallic 
plate  solely  by  the  action  of  the  sun's  ac- 
tinic or  chemical  rays.  A  picture  pro- 
duced by  the  .same  process. 

Dababieh.,  -ha-be'a.  A  boat  in  use  on 
the  Nile  for  the  convevance  oftravoleis. 


There  is  a  hcck  lore  un<i  nft^on  the  center 
of  which  are  the  seats  for  the  rowers.  On 
tlio  alter  part  is  a  largo  cabin. 

Dahlgrren  Gun,  dal'gren  gun.  A  can- 
non invented  by  an  officer  named  Dahl- 
gren,  of  the  IT.  S.  navy. 

Dablgren,  John  A.,  Admiral.  An 
Anuriean  naval  officer,  r.  in  Penn.,  1809, 
i>.  1870.  He  invented  the  IX'ihlgren  shell- 
gun,  1847.  In  1863,  as  commander  of  the 
S.  Atlantic  fleet,  he  made  an  unsuccessful 
attick  ui)on  Fort  Sumter. 

Dahomey,  dah-ho'me.  A  kingdom  of 
W.  Africa,  ^le  king  of  which  maintJiins  an 
army  of  female  Amazons.  Captives  and 
other  human  beings  are  sacrificed  to  the 
fetishes.  The  only  seaport  is  Whydah. 
Neither  the  area  nor  pop.  is  known. 

Daikoku.  dl-ko-ko.  The  god  speci.illy 
worshiped  by  the  arti.sans  of  Japan.  He 
is  represented  as  sitting  on  a  ball  of  rice, 
with  a  h.immer  in  his  hand,  before  a  sack. 
Every  time  he  strieks  the  sack  it  becomes 
full  of  silver,  rice,  cloth,  and  other  things 
useful. 

Baimio,  'ml-d.  The  title  of  a  ckss  of 
feudal  lords  in  Japan.  In  accordance 
with  a  decree  Issued  in  1S71,  the  daimios 
surrendered  their  exclusive  privileireB  and 
to  a  great  extent  their  private  property. 
They  w^ere  made  official  governors  of  the 
districts  which  they  formerly  held  aa 
feudal  rulers. 


DAIRI 


242 


DAMASCUS  BLADE 


Dairi,  're.  An  alternative  name  for  the 
Japanese  mikado.  He  is  held  to  be  de- 
Rc.oiided  from  the  Bun-goddess,  and  as 
sucli  unites  in  his  person  all  the  attributes 
of  the  deity. 

Dairo,  -ro.  The  Japanese  name  for  the 
court  of  the  mikado  or  dairi-soma. 

Dairymaid,  da'ri-mad.  A  female  ser- 
vant whose  business  is  to  milk  cows  and 
■work  in  the  dairy. 

Dairyman,  -man.  One  who  ke«ps  cows 
for  the  sale-  of  milk,  or  who  attends  to  th« 
sale  of  dairy  produce. 

Dais,  'is.  The 
hij,'h  table  at 
upper  end  «f 
an  HEclent  dia- 
Innr-hall  at 
wliif  h  the  chief 
persons  sat. 
The  naised  floor 
on  which  tho 
hiffh  table 
stood.  The 
chiefseatat  the 
hlph  table,  with 
hangings  be- 
hind and  often 
with  a  canopy. 
A  canopy  or  I 
coverninq-.  Dais. 

Daker-iien,  -ker-hen.  Tho  corncrake  or 
landrail,  fani.  Kallidae. 

Dakoit,  da-koit.  One  of  a  class  of  rob- 
bers in  India  who  plunder  in  bands,  but 
seldom  take  life.  The  term  was  also  ap- 
plied to  pirates  who  infested  the  rivers  be- 
tw(*en  Calcutta  and  Burhampore,  but  are 
now  suppressed. 

Dakota.  A  territorj'  of  the  U.  S.,  W.  of 
Minnesota  and  N.  of  Nebraska ;  area  abt. 
150,(X)0  sq.  m.:  pop.  41,000.  Yankton, 
the  cap.,  Vermillion,  Fort  Laramie  and 
(rreenwood  are  tlie  principal  towns  ;  the 
Missouri,  Cheyenne  and  Nebraska,  chief 
rivers. 

Dalai-lama,  -U'la-ma.  One  of  the  two 
laina  popes  of  Tibet  and  MonpoUa  (his  fel- 
low-pope beinjf  Tesho-lama\  each  su- 
preme in  his  own  district.  When  he  dies 
he  is  succeeded  by  a  boy,  generally  of  four 
or  live  years  of  a<;e,  into  whom  'the  soul 
of  the  deceased  dalai  is  supposed  to  have 
entered.  The  dalai  resides  at  Potala  near 
Lassa,  in  Tibet. 

Dalkey,  dal'ke.  An  Irish  seaside  re- 
sort, «  in.  from  Dublin  :  pop.  6,500. 

Dallas.  Alexander  James.  An 
American  statesman,  n.  in  Jamaica,  1759, 
immitrrated  to  Penn.  1733  ;  became  dis- 
tinguished as  a   lawyer  and  Kepublicait 


politician,  and  held  the  office  of  Secretary 
of  the  Commonwealth  and  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury  ;  v.  Idl7. 

Dallas,  G^eorg■e  Mifliin.  Son  of  the 
above,  b.  in  Penn.,  1792.  elected  to  the  U. 
S.  Senate,  1831,Attorney-Generalof  Penn., 
1885,  appointed  Minister  to  Russia,  1  S;37, 
and  in  1844  sleeted  Vice-President  of  the 
U.  S.  Sent  as  Minister  to  Gt.  Britoin, 
1S56 ;  D.  IS&i. 

Dallas.  A  tillage  of  Pulaski  Co.,  Ky., 
where,  Jan.  25^June  1,  ISG-t,  several  se- 
vere but  indecisive  actions  occurred  be- 
tween the  Federals  under  Gen.  Sherman 
and  the  Confederates  under  Gens.  Hood 
and  Hardee.    Tho  latter  finally  retreated. 

Dalmatia,  di'd-ma'she-a.  An  Austrian 
prov.  on  the  E.  shore  of  the  Adriatic ; 
area,  4,670  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  500.000.  Cap. 
Zara. 

Dalmatica,  dal-mat'i-ka.  Theyestment 
used  by  the  deacon  at  mass,  worn  also  by 
bishops  under  the  chasuble,  and  from  a 
very  early  period  by  the  popes  when  offi- 
ciating pdntiflcally.  It  consists  of  a  long 
robe  with  larger  and  fuller  sleeves  than 
the  tunic.  The  sides  are  left  partially  un- 
closed. It  has  longitudinal  stripes  be- 
fore and  behind,  these  stripes  originally 
being  bla«ik  but  in  later  times  red.  A 
similar  robe  is  worn  bv  the  sovereigns  of 
England  on  high  occasions  as  a  super- 
tunic  over  the  tunic  surcoat. 

Dalriad,  'ri-ad.  One  of  a  tribe  of  the 
Scots  in  Ireland,  which  occupied  the 
Southern  part  of  the  County  of  Antrim. 

Damajavag*,  da-ma-ja'vag.  The  name 
given  to  a  preparation  of  the  chestnut-tree, 
employed  as  a  substitute  for  oak  bark  and 
gall-nuts  in  tanning. 

Daman,  dam 'an.  A  rabbit-like  animal 
of  the  gen.  Hyrax,  supposed  to  be  the 
shaphan  or  cony  of  Scripture. 

Daman.  A  Portuguese  town  in  India, 
100  m.  N.  of  Bombay,  noted  as  containing 
the  famous  Temple  of  Parsis  ;  pop.  abt. 
10,000. 

Damascenus,  Johannes.  An  emi- 
nent Saraue-nio  theoloirian  ;  b.  in  Damas- 
cus abt.  700,  D.  708.  His  "Summary  of 
the  Orthodox  Faith  "  was  for  centuries  a 
model  for  scholars. 

Damascus,  da-mas'kus.  An  ancient 
city  of  Syria,  famous  2.000  years  a.  c, 
now  cap.  of  a  Turkish  pashalic  of  same 
name ;  pop.  200,000. 

Damascus  Blade,  -bind.  A  sword 
or  scimitiir  presenting  upon  its  surface 
a  variegated  aimearance  of  watering,  in 
fioe  lines  or  ml«ts,  fibrous,  crossed,  in- 


DAMASK 


243 


DANNEWERKE 


terlaced  or  parallel,  &c.,  formerly  fabricat- 
ed chiefly  at  Damscus. 

Damask,  dara'ask.  The  name  pivon  to 
textile  fabrics,  richly  ornamented,  beiner 
the  richest  species  of  ornamental  weavinp, 
tapestry  excepted.  A  pink,  color,  like 
that  of  "the  damask-rose. 

Damasse,  -as'.  A  kind  of  linen  for  ta- 
ble-cloths, napkins,  &c.,  woven  in  flowers 
and  fis,'ures  in  imitation  of  damask. 

Damassin,  -sin.  A  kind  of  damask, 
with  gold  and  silver  flowers  woven  In  the 
warp  and  woof. 

Damianist,  da'mi-an-lst.  One  of  a  sect 
founded  by  Damian,  bishop  of  Alexan- 
dria, in  the  6th  century,  who  dtjnied  any 
distinrtion  in  tho  Godhead,  yet  usinp  the 
nainos  (tf  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit. 

Damietta,  dam-c-et'ta.  An  Eg>'ptlan 
city  on  tho  E.  arm  of  tho  Nile,  100  m.  N. 
E.  of  Cairo;  pop.  60,000.  The  old  city 
which  stood  5  m.  nearer  the  sea  than  the 
I)resent,  was  captured  several  times  by 
tho  Crusa^lers  ;  it  is  now  in  ruins. 

Dammar-resin,  'miir-re-zln.  A  gum 
resemblinff  copal,  produced  by  various 
.«;pecies  of  dammar,  used  for  colorless 
varnish. 

Damn.  The  execration  emploj'ed  by 
those  who  use  the  verb  profanely  ;  a  curse; 
an  oath.     Generally  ^\Titt€n  D — n. 

Damoclean,  -o-klo'-an.  Kelatinpr  to 
Damocles,  a  flatterer,  who,  havinfj  ex- 
toiled  Dionyslus,  Tyrant  of  SjTacuae,  was 
placed  by  the  latter  under  a  sword  sus- 
pended over  his  head  by  a  sinfjle  hair. 
Hence,  ai)i)lied  to  any  condition,  especial- 
ly ono  of  eminence,  threatened  with  ex- 
treme danger. 

Damon.  One  of  the  traditionary  heroes 
oi  ancient  Syracuse,  iu  whosa  behalf 
I*>thia.s  oftered  to  sacrifice  his  life. 

Damouch,  -much'.  Tho  Arab  name  for 
Nitraria  tridentata,  believed  to  bo  the 
lotus-tree  of  tho  ancients. 

Da,mpier,  "William.  An  English  dr- 
cuiiinavi^'ator ;  «.  IGiVi,  P.  171'i. 

Dampier  Archipelagro.  A  group  N. 
W.  of  Australia.  D.  Strait  divides  New 
Guinea  and  Waygiou  ;  35  m.  wide. 

Damsel,  dam'zel.     A  j-oung  unmanned 

woman. 
DeJia,  Francis.     An  American   jurist 

and  statesman  :  n.  in  Mass.  174^3,  p.  1811. 

He  was  a  member  of  Congress,  Minister 

to  Russia  and  ('hief  Justice  of  the  Mass. 

Supreme  Court. 
Danae,  dan'a-e.    In  Myth,  daughter  of 

Acrisius,  King  of  Argos  and  Eurydioe  . 


seduced  by  Jupiter,  and  mother  by  him 
of  Perseus. 

Danaides.  In  Myth,  the  50  daughters 
of  Danaus,  semi-king  with  his  brother 
Eg>ptus  of  Egj'pt.  They  were  all  mar- 
ried to  the  sons'of  Egyptus,  and  by  com- 
mand of  theh- father  all' but  one— Hyperm- 
nestra,  who  saved  Lynceus — murdered 
their  husbands  on  the  nuptial  night.  Ju- 
I)iter  condemned  them  to  eternally  carry 
water  in  selves  in  Hades. 

Danby,  Francis.  An  eminent  Irish 
painter;  «.  179:J,  d.  1S71. 

Dance,  dans.  A  lively  exercise  of  amuse- 
ment, in  which  the  movements  are  regu- 
lated by  art  In  figure,  and  b/the  sotind  of 
instruments  In  measure.  A  tune  by 
which  dancing  is  regidated.  D.  of  death, 
in  allegorical  painting  and  sculp,  illustra- 
tive of  tho  universal  power  of  death,  in 
which  a  skeleton  figures  prominently ; 
frequently  met  with  in  ancient  buildings, 
stained  glass  and  in  tho  decoration  of 
manuscrii)ta. 

Dandolo,  Enrico.  A  member  of  an 
ancient  Venetian  family,  R.  1105.  elected 
doge  1163,  held  a  high  command  in  the 
4th  Crusade  at  the  capture  of  Byzantium, 
the  throne  of  which  city  waa  offered  him, 
but  declined ;  v.  1205.  Several  of  tho 
family  held  the  chief  magistracy  of  Venice. 

Dandruff,  dan'druf.  A  scurf  which 
forms  on  the  head  and  comes  off  in  small 
scales  or  particles. 

Dandy,  '<li.  A  boatman  of  the  Ganges. 
A  man  who  is  f:if.tidiou8  as  to  dress.  A 
roller  of  woven  wire,  forming  part  of 
a  paper-making  machine,  emi)loyed  to 
press  the  liquid  from  the  pulp,  and  to  bar 
or  stripe  tho  paper. 

Danebrog",  'e-brog.  A  Danish  order  of 
knighlhctod.  instituted  about  1219,  and  re- 
vived in  um. 

Dan&er-sigiial.  dfm'jer-sig-nal.  Thepig- 
nal  used  on  riiilwayt  to  iiulicatc  that  there 
is  some  obstacle  involvint  danger  to  an 
advancing  train,  given  by  tho  movablo 
anna  of  a  semaphore  during  the  day,  and 
by  a  red  lamp  at  night. 

Daniel.  In  Scrip,  one  of  tho  greater  He- 
brew prophets,  of  royal  blood,  who  w;is 
taken  with  other  Jewsh  captives  to  Baby- 
lon in  the  8d  year  of  King  Jehoiakim's 
reign.  Ho  became  famous  for  his  gift  of 
projihecy  and  steady  devotion  to  his  re- 
ligion, being  made  governor  of  Babylon 
by  Nebuchadnezzar,  and  next  in  power 
to  the  king  himself  by  Darius,  tho  Mode. 
The  time  and  place  of  his  death  are  un- 
known. 
^Dannewerke,  The.    A  strong  fortified 


DANTE 


244 


DARWIN 


wall  erected  in  the  9th  century  to  protect 
8.  Jutland  from  hostile  inland  tribes.  Its 
modern  lame  rests  upon  the  8-hour  battle, 
1&48,  between  10,000  Danes  and  30,000 
Prussians,  the  former  being  finally  defeat- 
ed. In  the  war  of  18&4,  the  D.  was  again 
the  scene  of  stubborn  resistance  to  the 
Anstro-Prussian  army  of  invasion. 

Dante,  dan'tai.  Italy's  greatest  poet; 
H.  in  Florence  125G,  d.  "at  Ravenna  1321. 

Danton,  Gteorgre  Jacques.  A  French 
.lacobiii,  n.  lTo!».  guillotined  by  order  of 
RobcspioiTC,  1794. 

Dazxtzig*.  A  fortified  seaport  and  cap. 
of  E.  Prussia,  on  the  Vistula,  4  m.  from 
its  mouth  ;  pop.  abt.  90,000. 

Danubian  Principalities.  Moldavia 
and  Wallachia,  formerly  semi-independent 
states  under  Turkish  dominion,  but  made 
independent  by  the  Treaty  of  Berlin,  18T8, 
and  now  called  Roumania.  Total  area, 
46,700  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  5,000,000. 

Danube.  The  largest  river  of  Central 
Europe,  rising  in  Raden.  and  traversing 
Wurtemberg,  Ravaria,  Austria,  Hungary, 
Roumania  and  Rulgaria,  emjjties  into  the 
Black  Sea  through  several  arms.  Total 
length  2,400  m.;  navisrable  to  Pesth.  Its 
chief  affluents  are  the  Inn,  Loitha,  Save, 
Raab,  Drave,  Pruth  and  Theiss.  It  was 
for  centuries  the  N.  E.  boundarj-  of  the 
Roman  Empire. 

Dapedium.  da-pe'di-am.  A  gen,  of  fos- 
sil gimoid  fishes  of  the  Lias. 

Daphne,  dafne.  In  Myth,  a  nymph  of 
Diana  feigned  to  have  been  changed  into 
a  laurel.  In  Bot,  a  genus  of  thymelaceous 
plants,  some  of  which  are  of  medicinal 
import.inoo,  and  employed  in  the  manu- 
facture of  hemp  and  paper. 

Daphnia,  'ui-a.  The  water-flea,  a  gen. 
of  minute  crustaceans,  ord.  Cladocera, 
div.  Branchlopoda. 

Daphnis.  In  Myth,  the  son  of  Mercury, 
a  Sicilian  shepherd,  and  Inventor  of  pas- 
toral i)oetry. 

Darby,  diir'bl.  A  plasterer's  tool,  used 
for  floating  a  ceiling.    Handcuffs. 

Darboy,  Georges.  Archbishop  of  Par- 
is, shot  by  the  Comuaunists,  1871. 

Dardanelles,  The.  The  strait  con- 
necting the  Aegean  and  Sea  of  Marmora, 
at  the  K.  extremity  of  the  Mediterranean  ; 
40  m.  long,  and  1  to  4  m.  wide.  Anciently 
known  as  the  Hellespont,  from  Helles,  a 
Theban  piincoss,  who  drowned  herself  in 
its  waters. 

Dardanus.  In  Myth,  son  of  Jupiter 
and  Electra,  tlie  fouudeir  of  Troy. 

DarfouT.    A  section  of  Central  Afirlca, 


Golden  Daric. 


annexed  to  Egj'pt  in  1875,  and  a  part  of 
the  Soudan,  no'w  in  rebellion  under  the 
leadership  of  El  Mahdl,  the  False  (Mo 
hammedan)  Messiah. 

Dare-devil,  dar'dev-11.  A  desperado  ; 
one  who  fears  nothing  and  will  attempt 
anything. 

Daric,  dar'ik.  In 
Numis.  a  gold  coiny 
of  Darius  the  Mede.j 
weighing  about  121)1 
grains,  value  about' 
$6,  and  bearing  on 
one  side  the  figure 
of  an  archer.  A  sil- 
ver coin  having  the  figure  of  an  archer, 
and  thence  called  a  daric.  Any  very  pure 
gold  coin. 

Darien,  Gulf  of.  An  arm  of  the  Car- 
ibbean Sea,  C  America.  Isthmus  of  D., 
better  known  as  the  Isthmus  of  Panama, 

C.  A  moricA. 

Darius  I.  (sumamed  Hystaspisi. 
King  of  Persia;  s.  Cambyses,  521  «.  <., 
after  putting  to  death  Smerdis,  a  usurper. 
He  was  wise  and  successful  in  lils  civil 
policy,  but  was  defeated  in  an  invasion  of 
Scythia,  and  also  at  Miirathon,  Greece ;  u. 
48.5.  D.  II.  (Nothus)  a  natural  eon  of 
Artaxerxes  Longimanus,  deposed  the 
usurper  Sogdianus,  and  became  King  of 
Persia,  424  b.  c;  d.  405.  D.  III.,  called 
Codomannus,  the  last  of  the  ancient  Per- 
sian kings,  8.  Arses  836  b.  c.  Defeated  by 
Alexander  the  Great  at  Issus  and  Arbehi, 

D.  was  assasinated  by  Bessus,  one  of  bin 
satraps,  while  escaping  from  the  battle- 
field. Statira,  daughter  of  D.,  became  one 
of  the  wives  of  Alexander. 

Darley,  Felix  O.  C.  An  eminent 
American  artist ;  n.  in  Penn.  in  1822.  His 
illustrations  of  the  works  of  Irving, 
Cooper,  Dickens,  ifcc,  have  given  him  a 
high  reputation. 

Damley,  Henry  Stuart,  Lord.  A 
Scottish  noble,  of  the  royal  blood  of  Eng- 
land and  Scotland,  «.  l'545  ;  became  the 
second  husband  of  ]^Iar\',  Queen  of  Scots, 
1565.  His  open  profligacy  aliennted  her 
aflfections,  and  it  is  generally  believed  she 
connived  at  his  assassination  which  wii^ 
planned  and  carried  out  by  the  Eiu-I  ■ 
Bothwell,  1567. 

Darter,  dart'er.  One  Avho  throws  a  dart . 
One  who  or  that  which  springs  forward. 
A  gen.  (Plotus)  of  web-footed  birds  of  tho 
pelican  tribe,  resembling  tho  gulls.  An 
ord.  (Jaculatores)  of  birds  containing  the 
king-fishers,  bee-eatei-s  and  jactunars, 
ft-om  theu-  habit  of  darting  on  their  prey. 

Darwin,  Charles.    An  English  natur* 


BASH-BOARD 


245 


DAYI9 


alist  and  pubUcist,  b.  1809,  d.  1SS3.  He 
is  noted  as  tho  author  of  the  startling:  eth- 
nological theory  taught  in  his  book,  "  The 
Origin  of  Speci'es  by  Means  of  Natural  Se- 
lection," popularly  known  as  the  Evolu- 
tion theory. 

Dash-board,  dasb'bOrd.  A  board  or 
api-on  placed  on  the  fore  part  of  a  vehicle 
to  prevent  water.  »kc.,  from  beiug  thrown 
upon  those  in  the  vehicle  by  tlie  heels  of 
the  horses. 

Dash-pot,  'pot.  An  apparatus  for  dead- 
eninp  tho  blow  of  any  falling  weight,  and 
prcventiner  jar  in  the  machinery. 

Dash-wheel,  'whol.  A  name  applied 
to  two  cylinders  revolving  apainst  each 
other  in  a" cistern,  used  for  washing  woven 
goods  by  alternately  dipping  theni  in  the 
water  and  dashing  them  against  tho  sides 
of  the  compartment  in  which  they  are 
placed. 

Dasyomis,  da-si-or'nis.  Bristle-bird,  a 
gen.  of  insectivorous  birds,  thrush  fam. 

DaS3rpid8B,  -sip'i-dc.  A  small  fam.  of 
ed(!ntate  mammals,  comprising  the  manis, 
armadillo,  ant-eater  and  the  platypus  or 
dack-bill. 

Dasyure,  'si-Qr.  The  brush-tailed  opos- 
sums, a  gen.  of  plantigrade  marsupials, 
found  in  Australia,  so  named  in  contrast 
to  the  opossums  of  the  New  "World,  which 
have  naked  tails  somewhat  like  rats. 

Dataria,  -ta'ri-a.  Tho  papal  office  of  the 
chancery  at  Home,  from  which  all  bulls 
!ire  issued. 

Datary,  'ta-ri.  An  officer  of  tho  chan- 
cery at  Rome,  who  affi.xes  the  datum 
Ro'm.'c  (given  at  Rome)  to  the  pope's  bulls. 
Tho  cinplovment  of  a  datiiry. 

Date-palm,  diit'- 
paru.  Tho  common 
name  of  Phoenix  dao- 
tylifera,  the  palm- 
tree  of  Scripture. 
Next  to  tho  cocoa- 
nut  tree,  the  date  is 
the  most  interesting 
and  useful  of  the 
palm  tribe.  The 
fruit  is  eaten  fresh  or 
dried.  Cakes  of 
dates  are  the  princi- 
pal food  of  the  Arabs. 
A  liquor  resembling 
-wine  is  made  from  dates  by  fermentation. 
Daughter,  daw'ter.  Tho  female  offspring 
of  a  man  and  woman.  A  female  child.  A 
daughter-in-law  ;  a  son's  wife.  A  wom- 
an. A  female  descendant.  A  title  of  af- 
f"'tlon  given  to  a  woman  by  a  man  older 
respect  of  years,  or  whose  character 


Date  tree. 


or  office  entitles  him  to  esteem,  as  to  a 
penitent  by  her  father  confessor.  The  fe- 
male offspring  of  an  animal  or  plant. 

Daughter-in-law,  -in-la.  A  son's 
wife. 

Daun,  Leopold  Joseph  Maria, 
Count  von.  An  Austrian  Field-Mar- 
shal:  n.  1705,  D.  1766.  He  defeated 
Frederick  the  Great  at  tho  battles  of  Ko- 
lin  and  Hochkirchen,  1758,  but  v.-as  de 
feated  by  the  Prussian  King  at  Torgau, 
1761. 

Dauphin,  daw'fln.  The  eldest  son  of  the 
King  of  France  prior  to  the  Revolution  ot 
1831  i. 

Dauphine,  'fen.  Tho  wife  or  lady  of 
tho  dauphin  ;  dauphiness. 

Dauw.  A  S.  African  zebra,  the  Equus 
Burchellii. 

Davenant,  William,  Sir.  An  Eng- 
lish dramatist,  said  to  have  been  the  nat- 
ural son  of  Shakes|>oare,  whom  ho  strik- 
ingly resemble<l  ;  «.  16()5,  d.  1668. 

David.  In  Scrip,  a  prophet,  poet  and 
King  of  Israel,  s.  Saul ;  n.  abt  1100  b.  c, 
p.  1015.  He  abdicated  his  throne  in  favor 
of  Solomon,  his  son,  several  years  before 
his  death.  Tho  Psalms,  most  of  which 
were  his  composition,  are  unsurpassed  in 
poetic  beauty,  strength  or  grandeur. 

David  I.  king  of  Scotland,  s.  his  broth- 
er Alexander  I.;  B.  1124,  v.  1158.  I).  II. 
( David  P.ruce),  son  of  the  great  Robert 
Bruce,  retired  to  France  on  his  father's 
death,  who  was  s.  by  Baliol,  1*^2,  but  re- 
turned In  1342  and  'recovere<l  his  throne. 
In  1:346  he  was  defeated  and  captured 
w  bile  invading  England,  and  Imprisoned 
in  the  Tower  of  London  till  1:357  ;  v.  1371. 

David,  Jacques  Louis.  An  eminent 
French  painter  :  v.  174S,  n.  in  exile,  1S25. 

Davidist,  da'vid-ist.  One  of  a  sect  so 
called  from  David  George,  who,  In  the 
16th  centurv,  gavo  out  that  he  was  the 
Messiah,  rejected  marriage,  and  denied 
thorc'suiTectioii. 

Davis,  Charles  Henry,  Bear  Ad- 
miral. An  American  naval  ollicer  ;  b. 
in  Ma.'»s.,  1S07  :  commanded  the  Missis- 
sippi flotilla  duing  the  Civil  War,  and 
was  appointed  Siip-rintcndcnt  of  the  Na- 
tional Ob.scrvatory,  1865;  d.  1S7S. 

Davis,  Jefferson.  An  American  sol- 
dier and  statesman  ;  n.  in  Ky.,  1808,  edu- 
cated at  West  Point,  served  7  years  \vith 
credit,  and  resigned  to  become  a  jdanter 
in  Mississippi.  Elected  to  tho  lower 
house  of  C;ongrcss,  he  took  a  leading  part 
in  all  debates.  Ho  commanded  tlie  ISth 
Mississippi  Volunteers  during  the  Mexi* 


DAVIS 


246 


DEACOTT 


can  "War,  winning  distinction  by  his  abili- 
ty and  g-allantry.  On  his  return  home  he 
declined  the  appointment  by  President 
Polk  of  l>rigadier  general  of  volunteers, 
holding  that  such  appointment  should  be- 
long to  the  State,  and  not  to  the  Federal 
authorities.  Elected  to  the  U.  8.  Senate 
in  1S47,  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of 
War,  1S53,  and  at  tho  close  of  President 
Pierce's  administration  was  again  elected 
totheHcHttte.  Taking  a  leading  part  in 
tho  pecLssion  movement  of  1800-61,  he 
resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate,  and  was 
soon  after  elected  President  of  the  South- 
ern Confederacy.  Taken  prisoner  at  the 
close  of  armed  resistance,  he  was  confined 
in  Fortress  Monroo  for  two  years,  then 
released  on  bail,  and  was  included  in  the 
Amno.^iy  Proclamation  of  Pres't  Johnson, 
Dec.  'Jo,  IsfiS.     IIo  now  resides  in  Miss. 

Davis,  John.  An  English  navigator  ; 
«.  1660.  Ho  discovered  the  strait  which 
bears  his  name,  and  penetrated  to  72°  N. 
lat.  wliile  seeking  a  N.  W.  passage  to  In- 
dia ;  ho  was  killed  in  Japan,  1(505. 

Davis   Strait.     The   passage  dividing 
British  X.  America  and 
Greenland ;      750     m. 
long  by  220  to  600  wide. 

Davit,  dav'it.  One  of 
two  i)rojecting  pieces 
on  a  vessel,  used  for 
lowering  and  hoisting 
the  boats  by  means  of 
sheave      and     pulley.  t»„.^*. 

Fish-davit,  a  spar  with  i^avits. 

a  roller  or  sheave  at  its  end  used  for  fish- 
ing the  anchor. 

Davoust,  Louis  Nicolas,  dah-voo', 
A  French  marshal ;  b.  1770,  ».  1823,  He 
commanded  the  left  wing  of  Napoleon's 
army  in  tho  victory  of  AusterUtz  and  de- 
feated the  Prussians  at  Auerstadt,  and 
Eckmiihl,  receiving  the  titles  of  Duke  of 
Auerstadt  and  Prince  of  Eckmuhl. 

Davy.  Humphrey,  Sir,  Bart.  A 
distiniruished  l-:nglish  chemist  and  natural 
philosopher  ;  b.  1778,  d.  1829. 

Davy  Jones,  da'vi-jonz.  The  spirit  of  the 
sea:  aiiikker;  a  sea-devil.  Davy  Jones' 
locker,  tiie  ocean;  specifically,  as  the  grave 
of  all  who  perish  at  sea, 

Davy-lamp,  -lamp.  A  lamp  whose 
flame  is  surrounded  with  wire,  invented 
by  Sir  Ilumphrey  Davy  to  protect  miners 
from  explosions  of  fire-damp.  Called  also 
Safety-lump. 

Da-wk,  dak.  A  hollow  or  incision  in  tim- 
ber. In  the  E.  Indies,  the  post ;  a  relay 
of  men,  as  for  cArrying  letters,  dispatches, 
&c.,  or  travelers  in  palanquins.     D.  bung- 


alow, a  house  at  the  end  of  a  stage  designed 
for  those  who  journey  by  palanquin.  To 
travel  daAvk  is  to  iourney  in  palanquins 
carried  by  relays  of  men,  or  by  govern- 
ment post-wagons. 

Dawm,  dam.  An  E.  Indian  copper  coin 
of  the  value  of  one-fortieth  of  a  rupee. 

Day,  da.  That  i)art  of  the  time  of  the 
earth's  revolution  on  its  axis  in  which 
its  surface  is  presented  to  the  sun  ;  or  the 
time  between  tho  rising  and  setting  of  the 
sun.  This  is  terme<l  the  day,  and  consti- 
tutes what  astronomers  call  the  artificial 
day.  Tho  period  of  one  revolution  of  the 
earth  on  its  axis,  or  twenty-four  hours; 
called  tho  natural  day.  The  Babylonians 
began  tho  day  at  sun-rising  ;  the  Jews  at 
sun-setting;  tho  Egyptians  at  midnight, 
as  do  the  British,  French,  Spanish,  Amer- 
ican, &c. 

Daybreak,  'brak.  The  dawn  or  first  ap- 
pearance of  light  in  the  morning. 

Dayfly,  'fli.  Tho  popular  name  of  the 
neuropterous  insects,  gen.  Ephemera,  so 
called  because,  though  they  may  exist  in 
the  larval  and  pupal  state  for  several 
yeiirs,  in  their  perfect  form  they  exist  only 
from  a  few  hours  to  a  few  days,  taking  no 
food,  but  only  propagating  their  species 
and  then  dying. 

Daysman,  daz'man.  An  umpire  or  ar- 
biter ;  a  mediator. 

Daystar,  da'star.  The  morning  star, 
Lucifer,  Venus ;  the  star  which  precedes 
the  morning  hght.  The  sun,  as  the  orb  of 
day. 

Deacon,  de'kon.  A  person  in  the  lowest 
degree  of  the  holy  orders.  The  office  of 
deacon  was  instituted  by  the  apostles, 
and  seven  persons  were  chosen  at  first  to 
serve  at  the  feasts  of  Christians,  and  dis- 
tribute bread  and  wine  to  the  communi- 
cants, and  minister  to  the  wants  of  the 
poor.  In  the  K.  C.  Church  the  office  of 
the  deacon  is  to  wait  upon  the  officiating 
priest,  and  at  the  pontificial  mass  to  put 
the  mitre  on  the  bishop's  head.  In  the 
Church  of  England  the  deacon  may  per- 
form all  ordinary  offices  of  the  priesthood 
except  consecrating  the  elements  and  pro- 
nouncing the  absolution.  In  Presbyterian 
churches  tho  deacx>n'8  office  is  to  attend 
to  the  secular  interests,  and  in  Indepen- 
dent churches  it  is  the  same,  with  the  ad- 
dition that  he  distributes  the  bread  and 
wine  to  the  communicants.  In  Scotland, 
tho  president  of  an  incorporated  trade, 
who  is  the  chairman  of  its  meetings,  and 
signs  its  records.  The  deacon-convener 
of  the  trades  in  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  is 
a  oonstitutont  member  of  the  town  coun- 


DEACONESS 


24T 


DEATH-WATCH 


eil.  A  dignity  once  enjoyed  by  all  Bimllar 
ofBcers  in  the  country. 

Deaconess,  -es.  A  female  deacon  in  the 
primitive  church.  A  quasi  sister-of-mercy 
among  certain  Protestants. 

Dead-beat,  ded'bet.  One  who  has  com- 
pletely failed  In  Ufe  ;  a  loafer  ;  a  sharper. 

Dead-center,  'sen-ter.  That  position  of 
the  arms  of  a  linli-motlon  in  which  they 
coincide  with  the  line  of  centers. 

Dead-eye,  'i.  A  wooden  block  pierced 
with  three  holes  to  receive  the  lanyard, 
used  to  extend  a  vessel  s  shrouds  and  stays 
and  for  other  purposes. 

Dead-head,  'hed.  In  founding,  the  extra 
length  of  metal  given  to  a  cast  gun,  con- 
taining the  dross,  which  rises  to  the  sur- 
face of  the  liquid  metal.  When  cooled  the 
dead-head  is  cut  off.  Naut. ,  a  rough  block 
of  wood  used  as  an  anchor-buoy.  One  who 
obtains  anything  of  value  \nthout  pay- 
ment. 

Dead-letter,  'let-ter.  A  letter  which 
lies  for  a  certain  period  imcalled  for  at  the 
post-oflice,  or  one  having  a  defective  ad- 
dress, and  which  is  sent  to  the  general 
post-office.  Anything  which  has  lost  its 
force  or  authority,  by  lapse  of  time  or  any 
other  cause.  Dead-letter  office,  a  depart- 
ment of  the  general  post-office  where  dead- 
letters  arc  examined  and  disposed  of. 

Dead-march.,  'march.  A  piece  of  sol- 
emn music  played  at  funeral  processions, 
ospodally  those  of  military  men. 

Dead-reckoningr.  'rek-n-ing.  The  cal- 
culation of  u  ship's  place  at  sea,  indepen- 
dently of  observations  of  the  heavenly 
bodies,  from  the  distance  she  has  run  by 
the  log,  and  the  courses  steered  by  the 
compass,  rectified  by  the  allowances  fbr 
di-ilt,  lee-way,  &c. 

Dead  Sea,  The.  A  lake  of  Palestine. 
20  m.  N.  of  Jerusalem,  85  m.  long  by  10 
to  12  m.  wide.  Its  waters  are  intensely 
salt,  and  there  is  no  perceptible  outlet, 
although  the  Jordan  feeds  it  from  the  N. 
It  is  1,881  feet  below  the  level  of  the  Med- 
iterranean. It  is  generally  believed  that  no 
living  thing  can  exist  in  its  waters,  but 
this  is  disputed  by  some  who  insist  that 
fi.sh  have  been  seen  below  the  surface. 

Deafness,  def'nes.  Incapacity  of  perceiv- 
ing sounds :  want  of  the  sens©  of  hearing. 
Unwillingness  to  hear. 

Dean,  don.  An  ecclesiastical  governor  or 
dignitary,  so  called  because  each  diocese 
was  divided  into  de.ineries,  each  compris- 
ing ten  parishes,  with  a  dean  presiding 
over  each.    A  dene  or  vaUey, 

Deanery,  'e-ri.  The  office  or  the  revenue 


of  a  dean.     The  house  or  jurisdiction  of  a 
dean. 
Deaf-mute,  defrnQt    A  person  who  is 


mm3 


Deaf-mute  Alphabet, 
both  deaf  and  dumb.     Deaf  mutes  com- 
municate their  thoughts  by  moans  of  a 
manual  alphabet. 

Dearborn,  Henry,  Q«n.  An  Ameri 
can  officer  of  the  Revolution  ;  n.  in  N.  H 
1751,  I).  1S29.  He  was  Secretary  of  War 
8  years  under  President  Jefferson.  Com 
manded  at  theeaptureof  Yorktown,  Can 
ada,  181.3,  and  was  Minister  to  Portugal 
1S22-'24. 

Dearborn,  dr-r'born.  A  light  four- 
wheeled  vehicle. 

Deasil,  do'shcl.  Motion  from  east  to 
west,  ac(;ording  to  the  course  of  the  sun. 

Death-flre,  deth'fir.  A  luminous  ap- 
pearance or  flame,  as  the  Ignis  fatuus, 
supposed  to  presage  death. 

Death-rate,  'rat.  The  proportion  of 
deaths  among  the  Inhabitants  of  a  town, 
country,  Ac 

Death's-head,  deths'hed.  The  skull  of 
a  hum.nn  skeleton,  or  a  figure  or  painting 
representing  one.  Death's-head  moth, 
tho  largest  species  of  lepidopterous  insect 
found  in  Britain,  and  eystematlcally 
known  as  Acherontia  atropos.  Kogarded 
by  tho  vulgar  as  the  forerunner  of  death 
or  other  calamities. 

Death-warrant,  deth'wor-rant.  An 
order  from  tho  proper  authority  for  the 
execution  of  a  criminal.  Anything  which 
puts  an  end  to  hope.  ^ 

Death-watch,  'woch.    A  small  beetle. 


DEBAUCH 


248 


DECEMBER 


A.  tosselatuiTi,  whoso  ticking  is  supposed, 
by  Piiporstitious  and  ignorant  jieople,  to 
prognosticate  death.  It  belongs  to  the 
gen.  Anohium.  The  ticking  is  the  call  of 
the  ?oxea  to  each  other. 

Debauch,  dC-bach'.  E.xceas  in  eating  or 
drinking;  intemperance;  gluttony;  lewd- 
ness.    An  act  of  debauchery. 

Deborah.  A  Hebrew  jtrophetess  and 
judge,  who  lived  in  the  18th  century  n.  c. 
She  took  an  active  part  in  delivering  her 
country  from  the  Canaanites  under  Sisera, 
and  is  the  reputed  author  of"  Judges  v." 

Debauchee,  de'bo-sho.  A  man  given  to 
intemperance  or  bacchanalian  excesses  ;  a 
man  liabitually  lewd  or  profligate. 

Debris,  da-bro.  jPragments;  rubbish; 
ruins.  In  Geol.  any  accumulation  of 
broken  and  detached  matter,  as  that  which 
arises  from  the  waste  of  rocks,  or  a  drifted 
heap  of  animal  and  vegetable  matter. 

Debtor,  defer.  The  person  who  owes 
another  either  money,  goods,  or  services  ; 
one  who  has  received  ii^om  another  an  ad- 
van  t-igo  of  any  kind. 

Debut,  da-bu.  Beginning  or  entrance 
upon  anything ;  first  attempt ;  hence, 
llrst  appearance  before  the  public,  as  that 
of  an  actor  or  actress  upon  the  stage. 

Debutant,  -tan.  One  who  makes  a  de- 
but ;  a  man  who  makes  his  first  appear- 
ance before  the  public. 

Debutante,  -tant.  A  woman  appearing 
for  the  lirst  time  before  the  public. 

Deca-,  dek'a.  A  prefix,  frqm  the  Greek, 
signifying  ten. 

Decade,  dek'ad.  The  sum  or  number 
of  ten  ;  an  aggregate  or  group  consisting 
of  ten  ;  specifically,  an  aggregate  of  ten 
years. 

Decagron,  'a-gon.  A  plane  figure  having 
tne  sides  and  ten  angles.  When  all  the 
Bi<les  and  angles  are  equal  it  is  a  regular 
decagon. 

Decagramme,  da-ka-gram.  A  French 
weiirht  of  ten  grammes,  equal  to  6.644 
drams  avoirdupois. 

Decagyn,  dek'a-jin.  A  plant  having  ten 
})istil.s. 

Decahedral,  -he'dral.   Having  ten  sides. 

Decalitre,  da-ka-lc-tr.  A  French  mea- 
suro  of  capacitv,  containing  ten  litres,  or 
010.27  cubic  incbcs. 

Decalogrue,  dek'a-log.  The  ten  com- 
mandments or  precepts  given  by  God  to 
Moses  at  Blount  Sinai,  originally  written 
on  two  tables  of  stone. 

Decamel^n,  de-kam'e-ron.  The  angli- 
cized name  of  the  celebrated  colloctiou  of 


tales  by  Boccaccio,  which  consists  of  100 
stories,' ten  of  which  are  told  on  each  ol 
ten  daj-s  by  seven  ladies  and  three  gentle- 
men wlio  had  fled  from  Florence  to  a  coun- 
try liousc  during  the  plague  of  1348. 

Decametre,  da-ka-ma-tr.  A  French 
measure  of  length,  10  metres,  equal  to 
32. S  feet. 

Decandria,  de-kan'dri-a.  The  10th 
class  of  plants  in  the  artificial  system  of 
I.innajus,  ha\iiig  10  stamens,  and  one  or 
more  pistils.  It  includes  Dianthus, 
Lvchnis,  Cerastium,  Saxifi-aga,  Sedum,  i 
Oxalis,  &c. 

Decanter,  -kan'ter.  A  vessel  used  to 
decant  liquors,  or  for  receiving  decanted 
liquors;  a  glass  vessel  or  bottle  used  for 
holding  wine  or  other  liquors. 

Decapitation,  -kap'i-ta"shon.    The  act 

of  beheading. 

Decapod,  dek'a-pod.  One  of  an  order  of 
crustaceans  having  ten  feet.  One  of  that 
division  of  the  cuttle-fishes  which  have 
ten  prehensile  arms.  j 

Decapoda,  de-kap'o-da.  The  highest 
order  of  crustaceans,  so  called  from  having- 
five  pau*s  of  legs.  They  are  subdivided  into 
Brachyura,  or  short-tailed  decapods,  the 
crabs  ;  Macrura,  or  long-tailed.  Including 
the  shrimp,  lobster,  prawn,  crayfish,  &c., 
and  Anomura,  of  which  the  hermit-crab 
is  ail  example.  One  of  the  two  division* 
of  the  dibranchiate  cuttle-fishes  (the 
other  being  the  Octopoda). 

Decastyle,  dek'a-stil.  A  portico  or  colon- 
nade often  columns. 

Deccan,  The.  That  portion  of  Hindo- 
stan  S.  of  the  Vindhya  Mountains. 

Decatur,  Stephen.  Com.  An  Amer- 
ican naval  officer  ;  b.  in  Md.  ITTfl,  killed 
in  a  duel  with  Com.  Barron,  at  Bladens- 
burg,  Md.,  1S20.  As  a  midshipman  he 
distinguished  himself  in  cutting  out  the 
captured  I'hiladelphia  fi-om  under  the 
guns  of  the  Tripolitan  forts,  ISftS ;  in  1812, 
Mith  the  frigate  United  States,  he  cap- 
tured the  British  frigate  Macedonian,  af- 
ter a  sanguinaiy  battle  ;  in  1815,  while  in 
command  of  the  President  he  was  at- 
tacked by  four  British  vessels  and  com- 
])elled  to  surrender ;  in  the  same  year, 
with  a  strong  flotilla,  ho  broke  the  power 
of  the  Algerian  cruisers. 

Decedent,  de-sed'ent.  A  deceased  per- 
son. 

December,  -sem'ber.  The  12th  and  last 
month  in  the  year,  in  which  the  sun 
touches  the  tropic  of  Capricorn,  at  the 
winter  solstice,  being  then  .at  his  gi*eatest 
distonee  south  of  the  equator. 


DECEMVIRATE 


DECUMBENCE 


Decemvirate,  'ver-at.  The  office  or 
term  of  office  of  the  decemvirs  or  ten 
ma},nstrates  in  Rome,  who  had  absolute 
authority  for  two  years.  A  body  of  ten 
men  in  authority. 
Decennary,  -sen'na-ri.    A  period  often 

years. 
Decennial,  'ni-al.    Continuing  for  ten 
years  ;  consisting  of  ten  years ;  as,  a  de- 
cennial period.      Happening   every   ten 
years  ;  as,  decennial  pames. 
Decentralization,  'tral-iz-a"8hon.  The 
actof  distributing  what  has  been  central- 
ized or  brought  to  a  common  centre. 
Deciduate,  -sid'fi-at.    A  term  applied  to 
those  mammals,  as  Man,  the  Quadrumana. 
Carnivora,  In.sectivora,  Cheiroptera,  and 
liodentia,  which  throw  off  deoidua  after 
parturition;  or  to  the  placenta  of  such  ani- 
mals. 
Deciduous,  -us.    Falling ;  hot  perennial 
or  permanent.     In  JJot.  applied  to  trees 
wliose  leaves  fall  in  aut'unn  and  to  the 
leaves  or  other  parts  of  the  plant  which  do 
6o  fill.     In  Zool.  applied  to  parts   which 
fall  off  at  a  certain  stage  of  an  animal's  ex- 
istence, as  the  hair,  horns,  and  teeth  of 
certain  animals. 
Decigrram,  des'l-gram.    The   anglicized 
form  of  decigramme.    A  French  weight 
of  one-tvnth  of  a  gramme. 
Decil,   dC'sil.    An  aspect  or  position  of 
two  planets  when  they  are  a  tenth  part  of 
the  zodiac  distant  from  each  other. 
Decillion,  Mi-on.    According  to  English 
notation,  a  milUon  involved  to  the  tenth 
power,   or  a  unit  with  sixty  ciphers  an- 
nexed ;  according  to  the  PVench  notation, 
a  thousand  involved  to  the  eleventh  power, 
or  a  unit  with  thirty-three  ciphers    an- 
nexed. 
JDecimal,  des'i-mal.     Any  number  ex- 
pressed in  the  scale  of  tens ;  8i>ecifically, 
and  almost  exclusively,  a  decimal  fraction. 
Decimitre,  da-si-ma-tr.     A  French  mea- 
sure of  length  equal  to  the  tenth  part  of  a 
metre,  or  3.93710  Inches. 
Decimo-sexto,  de8'i-mri-seks"to.    The 
size  of  one  fold  of  a  sheet  of  printing  paper 
when  doubled  so  as  to  make  sixteen  leaves. 
Written  usually  lOmo. 
Decius,  Caiixs  Messius   duintus 
Traj  anus.     Emperor  of  Rome,  249-251,' 
noted  for  his  persecutions  of  Christians. 
Deck,   dek.      A    horizontal  platform    or 
floor  extending  from  side  to  side  of  a  ship. 
A  pack  of  plajing  cards. 

Deck-beam,  'hem.    A  strong  transverse 
piece  of  timber  stretching  across  a  ship 


from  side  to  side,  to  support  the  deck  and 
retain  the  sides  at  their  proper  distance. 
Deckle,  '1.  In  paper-making,  a  thin  frame 
of  wood  serving  to  regulate  the  width  of 
the  sheet.  The  rough  or  raw  edge  of  paper. 
Deck-passengrer,  'pas-en-jer.  A  pas- 
senger who  remains  on  the  deck  of  a  ves- 
sel, and  is  not  privileged  to  go  below,  or 
only  to  a  cabin  of  an  inferior  description  ; 
a  steerage  passenger. 

Declinator,  'lin-at-er.  An  instrument 
used  in  ascertaining  the  declination,  as  in 
dialing,  of  a  plane,  and  in  astronomy,  of 
the  stJirs. 

Decliner,  de-klln'er.  One  who  declines. 
In  dialing,  the  name  given  to  a  dial  which 
cuts  either  th«!  plane  of  the  prime  vertical 
circle  or  the  plane  of  the  horizon  obliquely. 
Called  also  a  declining  dial. 
Declinometer,  dek-li-nom'ct-er.  An  In- 
strument lor  measuring  the  declination  of 
the  magnetic  needle,  and  observing  Its 
variations. 
Decoction,  de-kok'shon.  The  act  of  boil- 
ing a  substance  in  water  for  extracting 
its  virtues.  The  liquor  in  w  hich  a  sub- 
stance has  been  Iwiled  ;  water  impreg- 
nated with  the  principles  of  any  animal  or 
vegetable  substance  boiled  in  it. 
Decollation,  -kol-la'shon.  The  act  of 
beheading ;  the  state  of  one  beheaded.  It 
is  cspeciallv  U8e<l  of  St.  John  the  Raptist, 
of  a  festival  of  the  R.  C.  Church  instituted 
in  his  honor,  and  of  a  painting  which  rep- 
resents his  beheading. 
Decolorimeter,  'or-im"et-er.  An  In- 
strument for  estimating  the  decolorizing 
power  of  charcoal. 

Decolorization,  -kurer-Iz-a"8hon.  The 
process  of  depriving  of  color. 
Decortication,   -kor'tl-ka"8hon.     The 
act  of  stripping  off  bark  or  husk. 
Decorum, -ko' rum.    Propriety  of  speech 
or  behavior  ;  decency.     In  Arch,  the  suit- 
ableness of  a    building,    its    parts    and 
ornaments,  to  Its  place  and  uses. 
Decoy-bird,  -koi'berd.    A  bird  or  duck 
employed  to  draw  others  into  a  net  or  sit- 
uation'to  be  taken.     A  person  employed 
to  decoy  others  into  some  snare. 
Decretial,    -kret'al.      An     authoritative 
order  or  decree  ;  specifically,  a  letter  of 
the  Pope  determining  some'  point  or  aues- 
tion  in  ecclesiastical  law.     A  book  of  de- 
crees or  edicts ;  a  body  of  laws. 
Decubation,  -ku-ba'shon.    The  act  of 
lying  down. 

Decumbence,  -kum'bens.    The  posture 
of  lying  down. 


DECUPLE 


250 


DEFTER-DAB 


A  number  ten  times 


Decuple,  dek'u-pl 
repeated. 

Decurion,  de-ku'ri-on.  An  officer  in  the 
Koman  army  who  commanded  a  decury, 
that  is,  a  body  of  ten  soldiei-s.  Any  com- 
mander or  overseer  of  ten,  whether  men 
or  households ;  specifically,  a  tithing- 
man. 

Decussation,  -kus-a'shon.  The  act  of 
crossint,'  at  right  or  acute  angles  ;  an  in- 
tersection in  the  form  of  X  ;  the  crossing 
of  two  lines,  rays,  or  nerves  which  meet 
in  a  point  and  then  proceed  and  diverge. 

Dee,  John.  An  educated  and  eccentric 
Englishman,  generally  known  as  "Doc- 
tor ";  B.  1527,  D.  1608.  He  was  noted  for 
his  enthusiastic  devotion  to  mathematics 
and  astrology,  being  persecuted  as  a  ma- 
gician by  Queen  Mary,  but  honored  by 
Elizabeth.  He  was  the  first  to  advocate 
what  is  now  known  as  Spiritualism. 

Deemster,  dem'ster.  The  name  of  two 
judges  in  the  Isle  of  Man  who  act  as  the 
chief-justices  of  the  island. 

Deer,  dGr.  A  gen. 
of  ruminant  quad- 
rupeds constitut- 
ing the  fam.  Cer- 
vidae.  There  are 
several  species,  as 
the  red  deer,  fal- 
1  o  w  -  d  eer,  roe- 
buck, rein-deer, 
moo  se-d  e  6  r  , 
American  elk, 
black-tailed  deer,: 
long-tailed    deer,  t>^j  /i„^„ 

Melican  deer,&c:  ^^^  ^«^^- 

Deer-hound,  'hound.  A  hound  for 
hunting  deer ;  a  stag-hound. 

Deer-mouse,  'mous.  The  common 
name  of  the  American  rodents,  gen.  Meri- 
ones,  alUed  to  the  mice  and  the  jerboas  of 
Europe. 

Deer-stalkingr,  'stak-ing.  The  hunting 
of  deer  on  foot  by  hiding  and  stealing 
upon  them  unawares. 

Deev,  dev.  In  ancient  Persian  Myth,  one 
of  the  inferior  spirits  in  the  kingdom  of 
darkness.  In  modern  Persian  Mj'th.  one 
of  a  class  of  malignant  beings  aUied  to 
fairies,  implacable  enemies  of  the  Peris. 

De  facto,  de-fak'to.  Actually  ;  in  fact ; 
in  reality;  existing;  as  distinguished 
from  de  jure,  or  by  right. 

Defaulter,  -falt'er.  One  who  fails  to 
perform  a  public  duty ;  one  who  fails  to 
account  for  money  intrusted  to  his  care  ; 
a  dehnquent. 

Defendant,  de-fend'ant.    One  who  de- 


fends against  an  assailant,  or  against  the 
approach  of  evil  or  danger.  In  law,  the 
party  that  opposes  a  complaint,  demand, 
or  charge. 

Defender,  'er.  One  who  defends  by  op- 
position ;  one  who  maintains,  supports, 
protects,  or  vindicates ;  a  vindicator, 
either  by  arms  or  by  arguments.  D.  of  the 
Faith,  title  peculiar  to  the  kings  of  Eng- 
land, first  conferred  by  Pope  Leo  X.  on 
Henry  VIII.  in  1521,  as  a  reward  for  writ- 
ing against  Luther. 

Defervescence,  -fer-ves'ens.  Abate- 
ment of  heat ;  the  state  of  growing  cool. 

Defiance,  fl'ans.  A  daring;  a  chal- 
lenge to  fight ;  invitation  to  combat. 

Deficit,  'fi-8it.    Want ;  deficiency. 

Defile,  -fil'.  A  narrow  passage  or  way, 
in  which  tioops  may  march  only  in  a  file, 
or  with  a  narrow  front ;  a  long  narrow 
pass,  as  between  hills,  &c. 

Defiliation,  -fil'li-fi"shon.  •  The  ab- 
straction of  a  child  from  its  parents ;  the 
act  of  rendering  childless. 

Deflagration,  -fla-gra'shon,  A  burning; 
rapid  combustion  of  a  mixture,  attended 
with  much  evolution  of  flame  and  vapor. 
The  process  for  oxidizing  substances  by 
means  of  nitre  is  called  deflagration. 

Deflagrator,  -grat-er.  A  galvanic  in- 
strument for  producing  the  combustion  of 
metalHc  substances. 

Deflection,  de-flek'shon.  Deviation ; 
turning  from  a  true  line  or  regular 
course. 

Deflector,  de-flekt'er.  The  diaphragm 
of  the  furnace  of  a  boiler,  by  me;ins  of 
which  air  and  gas  are  deflected  and 
mingled. 

Defloration,  -flor-a'shon.  The  act  of 
deflouring ;  the  act  of  depriving  of  the 
flower  or  prime  beauties  ;  particularly, 
the  act  of  taking  away  a  >voman'8  virgin- 
ity ;  rape.  A  selection  of  the  flower  or 
most  valuable  part  of  anything. 

Defluvium,  -flu'\'i-um.  A  falhng  off,  as 
the  hair  or  bark  of  trees,  by  disease. 

Defoliation.  -fr>'li-a"shon.  The  fall  of 
the  leaf  or  shedding  of  leaves  ;  the  season 
of  shedding  leaves  in  autumn. 

Deforciant,  -fors'i-ant.  In  law,  one 
who  keeps  out  of  possession  the  rightful 
owner  of  an  estate. 

Defrauder,  -frad'er.  One  who  takes 
from  another  his  right  by  deception,  or 
withholds  what  is  his  due  ;  a  cheat ;  an 
embezzler ;  a  peculator. 

Defter-dar,  def'ter-dar'.  The  Minister 
of  Finance  and  High  Treasurer  of  the 
Turkish  Empire. 


DEGREE 


251 


DELABECHEA 


iJegree,  de-gre.  The  360th  part  of  the 
circumference  of  any  circle,  the  circum- 
ference of  every  circle  being  supposed  to 
be  divided  into  360  equal  parts,  called  de- 
gi-ees.  A  degree  of  latitude  is  the  860th 
part  of  the  earth's  circumference  north  or 
south  of  the  equator,  and  a  degree  of  lon- 
gitude the  same  part  of  the  surface  east 
ot  west  of  any  given  meridian,  nieasured 
on  a  circle  parallel  to  the  equator.  De- 
grees are  marked  by  a  sign,  thus,  45°. 
The  degree  is  sub-divided  into  sixty  min- 
utes ;  and  the  minute  into  sixty  seconds. 
Thus,  45°  12'  20"  means  45  degrees, 
12  minutes  and  20  seconds.  In  Alg.  a 
term  applied  to  equations  to  show  what 
is  the  highest  power  under  which  the  un- 
known quantity  appears.  In  music,  an 
interval  of  sound  marked  by  a  line  on  thg 
scale.  In  Arith.  4;hree  figures  taken  to- 
gether in  numeration  ;  thus,  the  number 
270,360  consists  of  two  degrees.  A  di- 
vision, space  or  interval  marked  on  a 
mathematical,  meteorological, or  other  in- 
strument. In  universities,  a  mark  of  dis- 
tinction conferred  on  students,  members 
or  distinguished  strangers,  as  a  testimony 
of  proficiency  or  as  a  mark  of  respect.  The 
degrees  are  bachelor,  master  and  doctor. 
Dehiscence,  -his'ens. 
In  Bot.  the  separating 
Into  regular  parts,  as 
the  opening  of  the  parts 
of  a  capsule  or  the  cells 
of  anthers,  &c. 
Dehortation,  -hort-a'- 
shon.  Dissuasion  ;  ad- 
vice or  counsel  against 
something. 

Deiamba,  da-e-am'ba. 
a  plant  growing  vdld  in  Congo,  the  flow 
ers  of  which    produce    a  narcotic  eflect 
when  smoked. 

Deification,  de'if-i-ka"shon.  The  act 
of  deifying ;  the  act  of  enrolling  among 
deities. 
Dei  gratia,  'i-gra"shi-a.  By  the  grace  of 
God  ;  an  expression  usually  inserted  in 
the  ceremonial  description  of  the  title  of  a 
sovereign. 

Dei  judicium,  ju-di'shi-um.  In  law, 
the  judgment  of  God  ;  a  phrase  applied  to 
the  old  Saxon  trial  by  ordeal. 
Deinacrida.  dl-nak'ri-da.  A  gen  of  the 
cricket  tribe,  abundant  in  New  Zealand. 
Deinosauria,  -no-sa'ri-a.  A  group  of 
fossil  colossal  lizards,  resembhng  the 
pachydermatous  mammals,  but  interme- 
diate between  the  struthious  birds  and  liz- 
ards. The  majority,  as  Megalosaurus, 
which  attained  to  40  feet  in  leng^th,  were 


Dehiscent. 
Congo    tobacco, 


carnivorous ;  Iguanodon,  however,  was 
herbivorous.  They  were  the  land  reptiles 
of  the  Jurassic,  Wealden  and  inferior  cre- 
taceous continents. 

Deiparous,  de-ip'a-rus.  Bearing  or 
bringing  forth  a  god  ;  applied  to  the  Vir- 
gin Mary. 

Deipnosophist,  dlp-nos'o-fist.  One  of 
an  ancient  sect  of  philosophers  who  were 
famous  for  their  learned  conversation  at 
meals. 

Deist,  'ist.  One  who  believes  in  the 
existence  of  a  God  but  denies  revealed  re- 
ligion ;  a  freethinker. 

Deity,  -ti.  Godhead  ;  divinity  ;  the  na- 
ture  and  essence  of  the  Supreme  Being. 
God,  the  Supreme  Being,  or  infinite  self- 
existing  Spirit.  A  fabulous  god  or  god- 
dess; an  animate  or  inanimate  object 
viewed  as  a  god.  The  supposed  divine 
quaUties  of  a  pagan  god. 

Dej anira.  In  Myth. ,  daughter  of  (Eneus, 
King  of  .^tolia,  and  wife  of  Hercules. 
She  was  the  cause  of  her  husband's  death, 
by  giving  him  the  poisoned  shirt  of  Nessus, 
the  Centaur, 

Dejeuner,  da-zhii-na..  Breakfast ;  the 
morning  meal.  In  France  it  is  now  used 
as  synonymous  with  the  English  luncheon. 
D.  a  la  fourchette,  a  repast  in  the  middle 
of  the  day,  with  meat  and  wine  ;  a  lunch. 

De  jure,  do  jii-re.  By  right ;  according 
to  law. 

Dekabrist,  dek'a-brist.  A  member  of  a 
military  conspiracy  which  broke  out  in  St. 
Petersburg  Dec.  26,  1S25,  on  the.  acces- 
sion of  the  Emperor  Nicholas  to  the 
throne  ;  one  who  suft'ered  death  or  banish- 
ment to  Siberia  for  this  conspiracy. 

De  Kalb,  John,  Baron.  A  noble 
Frenchman  ;  b.  in  Alsace,  1732,  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Camden,  S.  C,  1780.  He 
accompanied  Lafayette  to  America,  and 
was  appointed  major-general. 

Delabechea,  de-la-bash'e-a.    A  peculiar 


Delabechea  or  Bottle-tree. 


©ELACEOIX 


DELPHINE 


gen.  of  trees,  ord.  SterculiaceaB.  D.  ru- 
pestris,  or  bottle-tree  of  Australia,  is  re 
markable  for  the  form  of  the  trunk,  which 
bulges  out  in  the  shape  of  a  barrel.  The 
stem  abounds  in  a  resinous  nutritious 
substance,  resembling  gum  tragacanth, 
which  is  used  by  the  aborigines  for  food. 

Delacroix,  Ferdinand  Victor  Eu- 
grene,  d'lah-krwa.  An  eminent  French 
painter ;  b.  1799,  r>.  1363. 

Delaine,  de-lan'.  A  muslin  made  orig- 
inally of  wool,  but  now  generally  of  cot- 
ton and  wool. 

Delaroche,  Paul.  A  celebrated  histor- 
ical painter,  founder  of  the  Eclectic 
school ;  B.  in  France,  1797,  d.  1856. 

Delavig-ne,  Jean  Frangois  Casi- 
mir,  d'lah-van'.  A  French  poet  and 
dramatist  ;  b.  1793,  d.  1843.  His  stirring 
song  "  La  Parisienne,"  was  the  popular 
air  of  the  Kevolution  of  1830. 

Delaware.  One  of  the  13  states  of  the 
American  Union,  named  from  Lord  de 
la  Warr,  Governor  of  Va.,  1610.  It  is 
bounded  N.  by  Penn.,  E.  by  the  Atlantic 
and  D.  Bay,  S.  and  W.  by  Maryland;  area, 
2,120  sq.  m.;  pop.  146,608.  Chief  towns, 
Dover,  the  cap.,  Wilmington,  Lewes, 
New  Castle  and  Smyrna.  D.  Bay  is  a 
large  estuary  of  the  Atlantic,  separating 
the  state  from  N.  Jersey;  length  65  m., 
breadth  IS  to  30  m.  With  D.  river,  a 
considerable  stream,  it  affords  open 
navigation  for  the  largest  ships  to  Phil- 
adelphia, 120  m.  from  the  sea.  D.  river 
rises  in  the  Catskill  Mountains,  N.  Y. 
State,  and  running  as  the  boundary  line 
between  that  state  and  Penn.  for  some 
distance,  then  forms  the  boundary  be- 
tween Penn.  and  N.  Jersey,  emptying  into 
D.  Bay,  40  m.  below  Philadelphia.  It  is 
navigable  for  small  craft  to  Trenton,  N.  J. 

Delectation,  -lek-ta'shon.  Great  plea- 
sure ;  delight. 

Delegate,  del'e-gfit.  A  person  appointed 
and  sent  by  another  or  by  others,  with 
powers  to  transact  business' as  his  or  their 
representative  ;  a  deputy  ;  a  commission- 
er ;  an  attorney. 

Delenda,  de-len'da.  Things  to  be  erased 
or  blotted  out. 

Delesseria,  de-les-se'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  the 
Ceramiacea?,  or  rose-spored  algse. 

Deletion,  de-le'shon.  The  act  of  delet- 
ing, blotting  out,  or  erasing.  An  erasure; 
a  passage  deleted. 

Delf,  delf.  Earthenware,  covered  with 
white  glazing  in  imitation  of  chtnaware  or 
porcelain.    Spelled  also  Delph. 

aSelft,  dfilf.    A  city  of  the  Netherlands,  9 


m.  N.  W.  of  Eotterdam,  formerly  noted 
for  its  potteries.  William,  Prince  of 
Orange,  Avas  assassinated  at  D.,  1584. 
Pop.  23,107. 

Delhi.  Cap.  of  a  prov.  of  the  same  name 
in  Ilindostan,  and  the  ancient  cap.  of  the 
Mogul  Empire,  830  m.  N.  W.  of  Calcutta,  • 
on  the  Jumna  Kiver ;  pop.  160,420.  D. 
is  famed  for  its  magnificent  temple,  Jumna 
Musjid,  and  palaces. 

Deliac,  de'li-ak.  A  kind  of  sculptured 
vase ;  also  beautiful  bronze  and  silver. 

Delian,  -an.  Of  or  pertaining  to  Delos, 
a  small  island  in  the  ^gean  Sea,  now 
called  Dih.  D.  problem,  in  Math.,  the 
duplication  of  the  cube :  so  called  because, 
when  the  plague  was  raging  at  Athens, 
the  oracle  of  Apollo  at  Delos  replied  to  a 
deputation  that  the  plague  would  be  stayed 
when  they  doubled  the  altar  of  the  god, 
which  was  a  cube.  The  problem  has  en- 
gaged the  attention  of  some  of  the  greatest 
mathematicians. 

Delille,  Jacques,  d'liel'.  A  distin- 
guished French  poet;  b.  1738,  ».  1813. 

Deliquescence,  del-i-kwes'ens.  Spon- 
taneous liquefaction  in  the  air. 

Delirium,  de-hr'i-um.  A  temporary  dis- 
ordered state  of  the  mental  faculties  occur- 
ring during  illness,  either  of  a  febrile  or  of 
an  exhausting  nature.  Violent  excite- 
ment; wild  enthusiasm;  mad  rapture. 
D.  tremens,  an  affection  of  the  brain 
which  arises  from  the  inordinate  and  pro- 
tracted use  of  ardent  spirits. 

Dell,  del.  A  small  narrow  valley  ;  a  ra- 
vine. 

Delia  Cmsca,  'la  krus'ka.  An  academy 
founded  at  Florence  in  1582  for  [u-omoting 
the  purity  of  the  Italian  language. 

Delos.  One  of  the  islands  of  the  Cycla- 
des  group,  in  the  Grecian  Archipelago,  an- 
ciently sacred  to  the  worsjup  of  Apollo,  and 
the  reputed  birthplace  of  A.  and  Diana. 

Deloul,  de-161'.     A  dromedary. 

Delphinaptera,     del-fin-ap'te-ra.     A 
gen.  of  cetaceans,  fam.  Delphinidae,  In- 
cluding the  right  whale-porpoise,  or  D. 
Peronii,  the  D.  Commersonii  and  D.  bore-  ^ 
alls. 

Delpbine,  'fin.  Pertaining  to  a  dol- 
phin. Pertaining  to  the  Dauphin  of 
France.  D.  editions  of  the  classics, 
a  set  of  Latin  classics,  prepared  by 
thirty-nine  scholars  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Montausier,  Bossuet  and 
Huet,  for  the  use  of  the  son  of  Louis  XIV., 
called  the  Grand  Dauphin.  They  are 
now  valueless  except  for  their  Indices 
Verborum. 


DELPHINOEHTlS^CHTJa 


258 


DEMIURGE 


Deltoid. 


DelpMnorhynchus,  -fi'no-riDg"ku8. 
A  gen.  of  cetaceans,  fam.  Delphtnidte.  D. 
coronatus,  the  largest  species,  is  from  30 
to  36  feet  long. 

Delphinus,  'nua.  The  dolphin,  a  gen. 
of  Mammalia,  ord.  Cetacea. 

Delta,  'ta.  The  Greek  letter  answering 
to  the  English  D.  The  island  formed  by 
the  alluvial  deposits  between  the  mouths 

!  of  the  Nile,  was  named  Delta  by  the 
Greeks  ;  and  the  name  has  since  been  ex- 
tended to  the  alluvial  tracts  at  the  mouths 
of  all  rivers. 

Deltoid.  Delta- 
shaped,    triangular. 

Delubrum,  de-lu' 
brum.  In  Eoman 
Antiq.  a  temple 
having  a  basin  or 
font  where  persons 
coming  to  sacrifice 
washed.  A  church 
furnished  with  a 
font.    A  font  or  baptismal  basin. 

Deluc,  Jean  Andre,  d'luk'.  An  eminent 
Swiss  philosopher  and  inventor  ;  b.  1727, 
D.  in  England  1817.  He  invented  the 
portable  barometer  aad  improved  the 
thermometer,  but  his  fame  rests  upon  his 
great  work,  pubhshed  in  England,  1778 : 
"Letters,  Physical  and  Moral,  on  the 
History  of  the  Earth  and  of  Man,"  in  which 
the  harmony  of  the  Mosaic  history  with 
geology  is  maintained. 

Delugre,  del'uj.  Any  overflowing  of  wa- 
ter ;  an  inundation  ;  a  flood  ;  specifically, 
the  great  flood  in  the  days  of  Noah. 

Delundung:,  de-lun'dung.  The  native 
name  of  Prionodon  gracilis,  a  quadruped, 
allied  to  the  civets,  but  probably  forming 
a  connecting  hnk  between  them  and  the 
Eehda?,  being  destitute  of  scent-pouches. 

Demagnetization,  de-mag'net-iz-a"- 
shon.  The  act  or  process  of  depriving  of 
magnetic  or  mesmeric  Influence. 

Demarch.,  dem'iirk.  The  ruler  or  mag- 
istrate of  a  deme ;  the  mayor  of  a  modern 
Greek  town. 

Dembinski,  Henry,  Gten.  A  noble 
Pole  ;  B.  1791,  d.  1864.  He  distinguished 
himself  in  the  revolution  of  1831,  and 
joined  the  Hungarians,  1849.  Kossuth 
appointed  him  commander-in-chief,  but 

,  the  Hungarian  oflicers  refused  to  serve 
under  him.  He  accepted  a  subordinate 
command  and  was  defeated  at  Temesvar. 

Deme.  a  subdivision  of  ancient  Attica 
and  of  modern  Greece ;  a  township. 

Demeter,  do-me'ter.    A  Greek  goddess, 

^  corresponding  in  some  respects  to   the 


Latin  Ceres,  the  goddess  of  agriculture. 
She  Avas  the  mother  of  Bacchus. 

Demetrius.  Known  as  "The  False  De- 
metrius," claimed  to  be  the  son  of  Ivan 
IV.,  Czar  of  Muscovy,  invaded  Eussiaat 
the  head  of  a  Polish  army,  1603,  and  on 
the  death  of  Boris  s.  to  the  throne.  He 
was  killed  in  a  revolt,  1606.  Another  D. 
the  False  clauned  the  Muscovite  throne  %s 
the  rival  of  Basil  II.  ;  he  besieged  Mos- 
cow, but  was  assassinated  by  his  own  sol- 
diers, 1610. 

Demetrius  Nicator,  Son  and  s.  of  D. 
Soter,  King  of  Syria,  who  only  secured 
the  crown  after  dethroning  Belus,  who 
had  usurped  it,  146  b.  c.  He  was  defeated 
and  made  prisoner  by  the  Parthians,  and 
on  his  release  was  murdered  at  Tyre,126. 
D.  Soter,  father  of  the  above,  son  of  Se- 
leucus  Philopator  ;  b.  abt.  185  b.  c,  pro- 
claimed King  of  Syria,  161,  and  was  kUled 
in  battle  with  Belus,  150. 

Demetrius  Phalereus.  An  eminent 
Greek  orator,  philosopher  and  statesman  ; 
B.  345  B.  c,  D.  284.  He  was  appointed 
governor  of  Athens  bv  Cassander,  816, 
and  for  10  years  ruled  with  justice  and 
wisdom.  When  Athens  was  captured  by 
D.Pollorcetes,  he  found  refuge  at  the  court 
of  Ptolemy,  King  of  Egypt. 

Demetrius  Poliorcetes.  Son  of  Anti- 
gonus,  one  of  Alexander's  generals,  re- 
ceived his  surname  from  his  military  suc- 
cess in  capturing  cities  ;  b.  335  b.  c,  ». 
abt.  283. 

Demi-god,  dem'i-god.  Half  a  god  ;  an 
inferior  deity ;  a  fabulous  hero,  produced 
by  the  intercourse  of  a  deity  with  a'  mor- 
tal. 

Demi-groddess,  -es.  A  female  demi- 
god. 

Demi-island,  -i-land.    A  peninsula. 

Demijoh.n,  -jon.  A  glass  vessel  or  bot- 
tle inclosed  in  wicker-work. 

Demi-rep,  -rep.  A  woman  of  doubtful 
reputation  or  suspicious  chastity. 

Demi-rilievo,  -re-lu-vo.  In  Sculp,  half 
relief,  or  the  condition  of  a  figure  when  it 
rises  from  the  plane,  as  if  it  had  been  cut 
in  two  and  only  one  half  fixed  to  the 
plane. 

Demiurg'e,  -erj.  The  name  given  by  the 
Gnostics  to  the  creator  of  the  world  of 
sense.  He  was  chief  of  the  lowest  order 
of  spirits  or  »ons  of  the  Pleroma,  and, 
minghng  with  Chaos,  he  evolved  from  it 
a  corporeal  animated  world.  He  could 
not,  however,  impart  to  man  the  true  soul 
or  pneuma,  but  only  a  sensuous  one, 
psyche.    He  was  also  regarded  as  the  ori- 


DEMI-VOLT 


254 


DENDR0MY8 


gin  of  evil.  In  some  Peloponnesian  states 
of  ancient  Greece,  one  of  a  class  of  magis- 
trates. 

Demi-volt,  -volt.  In  the  mandpe,  one 
of  the  seven  artificial  motions  of  a  horse, 
in  which  he  raises  his  fore-logs  In  a  partic- 
ular manner. 

Demi-wolf,  -vrulf,  Haifa  wolf;  a  mon- 
grel between  a  dog  and  a  wolf. 

Democracy,  de-mok'ra-si.  That  form  of 
government  in  which  the  sovereignty 
of  the  state  is  vested  in  the  people.  In 
the  United  States,  the  name  given  to  the 
system  of  principles  held  by  one  of  the 
two  great  political  parties  into  which  that 
country  is  divided. 

Democrat,  dem'6-krat.  One  who  ad- 
heres to  democracy.  A  member  of  the 
Democratic  party  in  the  Unitad  States. 

Democritus,  de-mok're-tus.  A  Greek 
philosopher;  b.  in  Thrace  abt.  475  b.  c; 
celebrated  for  his  study  of  the  natural 
sciences,  and  as  the  promulgator  of  the 
"Atomic  System." 

Demogrorgron,  de-mo-gor'gon.  A  mys- 
terious divinity  in  Pagan  mythology, 
viewed  as  an  object  of  terror  rather  than 
of  worship,  by  some  regarded  as  the  au- 
thor of  creation,  and  by  others  as  a  fa- 
mous magician,  to  whose  spell  all  the  in- 
habitants of  Hades  were  subjected. 

Demoiselle,  da-mwa-zel.  A  young  la- 
dy ;  a  damsel ;  a  lady's  maid.  Abird,  the 
Numidian  crane. 

Demon,  de'mon.  A  spirit  holding  a  mid- 
dle place  between  men  and  the  celestial 
deities  of  the  pagans,  especially  an  evil  or 
mahgnant  spu-it.  The  soul  of  a  dead  per- 
son.    A  very  wicked  or  cruel  person. 

Dem.oniac,  -mo'ni-ak.  A  human  being 
possessed  by  a  demon,  an  evil  spirit,  or 
by  a  created  spiritual  being  of  superior 
power.  One  of  a  section  of  the  Anabap- 
tists, who  maintain  that  the  devils  will 
ultimately  be  saved. 

Dem.otic,  -mot'ik.  Popular;  pertaining  to 
the  common  people;  specifically  applied 
to  the  alphabet  used  by  the  people  of  an- 
cient Egypt,  as  contradistinguished  from 
that  used  by  the  priestly  caste,  called  the 
hieratic. 

Demosthenes.  The  most  eminent  or- 
ator of  antiquity  ;  b.  near  Athens,  abt.  8S4 
B.  c,  i>.  by  poison;  322. 

Demotica,  'e-ka.  A  city  of  European 
Turkey,  22  m.  S.  of  Adrianople,  noted  as 
the  as5^1um  of  Charles  XII.,  of  Sweden, 
after  his  defeat  at  Pultowa;  pop.  abt. 
10,000. 

Demy,  -ml'.    A  particular  size  of  paper 


intervening  between  royal  and  crown. 
Printing  demy  measures  22  inches  by  17^,; 
writing,  20  inches  by  15j  ;  drawintr  ■i2 
inches  by  17.  A  half  fellow  at  Magdalen 
College,  Oxford. 

Denain,  den-an'.  A  town  in  dopt. 
of  Nord,  France,  famous  for  the  defeat  of 
the  Dutch-German  army  under  the  Ijirl 
of  Albemarle,  by  the  French  imder  Mar- 
shal Villars,  1712  ;  pop.  abt.  10,000. 

Denarius, 
de-na'ri-us.  A 
Roman  silver] 
coin  worth  10 
ases  or  10 
lbs.  f  copper 
originally, and  Denarius  of  Tiberius  Ca'sar 
af  t  e  r  w  ar  d  8 

considered  equal  to  16  ases,  when  tl;e 
weight  of  the  as  was  reduced  to  an  ounce. 
Equiva,lent  to  about  7|d.  English  morny. 
There  was  also  a  gold  denarius  equal  in 
value  to  25  silver  ones. 

Denary,  den'a-ri.    The  number  ten, 

Dendrachate.  'dra-kat.  Arborescent  , 
agate ;  agate  containing  the  figures  of : 
shrubs  or  parts  of  plants.  ^ 

Dendraspidae,  -dras'pi-de.  A  fam.  of  3.  J 
African  snakes,  having  very  long  poisonous 
fangs,  perforated  and  permanently  erect,    j 

Dendrerpeton,  -drer'pe-ton.      A  gen. 
of  fossil  amphibians,  whose  character  wasJ 
determined  from  teeth  and  bones  found  J 
in  the  cavity  of  a  sigillaria  from  the  coal  v 
strata  of  Nova  Scotia.  1 

Dendrite,  'drit.  A  stone  or  mineral  on 
or  in  which  are  figures  resembhng  shrubs, 
trees,  or  mosses,  due  to  arborescent  crya 
tallization,  resembling  frost-work  on  win- 
dows, attributable  to  the  presence  of 
hydrous  oxide  of  manganese. 

Dendrocolaptes,  'dro-ko-Lap"tez. 
hook-billed  creepers,  a  gen.  of  tenuirost 
birds,  natives  of  S.  America. 

Dendrodus,  -dus.    The  name  provisl 
ally  given  to  a  fossil  gen.  of  vertebrates,^ 

Dendrolagus,  -drol'a-gus.     The 
kangaroo,  a  gen.  of  marsupial  anima 
kangaroo  fam. 

Dendrolite,  -it.     A  petrified  or  foa 
shrub  or  plant. 

Dendrologry,  'o-ii.  A  discourse 
treatise  on  trees ;  the  natural  history 
trees. 

Dendrometer,  -drom'e-ter.    An  inst 
ment  of  various  forms  for  measuring 
height  and  diameter  of  trees. 

Dendromys,  'dro-mis.  A  gen.  of  S. 
African  rodents,  which  build  their  nests 
in  branches  of  trees.    They  belong  to  the 


DENDEOPHTS 


255 


DEPOT 


family  of  mice.  D.  typus  is  the  only  spe- 
cies. 

Dendrophis,  -fis.  A  gen.  of  serpents, 
fain.  Colubridie,  foimd  in  India  and  Africa, 
and  not  venomous. 

Deneb,  do'neb.  The  name  of  a  bright 
star  (Beta)  in  the  tail  of  the  Lion. 

Denichi,  den'i-chS.  A  Japanese  idol 
with  three  heads  and  forty  hands.  The 
heads  symbohze  the  sun,  moon  and  ele- 
ments, and  the  hands  the  bounty  of  na- 
ture. 

Denim,  'im.    A  coarse  cotton  drilling. 

Denis,  St.  The  first  bishop  of  Paris, 
niilftyred  abt.  272,  in  the  Valerian  perse- 
cution. St.  D.  is  the  tutelary  saint  of 
France. 

Denis,  St.  A  town  in  dept.  of  the  Seine, 
France,  noted  for  its  beautiful  abbey,  the 
burial  place  of  French  monarchs,  begun 
in  1130,  and  completed  in  1781. 

Denmark.  A  kingdom  ofN".  Europe, 
a  peninsula  and  archipelago,  bet.  the 
North  and  Baltic  seas,  bounded  N.  E.  and 
W.  by  the  sea,  and  S.  by  Schleswlg-Hol- 
stein;  area,  14,797  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  2,000,- 
000.  The  principal  islands  are  Zeeland, 
Fiinen,  Laaland,  Falster  and  Bornholm, 
and  the  foreign  dependencies  include  the 
Faroe  Islands,  Iceland,  Greenland,  and  St. 
Croix,  St.  John  and  St.  Thomas  in  the  W. 
Indies.  Chief  towns,  Copenhagen,  the 
cap.,  Odense,  Nyrkioping,  Eonne  and 
Aarhuus.  The  government  is  a  consti- 
tutional monarchy. 

De  novo,  de-no'vo.  Anew;  from  the  be- 
ginning. 

Dent,  dent.  A  manufacturer's  name  for 
the  tooth  of  a  comb,  metaUic  brush,  or 
card;  also,  a  cane  or  wire  of  the  reed  frame 
of  a  weaver's  loom. 

Dental,  den'tal.  Of  or  pertaining  to  the 
teeth.  In  Gram,  formed  or  pronounced 
by  the  teeth,  with  the  aid  of  the  tongue ; 
as,  d  and  t  are  dental  letters. 

Dentalid8e,-taFi-de.  Tooth-shells,  afam. 
of  cirribranchiato  mollusks,  consisting  of 
the  single  gen.  Dentalium. 

Dentary,  'ta-ri.  The  bone  in  the  lower 
jaw  of  fishes  and  reptiles  that  supports 
tlie  teeth,  analogous  to  the  lower  jaw  of 
man. 

Dentelle,  -teV.  Lace;  ornamentation  re- 
sembhng  lace. 

Dentelli,  'IT.  Ornaments  in  cornices  bear- 
ing some  resemblance  to  teeth ;  modill- 
ions. 

Dentex,  'teks.  A  gen.  of  acanthopte- 
rygious  fishes,  fam.  Sparidae,  resembling 
the  perch. 


Denticle,  'ti-kl.  A  small  tooth  or  pro- 
jecting point. 

Dentifactor,  -fak-ter.  A  machine  for 
the  manufacture  of  artificial  teeth,  gums 
and  palate,  used  in  dental  surgery. 

Dentifrice,  -fris.  A  powder  used  in 
cleaning  the  teeth,  as  pulverized  shells  and 
charcoal. 

Dentilave,  -lav.  A  lotion  for  cleaning 
the  teeth. 

Deutile,  'til.  A  small  tooth  like  that  of 
a  saw. 

Dentiloquy,  'o-kwi.  The  practice  of 
speaking  through  the  teeth,  or  with  the 
teeth  closed. 

Dentine,  'tin.  The  ivory  tissue  lying 
below  the  enamel  and  constituting  the 
body  of  the  tooth. 

Dentirostres,  -ti-ros'troz.  A  sub-ord. 
of  insessorial  birds  including  the  butcher 
birds,  shrikes,  &c. 

Dentiscalp,  -skalp.  An  instrument 
for  scraping  the  teeth. 

Dentist,  'tist.  One  who  makes  it  his 
business  to  clean  and  extract,  repair  and 
replace  teeth  by  artificial  ones  ;  one  who 
practices  dental  surgery  and  mechanical 
dentistry. 

Dentolingnal,  'to-ling-gwal.  A  con- 
sonant pronounced  by  applying  the  tongue 
to  the  teeth,  or  to  the  gum  immediately 
above  them  ;  a  linguadental ;  as,  d,  t,  s. 

Denver.  Cap.  of  Colorado,  on  the  S. 
Platte  river,  680  m.  "W.  of  the  Mississippi. 
Founded  1858,  it  has  a  pop.  of  43,000. 

Deodate,  de'o-dat.  A  gift  or  offering  to 
God;  a  thing  oft'ered  in  the  name  of  God. 

Deodorizer,  'der-Iz-er.  That  which  de- 
prives of  odor ;  a  substance  which  has  the 
power  of  destroying  fetid  effluvia,  as 
chlorine,  chloride  of  zinc,  nitrate  of  lead, 
&c. 

Deontology,  -on-tol'o-ji.  The  science 
of  duty  ;  a  term  assigned  by  the  followers 
of  Jeremy  Bentham  to  their  doctrine  of 
ethics,  founded  on  the  principle  of  judging 
of  actions  by  their  tendency  to  promote 
happiness. 

Departer,  -part'er.  One  who  departs. 
One  who  refines  metals  by  separation. 

DephlegTnator,  -fleg-ma'ter.  A  foraa 
of  condensing  aj)paratus  for  stills. 

Depilatory,  -pil'a-to-ri.  Any  applica- 
tion used  to  strip  off  hair  without  injuring 
the  texture  of  the  skin  ;  specifically  a  cos- 
metic employed  to  remove  superfluous 
hairs  from  the  human  skin. 

Depot,  -p6.  A  place  of  deposit ;  a  ware- 
house ;  a  storehouse.    A  railway -station ; 


DEPKES8ARIA 


258 


DEEWE2STWATER 


a  building  for  the  accommodation  and 
shelter  of  passengers  by  railway.  Milit.,  a 
magazine,  where  stores,  ammunition,  &c., 
are  deposited ;  or  a  station  where  recruits 
are  received  and  drilled,  and  where  sol- 
diers who  cannot  accompany  their  regi- 
ments remain. 

Depressaria,  -pres-a'ri-a,  A  gen.  of 
moths,  fam.  Tineidse,  whose  caterpillars 
do  great  mischief  to  carrots  and  parsnips. 

Depuration,  -pur-a'shon.  The  act  of 
purifying  fluids  from  heterogeneous  mat- 
ter. The  cleansing  of  a  wound  from  im- 
pure matter. 

Deptford.  A  city  in  Kent  Co.,  England, 
8  m.  S.  E.  of  London,  on  the  Thames.  It 
has  a  royal  arsenal  and  navy -yard  in  which 
Peter  the  Great  of  Russia  studied  ship- 
building; pop.  29,732. 

De  Q,uincey,  Thoxnas,     An  English 

Ehilosopher  and  essayist ;  B.  1785,  d.  1859. 
[e  was  the  finest  Greek  scholar  of  the 
age,  a  most  original  thinker  and  brilliant 
writer.  He  fell  a  victim  to  the  habit  of 
opium-eating,  and  philosophically  ana- 
lyzed its  awful  effects  in  his  "  Confessions 
of  an  English  Opium  Eater,"  1821. 

Deputy,  dep'u-ti.  A  person  appointed  or 
elected  to  act  for  another,  especially  a  per- 
son sent  with  a  special  commission  in  place 
of  another. 

Derailment,  do-ral'ment.  The  act  of  a 
railway  train  or  carriage  running  off  the 
rails. 

Derby,  der-bi.  A  race  for  a  sweepstakes 
of  50  sovereigns  each  for  3-year-old  thor- 
oughbred horses,  founded  in  1780  by  the 
12th  Earl  of  Derby,  and  run  annually  at 
Epsom,  Surrey.  It  is  the  principal  horse- 
race in  England. 

Derby-day,  -da.  The  day  on  which  the 
Derby  sweepstakes  is  nm,  the  Wednesday 
before  Whitsunday. 

Derby,  Edward  Q-eofPrey  Smith- 
Stanley,  14th  Earl  of.  A  distin- 
guished orator,  statesman  and  publicist, 
the  head  of  the  ancient  house  of  Stanley, 
descended  from  the  blood-royal  of  Eng- 
land and  Scotland  ;  b.  1799,  d.  1869.  He 
was  for  years  the  Parliamentary  leader  of 
the  Conservatives.  S.  Earl  Russell  as 
Prime  Minister,  1852. 

DercetO,  dair'se-to.  In  Myth,  a  Syrian 
god,  represented  with  the  body  of  a  wo- 
man and  tail  of  a  fish,  Identical  vrith  Ve- 
nus. 

Derm,  derm.  The  true  skin,  or  under 
layer  of  the  skin,  as  distinguished  from 
the  cuticle,  epidermis  or  scarf  skin.  It  is 
also  called  enderon,  the  epidermlB  being 
known  &»  ecdcron. 


Dermaptera,  der-map'ter-a.  An  crd. 
of  insects  restricted  to  the  earwigs. 

Dermestidee,  -raes'ti-de.  A  fam.  of  cole- 
opterous insects,  sec.  Necrophaga.  The 
principal  genera  are  Dermestes,  Anthre- 
nus,  Megatoma  and  Attagenus. 

Dermobranchiata, 'mo-brangk'i-il"ta. 
A  fam.  of  gasteropods,  more  commonly 
called  Nudibranchiata. 

Dermo-skeleton,  -mo-skel'g-ton.  A 
term  applied  to  the  coriaceous,  crustace- 
ous,  testaceous  or  osseous  integument, 
such  as  covers  many  invertebrate  and 
some  vertebrate  animals.  In  fishes  and 
reptiles  the  dermo-skeleton  is  the  skin 
with  the  scales ;  in  turtles  it  is  united 
vnih  parts  of  the  endo-skeleton,  such  as 
the  vertebrjfi  and  ribs;  insects  and  crusta- 
ceans have  a  dermo-skeleton  only. 

Derrick, 
der'rik.  An  I 
app  aratus 
for  h  o  i  8  t  - 1 
ing  heavy 
weights,  usu- 
ally consist- 
ing of  a  boom 
supported  by 
a  central  post 
steadied  by 
stays  and 
guys,  and  fur- 
nished with  a 
purchase.  To 
rig  a  derrick,  to  raise  a  single  pole  and 
step  it  over  before  the  mainmast,  inclining 
over  the  main  hatchway  of  a  vessel.  D,- 
crane  combines  the  advantages  of  the 
common  derrick  and  those  of  the  ordinary- 
crane. 

Dervis,  'vis.  A 
Mohammedan  priest  or 
monk,  who  professes 
extreme  poverty,  and 
leads  an  austere  life, 
partly  in  monasteries, 
partly  itinerant.  They  ' 
are  highly  respected  by 
the  people,  and  reputed 
to  be  able  to  work  mir- 
acles. Written  also  Der- 
vise,  Darweesh. 

Derwentwater,. 
James  Iladcliffe,r 
3d  Earl  of.  An  Eng-i 
lish  noble;  b.  1689,  d.^ 
1716.  He  headed  the_, 
rising  of  the  j5nglish' 
loyalists  in  favor  of  the  Traveling  Dervla 
restoration  of  the  Stuarts, 
1715,  and  was  executed  the  next  year. 


Derrick-crane. 


DESAIX 


257 


DESUETUDE 


Desaix,   Ijouis  Cliarles  Antoine, 

da-sa'.  A  French  general ;  b.  1768,  killed 
at  Marengo,  1800,  He  fought  under 
Moreau,  1796-97,  and  under  Bonaparte  in 

Desatir,  de-sa'tir.  A  book  which  pro- 
fesses to  be  a  collection  of  the  WTitings  of 
fifteen  old  Persian  prophets,  together 
wth  the  book  of  Zorojister.  Some  au- 
thorities ascribe  it  to  a  Parsee  who  lived 
in  the  4th  century  of  the  Hegira. 

Descartes,  Rene,  da-k:irt'.  A  eminent 
Pronch  mathematician  and  philosopher ; 
B.  15t.>6,  D.  in  Sweden,  1650. 

Describent,  de-skrlb'ent.  In  Geom.  the 
line  or  surface  from  the  motion  of  which 
a  surface  or  solid  is  supposed  to  be  gener- 
ated or  described. 

Desert,  dez'ert,  A  region  in  its  natural 
state ;  a  wilderness,  sandy,  stony,  or 
rocky  expanse,  almost  destitute  of  mois- 
tureand  vegetation. 

Deserter,  de-zert'er,  A  person  who  for- 
sakes his  cause,  his  post,  his  party  or 
friend.  A  soldier  or  seaman  who  quits  the 
service  without  permission. 

Deshabille,  -za-bel.  Undress;  a  loose 
morning  dress. 

Desiccation,  -sik-kii'shon.  The  act  of 
making  di-y  ;  the  state  of  being  dried. 

Desigrnator,  'sig-nat-cr.  One  who 
designates  or  points  out.  In  Eom. 
Antiq.  an  officer  who  assigned  to  each 
person  liis  rank  and  place  in  public  shows 
und  ceremonies. 

Desilverisation,  -sil'ver-iz-a"shon. 
The  process  of  depriving  lead  of  the  silver 
present  in  its  ore. 

Desman,  des'man.    The  musk-rat. 

Desmine,  'min.  A  zoolitic  mineral  that 
crystallizes  in  littlo  silken  tufts,  accom- 
panying spinellane  in  the  lava  of  extinct 
volcanoes.  It  is  a  silicate  of  alumina  and 
lime.     Called  also  Stilbite. 

D  esmodi- 
um,  -mO'di- 
um.  A  gen. 
of  plants,  ord. 
Legumino  s  as , 
The  best 
known  species 
is  D.  gyrans, 
the  semaphore 
plant,  remark- 
able for  the  pe- 
culiar rotatory 
movement  of 
its  leaflets, 
which  move  in  nearly  all  conceivable 
ways ;  two  of  them  may  be  at  rest  and  the 


Semaphore  Plant 


others  revolving,  or  all  three  may  bo  mov- 
ing together.  The  movements  are  most 
ob\'ious  when  the  plant  is  in  a  hot-house, 
•with  a  strong  sun  shining. 
Desmodus,  'mo-dus.  A  gen.  of  bats, 
including  the  true  vampires. 
Desmology,  -mol'o-ji.  The  branch  of 
anatomy  which  treats  of  the  ligaments 
and  sinews. 

Des  ZIoines,  de-moin'.  Cap.  of  Iowa, 
at  the  junction  of  the  Dej  Moines  and 
Raccoon  rivers,  150  m.  N.  of  Davenjwrt ; 
pop.  22,408.  Also  the  name  of  a  county 
and  river  in  Iowa. 

Desmoiilins,  Camille,  da-moo-Iahn. 
A  French  writer  and  revolutionist;  b. 
1762 ;  guillotined,  1794.  He  was  a  school- 
master of  Robespierre,  and  the  bosom 
friend  of  Danton.  Giving  earnest  sup- 
port to  the  most  extreme  measures 
against  the  Girondists,  he  agreed  \vith 
Danton  in  opposing  Robespiei-re's  bloody 
programme,  and  suffered  death  on  the 
same  scaffold. 

De  Soto,  Hernando,  A  Spanish  ex- 
plorer ;  B.  1500,  D.  in  Louisiana,  1542.  He 
served  under  Pizarro  in  Peru,  and  after- 
ward commanded  an  expedition  which 
landed  on  the  Florida  coast,  and  from 
there  marched  inland,  discovering  the 
Mississippi  River,  on  the  banks  of  which 
De  Soto  died  of  fever. 

Desperado,  des-per-a'do.  A  desperate 
fellow ;  a  peraon  urged  by  furious  pas- 
sions ;  one  fearless  or  regardless  of  safety. 

Desquamation,  dc-skwa-ma'shon.  A 
scaling  or  exfoliation  of  bone ;  the  separa- 
tion of  the  cuticle  in  small  scales. 

Dessalines,  Jean  Jacques,  da-sa- 
len'.  The  first  emperor  of  Hayti,  an  Af- 
rican negi-o,  B,  abt.  1730  ;  assassinated  by 
Christopher  and  Petion,  1S06.  He  was  the 
favorite  officer  and  s.  Toussaint  I'Ouver- 
ture  in  the  bloody  Dominican  insurrec- 
tion, proclaiming  himself  emperor  in  1804. 

Dessert,  de-zert'.  A  service  of  fruits  and 
sweetmeats,  at  the  close  of  the  entertain- 
ment ;  the  last  course  at  the  table. 

Dessiatine  des'i-a-tin.  A  Russian  land 
measure=2.702  Enghsh  acres. 

Destiny,  'ti-ni.  In  Class.  Myth,  the 
Parcte  or  Fates ;  the  powers  which  pre- 
side over  human  life. 

Destructionist,  de-struk'shon-Ist.  Ono 
who  delights  in  destroying.  One  -who  be- 
lieves in  the  final  complete  destruction 
or  annihilation  of  the  wicked. 

Desuetude,  des'we-tud.  The  cessation 
of  use ;  disuse ;  discontinuance  of  prae- 
tice,  custom  or  fashion. 


DETECTIVE 


258 


DEYIL 


Detective,  du-tekt'iv.  A  species  of  po- 
lice officer,  whose  special  duty  it  is  to  de- 
tect otfenses  and  apprehend  criminals. 
His  duties  differ  from  those  of  the  ordi- 
nary policeman  in  that  ho  has  no  specific 
round,  and  he  is  concerned  with  bringing' 
criminals  to  justice  rather  than  directly  in 
the  prevention  of  crime.  There  are  also 
jjrivate  detectXYCs  who  investigate  cases 
for  hire. 

Detent,  -tent'.  A  pin,  stud  or  lever 
forming  a  check  in  a  clock,  watch,  tumbler- 
lock,  &c.  The  detent  in  a  clock  falls  into 
the  striking  wheel,  and  stops  it  when  the 
right  number  of  strokes  have  been  given. 

Determinism,  -ter'min-ism.  A  system 
of  philosophy  which  denies  liberty  of  ac- 
tion to  man,  holding  that  the  wU  is  not 
tree,  but  is  invincibly  determined  by  mo- 
tives; specifically,  in  the  scholastic  phil- 
osophy, the  doctrine  that  our  human  will 
is  determined  by  a  motive  which  divine 
Providence  always  furnishes. 

Detersive,  -ters'iv.  A  medicine  which 
has  the  power  of  cleansing  ulcers,  or  car- 
rying oft  foul  matter. 

Detmold.  Cap.  of  Lippe-Detmold,  Ger- 
many, noted  for  the  battle  fought  near  by, 
A,  D.  9,  in  v/hich  Arminius  exterminated 
the  Eoman  army  under  Varus  ;  also  for 
the  defeat  of  the  Saxons  by  Charlemagne. 

Detonation,  de-to-na'shon. 
An  explosion  or  sudden  report 
made  by  the  inflammation  of 
certain  combustible  bodies,  as 
fulminating  gold. 

Detour,  -tor'.  A  roundabout 
or  circuitous  way  ;  a  deviation 
from  the  direct  or  shortest 
route. 

Detritus,  do-trl'tus.    In  Geol.      ^^^ 
a  mass  of  substances  detached  **"^w;;i^"-^ 
from  solid  bodies  by  attrition  ;  Detonating 
disintegrated      materials      of     Tube, 
rocks,  as  diluvial  detritus.    De- 
tritus may  consist  of  clay,  sand,  gravel, 
rubbly  fragments,  or  any  admixture  of 
these. 

Detroit,  da-trwa.  The  chief  commer- 
cial city  of  Michigan,  on  the  "W.  bank  of 
the  D.  River,  which  separates  the  State 
from  Canada,  and  connects  Lakes  Erie 
and  St.  Clair.  It  was  founded  by  the 
French,  1670  ;  pop.  116,840. 

De  trop,  tro.  Not  wanted ;  a  term 
applied  to  a  person  whose  presence  is  in- 
convenient. 

Dettingrer.  A  village  of  Ravaria,  on  the 
Main,  I'i  m.  from  Aschaifenburg,  noted 
aa  the  scene  of  the  defeat  of  the  French 
under  Marshal  De  Noailles,  by  the  English- 


Austrians  under  George  II.  of  England, 
1743. 

Deuce,  dGs.  Two ;  a  card  or  die  with 
two  spots  ;  a  term  used  in  gaming. 

Deutero-canonical,  dfi  'te  rS-ka-non  "- 
ik-al.  A  term  applied  to  books  of  Scrip- 
ture admitted  into  the  canon  after  th« 
rest. 

Deuterog-amy,  -ter-og'a-mi.  A  second 
marriage  after  the  death  of  the  first  hus- 
band or  wife. 

Deucalion.  In  Myth,  a  son  of  Prome- 
theus, who  married  Pyrrha,  daughter  of 
Epimethus,  the  two  being  the  sole  sur- 
vivors of  the  Sabian  deluge,  supposed 
to  have  occurred  1603  n.  c. 

Deuteronomy.  In  Script,  the  5th  book 
of  the  Pentateuch,  supposed  to  have  been 
AVTitten  by  Moses,  with  the  exception  of 
the  four  last  chapters. 

Devexa,  de-veks'a.  A  fam.  of  ruminants, 
of  which  the  giraffe  is  the  only  represen- 
tative. 

Device,  -vis'.  That  whick  is  formed  by 
design  or  invented ;   scheme ;  stratagem. 


1.  Device  of  Henry  VII.    2.  Device  of 
Anne  Boleyn, 

Anything  fancifully  conceived,  as  a  pic- 
ture, piece  of  embroidery,  or  cut  of  a  gar- 
ment. An  emblem  intended  to  represent 
a  family,  person,  action,  or  quality,  vith 
a  suitable  motto.  It  generally  consists  in 
a  metaphorical  similitude  between  the 
things  representing  and  represented,  as 
the  figure  of  a  plow  representing  agri- 
culture. Hence  the  motto  attached  to,  or 
suited  for,  such  an  emblem. 
Devil,  dev'il.  In  Theol.  an  evil  spirit  or 
being :  specifically,  the  evil  one,  repre- 
sented in  Scripture  as  the  traducer,  father 
of  lies,  tempter,  &c.,  and  referred  to  under 
the  names  Satan,  Lucifer,  Belial,  Apollyon, 
Abaddon,  the  Man  of  Sin,  the  Adversary, 
&c.  A  very  wicked  person,  a  traitor. 
An  expletive  expressing  wonder,  vex- 
ation, &c.  An  idol  or  false  god.  Tho 
name  popularly  given  in  Tasmania  to  a 
marsupial  animal  (Dasyurus  ursinus)  of 
great  ferocit3r,  A  printer's  errand  boy;  also 
a   printer's'  apprentice.     The    machine 


DEVIL-FISH 


259 


DHIJ 


throiisli  which  cotton  or  wool  is  first 
passed  to  prepare  it  for  the  carding' ma 
chines.  In  cookery,  a  dish,  as  a  bone 
with  some  meat  on  it,  grilled  with  Cayenn  - 
pepper. 

Devil-fish.,  fish.  The  popular  name  of 
a  large  species  of  ray,  the  Lophius  pisca 
torius,  otherwise  called  the  American 
angler,  fishing- frog,  sea-devil,  toad- fish, 
&c. 

Devil's  Darningr-needle,  'ilz  dam* 
Ing-nC'dl.  The  popular  name  of  various 
species  of  the  dragon-fly. 

Devil--worsliip,  'il-wer-ship.  Thewor 
ship  paid  to  an  exal  spirit,  a  malignant 
deity,  or  the  personified  evil  principle  in 
nature,  by  many  primitive  tribes,  under 
the  assumption  that  the  good  deity  does 
not  trouble  himself  about  the  world,  or 
that  the  powers  of  evil  ai  e  as  mighty  as 
the  powers  of  good. 

Devonian,  de-vo'ni-an.  Of  orpei'taining 
to  Devonshire  in  England.  lu  Geol.  a 
term  applied  to  a  great  portion  of  the 
palicozoic  strata  of  that  section,  and  for- 
merly used  as  synonymous  Avith  old  red 
sandstone,  as  occupying  an  intermediate 
position  between  the  Silurian  and  carbon- 
iferous rocks.  ^Modern  geologists,  how- 
ever, do  not  use  the  terms  as  identical, 
the  conditions  under  which  the  strata 
were  deposited  being  very  different. 

Devonport,  dev'on-port.  A  small  writ- 
ing-table, fitted  up  with  drawers  and  other 
conveniences. 

Dewan,  du-an'.  In  the  East  Indies,  the 
head  oflicer  of  finance  and  revenue. 

Dewanny,  'ni.  An  Indian  court  for  try- 
ing revenue  and  other  civil  causes. 

De"W-cla"W,  'kla.  One  of  the  bones  or 
little  nails  behind  a  deer's  foot.  The  up- 
permost claw  in  a  dog's  foot. 

De  "Witt,  John.  A  distinguished  Hol- 
lander ;  n.  1625,  assassinated  bv  a  mob, 
1672.  He  was  a  sturdy  republican,  and 
bitterly  opposed  to  the  house  of  Orange. 
As  Grand  Protector  he  administered  the 
affairs  of  his  country  with  ^ngor  and  wis- 
dom, but  throughthe  treachery  of  Charles 
II.  of  England,  Louis  XIV.  of  France 
oven-an  a  large  part  of  Holland,  creat- 
ing popular  discontent  against  Do 
Witt,  and  his  rival,  WiUiam,  Prince  of 
Orange,  was  made  commander-in-chief 
and  stadtholder,  De  Witt  being  shortly  af- 
ter this  murdered  \n\h  his  brother 
Cornelius  by  a  mob. 
Dewlap,  lap.  The  fold  of  skin  that 
hangs  from  the  throat  of  oxen  and  cows. 
The  flesh  on  the  throat  becomes  flaccid 
with  age. 


Dew-point,  point.  The  degree  indi- 
cated  by  the  thermometer  when  dew  be- 
gins to  be  deposited.  It  varies  %vith  the 
degree  of  the  humidity  of  the  atmosphere. 

Dextro-compound,  deks  tro-kom 
pound.  In  Chem.  a  compound  .body 
which  causes  th :  plane  of  a  ray  of  polar 
ized  hght  to  rotate  to  the  right.  Do- 
trine,  dextro-glucose,  tartaric  acid,  maliu 
acid,  cinchonine,  are  dextro-compounds. 

Dextro-grlucose,  -gia-kos.  In  Chem. 
ordinary  glucose  or  granular  "Sugar,  called 
also  grape,  fruit,  honey,  starch,,  diabetic, 
urine,  chestnut  and  rag  sugar,  according 
to  its  origin.  It  has  its  name  from  its 
property  of  turning  the  plane  of  polariza 
tion  to  the  right. 

Dey,  da.  The  title  of  the  old  governors 
of  Algiers,  Tunis  and  Tripoli,  under  the 
protection  of  the  Sultan  of  Turkey. 

D.  F.  Abbreviation  for  defensor  fidei.  de- 
fender of  the  faith. 

D.  Ot.  Abbreviation  for  Dei  gratia,  by 
the  grace  of  God. 

Dhawalagiri.  One  of  the  loftiest  of 
the  Himalayas,  In  Hindustan,  ht.  28,080  ft. 

Dhole,  dol.  Tho  Cingalese  namo  for  the 
wild  dog  of  India  (Canis  dukhunensis),  in 
size  between  a  wolf  and  jackal.  It  hunts 
in  packs,  and  rims  down  almost  every  an- 
imal, except  the  elephant  and  rhinoceros. 

Dhotee,  do'te,  A  long  narrow  strip  of 
cotton  or  gauze,  worn  by  the  male  Hin- 
dus instead  of  pantaloons. 

Dhow,  dou.    An  Arab  vessel,  generally 


Slave  Dhow. 
with  one  mast ;  employed  in  mercantile 
trading,  and  also  in  caiTying  slaves  from 
the  cast  coast  of  Africa  to  the  Persian 
GulfandtheEedSea. 
Dhu,  dii.  A  common  element  In  Celtic 
place  and  personal  names,  signifying 
black,  as  Dublin  (Dubh  linn),  the  black 
pool  ;  DhTi  Loch,  the  blaf-^k  loch ;  Kod* 
erick  Dhu,  the  black  Roderick. 


DIABLERIE 


260 


DIAMOm) 


Diablerie,  di-iib'le-ro.  Mischief  j  devil- 
ry.    Incantation ,  witchcraft. 

Diabolism,  di-ab'ol-izm.  The  actions  of 
the  devil  ;  conduct  Avoi-thy  of  a  devil. 
Possession  by  the  devil. 

Diaconate,  -ak'on-at.  The  office  or  dig- 
nity of  a  deacon.     A  body  of  deacons. 

Diacope,  'o-pe.  In  Gram,  tmesis  ;  a 
cutting  a  word  in  two  and  inserting  one  or 
more  words  between  them ;  as,  "of  whom 
be  -thou  ware."  A  gen.  of  fishes,  sec. 
Acanthopter^^gii,  fam.  Percidse. 

Diacoustics,  kous'tiks.  The  science  of 
refracted  sounds.     Called  also  Diaphonics. 

Diadem,  -dem.  Anciently  a  head-band 
or  Met  worn  by  kings  as  a  badge  of  roy- 


Diagonal. 


Parthian  Diadem,  Diadem  of  Constantino, 
alty,  embroidered  with  gold  or  set  with 
pearls  and  precious  stones.  Anything 
worn  on  the  head  as  a  badge  of  royalty  ;  a 
crown.  In  Her.  an  arch  arising  from  the 
rim  of  a  crown  or  coronet,  and  uniting 
with  other  arches  to  form  a  centre  Avhich 
serves  to  support  the  globe  and  cross  or 
fleur-de-lis  as  a  crest. 

Diagrometer,  -gom'e-ter.  An  electrical 
apparatus  for  ascertaining  the  conducting 
power  of  oil,  as  a  means  of  detecting  its 
adulteration. 

Diagonal, -ag'on-al.  In 
Geom ,  a  right  line  drawn 
between  the  opposite 
angles  of  a  quadrilateral 
figure,  and  dividing  it 
into  two  equal  parts.  It  is  sometimes 
called  the  diameter,  and  sometimes  the 
diametral.  A  light  woolen  cloth  for  men's 
garments. 

Diagraph., 'a-graf.  An  instrument  for  re- 
producing, without  its  being  necessary  to 
know  drawing  or  perspective,  the  figure 
of  objects  before  the  eyes. 

Dial,  'al.  An  instrument  for  sho-sving 
the  hour  of  the  day  from  the  shadow 
thrown  by  a  stile  or  gnomon  upon  a  gi-ad- 
nated  surface.  When  the  shadow  is  cast 
by  the  sim  it  is  called  a  snn-dial.  The  face 
of  ft  watch  or  other  time-keeper,  on  which 
the  time  of  the  day  is  indicated.  A  miner's 
compass.  Any  plate  or  face  on  which  a 
pointer  or  index  revolves,  moves  back- 
ward and  forward,  or  oscillates.     Night 


or  nocturnal  dial,  an  Instrument  for  show- 
ing the  hour  by  the  sha«low  of  the  moon. 

Dialect,  'a-lekt.  The  form  or  idiom  ol 
a  language  peculiar  to  a  province  or  to  a 
limited  region  or  people,  as  distinguished 
from  the  literary  language  of  the  whole 
people.  The  Greek  language  is  reiti ark- 
able  for  four  dialects — the  Attic,  Ionic, 
Doric  and  Eolic. 

Dial-plate,  -plat.  The  plate  of  a  dial, 
on  which  the  lines  are  di-awn  to  show  the 
time  of  the  day.  The  face  of  a  clock  or 
watch,  on  which  the  time  of  the  day  is 
shown.     Any  kind  of  index-plate. 

Dial-'WOrk,  werk.  That  portion  of  the 
motion  of  a  watch  between  the  dial  and 
movem  ent-plate. 

Diamagnetic,  -a-mag-nefik.  A  sub- 
stance which,  when  magnetized  and  sus- 
pended freely,  points  east  and  west. 

Diamond,  -mond,  A  mine- 
ral, gem,  or  precious  stone, 
of  the  most  valuable  kind,  re- 
markable for  its  hardness,  as 
it  cuts  all  other  minerals. 
When  pure,  the   diamond  is    -p.,  , 

usually  clear  and  transparent,  /„^T"  ^*t 
but  it  is  sometimes  colored,  <.^i""^aQt). 
the  colors  being  white,  yellow,  blue, 
green,  black,  «fec.  It  consists  of  pure  car- 
bon ;  when  placed  between  the  polos  of  a 
powerful  battery  it  is  completely  burned 
to  carbon  dioxide.  One  of  the  largest 
diamonds  known  is  that  belonging  to  the 
Kajahof  Mattan,  in  Borneo,  weighing  367 
carats.  The  Koh-i-noor,  now  belonging 
to  the  crown  of  Great  Britain,  originally 
weighed  about  800  carats,  but  it  has  been 
reduced  to  103|  carats ;  the  Orlow  dia- 
mond, belonging  to  the  Emperor  of  Rus- 
sia, weighs  195  carats ;  and  the  Pitt  or 
Regent  diamond,  among  the  French 
crown  jewels,  186^.  A  very  smaU  print- 
ing letter.  A  geometrical  figure,  other- 
wise called  a  rhombus.  One  of  a  set  of 
playing  cards  marked  with  the  figure  of  a 
diamond.  A  glazier's  tool  for  cutting 
glass.  Diamonds  so  used  are  uncut,  and 
BO  moimted  as  to  act  upon  the  glass  by  a 
curvilinear  edge  of  the  crystal.  Black 
diamond,  a  term  applied  colloquially  to 
coal.  Diamond  edition,  an  edition 
of  a  work 
printed  in 
very  small 
type.  Dia- 
mond fret,in 
Arch,  a  spe- 
cies of  mold- 
ing consist- 
sisting  of  fil- 
lets     inter-  Diamond  Fret. 


DIAMOND-BEETLE 


2«1 


DIBRANCniATA 


secting  caeli  other,  so  as  to  form  dia- 
monds or  rhombuses. 

Diamond-beetle,  -bct-1.  The  Entimus 
imperialis,  a  coleopterous  insect,  fam. 
Curculionida;. 

Diamond-borer,  -borer.  A  metal  bar 
or  tube,  armed  at  the  boring-  extremity 
■with  one,  or  more  diamonds,  for  perforat- 
ing^ roclis,  gems,  «fcc.  Large  implements 
of  this  kind  driven  by  steam-power  are 
now  used  in  mining,  tmmeling,  «fcc. 

Diana,  -u'na. 
In  Myth,  the 
Latin  name  of 
the  Greek  god- 
dess Artemis, 
daughter  of 
Zeus  or  Jupiter 
and  Leto  or  La- 
tona,  and  sister 
of  Apollo.  She 
was  the  virgin 
goddess  of  the 
chase,  and  also 
presided  over 
health. 

Diandria,-an'- 
dri-a.  The  2d 
olass  in  the  Lin-  _ . 

naean      system,  Diana, 

comprehending  all  genera  with  flowers 
having  only  two  stamens,  provided  these 
are  neither  united  at  their  base,  nor  com- 
bined Avith  the  style  and  stigma,  nor  sep- 
arated from  the  pistil. 

Diane  de  Poitiers.  A  noted  French- 
woman ;  B.  1493,  n.  1566,  the  mistress  of 
Henry  II.,  by  whom  she  was  created 
Dnchess  of  Yalentinois. 

Diaper,  'a-per.  A  textile  fabric  of  linen, 
cotton,  or  a  mixture  of  the  two,  upon  the 
surface  of  which  a 
figured  pattern  is 
produced  by  a  pecu- 
liar mode  of  twilling, 
much  used  for  tow- 
els or  napkins.  A 
towel  or  napkin. 
The  flowering  either 
of  sculpture  in  low  ,^ 
relief,  or  of  painting  |V 
or  gilding  used  to  ' 
ornament  a  panel  or 
flat     surface.  A 

square  piece  of  cloth  Diaper,  Westmin- 
for  wrapping   about        ster  Abbey, 
the  hips  of  a  child. 

Diapason,  -a-pa'zon.  An  old  Greek 
term  for  the  octave,  or  interval  which  in- 
cludes all  the  tones  of  the  diatonic  scale. 
Proportion  in  the  constituent  parts  of  an 


octave ;  concord  ;  harmony.  The  entire 
compass  of  the  tones  of  a  voice  or  instru- 
ment. A  rule  by  which  the  pipes  of  or- 
gans, the  holes  of  flutes,  &c.,  are  adjusted. 
One  of  tlie  certain  stops  in  the  organ,  as 
open  diapason,  stopped  diapason,  double 
diapason,  and  the  like. 

Diaphanometer,  -fa-nom'-'et-er.  An 
instrument  for  estimating  the  transparen- 
cy of  air. 

Diaphragrm,  -fram.  The  midriff,  a 
muscle  separating  the  chest  or  thorax 
from  the  abdomen,  found  complete  only 
in  mammalia.  A  dividing  substance, 
commonly  with  an  opening  through  it.  A 
circular  ring  in  optical  instruments  to  cut 
off  marginal  portions  of  a  beam  of  light. 
In  Conch,  a  straight  calcareous  plate  which 
divides  the  cavity  of  certain  shells. 

Diarchy,  'iix-k-i.  A  form  of  government 
in  which  the  supreme  power  is  vested  in 
two  persons. 

Diary,  'a-ri.  An  account  of  daily  events 
or  transactions ;  a  journal.  A  blank  book 
dated  for  the  record  of  daily  memoranda. 

Diastase,  'as-tas.  A  substance  existing 
in  barley,  oats  and  potatoes,  alter  germi- 
nation, in  solution  possessing  the  property 
of  causing  fecula  or  starch  to  break  up  at 
the  temperature  of  150°  Fahr.,  transform- 
ing it  first  into  dextrine  and  then  into  su- 
gar. 

Diastasis,  'ta-sis.  A  forcible  separation 
of  bones  without  fracture. 

Diathermancy,  -a-ther-man-si.  The 
property  of  transmitting^  radiant  heat ;  the 
quality  of  being  diathermal. 

Diatoma,  ^to-ma.     In  Bot.  a  gen.  of 


Diatoms. 
Diatomaceae,  of  which  the  ftustules  are 
connected  together  by  their  angles,  form- 
ing a  zigzag  chain. 

Diaz,  Bartholomew,  de'ath.  A  Por- 
tuguese navigator;  b.  abt.  1450,  lost  with 
his  ship  at  sea,  1500.  D,  was  the  first  who 
doubled  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

Dibothrian,  dl-both'ri-an.  A  member  of 
a  division  of  the  Entozoa.  including  those 
tape-worms  of  the  fam.  Bothriocephala 
which  have  not  more  than  two  pits  or 
fossfe  on  the  head. 

Dibranchiata,  -brangk-i-a'ta.  An  ord. 
of  cephalopods  in  which  the  branchiae  are 
two  in  number,  one  on  each  side  of  the 
body.  The  group  is  divided  into  two 
tribes,  the  decapods  and  the  octopodp. 


DICE 


DIEPPE 


Dice,  dls.  Plural  of  die;  also  a  game  with 
dice. 

Dice-box,  'boks.  A  box  from  which  dice 
are  thrown  in  gaming. 

DicliobTine,  dl-ko-bun'.  A  gen.  of  extinct 
quadrupeds,  occurring  in  the  eocene  for- 
mations, presenting  marked  affinity  to  the 
ruminants,  and  coming  between  them  and 
the  Anoplotherium. 

Dichodon,  -don.  A  gen.  of  extinct 
quadrupeds,  closely  allied  to  the  Dicho- 
bune,  whose  remains  occur  in  the  eocene 
of  Hampshire. 

Pickens,  Charles.  An  English  jour- 
nalist and  novehst;  b.  1812,  d.  1870.  His 
works  are  familiar  to  all  readers  of  fiction. 

Dickinson,  John.  An  American  states- 
man, u.  in  Md.,  1732,  p.  1808.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  the  first  Colonial  Congress  from 
Penn.,  1765,  he  drafted  the  resolutions 
formed  by  that  body,  and  as  a  member  of 
the  first  Continental  Congress  he  was  the 
author  of  several  of  its  most  important 
papers,  but  he  declined  to  sign  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence,  considering  the 
step  premature.  His  "  Fabius  Letters," 
1788,  urged  the  adoption  of  the  new  con- 
stitution. 

Dicrurinee,  di-kro-rl'ne.  Drongoshrikes, 
a  sub-fam.  of  dentirostral  birds,  ord. 
Passeres,  fam.  Ampelidic,  including  the 
bee-eater  of  S.  Africa,  called  by  the  Hotten- 
tots devil-bird;  Dicrurus  niacrocercus,  the 
king  of  the  crows  of  Bengal,  D.  cristatus 
and  D.  musieus,  whose  notes  have  been 
compared  to  those  of  the  thrush  and 
nightingale. 

Dictator,  dik'ta-ter.  In  ancient  Rome, 
a  magistrate  invested  with  unlimited 
power.  His  term  of  office  was  six 
months.  One  invested  with,  absolute  au- 
thority. One  whose  credit  or  authority 
enables  him  to  direct  the  conduct  or  opin- 
ion of  others. 

Dictionary,  'shon-a-ri.  A  book  contain- 
the  words  of  a  language  arranged  in  al- 

Shabetical  order,  with  explanations  or 
efinitions  of  their  meanings;  a  lexicon,  a 
vocabulary.  Any  work  which  professes 
to  communicate  information  on  a  subject 
or  branch  of  a  subject,  under  word's  or 
heads  arranged  alphabetically. 

Dictyophyllum,  -ti-of'il-lum.  A  pro- 
visional gen.  intended  to  include  all  fossil 
dicotyledonous  leaves  the  affinities  of 
which  are  not  known. 

Dic3modon,  di-si'no-don.  A  fossil  gen. 
of  animals  occurring  in  S.  Africa,  supposed 
to  bo  of  triassic  age,  combining  in  struc- 
ture the  characters  of  the  lizard,  crocodile, 
and  tortoise. 


An    animal  having  two 


Didactics,  -dak'tiks.      The   science   of 

teaching. 
Didactyl,  'til. 
toes  only. 

Didecahe- 
dral,  -dek'a- 
he"dral.  In 
Crystal,  having 
the  form  of  a 
decahedral,  or 
ten-sided  prism, 
with  pentahe- 
dral, or  five-' 
sided  summits,  'ti 

D  i  d  e  1  p  h  ia, 
-dfcl'fi-a.  One  Virginia  Opossum, 
ofthe  three  sub- 
classes of  Mammalia  (the  other  two  being 
Ornithodelphia  and  Monodelphia),  found- 
ed on  the  nature  of  the  female  reproduc- 
tive organs.  It  contains  but  one  ord. ,  the 
Marsupialia,  represented  by  the  kanga- 
roos, wombats,  «fec.,  of  Australia,  and  the 
opossums  of  America. 

Diderot,  Denis,  de-dro'.  A  noted 
French  philosopher  ;  b.  1712,  d.  1784.  He 
is  considered  the  chief  of  the  school  of 
sceptics  known  as  the  Enc)'clopedists. 

Didodecahedral,  di-do'dek-a-he"dral. 
In  Crystal,  having  the  form  of  a  dodecahe- 
dral  prism  with  hexahedral  summits. 

Didrachm,  Mram.  A  piece  of  Grecian 
money,  the  fourth  of  an  ounce  of  silver. 

Didus,  'dus.  The  generic  name  for  the 
dodo. 

Die,  dl.  A  small  cube  marked  on  its  faces 
from  one  to  six,  used  in  gaming.  Any 
cubic  body  ;  a  flat  tablet.  In  Arch,  the 
cubical  part  of  a  pedestal  between  its  base 
and  cornice.  A  stamp  used  in  coining 
money,  in  foundries,  &c.  One  of  two  or 
more  pieces  of  steel  forming  a  female 
screw  for  cutting  the  threads  of  screws. 

Diebitsch,  Hans  Karl  Friedrich 
Anton,  Count.  A  Kussian  general,  b. 
in  Silesia,  1785,  d.  of  cholera,  1831.  Ho 
won  distinction  in  the  Napoleonic  cam- 
paigns, and  in  1829,  as  commander-in- 
chief  ofthe  Kussian  armies,  made  the  fa- 
mous march  across  the  Balkans  which 
gave  him  the  title  of  Count  Sabalkanski. 
He  was  in  command  of  Poland  at  his 
death. 

Dieman,  Anthony  Van.  A  Dutch 
navigator ;  b.  1593,  d.  1645.  He  was  vice- 
roy of  the  Dutch  East  Indies,  163&-42, 
and  with  Tasman  discovered  Van  Die- 
man's  Land,  now  Tasmania. 

Dieppe,  de-6p.  A  seaport  and  favorite 
summer    resort,    dept.  Seine-Inf6rieure, 


DIE-SINKEE 


263 


DIMPLE 


France,  on  the  English  Channel,  one  of 
the  principal  stations  of  the  sea  service  be- 
tween England  and  France  ;  pop.  22,460. 

Die-sinker,  dl'singk-er.  An  engraver  of 
dies  for  stamping  or  embossing. 

Dies  Irse,  'ez  i'l-G.  The  name  of  a  famous 
mediaeval  hymn  on  the  last  judgment, 
probably  composed  by  Thomas  of  Oelano 
in  the  13th  century. 

Diet,  'et.  Food  or  victuals.  A  meeting, 
as  of  dignitaries  or  delegates,  bolden  from 
day  today  for  legislative,  political,  ecclesi- 
astical or  municipal  purposes,  specifically, 
the  legislative  and  administrative  assem- 
blies in  the  German  Empire,  Austria,  &c. 

Dietetics,  -et'iks.  That  department  of 
medicine  which  relates  to  the  diet. 

Dieu  et  Mon  Droit.  Lit.  "God  and 
my  right."  The  heraldic  motto  of  the 
English  royal  arms,  first  adopted  by 
Eichard  Coeur  de  Lion. 

DifFarreation,  dif-fa'r6-a"8hon.  The 
parting  of  a  cake  made  of  spelt ;  a  cere- 
mony among  the  Romans  at  the  divorce 
of  man  and  wife. 

Diflferential,  -fer-en'shi-al.  In  Math,  an 
infinitesimal  difference  between  two  states 
of  a  variable  quantity.  D.  coupling,  in 
Mach.  a  form  of  slip-coupling  apfdied  in 
light  machinery  for  the  purpose  of  regu- 
lating the  velocity  of  the  connected  shaft 
at  pleasure.  1).  duties,  duties  which  are 
not  levied  equally,  as  when  a  tax  on  cer- 
tain commodities  is  lighter  in  one  country 
than  in  another.  D.  gear,  a  combination 
of  toothed  wheels,  by  which  a  differential 
motion  is  produced,  extensively  employed 
in  lathes  and  boring-machines.  D.  motion, 
an  adjustment  by  which  a  single  combina- 
tion is  made  to  produce  a  high  degree  of 
velocity.  The  Chinese  or  differential 
windlass  is  au  example  of  this  kind  of  mo- 
tion. 1).  screw,  a  com- 
Sound  screw,  whereby  a 
ifferential  motion  is  pro- 
duced. D.  thermometer, 
an  instrument  for  meas- 
uring very  small  differ- 
ences of  temperature. 
Two  glass  tubes,  each 
terminating  in  a  hollow 
ball,  a  small  portion  of 
sulphuric  acid  being  in- 
troduced into  the  ball  of 
one,  are  joined  together 
and  afterward  bent  into 
the  shape  of  the  letter  U. 
To  one  of  the  legs  of  the  thermometer  a 
scale  is  attached,  and  the  liquid  so  disposed 
that  as  long  as  both  balls  are  of  the  same 
temperature  it  remains  stationary ;  but  if 


Differontial 
Thermometer. 


the  ball  which  holds  the  liquid  be  heated, 
the  elasticity  of  the  confined  air  will  make 
It  i-isein  the  opposite  branch  proportional 
to  the  excess  of  elasticity,  or  of  heat. 

Digrest,  dl  jest.  A  collection  or  body  of 
Eoman  laws,  arranged  under  proper  titles 
by  order  of  the  Emperor  Justinian  ;  the 
Pandects.  Any  collection,  compilation, 
abridgment  or  summary,  as  of  Jaws,  dis- 
posed under  proper  heads  or  titles. 
Digrgrer  Indians.  A  California  tribe, 
the  most  degraded  and  effeminate  of  the 
race. 

Dii.  Lit.  "Gods."  In  Eoman  Myth, 
there  were  four  classes  of  deities:  dii  ma- 
jorum  gentium,  or  superior  gods,  six  of 
each  sex  ;  dii  minorium  gentium,  or  infe- 
rior ;  dii  sclecti,  and  demi-gods. 

Dig-it,  dij'it.  A  finger.  The  measure  of 
a  finger's  breadth,  or  }  inch.  In  Astron. 
the  12th  part  of  the  diameter  of  the  sun 
or  moon.    In  Arith.  any  Integer  under  10. 

Dig-italin,  -a-lin.  A  vegetable  alkali, 
the  active  principle  of  Digitalis  purpurea, 
or  foxglove,  a  strong  poison. 

Digritigrade,  -i-grad.  An  animal  that 
walks  on  its  toes  or  digits,  as  the  lion, 
wolf,  &c. 

Digrlyph.,  dl'glif.  In  Arch,  a  projecting 
face  with  with  two  panels  or  channels 
sunk  in  it. 

Dihedron,  -he'dron.  A  figure  with 
two  sides  or  surfaces. 

Dilettante,  dil-e-tant'.  An  admirer  of 
the  fine  arts ;  an  amateur  ;  one  who  pur- 
sues an  art  desultorily  and  for  amuse- 
ment ;  sometimes  applied  contemptuously 
to  one  who  affects  a  taste  for  art. 

Diligrence,  de-lG-zhans.  In  France,  a 
four-wheeled  stage-coach. 

Diluvial,  di-lu'vl-al.  Pertaining  to  a 
flood  or  deluge,  more  especially  to  the 
deluge  in  Noah's  days.  Effected  or  pro- 
duced by  any  extraordinary  rush  of  water. 
D.  formation,  the  name  given  to  super- 
ficial deposits,  the  result  of  any  unusual 
or  extraordinary  rush  of  water.  The  term 
is  now  rarely  used,  the  deposits  grouped 
under  it  being  assigned  to  the  post-plio* 
cene  period. 

Dime,  dim.  A  silver  coin  of  the  United 
States  of  the  value  of  10  cents;  the  tenth 
of  a  dollar. 

Dimera,  dim'e-ra.  A  sec.  of  homopteroua 
insects,  in  which  the  tarsi  are  two-jointed, 
as  in  the  aphides. 

Dimity,  'i-ti.  A  stout  cotton  fabric 
ornamented  in  the  loom  by  raised  stripes 
or  fancy  figures ;  it  is  rarely  dyed. 

Dimple,  'pi.     A  small  natural  depres- 


DINGLE 


DIOMEDES 


sloii  in  the  cheek  or  chin ;  a  slight  in- 
teiTUi)tion  to  the  uniform  rounded  flow 
of  the  facial  lines,  appearing  especially  in 
youth  and  in  smiling.  A  slight  indenta- 
tion on  any  surface. 

Dingrle.  A  seaport  of  Co.  Kerry,  Ire- 
land, 40  m.  N.  W.  of  Killarney;  pop. 
4,700. 

Ding-o,  ding'go.  The  Australian  dog 
(Canis  Dingo),  of  a  wolf-like  appearance, 
and  extremely  fierce. 

Dinner,  din'ner.  The  principal  meal  of 
the  day,  corresponding  with  the  deipnon 
of  the  Greeks  and  the  coena  of  the  Komans. 
An  entertainment. 

D  i  n  o  r  nis,  di-  ..-•""■•.. 
nor'-nis.  A  gen.  of  %  \ 
extinct  cursorial  ]  \ 
birds,  of  gigantic  j    \ 

size,    which    formerly!     '\ 

inhabited    New    Zea-  •        " -..^ 

land.       The     largest  \ 
must    have    stood    at  \ 
least  14  feet  in  height,      \ 
and  probably  more.  By        ""'--^^ 
the  natives  they  are  called  moa? 
It  is  supposed   they   became 
extinct  in  the  17th  or  18th  cen- 
tury, as  traditions  are  still  cur- 
rent concerning  them. 

Dinotlieriuni,-no-thc'ri-um . 
A  gen.  of  extinct  gigantic  mam-_ 
mals  occurring  in  the  strata  of  Dinornis. 
the  tertiary  formation.     The 
remains  have  been  found  in  Hesse  Darm 
sudt,  also  in  several  parts  of  France,  Ba 


Dinotherium    restored. 


varia  and  Austria.  The  largest  species 
hitherto  discovered  (D.  giganteum)is  cal- 
culated to  have  attained  the  length  of  18 
feet.  It  had  a  proboscis  and  two  tusks. 
Kaup  regards  it  as  intermediate  between 
the  mastodons  and  tapirs,  and  terrestrial, 
while  Blainville  and  Pictet  regard  it  as 
allied  to  the  sea-cows. 

Diocese,  '6-ses.  The  circuit  or  extent  o  f 
a  bishop's  jurisdiction;  an  ecclesiastical 
division  of  a  kingdom  or  state,  subject  to 
the  authority  of  a  bishop. 

Diocletian,  Caius  Valerius  Aure- 
lius  Diocletianus  A  Eoman  general: 


B.  abt.  245  A,  D.,  proclaimed  emperor  by 
the  imperial  guard  after  the  assassination 
of  Numerianus,  284.  D.  divided  tlie  em- 
pire with  Maximian,  and  governed  Asia 
and  Egypt.  In  803  he  signed  an  edict 
against  the  Christians,  abdicated  power 
304,  and  d.  313.  *     n 

Dioctaliedral,  -ok'ta-be"dral.  In  Ciys- 
tal.  having  the  form  of  an  octahedral  prism 
with  tetrahedml  summits. 

Diodon,  '6-don.  A  Linnasan  gen.  of 
teleostean  fishes  now  giving  its  name  to  a 


Diodon  Hystrix. 
fam.  Diodon tidse,  oi-d.  Plectognathi.  They 
live  on  crustaceans  and  sea-weeds,  for  the 
trituration  of  which  their  mouth  is  admir- 
ably adapted.  The  family  includes  the 
sun-fish. 

Dioecia,  -e'shi-a.  The  22d  class  of  plants 
in  the  artificial  system  of  Linnanis.  It 
comprehends  such  genera  as  have  male 
or  stamen-bearing  flowers  on  one  plant, 
and  female  or  pistil-bearing  flowers  on  an- 
other, as  willows. 

Diodorus  Siculus.  A  Sicilian  histo- 
rian who  lived  in  the  first  century  B.  c. 
He  published  his  universal  history  in  40 
books,  brought  down  to  the  year  60  b.  c, 
but  of  these  only  15  are  extant. 

Diogrenes.  A  distinguished  Cynic;  b. 
in  Sinope,  Asia  Minor,  b.  c.  421,  d.  at 
Corinth,  825.  He  spent  most  of  his  life 
in  Athens,  where  he  lived  upon  alms,  and 
taught  his  philosophy  from  a  tub. 

Diog-enes  Laeirtius.  An  Epicurean 
philosopher ;  b.  in  Cicilia.  He  wrote  the 
lives  of  the  philosophers  In  10  books. 

Diogrenes-crab,  dl-oj'en-ez-krab.  A  spe- 
cies of  Coenobita,  found  in  the  W.  Indies; 
so  called  from  its  selecting  a  shell  for  its 
residence. 

Diogenes-cup,  -kup.  A  term  applied 
to  the  cup-hke  cavity  of  the  hand,  foi-med 
by  bending  the  metacarpal  bone  of  the 
little  finger. 

Diomedea,  -o'me-de"a.  A  gen.  of  birds, 
ord.  Longipennes,  including  the  various 
species  of  albatross. 

Diomedes.  In  Myth.  King  of  Thraco, 
son  of  Mars  and  Cyrene,  who  fed  his 
horses  on  human  flesh.  Hercules  killed 
him  and  gave  his  body  to  his  horses. 


DI0MEDE3 


265 


DIPLOMATICS 


Diomedes.  Son  of  Tydeus  and  Deip- 
ylfe,  King  of  ^tolia,  and  one  of  the  he- 
roes of  the  Trojan  war.  Ho  was  a  favorite 
of  Minerva,  who  bade  him  attacli  and 
wound  both  Mars  and  Venus. 

Dion.  A  noble  Syracusan,  son  of  Ilippa- 
sina,  a  favorite  disciple  of  Plato,  and  relat- 
ed to  Dionysius  the  Elder,  who  admired 
his  abilities,  and  freely  consulted  him  ;  «. 
abt.  410  B.  c.  After  the  accession  of 
Dionysius  the  Younger,  D.  fell  into  dis- 
grace, repaired  to  Athens,  and  soon  after 
led  an  army  against  Syracuse,  which  cap- 
tured the  city  after  a  three  days'  assault. 
D.  was  assassinated  35i. 

Dionaea,  dl-6-ne'a. 
A  gen.  of  plants, 
oi'd.  Droseracese. 
Only  one  species  is 
known,  D.  muscip- 
iila  (Venus  fly-trap) 
a  native  of  Caro- 
lina and  Florida 
The  bristles  on  th 
leaf  are  remarkably 
Irritable,  and  when 
touched  by  a  fly  or 
other  insect  the 
lobes  suddenly 
close  on  it.  It  is 
said  to  digest  the 
food  thus  captured 
by  means  of  a  fltiid 
which    dissolves  it 

'exactly  like  ordinary  gastric  juice. 

Dion  Cassius.  A  Roman  historiftn  of 
the  2d  century  a.  b.  He  spent  12  years 
on  his  history  of  Rome. 

Dionysius  I.  Dictator  of  Syracuse, 
known  as  The  Elder ;  b.  abt.  b.  c.  430,  d. 
3C9.  D.  II.(The  Younger)  son  and  s.  of  the 
above,  b.  abt.  3S9,  died  in  exile  at  Corinth 
abt.  835.  He  was  driven  from  his  throne 
by  Dion,  but  recovered  possession  ;  was 
deposed  a  second  time  and  exiled  to  Cor- 
inth. 

Dionysius  (of  Halicamassus).  A 
Greek  historian  and  critic;  b.  70  b.  c,  d. 
abt.  1  A.  D.  He  wrote  in  Greek  at  Rome 
his  "  Roman  Antiquities,"  much  of  which 
is  preserved. 

Dionysius  (Th.e  Thracian).  A 
teacher  of  rhetoric  at  Rome,  whose  "  Art 
of  Grammar  "  was  authority  for  several 
centuries.    He  flourished  abt.  60  b.  c. 

Dionysos,  dl-O-nT'sos.  In  Greek  Myth, 
the  effeminate  god  of  wine,  called  also 
Bakchos  by  the  Greeks,  and  Bacchus  by 
the  Romans. 

Diophantine,  -fan'tin.  Of  or  pertain- 
ing to  Diophautus  of  Alexandria,  the  first 


Venus  Fly-trap. 


Greek  writer  on  algebra,  who  flourished 
according  to  some  about  the  middle  of  the 
4th  century,  accordiag  to  others  about 
the  end  of  the  6th.  D.  analysis,  that 
branch  of  algebra  which  treats  of  indeter- 
minate questions. 

Diopsis,  -op'- 
sis.  A  gen.  of 
dipterous  in-  • 
sects,  fam.Mus- 
cida>.  A  gen. 
of  turbellarian 
worms 

Diorama,  -o- 
rii'ma.  A  mode 
of  painting  and  • 
of  scenic  exhibi- 
tion, producing 
a  greater  degree 
of  optical  illu- 
sion than  the  panorama,  and  suitable  as 
well  for  architectural  and  interior  vie^vs 
as  for  landscape.  A  building  in  which  dio- 
ramic  paintings  are  exhibited. 

Diorite,  'o-rit.  A  tough  crystalline  trap- 
rock,  consisting  of  hornblende  and  a  tri- 
clinic  felspar  albite  or  oligoclase,  either 
metamorphic  or  volcanic  in  origin. 

Dioscroides,  Pedanius.  A  noted 
Greek  pliysician  of  the  1st  century  a.  d. 
His  "  De  Materia  Medica"  was  a  text  book 
for  more  than  1,800  years. 

Diota,  -o'ta.  In  Anc.  Sculp,  a  sort  of  vase 
with  two  handles,  used  for  vrino. 

Diphda,  dif'da.  The  star  Beta  of  the 
constellation  Cetus. 

Diphthong-,  'thong.  A  coalition  of  two 
vowels  pronounced  in  one  syllable.  Im- 
proper diphthong,  a  union  of  two  or  more 
vowels  in  the  same  syllable,  only  one  oi 
them  being  sounded. 

Diphyes,  dl'fi-ez.  A  gen,  and  fam.  ot 
ccelenterate  animals,  ord.  Calycophoridae. 

Dipleidoscope,  -plT'do-skop.  An  in- 
strument for  indicating  the  passage  of  the 
Bun  or  a  star  over  the  meridian,  by  the 
coincidence  of  two  images  of  the  object, 
the  one  formed  by  single  and  the  other  by 
double  reflection. 

Diploe,  dip'lo-e.  The  soft  medullary 
substance  between  the  plates  of  the  skull. 

Diplomat,  -lo'mat.  A  minister,  of- 
ficial agent  or  envoy  to  a  foreign  court  ;  a 
diplomatist. 

Diplomatics,  'iks.  The  science  of  dip- 
lomas or  of  ancient  writings,  literary  and 
public  documents,  letters,  «fec.,  which  has 
for  its  object  to  decipher  old  writings,  as- 
certain their  authenticity,  Aa-:  paleog- 
raphy 


DIPLOPIA 


266 


DIRGEE 


Diplopia,  rtl-plo'pi-a.  A  disease  of  the 
eye  in  wliich  the  patient  sees  an  obiect 
double  or  even  triple. 

Dlplopoda,  -plop'o-da.  One  of  the  two 
divisions  of  the  Myriapoda,  synonymous 
with  Chilognatha. 

Diploptera,  'ter-a.  A  group  of  aculeate 
hymenopterous  insects,  forming  three 
families,  Eumenidae,  MasaridaB  and  Ves- 
pidie, 

Diplopterus,  -us.*  A  gen.  of  fossil  gan- 
oid fishes,  four  species,  belonging  to  the 
old  red  sandstone. 

Diplozoon,  dip-lo-zo'on.  A  parasitic  tre- 
matode  worm  which  appears  to  be  formed 
of  two  distinct  bodies  united  in  the  middle; 
two  sexually  mature  bodies  being  united. 

Dipnoi,  'noi.  An  ord.  of  fishes,  includ- 
ing only  the  singular  mud-fishes  (Lepido- 
fiiren),  important  as  exhibiting  the  transi- 
tion between  fishes  and  the  amphibia. 
Formerly  Lepidosiren  was  reckoned  the 
lowest  of  the  amphibia,  nowit  constitutes 
the  highest  order  of  fishes. 

Dipodidse,  di-pod'i-de.  The  jerboas,  a 
fam.  of  rodents,  characterized  by  the  dis- 
proportionate leagth  of  the  hind-limbs. 

Dipper, 
dip'er.  One 
of  a  sect  of 
A  m  e  r  ican 
B  a  p  t  i  sts, 
called  also 
D  u  n  k  e  rs, 
Tunkers, 
and  Tum- 
blers, The 
popular 
name  of  the 
p  r  i  n  c  i  pal 
stars  in  the 
Great  Bear. 
A  gen.  of  birds  (Cinclus)  belonging  to  the 
dentlrostral  division  of  the  great  ord. 
Passeres,  and  thrush  fam. 

Dippingr-needle,  'ing-ne-dl.  An  in- 
strument for  showing  the  direction  of  one 
of  the  components  of  the  earth's  magnet- 
ism. 

Diprotodon,  di-prot'o-don.  An  extinct 
gigantic  marsupial  mammal,  found  in  the 
pleistocene  or  recent  beds  of  Australia. 
It  is  aUied  to  the  kangaroo,  but  much 
larger. 

Dipsomania,  dip-so-mS'ni-a.  The  name 
given  to  that  condition  to  which  habit- 
ual drunkards  of  a  nervous  and  sanguine 
temperament  are  liable  to  reduce  them- 
selves, and  in  which  they  manifest  an  un- 
coatroilable  craving  for  stimulants. 


Dipper. 


Dipsaceae,  dip- 
sa'se-e.  An  ord. 
of  exogenous 
plants  with  uaon- 
opetalous  flow-v^ 
ers,  nearly  allied  ' 
to  Compositffi, 
but  having  the 
anthers  quite 
free. 

Dips  as,  'sas. 
A  gen.  of  non- 
venomous  8  e  r- 
pents,  fam.  Colu- 
bridie.  A  name 
given  to  a  gen.  of 

fresh-water  bivalves,  intermediate 
tween  Unio  and  Anodonta. 
Dipter  a, 
'ter-a.  An 
ord.  of  insects 
having  only 
two  wings, 
with  two  hal- 
teres  or  pois- 
ers  instead  of 
the  hinder 
pair.  The 
common 
house-fly  and 
the  blue-bottlo 
fly  are  exam- 
ples. They 
have  six  legs 
and  a  mouth  formed  for  suction.  The  true 
eyes  are  large  and  compound,  often  con- 
taining thousands  of  facets. 
Dipterus,  -us.  A  gen.  of  old  red  sand- 
stone fishes,  of  which  there  are  two  spe- 
cies. 

Diptych.,  -tik.  In  Greek  and  Eoraan 
Antiq.  a  public  register  of  the  names  of 
consuls  and  other  magistrates ;  in  later 
times  a  fist  of  bishops,  martyrs,  and 
others  among  Christians.  The  sacred 
diptych  consisted  of  two  tables,  in  one 
of  whick  was  registered  the  names  of  the 
living,  and  in  the  other  the  names  of  tho 
dead,  which  were  to  be  mentioned  in  the 
praj'ers  of  the  church. 
Directory,  di-rek'to-ri.  A  book  contain- 
ing directions  for  public  worship  or  re- 
ligious services.  A  book  containing  an 
alphabetical  list  of  the  inhabitants  of  a 
city,  town,  and  the  like,  with  their  places 
of  business  and  abode.  The  executive 
power  of  tho  French  Republic,  1795-96, 

?uashed  by  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  and  the 
Jonsulate  estabUshed  on  its  ruin.    Board 
of  directors ;  directorate. 
Dirgree,  der'je.    In  the  E.  Indies,  a  na- 
tive domestic  tailor  or  seamster. 


Diptera. 


DIRK 


26T 


DISCOPHORA 


Dirk,     derk.        A      dagrger 

formerly  much  used  in  the 

Hi;,'hlands  of  Scotland,  and 

still  worn    as     essential    to 

complete  the  Highland   cos- 
tume. 
Dirt-eating,     dert'et-ing. 

Cacliexia  Africana.  a,  disor- 
der of  the  nutritive  functions 

among'  negroes,  and  in  cer- 
tain kinds  of  disturbance  of 

the    feminine     health,     in 

which  there  is  an  irresistible 

desire    to    eat     dirt.      The 

practice   of  some  tribes  of 

S.  America,  of  using  certain 

kinds  of  clay  for  food. 
Dischargrer,    dis- 

-  c  h  fi  r  j  '  e" r .      In  Elect. 

an  instrument  for 

discharging  a  Ley- 
den  jar,    &c.,    by 

making  a  connec- 
tion between    the 

two  surfaces.      In 

calico   printinf,    a 

discharge. 
D  i  s  c  h.  argr  e- 

valve,  'valv.    In 

steam-engines,      a 

valve  which  coyers 

the  top  of  the  barrel 

of     the    air-pump 

and  opens  upward. 
Discharg-ing:  Arch,    'ing  arch.      An 

arch  formed  in  the  substance  of  a  wall  to 


Dirk. 


Leyden  Jar  with 
Discharger. 


ri5r'-i± 


Dlschargring  Arch, 
relieve  the  part  which  is  below  it  fi-om  the 
Buperincurabent  weight,  commonly  used 
over  lintels  and  flat-headed  openings. 

Discipline,  'l-plin.  Education;  in- 
struction; training.  Rule  of  government. 
Subjection  to  rule.  Correction ;  punish- 
ment inflicted  by  way  of  correction  and 
training  :  instruction  by  means  of  misfor- 
tune and  the  Hke.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch.  bod- 
ily punishment  inflicted  on  a  delinquent ; 
or  that  external  mortification  which  a  pen- 


itent inflicts  on  himself.  The  scourge  a 
delinquent  uses  in  self-chastisement ;  or 
that  \nelded  by  his  confessor.  Books  of 
discipline,  two  books  drawn  up  for  the 
reformation  of  the  Scotch  Church — the 
first  by  Knox  and  four  other  ministers  in 
1560,  the  second  by  a  committee  of  Assem- 
bly of  1678,  in  which  Andrew  Melville  took 
a  leading  part.  This  is  still  appealed  to  as 
the  most  com  pi  tto  and  authoritative  ex- 
hibition of  Scottish  Presbyterianism. 

DiscMdia,  -kid'-  ^5,  _,^. 
i-a.  A  gen.  of 
A  s  c  1  e  p  iadaceae,  ' 
herbs  or  under 
shrubs.  One  spe- 
cies, D.  Rafllesi- 
ana,  is  remark- 
able for  its  nu- 
merotis  pitcher- 
like appendages. 

Disciples  o  f 
Christ  (Camp- 
bellites).  An  in- 
dependent sect 
holding  views 
sub  stantially 
identical  with  the  i 
Baptists,  founded ' 
in  the  U.S.,  1809, 
by  Rev.  Thomas  Dischidia  Raflflesiana. 
Campbell,  a  distinguished  preacher  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  from  which  he  se- 
ceded, and  his  son,  Rev.  Alexander  Camp- 
bell, both  natives  of  Ireland.  The  sect 
numbers  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  million 
communicants,  most  of  them  being  in  the 
S.  and  W.  States. 

Discobolus,  -kob'o-lus.  In  Class, 
tiq.  a  thrower  of^ 
the  discus  or  quoit; 
a  quoit-player.  The 
name  given  by 
Cuvier  to  his  3d 
family  of  soft- 
finned  teleostean 
fishes.  The  lump- 
fish  (Cyclopterus 
Lumpus)  is  a  good 
example  of  the 
group. 

Discophora,  -kof 
6-ra.     A    sub-class 
of   the    Hydrozoa, 
comprising  most  of 
the     organ  isms 
known    as    sea-jel-    .p,,      ,    ,      ^, 
lies,  jelly-fishes  or    Discobolus  throw- 
sea- nettles.        A       ing  the  Discus, 
name  sometimes  given  to  the  order  of  an-- 
nelida,  Hirudinea,  to  which  the  leech  bo- 
longs. 


DI800VEETUEB 


DISTANCE 


Discoverture,  -kuv'ert-ur.  Freedom 
of  a  Avoman  from  the  coverture  of  a  hus- 
band. 

X)iscrase,  -kras.  A  rare  ore  consistini?  of 
autimonyand  silver,  found  in  metamor- 
phic  strata,  alone  or  associated  with  other 
ores. 

Discus,  'kus.    A  quoit ;  a  piece  of  iron, 

-copper  or  stone,  to  be  thrown  In  play, 
used  by  the  ancients.    A  disk. 

Disinfectant,  -in-fekt'ant.  An  agent 
for  destroying  the  power  or  means  of  prop- 
agating diseases  which  spread  by  infec- 
tion or  contagion  ;  anything  that  purifies 
the  air  fi-om  noxious  matters  or  removes 
odors  or  hurtful  organic  substances 
from  the  ground,  water,  &c.  The  more 
common  are  chlorine,  bromine,  sulphur- 
ous acid,  nitrous  acid,  chloride  of  lime, 
carbolic  acid,  &c. 

Pisk.  A  quoit ;  a  circular  piece  of  stone, 
iron  or  copper,  used  in  games.  Any  flat, 
circular  plate  or  surface,  as  of  a  piece 
of  metai,  the  face  of  the  sun,  moon,  or 
a  planet.  In  Bot.  the  name  given  to 
markings  on  the  woody  fiber  of  certain 
trees,  as  the  conifers,  as  seen  in  a  longitu- 
dinal section  of  the  wood. 

Disk-coupling-,  disk'ku-pl-ing.  In 
Mach.  a  coupling  consisting  of  two  disks 


Disk-coupling, 
keyed  on  the    connected    ends    of  two 
shafts.     In   one  are  recesses,  into  which 
corresponding  projections  on    the  other 
are  received. 

Dispart,  dls'part.  In  G-un.  the  difference 
between  the  semi-diameter  of  the  base 
ring  at  the  breech  of  a  gun,  and  that  of  the 
ring  at  the  swell  of  the  muzzle. 

Dispart-sigrht,  -sit.  In  Gun.  a  piece  of 
metal  cast  on  the  muzzle  of  a  piece  of 
ordnance  to  make  the  line  of  sight  parallel 
to  the  axis  of  the  bore. 

Dispensation,  -pen-sa'shon.  The 
granting  of  a  license,  or  the  license  itself, 
to  do  what  is  forbidden  by  laws  or  canons, 
or  to  omit  something  which  is  command- 
ed. The  pope  has  power  to  dispense  A\nth 
the  canons  of  the  Church,  but  has  no  right 
to  grant  dispensations  to  the  injury  of  a 
third  person. 


Disperznous,  dl-sperm'us.  In  Bot.  con- 
taining two  seeds  only ;  as,  umbellate  and 
stellate  plants  are  dispermous. 

Dispositor,  dis-poz'it-er.  A  disposer. 
In  Astrol.  the  planet  which  is  lord  of  the 
sign  where  another  planet  is. 

Disraeli,  Benjamin,  diz-ral'e.  An 
English  statesmen  and  author,  b.  1805, 
D.  1883.  He  was  of  JcAvish  descent,  and 
for  years  was  the  leader  of  the  Conserva- 
tive party  in  the  Commons,  holding  the 
otfice  of  Prime  Minister  in  1868-70,  and 
1874-76.  In  the  latter  year  he  was  created 
Earl  of  Beaeonsfield. 

Disruption,  dis-rup'shon.  The  act  of 
rendhig  asunder;  breach;  dilaceration.  Ec 
cles.  the  term  applied  to  the  rupture  which 
took  place  in  the  Established  Church  of 
Scotland  in  1843,  when  474  ministers  and 
professors  demitted  their  charges.  The 
controversy  proceeding  the  rupture  lasted 
for  10  years,  having  originated  in  the  pass- 
ing of  the  Veto  Act. 

Dissection,  -sek'shon.  The  act  of  cut- 
ting in  pieces  an  animal  or  vegetable  for 
the  purpose  of  examining  the  structure 
and  iises  of  its  parts;  anatomy. 

Dissigrht,  -sit.  An  eyesore;  anything 
oft'ensive  to  the  sight. 

Dissyllable,  'sil-la-bl.  A  word  of  two 
syllables. 

Distaff,  'taf.  The  staff  to  which  flax  or 
tow  is  tied,  and  from  which  the  thread  is 
drawn. 

Distance,  'tans.  An  interval  between  two 
objects;  the  length  of  the  shortest  line 
which  intervenes  between  things  that  are 
separate.  Contrariety ;  opposition.  The 
remoteness  which  respect  requires  or  re- 
serve inspires.  In  Music,  the  interval  be- 
tween two  notes.  In  horse-racing,  a  length 
of  240  yards  from  the  wire  or  Avinning- 
post,  at  which  point  is  placed  the  dist^mce- 
post.  Mean  distance  of  the  planets,  a 
mean  between  their  aphelion  and  peri- 
helion distances.  Proportional  distances 
of  the  planets,  the  distances  of  the  several 
planets  from  the  sun,  compared  with  the 
distance  of  any  one  of  them  considered  as 
unity.  Eeal  distances,  the  absolute  dis- 
tances of  those  bodies  as  compared  with 
miles,  leagues,  &c.  Accessible  distances 
may  be  measured  W  the  application  of 
any  lineal  measure.  Inaccessible  distances 
cannot  be  measured  but  by  means  of  trig- 
onometrical rules.  Line  of  distance,  in 
persp.  a  straight  hue  drawn  from  the  eye  to 
the  principal  point  of  the  plane.  Point  of 
distance,  that  point  in  the  horizontal  line 
which  is  at  the  same  distance  from  the 
principal  point  as  the  eye  is  from  the 


DISTANCE-SIGNAL 


DIVER 


game.  Angular  distance,  the  angle  of  sep- 
aration Avliich  the  directions  of  two  bodies 
include. 

Distanee-sig-nal,-sig-nal.  In  Eail.  the 
uiost  distant  of  the  series  of  signals  under 
the  control  of  a  signal-man. 

Disthene,  di'sthOn.  Kyanite ;  a  miner- 
al so-called  on  account  of  its  unequal  hard- 
ness, and  because  its  crystals  have  the 
l)ropei-ty  of  t>eing  electrified  both  positive- 
ly and  negatively. 

Disticll,  dis'tik.  A  couplet ;  a  couple  of 
verses  or  poetic  lines  making  complete 
sense ;  an  epigram  of  two  verses. 

Distillation,  -til-u'shon.  The  volatili- 
zation and  subsequent  condensation  of  a 
liquid  by  means  of  an  alembic,  or  still  and 
refrigeratory,  or  of  a  retort  and  receiver ; 
the  operation  of  extracting  spirit  from  a 
substance  by  evaporation  and  condensa- 
tion ;  rectification.  Distillation  is  of  great 
importance,  not  only  in  obtaining  spiritu- 
ous liquors,  but  also  in  procuring  essences, 
essential  oils,  «fec.  Dry  distilEition,  the 
distillation  of  substances  per  se,  or  with- 
out the  addition  of  water. 

Pistillery,  'e-ri.  The  building  and 
works  where  distillation  is  carried  on. 

Distoma,  'to-ma.  A  gen.  of  trematode 
or  suctorial  parasitical  worms  or  flukes, 
inhabiting  various  i)art3  in  diff'erent  ani- 
mals. All  present  the  strange  phenome- 
non known  as  alternation  of  generation. 

Distraint,  -trant'.  A  distress  or  dis- 
training. 

District  Court,  'trikt  kort.  A  court 
which  has  cognizance  of  certain  causes 
within  a  defined  district. 

District-judg-e,  -juj.  The  judge  of  a 
district  court. 

District  Parish,  par-ish.  In  England, 
an  ecclesiastical  division  of  parishes  for 
all  jiurposes  of  worship,  the  celebration  of 
marriages,  christenings,  &c.  In  Scotland, 
similar  divisions  are  called  quoad-sacra 
parishes. 

District  School,  skOl.  A  school  with- 
in a  certain  district  of  a  town. 

Disunion,  dis-ftn'yon.  Separation  ;  dis- 
junction. A  breach  of  concord  and  its 
effect,  contention.  The  sepai-ation  or 
"withdrawal  of  any  state  from  the  federal 
union  of  the  United  States. 

Ditetrahedral,  di-tet'ra-he'dral.  Hav- 
ing the  form  of  a  tetrahedral  prism  with 
dihedral  summits. 

Ditheism,  -thc-izm.  The  doctrine  of  the 
existence  of  two  gods,  especially  that  on 
which    the    old    Persian     rehgion     was 


founded,  or  the  opposition  of  good  and 
evil  principles ;  duaUsm  ;  Manicheism. 

Dithyramhic,  dith-i-ram'bik.  A  hymn 
in  honor  of  Bacchus  or  some  of  the  other 
Greek  divinities  ;  dithyramb.  Any  poem 
written  in  wild,  enthusiastic  etrains. 

Ditriglyph,  dl'tri  glif.    An  interval  be- 


IDI 


n 

Ditriglyph. 
imeen   two     columns,      admitting    two 
triglyphs  in  the  entablature ;  used  in  the 
Doric  order. 

Ditrihedria,  -hG'dri-a.  A  gen.  of  spars 
with  six  sides  or  planes,  formed  of  two  trig- 
onal pyramids  joined  base  to  base,  with- 
out an  iutennediate  column. 

Diuma,  -ern'a.  A  section  of  lepidopter- 
ous  insects,  corresponding  with  the  Lin- 
naeau  gen.  Papifio,  or  butterflies.  Also  ap- 
plied to  insects  that  do  not  live  more  than 
24  hours,  as  the  Ephemene. 

Diurnal,  'al.  Relating  to  a  day ;  per- 
taining to  the  daytime ;  happening  every 
day;  performed  in  a  day.  Constituting 
the  measure  of  a  day ;  as,  the  diurnal 
revolution  of  the  earth ;  as  apphed  to 
another  planet,  constituting  the  measure 
of  its  own  day.  In  Med.  an  epithet  of 
diseases  whose  exacerbations  are  in  the 
daytime.  D.  arc,  the  apparent  arc  de- 
scribed by  the  heavenly  bodies  in  conse- 
quence of  the  rotation  of  the  earth.  D, 
motion  of  a  planet,  the  number  of  degrees, 
minutes,  &c.,  which  a  planet  moves  in 
twenty-four  hours.  D.  flowers,  open  only 
during  the  day.  Flowers  which  endure 
but  for  a  day,  as  the  flower  of  Tigridia. 

Divan,  -van'.  Among  the  Orientals  a 
court  of  justice  or  a  council.  A  council- 
chamber  ;  a  recei)tion  room  in  palaces  and 
houses  of  richer  citizens.  Any  council  as- 
sembled. A  coftee-house  where  smoking 
is  the  principal  enjoyment.  A  cushioned 
seat ;  a  kind  of  sofa.  A  book,  especially 
a  collection  of  poems  by  one  and  the  same 
author. 

Divertisement,  -vert'iz-ment.  Di- 
version ;  amusement.  A  short  ballet  or 
other  entertainment  between  the  acts  of 
longer  pieces. 

Diver,  'ver.    One  who  dives  ;  one  who 


DIVESTITURE 


270 


DOBEREINER'S  LAMP 


One  who  goes  deeply  in- 


Red-thi'oated  Diver, 
to  a  subject.    The  divers  (Colymbidae),  a 
fano.  of  swimming  birds  (Natatores),  con- 
sisting of  tliree  generar— the  divers  i)rop- 
erly  so  called,  the  grebes  and  guillemots. 

Divestiture,  -vest'i-tur.  The  act  of 
stripping  or  depriving.  In  law,  the  act  of 
sm-rendering  one's  effects  ;  opposed  to  in- 
vestiture. 

Divide,  -vTd'.  The  watershed  of  a  dis- 
trict ;  the  ridge  of  land  dividing  the  tribu- 
taries of  one  stream  from  those  of  an- 
other. 

Divider,  -vid'er.  A  pair  of  small  com- 
passes, used  for  dividing  lines,  describ- 
ing circles,  &c. 

Divi-divi,  M-di'vi,  The  native  and 
commercial  name  of  Csesalpinia  Coriaria 


Divi-divi. 

and  its  pods.    The  latter  are  excessively 

astringent  and  contain  a  large  proportion 

of  tannic  and  gallic  acid. 
Dividual,  -vid'u-al.     In  Arith.  and  Alg. 

one  of  the  several  parts  of  a  dividend  from 

which  each  separate  figure  or  term  of  the 

quotient  is  found. 
Divine,  -vTn.    A  minister  of  the  gospel; 

a  priest;  a  clergyman.     A  man   skilled  m 

divinity;  a  theologian. 

Diving-dress,  div'lng-dres.  A  dress  of 
India-rubber  used  by  professional  divers, 
having  a  head-piece  of  metal  furnished 
with  strong  glnss  eyes  and  two  pliable 
pipes  to  maintain  a  supply  of  air.  Weights 
are  attached  to  the  sides  and  shoes  of  the 
diver. 

Diviningr-rod,  di-vln'ing-rod.  A  rod, 
usually  of  hazel,   ^vith  forked  branches, 


used  by  those  who  pretend  to  discovei 
minerals  or  water  under  ground. 
Diviner,  'er.    One  who  pretends  to  pre- 
dict events,  or  to  re-, 
veal  hidden  things, 
by  the  aid  of  super- 
natural means.  One 
who  guesses;  a  con- 
jecturer. 

Diving-bell,  div'- 
ing-bel.    A  contriv- 
ance for  the  purpose 
of  enabhng  peraous  r-rvm 
to  descend  and  re-  Ifl 
main  below  the  sm*- 
face  of  water  for  a 
length  of  time.  Div-     ^  _ 
ing-bells  have  been'ri^SS 
made     of     various  i= 
forms,  but  are  now; 
generally    made    ofi 
cast-iron  in  the  form'' 
of  an  oblong- chest,         Diving-bell, 
open  at  the  bottom, 

as  shown  in  the  cut,  with  a  flexible  tube 
attached  through  which  fresh  air  is  sup- 
phed  the  diver. 

Divisor,  di-vTz'er.  In  Arith.  the  number 
by  which  the  dividend  is  divided. 

Divorce,  -vors'.  A  legal  dissolution  of 
the  bond  of  marriage.  The  sentence  or 
writing  by  which  marriage  is  dissolved. 

Divorcer,  'er.  One  who  or  that  which 
produces  a  divorce  or  separation.  One  of 
a  sect  who  advocate  divorce  for  slight  rea- 
sons ;  said  to  have  sprung  from  Milton. 

Dix,  John  A.,  Gen.  An  American 
author,  statesman  and  soldier  ;  n.  in  N. 
H.,  1798,  D.  18S2.  He  was  U.  8.  Senator 
from  and  Governor  of  New  Yoi'k,  secre- 
tary of  the  U.  S.  Treasury  and  a  major- 
general  in  the  Civil  War. 

Dixon's  Entrance.  A  strait  100  m. 
long,  bet.  Queen  Charlotte  Island  and 
Prince  of  Wales  Archipelago,  N.  W. 
America. 

Djebel,  jeb'el.  An  Arabian  word  signi- 
fying mountain  ;  as,  Djebel-el  Mousa,  tha 
mountain  of  Moses. 

Djereed,  je-red'.  A  blunt  javelin  used  ia 
Oriental  military  sports. 

Do,  do.  In  Music,  the  name  given  by 
the  Italians  and  English  to  the  fii-st  of  the 
syllables  used  in  solmization. 

Do.    An  abbreviation  of  ditto. 

Doasta,  do-as'ta.  An  inferior  Indian  ar- 
dent spirit,  often  drugged. 

Doab,  'ab.  In  the  E,  Indies,  a  tract  of 
country  between  two  rivers. 

Dobereiner's     Lamp,    dob-er-in-erz 


DOBHASH 


2T1 


DODO 


lamp.  A  contrivance  for  producing  an  in- 
stantaneous liglit,  produced  by  throwng  a 
jet  of  hydi'ogen  gas  upon  spongy  platinum, 
when  the  metal  instantly  becomes  red  hot, 
and  then  sets  fire  to  the  gas. 

Dobhash.,  'hash.  In  the  E,  Indies,  an 
interpreter;  one  who  speaks  two  lan- 
guages. 

Docetae,  do-se'te.  An  ancient  heretical 
sect,  who  maintained  that  Christ  acted 
and  suffered  only  in  appearance. 

^OCimac^,  dos'i-ma-si.  The  art  or  prac- 
tice of  assaying  metals,  or  the  art  of  de- 
termining the  nature  and  quantity  of  met- 
allic substances  contained  in  any  ore  or 
mineral;  metallurgy.  The  art  of  ascer- 
taining the  nature  and  qualities  of  medi- 
euies,  or  of  facts  pertaining  to  physiology. 

Dock,  dok.  The  place  where  a  criminal 
stands  in  court.  A  place  on  the  side  of  a 
harbor  or  the  bank  of  a  river  for  the 
reception  of  ships.  There  are  dry  or  grav- 
ing docks  and  wet  docks.  The  former 
are  used  for  receiving  ships  in  order  to 


Dry  or  Graving  Dock, 
their  being  inspected  and  repaired.  Wet 
docks  ai*e  formed  for  the  purpose  of  keep- 
ing vessels  always  afloat.  A  floating  dock 
is  constructed  so  that  it  may  be  sank  be- 
neath a  vessel  and  raised  with  it  when  the 
water  is  pumped  out  of  the  tanks  round 
its  sides. 

Dockjrard,  'yard.  A  yard  or  magazine 
for  containing  all  kinds  of  naval  stores  and 
timber. 

Doctor,  ter.  A  teacher;  one  skilled 
in  a  profession.  In  a  uni  versitv  one  who 
has  passe<l  all  the  degrees  oi  a  faculty. 
The  degree  is  often  merely  honorary,  but 
is  confeired  on  physicians  as  a  profession- 
al degree.  A  person  duly  licensed  to 
practice  medicine.  A  term  apphed  to  va- 
rious mechanical  contrivances  for  perform- 


ing certain  subsidiary  operations  in  a  ma- 
chine or  train  of  machinery.  An  auxihary 
steam-engine;  a  donkey-engine.  Brown 
sherry,  so  called  because  it  is  concocted 
from  a  harsh  thin  wine  by  the  addition  of 
old  boiled  Mosto  stock. 
Doctor-fisb.,  -fish.  A  name  applied  to 
the  gen.  Acantluirus.  Calkd  also  Surgeon- 
fish. 

Doctrinaire,  'trin-ar.  The  name  origi- 
nally apphed  to  one  of  a  section  of  French 
pohticiaus  of  moderately  liberal  principles, 
as  being  mere  theoretical  constitution- 
makers  rather  than  practical  politicians. 
Hence,  one  who  theorizes  without  asufli- 
cient  regard  to  practical  considerations ; 
an  ideologist. 

Doddart,  dod'ert.  The  bent  stick  used 
in  playing  the  game  of  doddart,  the  object 
being  to  drive  a  wooden  ball  to  one  of  two 
boundaries  or  goals. 

Doddridg-e,  Philip.  A  distinguished 
Enghsh  divine  of  the  Non-Conformist 
church ;  b.  1T02,  v>.  1T51.  He  was  the 
author  of  "  Evidences  of  Christianity." 
DodecaiTon,  do-dek'a-gon,  A  regular 
polygon  consisting  of  twelve  equal  sides 
and  angles. 

Dodecagryu,  -jin.  In 
Bot.  a  plant  having 
twelve  styles. 

Dodecahedral,  -he'dral' 
Pertaining  to  a  dodecahe- 
d  r  o  n ;      consisting     of 
twelve  equal  sides. 
Dodecandria, 
-de-kan'dri-a.  A 
class   of  plants 
having     twelve 
stamens,  or  any 
number       from 
twelve  to  nine- 
teen    inclusive, 
provided     they 
do  not  adhere  by 
their  filaments. 

Dodecapetal-  Dodecandria. 

OXIS,  'ka-pet"al-u8.  In  Bot.  having  twelve 
petals  ;  having  a  corolla  consisting  of 
twelve  parts. 

Dodecastyle,  -stil.     A  portico  having 
twelve  columns  in  front. 
Dodman,    dod'man.     An    animal   that 
casta  its  shell  like  the  lobster.    A  shell- 
snail. 

Dodo,  do-do.  An  extinct  gen.  of  birds 
(Didus),  ord.  Columb*,  and  constituting 
a  new  family,  Didida?.  It  was  a  massive, 
clumsy  bird,  larger  than  a  sw^an,  cov- 
ei-ed  with  down  instead  of  feathers,  with 


DODEATTS 


2T2 


DOG-TOOTH 


Dodo. 


short,  extremely  strong  leg's,  tmd  vrings 
and  tail  so  short  as  to  be  useless  for  flight. 

Dodrans,  'dranz.  A  Eoman  measure 
equal  to  about  9  inches. 

Doe.  The  female  of  buck  ;  the  female  of 
the  fallow-deer,  the  goat,  the  sheep,  the 
hare,  and  the  rabbit. 

Doeskin,  'skin.  The  skin  of  a  doe,  A 
compact  twilled  woolen  cloth. 

Dogr,  dog.  A  quadruped,  gen.  Canis  (C. 
familiaris).  A  satisfactory  classification 
of  the  dogs  has  not  yet  been  arnved  at, 
what  some  naturalists  regard  as  types  be- 
ing regarded  by  others  as  mere  mongrels. 
In  systematic  zoology  the  wolf  and  the 
fox  are  included  under  the  general  des- 
ignation Cania.  A  term  of  reproach  or 
contempt  given  to  a  man.  A  gay  young 
man.  A  name  given  to  two  constella- 
tions in  the  southern  hemisphere,  Canis 
Major  and  Canis  Minor,  the  Greater  and 
the  Lesser  Dog.  A  name  applied  to  sev- 
eral devices,  tools,  pieces  of  machinery, 
&c.,  which  have  some  peculiarity,  as  a 
curved  neck.  Dog  is  often  used  in  com- 
position for  male  as  dog-fox,  dog-otter, 
&c.;  as  also  to  denote  meanness,  degener- 
acy, or  worthlessness ;  as  dog-Latin, 
dog-rose. 

Dogr-ape,  'ap,    A  male  ape. 

Dogr-bee,  'be.  A  drone  or  male  bee.  A 
Hy,  troublesome  to  dogs. 

Dog-cart,  'kiirt.  A  carriage  ^vith  a  box 
for  holding  sportsmen's  dogs  ;  a  sort  of 
double-seated  gig  for  four  i)er8ons,  sitting 
back  to  back. 

Dogr-day,  'dil.  One  of  the  days  when 
Sirius  or  the  dog-star  rises  and  seta  with 
the  sun.  The  dog-days  last  for  forty 
days,  twenty  before  and  twenty  after  the 
heiiacalrisingofSirius,  beginning  on  the 
3d  of  July  and  ending  11th  of  August. 

Dogr-fish.,  'fish.    A  name  given  to  sev- 


Doge  of  Venice. 


Dogr-fish. 


eral  species  of  shark,  as  the  spotted  shark 

or  gi-eatev  dog-fish,   the  jjicked  dog-fish, 

&c.     They  are  arranged  by  Cuvier  under 

his  sub-gen.  Scyllium.     The  common  or 

picked  dog-fish  belongs  to  the  gen.  Acm\- 

thias  (A.  vulgaris). 
Dogre,     doj.      The 

chief  magistrate  of 

the    Republics     of 

Venice  and  Genoa. 

The    first  Doge  of 

Venice     was    Ana- 

feste      (Paoluccio), 

created  697 ;  the  first 

Doge  of  Genoa,  Si- 

m  o  n      Boccanera, 

elected    1S39.       In 

both  cities  the  office 

disappeared  in  1797, 

when  the  republican ; 

form  of  government : 

was  abolished  by  the  j 

French. 
Dogr-f  ancier, 

dog'fan-si-er.      One 

who  has  a  taste  for 

dogs  and  who  keeps  them  for  sale. 
Dogrgrer,  'ger.  ju 

A  Dutch  fisli^  .-r"|^' 

ing  vessel  used 
in  the  cod  and 
herring  fish- 
eries. 

Dog-grerelj-el. 
Originally, 
burlesque 
poetry,  gener--; 
ally    in    irreg- ' 
ular   measure. 
Mean,    Avorth- 
less  verses,  de- 
fective in  sense, 
rhythm,      and 
rhyme. 

Dogrg-ery,   -i. 

worthless  quaUty ;  quackery.  Apphed  to 
a  low  business,  especially  to  a  disreput- 
able Uquor  saloon. 

Dogrxua,  'ma.  A  settled  opinion;  an  opin- 
ion or  doctrine  received  on  authority,  as 
opposed  to  one  obtained  from  experience 
or  demonstration, 

Dog'matist,  'mat-ist.  A  positive  assert- 
er;  a  bold  or  arrogant  advancer  of  prin- 
ciples. One  of  a  sect  of  ancient  physicians 
founded  by  Hippocrates. 

Dogr-star.  'star.  Sirius,  a  star  of  the 
first  magnitude,  whose  rising  and  setting 
with  the  sun  gives  name  to  the  dog-days. 

Dogr-tooth,  'toth.  A  sharp-pointed 
human  tooth  situated  between  the  fore- 


Dutch  Dogger. 


Anything  of  a  mean  or 


DOIT 


278 


DOLOE 


teeth  and  grinders,  called   also  Canine- 
tooth  and  Eye-tooth. 

Doit,  doit.  The  ancient  Scottish  penny 
piece,  of  which  twelve  were  equal  to  a 
penny  sterhng.     A  Dutch  copper  coin, 


Doit, 
the  eighth  part  of  a  stiver,  in  value  half  a 
farthing.    Any  small  piece  of  money.    A 
trifle. 

Dokmeh,  dok'me.  A  Parsee  receptacle 
for  dead  bodies,  consisting  of  a  stone 
tower,  on  the  grated  top  of  which  bodies 
are  exposed  till  they  drop  through  into 
the  body  of  the  tower.  Similar  structm'es 
are  found  near  Lake  Titacaca,  Peru. 

Dolabella,  dol-a-bel'la.  A  gen.  of  tec- 
tibranchiate  moUusks,  allied  to  the  sea- 
hares  (Aplj^sia). 

Bolabra,  do -la 
bra.  A  variety  of^ 
celt  used  by  the 
Roman  soldiers 
for  making  in- 
trenchments  and 
destroying  fortifi- 
cations. Others 
of  a  more  ornate 
form  were  em- 
ployed by  the 
pontifices  in  slaughtering  their  sacrificial 
victims,  and  still  others  were  used  for 
trimming  vines,  &c. 

Doldrums,  dol'drumz.  Naut.,  the  parts 
of  tlie  ocean  near  the  equator  that  abound 
in  calms,  squalls,  and  Hght  baffling  winds; 
the  horse-latitudes.  Low  spirits ;  the 
dumps. 

Doli  capax,  do'll  ka'paks.  In  Law, 
capable  of  criminal  intention  ;  of  the  age  to 
distinguish  between  right  and  wrong ;  of 
the  ago  of  discretion. 

Dolichopodidae,  -ko-pod"l-de.  A  fam. 
of  insects,  ord.  Diptera,  including  the 
well-washers. 

Dolichosaurus,  -sa"ru8.  An  extinct 
snake-like  reptile  found  in  the  chalk, 
whose  remains  indicate  aquatic  habits. 
Doliolum,  '6-lum.  A  gen.  of  oceanic 
ascidians,  allied  to  the  Salpfe,  and  hke  them 
exhibiting  Interesting  forms  of  alternate 
generation. 


Pontifical  Dolabrae. 


Doliuiri,-um.  A  gen.  of  mollusca,  inhabit- 
ing univalve  shells.  One  species  (D.  per- 
dix)  is  known  as  the  partridge-shell. 

Doll,  dol.  A  small  image  in  the  human 
form  for  the  amusement  of  children.  A 
girl  or  woman  more  remarkable  for  good 
looks  than  intelligence. 

Dollar,  'ler.  A  silver  or  gold  coin  of  tho 
United  States,  of  the  value  of  100  cents. 
The  English  name  of  a  coin  of  the  same 
general  weight  and  value,  though  diflfering 
somewhat  in  difl'erent  countries,  current 
in  Mexico,  a  great  part  of  South  America, 
Singapore,  the  Philippine  Islands,  &c. 
The  value  of  a  dollar,  the  unit  employed 
in  reckoning  money  in  the  United  States. 

DoUing-er,  Johan  Joseph  Ignaz. 

An  eminent  German  theologian,  b.  1799, 
p.  1881.  He  was  leader  of  the  German 
Catholics  who  refused  to  accept  the  doc- 
trine of  the  pojjc's  infallibility,  and  which 
afterwards  founded  the  Old  Catholic  sect. 

Dolman,  'man.  A  long  robe,  open  in 
front,  and  having  narrow  sleeves  but- 
toned at  the  wi-ist,  worn  by  the  Turks 
over  their  other  garments.  A  garment  of 
the  nature  of  a  wide  jacket,  worn  by 
ladies. 

Dolmen,  'men.  A  term  frequently  used 
as  synonymous  with  Cromlech,  but 
properly  applied  to  one  large  unhewn 
stone  resting  on  others  placed  ereCt  in 
the  earth.  The  name  is  sometimes  ap- 
plied also  to  structures  where  several 
blocks  are  raised  upon  pillars  so  as  to  form 
a  sort  of  gallery.    The  most  remarkable 


Dolmen, 
monument  of  this  kind  is  the  Pierro 
Couverte,  near  Saumur,  C4  ft.  long,  14 
wide  and  about  G  ft.  high,  and  consists  of 
four  upright  stones  on  each  side,  one  at 
each  end  and  four  on  the  top.  That  repre- 
sented in  the  cut  consists  of  a  stone  83 
ft.  long,  14i  deep  and  18}  across,  calcu- 
lated to  weigh  750  tons,  and  poised  on  the 
point  of  two  natural  rocks.  It  is  generally 
believed  that  dolmens  were  sepulchres, 
although  afterwards  they  may  have  been 
used  as  altars. 
Dolor,  do'ler.    Grief;  lamentation.    Our 


DOLPHm 


'274 


'IX)?TATIST 


Lady  of  Dolors,  in  the  R.  C.  Ch.  the  Vir- 
gin Mary,  so  called  on  account  of  her  sor- 
row at  the  passion  of  our  Lord. 

Dolphin,  dorfin.  The  popular  name  of 
several  species  of  Delphinus,  a  gen.  of  ce- 
taceous mammalia,  comprehending  the 
dolphin  proper,  the  bottle-nosed  dolphin, 
the  grampus,  &c.  The  common  dolphin 
is  peculiarly  agile,  and  often  follows  ships 
in  large  herds,  executing  amusing  gam- 
hols.  A  name  given  by  poets  and  others 
to  the  coryphene  (Ooryphasna  hippuris, 
Linn.),  a  teleostean  fish,  celebrated  for 
swiftness  andtlie  brilliant  colors  which  it 
assumes  in  succession  in  the  act  of  dying. 
In  Greek  an tiq.  a  ponderous  mass  of  metal 
suspended  from  the  yard  arm  of  a  vessel 
and  suddenly  let  down  upon  an  enemy's 
ships.  Naut.,  a  spar  or  buoy  made  fast  to 
an  anchor,  to  enable  vessels  to  ride  by  it. 
A  mooring  post  placed  at  the  entrance  of 
a  dock 

Uom,  dom.  A  title  in  the  middle  ages 
given  to  the  pope,  and  afterwards  to  R. 
C.  dignitaries  and  some  monastic  orders. 
In  Portugal  and  Brazil,  universally  given 
to  the  higher  classes. 

Dom-boc,  'bok.  Lit.  doom-book  ;_  the 
book  of  laws,  now  lost,  compiled  under 
the  direction  of  King  Alfred,  and  contain 

-  ing  the  local  customs  of  the  several  prov- 
inces of  the  kingdom. 

Domenichino.  A  distinguished  Italian 
painter,  b.  1581,  d.  1641.  His  true  name 
was  Donnico  Zampieri.  His  "  Commun- 
ion of  St.  Jerome,"  in  the  Vatican,  is  con- 
sidered among  the  finest  works  of  the 
Masters. 

Dominican,  -an.  A 
member  of  a  religious 
order,  instituted  in 
1216  at  Toulouse, 
!France,  under  the 
name  of  Frdres 
precheurs(Predicants 
or  Preaching  Breth- 
ren or  Friars),  by 
Dominic  de  Gusman 
(afterwards  St.  Dom- 
inic), with  the  spe- 
cial purpose  of  com- 
bating the  doctrines 
of  the  Albigenses, 
against    which    this 

-  saint  contended  with 
great  zeal.  They  took 
a  vow  of  poverty,  re- 
ceiving  in  1272   theDomlnican  or  Black 
privileges  of  a  mendi-  iViar. 

cant    order.       Origi- 
nally they  were  black  friars,  but  subse- 
quently they  adopted  a  white  serge  tunic, 


with  a  black  cloak  and  pointed  cap  of  the 
^  same  color.  In  France  they  were  called 
'  Jacobins.  They  figure  prominently  in  the 
history  of  the  Inquisition,  and  a  member 
of  the  order  is  always  master  of  the  Vati- 
can, the  interpreter  of  Scripture,  and  cen- 
sor of  books.  One  of  an  order  of  clois- 
tered nuns  founded  by  St.  Dominic  in 
1206.  One  of  an  order  of  knights  founded 
in  1224  also  by  St.  Dominic  for  the  express 
purpose  of  making  war  on  heretics,  and 
Avho  called  themselves  the  knights  or  sol- 
diery of  Christ 

Dominica.  One  of  the  leeward  group 
of  W.  I.  Islands,  belonging  to  Gt.  Britain  ; 
discovered  by  Columbus,  1493.  Area  25  by 
16  m. ;  pop.  28,000 ;  cap.  Eoseau. 
Dominical,  do-min'ik-al.  That  which 
notes  the  Lord's  day  or  Sunday.  Eclat- 
ing to  our  Lord ;  as,  the  dominical  prayer. 
D.  letter,  one  of  the  seven  letters.  A,  B, 
C,  D,  E,  F,  Q,  used  in  almanacs,  &c.,  to 
mark  the  Sundays  throughout  the  year. 
Dominicide,  do-mtn'i-sid.  The  act  of 
murdering  a  master.  Ono  who  Mils  his 
master. 

Domino,  dom'i-no.  A  hood  or  cape  for- 
merly worn  in  vrinter  by  priests  when  offi- 
ciating in  cold  edifices.  A  hood  worn  by- 
canons  of  cathedral  churches  in  Italy.  A 
mourning  veil  formerly  worn  by  women. 
A  masquerade  dress  worn  by  ladies  and 
gentlemen.  A  half-mask  formerly -worn 
by  ladies  as  a  partial  disguise.  A  person 
wearing  a  domino.  A  game  played  with 
twenty-eight  pieces  of  ivory  or  bone ;  also 
one  of  the  pieces. 

Domitianus,  Titus  Flavius 
Augnstus,  do-mish-e-a'nus.  An  in- 
famous Emperor  of  Rome,  brother  of  Ti- 
tus, B.  abt.  35  A.  D.,  reigned  from  81  to 
96,  and  was  murdered  with  the  complicity 
of  his  wife. 

Don,  don.  A  title  in  Spain,  formerly 
given  to  noblemen  and  gentlemen  only, 
but  now  common  to  all  classes.  Any  per- 
son of  high  importance  or  leading  position. 
A  fellow  or  officer  of  a  college. 
Don.  One  of  the  principal  rivers  of  Euro- 
pean Russia,  rising  in  the  govt,  of  Tula, 
and  emptying  into  the  Sea  of  Azof ;  length 
abt.  900  m. 
DonatellO.  A  famous  Italian  sculptor  ; 
B.  1383,  D.  1466. 

Donatist,  'at-ist.  One  of  a  body  of  Afri- 
can schismatics  of  the  4th  century,  so 
named  from  their  founder  Donatus,  bish- 
op of  Casa  Nigra  in  Numidia,  who  taught 
that  though  Christ  was  of  th.3  same  sub- 
Btanc©  with  the  Father,  yet  that  ho  was 
less  than  the  Father,  that  the  Catholio 


DONAUWEETH 


275 


DOENICK 


Chiirch  was  not  Infallible,  btit  had  erred 
and  become  practically  extinct,  and  that 
he  was  to  be  the  restorer  of  it. 

Donauwerth.,  don'ou-vaht.  A  village 
of  Bavaria,  on  the  Danube,  24  m.  from 
Augsberg,  noted  for  the  victory,  1704, 
gained  by  the  Duke  of  Marlborough  over 
the  Bavarians  ;  also  for  the  defeat,  1805,  of 
the  French  under  Marshal  Soult  by  the 
Germans. 

Doncaster.  A  town  in  York  Co.  (W. 
Elding),  England,  noted  for  its  race- 
course ;  pop.  14,182, 

Donegral.  The  N.  W.  co.  of  Ireland,  in 
prov.  Ulster;  area  1,865  sq.  m.:  cap.  Bal- 
lyshannon  ;  pop.  220,436. 

Donizetti,  Gaetano,  do  nld-zet'te.  An 
eminent  Italian  musical  composer:  b 
1798,  D.  1848.  ^         ' 

Donjon, 'jon.  The  principal  tower  of  a 
castle,  into  which  the  garrison  could  re- 
treat in  case  of  necessity.  Its  lower  part 
was  commonly  used  as  a  prison. 

Donkey,  dong'ko.  An 
ass.  A  stupid  or  ob- 
stinate and  wrong- 
headed  fellow. 

Donkey- e  n  gr  i  n  e , 

-en-jin.  A  small  staim- 
engine  used  where  no 
great  power  is  requir- 
ed.   In  steam-vessels,  &c.,  they  are  sup- 
plied with  steam  from  the  mam  engine 
and  are  used  for  pumping  water  into  the 
boilers,  raising  heavy  weights,  &c. 
Dooly,  do-Ii.    In  the  E.  Indies  a  bamboo 
chair,    earned    on    men's    shoulders    bv 
poles,  used  for  conveying  persons,  espe- 
cially the  sick ;  a  palanquin  ;  a  litter. 
Doomsday  d«>mzMa.    The  day  of  final 
judgment.    A  day  of  sentence  or  condem- 
nation. 

Doomsday-book,  -buk.  A  book  com- 
piled by  order  of  WiUiam  the  Conqueror 
containing  a  survey  of  all  the  lands  in 
-bingland. 

Door-case,  'kiis.  The  frame  which  in- 
closes a  door,  and  in  which  it  swne-s  •  a 
door-frame.  ^   ' 

Dor,  dor.  The  black-beetle  or  Geotrupes 
Btercorarius,  sec.  Arenicolae  or  sand- 
dwellers,  tribe  Scarabffiida?. 

Dorado,  do-ru'do.  A  southern  constel- 
lation containing  6  stars,  called  alsoXiph- 
las.  A  large  fish,  gen.  Coiyphtena,  re- 
sembhngthe  dolphin  of  the  ancients. 

T!?f t'J*^^  Gustav,  do-ra.  A  distin- 
gg|hed  French  artist  and  engraver;  b. 


Doree. 


Donkey. 


Doree,  re. 
A  popular 
name  of  the 
aca  n  t  h  o  p- 
t  e  rygio  u  s 
fish  Zeus 
Faber  type  --^ 
of  the  fam.  " 
Zeidas. 

D  o  r  i  a, 

An  dr  e  a, 

do're-a.  A 
distinguish- 
ed Genoese ;  b.  1468,  i>.  1560.  He  belonged 
to  a  family  which  gave  his  native  city  sev- 
eral doges  and  admirals,  and  was  the  ablest 
naval  commander  of  the  age,  command- 
ing both  the  French  and  German  fleets. 

Doric,  dor'ik.    Per 

taining  to  Doris  or 
the  Dorians  inGreece.  ^ 
D.  order  in  Arch., the  old- 
est, strongest  and  sim- 
plest of  the  three  orders 
of  Grecian  architecture, 
and  the  second  of  the 
Eoman.  The  language 
of  the  Dorians  ;  a  Greek 
dialect  characterized  by 
ra- 


its broadness  and  hare 
ness;  hence,  applied  to 
any  dialect  with  similar 
characteristics,  especial- 
ly to  the  Scottish. 
Doridae,  do'ri-de.    The 
sea-lemons,    a   fam.    of 
naked-gilled  marine  gas- 
teropod  mollusks. 
Doris,    'ris.      A   smaU_L 
planet   or    asteroid    be-    Grecian  Dorio 
tween  the  orbits  of  Mars    ^"^^oSer 
and  Jupiter.     The  typi-  ^  ' 

cal  gen.  of  the  Doridae. 
Doris.  In  Myth,  daughter  of  Oceanus  and 
lethys,  and  mother  of  the  50  Nereides  by 
her  brother  Nereus.   She  was  Avorshipped 
as  the  patron  of  sea-goers. 
Dorking-,  dork^ing.    A  species  of  barn- 
door fowl,  distinguished  by  having  five 
claws  on  each  foot. 
Dornach.     A  historic  village  of  Switzer- 
land, 20  m.  from  Soleure,  the  scene  of  the 
decisive    defeat  of  the  Austrians,  1499, 
which  secured  the  independence  of  the 
country ;  pop.  8,782. 
Domick,  'nik.    A  figured  linen  of  stout 
fabric,  principally  used    for  table-clotha. 
It  is  the  most  simple  in  pattern  of  all  va- 
rieties of  diaper  or  damask  style.    Also  a 
coarse  sort  of  damask  used  for  cari>ets. 
hangings,  &c.  ' 


DORMER-WINDOW 


276 


DOUBLET 


Dormer-window,  dor'mer-win-do.     A 


3;e 

Dorm  er-windoAv. 
window  standing  vertically  on  a  sloping 
roof. 

Dormitory,  'mi-to-ri.  A  place  or  room 
to  sleep  in  ;  specifically,  a  gallery  in  con- 
vents divided  into  several  cells  where  the 
monks  or  nuns  sleep. 

Dormouse,  'mous.    The  popular  name 


Common  Dormouse, 
of  the  several  species  of  Myoxus,  a  gen. 
of  Mammalia,   ord.  Eodentia.     The  dor- 
mice pass  the  winter  in  a  lethargic  or  tor- 
pid state. 

Dorpat,  dor'pa.  A  city  of  Livonia,  Eu- 
ropean Russia,  seat  of  a  famous  univer- 
sity, founded  by  Gustavus  Adolphus, 
1G32,  and  restored  by  Alexander  I.,  ISO'2; 
pop.  23,249. 

Dorsel,  'sel.  A  pannier  for  a  beast  of 
burden.  A  kind  of  woolen  stuff.  A  rich 
canopy  or  curtain  at  the  back  of  a  throne 
or  chair  of  state. 

i)ort  (DordricM).  One  of  the  oldest 
cities  of  Holland,  on  an  island  In  the 
Meuse,  abt.  10  m.  from  Rotterdam.  Not- 
ed as  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  first  as- 
sembly, 15T2,ofthe  States  of  Holland,  after 
their  release  from  Spanish  domination;  al- 
so ,for  the  meeting  of  the  celebrated  Synod, 
1618-19,  Avhich  approved  the  Calvinistic 
doctrine  and  rejected  Armiuianism  ",  pop. 
27,800. 

bosithean,  do-sith'e-an.  One  of  »n  an- 
cient sect  of  Samaritans,    o  called  from 


their  founder,  Dositheus,  a  contemporary 
and  associate  of  Simon  Magus,  in  the  1st 
century  of  the  Christian  era.  They  reject- 
ed the  authority  of  the  prophets,  believed 
in  the  divine  inspiration  of  their  founder, 
and  had  many  superstitious  practices. 

Dot,  dot.  The  fortune  or  dowry  a  wo- 
man brings  her  husband  on  her  mari-iage. 

Dotterel,  dot'ter-el.  Charadrius  mori- 
nellus,  a  grallatorial  bird,  a  species  of  plov- 
er.   A  booby  ;  a  dupe ;  a  gull. 

Douay  Bible,  do'a  bl'bl.  An  Enghsh 
translation  of  the  Scriptures  sanctioned 
by  the  R.  C.  Church,  of  Avhich  the  New 
Testament  was  first  printed  at  Rheims  in 
1582,  and  the  Old  at  Douay  in  1G09-10. 

Double-bass,  dub'1-bas.  The  largest 
musical  instrument  of  the  viol  kind. 

Double-crown,  -kroun.  An  Enghsh 
gold  coin  of  the  reign  of  James  L,  of  the 
value  of  10s.,  afterward  raised  to  lis. 

Double-eag-le,  -e-gl.  A  gold  coin  of 
the  U.  S.,  Avorth  $20.  The  representa- 
tion of  an  eagle  with  two  heads,  as  in  the 
national  arms  of  Russia. 

Double-quick,  -k\vik.  Milit.,  the  quick- 
est step  next  to  the  run,  consisting  of  165 
steps  in  the  minute. 

Double-star,  -star.  Two  stars  so  near 
each  other  tiiat  they  are  distinguishable 
only  by  the  help  of  a  telescope. 

Doublet,  'let.  A  close-fitting  gar- 
ment, covering  the  body  from  the  neck  to 


Doublet, 
ft  little  below  the  Avaist    One  of  a  pair. 
In  lapidary  Avork,  a  counterfeit  stone  com- 
posed  of  two  pieces  of  crystal,  Avith  a  col- 


DOUBLE-VAULT 


27T 


DOWET 


or  betweeu.  In  printing-,  a  word  or 
phrase  unintentionallj'  set  np  the  second 
time.     A  sim])le  form  of  microscope. 

Double- vault,  'l-valt.  In  Arch,  one 
vault  built  over  another,  with  a  space 
between  the  convexity  of  the  one  and  the 
concavity  of  the  other. 

Doubloon,  dub-Ion'.  A  gold  coin  of 
Spain,  and  the  Spanish  American  States, 
originally  double  the  value  of  the  pistole. 
The  doubloon  of  Spain  is  of  100  reals.  The 
double  doubloon,  called  also  onza,  is  of 
820  reals,  or  10  hard  dollars. 

Doubs,  doob.  A  dept.  of  France,  border- 
ing Switzerland,  with  the  Jura  Mountains 
on  the  E.     Cap.  Besanpon  ;  pop.  301,687. 

Douc,  dok.  A  gen.  of  catarhine  or  Old 
World  monkeys,  reinarkablo  for  vai-ied 
and  brilliant  colors. 

Douche,  dosh.  A  jet  or  current  of  water 
or  vapor  directed  upon  some  part  of  the 
body. 

D    o    u     m 

Palm,  dr>m 
piim.  A  palm- 
tree.IIj'phaine 
thebaica.  The 
fruit  is  about 
the  size  of  an 
apple,  and  has 
a  fibrous, 
mealy  rind, 
which  tastes 
like  ginger- 
bread. An  in- 
fusion of  the 
rind  is  used  as 
a  cooling  bev- 
erage. The 
seed  is  horny, 
and  is  made 
into  small  or- 
n  a  m  e  n  t  8  . 
Ropes  are 
made  of  the  fi- 
bers of  the  leaf 
stalks. 

Doug'las,  dug'las.  A  Scotch  baronial 
house  of  ancient  and  brilliant  fame,  de- 
scended fi-om  Sir  James,  the  bosom  friend 
of  King  Robert  Bruce.  They  Avere  long 
kno\vn  as  the  "  King  Makers  of  Scotland." 
Archibald,  5th  earl  of  Angus,  surnamed 
"  The  Great,"  led  10,000  of  his  clan  to  the 
field  of  Flodden,  1544,  and  was  killed  with 
5  of  his  sons. 

Douglas,  Stephen  Arnold.  An 
American  statesman,  b.  in  Yt.  1S18,  b. 
1S61.  lie  represented  Illinois  in  both 
branches  of  the  IJ.  S.  Congress,  defeating 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  a  memorable  contest 


Doum  Palm. 


for  the  Senate,  1859.  Delaated  for  the 
regular  Democratic  nomination  for  the 
Presidency,  1860,  he  was  nominated  bj'  a 
convention  of  seceding  Democrats,  and 
received  nearly  as  many  popular  votes  as 
his  successful  competitor,  Mr.  Lincohi. 

Douro,  doo'ro.  A  river  which  rises  in 
Aragon,  Spain,  traverses  Portugal,  and 
empties  into  the  Atlantic  near  Oporto ; 
length  400  m. 

Douroucouli,  do-ro-ko-li.  The  native 
name  of  a  curious  S.  American  monkey. 

Dove,  duv.  A  name  sometimes  ex- 
tended, as  that  of  pigeon,  to  the  whole 
fam.  of  Columbidaj,  sometimes  restricted 
to  the  gen.  Columba. 

Dover.  A  seaport  of  Kent  Co.,  England, 
66  m.  S.  E.  of  London,  opposite  Calais, 
France,  with  which  daily  communication 
is  maintained.  The  castle  is  supposed  to 
be  almost  impregnable  ;  pop.  31,241. 

Dover.  Cap.  of  the  State  of  Delaware, 
in  Kent  Co.,  5  m.  W.  of  Delaware  Bay ; 
pop.  2,811.  D.  in  N.  H.,  cap.  of  Strafford 
Co.,  on  the  river  Cocheco,  the  oldest  town 
in  the  State,  founded  1623  ;  pop.  11,687. 

Dover,  Straits  of.  The  channel  sep- 
arating France  and  England,  and  connect- 
ing the  ICnglish  Channel  a  d  Gennan 
Ocean  or  North  Sea;  average  width 22  m. 

Dou  (Douw),  Grerard,  dow.  A  dis- 
tinguished Dutch  genre  painter ;  b.  1613  ; 
B.  1680. 

Dowager,  dou'a-jer.  In  law,  a  widow 
endowed  or  enjoj'ing  a  jointure.  A  title 
given  to  a  Avidow  of  rank  to  distinguish 
her  from  the  wife  of  her  husband's  heir 
bearing  the  same  name.  The  widow  of  a 
king  is  called  queen  dowager. 

Dowdy,  'di.  An  a^vkward,  ill-dressed, 
inelegant,  slovenly  woman  ;  a  trollop. 

Dowel,  'cl.    A  i^in      y^  — " 
or    tenon     used    in    ^r     ^ 
joining  together  two  / 
pieces  of   any  sub-  / 
stance.    A  piece  of  I 
wood  driven  into  a  \ 
wall  to  receive  nails  \        . 
of  skirtings,  &c.  X^ 

^A°^®w®V   f"^'''!     Barrel-end  joined 

A  web-footed    bud,  v    po^^g 

the  black  guillemot.  ^^  -L'o w  cis. 

Dover's-powder,   di^'verz-pou-der.    A 

compound    of  ipecacuanha,    opium    and 

sulphate  of  potash. 
Down.     A  CO.  in  Ulster,   N.  E.  Ireland, 

traversed  bv  the  Mourne  Mountains  ;  cap. 

Downpatrick;  pop.  275,891. 
Dowry,  dou'ri.    Tho  money,  goods,   or 

estate  which  a  woman  brings  to  her  hus- 


DOXOLOGT 


DBA-KF. 


band  in  marriage.  The  reward  paid  for  a 
wife.     A  fortune  given ;  a  gift. 

Doxology,  doks-ol'o-ii.  In  Christian 
worship  a  short  hymn  in  praise  of  the 
Ahnighty  sung  or  chanted  at  the  close  of 
service. 

Doxy,  'i.  A  mistress  ;  a  paramour  ;  a 
prostitute. 

Dozen,  duz'en.  A  collection  of  twelve 
things  of  a  like  kind. 

Drab,  drab.  A  Avoolen  cloth  of  a  dun  or 
dull-brown  color.  A  dull  brownish-yel- 
low color, 

Dracaena,  dra-se'na,  A  gen.  of  endoge- 
nous, evergreen  trees,  ord.  LiUacea3.  It 
Includes  only  the  dragon-tree  of  Teneriffe, 


JJragon's-blood  Tree, 
celebrated  for  producing  the  resin  called 
dragon's-blood,  and  for  the  age  and  im- 
mense proportions  of  an  individual  at  Or- 
otava,  destroyed  by  a  hurricane  in  1867, 
which  was  48  ft.  in  circumference,  and  TO 
ft.  high  in  1402.  It  was  hollow  inside  and 
ascended  by  a  staircase. 

Drachenfels,  The,  drak'kn-felz.  A  ro- 
mantic summit  of  the  Siebengebirge  range 
of  mountains,  in  Rhenish  Prussia,  on  the 
Khine  near  Bonn. 

Drachma,  drak'ma.  A  Grecian  coin, 
haA'ing  a  different  value  in  different  states 
at  different  times.  A  weight  among  the 
Greeks  of  about  2  dwt.  7  gr.  troy. 

Draco,  dra'ko.  The  Dragon,  a  constella- 
tion of  the  northern  hemisphere,  contain- 
ing SO  stars.  The  star  Gamma  Dracoois 
is  used  in  determining  the  coefficient  of 
aberration  of  the  fixed  stars.  A  luminous 
exhalation  from  marshy  grounds.  A  gen. 
of  reptiles. 

Draco.  The  first  lawgiver  of  Athens, 
whose  code  was  published  62-3  b.  c.  The 
laws  were  severe,  and  popularly  said  to 
have  b«en  written  in  blood. 


Flying  Dragon. 


Dragantine,  dra-gan'tin.  A  mucilag« 
obtained  from  gum-tragacimth. 

Dragoman,  'gfimmim.  An  interpreter 
and  traveler's  guiae  or  agent;  an  inter- 
preter attached  to  an  embassy  or  con- 
sulate: a  term  in  general  use  among 
travelers  in  the  East. 

Drag-on,  'on. 
In  Myth,  a 
fabulous  an- 
imal, a  sort  of  ..,7.>.v 
Avinged  croco-  Vl--;*; 
dile,  with  fiery  .i^''-" 
eyes,  crested "" 
head,  and  en- 
ormous claws, 
spouting  fire,^ 
and  consider-' 
ed  morally  as' 
the  embodi- 
ment of  evil, 
of  malicious 
w  a  t  chfulness 
and  oppres- 
sion. The  slaying  of  the  dragon  by  St. 
George  is  probably  an  allegory  to  express 
the  triumph  of  the  Christian  hero  over 
evil.  A  gen.  of  saurians  (Draco),  small 
and  inofJ'ensive.  Draco  volans,  the  best 
type  of  the  gen., is  10  to  12  inches  in  length, 
the  tail  being  long  in  proportion  to  the 
body,  which  is  not  above  4  inches.  A 
fiery,  shooting  meteor,  or  imaginary  ser- 
pent. A  spiteful,  watchful  woman  ;  a 
duenna.  A  constellation  of  the  northern 
hemisphere.  An  ancient  short  carbine. 
In  Bot.  the  popular  name  of  a  gen.  of 
apetalous  plants,  Dracontium.  A  race  of 
carrier  pigeons  of  the  same  stock  as  the 
Persian  and  Bagdad  caiTier.  In  Scrip, 
dragon  sometimes  signifies  a  large  fish  or 
serpent,  and  sometimes  a  venomous  land 
serpent.    It  is  also  used  for  the  devil. 

Dragonade,  drag-on-ad'.  One  of  a  series 
of  persecutions  of  French  Protestants  in 
the  reign  of  Louis  XIV".,  which  drove 
thousands  of  Protestants  outof  France. 

Dragon-fly,  -fir.  The  popular  name  of 
a  fam.  of  insects,  Libellulidae.  They  are 
strong,  swift  of  flight  and  voracious. 

Dragoon,  dra-gon.  A  cavalry  soldier. 
A  kind  of  pigeon. 

Drain-trap,  'trap.  A  contrivance  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  foul  air  from  drains, 
but  to  allow  the  passage  of  water  into 
them. 

Drake,  drak.  The  male  of  the  duck.  The 
silver  shilling  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Eliza- 
beth, having  a  martlet,  popularly  called 
a  drake,  as  the  mint-mark.  A  species  of 
fly  used  in  angling. 


DRAKE 


279 


DEILL 


Drake,  Francis,  Sir.  A  distinguished 
English  naval  commander ;  b.  1540,  x>. 
1595.  He  circumnavigated  the  globe 
under  a  commission  against  the  Spaniards, 
destroying  many  vessels  and  capturing 
Immense  booty  in  Spanish  America;  in 
1587  he  commanded  the  fleet  which  de- 
stroyed over  100  ships  at  Cadiz,  breaking 
up  a  contemplated  invasion  of  England. 
He  was  made  vice-admiral,  and  com- 
manded in  the  battle,  15SS,  which  destroy- 
ed the  Spanish  Armada. 

Drake,  Samuel  G-ardiner,  An  Amer- 
ican antiquary  and  author;  B.  inN.  H., 
1798,  D.  1877.  'He  was  the  author  of  several 
interesting  works  on  the  Indians  of  N. 
America. 

Drama,  dra'ma.  A  poem  or  composition 
representing  a  picture  of  human  life,  and 
accommodated  to  action  ;  a  play  or  opera. 

Dramatis  personae,  dram'a-tis  per- 
so'nc.    The  characters  in  a  play. 

Dranesville.  A  village  of  Fairfax  Co., 
Va.,  17  m.  W.  of  "Washington,  the  scene 
of  a  stubborn  battle,  1861,  between  4,000 
Union  troops  under  Gen.  Reynolds,  and 
2,500  Confederates  under  Gen.  Stuart,  the 
former  being  victorious. 

Draper,  Jolin  William.,  A  distin- 
guished chemist,  physiologist  and  author; 
B.  in  England,  1811 ;  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Penn.,  became  a  professor 
in  Hamden -Sydney  College,  \a.,  after- 
ward in  the  N.  Y.  College.  He  was  au- 
thor of  several  standard  scientific  works, 
and  also  wrote  a  "  History  of  the  Amer- 
ican Civil  War."    D.  1884. 

Draughtsman,  drafts'man.  A  man 
who  draws  writings  or  designs. 

Drave,  drav.  A  liver  of  E.  Europe,  one 
of  the  largest  aifluents  of  the  Danube.  It 
rises  in  the  Tyrol,  flows  through  Austria 
and  Hungary',  and  empties  into  the  Dan- 
ube near  Essig ;  length,  750  m. 

Dra vidian,  dra-\id'i-an.  Of  or  pertain- 
ing to  Dravida,  an  old  province  of  India  ; 
specifically,  applied  to  a  family  of  tongues 
spoken  in  S.  India,  Ceylon,  &c.  It  in- 
cludes Tamil,  Telugu,  Canarese  and  Mal- 
abar. 

Drawbridg-e,  'brij.  A  bridge  which 
may  be  drawn  up  or  let  down  to  admit 
or  hinder  communication,  as  before  the 
gate  of  a  town  or  castle  or  over  a  naviga- 
ble river. 

Drawee,  -c'.  The  person  on  whom  an 
order  or  bill  of  exchange  is  drawn. 

Drawer,  'er.  He  Avho  draws  a  bill  of  ex- 
change or  an  order  for  the  payment  of 
money.    A  sliding  box  in  a  table,  desk, 


«fec.  An  undergarment  worn  on  the  lega 
and  lower  part  of  the  body.  Chest  of 
drawers,  a  case  of  sliding  boxes. 

Drawing",  'mg^  The  act  of  representing 
the  appearance  or  figures  of  objects  on  a 
plain  surface,  by  means  of  lines  and 
shades,  as  with  a  pencil,  compasses,  &c. 
The  distribution  of  prizes  and  blanks  in  a 
lottery. 

Drawing-room,  -rom.  A  room  appro- 
priated for  the  reception  of  company  ;  a 
room  in  which  distinguished  personages 
hold  levees,  or  private  persons  receive 
parties.  The  company  assembled  in  such 
room.  The  formal  reception  of  evening 
company  at  a  court,  or  by  persons  in  high 
station.  The  apartment  in  an  engineer's 
shop  where  patterns  and  plans  are  pre- 
pared. 

Drawing-slate,  -slat.  A  fine-grained 
compact  clay,  usually  found  in  connection 
with  metamorphic  rock,  as  clay-slate, 
gneiss,  &c.  It  is  sometimes  called  black- 
chalk. 

Draw-link,  Tingk.  A  link  for  connect- 
ing two  carriages  of  a  train  together. 

Dray,  dra.  A  Ioav  cart  or  carriage  on 
heavy  wheels.  A  sledge.  A  rude  cart 
without  wheels. 

Dredging-mach.ine,  'ing-ma-shSn.  A 
machine  used  to  deepen  rivers,  docks,  &c. 

Drepano,Cape  (Drepanum).  A  head- 
land on  W.  coast  of  Sicily,  near  which  the 
Carthaginians  defeated  the  Romans  in  a 
naval  battle,  249  b.  c. 

Dresden.  Cap.  of  the  Kingdom  of  Sax- 
ony, Germany ;  on  both  sides  the  Elbe, 
70  m.  S.  E.  of  Leipzig.  Noted  for  its  mag- 
nificent palaces  and  its  picture  gallery, 
also  for  one  of  Napoleon's  greatest  victo- 
ries, with  131,000  men,  over  the  alhed 
Prussian,  Austrian  and  Russian  armies, 
numbering  150,000,  under  Prince  Schwart- 
zenberg,  Aug.  26-27,  1813  ;  pop.  203,640. 

Dress-coat,  'kot.  A  coat  with  narrow 
pointed  tails ;  a  swallow-tailed  coat,  which 
gentlemen  wear  at  full-dress  parties, 
operas,  &c. 

Dresser,  'er.  A  side-board ;  a  table  on 
which  meat,  &c.,  are  prepared  for  use ; 
also,  a  cupboard  or  set  of  shelves  for 
cooking  utensils. 

Dressing-case,  -kas.  A  box  contain- 
ing requisites  for  the  toilet. 

Drill,  dril.  A  pointed  instrument  used 
for  boring  holes ;  a  boring  tool  that  cuts 
its  way  as  it  revolves.  The  act  of  train- 
ing soldiers.  In  Agri.  a  row  of  seeds  de- 
posited in  the  earth  ;  also,  the  trench  or 
channel  in  which  the  grain  or  seed  is  de- 


DRILL-BOW 


280 


DEOP-DRILL 


•  posited.    A  machine  for  sowing  seeds  in 

i  i-egular  rows.  A  coarse  linen  or  cotton 
cloth ;  drilling. 

Drill-bow,  'bo.  A  small  bow,  generally- 
made  of  a  thin  slip  of  steel,  used  for  the 
purpose  of  rapidly  turning  a  drill. 

Drill-harrow,  'hii-ro.  A  small  harrow 
employed  in  drill  husbandry. 

Drill-press,  'pres.  A  machine  armed 
with  one  or  more  drills  for  boring  holes  in 
metal,  and  designated  as  vertical,  horizon- 
tal or  universal. 

Drill-sergreant, 'siir-jant.  A  non-com- 
missioned otlicer  who  instructs  soldiers  in 
their  duties  and  ti-aius  them  to  military 
movements. 

Drink,  dringk.  Liquor  to  be  swallowed; 
any  fluid  to  be  taken  into  the  stomach  for 
quenching  thirst  or  for  medicinal  pur- 
poses;  a  draught  of  liquor  ;  a  potion.  In- 
toxicating liquors,  or  the  practice  of  tak- 
ing such  liquors  to  excess. 

Drinker-moth,  'er-moth.  The  Odo- 
ncstis  potatoria. 

Drinking-horn,  'ing-horn.  A  horn  an- 
ciently used  as  a  drinking- vessel.  A  cup 
or  goblet  made  of  horn,  used  at  the  pres- 
ent day. 

Drip-stone, 

drip'ston.  In 
Arch,  a  pro- 
jecting mold- 
ing or  cornice 
over  door- 
Av  a  y  s  ,  win- 
dows, &c.,  to 
throw  off 
the  rain.  It 
is  also  called 
a  weather 
molding,  and  label  when  it  is  turned 
square.  A  filtering-stone,  familiarly  so 
called  by  seamen. 

Driver-ant,  driv'er-ant,  Anomma  ar- 
cens,  a  singular  African  species,  so  named 
from  its  driving  before  it  almost  every  an- 
imal that  comes  in  its  way. 

Driving-spring,  'ing-spring.  The 
si)ring  fixed  upon  the  box  of  the  driving- 
axle  of  a  locomotive  engine. 

Driving-wheel,  -whel.  A  wheel  that 
communicates  motion  to  another  or  to 
others.  The  large  M'heel  in  a  locomotive 
engine  which  is  fixed  upon  the  crank-axle 
or  main  shaft. 

Drog,  Drogrue,  drog.  A  buoy  attached 
to  the  end  of  a  harpoon  line. 

Droger,  Drogher,  dro'ger.  A  small 
W.  Indian  coasting  craft. 


Drip-stone. 


Drogheda,  drawh'he-da.  An  Irish  sea- 
port, on  the  Bojme,  80  m.  N.  of  Dublin  ; 
pop.  16,300. 

Drome,  drom.  A  S.  E,  dept.  of  France ; 
area  2,519  sq.  m.  ;  cap.  Grenoble  ;  pop. 
830,682. 

Dromedary,  drum'e-da-ri.  A  species 
of  camel,  called  also  the  Arabian  camei 


P 


Dromedary, 
(Camelus  dromedarius),  "vvith  one  hump 
or  protuberance  on  the  back,  in  distinc- 
tion from  the  Bactrian  camel,  which  has 
two. 

Dromiidse,  drom-i'i-de.  A  fam.  of 
brachyurous  crustaceans,  of  which  Dro- 
mia  is  the  type. 

Drone,  dron.  The  male  of  the  honey- 
bee, smaller  than  the  queen -bee,  but  larger 


Drone-bee. 
than  the  working-bee.  The  drones  maka 
no  honey,  but  after  living  a  few  weeks 
and  impregnating  the  queen  they  ara 
killed  or  driven  from  the  hive.  An  idler ; 
a  sluggard.  A  humming  or  low  sound. 
The  largest  tube  of  the  bagpipe,  which 
emits  the  key-note  of  the  scale. 

Drongo,  drong'go.  The  name  of  a  gen. 
of  fly-catching  birds  (Edohus). 

Dropax,  dro'paks.  A  preparation  for 
removing  hair  from  the  skin  ;  a  depila- 
tory. 

Drop-drill,  drop'dril.  In  Agri.  an  ag- 
ricultural implement  which  drops  seed 
and  manure  into  the  soil  simultaneously !■ 


DEOPPING-BOTTLE 


281 


DKTADS 


Dropping-bottle,  'ing-bot-tl.  An  in- 
stniiuc-nt  lor  suppljin^  small  quantities  of 
water  to  test  tubes,  &c. ;  an  edulcorator. 

Drosky,  dros'ki.  A  light  four-wheeled 
carriage  used  in  Russia  and  Prussia.    The 


Drosky. 
drosky  proper  consists  of  a  long  narrow 
bench,  on  which  passengers  ride  as  on  a 
saddle,  but  the  name  is  now  applied  to  va- 
rious vehicles,  as  to  the  common  cab  of 
German  cities,  &c. 

Drosometer,  dro-sonr'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  ascertaining  the  quantity  of  dew 
that  condenses  on  a  body  exposed  to  the 
open  air  during  the  night. 
Drouet,  Jean  Baptiste,  Count 
d'Erlon,  droo'a.  A  French  marshal  ; 
B.  1765,  i).  1S44.  He  fought  at  Jena  and 
Waterloo,  and  Avas  governor-general  of 
Algeria,  1834. 

Drow,  drou.  In  Zetland  superstition,  a 
diminutive  elfish  race  residing  in  hills  and 
caverns,  curious  artificers  in  iron  and  pre- 
cious metals. 

Drudgre,  dmj.  One  who  works  hard  or 
labors  \\itb  toil  and  fatigue  ;  one  who  la- 
bors hard  in  servile  emiiloyment ;  a 
slave.  Whisky  in  its  raw  state,  as  used 
in  the  manufacture  of  alcohol. 
Drug",  drug.  Any  substance,  vegetable, 
animal  or  mineral,  used  in  the  composi- 
tion of  medicines;  any  ingredient  used  in 
chemical  preparations  employed  in  the 
arts.  Any  commodity  that  is  not  sal- 
able. A  mortal  or  deadly  drug,  poison. 
Drugrget,  'get.  A  cloth  of  wool,  or  wool 
and  thread,  used  for  covering  carpets,  and 
also  as  an  article  of  clothing. 
Druid,  dru/id.  A  priest  among  the  an- 
cient Celtic  nations.  They  possessed 
some  knowledge  of  the  natural  sciences, 
superintended  the  afl'airs  of  religion  and 
acted  as  judges.  They  venerated  the 
mistletoe  when  growing  on  the  oak,  a 
tree  which  was  esteemed  sacred.  They 
had  a  common  superior,  elected  by  votes 
from  theii'  own  number,  who  enjoyed  his 
dignity  for  life.  A  member  of  a  beneficiary 
order  founded  in  London  about  1780,  now 


counting  numerous  lodges  or  groves  iu 
Europe,  America  and  Australia. 
Druidess,  -es.    A  female  druid. 
Drum,  drum.     A  martial  instrument  of 
music  in  the  form  of  a  hollow  cylinder  of 
wood  or  brass,  covered  at  the  ends  Avith 
vellum. 
Drum.    A  Celtic  word  signifying  a  round 
knoll,  a  ridge,  a  small  hill.     It  enters  into 
the  comi)osition  of  niany  place-names,  as 
Drumcondra,  Drumglass,   Drumoak,  and 
is  frequently  foimd  alone  as  the  name  of  a 
farm  or  village. 

Drum-filsb.,  'fish.  The  popular  name  of 
a  gen.  of  fishes  (Pogonias),  named  from 
the  extraordinar>'  noise  they  make  under 
water.  Called  for  the  same  reason  Grunts. 
Drummond  Lig-ht,  'mond  lit.  A  very 
intense  light  produced  by  turning  two 
streams  of  gas,  one  of  oxygen  and  the 
other  of  hydrogen,  in  a  state  of  ignition, 
upon  a  ball  of  lime.  Called  also  oxycalcium 
light,  lime-ball  light,  lime  light. 
Drunkard,  drungk'erd.  One  given  to 
an  excessive  use  of  strong  liquor  ;  a  i)er- 
son  who  habitually  or  frequently  is  drunk. 
Drupe,  drop.  In  Bot.  a 
stone  fruit ;  as  the  plum, 
cherry,  apricot  and  peach. 
The  stone  inclosing  the  kernel 
is  called  the  endocarp,  the 
pulpy  or  succulent  part  the 
mesocarp. 

Druses,  dro'zoz.  A  curious 
people  of  mixed  Syrian  and 
Arabian  origin,  inhabiting  the 
mountains  of  Lebanon  and 
Anti-Libanus,  in  whose  faithj 
are  combined  the  doctrines i 
of  the  Pentateuch,  the  tenets 
of  Christianity,  the  teachings 
of  the  Koran,  and  the  Sufi 
allegories  ;  they  describe 
themselves  as  Unitarians  and  followers  of 
Khalif  Ilakira-Biamr  Allah,  whom  they 
regard  as  an  incarnation  of  deity,  the  last 
prophet,  and  the  founder  of  the  true  re- 
ligion. Dur-el-Kammer  la  their  chief 
city. 

Drusus,  Claudius  Nero.  A  Eoman 
soldier,  son  of  Tiberius  N.  and  Livia  and 
son-in-law  of  Mark  Antony  ;  b.  88,  n.  8, 
B.  c.  He  commanded  the  Eoman  army 
which  conquered  all  Germany  to  the 
Elbe. 

Drusus,  M.  liivius.  A  celebrated 
Roman,  who  renewed  the  proposals  re- 
garding the  Agrarian  laws,  which  proved 
fatal  to  the  Gracchi. 

Dryads.  In  Myth.  njTnphs  who  ruled 
the  woods  and  groves,  and  to  whom  ob- 


Drupe. 


DETDEN 


DUEITNA 


lations  of  milk,  oil  and  honey  were  offer- 
ed. They  were  superior  to  the  Hama- 
dryads, who  were  supposed  to  be  confined 
to  particular  trees,  perishing  with  them. 

Dryden,  Jolin.  An  eminent  English 
poet ;  B.  1631,  v.  1700. 

Dryite,  drl'It.  Fragments  of  petrified  or 
fossil  wood  in  which  the  structure  of  t^e 
wood  is  recognized. 

Dry-measure,  'me-zhiir.  The  measure 
by  bushels,  pecks,  &c. 

Dry-nurse,  'ners.  A  nurse  who  attends 
and  feeds  a  child  without  the  breast.  One 
who  stands  to  another  in  a  somewhat  sim- 
ilar relationship  to  that  of  a  dry-nurse ;  In 
MiUt.  slang,  an  inferior  officer  who  in- 
structs his  superior. 

Dryopithecus,  'o-pi-the"ku8.  An  ex- 
tinct gen.  of  long-armed  apes  found  in  the 
miocene  beds  of  the  south  of  France. 

Dry-pile,  'pll.  A  form  of  voltaic  pile,  in 
which  the  liquid  is  replaced  by  some  hy- 
grometric  substance,  as  paper  moistened 
■with  sugar  and  water,  and  allowed  to  dry, 
chiefly  used  in  the  construction  of  electro- 
scopes of  great  delicacy. 

Duality,  doo-al'i-ti.  The  state  of  being 
two  or  of  being  divided  into  two. 

Dubber,  dub'er.  A  leathern  vessel  used 
in  India  to  hold  oil,  ghee,  «fec.,  usually 
made  of  untanned  goat  skins. 

Dubbing",  'ing.  The  act  of  making  a 
knight ;  entitling ;  dressing  by  means  of 
an  adze ;  raising  a  nap  on  cloth  by  teasels. 
A  greasy  dressing  used  by  curriers. 

Dubhe.  A  variable  star  of  the  first  mag- 
nitude in  the  northern  constellation  Ursa 
Major. 

Dublin.  The  cap.  of  Ireland,  on  the 
river  Liffey,  and  one  of  the  finest  cities  of 
Europe,  with  an  extensive  commerce ; 
pop.  827,592. 

Dubois,  Gruillaume,  Cardinal.  An 
able  but  dissipated  French  prelate  and 
statesman  ;  b.  1656,  d.  1725.  He  was  cre- 
ated cardin;:l  1721,  and  from  that  time  un- 
til his  death  ruled  France  as  Prime  Min- 
ister of  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  regent. 

Dubuque,  doo-book'.  A  co.  and  city  of 
Iowa,  the  latter  bein  r  the  most  import- 
ant place  in  the  State,  on  the  Mississippi, 
450  m.  N.  W.  of  St.  Louis ;  pop.  22,254. 

Ducat,  duk'at.  A  coin  common  in  Italv, 
Austria  and  Russia,  of  silver  or  gold ; 
average  value  of  the  former,  3s.  to  4s., 
and  of  the  latter  about  9s.  4d.  EngUsh 
currency. 

Duchess,  duch'es.  The  consort  or  wid- 
ow of  a  duke;  a  female  sovereign  of  a 
duchy.  . 


Ducby,  'i.  The  territory  or  dominions 
of  a  duke ;  a  dukedom. 

Duck,  duk.  A  species  of  coarse  canvas, 
used  for  sails,  sacking  of  beds,  &c.  The 
name  common  to  all  the  fowls  constitut- 
ing the  Linnaean  gen.  Anas,  now  raised 
into  a  sub-fam.  Anatinse,  and  by  some 
naturalists  divided  into  two  sub-families 
Anatinfe  and  FuUgulinae,  or  land-ducks 
and  sea-ducks. 

Ducking-stool,  'ing-stOl.  A  stool  or 
chair  in  which  common  scolds  Avere  for- 
merly tied  and  plunged  into  water,  exten- 
sively in  use  throughout  England  from 


Ducking-stool, 
the  15th  tin  the  beginning  of  the  18th  cen- 
tury, and  in  one  rare  case  at  Leominster, 
as  recently  as  1809. 

Ductilimeter,  -til-im'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment which  shows  the  ductility  of  metals. 

Ductility,  'i-ti.  The  property  of  solid 
bodies,  particularly  metals,  which  renders 
them  capable  of  being  extended  by  draw- 
ing, their  thickness  or  diameter  being 
diminished,  without  any  actual  fracture  or 
separation  of  their  parts. 

Dudg-eon,  du'jon.  A  small  dagger.  The 
haft  or  handle  of  a  dagger. 

Dudley,  Charles  Edward  An  Amer- 
ican statesman ;  b.  in  England  1780,  re- 
moved to  N.  Y.  in  youth,  and  settled  in 
Albany  ;  was  elected  State  Senator,  Mayor 
of  Albany  and  U.  S.  Senator,  1829.  He 
founded  Dudley  Observatory  at  Albany ; 
D.  1841. 

Dudley.  The  chief  iron  manufacturing 
center  of  England,  in  Co.  Worcester,  9  m, 
W.  of  Birmingham  ;  pop.  48,270. 

Duel,  du'el.  Single  combat ;  a  premedi- 
tated combat  between  two  persons  with 
deadly  weapons.  A  fight  between  two 
fortresses,  two  armies  or  vessels,  carried 
on  without  the  tactics  of  a  pitched  battle 
or  an  assault. 

Duenna,  -en'na.  The  chief  lady  in  wait- 
ing on  the  Queen  of  Spain.  An  elderly 
female,  holding  a  middle  station  between 
a   governess   and   companion.     An   old 


DUER 


DUMAS 


woman  who  is  kept  to  guard  a  j^ounger  ; 
a  governess. 

Duer,  Jolin.  An  American  jurist  and 
author.  B.  in  Albanj',  N.  Y.,  1782,  and 
elected  chief  justice  of  the  State  1857  ;  d. 
1858. 

Duet,  du-et'.  A  musical  composition  for 
two  voices  or  instruments. 

Dugrong*,  du-gong.  A  herbivorous  mam- 
mal, the  Halicore  dugong,  ord.  Sirenia. 
The  anatomy  of  the  dugong  presents  the 
remarkable  peculiarity  that  the  ventricles 
of  the  heart  are  di^ided  from  each  other 


Coronet  of  a  Duke. 


Dugong. 
by  a  deep  notch  at  the  apex.  The  fabled 
mermaid  seems  to  have  originated  from 
the  dugong  or  the  manatee,  these  animals 
supporting  themselves  in  a  semi-upright 
position  in  the  water. 

Duke,  duk.  In  Gt. 
Britain,  a  title  of 
honor  or  nobility  next 
below  that  of  a  prince. 
A  duke's  coronet  con- 
sists of  a  richly  chased 
gold  circle,  having  on 
its  upper  edge  eight 
strawberry  leaves  ; 
the  cap    of  crimson 

velvet,  closed  at  the  top  with  a  gold  tassel 
lined  with  sarsnet,  and  turned  up  -with  er- 
mine. In  some  continental  countries,  a 
sovereign  prince,  the  ruler  of  a  state. 

Dukhobortsi,  diik-ho-bort'si.  A  sect 
of  llussian  fanatics, 
remarkable  for 
their  fine  form  and 
Aigorous  constitu- 
tion, said  to  be  due 
to  the  fact  that  they 
destroy  every  deli- 
cate child.  In  1&42 
and  following  years 
most  of  the  sect 
were  transported 
to  the  Caucasus. 

Dulcamara,  dul- 
ka'ma-ra.  Solanum 
Dulcamara,  other- 
yrise  called  bitter- 
sweet or  woody 
nightshade. 


Bitter-sweet. 


DugTiay-Trouin,  Rene,  doo-ga-troc 
ahn'.  A  distinguished  French  admiral; 
B.  1673,  D.  174-2.  He  defeated  the  Dutch 
and  English,  and  captured  liio  de  Janeu-o 
in  1711. 

Dugruesclin,  Bertrand.  Constable  of 
France,  and  among  the  ablest  militjiry 
commanders  of  the  age  ;  b.  1314,  d.  13S0. 
He  twice  drove  the  English  out  of  nearly 
every  point  they  occupied  in  France,  al- 
though defeated  and  captured  by  Edward 
the  Black  Prince. 

Dulcimer,    'si-mer.     One  of  the  most 


Italian  Dulcimer, 
ancient  of  musical  instruments.  The 
modern  instrument  consists  of  a  shallow 
trapezium-shaped  box  without  a  top, 
across  which  runs  a  series  of  wires,  played 
on  by  being  struck  by  cork-headed  ham- 
mers. It  is  the  prototype  of  the  piano. 
In  Asia  it  is  used  by  the' Arabs.  Persians, 
Chinese  and  Japanese.  The  ancient  east- 
ern dulcimer,  as  represented  in  Assyrian 
bas-reliefs,  differed  from  the  modern  in- 
strument in  being  carried  before  the  player, 
in  the  strings  running  from  top  to  bottom, 
and  in  being  played  by  one  plectrum,  the 
left  hand  being  employed  either  to  twang 
the  strings  or  to  check  vibration.  The  He- 
bi-ew  psalteiy  is  supposed  to  have  been  a 
variety  of  the  dulcimer. 

Dulcinist,  'sin-ist.  A  follower  of  Dul- 
cinus,  a  layman  of  Loml»ardy,  in  the  14th 
century,  Avho  preached  the  reign  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  affirming  that  the  Father  had 
reigned  till  Chi-ist's  incarnation,  and  that 
tlie  Son's  reign  terminated  in  1800.  He 
was  followed  by  a  great  many  people  to 
the  Alps,  where  he  and  his  wife  were 
burned  by  order  of  Clement  IV. 

Dulia,  du'li-a.  An  inferior  kind  of  wor- 
ship or  adoration,  as  that  paid  to  sainta 
and  angels  in  the  11.  C.  Church. 

Duluth.  Cap.  of  St.  Louis  Co.,  Minne- 
sota, at  the  W.  end  of  Lake  Superior,  and 
the  commercial  metropolis  of  the  State ; 
pop.  3,&43- 

Dumas,  Alexandre,  doo-mah'  (The 
Elder).  A  distinguished  French  drama- 
tist, novelist  and  radical  statesman  ;  b. 
1803,  ».  1871.  His  son  (The  Younger)  : 
B.  1824,  is  also  a  popular  playwright  and 
novelist. 


DUMAS 


DUNKIRK  • 


Dumb-bells. 


Dumas,  Jean  Baptiste.    An  eminent 
French  chemist;  b.  1800,  d.  18T7.    His 
Bcientiflc  works  are  standard  authorities. 
Dumto-bells,   dum'- 
belz.     Weights  swung 
in  the  hands  for  devel- 
oping   the  chest,   the 
muscles  of  the  arms, 
«fcc. 

Dumb-waiter, 
'wut-er.  A  framework 
*  with  shelves,  for  con- 
veying food,  &c.,made 
to  rise  and  fall  by- 
means  of  pulleys  and  weights.  Also,  a 
Bide  table  in  a  dining-room,  Avith  tops 
capable  of  being  elevated  and  depressed. 
Dumfries.  An  important  seaport  of 
Scotland,  on  the  Nith,  64  m.  S.  W.  of 
Edinburgh ;  pop.  16,100. 
Dummy,  'mi.  One  who  is  dumb.  The 
fourth  or  exposed  hand  when  three  per- 
sons play  at  whist ;  also  a  game  at  whist 
when  there  are  only  throe  playing.  A  lo- 
comotive with  condensing  engines,  and 
hencewithoutthenoiseof  escaping  steam. 
The  name  given  by  firemen  to  the  jets 
from  the  chief  water-pipes.  A  hatter's 
pressing  iron. 

Dumont  d'TJrville,  Jules  Sebas- 
tien  Cesar,  doo-mdng  door-veil'.  A 
distinguished  French  naval  officer,  bota- 
nist and  publicist ;  b.  1790,  n.  1842.  His 
voyages  included  an  Arctic  exploring  ex- 
pedition, 1837-40. 

Dumouriez,  Chai'les  Francois.  A 
French  statesman  and  general ;  B.  1739,  ». 
in  exile  in  England,  1823.  In  1792  he  re- 
signed the  ministry  of  foreign  affairs  to 
assume  chief  command  of  the  army,  super- 
seding Lafayette.  He  defeated  the  Aus- 
trians  at  Jemmapes,  and  overrun  Belgium ; 
afterward  entered  into  treasonable  nego- 
tiations with  Austria,  resigned  his  com- 
mand and  fled  to  England. 
Dumpling,  dump'ling.  A  kind  of  pud- 
ding or  mass  of  boiled  paste,  with  or  with- 
out fruit  in  it.  Thus,  there  are  suet, 
yeast,  apple,  currant  and  other  dump- 
lings. 

Dunbar.  A  Scotch  seaport,  27  m.  N.  E. 
of  Edinburgh.  Noted  as  the  scene  of  a 
gre.at  battle  and  disastrous  defeat  of  the 
Scotch  by  Cromwell,  1650;  pop.  abt.  4,500. 
Duncan  I.  King  of  Scotland,  son  of 
Beatrix,  daughter  of  Malcolm  II.,  mur- 
dered by  Macbeth,  Thane  of  Cawdor ; 
flourished  abt.  the  j^ear  1035-40. 
Duncan,  Adam,  Viscount.  A  Brit- 
.  ish  admh-al ;  u.  1731,  d.  1804.  _  He  won  a 


decisive  battle  A^ith  the  Dutch  off  Cam- 
perdown,  1797. 
Dunciad,  'i-ad.  A  famous  satmcal 
poem  by  Pope  in  ridicule  of  Colley 
Cibber,  Theobald  and  other  poetasters  of 
the  period. 

Dundalk.  An  Irish  seaport,  in  Co. 
Louth,  45  m.  N.  of  Dublin  ;  pop,  12,160. 
Dundee.  A  large  and  important  seaport 
of  Scotland,  on  the  Tay,  87  m.  N.  E.  of 
Edinburgh ;  pop.  abt.  123,000. 
Dundonald,  Tbomas  Cocbrane, 
lOtb  Earl  of.  An  English  naval  offi-) 
cer  ;  b.  1775,  i).  1800.  His  hfe  was  a  long 
romance.  Entering  the  service  as  a  lad, 
he  distinguished  himself  by  destroying 
the  French  fleet  in  the  Basque  by  fire-ships, 
1809.  An  ardent  Liberal  in  politics,  he 
was  tried,  fined  and  imprisoned  at 
the  Instigation  of  Lord  Liverpool, 
1814.  He  then  took  service  with 
Chih,  and  as  commander  of  her  navy 
secured  her  independence  from  Span- 
ish rule,  1818-22.  In  1823  he  was 
given  command  of  the  Brazilian  fleet,  and 
cleared  her  coasts  of  the  Portuguese,  and  in 
1827  he  was  admir.al  of  the  Greek  fleet  in 
her  successful  war  of  independence.  Soon 
after  this  Queen  Victoria  restored  him  to 
his  full  rank  in  the  British  navy. 
Dune,  dQn.  A  hill ;  specifically,  a  low 
hill  of  sand  on  the  seacoast. 
Dung-eon,  dun'jon.  The  innermost  and 
strongest  tower  of  a  castle  ;  the  donjon. 
A  close  prison  ;  or  a  dark  place  of  confine- 
ment. 

Dung-iyah..  dun'ge'ya.  A  coasting  ves- 
sel in  the  Persian  Gulf,  and  aloKg  the 
coasts  of  Arabia.  They  arc  said  to  be  the 
oldest  Idud  of  vessels  in  the  Indian  seas, 
dating  as  far  back  as  the  expedition  of 
Alexander. 

Dung-lison,  Robley.  A  distinguished 
physician  and  author;  b.  in  England, 
1798,  but  practicing  and  ofliciating  in  the 
universities  of  Virginia  and  Maryland, 
also  in  Jeffersos  College,  Phila.;  n.  1869. 
Duniwassal,  -i-was'sal.  A  gentleman ; 
especially,  a  gentleman  of  secondary  rank, 
among  the  Highlanders  ;  a  cadet  of  a  fam- 
ily of  rank. 

Dunker,  dung'ker.  A  member  of  a  sect 
of  Baptists  originating  in  Philadelphia, 
"Written  also  Tunker. 

Dunkirk.  An  ancient  seaport  of  France, 
strongly  fortified,  in  dept.  Le  Nore,  40  m. 
N.  "W.  of  Lille.  D.  was  burned  by  the 
English,  1388,  and  captured  by  them, 
1658,  being  restored  to  France  tiuough 
purchase,  1662 ;  pop.  abt.  45,000.  > 


DUNLAP 


2S5 


DTTKRENSTEIIT 


Dunlin. 


Dunlap,      William,      An    American 
painter    and 
writ  e  r ;    b  . 
InN.  J.1T6C, 
i>.  1839. 

Dunlin , 
dun/lin.  A 
bird  (Tringa 
rariabilis),  a 
species  of 
sandpip  er, 
called  also 
stint,  purre, 
ox-bird,   &c . 

Dunois,  Jean,  Count  de  Longue- 
ville  (known  as  "The  Bastard  of  Or- 
leans"). A  natural  son  of  Louis,  Duke  of 
Orle<ans,  brother  of  Charles  VI.,  and  the 
ablest  military-  leader  of  his  age ;  b.  1402, 
».  1468.  He  defeated  the  English  in  sev- 
eral battles  and  drove  them  from  the  conti- 
nent, being  made  lieutenant-general  of  the 
kingdom  and  declared  a  prince  of  the 
blood. 

Duodecimal,  du-o-des'i-mal.  One  of  a 
system  of  numbers  the  scale  of  which  is 
twelve.    Called  also  Cross  Multiplication. 

Duodecimo,  -mo.  A  book  in  which  a 
sheet  is  folded  into  twelve  leaves.  The 
size  of  a  book  consisting  of  sheets  so 
folded  ;  usually  indicated  thus :  12mo. 

Duodenum,  -de'num.  The  first  por- 
tion of  the  small  intestines  ;  the  twelve- 
Inch  intestine. 

Duoliteral,  -ht'er-al.  Consisting  of  two 
letters  only  ;  biliteral. 

Duns  Scotus,  John.  A  learned  Scotch 
theologian  ;  b.  at  Dunse,  1265,  ».  1308. 
He  became  professor  at  Oxford  and  Paris, 
and  founded  the  school  of  Scotists,  op- 
posed to  the  Thomists,  followers  of  St. 
Thomas  Aquinas. 

Dunstan,  St.  An  English  monk  who 
was  made  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and 
obtained  great  political  influence,  which  he 
subsequently  lost  ;  b.  abt.  900,  d.  988. 

Duperre,  "Victor  Grui,  Baron,  doo- 
pa-ra'.  A  French  admiral ;  b.  1775,  j>. 
1846.  lie  captured  several  English  ships, 
1819,  and  commanded  the  fleet  which 
bombarded  Algiers,  and  compelled  the 
Bey  to  make  honorable  concessions,  1S30. 

Dupion,  du'pi-on.  A  double  cocoon, 
formed  by  two  or  more  silk -worms. 

Duppel  (Dybbol  or  Duppeln).  An 
xmimportant  village  of  Schleswig,  sepa- 
rated from  the  island  of  Alsen  by  a  narrow 
strait,  noted  as  the  scene  of  several  san- 
guinary battles.    The  Danes  defeated  the 

^  Prussians  May  28,  1848,  and  again  Jtrne  6. 


The  Saxons  and  Bavarians  capture/  It 
April  13,  1849,  and  it  was  taken  by  ha 
Prussians,  April  18,  1864. 

Dupuytren,  G-uillaume,  Baron, 
doo-poo-e-tron.  An  eminent  Frex;ch  sur- 
geon ;  b.  1777,  B.  1835. 

Duquesne,  Abraham,  Marquis, 
doo-kain'.  A  French  admiral ;  >,.  1610,  d. 
168S.  He  successively  defea'ct?  *.he  Span- 
iards, Dutch  and  Danes,  winiijiig  a  signal 
victory  over  the  celebrated  Dutch  admi- 
ral, De  Kuyter,  near  Catania,  1676,  the 
latter  losing  his  life  in  the  battle. 

Dura  mater,  'ra  ma'ter.  The  outer 
membrane  of  the  brain,  so  named  from 
its  hardness  compared  with  the  mem- 
brane which  lies  under  it,  called  pia  mater. 

Duramen,  -rii'men.  The  central  or 
heartwood  in  the  trunk  of  an  exogenous 
tree,  more  solid  than  the  newer  wood  that 
suiTounds  it. 

Durand,  Asher  Bro-wn.  An  Ameri- 
can engraverand  painter ;  b.  1796,  p.  1878. 

Durbar,  der'bar.  An  audience  room  in 
the  palaces  of  t!he  native  princes  of  India. 
A  state  levee  held  by  the  governor-gen  • 
eral  of  India,  or  by  one  of  the  nativ* 
princes ;  an  official  reception. 

iSurer,  Albrecht,  doo'rair.  A  German 
engraver  and  painter;  b.  1471,  d.  1528. 
He  is  considered  the  inventor  of  etching. 

Durg:a,dur'- 


Durga. 


Athene  of  the  Greeks.  She  is  represented 
■with  ten  arms.  A  10-days'  festival  in  hei* 
honor,  the  durga  puja,  is  celebrated  annu- 
ally in  Bengal. 

Durrenstein.  An  Austrian  village  on 
the  Danube,  40  m.  N.  "W.  of  Vienna,  noted 
as  the  place  where  Richard  Cceur  de  Lion 
was  imprisoned  by  Leopold,  and  also  as 


DUEIO 


286 


DYSPHONIA 


Durio, 

Duke  of  Friull 
5.  1772,  killed  in 


the  scene  of  the  defeat  of  the  allied  Eus- 
sian  and  Austrian  army  by  the  French 

under  Gen.  Mortier,  1805. 

Dtirio,  du'ri-6.  A 
gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Malvaceaj.  The  D. 
zibethinus,  civet  du- 
rio or  durian,  the  only 
species,  is  a  lofty  tree 
producing  a  large 
fetid  fruit,  of  the  size 
of  a  man's  head,  a  fa- 
vorite food  of  the  na- 
tives. The  smell  is 
offensive,  like  putrid 
animal  matter,  but 
with  this  is  associated 
the  most  delicious 
flavor,  which  places  it 
in  the  foremost  place 
among  tropical  fruits. 

D  u  r  o  c,  Gerard 
Ch.ristoph.e  Miclael, 
and  Marshal  of  France  ; 
the  battle  of  Markersdorf,  1813.  He  was 
the  favorite  aid  and  confidant  of  Napo- 
leon I. 

Dustee.  A  river  of  Beloochistan,  1,000 
m.  long,  emptying  into  the  Arabian  Gulf. 

Bwiglit,  Timotliy.  A  distinguished 
American  theologian;  b.  in  Mass.,  1752, 
i>.  1818. 

Duster,  dust'er.  One  who  or  that  which 
clears  from  dust.  A  sieve.  A  light  over- 
coat worn  to  protect  the  clothing. 

Dutch.,  duch.  Originally  the  Germanic 
race ;  the  German  peoples  generally— 
now  only  applied  to  the  people  of  Holland. 
The  language  spoken  in  Holland. 

Dutch-grold,  'gold.  An  alloy  of  11  parts 
copper  and  2  zinc.  Called  also  Pinchbeck 
and  Tombac. 

Dutch-mineral,  -min-er-al.  Copper 
beaten  out  into  very  thin  leaves, 

Dutch  School,  skol.  The  name  applied 
to  a  pecuHar  line  of  painting  which  at- 
tained its  highest  development  in  Hol- 
land, characterized  by  the  selection  of 
subjects  of  a  low  character,  as  boors  drink- 
ing, butchers'  shops,  &c.,  but  raised  to 
the  highest  popularity  by  perfection  of 
execution. 

Duuravir,  -nm'ver.  One  of  two  Eoman 
otficers  or  magistrates  united  in  the  same 
pubUc  functions. 

Dux,  duks.  A  leader;  a  chief;  specifi- 
cally, the  head  pupil  of  a  class  or  division 
in  a  public  school. 

D"wale,  dwal.  In  Her.  a  sable  or  black 
color.  The  deadly  nightshade,  which  pos- 
sesses stupefying  or  poisonous  properties. 


Dwarf,  dwarf.  A  general  name  for  an 
animal  or  plant  much  below  the  ordinary 
size.  In  early  romances,  an  attendant  on 
a  lady  or  knight. 

Dyad,  dl'ad.  Two  units  treated  as  one ; 
a  pair;  a  couple.  In  Chem.  an  elementary 
substance,  each  atom  of  which,  in  com- 
bining with  other  bodies,  is  equivalent  to 
two  atoms  of  hydrogen. 

Dyaus,  dyous.  In  Hind.  Myth,  one  of 
the  elemental  divinities  of  the  Vedas,  the 
god  of  the  bright  sky,  his  name  being  con- 
nected Avith  that  of  the  Greek  Zeus 
through  the  root  dyu,  to  shine,  and  the 
Latin  Jupiter,  which  is  merely  Dyaus 
piter  or  Zeus  pater,  father  Dyaus  or  Zeus. 
He  was  primarily  the  sky  from  which  rain 
falls.     He  gave  place  to  his  son  Indra. 

Dye,  dl.    A  coloring  liquor  ;  stain  ;  tinge. 

Dye-wood,  'wiid.  A  general  name  for 
any  wood  from  which  dye  is  extracted. 

Dynactinometer,  -nak'tin-om"et-er. 
Ab  instrument  for  measuring  the  inten- 
^ty  of  actinic  power,  or  for  comparing  the 
quickness  of  lenses. 

D3aiaiiieter,  di-nam'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  determining  the  magnifying 
power  of  telescopes. 

Dynamics,  'iks.  The  science  which 
investigates  the  action  of  force. 

D3mamism,  'nam-izm.  The  doctrine  of 
Leibnitz,  that  all  substance  involves  force. 

Dynamite,  -it.  An  explosive  substance 
consisting  of  a  siliceous  earth  impregnated 
with  nitro-glycerine.  The  object  of  the 
mixture  is  to  diminish  the  susceptibility 
of  nitro-glycerine  to  sUght  shock,  and  so 
to  faciUtate  its  carriage  without  destroy- 
ing its  explosive  force.  The  disruptive 
force  of  dynamite  is  estimated  at  about 
eight  times  that  of  gunpowder.  Charcoal, 
sand  and  saw-dust  are  employed  as  sub- 
stitutes for  siliceous  earth. 

Dynamometer,  -na-mom'et-er.  An 
instrument  for  measuring  force  or  power, 
especially  that  of  men,  animals,  machines, 
the  strength  of  materials,  &c. 

Dynasiidae,  di-nas'ti-dG.  A  fam.  of  la- 
mellicorn  beetles,  including  the  elephant- 
beetle,  hercules-beetle  and  atlas-beetle. 

Dysnomy,  dis'no-mi.  Bad  legislation;  the 
enactment  of  bad  laws. 

Dysodile,  'o-dil.  A  species  of  coal  which 
emits  a  fetid  odor  when  burning. 

Dysopsy,  -op'si.    Dimness  of  sight. 

Dysphagia,  -fa'ji-a.  Difficulty  of  swab 
lowing. 

Dysphonia,  -fo'ni-a.  Obstruction  of  th« 
organs  of  speech. 


r)TSPN(EA 


287 


EAKL 


Dyspnoea,  disp-n6'a.  Difficulty  of  breath- 
ing. 

Dysury,  dis'u-ri.  Difficulty  in  discharg- 
ing tlie  urine,  attended  with  pain  and 
Leat. 

Dytiscidae,  di-tis'si-de.  A  fam.  of  pen- 
tamerous  coleopterous  insects  of  which 
the  gen.  Dytiscus  (water-beetle)  is  the 
type. 


Dzeren,  dzO'ren.  The  Chinese  antelope, 
Procapra  gutturosa.  "When  alai-med  it 
clears  20  to  25  feet  at  one  bound. 

Dzig-getai,  dzig'ge-ta.  The  wild  ass  of 
Asia  (Equus  hemionus),  believed  to  be 
the  hemionos  of  Herodotus  and  Pliny.  It 
is  intermediate  in  appearance  and  charao* 
ter  between  the  horse  and  ass. 


E 


EIS  the  2d  vowel  and  the  5th  letter  of  the 
Enghsh  alphabet.  It  occurs  more 
frequently  than  any  other  letter  of  the 
alphabet.  Its  long  or  natural  sound  coin- 
cides with  the  sound  of  i  in  tho  Itahan  and 
French  languages,  as  in  here,  mere,  me. 
It  has  also  another  principal  sound,  a 
short  one,  as  in  met,  men.  It  has  besides 
a  sound  like  a  in  name,  as  in  there,  where, 
&c.,  and  tho  obscure  sound  which  is  heard 
in  her.  As  a  final  letter  it  is  generally 
silent ;  but  it  serves  to  lengthen  the  sound 
of  the  preceding  vowel,  or  to  indicate  that 
the  preceding  vowel  is  to  have  its  long 
Bound,  as  In  mane,  cane,  plume.  After  c 
and  g  the  final  e  indicates  that  these  let- 
ters are  soft,  c  being  pronounced  as  s,  and 
g  as  j.  When  two  e's  come  together  the 
sound  is  generally  the  same  as  that  of  the 
single  e  long,  as  in  deem,  esteem,  need ; 
when  it  occurs  with  a  and  i,  as  in  mean, 
hear,  seige.  deceive,  it  often  has  the  same 
sound.  Such  a  combination,  when  only 
one  vowel  sound  is  heard,  is  called  a  di- 
graph. As  a  numeral,  E  stands  for  250. 
In  the  calendar  it  is  the  fifth  of  the  domin- 
ical letters.  As  an  abbreviation  it  stands 
for  East,  as  in  charts  ;  in  the  combination 
e.  g.,  for  exempli  gratia,  for  example; 
and  in  i.  e.,  for  id  est,  that  is.  E,  in  Mu- 
-  sic,  is  the  third  note  or  degree  of  the  dia- 
tonic scale,  answering  to  the  mi  of  the 
Italians  and  French.  Also,  tho  key  hav- 
ing four  sharps  in  its  signature  ;  the  key- 
note of  the  church  mode  called  Phrygian. 

Ead.  An  element  in  Anglo-Saxon  names, 
signifying  happy,  fortunate,  as  in  Edward, 
happy  preserver ;  Edwin,  happy  con- 
queror. 

Eagle-h.a'Wk,  -hak.  Morphnus,  a  gen.  of 
Falconidaj. 

Eagle-owl,  -oul.  One  of  a  sub-fam.  of 
owls,  the  most  remarkable  of  which  is  the 
great  horned  owl. 

Eagle,  e'gl.    Aq^uila,  a  gen.  of  raptorial 


Golden  Eagle. 


birds,  sub-fam. 
A  q  u  i  1  inae, 
c  o  m  p  r  i  s  ing 
the  largest  and 
most  powerful 
members  of 
the  fam.  Fal- 
conidfE.  There 
are  numerous 
species,  of 
which  the ' 
noblest  is  the 
golden  eagle 
(A.  Chrysae- 
tos).  Other 
species  are  the  imperial,  the  spotted, 
the  Australian  eagle,  &c.  The  name  Is 
applied  to  other  members  of  the  group, 
not  belonging  to  the  gen.  Aquila,  as  tho 
white-tailed  sea-eagle  of  Britain  and  the 
American  bald-headed  sea-eagle,  the  em- 
blem of  the  U.  S.,  both  of  which  are 
really  ernes,  and  to  the  marsh  eagle, 
harpy  eagle,  eagle-hawk  of  the  gen.  Falco, 
&c.  A  constellation  in  the  northern  hemi- 
sphere, having  its  right  wing  contiguous 
to  the  equinoctial. 

Eaglet,  e'glet.  A  young  or  diminutive 
eagle. 

Eagre,  e'ger.  The  whole  body  of  spring- 
tide water  moving  up  a  river  or  estuary 
in  one  wave,  or  in  a  few  successive  waves 
of  great  height. 

Earl,  erl.  A  British  title  of  nobility,  tho 
third  in  rank,  next  below  a  marquis,  and 
next  above  a  vis- 
count. The  earl  for- 
merly had  the  govern- 
ment of  a  shire,  and 
was  called  shireman. 
After  the  Conquest 
earls  were  called 
counts,  and  from 
them  shires  have 
taken  the  name  of 
counties.  Earl  is  now 
a  mere  title.    An  earl's  coronet  consists  of 


Coronet  of  an 
Eari. 


EAR  S 

a  chased  circle  of  gold,  having  on  its  upper 
edge  eight  strawberry  leases,  and  between 
each  pair  a  pearl  raised  on  a  spire  higher 
than  the  leaves,  cap,  &c. 
Ear,  er.     The  organ  of  hearing,  contained 
partly  in  the  substance  of  the  temporal 
bone,  and  partly  projecting  externally  be- 
hind the  joint  of  the  lower  jaw.  Anything 
resembliJig  an  ear.    A  spike  or  head  of 
corn  or  grain;  that  part  of  the  cereal  plants 
which  contains  the  flowers  and  seed. 
Earldom,  'dum.     The  seigniory,  juris- 
diction or  dignity  of  an  earl. 
Earnest-money,  er'nest-mun-i.  Money 
paid  to  bind  a  bargain  or  ratify  and  prove 
a  sale.^ 
Ear-ring:,   'ring.    A  pendant ;  an  orna- 
ment, sometimes  set  with  jewels,  worn  at 
the  ear,  by  means  of  a  ring  passing  through 
the  lobe.    Among  Orientals  ear-rings  have 
been  worn  by  both  sexes  from  the  earliest 
times.  In  England  they  were  worn  by  the 
Eomanized  Britons  and  by  Anglo-Saxons. 
After  the  10th  century  the  fashion  de- 
clined, but  it  was  re-introduced  into  Eng- 
land in  the  16th  century.    In  the  17th 
century  ear-rings  were  worn  by  male  fops. 
Earth,   erth.    The  particles  which  com- 
pose the  mass  of  the  globe  ;  more  partic- 
ularly the  i)articles  which  form  the  mold 
on  the  surface  of  the  globe ;  any  indefinite 
portion  of  that  matter,  as  we  throw  up 
earth  with  a  spade  or  plow.    This  sub- 
stance being  considered  by  ancient  philos- 
ophers as  simple,  was  called  an  element ; 
and  in  popular  language  we  still  heai*  of 
the  four    elements — fire,   air,   earth  and 
water.     The  terraqueous  globe  which  we 
inhabit.     It  is  the  8d  planet  in  order  from 
the  Sim,  its  orbit  embracing  those  of  Mer- 
cury and  Venus,  but  being  within  the  or- 
bits of  all  the  other  planets. 
Earth-closet,  'kloz-et.    A  night-stool  or 
convenience,  in  which  the  faeces  are  re- 
ceived in  a  quantity  of  earth. 
Earthenware,  'en-war.   Crockery  ;  any 
household  utensil  made  of  clay  hardened 
in  the  fire. 

Earth-flax,  'flaks.  A  fine  variety  of  as- 
bestos, whose  long  flexible  filaments  are 
so  delicate  as  to  resemble  flax. 
Earth-house,  'hous.  The  name  given 
to  the  imderground  buildings  known  as 
Picts'  dwellings,  frequent  in  Scotland,  oc- 
casionally thirty  or  forty  being  found  In 
the  same  locality.  Querns,  bones,  dears' 
horns,  plates  of  stone  or  slate,  earthen 
vessels,  cups  and  implements  of  bone, 
stone  celts,  bronze  swords,  and  the  like, 
are  occasionally  found  in  connection  with 
them.  Very  similar  structm-es  occur  also 
in  Ireland. 


i  EAST 

Earthquake,  'kwak.  A  shaking,  trem- 
bling, or  concussion  of  the  earth ;  some- 
times a  slight  tremor ;  at  other  times  a 
violent  shaking  or  convulsion ;  at  other, 
times  a  rocking  or  heaving  of  the  earth. 
The  shock  generally  comes  on  with  a  deep 
rumbling  noise,  or  with  a  tremendous  ex- 
plosion resembling  the  discharge  of  artil* 
lery,  and  the  gi-ound  is  raised  vertically 
at  the  center  of  the  disturbed  tract.  There 
is  little  doubt  that  earthquakes  and  vol- 
canoes are  due  to  the  operation  of  the  in- 
ternal igneous  forces  of  the  earth,  l^rob- 
ably  the  most  destructive  earthquake  of 
modern  times  was  that  which  nearly  de- 
stroyed Lisbon  in  1755,  by  which  from 
30,0U0  to  40,000  persons  perished,  although 
it  lasted  only  six  minutes.  Nearly  hall 
that  number  are  supposed  to  have  per- 
ished in  the  earthquake  of  1883,  in  which 
some  islands  S.  of  Asia  were  completely 
submerged  and  others  jjartially  swallowed 
up. 

Earth-shine,  'shin.    In  Astron.  a  namo 
given  to  the  faint  line  visible  on  the  part 
of  the  moon  not  illuminated  by  the  sun, 
due  to  the  illumination  of  tliat  portion  by 
the  light  which  the  earth  reflects  on  her. 
Earth-worm,    'werm.      The    common 
Avorm  found  in  the  soil,  a  type  of  the  class 
Annelida  (ord.  Oligochaeta).     The  name  is 
common  to  all  the  species  of  the  gen. 
Lumbricus.     E.    oil,  a  medicinal  oil  ob- 
tained from  the  common  earthworm,  and 
used  in  earache. 
Ear-trumpet,  er'trum-pet.    A  contriv- 
ance for  the  benefit  of  deaf  persons.     It 
magnifies  sound. 
Ear-wax,  'waks.    The  cerumen,  a  thick 
viscous  substance  secreted  by  the  glands 
of  the  ear. 
Earwig",   'wig.      The  popular  name   of 
certain  species  of  Forficula,  which  are  or- 
thopterous  insects,  fam.  Cursoria. 
Easel,  cz'el.  The  wooden  frame  on  which 
painters  place  pictures  while  at  work  upon 
them.   E.  pieces,  the  smaller  pieces  which 
are  painted  on  the  easel,  as  distinguished 
from  those  which  are  drawn    on  Avails, 
ceilings,  &c. 
East,   est.    The  point  In    the    heavens 
where  the  sun  is  seen  to  rise  at  the  equi- 
nox, or  the  corresponding  point  on  the 
earth ;  the  point  of  the  compass  in  a  di- 
rection at  right  angles  to  that  of  north  and 
south.     One  of  the  four  cardinal  points. 
The  eastern  parts  of  the  earth  ;  apnlied  to 
Asia  Minor,  Syria,  Chaldea,  Persia^  India, 
China,  .fee.    Empire  of  the  East,  founded 
895  A.  B.,  when  Theodoslus  the  Great  di- 
vided  the  Roman   empire  between  hi» 


EASTLAKE 


2sa 


ECCE  HOMO 


sons,  iVi-cadias  and  Ilonorius.  The  me- 
troiK)lis  was  Constontinople.  The  western 
division,  whoso  capital  was  Eome,  was 
called  the  Em  {.ire  of  the  West. 

Eastlake,  Charles  Lock,  Sir.  An 
English  historical  painter;  u.  '1793,  d. 
ISOi). 

East  India  Company,  Tlie.  An 
English  commercial  association  incorpo- 
rated in  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign,  1600, 
and  given  the  monopoly  of  all  ti-ade  E.  of 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope;  abolished  1833. 

Easter,  es'ter.  A  festival  of  tho  Chris- 
tian church  observed  in  commemoration 
of  our  Saviour's  resm-rection.  Easter  is 
the  first  Sunday  after  the  full  moon  which 
happens  upon'  or  next  after  the  21st  of 
March ;  and  if  this  happens  upon  a  Sun- 
day, Easter-day  is  tho  Sunday  after. 

Easter-day,  -da.  The  day  on  which  the 
festival  of  l-^asteris  celebrated. 

East  Biver.  A  strait  connecting  IT.  T. 
Bay  with  Long  Island  Sound  ;  13  m.  long. 

Easy-chair,  ez'i-char.  An  arm-chair, 
sometimes  with  rockers,  padded  for  rest- 
ing or  reposing  in  ;  a  chair  for  reclining  in. 

Eau  Creole,  kre-dl.  A  highly  esteemed 
liquor  made  in  Martinique  by  distilling  the 
flowers  of  the  mammeo  apple  "vvith  spirit 
of  wine. 

Eau  de  Cologne,  do  ko-lon.  A  per- 
fumed spirit  consisting  of  spirits  of  wine 
flavored  by  different  essential  oils  blended 
so  as  to  yield  a  fragrant  scent. 

Eau  de  Luce,  lus.  A  solution  of 
ammonia,  scented  and  rendered  milky  by 
mastic  and  oil  of  amber ;  used  in  India  as 
an  antidote  to  the  bites  of  venomous  ser- 
pents. 

Eau  de  Vie,  ve.  The  French  name  for 
brandy  ;  specifically,  the  coarser  and  less 
purified  varieties,  cognac  being  tho  best. 

Eaux  Bonnes,  o-bon.  A  popular 
French  spa,  dept.  Basses  Pyrenees,  20  m, 
8.  E.  of  Oleron. 

Ebauchoir,  a-bosh-war.  A  large  chisel 
used  by  statuaries  to"  rough-hew  their 
work.  A  great  hatchel  or  beating  instru- 
ment used  by  rope-makers. 

Ebb.  The  reflux  of  the  tide  ;  the  return 
of  tidewater  toward  the  sea  ;  opposed  to 
flood  or  flow. 

Ebelians,  e-bo'li-anz.  A  German  sect 
which  had  its  origin  at  Konigsberg  in  1S36 
under  the  leadership  of  Archdeacon  Ebel 
and  Dr.  Diestel,  professing  a  doctrine 
called  spiritual  marriage.  The  leaders 
were  in  1889  tried  and  condemned.  The 
sect  is  popularly  named  Mucker,  or  hyp- 
oci-ites. 


Eberhard,    Johann     Augxist.     A 

German  philosopher;  b.  17§y,  i>.  1809. 
He  wrote  iu  defense  of  Liebnitz  and  in  op- 
position to  Kiintism. 

Ebionite,  e'bi-on-it.  Ona  of  a  sect  of 
Jewish  Christians  Avho  denied  tho  divinity 
of  Christ  and  rejected  parts  of  the  New 
Testament.  They  were  pronounced  her- 
etics by  Justin,  Irenaeus  and  Origen.  It 
is  thought  St.  John  wi*ote  his  gospel  in 
the  year  97  against  them. 

Eblis,  eb'les.  In  Mohammedan  Myth, 
an  evil  spirit  or  devil,  chief  of  tho  fallen 
angels  or  wicked  jinns.  Before  his  fall 
he  was  called  Azazel  or  Hharis.  Hall  of 
E.,  the  hall  of  demons  ;  pandemonium. 

Ebonite,  'on-It.  A  hard  black  compound 
obtained  by  blending  caoutchouc  or  gut» 
ta-percha  A\ith  va- 
riable proportions 
of  sulphur.  Called 
also  vulcanite. 

Ebony,  -i.  The 
popular  name  of 
various  plants  of 
difterent  genera, 
having  wood  of  a 
dark  color,  but  the 
beet  known  ebony 
is  derived  from 
plants  of  the  gen 
Diospyros,  ord. 
Ebenaceos.  The 
most  valuable  eb- 
ony is  the  heartAvood  of  tho  Diospyros 
Ebenua. 

Ebriety,  e-bri'e-ti.  Drunkenness ;  intox  • 
ication  by  sph-ituous  liquors. 

Ebullition,  -bul-li'shon.  The  operation 
of  boiling ;  the  agitation  of  a  liquor  by- 
heat,  which  throws  it  up  tn  bubbles. 
ES"ervescence. 

Eburna,  -ber'na.  A  gen.  of  spiral,  unl 
valve,  gasteropodous  mollusks. 

Ebumification,  'ni-fi-ka"8hon.  Tho 
conversion  of  substances  into  others 
which  have  the  appearance  of  ivory. 

Ebximinae,  -ni'ne.  A  sub-fam.  of  the 
fara.  of  mollusks  TurbineUida;,  having  the 
gen.  Eburna  for  its  type. 

Ecarte,  a-kiir-ta.  A  game  of  cards  for 
two  persons  with  82  cards,  those  from 
two  to  six  being  excluded. 

Eccaleobion,  ek'kal-le  <)"bi-on.  A  con- 
trivance for  hatching  eggs  by  artificial 
heat. 

Ecce  homo,  'se  ho'mo.  A  name  given 
to  paintings  which  represent  our  Saviour 
crowned  with  thorns  and  bearing  the 
reed,  pai-ticularly  to  a  noble  painting  by 
Correggio. 


Ebony. 


ECCENTEIG 


ECLECTIC 


Eccentric,  -sen'trik.  In  the  Ptolemaic 
system  the  supposed  circular  orbit  of  a 
planet  about  the  earth,  but  with  the  earth 
not  in  its  center.  A  cu*cle  described 
about  the  center  of  an  elliptical  orbit, 
with  half  the  major  axis  for  radius.  In 
Mech.  mechanical  contrivances  for  con- 
verting circular  into  reciprocating  recti- 
1  iuear  motion.    Irregular  in  action. 

Eocentric-g'ear,  -ger.  In  Mech.  a  term 
including  all  the  links  and  other  parts 
wliich  transmit  the  motion  of  an  eccentric. 

Eccentric-strap,  -strap.  The  band  of 
iron  vi^hich  embraces  the  circumference  of 
an  eccentric,  and  within  which  it  revolves. 
The  eccentric  rod  is  attached  to  it. 

Ecclesia,  -klG'zi-a.  An  assembly;  the 
great  assembly  of  the  people  of  Athens,  at 
which  every  free  citizen  had  a  right  to  at- 
tend and  vote.  An  ecclesiastical  society  ; 
a  church  ;  a  congregation. 

Ecclesiarcli,  -ark.  A  ruler  of  the 
Churcli. 

Ecclesiastes,  -as"tez.  A  canonical  book 
of  the  Old  Testament,  placed  between  the 
book  of  Proverbs  and  the  Song  of  Solo- 
nion. 

Ecclesiastic,  ''tik.  A  person  consecrat- 
ed to  the  services  of  the  Church  and  the 
ministry  of  religion. 

Ecclesiasticus,  'tik-us.  A  book  of  the 
Apocryi)]ia. 

Ecclesiolo&y,  -ol"o-ji.  The  science  of 
antitiuities  as  applied  to  churches  and 
other  ecclesiastical  foundations. 

Ecderon,  'de-ron.  The  outer  layer  of 
the  integument;  the  epithelial  layer  of 
mucous  membrane ;  the  epidermal  layer 
of  the  skin :  the  endoderm  is  the  deeper, 
dermal  layer. 

Echeneis,  -e-ne'is.  A  gen.  of  fishes  re- 
markable for  having  the  top  of  the  head 
occupied  by  a  laminated  disk,  by  means 
of  which  they  attach  themselves  to  other 
bodies. 

Echidna,  e-kid'na.  A  gen.  of  Australian 
iiio]H)trematous,  toothless  mammals,  re- 
Reinbliug  a  large  hedgehog,  nearly  allied 
to  the  Ornithorhynchus.  One  species  (E. 
liystrix),  is  popularly  known  as  the  Por- 
cupine Ant-eater. 

Ecllidnine,  'nin.  Serpent  poison  ;  the 
s<>cri'tion  from  the  poison  glands  of  the 
viper  and  other  serpents. 

Echidna.  In  Myth,  daughter  of  Tar- 
tarus, and  mother  of  Cerberus,  the 
Sphinx,  the  Chimsera  and  other  monsters  ; 
she  was  represented  as  half  woman  and 
half  serpent. 

Echixuys,  -ki'mis.    A  gen.  of  S.  Amerl- 


caa  rodent  quadrupeds.  Some  of  the 
species  are  known  as  spiny  rats,  the  fam- 
ily being  allied  to  the  porcupines. 
Echinite,  -kin'lt.  A  fossil  sea-urchin  or 
cidaris,  found  in  rU  formations,  but  most 
abundant  and  best  preserved  in  the  chalk. 

Echinocactus , 

'o-kak-tus.  A  gen. 
of  cactaceous 
plants,  remarkable 
for  the  singular 
forms  of  their 
stems,  which  are 
fluted  and  ribbed 
or  tuberculated. 
Echinoder  m.  a  - 
ta,  -der"ma-ta.  A 
class  of  inverte- 
brated  marine  an}- 

b/l^^'jSi'^'tS  Eoltaoenctu.. 
integument  in  which  lime  is  deposited  as 
granules  or  so  as  to  form  a  rigid  test, 
classed  with  the  Scolecidain  the  sub-king- 
dom Annuloida.  The  sexes  are  distinct. 
Echinorhynchus,  -ring^kus.  A  gen. 
of  intestinal  worms,  the  only  members  of 
the  Acanthocejjhala,  or  thorn-headed  fam- 

Echo.  In  Myth,  daughter  of  the  Air  and 
Tellus,  who  was  one  of  Juno's  attendants. 
She  was  deprived  of  speech  by  Juno. 

Ecija,  a-se'hah.  A  city  of  Seville,  Spain, 
on  the  Xeriel ;  pop.  32,800. 

Eckmuhl,  ek'mul.  A  town  of  Bavaria, 
13  m.  from  Katisbon,  noted  for  the  defeat 
of  the  Austiians  by  the  French  under 
Davoust,  1S09. 

Echometry,  e-kom'et-ri.  The  art  or  act 
of  measuring  the  duration  of  sounds. 
The  art  of  constructing  vaults  to  produce 
echoes. 

Eclaircissement,  a-klar-sis-man.  Ex- 
planation ;  the  clearing  up  of  any  thing  not 
before  understood. 

Eclampsy,  ek-lamp'si.  A  flashing  of 
light  before  the  eyes;  rapid  convulsive 
motions  of  the  mouth,  eyelids  and  fingers 
— symptomatic  of  epilepsy ;  hence,  epilep- 
sy itself. 

Eclat,  a-kla.  A  burst,  as  of  applause; 
acclamation ;  approbation.  Brilliancy  of 
success ;  splendor  of  effect ;  luster. 

Eclectic,  ek-lek'tik.  One  who  follows 
an  eclectic  jnethod  in  philosophy,  science, 
rehgion  and  the  like ;  specifically,  a  fol- 
lower of  the  ancient  eclectic  philosophy. 
A  Christian  who  believed  the  doctrine  of 
Plato  conformable  to  the  spirit  of  the  gos- 
pel. 


ECLTPSAEEON 


291 


EDITOR 


Eclipsareon,  e-kllp-sa're-on.  An  in- 
strument for  explaining  the  phenomena 
of  eclipses. 

£clipse,  -klips'.  An  interception  or  ob- 
struction of  the  light  of  the  sun,  moon  or 
other  luminous  body,  by  the  Intervention 
of  some  other  body  either  between  it  and 
the  eye  or  between  the  luminous  body 
and  that  illuminated  by  it.  The  number 
of  eclipses  of  the  sun  and  moon  cannot  be 
fewer  than  two  nor  more  than  seven  in 
one  year.    Darkness. 

Ecliptic,  -khp'tik.  A  great  circle  of  the 
sphere  supposed  to  be  drawn  through  the 
middle  or  the  zodiac,  making  an  angle 
with  the  equinoctial  of  about  23°  27',  the 
sun's  greatest  declination.  It  is  the  ap- 
parent path  of  the  sun,  but  as  it  is  the 
earth  which  moves,  the  ecliptic  is  the 
path  among  the  fixed  stars  which  the  earth 
in  its  orbit  appears  to  describe  to  an  ej-e 
placed  in  the  sun.  In  Geog.  a  great  circle 
on  the  terrestrial  globe,  answering  to  the 
falling  within  the  plane  of  the  celestial 
ecliptic.  Plane  of  the  ecliptic,  an  imagi- 
nary plane  which  passes  through  the  eclip- 
tic,"and  is  indefinitely  extended. 

Ecorche,  a-kor-sha.  In  painting  and 
Sculj).  the  subject,  man  or  animal,  flayed 
or  deprived  of  its  skin,  so  that  the  muscu- 
lar system  is  exposed. 

Ectoparasite,  ek'td-pa'ra-sit.  A  para- 
sitic animal  infesting  the  outside  of  ani- 
mals, as  opposed  to  endoparasite,  which 
lives  in  the  body. 

Ectype,  'tip.  A  production  of,  or  close 
resemblance  to,  an  original;  opposed  to 
prototype. 

Ectypography,  ^g'ra-fi.  A  method  of 
etching  in  which  the  lines  are  in  relief  in- 
stead of  being  smik. 

Ecuador.  A  republic  of  S.  America, 
lying  on  the  "W.  coast  directly  under  the 
equator,  bounded  N.  by  New  Granada, 
E.  by  Peru  and  Bolivia,  S.  br  Peru,  and 
W.  by  the  Pacific;  area,  208^000  sq.  m.; 
pop.  1,726,000;  chief  cities,  Quito,  the  cap., 
and  Guayaquil,  the  principal  seaport; 
principal  mountains,  the  Andes,  two  of  the 
highest  peaks  of  which — Chimborazo  and 
Cotopaxl — are  within  its  limits;  there  are 
no  large  rivers  but  several  considerable 
feeders  of  the  Amazon. 

Eczema,  'ze-ma.  An  eruptive  disease  of 
the  skin,  j)receded  by  redness,  heat  and 
itching.  E.  epizootica,  foot  and  mouth 
disease. 

Edaphodont,  e-daf'6-dont.  One  of  a 
fossil  chimaeroid  fishes,  from  the  green- 
sand  chalk  and  tertiary  strata. 


Edentate. 

England,    surnamed 
his  brother  Edwy, 


Edda,  ed'da.  A  book  containing  a  sys- 
tem of  old  Scandinavian  mythology,  with 
exploits  of  the  gods  and  heroes  and  some 
account  of  the  religious  doctrines  of  the 
ancient  Scandinavians. 

Eden,  'den.  The  garden  in  which  Adam 
and  Eve  were  placed  by  God ;  hence,  a  de- 
lightful region  or  residence. 

Edentata,  -den-ta'ta.  That  ord.  of  mam- 
mals   to    which 
sloths,     ant-eat- 
ers, armadiUoes, 
(fee,  belong.         , 

Edentate, 
-  d  e  n  t '  a  t.  Am 
animal  having  no 
fore  teeth,  as  the 
armadillo. 

Edgrar.     King  of 
"  The  Peaceable,"  s, 

943 ;  D.  975.  St.  Dunstan  was  his  chief 
pofitical  adviser.  E.  Atheling,  grandson 
of  King  Edmund  Ironsides,  was  proclaim- 
e<l  King  on  the  death  of  Edward  the  Con- 
fessor, but  submitted  to  William  the  Con- 
queror ;  B.  1053,  D.  1120.  E.,  King  of  Scot- 
land, was  nephew  of  E,  Atheling ;  b. 
1061,  D.  1107. 

Edgrellill,  ej'hll.  An  eminence  in  "War- 
wickshire, Eng.,  7  m.  N.  "W.  of  Banbury, 
noted  as  the  scene  of  the  first  and  inde- 
cisive battle  of  the  civil  war,  Oct.  23,  1642. 

Edgre-tool,  ej'tOl.  Any  instrument  hav- 
ing a  sharp  edge. 

Edgeworth,  Maria.  An  eminent  En- 
glish novelist ;  b.  1767,  d.  1S49. 

Edgring:,  'tng.  Lace,  fringe  or  trimming, 
added  to  a  garment.  In  Hort.  a  row  of 
small  plants  set  along  the  border  of  a 
flower-bed. 

Edible,  ed'i-bl.  Anything  that  may  be 
eaten  for  food  ;  an  article  of  food. 

Edifice,  ed'i-fis.  A  building;  a  strnctiire; 
chiefiy  applied  to  elegant  large  structures. 

Edile,  e'dll.  In  Eoman  Antiq.  a  magis- 
trate whose  chief  business  was  to  super- 
intend buildings,  especially  pubUc  edi- 
fices, temples,  bridges,  aqueducts,  <fec., 
and  who  had  also  the  care  of  the  highwaj's, 
public  places,  weights  and  measures,  <kc. 

Edinburg-h.,  dd'n-bruh.  Cap.  of  Scotland, 
on  the  Firth  of  Forth,  357  m.  N.  W.  of 
London  ;  pop.  208,400. 

Editio  princepB,  -di'shi-o  prin'seps! 
The  earliest  edition  of  a  book ;  the  first 
printed  edition. 

Editor,  ed'it-er.  A  person  who  superin- 
tends, revises,  con-ects  and  prepares  a 
book,  newspaper  or  magazine  for  pub- 
lication. 


EDMUND 


292 


EGBEET 


Edmund  I.  A  Saxon  King  of  England, 
grandson  of  Alfred  the  Great ;  b.  898,  s. 
his  brother  Athelstan,  941;  assassinated, 
946.  E.  II.,  "Ironsides,"  son  of  Etheh*ed 
II.,  B.  9S9.  He  made  a  treaty  1016,  -iWth 
Canute  the  Great,  the  Danish  King,  to 
divide  Great  Britain,  but  was  assassinat- 
ed, lea\ing  Canute  sole  ruler. 

£!dom.  In  Scrip,  the  country  over  which 
Esau  ruled,  a  strip  100  by  20  m.   bet.  8. 

.  Palestine  and  the  Eed  Sea ;  cap.  Bozrah 
(now  Bunirah).  Also  the  section  bet.  the 
Mediterranean  and  Gulf  of  Akabah  on  the 
Red  Sea  (Idumea). 

£driophtlialinata,  'ri-of-thal"ma-ta. 
One  of  the  great  di\isions  of  the  Crus- 


Edriophthalmata. 
tacea,  including  the  three  orders  which 
have  their  eyes  sessile,  or  imbedded  in 
the  head,  and  not  fixed  on  a  peduncle  or 
stalk  as  the  crabs,  lobsters,  &c. 

Eduction-pipe,  e-duk'shon-pTp.  In 
steam-engines,  the  pipe  by  which  the  ex- 
haust steam  is  led  from  the  cylinder  into 
the  condenser  or  the  atmosphere. 

Ed-ward.  The  name  of  9  kings  of  Eng- 
land. Of  them  3  belonged  to  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  line.  E.  I.,  "  the  Elder,"  son  and 
8.  of  Alfred  the  Great,  crowned  901,  d. 
925.  E.  II.,  "the  MartjT,"  great-grand- 
son of  the  former,  s.  his  father  Edgar,  975; 
assas-sinated  by  direction  of  his  step-mother 
Elfrida,  978.  E.  III.,  "the  Confessor," 
8.  his  half-brother,  Edmund  Ironsides, 
1042;  ».  1066.  In  the  Plantagenet  line 
there  were  5  of  the  name :  E.  I.,  "  Long- 
shanks,"  8.  his  father,  HenrvIII.,  1274,  d. 
1307.  E.  II.,  his  son,  b.  in  Wales,  was 
the  first  to  assume  the  title  of  Prince  of 
Wales,  since  bestowed  upon  the  heir  to 
the  throne.  He  s.  his  father,  1307,  and 
was  murdered  by  Roger  de  Mortimer, 
paramour  of  his  queen,  Isabella  of  France, 
1827.  E.  III.,  his  son  and  s.,  b.  1312,  d. 
1377.  E.  IV.,  son  of  Richard,  Duke  of 
York,  great-great-grandson  of  E.  III., 
was  b,  at  Rouen,  Fi-ance,  1441,  and 
claimed  the  throne  in  right  of  his  mother 
and  as  the  head  of  the  House  of  York,  in 
opposition  to  Henry  VI.,  king  de  jui-e, 
representing  the  House  of  Lancaster.  The 
long  and  bloody  civil  "War  of  the  Roses  " 
ensued,  E.  filially  vanquishing  his  ene- 


mies ;  D.  1488.  E.  v.,  his  son  and  n  b. 
1470,  was  murdered  along  with  his  yo)  tig- 
er brother  in  the  Tower  of  London,  i  «S3, 
by  order  of  their  uncle,  Richard,  Duke  of 
Gloucester,  afterward  Richard  III.  In  the 
Tudor  line  there  was  but  1  of  the  name — 
E.  VI.,  only  son  of  Henry  V^III.  by  Jane 
Seymour,  B.  1537,  s.  his  father,  1547  ;  d. 
1553. 

Edwards,  Jonathan.  A  distinguished 
American  theologian,  b.  in  Conn.,  1703; 
became  president  of  Princeton  College, 
N.  J.,  1759,  D.  1760. 

Edwin.  An  Anglo-Saxon  king  of  North- 
umbria,  son  and  s.  of  ^lla,  b.  abt.  590, 
crowned  617,  killed  in  battle,  633. 

Edwy,  ed'we."  An  English  king  of  the 
Anglo-Saxon  line,  s.  his  uncle  Edred,  955, 
D.  958. 

Eel,  el.  A  fam,  of  teleostean  fishes  be- 
longing to  the  apodal  section  of  the  Mala- 
copterygii.  The  name  is  also  applied  to 
other  fishes  belonging  to  distinct  genera. 

Eelbuck,  'buk.  A  basket  for  catchuig 
eels. 

Eel-grrass,  'gras.  Zostera  marina,  a  kind 
of  sea- wrack. 

Eeriness,  er'i-nes.  Superstitious  fear 
combined  with  a  sense  of  loneUness. 

Eflfare,  a-fa-ra.  In  Her.  a  term  apjtlied 
to  an  animal  represented  as  rearing  on  its 
hind  legs,  as  if  it  were  frightened  or  en- 
raged. 

EflBLgry,  'fi-ji.  The  image, 
likeness  or  representation 
of  a  i)erson  or  thing  in 
whole  or  in  part ;  a  like- 
ness in  sculpture,  paint- 
ing, bas-relief  or  drawing; 
a  portrait ;  most  ft-equent- 
ly  applied  to  figures  on 
sepulchral  monuments.  I 
In  Numis.  the  impression  j 
on  a  coin  representing  the 
head  of  the  sovereign  by 
whom  it  was  issued. 

Effluent,    'flu-ent.       A 
stream   that  flows  out  of  ' 
another  stream  or  out  of  a 
lake. 

E.  Gr.  For  the  sake  of  an 
example ;  for  instance. 

Eg-ad,  C-gad.  An  exclam- 
ation expressing  exulta- 
tion or  surprise. 

Egbert  (The  G-reat). 
Kingof  Wessex,  England; 
B.  abt.  765,  crowned  SOO,  n. 


Effigy. 


He  con-" 
solidated  the  several  states  of  the  Hept- 
archy into  one  kingdom. 


EFFEKDI 


EIDER 


Effendi,  ef-fen'di.  A  title  of  respect  at- 
tached to  the  official  title  of  Turks,  es- 
peclall}'^  to  those  of  learned  men  and  eccle- 
siastics ;  thus,  the  sultan's  first  physician 
is  Hakim  effendi.  Also  often  used  as 
master  or  sir  ;  th\is,  Greek  children  are  In 
the  habit  of  calling  their  fathers  effendi. 

lEgrean,  -jG'an.  A  term  applied  to  that 
part  of  theM-^diterranean  otherwise  called 
the  Archipelago. 

Eg-er,  'ger.  In  Bot.  a  tulip  early  in 
bloom. 

Eg-eria,  -jeM-a.  One  of  the  small  aster- 
oids between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Ju- 
piter. 

Eg-eria.  In  Myth,  a  nymph  of  Aricia,  in 
Italy,  where  Diana  was  the  principal  ob- 
ject of  worship.  E.  was  courted  by  Nu- 
ma  Pompilius,  and  according  to  Ovid 
became  his  wife.  At  his  death  she  wept 
60  violently  that  Diana  changed  her  into  a 
foimtain. 

Egg,  eg.  The  body  formed  in  the  females 
of  all  animals  (with  the  exception  of  a  few 
of  the  lowest  type,  which  are  reproduced 
by  gemmation  or  division),  in  which,  by 
impregnation,  the  development  of  the 
foetus  takes  place. 

Egg-nog,  'nog.  A  drink  consisting  of 
the  yelks  of  eggs  beaten  up  with  sugar, 
and  the  white  of  eggs  whipped,  Avith  the 
addition  of  wine  or  spirits. 

Egg-plant, 
'plant.  A 
fruited  vari- 
ety of  Sola- 
num  esculen- 
tum,  culti- 
vated as  an 
article  of 
food. 

Sg'g-  glass, 
'  g  1  a  s.  A 
small  glass 
for  holding 
an  epii;  at  the 
t  a  b  1  e.  A 
sand-glass 
for  regulat- 
ing the  boiling  of  eggs. 

Eggeba,  'e-ba.  A  weight  used  on  the 
Guinea  coast,  equal  to  half  an  ounce. 

Egg-bird,  'herd.  The  name  given  to 
Hydrochelidon  fuliginosum,  a  species  of 
tern. 

Egina  Marbles,  e-gi'na  mar-blz.  A 
collection  of  ancient  statues  discovered  on 
the  island  of  Egina,  supposed  to  have 
originally  decorated  the  temple  sacred  to 

^  Pallas  Athene.    They  are  the  most  re- 


Egg-plant. 


markable  ornaments  of  the  Glyptothek  of 
Munich. 

Egrmont,  Lamorel,  Count  of.  A 
Dutch  General,  descended  from  the  Duke 
of  Guilders  ;  b.  1522.  As  commander  of 
the  Spanish  cavalry  of  Charles  V.  he  de- 
feated the  French,  1557-58,  but  incurring 
the  enmity  of  Philip  II.,  through  his  len- 
ient treatment  of  the  Flemish  Protestants, 
he  was  put  to  death,  1568,  despite  the  re- 
monstrances of  Queen  Elizabeth  of  Eng- 
land and  German  princes.  His  fate  led  to 
the  independence  of  the  Netherlands. 
Ego,  'go.  In  Metaph.,  I ;  the  conscious 
thinking  subject ;  the  subject,  as  opposed 
to  the  non-ego,  the  not-self,  the  object. 
Eg'oism,  -izm.  In  Philos.  the  opinion  of 
one  who  thinks  everything  uncertain  ex- 
cept his  own  existence.  A  passionate 
love  of  self. 

Egoist,  -ist.  An  egotist ;  a  selfish  person. 
One  holding  the  doctrine  of  egoism. 
Egret,    gret.    A   name 
common  to  a  species  of 
herons.     The  little  egret 
(Herodias  or  Ardea  gar- 
zetta)  is     probably    the 
most  elegant  of  all  the 
heron  tribe.     A  heron's 
feather.       In    Bot.    the 
feathery  or  hairy  down  j 
of  seeds,  as  the  down  off 
the  thistle.    A  species  oft 
ape. 

Egrett,  -gret'.  A  tuft 
of  feathers,  diamonds,  &c.;  an  ornament 
of  ribbons.  Written  also  Aigret,  Aigrette. 
Egypt,  e-)ip.  A  country  In  the  N.  E.  of 
Africa ;  bounded  on  the  N.  by  the  Medi- 
terranean, E.  by  the  Red  Sea  and  Isthmus 
of  Suez,  W.  by  Barca  and  the  Great  Des- 
ert, 8.  by  Nubia ;  area,  abt.  180,000  sq.  m. 
Principal  cities,  Cairo,  the  cap.,  Alexan- 
dria, Damietta,  Suez,  Khartoum,  Kosetta 
and  Port  Said,  the  latter  being  the  Medi- 
terranean port  of  the  Suez  Canal.  The 
Nile  is  the  only  river  of  consequence,  and 
two  low  mountain  ranges  on  either  side 
the  Nile  extend  from  Syene  to  Cairo,  and 
from  the  Nilotic  valley.  Pop.  abt.  8,500,- 
000. 
Egyptology,  -tol'o-ji.  The  science  of 
Egyptian  antiquities ;  that  branch  of 
knowledge  that  treats  of  the  ancient  lan- 
guage, history,  &c.,  of  Egypt. 
Eider,  I'der.  A  species  of  duck,  Soma- 
teria  mollissima,  about  twice  the  size  of 
the  common  duck.  The  down  is  mucli 
valued  for  its  superior  warmth,  lightness 
and  elasticity.  The  king  eider  is  another 
species. 


Egret. 


EOTPTIAIT 


594 


ELATEEID^ 


Egyptian, 
'shan.  Per- 
taining to 
Egypt.  Gip- 
sy. E.  arch- 
itectu  re,  a 
style  of  arch-  ^ 
itectur  e 
which  exhib- 
its pyramids, 
rock-cut  tem- 
ples and 
tombs,  gi- 
gantio  mo- 
nohthic  obe- 
lisks, and  co- 
lossal stat- 
ues. Its 
characteristic 
features    are 

solidity,  bold-  Court  of  Temple  at  Edfou. 
nesR  and  originality.  The  remarkable 
feature  associated  -with  this  style  is  the 
grandeur  of  its  mechanical  operations,  in 
cutting,  polishing,  sculpturing  and  trans- 
porting vast  blocks  of  limestone  and  of 
granite.  E.  blue,  a  brilliant  pigment  con- 
sisting of  the  hydrated  pi-otoxide  of  cop- 
per mixed  with  a  minute  quantity  of  iron. 
E.  pebble,  a  species  of  agate  or  jasper.  E. 
thorn,  the  Acacia  vera.  E.  vulture, 
Neophron  percnopterus,  one  of  the  smaller 
vultures.  It  frequents  the  streets  of  East- 
fern  towns,  where  it  is  protected  as  a 
scavenger,  and  follows  caravans  through 
the  desert.  Called  also  Pharaoh's  hon  or 
chicken. 

Eider.  A  Danish  river  forming  the 
bo^indary  between  Schleswig  and  Hol- 
stein,  emptying  into  the  German  Ocean  at 
Tonning. 

Pidograph.,  'do-graf.  An  instrument 
for  copying  designs,  reduced  or  enlarged. 
Eidolon,  -do'lon.  A  likeness,  image,  or 
representation  ;  a  shade  or  specter ;  an 
apparition. 

Eidouranion,  -dou-ra'nl-on.    A  repre- 
sentation of  the  heavens. 
Eight,  fit.     One  of  the  cardinal  numbers. 
A  symbol  representing  eight  units,  as  8  or 
viii. 

Eighteenmo,  'en-mo.  The  size  of  a 
book  in  which  a  sheet  is  folded  into  eigh- 
teen leaves.  Written  generally  18mo. 
Eirenarch.,  I'ren-ark.  In  Greek  Antiq. 
a  magistrate  to  whom  the  keeping  of  the 
peace  was  intrusted. 

Eisleben,  Iz'la-ben.  A  town  of  Saxony, 
24  m.  N,  W.  of  Merseberg,  the  birthplace 
of  Martin  Luther,  1483,  and  where  he 
died,  1546 ;  pop.  13,782. 


Eisteddfod,  i-steth-vod.  A  meeting; 
an  assembly  or  session  of  bards  and  min- 
strels held  in  Wales  in  ancient  times,  re- 
vived by  the  Tudor  sovereigns  and  again 
popular  Avherever  the  Welsh  Uvc  in  any 
numbers. 

Ekaterinodar.  Cap.  of  the  Cossacks 
of  the  Euxine,  on  the  Kuban,  European 
Russia  ;  pop.  abt.  12,300. 

Ekaterinoslav.  Cap.  of  govt,  of  same 
name  in  European  Russia,  on  the  Dnieper, 
260  m.  N.  E.  of  Odessa;  pop.  23,60^ 
Strongly  fortified. 

Elseolite,  el-0-o-lIt.  A  coarse,  massivo 
variety  of  nepheline.  The  predominance 
of  soda  in  its  composition  renders  its  alter- 
ation a  frequent  source  of  zeolites,  as 
thomsonite. 

Elaeoptene,  -op'ten.  The  liquid  portion 
of  volatile  oils,  as  distinguished  from  the 
crytallizable  portion  called  stearoptene. 

Elaine,  e-la'in.  The  liquid  principle  of 
soils  and  fats ;  oleine. 

Eland,  'land.  An 
African  species 
(Oreas  canna),  the 
largest  of  all  ante- 
lopes and  almost 
the  only  one  dis- 
posed to  take  on  ^ 
fat.  It  is  about  the 
size  of  a  horse.  The 
moose. 

Elanus,-ia'nu8.  A 
gen.  of  kites,,  the 
only    cosmopolitan 

member  of  the  group,  of  which  the  black- 
winged  kite  is  a  good  example. 

Elaphomyces,  el-a-fom'i-sez.  A  gen. 
of  underground  fungi,  alHed  to  truffles. 
They  were  once  regarded  as  aphrodisiac, 
and  are  still  sold  by  herbalists  under  the 
name  of  lycoperdon  nuts. 

Elapidae,  e-lap'i-de.  A  fam.  of  venom- 
ous serpents,  including  the  genera  Bunga- 
rus.  Cobra  and  Elaps. 

Elasmobranchii,  -las'm6-brang"ki-T. 
An  ord.  of  fishes,  including  the  sharks, 
dog-fishes,  rays  and  chimaera. 

Elasmodon,  -don.  A  sub-gen.  of  the  gen. 
Elephant,  under  which  are  included  the 
mammoth  and  Asiatic  species,  the  African 
belonging  to  the  sub-gen.  Loxodon. 

Elasmotherium,  -the"ri-um.  An 
extinct  gen.  of  mammalia,  referred  by 
some  to  the  horse  family,  by  others  to 
the  rhinoceros,  being  intermediate  be- 
tween them. 

Elateridse,     el  a-ter'i-de.      A    fam.    of 


Eland. 


ELATKJttlTE 


ELECTEO-CHEMISTET 


coleopterous  insects  corresponding  to  the 
Liimaeau  gen.  Elater. 

Elaterite,  e-lat'er-It.  An  elastic  mineral 
resin. 

Elba.  An  Italian  island  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean, oS  the  coast  of  Tuscany,  18  m. 
long,  by  3  to  12  m.  \\-ide.  Noted  as  the 
place  of  banishment  of  Napoleon  I.  after 
his  first  abdication,  1814.  He  remained 
on  it  only  ten  months. 

Elbe,  elb.  A  river  of  N.  Germany,  rising 
in  the  Eiesengebirge  Mountains,  and 
emptying  into  the  German  Ocean  70  m. 
below  Hamburg ;  length  350  m. 

Elberfeld.  A  manufacturing  city  of 
Ehenish  Prussia,  on  the  Wapper,  15  m. 
N.  E.  of  Diisseldorf ;  pop.  abt.  90,000. 

Elburz,  el-boorz'.  The  highest  peak  of 
the  Caucasus  Mountains  ;  18,526  ft. 

Elcesaite,  -s5'sa-Tt.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Gnostics,  which  arose  among  the  Asiatic 
Christians  in  the  reign  of  Trajan. 

Elcbingren,  -sheng'gn.  A  Bavarian 
village,  8  m.  N.  E.  of  Ulm,  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  Danube,  noted  as  the  scene  of 
the  victory  by  the  French  under  Marshal 
Ney  over  the  Austrians,  1805. 

Elder,  eld'er.  A  person  advanced  in  life, 
and  who,  on  account  of  age,  experience 
and  wisdom,  is  selected  for  office.  Among 
the  Jews,  the  seventy  men  associated  •with 
Moses  in  the  government  of  the  people 
were  elders.  In  the  first  Christian 
churches  the  word  includes  apostles,  pas- 
tors, teachers,  presb)'-ters,  bishops  or  over- 
seers. Peter  and  John  called  themselves 
elders.  The  first  councils  of  Christians 
were  called  presbyteria,  councils  of  elders. 
Among  some  modern  sects  the  title  is  ap- 
plied to  mir.isters ;  among  others,  to  the 
highest  lay  officer. 

El  Dorado,  el  do-ra'do.  A  country  that 
Orellana,  the  heutenant  of  Pizarro,  pre- 
tended that  he  had  discovered  in  S.  Amer- 
ica, and  which  he  thus  named  on  account 
of  the  quantity  of  precious  metals  in 
Manoa,  the  capital.  Ilis  relation  was  soon 
discovered  to  be  a  figment.  The  word 
has  become  a  i)roverbial  term  for  a  region 
represented  to  be  unusually  rich. 

Eleanor  (of  Guienne).  Queen  Eegent 
of  England  during  the  absence  of  her  son, 
Eichard  Coeur  de  Lion,  in  the  crusades; 
B.  1122,  D.  1204.  E.  was  daughter  and 
heiress  of  the  last  Duke  of  Aquataine,  and 
was  married  to  Louis  YII.  of  France, 
1137 ;  divorced  1152,  she  married  Henry 
II.  of  England,  her  extensive  possessions 
in  France  being  the  cause  of  the  proti-acted 
■wars  betweca  the  two  coimtries. 


Elecampane,  'e-kam-pan".  The  com- 
mon name  of  Inula  Ilelenium,  a  composit* 
herb.     It  is  an  aromatic  bitter. 

Elector,  e-lekt'er.  One  who  elects  or  has 
the  right  of  choice  ;  a  person  who  has  by 
law  or  constitution  the  right  of  voting  for 
any  functionary. 

Electrepeter,  -lek-trep'et-er.  An  in- 
strument for  changing  the  direction  of 
electrical  currents. 

Electric,  'trik.  Containing  electricity  or 
capable  of  exhibiting  it  when  excited  by 
friction.  E.  apparatus,  the  various  things 
necessary  for  conducting  electrical  exper- 
iments and  illustrating  the  laws  of  electric 
action.  E.  circuit,  plates  of  copper  and 
zinc,  with  the  acid  solution  which  renders 
them  active,  and  a  wire  connecting  the 
unimmersed  ends  of  the  plates.  E.  cur- 
rent, a  stream  of  electricity  traversing  a 
closed  circuit,  or  passing  by  means  of  con- 
ductors from  one  body  to  another.  E. 
battery,  a  number  of  electric  jars  connect- 
ed with  each  other.  E.  machine,  an  ap- 
paratus capable  of  exciting  a  great  quanti- 
ty of  electricity  and  exhibiting  its  effects. 
They  are  of  a  great  variety  of  forms. 

Electricity,  -tris'i-ti.  The  branch  of 
natural  philosophy  which  investigates  tha 
attractions  and  repulsions,  the  produc- 
tion of  light,  the  elevation  of  temperature, 
explosions  and  other  phenomena  attend- 
ing the  friction  of  vitreous,  resinous  and 
metallic  surfaces,  and  the  heating,  cooling, 
evaporation  and  mutual  contact  of  a  great 
number  of  bodies.  Electricity  is  positive 
and  negative,  the  first  like  that  evoked  on 
glass  by  rubbing  with  silk,  and  the  latter 
like  that  evoked  on  sealing-wax  by  rub- 
bing with  flannel.  Similarly  electrified 
bodies  repel,  and  dissimilarly  electrified 
bodies  attract  each  other,  while  neutral 
bodies  are  attracted  by  those  which  are 
electrified.  Besides  friction  there  are 
other  sources  of  electricity.  After  cleav- 
age or  pressure  certain  laminated  min- 
erals exhibit  electric  excitement  at  the 
surfaces  cleft  or  pressed,  one  of  these 
being  always  positive,  the  other  negative. 
Many  other  bodies,  not  minei*als,  possess 
the  same  property. 

Electro-biology,  'tro-bi-ol-o-ji.  That 
branch  of  science  Avhich  treats  of  the 
electric  currents  developed  in  living  or- 
ganisms. 

Electro-chemistry,  -kem-is-tri.  That 
science  which  treats  of  the  agency  of  elec- 
tricity and  galvanism  in  efi'ecting  chemi- 
cal changes,  divided  into  electrolysis  and 
eltjctro-metaliiu-gy. 


ELECTEO-CHEONOGEAPH 


296 


ELEPHANT 


Mectro-chronogrraph,  -kron"6-graf. 
An  insti-ument  used  iu  astronomical  ob- 
sei-Yaiories  for  noting  the  precise  instant 
or  duration  of  transits  and  similar  phe- 
nomena. 

Electrode,  'trod.  A  term  to  denote  the 
surface  at  which  electricity  enters  or 
leaves  a  body  under  electrolytic  decom- 
position, to  avoid  the  ambiguity  of  the 
terms  positive  pole,  negative  pole.  The 
point  at  which  electricity  enters  is  term- 
ed the  anode,  and  the  point  at  which  it 
departs,  the  cathode. 

Electro-dynamics,  'tro-di-nam-iks. 
The  science  which  treats  of  mechanical 
actions  exerted  on  one  another  by  electric 
currents. 

Electro-engraving,  -en-grav-ing.  The 
process  of  engi-aving  by  means  of  voltaic 
electricity. 

Electrography,  -trog'ra-fi.  The  process 
of  copying  engravings  from  copper  or 
steel  plates  to  an  electro-copper  deposit. 

Electrometer,  -trom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  differences  of  electric 
potential  between  two  conductors  through 
effects  of  electrostatic  force,  and  distin- 
tinguished  from  the  galvanometer,  which 
measures  differences  of  electric  poteuLial 
through  electro-magnetic  effects  of  elec- 
tric currents  produced  by  them. 

Electromotor,  tro'-mo-ter.  An  arrange- 
ment which  gives  rise  to  an  electric  cm*- 
rent,  as  a  galvanic  battery,  or  a  thermo- 
electric pile.  An  engine  in  which  elec- 
tricity is  employed  to  produce  mechanical 
effect. 

Electrophone,  'tro-fon.  An  instru- 
ment for  i)roducing  sounds,  resembling 
trumpet-tones,  by  electric  currents  of  high 
tension. 

Electrophorus, 
-trofo-rus.  An  in- 
strument for  ob- 
taining electricity 
by  means  of  induc- 
tion. It  consists  of 
a  disk  of  resin  and 
another  of  polished 
metal  with  an  insu-. 
lating  handle.  The 
resin  disk  is  electri- 


fied by  striking  or 


Electrophorus. 


rubbing  and  the  metal  plate  is  then  laid 
upon  it.  The  upper  plate  does  not  re- 
ceive a  direct  charge  from  the  lower,  but, 
if  touched  with  the  finger,  receives  an  op- 
posite charge  by  induction. 
Electro-plate,  'tro-plat.  Articles  coated 
with  silver  or  other  m«tal  by  the  process 
ot  elcctro-platiiig. 


Electroscope,     -skop.      An 
instrument  for  observing  or  de- 
tecting the  existence 
of  free  electricity  and 
determining  its  kind. 
The  simplest  electro- 
scope   consists    of 
pair  of  short  pieces  of 
straw  suspended    by 
silk  threads.    On  pre- 
senting an  electrified 
body    to    them 
they  become  ex- 
cited and  stand    .^^ 
apart.     This  has  ^l! 
been  superseded    "^s; 
by  the  gold-leaf   Gold-leaf  Electroscope, 
electr  o  s  c  o  p  e ", 

consisting  of  two  pieces  of  gold-leaf,  fixed 
to  a  brass  rod  and  hung  inside  a  dry  glass 
globe.  If  an  electric  body  be  brought 
near  the  instrument  induction  takes  place. 
To  find  if  the  leaves  are  positively  or  neg- 
atively charged  an  electrified  glass  rod  is 
brought  near  ;  if  positively  charged,  ths 
leaves  will  diverge  still  more ;  if  negatively, 
they  will  collapse. 

Electro-tint,  -tint.  An  art  by  which 
drawings  are  traced  by  the  action  of  elec- 
ti-icity  on  a  copper  plate,  for  use  in  the 
common  printing  press. 
Electrotype,  -tip.  The  act  of  producing 
copies  of  wood-cuts,  types,  &c.,  by  means 
of  the  electric  deposition  of  copper  upon 
a  mold  taken  from  the  original.  A  copy 
thus  produced. 

Electrum,  'trura.  Amber.  In  Mineral, 
an  argentiferous  gold  ore  or  native  alloy. 
An  alloy  of  gold  used  by  the  ancients, 
consisting  of  a  mixture  of  gold  with  a  fifth 
part  of  silver. 

Elegy.  A  plaintive  poem,  or  a  funeral 
song.  In  Class,  poetry,  any  i>oem  writ- 
ten in  elegiac  verse. 

Element,  -ment.  In  Chem.  one  of  the  64 
simple  substances  which  hitherto  have 
resisted  resolution  by  chemical  analysis  ; 
one  of  the  ultimate,  indecomposable  con- 
stituents of  any  kind  of  matter.  The  first 
or  simplest  rules  or  principles  of  an  art  or 
science  ;  rudiments.  In  Scholastic  Philos- 
ophy, one  of  the  four  constituents  of  the 
material  world— fire,  air,  earth  and  water, 
which  were  supposed  to  be  ultimate  inde- 
composable principles. 
Elephant,  -fant.  The  popular  name  of 
a  gen.  constituting  a  sub-fam.  of  five-toed 
proboscidian  mammals,  comprehending 
two  species,  Elephas  (Elasmodon)  Indicus 
and  Elephas  (Loxod«n)  Africanus,  the 
former  inhabiting  India,  the  latter  Africa. 


ELEPHANTA 


297 


ELIJAH 


'r  h  e  tusks 
occur   in 
■both  sexes, 
and  are   of 
great  value, 
f  r  o  m  the 
Ivory    of 
which  they 
consist,  fur- 
nishing   an 
im  portant 
article  of 
commerce. 
Ten  species    Head  of  Indian  Elephant, 
of  fossil  elephants  have  been  described,  in- 
eluding  the 
mastodon 
the  mammoth. 

Elephanta, 

-fan'ta. 
island  off 
W.  CO  as! 
Hindustan 
m.  E.  of 
Bombaj', 
noted  as' 
contain- 
ing many 

remark-      -rr     ^     »  .  «  .        ^-.i     n_     ^ 
able  reli-      Head  of  African  Elephant. 

gious  antiquities.  Among  these  are  an 
immense  stone  elephant  from  which  a 
slope  leads  to  an  artificial  rock  cave,  SO 
by  40  ft. ,  the  roof  of  which  is  supported  by 
pillars  18  ft.  high.  It  is  cut  up  into  apart- 
ments, which  contain  carved  images  of 
objects  and  animals  in  Hindu  Myth.,  in- 
cluding the  gods. 

Elephant-fish,  -fish.  Callorhynchus 
antarctica,  a  fish  belonging  to  the  ord. 
Elasmobranchii,  having  a  proboscis-like 
process  on  its  nose. 

Elephantiasis,  -i"a-sis.  In  Med.  a 
term  applied  to  several  varieties  of  skin 
diseases  in  which  the  limbs  suffer  enlarge- 
ment and  the  skin  discoloration. 

Elephantidse,  'i-do.  A  fam.  of  animals 
included  among  the  Pachydermata  of 
Cuvier,  but  raised  by  some  into  a  distinct 
order  of  mammals,  that  of  the  Proboscl- 
dea.  comprising  the  elephants,  the  mam- 
moth, the  mastodon,  and  perhaps  the 
dinotherium. 

Elephantine,  -fan'tin.  A  small  ISTilotic 
island  oi)posite  Assouan,  U.  Egypt,  con- 
taining many  ruins,  the  most  remarkable 
being  that  of  the  Nilometer,  referred  to  bv 

Strabo. 

Elephant's-tusks,  -tusks.  A  gen.  of 
gastoropodous  mollusks,   fam.  Dentalidee 


or  tooth-shells.  In  parts  ot  Africa  the 
shells  are  used  as  money. 

Elephant,  White.  The  highest  order 
of  Danish  knighthood,  numbering  but  80, 
exclusive  of  the  royal  males. 

Eleusinia,  e-loo-sin'e-a.  Solemn  festi- 
vals with  mysterious  religious  rites,  cele- 
brated every  4  j'ears  by  the  ancient  Greeks, 
in  honor  of  Cores  and  her  daughter  Pro- 
serpine. The  presiding  priest  was  termed 
a  hioropliant,  and  to  disclose  the  secrets 
of  the  rites  was  an  offense  that  could  not 
fail  of  being  avenged  by  the  gods. 

Eleutheropomi,  e'lu-ther-o-p6"mi.  A 
sub-ord.  of  chondropterygian  fishes,  in-, 
eluding  sturgeons  and  chimseras. 

Elevator,  el-e-vat-er.  A  muscle  which 
serves  to  raise  a  part  of  the  body,  as  tha 
lip  or  the  eye.  A  mechanical  contrivance 
for  raising  i)ersons  or  goods  from  a  lower 
story  of  a  building  to  a  higher.  A 
series  of  boxes  or  buckets  attached  to  a 
belt  traveling  round  drums,  for  hoisting 
grain,  meal,  &c.,  in  a  mill.  A  building 
containing  mechanical  elevators,  especially 
a  grain  warehouse. 

Eleve,  a-lfiv.  A  pupil ;  one  brought  up 
or  protected  by  another. 

Eleven,  e-lev'n.  The  sum  of  ten  and 
one.  A  symbol  representing  eleven  units, 
as  11  or  xi.  In  cricket,  the  number  of 
players  on  a  side. 

Elf,  elf.  A  wandering  spirit ;  a  fairy  ;  a 
goblin  ;  an  imaginary  being  anciently  sup- 
posed to  inhabit  unfrequented  places,  and 
in  various  ways  to  atiect  mankind.  A 
mischievous  or  wicked  person.  A  diminu- 
tive person;  a  dwarf;  hence,  a  pet  name 
for  a  child. 

Elf-arrow,  'a-ro.  The  name  popularly 
given  to  the  flint  arrow-heads  Avhich  were 
in  use  at  an  early  period  among  the  bar- 
barous tribes  of  many  countries.  They 
were  supposed  to  be  shot  by  fairies. 

Elf-land,  'land.  The  region  of  the  elves; 
fairy -land. 

Elgin  and  Kincardine,  Thomas 
Bruce,  7th  Earl  of.  A  Scotch  noble 
descended  from  the  royal  house  of  Bruce ; 
B.  1777,  I).  1841.  While  in  the  diplomatic 
service  in  Turkey  and  Greece,  he  secured 
the  celebrated  collection  of  artistic  remains 
known  as  the  Elgin  marbles.  James,  his 
son,  8th  earl,  n.  1801,  d.  1863,  was  govern- 
or-general of  Canada  and  viceroy  of  India. 

Eli.  In  Scrip,  a  high-priest  and  the  Judge 
of  Israel  preceding  Samuel,  d.  1116  b.  c. 

Elias,  Mount  St.  A  range  of  N.  Alas- 
ka. 

Elijah  (The  Tishbite).     One  of  Israel's 


ELIOT 


293 


ELUTRIATION 


most  distinguished  propiiets,  called  Elias 
ill  tlie  New  Testament.  Ho  is  said  to  have 
been  translated  abt.  8D6  b.  c. 

Eliot,  Jolin  (The  Apostle  of  the  In- 
dians). An  English  clergyman,  b.  1(';04, 
emigrated  to  Mass.  1631,  becoming  pastor 
of  the  lloxbury  Church,  and  devoting 
most  of  his  after  life  to  missionary  efforts 
among  the  Indians. 

Eliot,  Samuel.  An  American  historian; 
B.  in  Mass.  1S21,  d.  1882. 

Elisha.  A  prophet  of  Israel,  pupil  and 
8.  of  Elijah  ;  lived  bet.  890  and  &35  b.  c. 

Elite,  si-let.  A  choice  or  select  body  ;  the 
best  part ;  as  the  elite  of  society. 

Elizabeth.  Queen  of  p:ngland ;  daughter 
of  Henry  VIII.  and  Anne  l>oleyn  ;  b.  1533, 
1).  1G03.  She  s.  her  sister  Mary,  1558,  and 
consummated  the  establishment  of  Prot- 
estantism as  the  faith  of  the  realm. 

Elizabethan,  -liz'a-beth"an.  Pertain- 
ing to  Queen  Elizabeth.  E.  architecture, 
the  mixed  or  debased  architecture  of  the 
times  of  Elizabeth  and  James  I.,  when  the 
worst  forms  of  Gothic  and  Italian  were 
combined. 

Elizabeth  Petrowna,  pa-trov'na. 
Empress  of  Russia;  b.  17U9,  d.  1761.  She 
-was  a  daughter  of  Peter  the  Great,  and 
became  empress  thx-ough  the  deposition 
of  Ivan,  1741. 

Elizabeth,  St.  (Of  Hungary).  Daughter 
of  Andreas  II.,  King  of  Hungary,  and 
wife  of  Louis,  Landgrave  of  Thuringia;  b. 
1207,  D.  1281.  She  was  eminent  for  piety 
and  asceticism. 

Elk,  elk.  Alces  Malchis  or  Cervus  Alces, 
the  largest  existing  species  of  the  Cervidae 
or  deer  fam.  It  is  found  in  Europe  and 
Asia,  but  chiefly  in  North  America,  where 
it  is  called  the  Moose  or  Moose-deer. 
Elke.  CygnuB  ferus,  the  wild  swan  or 
'  hooper. 

Ell,  el.  A  measure  used  chiefly  for  meas- 
uring cloth.  The  English  ell  is  45  in., 
the  Flemish  27,  the  Scotch  37.2,  and  the 
French  64. 

EUery,  "William..  An  American  states- 
man, and  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  ;  b.  in  K.  I.,  1727. 
D.  1820. 

Ellora.    A  village  of  prov.  Aurungabad, 
Hindustan,  celebrated  for  immense  Brah- 
man temples,  hewn  out  of  the  solid  rock. 
Elliptic,  -lip'tik.    A  flat  body,  oval  and 
acute  at  each  end. 

Ellsworth,  Oliver.  An  eminent  Amei-- 
ican  jurist,  second  Chief  Justice  of  the  U. 
S.;b.  in  Conn.,  1745,  D.  1807. 


Ellwand,  'woud.  A 
measuring-rod,  which 
in  England  was  45  in. 
long,  and  in  Scotland 
87i.  In  Scotland,  the 
constellation  otherwise 
known  as  the  girdle 
or  belt  of  Orion.  Call- 
ed also  Our  Lady's 
ellwand. 

Elm,  elm.  The  En- 
glish name  of  the  gen. 
of  trees,  Ulmus,  ord.  ^ 
Ulmaceaj,  of  which ' 
there  are  thirteen  spe- 
cies. The  elm  for  use- 
fulness ranks  next  to 
the  oak  as  a  timber  tree, 

Elmidae,  'i-de.  A  fam.  of  small  aquatic 
coleopterous  insects  found  adhering  to  the 
under  sides  of  stones  lying  at  the  bottom 
of  running  water. 

Elmo's-flre,  el'moz-flr.  A  popular  name 
for  a  meteoric  appearance  seen  playing 
about  the  masts  of  a  ship.  Cal'ed  also 
Castor  and  Pollux,  Helena,  and  Corposant. 

El  Obeid,  cl-o'baid.  Cap.  of  Kordofan, 
Africa ;  pop.  abt.  35,000. 

Elog'ist,  e'lo-jist.  One  who  pronounces 
a  panegyric,  especially  upon  the  dead; 
one  who  delivera  an  eloge. 

Elohim,  -him.  One  of  the  names  of  God, 
of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  Bible.  It  is 
used  both  of  the  true  God  and  of  false 
gods,  while  Jehovah  is  used  only  of  the 
true  God. 

Elohist,  -hist.  The  epithet  applied  to  the 
supposed  writer  of  the  Elohistic  passages 
of  the  l*entateuch,  in  contradistinction  to 
Jehovist. 

Elongration,  -long-ga'shon.  In  Aetron. 
the  angular  distance  of  a  planet  from  the 
sun,  as  it  appears  to  the  eye  of  a  spectator 
on  the  earth;  apparent  departure  of  a 
planet  from  the  sun  in  its  orbit.  In  Surg. 
a  partial  dislocation,  occasioned  by  the 
stretching  of  the  ligaments. 

Elsinore,  cl'se-nor.  A  seaporc  of  Zee- 
land,  commanding  the  Sound,  and  for- 
merly the  place  where  the  Danish  gov- 
ernment collected  dues  from  vessels. 
Noted  for  the  proximity  of  the  castle  of 
Kronborg,  the  supposed  scene  of  Shake- 
speare's tragedy  of  Hamlet. 

Elul,  'lul.  The  1 2th  month  of  the  Je^vish 
civil  year,  and  the  6th  of  the  ecclesiastical, 
con-osponding  nearly  to  our  August. 

Eliitriation,  -lu'tri-a"shon.  The  opera- 
tion of  pulverizing  a  solid  substance,  stir- 
ring it  with  Avater,   and  pouring  off  tha 


ELYDOKIC 


299 


EMJiRASUEE 


liquid,  to  sepirate  the  foul  or  exti-aneous 
substances  from  the  finer,  as  the  elutiia- 
tion  of  tin-ore. 

Elydoric,  el-i-dor'ik.  A  method  of  paint- 
iug  Willi  oil  and  water,  in  which  the  work 
has  the  freshness  of  water  colors  and  the 
unHowness  of  oil  painting. 

Elysiadse,  si'a-de.  A  small  fam.  of 
nudibranchiate  mollusks,  in  which  no 
tri'.ce  of  special  respiratory  organs  has 
been  detected. 

Elysian  Fields,  e-lizh'yan.  In  Myth, 
the  Paradise  or  Heaven  of  the  ancient 
heathen  world ;  they  Avere  variously  lo- 
cated. 

Elytrine,  el'i-trin.  The  name  given  to 
the  substance  of  which  the  horny  covering 
ef  crustaceous  insects  is  composed. 

Elzevir,  el-ze'ver.  Of  or  belonging  to 
the  Elzevir  family.  E.  editions  of  the 
classics,  ifcc,  published  by  the  Elzevir  fam- 
ily at  Amsterdam  and  Leyden,  from  about 
1595  to  16S0,  highly  prized  for  accuracy 
and  elegance.    A  peculiar  cut  of  tj-pe. 

Em,  em.  In  printing,  the  unit  of  meas- 
urement ;  the  square  of  the  type.  The 
cm  of  pica  is  the  standard  unit. 

Emanation,  -a-na'shon.  The  act  of 
flowing  or  proceeding  from  a  fountain- 
head  or  origin.  In  Philos.  a  system  which 
supposes  that  all  existences  proceed  by 
successive  disengagements  from  one  be- 
ing, which  is  God. 

Emancipation,  G-man'si-pa'^shon.  The 
act  of  setting  free  from  slavery,  subjec- 
tion,civil  restraints  or  disabilities,  &c.;  hb- 
eration,  as  the  emancipation  of  slaves.  E. 
proclamation,  a  war  edict  of  President 
Lincoln  declaring  all  slaves  in  the  IT.  S. 
free.  Eatified  by  the  votes  of  the  States 
at  the  close  of  the  Kebellion. 

Emasculation,  -mas'ku-la"shon.  The 
act  of  depriving  a  male  of  the  parts  which 
characterize  the  sex;  castration.  The  act  of 
expurgating  some  parts  from  a  book,  writ- 
ing, &c.,  as  being  over- vigorous  or  coarse. 

Emballing-,  em-bal'ing.  The  condition 
of  being  distinguished  by  the  ball  or  globe, 
the  ensign  of  royalty  ;  promotion  to  sov- 
reignty. 

Embalon,  Tjal-on.  The  beak  of  an  an- 
cient war-galley,  made  of  metal  and  sharp- 
ened fco  that  it  might  pierce  an  enemy's 
vessel  under  w.iter. 

Embassy,  'bas-si.  The  public  function 
or  residence  of  an  ambassador ;  the 
charge  or  employment  of  a  public  minis- 
ter, whether  ambassador  or  envoy. 

Embaterion,  ba-te'ri-on.  A  war-song 
of  the  Spartans,  accompanied  by  flutes. 


bat'tld.     Arrayed  in  order 


Embattled  Molding, 
ment.   E.  molding,  in  Arch,  indented  lika 
a  battlement. 

Ember,  'ber.     A  small  live  coal. 

Ember-days,  -daz.  The  Wednotday, 
Friday  and  Saturday  after  Quadragesima 
Sunday,  after  Whitsunday,  after  Holy- 
rood -day  in  September,  and  after  St.  Lu- 
cia's day  in  December,  appointed  in  tho 
Church  of  England  for  fasting  and  absti- 
nence. 

Ember-groose,  -gos.  An  Arctic  bird, 
known  also  as  the  great  northern  diver 
and  loon,  gen.  Colymbus,  ord.  Natatores. 

Emberizidse,  -iz'i-de.  A  fam.  of  ?maU 
birds,  ord.  Insessores  and  tribe  Coniros- 
tres.  It  includes  the  buntings,  the  snow- 
flake,  yellow-hammer,  reed-sparrow  and 
the  ortolan,  esteemed  for  the  delicacy  of 
its  flesh.  By  some  naturalists  thev  are 
classified  as  a  sub-fan^,  of  the  Fringillidffi, 
under  the  title  Emberizinsp. 

Emblazonry,  -bla'zon-ri.  Tho  actor  art 
of  emblazoning ;  blazonry.  Heraldic  dec- 
oration. 

Emblem,  'blem.  A  work  of  art  repre- 
senting one  thing  to  the  eye  and  another 
to  the  understanding ;  a  ])ainted  or  sculp- 
tured enigma  ;  a  figure  representing  some 
obvious  history,  or  suggesting  some  moral 
truth.    A  symbol. 

Emblemata,  -ble-ma'ta.  The  sculptured 
figures,  usually  made  of  the  precious  met- 
als or  of  amber,  with  which  ornaments 
were  decorated  by  the  ancients. 

Embolism,  'bol-izm.  Intercalation  ;  the 
insertion  of  days,  months  or  years  in  an 
account  of  time,  to  produce  regularity. 
The  Greeks  made  use  of  the  lunar  year  of 
354  days,  and  to  adjust  it  to  the  solar  year 
of  365  they  added  a  lunar  month  every 
second  or  third  year. 

Embrasure,  -bra'- 
zhur.  An  opening 
in  a  wall  or  parapet ' 
through  which  can- 
non are  pointed  and  .• 
fired  ;  the  indent  or^ 
crenelle  of  an  em-^ 
battlement.  In 
Arch,  the  enlarge-         Embrasure. 


EMBOSSMENT 


EMPIEE 


ment  of  the  aperture  of  a  door  or  window 
inside  the  wall. 

Embossment,  -bos'ment.  The  act  of 
forming-  protuberances  upon,  or  state  of 
being  embossed.  A  prominence,  like  a 
boss  ;  a  jut.     Eelief ;  rising  work. 

Embrocado,  -bro-ka'do.  A  pass  in  fenc- 
ing. 

Embroidery,  -broi'de-ri.  Work  in  gold, 
silver,  silk,  or  other  thread,  formed  by  the 
needle  on  cloth. 

Embryo,  'bri-fl.  The  iirst  rudiments  of 
an  animal  in  the  womb,  before  the  several 
members  are  distinctly  formed,  after 
which  it  is  called  a  tetus.  In  Eot.  the 
rudimentary  plant  contained  in  the  seed, 
produced  by  the  action  of  the  pollen  on 
the  ovule. 

Emerald,  'e-rald.  A  precious  stone 
whose  colors  are  shades  of  green.  It  is  a 
little  harder  than  quartz  and  is  composed 
of  GT  to  68  per  cent,  of  silica,  15  to  IS  al- 
umina, 12  to  14  plucina,  and  minute 
quanties  of  peroxide  of  iron,  lime  and 
oxide  of  chromium.  The  emerald  and 
beryl  are  varieties  of  the  same  species.  A 
size*  of  printing  type. 

Emerald  G-reen,  gi-en.  A  durable 
green  pigment  prepared  fi-om  thearseniate 
of  copper. 

Emieritus,  e-mer'it-us.  A  soldier  or 
other  public  functionary  of  ancient  Kome 
Avho  had  served  out  his  time  and  retired 
from  service.  Hence,  one  who  has  been 
honorably  discharged  from  public  service. 

(Emersion,  -mer'shon.  The  act  of  ris- 
ing out  of  a  fluid  or  other  covering  or  sur- 
rounding substance.  In  Astron.  the  re- 
appearance of  a  heavenly  body  after  an 
eclipse  or  occultation. 

Emerson,  Ralph  "Waldo.  An  emi- 
nent American  poet  and  essayist;  B.  in 
Mass.  1S03. 

Emery,  em'e-ri.  An  amorphous  variety 
of  corundum  and  sapphire  extensively 
used  in  the  arts  for  grinding  and  polishing 
metals,  hard  stones  and  glass.  Its  com- 
position is  alumina  82,  oxide  of  iron  10,  sili- 
ca 6,  lime  1  i.  Razor-strop  paper  is  made  by 
mixing' the  finest  emery  powder  and  a  little 
finely  powdered  glass  with  paper  pulp. 

Emetic,  e-met'ik.  A  medicine  that  pro- 
vokes vomiting. 

Emeute,  e-mat.  A  seditions  commotion; 
a  riot. 

Emigrant,  em'i-grant.  One  who  re- 
moves his  hal)itation,  or  quits  one  ceuntiy 
or  region  to  settle  in  another. 

Emigrre,    a-me-gra.       Ono   of  the   old 


French  nobles  who  became  refugees  dur- 
ing the  i-evolution  of  1789. 

Eminential,  em-i-nen'shl-al.  In  Alg.  a 
term  applied  to  an  artificial  kind  of  equa- 
tion, which  contains  another  eminently. 

Emir,  e'mir.  The  title  given  by  Moham- 
medans to  all  Independent  chiefs.  When 
associated  with  other  words  it  denotes  the 
heads  of  certain  departments  in  Turkey. 
Thus  the  caliphs  style  themselves  Emir-al 
Mumenin,  Prince  of  the  Faithful ;  Emir-al 
Omrah,  Prince  of  Princes,  is  the  title  of 
the  governors  of  the  diflferent  provinces, 
&c.  The  title  is  also  given  to  all  descend- 
ants of  Mohammed,  thx-ough  his  daughter 
Fatima. 

Emmanuel.  In  Scrip.,  a  title  of  the 
Saviour,  alluding  to  His  incarnation. 

Emmanuel  (The  Great).  King  of 
Portugal;  b.  1469,  d.  1521.  He  was 
brother-in-law  of  Charles  V.  of  Spain. 

Emmet,  em'met.     An  ant  or  pismire. 

Emmet,  Robert.  An  Irish  patriot ;  b. 
ITSO,  executed  1803. 

Emmet,  Thomas  Addis.  Brother  of 
the  above ;  n.  1764;  took  an  active  j)art 
in  the  insurrection  of  1798,  and  was  im- 
prisoned 3  years.  In  1814  emigrated  to 
N.  Y.,  and  became  attorney-general  of  the 
State ;  i>.  1827. 

Emollient,  e-mol'li-ent.  A  medicine 
which  softens  and  relaxes  living  tissues 
that  are  inflamed  or  too  tense.  Emol- 
lients proper  ai-e  oils,  cataplasms,  fomen- 
tations, &c. 

Empaistic,  em-past'ik.  Ancient  inlaid 
work  resembling  modern  buhl ;  marquet- 
ry. It  consisted  of  i>ressing  threads  or 
lines  of  one  metal  into  another. 

Empasm,  -pazm'.  A  powder  used  to  re- 
move any  disagreeable  odor  from  the  per- 
son. 

Emperor,  'per-er.  The  sovereign  of  an 
empire  ;  a  title  of  dignity  superior  to  that 
of  king. 

Empidse,  emp'i-de,  A  group  of  dipter- 
ous insects,  which  are  at  the  same  time 
vegetable  feeders  and  carnivorous,  jirey- 
ing  on  ephemerae,  phryganeaj,  tipulariae, 
&c. 

Empire,  em'pTr.  The  territory  or 
countries  under  dominion  of  an  em- 
peror or  other  powerful  sovereign ;  usual- 
ly a  territory  of  greater  extent  than  a 
kingdom.  The  population  of  an  empire. 
Supreme  control;  governing  influence. 
E.  State,  the  Stiite  of  New  York,  so  called 
from  the  enterprise  of  its  people,  its 
wealth,   population,   &c.    E.   City,  New 


EMPIRIC 


301 


ENCEATITES 


York,  as  being  the  capital  of  the  Empire 
State. 

Empiric,  -pir'ik.  A  phj'^sician  who  lacks 
a  regular  professional  education,  and  re- 
lies on  his  own  experience.  Hence,  a 
quack  ;  a  charlatan. 

Emplecton,  -plek'ton.  In  Arch,  a 
method  of  building  by  the  Greeks  and 
Romans,  in 


Emplecton. 
and  the  central  space  filled  in  with  rubble- 
work. 

EmiKjritira,  -pu'ri-um.  A  town  or  city 
of  extensive  commerce,  or  in  which  the 
commerce  of  an  extensive  country  cen- 
ters ;  a  market-place ;  a  Avarehouse  ;  a 
shop. 

Empress,  'pres.  The  wife  of  an  em- 
peror ;  a  female  who  governs  an  empire. 

Empyem.a,  -pi-e'ma.  A  collection  of 
pus,  blood  or  other  fluid  matter,  in  some 
cavity  of  the  body,  especially  in  the  cavity 
of  the  pleura  or  chest. 

Empyrean,  -pT-re'an.  The  highest 
heaven,  where  the  pure  element  of  fii-c 
was  supposed  by  the  ancients  to  exist. 

Em.s.  A  populiu-  spa,  in  Nassau,  on  the 
Lahn,  5  m.  from  Nassau.  A  river  of 
Wcsti)halia,  Germany. 

Emu,     e-mu. 
T  li  e     popular 
name  of  a  large 
cursorial    biri, 
Dromaius    No- 
vae   HollandiJB, 
found   in  Aas- 
tral  ia.     It  is 
about  T  feet  in 
length  and 
stands     higher  .-^:^^.^^, 
than  the  casso-  '^i.'::-^^^^. 
warv.     It  is  un- 
like'the  ostrich  Emu, 
in  having  its  feet  three-toed. 

Emu--wren,  'mu-ren.  An  Australian 
bud,  the  Stipiturus  malachurus,  fam.  Syl- 
viada\ 

Emydee,  em'i-de.  A  fam.  of  chelonian 
reptdes,  comprehending  the  fresh-water 
tortoises  or  terrapins,  intermediate  in 
form  between  the  turtles  and  land  tor- 
toises. 

Enaliosaur,  en-al'1-o-sar.  A  member  of 
a  group  of  fossil  marine^i-ep tiles  of  great 


size,  one  example  of  which  is  the  ichthyo- 
saurus. 

Enamel,  -am'el..  A  colored  substance  of 
the  nature  of  glass,  but  possessing  a  greater 
degree  of  fusibihty  or  opacity,  used  as  an 
ornamental  coating.  Enamels  have  for 
their  basis  a  pure  crystal  glass  or  frit, 
ground  with  a  fine  oxide  of  lead  and  tin, 
the  color  being  varied  by  adding  other 
substances. 

Encardion,  -kar'di-on.  In  Bot.  the 
heart  or  pith  of  vegetables. 

Encarpus,  'pus.  In  Arch,  a  sculptured 
ornament  in  imitation  of  a  garland  of 
fruits,  leaves  or  flowers,   sometimes  an 


Encarpus. 
imitation  of  drapery,  and  frequently  of 
musical  instruments,  implements  of  war 
or  of  the  chase. 

Encaustic,  -kas'tik.  The  art  of  painting 
on  enamel ;  the  art  of  painting  in  burned 
Avax  or  in  any  way  wherein  heat  is  used 
to  fix  the  colors. 

Encephalon,  -se'fa-lon.  The  brain  ;  the 
contents  of  the  skull,  consisting  of  the 
cerebrum,  cerebellum,  medulla  oblongata, 
and  membranes. , 

Enclielya,  kel'i-a.  A  fam.  of  Infusoria, 
of  very  simple  organizations.  They  live 
in  stagnant  water,  and  are  multiphed  by 
transverse  spontaneous  divisions. 

Enchodus,  'ko-dus.  A  gen.  of  scombe- 
roid  fossil  fishes  found  in  the  chalk  forma- 
tion. 

Encke's  Comet,  eng'kaz.  The  first 
comet  whoso  period  was  defined ;  dis- 
covered by  Pons  of  Marseilles,  1818,  but 
named  after  Johann  Franz  Encke,  of 
Hamburg,  who  established  its  periodicity. 

Encore,  an-kor.  Again  ;  once  more ;  used 
by  the  auditors  when  they  call  for  a  repeti- 
tion of  a  particular  part.  Our  use  of  this 
word  is  unknown  to  the  French,  who  use 
the  word  bis  (twice)  if  they  wish  a  repeti- 
tion. 

Encratites,  en'kra-tits.  A  name  given 
to  a  sect  in  the  2d  century  because  they 
condemned  marriage,  forbade  the  eating 


ENCKINITE 


ENFEOFFMENT 


of  flesh  or  drinking  of  wine,  and  rejected 
all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life. 
Tatian,  an  Assyrian  monarch  and  a  dis- 
ciple of  Justin  Martyr,  was  the  leader  of 
this  sect.    Called  also  Continents. 

Encrinite,  'kri- 
nlt.  A  name  ap- 
plied to  the  whole 
order  of  Crinoidea 
or  stone-lilies,  but 
more  specifically 
restricted  to  the 
genera  having 
rounded,  smooth 
stems.  The  pet- 
rifted  remains  of 
the  encrinites  Marble,  showing  En- 
compose     vast  crinites. 

strata    of  marble 

in  N.  Europe  and  K.  America.  In  the 
cut  the  variety  in  the  figures  of  the  en- 
crinites is  caused  by  the  different  angles 
at  which  they  occur. 

Encyclic,  -sik'lik.  Circular;  sent  to 
many  persons  or  places ;  intended  for 
many,  or  for  a  whole  order  of  men. 

Encyclopaedia,  -si'kl6-pG"di-a.  The 
circle  of  sciences  ;  a  general  sj'stem  of  in- 
struction or  knowledge.  A  work  in  which 
the  various  branches  of  science  or  art  are 
discussed  separately  ;  a  cyclopasdia. 

Encyclopeedist,  -pGd-ist.  The  compiler 
of  an  cncj^clopaHiia,  or  one  who  assists  in 
such  compilation ;  also  a  person  whose 
knowledge  is  of  a  very  wide  range. 

Endecagon,  en-de'ka-gon.  A  i)lane 
figure  of  eleven  sides  and  angles, 

Endecagynous,    -kaj'in-us.     In   Bot. 

having  eleven  pistils  or"  female  organs  of 

fructification. 
Endecaph.yllous,  kafil-lus.     In  Bot. 

having  a  winged  leaf  composed  of  eleven 

leaflets. 
Endless,    end'les. 

Without    end.      E. 

saw  consists  of  arib- 

bou  of  steel  serrated 

on    ono    edge    and 

])assing  continuous- 
ly over  a  wheel  or 

pulley    above     and 

one  below.  E.  screw, 

a     mechanical     ur- 

rangeme  n  t ,      the 

t  h  r  e  u  d    of   whicli 

gears   in    a     wl 

with  skew  teeth,  the 

obliquit  y      c  o  r  r  e  - 

f(ponding  to  the  angle  of  pitch  of  screw 


Endless  Screw  aad 
Wheel. 


Endemic,  -dem'ik.  Peculiar  to  a  people 
or  nation  ,  as,  an  endemic  disease  is  one 
to  which  the  inhabi tints  of  a  particular 
coimtry  are  peculiarly  subject. 

Enderby  Land.  A  large  island  in  the 
Antarctic  Ocean  ;  lat.  67°  80'  8.,  Ion.  50° 
E. ;  discovered  1831,  by  Biscoe. 

Endive,  'div.  A  plant,  Cichorium  En* 
divia,  ord.  Compositaj,  used  as  a  salad. 

Endocarp,  en'do- 
kiirp.  In  Bot.  the 
inner  layer  of  the  peri- 
carp. It  may  be  hard 
and  stony,  as  in  the 
plum  and  peach,  mem- 
branous as  in  the  apple, 
or  fleshy  as  in  the 
orange.  The  endocarp 
or  stone,  the  epicarp  Fruit  of  Common 
or  outer  skin,  and  the  Peach, 

mesocarp     or    fleshy 
part,  are  shown  in  the  cut. 

Endogamy,  -dog'a-mi.  A  custom  among 
some  savage  peoples  of  marrying  only 
within  their  own  tribe ;  opposed  to  ex- 
ogamy. 

Endogen,  'do-jen. 
A  i)lant  belonging  to 
one  of  the  large  pri- 
mary classes  into 
which  the  vegetable 
kingdom  is  divided. 
To  this  class  belong^ 
palms,  grasses,  rush- 
es, lilies,  &c. 

Endomorph,-morf. 
A  term  applied  to 
minerals  inclosed  in 
minerals. 

Endorse,  -dors'.  In  Her.  an  ordinary 
containing  in  breadth  one-fourth,  or,  ac- 
cording to  some,  one-eighth  of  the  pale. 
It  bears  the  same  relation  to  that  ordinary 
as  the  cottise  does  to  the  bend. 

Endowment,  -dou'ment.  The  act  of 
settling  dower  on  a  woman,  or  of  settling 
a  fund  or  permanent  provision  for  the  sup- 
port of  any  person  or  object.  That  Avhich 
is  bestowed  or  settled  on.   Gift  of  nature. 

Eneid,  e-ne'id.  An  epic  poem  written 
in  Latin  by  Virgil,  of  which  ^Eneas,  re- 
puted the  founder  of  the  Latin  race,  is  the 
hero. 

Energetics,  en-er-jet'iks.  That  branch 
of  science  which  investigates  the  laws  reg- 
ulating physical  or  mechanical  forces,  as 
opposed  to  vitAl. 

Enfeoffment,  fefment.  In  law,  the 
act  of  giving  the  fee  simple  ofanestatc- 


Endogens 
crystals    or 


other 


ElfFILADE 


503 


ENKEACONTAHEDEAL 


The  nstrument  or  deed 
by  whick  one  is  invested 
Avitli  tie  fee  of  an  estate. 
Enfilade, -fi-l  ad'.  Milit. 
a  line  or  straight  passage ; 
a  situation  which  may  be  j^^  ^ 
raked  with  shot  through  ^^T^Xii '^'^ 
its  whole  lenj,'th.  -"^^^  ' 

Eiigrag'ed,-gajd.  Pledged; 
affianced  ;  enlisted  ;  earn- 
estly employed.  E.  col- 
umn, a  column  attached 
to  a  wall  so  that  part  of  it 
13  concealed.  E.  wheels, 
wheels  that  are  in  gear 
with  each  other. 
Engliie,  'jin.  Any  ma- 
chine for  applying  steam 

to    propel     vessels,    rail- 

way  trains,  &c. ;   a  steam-  

engine.    Any  instrument  Engaged  Col- 
in any  degree  complicat-  umn. 
ed;  tharS  by  which  any  ef- 
fect is  produced,  as  a  cannon,  the  rack,  a 
battering 
ram,    &  c . 
Means ;  any-    ^; 
thing  used 
to    effect    a 
purpose  ;    a 
tool;    an 
agent. 

Engrineer, 
-Gr'.  A  per- 
8 on  skilled 
zn  the  prin- 
ciples and  Steam  Fire-Engine, 
practice  of  engineering,  either  civil  or  mili- 
tary. A  mechanical  engineer  practices  the 
avocation  of  the  machinist,  in  executing 
the  great  machines  employed  in  the  arts 
and  manufactures.  Au  engine-driver;  one 
who  manages  an  engine;  a  person  who 
attends  the  machinery  on  board  a  steam- 
vessel. 
Eng-iseope,  'ji-skop'.  A  kind  of  reflect- 
ing microscope. 
Engrland,  ing-gland.  The  S.  section  of 
the  island  of  GL  Britain,  bounded  X.  by 
Scotland,  E.  by  the  ISIorth  Sea,  W.  by 
Wales,  the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  Irish  Sea, 
S-  by  the  English  Channel ;  area  50,812 
sq.  m. ;  pop.  abt.  26,000,000.  The  prin- 
cipal cities  are  London,  the  cap.,  Liver- 
pool, Manchester,  Leeds,  Birmingham, 
'  Hull,  Bristol,  Newcastle-on-Tyne  and 
,  Sheffield ;  chief  rivers,  Thames,  Severn, 
Trent,  Mersey,  Ouse,  Med  way,  Tyne, 
Pee,  Teas  and  Wear ;  lakes,  Derwent- 
water,  tJltro  water,  "Windermere  and 
^eswick ;       mountains,       Cumberland, 


Westmoreland,  Yorkshire,  Cotswold,  th« 
Cheviots  on  the  Scottish  border,  and  the 
Derbyshire  Peak.  It  is  divided  into  40 
counties. 

Engine-tuming',  -tern-ing.  A  method 
of  tiu-ning  executed  by  what  is  termed  a 


Examples  of  Engine-turning, 
rose-engine.      It  is  used  in  ornamental 
work,  such  as  the  curved  lines  on   the 
backs  of  watches ;  also  similar  lines  on 
bank  note  plates,  &c. 

England.,  Churclipf  .  The  Protestant 
Episcopal. 

Englante,  iin-ghan-ta.  In  Her.  bearing 
acorns  or  similar  glands. 
English,  ing'glish.  One  of  the  Low  Grcr- 
man  gi-oup  of  languages,  and  that  spoken 
by  the  people  of  England  and  the  de- 
scendants of  natives  of  that  country.  It 
is  a  direct  development  of  Anglo-Saxon. 
There  appear  to  have  been  three  chief  dia- 
lects of  English— the  Northern,  Midland 
and  Southern,  the  second  of  which  grad- 
ually became  the  dominant  and  literary 
dialect  of  the  country,  and  the  immediate 
parent  of  modern  English.  Although 
Teutonic  as  regards  its  grammar  and 
particles,  as  well  as  the  great  propor- 
tion of  words  in  daily  use,  yet  perhaps  no 
language  has  incorporated  so  many  foreign 
Avords.  The  chief  sources  from  which 
these  contributions  have  been  received  are 
Norman-French,  French  and  the  other  Ito- 
maace  languages,  Latin  and  Greek,  besides 
contributions  from  Celtic,  German,  Dutch, 
Hebrew,  Persian,  Hindu,  Chinese,  Turk- 
ish, Malay,  American,  tfee.  A  great 
many  of  the  terms  borrowed  from  the  last- 
mentioned  languages  are  names  of  articles 
of  trade.  As  a  collective  noun,  the  people 
of  England.  In  printing,  a  size  of  type, 
Engraver,  -grav'er.  One  who  engraves  ; 
a  cutter  of  letters  or  devices  on  stone, 
metal  or  wood ;  a  sculptor,  a  cai-ver. 
Enhydra,  -hl'dra.  A  gen.  of  ca.'nivorr 
ous  mammals,  fam,  Mnstelidaj,  sub-fam. 
Lutrinae,  consisting  of  only  one  species, 
the  searotter, 

Enneacontah.edraI,  en'ne-a-kon-ta^ 
he"-dral,  Having  90  faces;  said  of  a 
crystal  or  other  solid  figure  bounded  by 
planes. 


ENNEACONTAHEDEOTf 


3W 


ENTEESOL 


Enneacontaliedron,  -dron.    A  fignre 
haviag  90  Bides. 

Ennead,  -ad.  One  of  the  divisions  of 
Porphyry's  collection  of  the  doctrines  of 
Plotinus,  so  named  from  its  being-  arranged 
in  six  divisions,each  con ttiining nine  books. 
Enneagron,  -a-gon.  A  polygon  or  plane 
ligiire  w  ith  nine  sides  or  nine  angles, 
Enneandria,  -an'- 
dri-a.  Tlie  Dth  class 
of  the  Linna-an  sys- 
tem of  plants,  com- 
prehending such  as 
have  hermaphrodite 
flowers  with  9  sta- 
mens. 

E  n  n  i  s  ,  'is.  An 
Irish  form  of  the 
Celticinis,  an  island,         x'  ;i  • 

a  frequent  element  Enneandna. 
of  place  names  ;  Ennis,  Enniskillen,  «fec. 
Enniscorthy,  -kor'the.  A  toAvn  in  Co. 
Wexford,  Ireland,  in  which  the  principal 
actions  of  the  rebellion  of  1798  were 
fought ;  pop.  8,300. 

E3iniskillen,-nis-kil'ln.  Cap.  of  Co.  Fer- 
managli,  Ireland,  on  an  island  in  Lough 
Erne,  noted  for  its  memorable  seige  by 
James  II.,  1CS9  ;  pop.  C,500. 
Enoch,  o'nok.     In  Scrip,  an  antediluvian 
patriarch,  father  of  Methuselah  ;  n.  33TS 
B.  c,  and  was  translated  at  the  age  of  365. 
Enomoty,  e-nu'mo-ti.    In  Greek  Antiq. 
any  band  of  sworn  soldiers  ;  specifically,  a 
body  of  soldiers  In    the  Lacedaemonian 
army,   variously  estimated  at  25  and  82, 
bound  together  by  an  oath. 
Enopla,  en'op-la.    A  tribe  of  turbellarian 
annelids.     The  members  are  microscopic, 
and  live  in  fresh  or  sea  water. 
Enorthotrope,  -or'tho-trop.    A  card  on 
which    confused  objects  are  transformed 
into  various  figures  or  pictures,  by  caus- 
ing it  to  revolve  rapidly  ;  a  thaumatrope. 
Enos,  e'nos.    The  eldest  son  of  Seth,  an 
antedihivian,  who    lived  905  years ;    B. 
'2045,  B.  1140  B.  c. 
Entablature,  -tab'la- 
tur.    In  Arch,  that  part 
of  an   order  which  lies 
upon  the  abacus  of  the 
column,     consisting   of 
the  architrave.tho  frieze 
and  the  cornice. 
Entellus,  -tel'lus.   An 
E.     Indian    species    of 
monkey,   gen.     Semno- 
pithecus.   Itreceivesdi-      Entablature. 
vine  honors  from  the  natives,  by  whom  it 
is  termed  Hoonuman. 


V- J 


Enter-mewer,    'ter-mu-er.      A    (lawk 
gradually  changing  the  color  of  its  feathers, 
commonly  in  the  2d  year. 
Entomoid,  'to-moid.    An  object  having 
the  appearance  of  an  insect. 
Entomologry,  -tom-ol'o-ji.    Thatljrancb 
of  zoology  which  treats  of  the  structure, 
habits  and  classificiition  of  the  Insecia  or 
insects.     Entomology  formerly  deali  with 
all  articulated  animals. 
Entomoph.ag-a,   -ofa-ga.    A  group  of 
hymenopterous  insects  whose  larviB  gen- 
erally feed  parasitically  upon  living  insects. 
A  ti-ibe  of  marsupials,  as  the  opossums, 
bandicoots,  &c.,  which  are  insectivorfnis, 
though  not  exclusively  so.     A  section  of 
edentates,  as  the  ant-eater  and  pangolin. 
Entoptiyte,   'to-fit.      A   term  properly 
applied  to  a  plant  grooving  in  the  interior 
of  animal  or  vegetable  structiu-es.    Gen- 
erally, however,  restricted  to  plants  grow- 
ing on  or  in  living  animals,  bdonging  to 
the  Algffi  or  Fungi.  The  fur  on  the  tongues 
of  persons  with  disoi-dered  stomachs  is  an 
Alga,   Leptothrix  buccalis,  and  the  same 
parasite  infests  ill-cleaned  teeth.     Other 
diseases  are  refen-ed  to  the  growth  of  eu- 
tophytes  on  or  in  various  sU-uctures,  and 
the  disease  is  cured  by  killing  the  parasite. 
Epidemic  diseases,  as  cholera,  have  been 
ascribed  to  spores  or  germs  being  con- 
veyed through  the  air. 
Entozoa,  -to-zo'a.    A  general  name  for 
those  anuulose  parasitical  animals  which 
infest  the  bodies  of  other  animals. 
Entr'act,  an-trakt.  The  interval  between 
the  acts  of  a  drama.     A  short  musical  en- 
tertainment performed  during  such  inter- 
val. 

Entre  nous,  -tr  no.  Between  onrselvea. 
Entrepot,  -po.  A  warehouse  or  magazine 
for  the  depositing  >^[^ — [SSOTs^ 

of  goods;  a  free  '•'  * 

port  where  for- 
eign merchan- 
dise is  deposited 
tinder  the  sur- 
veillance of  cus- 
toms officers  till  ' 
it  is  re-exported; 
also,  a  m  art 
where  goods  are 
sent  to  be  dis- 
ti'ibuted. 
Entresol,  -sol. 
A  low  story  be- 
tween two  others 
of  greater  heiff-ht; 
a  low  apartment  Entresol  or  Mezzanine. 
or  apartments. 
Called  also  Mezzanine 


ENYOT 


805 


EPHESIANS 


Envoy,  'voi.  One  deputed  by  a  govern- 
ment to  negotiate  a  treaty  or  transact 
other  business  with  a  foreign  ruler  or 
government,  inferior  in  rank  to  an  am- 
bassador. 

Enzootic,  -zo-ot'ik.  A  disease  restricted 
to  the  animals  of  a  district. 

Eocene,  e'o-sen.  In  Geol.  the  earliest  of 
the  three  periods  of  the  tertiary  strata, 
each  of  which  is  characterized  by  contain- 
ing a  different  proportion  of  fossil  shells  of 
recent  species.  The  eocene  beds  are  ar- 
ranged in  three  groups,  termed  the  lower, 

'  middle  and  upper. 

Eolian,  -o'li-an.  Pertaining  to  JEolia  or 
^oUs,  ia  Asia  Minor,  inhabited  by  Greeks. 
E.  mode,  in  music,  the  fifth  of  the  authen- 
tic Gregorian  modes  ;  it  consists  of  the 
natural  notes  A  B  0  D  E  F  G.  Pertain- 
ing to  -^olas,  the  god  of  the  winds.    E. 


Eolian  Harp. 

lyre  or  harp,  a  simple  stringed  instrument 
that  sounds  by  the  impulse  of  air.  E.  at- 
tachment, '  contrivance  attached  to  a 
piano-forte,  oy  which  a  stream  of  air  can  be 
thrown  upon  the  wires,  prolonging  their 
vibration  and  increasing  the  volume  of 
sound.  E.  rocks,  in  Geol.  the  blown 
sands  of  the  desert  and  the  seashore. 

Eolidse,  -ol'i-do.  A  fam.  of  nudibranch- 
late  gasteropodous  mollusks. 

Eolipile,  -pil.  A  hollow  ball  of  metal, 
with  a  slender  neck,  used  in  hydraulic  ex- 
periments. 

Eon,  'on.  A  space  of  time,  especially  the 
time  during  which  anything  exists ;  an 
age ;  an  era ;  cycle  ;  eternity.  In  Platonic 
Philos.  a  virtue  or  attribute  existing 
throughout  eternity.  The  Platonists 
represent  the  Deity  as  an  assemblage  of 
eons.  The  Gnostics  considered  eons  as 
certain  substantial  powers  emanating 
from  the  Supreme  Deity,  and  active  in 
the  operations  of  the  universe. 

Eozoon,  -o-zo'on.  The  name  given  to  a 
supposed  gigantic  fossil  foraminifer, 
found  in  the  Laurentian  rocks  of  Canada 
and  in  the  quartz  rocks  of  Germany,  the 
oldest  form  of  life  traceable  in  the  history 
of  the  globe. 

Epaulet,  'pal-et.  A  shoulder-piece ;  an 
ornamental  badge,  distinguishing  the  mil- 
itary or  naval  rank  of  the  wearer. 

Epauliere,  -pal'yar.  Anciently  a  shoul- 
der-plato  fastened  to  the  sleeve  of  the 


hauberk.    Latterly  the  pauldron  was  used 

to  cover  the  epaulidre. 

Epacris,  ep'a-kris.  A  gen. 
of  plants,  the  typical  gen.  of 
the  ord.  Epacridacece.  Among 
those  cultivated  is  E.  grandi- 
tiora. 

Epact,  C'pakt.  In  Chron 
the  excess  of  the  solar  month 
above  the  lunar  synodical 
month. 

Epaminondas,  e-pam-m'- 
6n-das.  The  greatest  geneml 
and  statesman  of  Theban 
Greece  ;  b.  412  b.  c,  killed  at 
2d  battle  of  Mantinea,  after 
achieving  a  notable  victory 
over  the  Spartans,  862  b.  c. 

Eparch,  ep'ark.  In  Greece, 
the  governor  of  a  province  or 
eparchy. 

Epanlement,  e-pal'ment. 
In  Fort,  a  terra  used  to  desig-  E.  Grandi- 
nate  the  mass  of  material  flora, 
which  protects  the  guns  in  a  battery,  dis- 
tinguished from  a  parapet  by  being'  with- 
out a  banquette  or  step  on  which  tho 
men  stand  to  fire. 

Epencephalon,  op-en-sefal-on.  In 
Auat.  the  hindmost  of  the  four  segments 
of  the  brain.  It  includes  the  cf-rebellum, 
the  fourth  ventricle,  the  medulla  oblongata,' 
and  the  pons  Varolii. 

Epergrne,  e-pern'.  An  ornamental  stand 
with  a  dish  and  branches  for  tho  center  of 
a  table. 

Epemay,  ai-pair-na.  A  town  in  dept. 
Marne,  France,  celebrated  for  its  manu- 
facture of  champagne ;  pop,  9,300. 

Epha,  'fa.  A  Hebrew  measure  of  capa- 
city, containing,  according  to  one  estimate, 
8.6096  gallons ;  according  to  another  only 
4.4286.  ^ 

Ephelis,  e-fe'lis.  A  term  for  the  freckles 
that  appear  on  persons  of  fair  complexion 
when  exposed  to  the  sun;  also  brown 
patches  occurring  on  other  parts  of  the 
body. 

Ephemera,  -fe'me-ra.  A  fever  of  one 
days'  continuance.  A  gen.  of  neuropter- 
ous  insects,  tlie  type  of  tho  fam.  Epheme- 
ridoB  ;  the  May -fly  and  day-fly. 

Ephemerist,  -rist.  One  who  studies 
the  daily  motions  and  positions  of  the 
planets  ;  an  astrologer.  One  who  keeps 
an  ephemeris  ;  a  journalist. 

Ephesians,  Epistle  to  the,  e-fs'zhans. 
In  Scrip,  letters  written  by  St.  Paul  to  th« 
church  at  Ephesus,  during  his  imprison- 
ment at  Pwome,  abt.  61, 


EPHIALTE9 


EPIZOON 


EpMaltes,  -fi-al'tez.  The  nightmare. 
Eplxesus,  efe-siis.  A  noted  city  of  Asia 
Minor,  cap.  of  Ionia,  now  in  ruins.  It 
was  celebrated  for  its  temple  of  Diana, 
considered  one  of  the  7  wonders  of  the 
world ;  also  as  the  seat  of  one  of  the  first 
7  Christian  churches,  founded  by  St.  Paul. 
It  was  situated  abt.  88m.  S.  E.  of  Smyrna. 
Ephod,  'fod.  In  Jewish  Antiq.  a  species 
of  vestment  worn  by  the  high  priest  over 
the  second  tunic.  A  girdle  of  one  piece 
with  the  ephod,  fastened  it  to  the  body. 
Just  above  the  girdle,  in  the  middle  of  the 
ephod,  and  joined  to  it  by  little  gold 
chains,  rested  the  square  breast-plate  with 
the  Urim  and  Thummim.  A  similar  vest- 
ment of  an  inferior  material  seems  to  have 
been  in  use  in  later  times  among  ordinary 
priests. 

Ephor,  'for.  One  of  the  five  magistrates 
chosen  by  the  ancient  Spartans  as  a  check 
on  the  regal  power  and  the  senate. 

Epic,  'pik.  A  narrative  poem  of  elevated 
character, 

Epicarp,  'pi-karp.  In  Bot.  the  outer 
skin  of  fruits,  the  fleshy  substance  being 
the  niesocarp,  and  the  inner  portion  the 
endocarp. 

Epictetus,  e-pik-te'tus.  A  celebrated 
lioman  stoic  philosopher,  b.  60.  d.  in  ban- 
ishment at  Nicopolis,  abt.  124. 

Epicurus,  'e-kii'rus.  A  Greek  philos- 
opher, founder  of  the  Epicureans,  b.  abt. 
340,  B.  270  B.  c. 

Epicurean,  -re"an.  A  man  devoted  to 
sensual  pleasures  or  luxuries,  especially  a 
gourmand. 

Epidemic,  -pi-dem'ik.  An  infectious  or 
contagious  disease,  which  attacks  many 
people  at  the  same  period  and  in  the  same 
country. 

Epidermis,  -derm'is.  The  cuticle  or 
scarf-skin  of  the  body.  In  Bot.  the  exterior 
cellular  coating  of  the  leaf  or  stem  of  a 
plant. 

Epig-astrium,  -pi-gas'tri-um.  The 
upper  part  of  the  abdomen. 

Epiglottis,  -glot'is.  A  cartilaginous 
plate  behind  the  tongue,  which  covers  the 
glottis  during  the  act  of  swallowing. 

Epigronation,  -pig'on-a"ti-on.  A  loz- 
enge-shaped piece  of  stiff  material  which 
forms  part  of  the  dress  of  the  Pope  and 
of  bishops  in  the  Greek  Church  while 
ofiieiating. 

Epigram,  'pi-gram.  An  interesting 
thought  represented  happily  in  a  few 
words,  whether  verse  or  prose  ;  a  pointed 
'XT  antithetical  saying. 


Epilogue,  'pi-log.  In  lihet.  the  closing 
part  of  a  discourse,  in  which  the  principal 
matters  are  recapitulated.  In  the  drama, 
a  speech  or  short  poem  by  one  of  <he 
actors  after  the  play. 

Epim.ach.inae,  -ma-kT"ne.  A  sub-fam. 
of  slender-billed  (tenuirostral)  birds,  fam. 
Upupida3,  resembhng  bu-ds  of  paradise  in 
the  luxmiance  and  brilliancy  of  their 
plumage.  The  gen.  Epimachus  (plume- 
birds)  is  the  type. 

Epiphany,  e-pif'a-ni.  An  appearance 
or  a  becoming  manifest.  A  Christian  fes- 
tival celebrated  on  the  6th  day  of  January, 
the  12th  day  after  Christmas,  in  commem- 
oration of  the  appearance  of  our  Saviour 
to  the  magians  or  wise  men  of  the  East, 

I  or  to  commemorate  the  appearance  of  the 
star  to  the  magians. 
Epiphyte,  'pi-fit.  A  plant  grovring  upon 
another  and  i-ooting  among  the  soil  that 
occupies  its  surface,  as  a  moss,  Uchen, 
fern,  ifec,  but  which  does  not,  like  a  para- 
site, derive  nourishment  from  the  plant  on 
which  it  grows.  Many  orchidaceous  plants 
are  epiphytes. 

Epirus,  e-pl'rus.  A  prov.  of  anc. 
Greece,  divided  from  Illyria  by  the  Cer- 
aunian  Mountains,  and  from  Thessaly  by 
the  river  Piudus,  now  the  Turkish  prov. 
Yania. 

Episcopacy,  e-pis'ko -pa-si.  Govern- 
ment of  the  Church  by  three  distinct  or- 
ders of  ministers — deacons,  priests  and 
bishops. 

Episcopalian,  -pa"li-an.  One  who  be- 
longs to  an  episcopal  church  or  adheres  to 
the  episcopal  form  of  church  government 
and  discipline. 

Epistle,  '1.  A  writing  communicating 
intelligence  to  a  distant  person  ;  a  letter 
missive ;  applied  particularly  in  dignified 
discourse  or  in  speaking  of  the  letters  of 
the  apostles  or  of  the  ancients. 

Epitaph,  e'pi-taf.  An  inscription  on  a 
tomb  or  monument  in  honor  or  memory 
of  the  dead.  A  brief  descriptive  sentence 
in  prose  or  verse,  composed  as  if  to  be 
inscribed  on  a  monument. 

Epithalamiumi,  -thal-a"mi-um.  A 
nuptial  song  or  poem,  in  praise  of  a  bride 
and  bridegroom,  and  praying  for  their 
prosperity. 

Epithet,  e'pi-thet.  An  adjective  expres- 
sing some  real  quality,  applied  to  a  person 
or  thing. 

Epitome,  e-pi'to-mi.  An  abridgment ;  a 
brief  summary  or  abstract  of  any  book  or 
writing. 

Epizoon,  e-pi-zo'on.    A  term  applied  tq 


EPIZOOTIC 


ERA 


those  parasitic  animals  which  live  upon 
the  bodies  of  other  animals. 

Epizootic,  'pi-z6-ot"ik.  A  murrain  or 
pestilence  among  animals.  ItdiflFers  from 
enzootic  in  not  being  confined  to  a  dis- 
trict, and  from  epidemic  ia  affecting  only 
the  lower  animals.  Foot-and-mouth  dis- 
ease, pleuro-pneumonia,  &c., are  examples. 

E  Piuribus  XJnum,  e  ploo're-bus  u'- 
nuni.  Lit.  "One  from  many."  The  motto 
of  the  United  States. 

Epoch.,  e'pok.  In  Chron.  a  fixed  point  of 
time,  from  which  succeeding  years  are 
numbered.  In  Astron.  the  date  at  which 
a  heavenly  body  has  a  given  position.  An 
arbitrary  fixed  date,  for  which  the  ele- 
ments used  in  computing  the  place  of  a 
l)lanet  or  other  heavenly  body  at  any  other 
date  are  given. 

Epos,  e'pos.  An  epic  poem,  or  its  fable 
or  subject ;  an  epopee. 

Eprouvette,  a-pro-vet.  An  instrument 
for  ascertaining  the  explosive  force  of 
gunpowder,  or  for  comparing  its  strength. 

Epsom,  ep'siim.  A  town  15  m.  S.  W,  of 
London,  England,  noted  for  its  horse- 
races ;  pop.  T,250. 

Epsom-salt,  -salt.  The  sulphate  of 
magnesia,  a  cathartic  prepared  from  sea- 
water. 

Equant,  e'kwant.  In  the  Ptolemaic 
system  of  astronomy,  an  imaginary  ch-cle 
used  for  determining  the  motions  of  the 
planets. 

Equator,  -kwa'ter.  In  Astron.  that  im- 
aginary great  circle  in  the  heavens,  the 
plane  of  which  is  perpendicular  to  the 
axis  of  the  earth,  it  is  everywhere  90° 
distant  from  the  celestial  poles. 

Equatorial,  -kwa-to-'ri-al.  An  astro- 
nomical instrument,  contrived  for  the 
purpose  of  du-ecting  a  telescope  upon  any 
celestial  object  of  which  the  right  as- 
cension and  the  declination  are  known, 
and  for  keeping  the  object  in  view  for  any 
length  of  time. 

Equerry,  'kwe-ri.  An  officer  of  nobles 
or  i)rince3  who  has  the  care  and  manage- 
Tnont  of  their  horses. 

Eques,  e'qwez.  In  Roman  Antlq.  one  of 
the  2d  order  of  citizens  called  Equites  ;  a 
knight.  A  gen.  of  teleostean  fishes,  fam. 
SeiHjnidae,  including  the  belted  and  spot- 
ted horseman. 

Equestrian,  -ques'tri-an.  A  rider  on 
horseback  ;  specificall}^  one  who  earns  his 
living  by  performing  feats  of  agihty  and 
skill  on  lu)r.«ehackin  a  circus. 
Equestrienne,  -en.  A  female  rider  or 
performer  on  horseback. 


-lat'er-al.     A  A 

■responding  to         /  \ 
th,  or  a  figure      /       \ 

-kA^il'i-brist.   '  1> 


Equidae,  'kwi-de.  The  horse  fam.,  ord. 
Ungulata,  sub-division  Perissodactyla, 
divided  into  two  groups — one  including 
the  asses  and  zebras  (gen.  Asinus),  the 
other  comprising  the  true  horses  (gen. 
Equus). 

Equilateral,  -lat'er-al. 
side  exactly  corr< 
others  in  length, 
of  equal  sides. 

Equilibrist,     -kA^il'i-brist. 
One  who  keeps  his  balance  in     Equilat- 
Tinnatural  positions  and  haz-        eral. 
ardous  movements,  as  a  rope-dancer. 

Equinia,  -kwin'i-a.  A  dangerous  conta- 
gious disorder,  originating  in  the  horse, 
ass  and  mule,  communicable  to  man ; 
glanders  in  man. 

Equinoctial,  -kwi-nok'shal.  In  Astron. 
the  celestial  equator,  so  called  because, 
when  the  sun  is  on  it,  the  days  and  nights 
are  of  equal  length  in  all  parts  of  the  world. 

Equinox,  -noks.  The  precise  time  when 
the  sun  enters  one  of  the  equinoctial 
points,  or  the  first  point  of  Aiies,  about 
the  21st  of  March,  and  the  first  point  of 
Libra,  about  the  23d  of  September,  making 
the  day  and  night  of  equal  length.  Called 
respectively  the  vernal  and  autumnal  equi- 
noxes.    Equinoctial  gale. 

Equitation,  e-kwit-a'shon.  The  act  or 
art  of  riding  on  horseback ;  horsemanship. 

Equites,  ek'wi-tcz.  An  order  of  Roman  cit- 
izens originally  forming  the  cavalry  of  the 
army,  said  to  have  been  instituted  by  Rom- 
ulus. About  the  time  of  tlie  Gracchi  (123 
15.  c.)  the  Equites  became  a  distinct  order 
in  the  State,  and  judges  and  farmers  of  the 
revenue  were  selected  from  their  ranks. 

Equivocation,  'o-ka'^shon.  Ambiguity 
of  speech  ;  the  use  of  expressions  suscept- 
ible of  a  double  signification,  with  a  view 
to  mislead ;  prevarication. 

Equuleus,  -kwu'le-us.  The  Horse's 
Head,  a  northern  constellation  consisting 
of  10  stars.  In  Rom.  Antiq.  a  rack  for 
extorting  confessions,  at  first  used  against 
criminals,  but  afterwards  against  Chris- 
tians. E.  Picloris,  the  Painter's  Horse  or 
Easel,  a  southern  constellation  consisting 
of  eight  stai's. 

Equus,  'kvvus.  The  horse,  a  gen.  of  ani- 
mals, ord.  Equida?. 

Era,  'ra.  In  Chron.  a  fixed  point  of  time, 
from  which  any  number  of  years  is  begun 
to  be  counted,  as  the  Christian  era.  A 
succession  of  years  proceeding  fi-om  a  fixed 
point,  or  comprehended  between  two  fixed 
points,  as  the  era  of  the  Seleucidcs  ended 
with  the  reign  of  Antiochus. 


ERASISTEATUS 


EEMINE 


Srasistratus.  An  ancient  physician, 
the  reputed  son  of  Aristotle,  b.  in  Oeos 
abt.  300  15.  c.  He  discovered  the  functions 
of  the  brain  and  nervous  system. 

Erasmus,  Desiderius.  A  distin- 
guished scholar  and  writer,  also  a  reform- 
er, B.  at  Kotterdam,  1466,  u.  1536.  He 
differed  fi-om  Luther,  but  sharply  criti- 
cised the  K.  C.  Church  government. 

Erastian,  -ras'ti-an.  One  whose  opinions 
are  akin  to  those  of  Thomas  Erastus,  a 
German  divine  of  the  16th  century,  who 
maintained  the  com])lcte  subordination  of 
the  ecclesiastical  to  the  secular  power, 

Erato,  er'a-to.  One  of  the 
Musos,  whose  name  sig- 
nities  loving  or  lovely. 
She  presided  over  lyric 
and  especially  amatory 
poetry,  and  is  generally 
represen  ted  crowned 
with  roses  and  myrtle, 
with  the  lyre  in  the  left 
hand  and  "the  plectrum 
in  the  right  in  the  act  of 
j)laying.  i 

Erebus,    e're-bus.      In  ( 
Myth,  the  son  of  Chaos: 

and  Darkness,  who  mar- ' 

ried  his  sister  Night  and 

was  the  father  of  Light 

and  Day.     HeAvastrans- 

foi-med  into  a  river   and   plunged   into 

Tartarus,     because 

he  aided  the  Titans. 

Hence,    the    lower 

world,  particularly 

the   abode    of    the 

virtuous;  hades; 

hell. 
Eremitism,  -Tnit- 

izm.       State    of    a 

hermit ;    living  in 

seclusion. 

Erica,  e-rl'ka.  The 
heath,    a   gen.    of 
branched  rigid  shrubs,  ord.  Ericaceae,  con 
sistiug  of  more  than  400  species. 

Ericsson,  John,  er'iks-sun.  A  distin- 
guished inventor;  born  in  Sweden, 
1803;  removed  to  the  U.  S.,  laSO.  He 
constructed  the  monitor  Merrimack,  and  is 
still  engaged  in  perfecting  naval  engines  of 
war. 

Eridanus,  e-rid'a-nus.  A  winding 
southern  constellation  containing  84  stars, 
among  which  is  Achernar,  a  star  of  the 
fn-st  magnitude. 

Erie,  Lake.  The  4th  of  the  five  great 
inland  seas,  Avhich  divide  the  U.   S.  and 


Erato. 


Erica  herbacea. 


Canada,   connected  with  L.   Ontario  by 
the  Niagara  Kiver  ;  area,  7,800  sq.  m.     It 
is  connected  with  tide-Avater  by  the  Erie 
Canal  and   the  Hudson  River,  and  by  the 
Ohio  Canal,  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers ; 
and  on  the  Canadian  side,  by  the  Welland 
Canal,  Lake  Ontario  and  the  St.  Lawrence. 
It  is  inclosed  on  the  N.  by  Canada,  E.  by 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  S.  by  Ohio, 
an  I  W.  by  Michigan ;  its  length  is  abt. 
26)  m.,  its  breadth  from  10  to  65  m. 
Erie.    A  city  of  Pennsylvania  on  Lake  E. 
cap.  of  CO.  of  same  name :  pop.  27,787. 
Erigrena,  Joannes  Scotus.    An  Irish 
theologian ;  b.   abt.    810.      His  Avritings, 
denounced  by    the    R.   C.    Church,    are 
among  the  most  profound  of  the  Middle 
Ages. 
Erinaceadae,  'riri-a-se"a-de.       The  ur- 
chin or  hedgehog  tribe. 
Erinnys,  e-rin'nis.    In  Greek  Myth,  one 
of  the    Furies;    a    goddess  of  discord; 
hence,  discord  in  general. 
Eriodendron,  -den"- 
dron.    The  Avool-tree, 
a  gen.   of  plants,  ord. 
Malvacca?.    The  woolly' 
coat  of  the    seeds    of 
some  of  the  species  is 
used  for  stuffing  cush- 
ions   and  similar  pur- 
poses. 
Eriodes,      er-i-6'dez. 
The  name  noAv  given  to 
the  snb-gen.  of  quadru- 
mana  Brachyteles. 
Erlang-en,  air'lang-gn. 
varia,  S.  Germany,  the   seat  of  the  Prot- 
estant University ;  pop.  13,186. 
Erl-kingr,   erl'king.    The  English  form 
of     the    name    given,    in     German    and 
Scandinavian  Myth.,  to  a  personified  nat- 
ural power  Avhich  Avorks   mischief,  espe- 
cially to  children. 
Ermine,  er-min. 
The       stoat,      a 
quadruped  of  the 
Avease  1     tribe! 
(Mustela       Er 
minea).  In  conse- 
quence   of     the' 
change  that    oc- 
curs in  the  color  Ermine, 
of  its  fur  at  different  seasons,  it  is  not 
generally  knoAvn   that    the    ermine  and 
stoat  are  the  same.     In  Avinter  the  fur 
changes  from  a  reddish  broAvn  to  a  Avhite, 
under  Avliich  shade  the  animal  is  recog- 
inzed  as  the  ermine.     In  both  states  the 
tip  of  the  tail  is  black.    The  fur  is  In 
great  request ;    at  one  time  it  Avaa  an  In- 


ERNE 


ESKAR 


sigiiia  of  royalty,  and  is  still  worn  by 
judges.  The  ermine  has  the  power  of 
ejecting  a  fluid  of  a  strong  musky  odor, 

Sme,  urn.  A  river  of  Ireland  Avhich 
empties  into  Donegal  Bay,  abt.  100  m.  in 
length. 

Eros.  In  Myth,  the  Greek  name  of  the 
god  of  love,  corresponding  with  the  Ro- 
man Cupid. 

Erotetic,  e-ro-tet'ik.     Interrogatory. 

Erotic,  -i-ot'ik.  An  amorous  composition. 

Erotomania,  -r6'to-ma"ni-a.  Mental 
alienation  or  melancholy  caused  by  loveii 

Errantes,  er-ran'tGz.  A  sub-ord.  of  an- 
nelides,  known  as  sea-centipedes,  sea- 
mice,  and  nereids. 

Erratic,  -rat'ik.  Irregular ;  wandering. 
In  Geol.  a  bowlder  which  has  been  con- 
veyed from  its  original  site ;  an  erratic 
block. 

Erse,  ers,  A  name  given  to  the  language 
of  the  descendants  of  the  Gaels  or  Celts, 
in  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  as  being  of 
Irish  origin.  The  Highlanders  themselves 
invariably  call  it  Gaelic. 

Erskine,  Thomas,  Lord.  A  dis- 
tinguished Scotch  lawyer  and  statesman  ; 
B.  1750,  D.  1823. 

Eruca,  c-ro'ka.  An  insect  in  the  larval 
state ;  a  caterpillar. 

Erudition,  e-ru-di'shon.  Learning; 
scholarship  ;  particularly,  learning  in  lit- 
erature, as  distinct  from' the  sciences. 

Erythacinse,  'i-tha-si"no.  The  red- 
breast.-*, a  sub-fam.  of  passerine  birds,  fam. 
Luscinidse.  The  common  robin  red- 
breast is  the  Erythaca  rubecula.  This 
sub-fam.  is  by  some  made  a  group  of 
the  thrushes. 

Eryx,  e'riks.  A  gen.  of  colubrinc  ser- 
pents, separated  from  Boa,  and  ditfering 
from  it  in  having  a  very  short  obtuse  tail 
and  the  ventral  plates  narrower. 

Erzeroum,  airz'room.  Cap.  of  pashalic 
of  E.,  in  Turkish  Armenia  ;  pop.  116,000. 

ETzg-ebirg-e  Mountains,  erts'ga-bur- 
ga.  A  chain  extending  from  the  valley  of 
the  Elbe  to  the  Fichtelgebirge  raiige, 
bordering  Saxony  and  Bohemia. 

Esau  (Edom),  e'sau.  Eldest  son  of  the 
patriarch  Isaac,  brother  of  Jacob,  and 
founder  of  the  Edomites;  B.  abt.  1835  b.  c. 

Escallop,  es-kol'lop.  A  fam.  of  bivalvu- 
lar  shell-tish,  whose  shell  is  regularly  in- 
dented. 

Escallopee,  'lo-pe.  In  Her.  covered 
as  an  escutcheon,  Avitli  lines  resembling 
the  outlines  of  scallop  shells,  overlapping 
«ach  other. 


Escapement,  -kfip'mcnt.  The  general 
contrivance  in  a  time-piece  by  which  the 
pressure  of  the  wheels  and  the  vibratory 
motion  of  the  pendulum  or  balance-wheel 
are  accommodated  the  one  to  the  other, 

Eschara,  'ka-ra.  A  gen.  of  zoophytes, 
class  Bryozoa  or  Polyzoa,  resembling  the 
Flustra,  but  calcareous. 

EschatologT,  -tol'o-ji.  The  doctrine 
of  the  last  or  linal  things,  as  death. 

Escritoire,  -kri-twar'.  A  box  with  in- 
struments and  conveniences  for  writing; 
sometimes  a  desk  or  chest  of  drawers 
with  an  apartment  for  writing  instru- 
ments. 

Esculapius,  'kii-la'oi- 
us.  In  Myth,  the  god 
of  medicine,  the  son  of 
Apollo  by  the  nymph 
Coronis.  His  worship 
prevailed  over  all  Greece. 
He  is  usually  represent- 
ed as  an  old  man.  The 
most  characteristic  em- 
blem of  E.  is  the  serpent. 
The  name  is  often  used 
as  a  general  term  for 
doctor. 

Esculent,  -lent.  Some- 
thing which  may  be  safe- 
ly eaten  by  man. 

Escurial,  The,  -koo- 
re-Al.      The    celebrated 
royal  palace,  24  m.  S.  of  Madrid,  Spain  ; 
built  by  Philip  H.,  at  a  cost  of  $15,000,000. 

Escutch- 
eon,-kueh'- 
o  n  .  The 
shield  o  n 
which  a 
coat  of  arms 
is  represent- ' 
e  d ;  the 
shield  of  a 
family ;  the 
picture  of 
ensigns  ar- 
morial; the 
symbol  of  one's  birth  and  dignity. 

Esdras,  Books  of,  ez'dras.  Two  books 
(formerly  four)  of  the  Old  Testament. 
The  others  are  now  called  Ezra  and  Nehe- 
miah. 

Eskar,  es'ker.  A  term  for  a  late  geo- 
logical formation  in  the  superficial  drift, 
generally  consisting  of  a  long  linear  ridge 
of  sand  and  gravel,  derived  from  the  waste 
of  till  or  bowlder-clay  ;  their  arrangement 
took  place  probably  under  water  over 
which  icebergs  floated. 


Esculapius. 


Escutcheon  of  Elizabeth, 
Queen  of  Henry  VII. 


ESKIMO 


E8TUAEY 


iEskimo,  'ki-mo.  One  of  a  tribe  in- 
habiting the  northern  parts  of  N.  Amer- 
ica and  Greenland. 

Eskixao-dogr.  One  of  a  breed  of  dogs 
extensively  spread  over  the  northern  re- 
gions of  America  and  of  E.  Asia.  It  is 
the  only  beast  of  burden  in  these  lati- 
tudes. 

Esneh,,  'na.  A  town  of  U.  Egypt,  25 
111.  from  Thebes,  on  the  Nile  ;  it  has  con- 
siderable commerce,  and  contains  the 
ruins  of  an  immense  temple. 

Esox,  e'soks.  The  pike,  a  gen.  of  ab- 
dominal fishes,  including  the  common 
pike,  the  fox-pike,  the  gar-fish,  &c. 

Espadon,  es'pa-don.  A  long  sword  of 
Spanish  invention,  used  by  foot-soldiers 
or  for  decapitation. 

Espartero,  Joachim  Baldomero, 
Duke  of  Victory.  A  Spanish  general 
and  statesman  ;  b.  1783,  d.  1879.  He  re- 
fused the  crown  on  the  abdication  of 
Isabella,  1870. 

Espionagre,  'pi-on-aj.  The  practice  or 
employment  of  spies ;  the  practice  of 
watching  the  words  and  conduct  of  others. 

Espousal,  -pouz'al.  The  act  of  espous- 
ing or  betrothing  ;  formal  contract  or  cel- 
ebration of  marriage. 

Espringal,  -pring'gal.  An  ancient  mil- 
itary engine  for  throAving  stones. 

Esquimaux,  'ke-moz.  The  race,  classed 
Avith  the  Mongolians,  inhabiting  Arctic 
Asia,  Greenland  and  America. 

Esquire,  -kwir'.  Properly,  a  shield-bear- 
er or  armor-bearer;  an  attendant  on  a 
knight ;  hence,  a  title  of  dignity  next  be- 
low a  knight.  In  the  IT,  S.  universally  be- 
stowed upon  inferior  judges,  and  usually 
given  to  professional  and  literary  men  ; 
in  the  addresses  of  letters  esquire  is  put  as 
fl  complimentary  adjunct  to  almost  any  per- 
son's name.  In  Her.  the  helmet  of  an 
esquire  is  represented  sideways,  with  the 
visor  closed. 

Esquisse,  -kes'.  In  the  fine  arts  the  first 
sketch  of  a  picture  or  model  of  a  statue. 

Essed,  'sed.  A  two-wheeled  Avar  chariot 
used  by  the  ancient  Britons  and  Gauls. 

Essen.  A  city  of  Khenish  Prussia,  noted 
for  its  manufacture  of  arms.  Herr  Krupp's 
celebrated  steel  Avorks  are  located  here, 
employing  8,000  men  ;  pop.  43,200. 

Essence  d'Orient,  fis-sans  dd-rySn. 
A  substance  of  a  pearly  ap]»earanco  found 
at  the  base  of  the  scales  of  the  bleak,  used 
to  line  the  interior  of  glass  bubbles  in  the 
manufacture  of  artificial  pearls. 

es-senz'.    A   Je>vish    sect  re- 


markable for  their  strictness  and  absti. 
nence. 

Essequibo,  -se-ke'bo.  A  river  of  Brit- 
ish Guiana,  S.  America ;  its  mouth  is  20 
uj.  Avide. 

Essex,  Earl  of.  A  title  of  the  English 
house  of  Devereux.  Three  of  these  are 
renowned  ;  Walter,  b.  1540,  n.  1576.  He 
Avas  a  favorite  of  Queen  Ehzabeth.  Ptob- 
ert,  his  son,  b.  1567,  died  on  the  scaflbld 
1601.  He  was  also  a  f:\vorite  of  Elizaoeth, 
but  incurring  her  displeasure,  attempted  to 
ipcite  a  rcA'olt.  Eobert,  his  son,  8.151)2, 
D.  1647.  He  commanded  the  Parliament 
forces  in  the  contest  Avith  Charles  I.,  resign- 
ing after  his  victory  at  Edgehill. 

Estaing,  Charles  Hector  Comte  d', 
daiz'tahn.  A  French  naval  olficer  ;  b. 
1729,  died  by  the  guillotine  1794.  He  Avas 
Yice-Admiralof  thelieet  Avhich  cooi)erat- 
ed  Avith  the  Americans  in  the  E evolution. 
In  the  Eevolution  of  1790-91  he  unsuc- 
cessfully endeavored  to  save  the  lives  ol 
Louis  XVI.  and  his  queen,  and  A\'aa  con- 
demned to  death. 

Esterhazy.  A  princely  Hungarian  family* 
Avhich  trace  their  origin  to  the  10th  centmy. 

Esther,  es'ter.  The  name  of  one  of  the 
books  of  Scripture  and  of  the  hero- 
ine of  the  book,  held  to  have  been 
written  late  in  the  reign  of  Xerxes  or  early 
in  that  of  his  son  Artaxerxcs  Longimanus, 
and  supposed  to  be  the  composition  of 
Mordecai,  uncle  of  the  heroine. 

Estival,  -tlv'al.  Pertaining  to  summer, 
or  continuing  for  the  summer. 

Estoile,  as-toil.  In  Her.  a  star  Avith  six 
Avaved  points ;  a  mullet  has  only  five,  and 
these  straight. 

Estoilee,  'Q.  In  Her.  a  star  vrith  four 
long  rays  in  the  form  of  a  cross,  broad  in 
the  center,  and  terminating  in  sharp  points. 

Estradiot,  es-trad'i- 
ot.  An  Albanian  light- 
horseman,  employed 
in  the  French  army  in 
the  loth  and  16th  cen- 
turies. Thoy  some- 
times fought  on  foot. 

Estramacon,  -tram- 
a-son.  A  sort  of  dag- 
ger used  iu  the  middle 
ages.  A  pass  Avith  a 
sword. 

Estuary,  'tu-a-ri.  An 
arm  of  the  sea  ;  a  frith  > 
or  firth  ;  the  mouth  of ' 
a  river  or  hike,  Avluire 
the  tide  mecta  the  cur- 
rent. An  Estradiot. 


ETAGEEE 


811 


ETTCALTPTUS 


Etag-ere,  u-tfi-zhar.  A  piece  of  domes- 
tic I'urnitiire  supplied  with  shelves,  as  a 
side-board,  a  what-not,  &c. 

Etanin,  et'a-nin.  The  star  Gramma  of  the 
constellation  Draco,  interesting  as  being 
the  star  by  the  observation  of  which 
Bradley  was  led  to  the  discovery  of  the 
aberration  of  the  fixed  stars. 

Et  ceetera,  set'e-ra.  And  others  of  the 
like  kind ;  and  so  forth ;  and  so  on 
Written  also  Etcetera,  and  contracted  &c. 

Etclliilgr,  ech'ing.  The  process  of  pro- 
ducing designs  upon  a  metal  or  glass  plate 
by  means  of  lines  drawn  through  a  kind 
of  varnish  by  a  pointed  instrument  and 
corroded  by  an  acid.  The  impression 
taken  from  an  etched  plate. 

Eternal,  e-tem'al.  An  appellation  of 
God.    That  which  is  everlasting. 

Eternity,  'i-ti.  The  condition  or  quality 
of  being  eternal ;  duration  or  continuance 
wthout  beginning  or  end.  The  whole  of 
time  j)ast ;  endless  future  time ;  the  state 
or  condition  which  begins  at  death. 

Etesian, -te'zi-an.  Eecurring  every  year; 
blowing  at  stated  times  of  the  year  ;  pe- 
riodical; applied  by  Greek  and  Eoman 
writer^  to  the  periodical  winds  in  the 
Mediterranean. 

Ethal,  'thai.  A  solid  substance  separated 
from  spermaceti,  fusible  at  nearly  the 
same  point  as  spermaceti,  and  crystallizing 
in  plates.  In  point  of  composition  it  re- 
sembles ether  and  alcohol. 

Ethelingr,  eth'el-ing.  An  Anglo-Saxon 
nobleman. 

Ethelbert,  eth'el-burt.  The  first  Chris 
Uan  King  of  Kent,  England,  converted  by 
his  \vife  Bertha,  of  France  and  St.  Augus- 
tine: reigned  560  to  616.  He  gave  the 
English  the  first  written  code  of  laws. 

Ether,  e'ther.  Tn  Astron.  and  Physics, 
a  hypothetical  medium  of  extreme  ten- 
uity and  elasticity  mpposed  to  be  dif- 
fused throughout  all  space,  and  the  me- 
dium of  the  transmission  of  light  and 
heat.  In  Chem.  a  very  light,  volatile  and 
iRfiammable  fluid,  produced  by  the  re- 
placement of  the  hydrogen  of  organic 
acids  by  alcoholic  radicals. 

Ethics,  eth'iks.  The  science  of  human 
duty.  The  whole  of  the  moral  sciences, 
including  moral  philosophy,  international 
law,  public  or  political  law,  civil  law,  and 
history,  profane,  civil  and  political. 

Ethiopia,  e-the-o'pe-ah.  The  name  for- 
merly given  to  an  immense  and  vaguely 
defined  section  of  0.  Africa,  now  kuowTJ 
as  Abyssinia,  Kordofan,  Nubia,  &c. 


Ethiops  Martial,  e'thi-ops  mur'shal. 
Black  oxide  of  iron  ;  iron  finely  powdered. 

Ethiops  Mineral,  mi'ne-ral.  A  com- 
bination of  mercury  and  sulphur ;  black 
sulphuret  of  mercury. 

Ethnarch,  cth'nark.  In  Greek  Antiq.  a 
viceroy ;  a  governor  of  a  province. 

Ethnic,  'nik.    A  heathen ;  a  pagan. 

Ethnogrrapher,  -nog'ra-fer.  One  who 
cultivates  ethnography,  one  who  treats 
of  the  different  races  and  families  of  men. 

Ethnology,  -nol'o-ji.  The  science  ol 
races. 

Ethology,  -ol'o-ji.  The  science  of  eth- 
ics ;  the  science  of  character. 

Etiolation,  'ti-6-la"shon.  The  becom- 
ing white  by  excluding  the  light  of  the  sun 
or  by  disease.  lu  Hort.  the  rendering 
plants  white,  crisp  and  tender,  by  exclud- 
ing the  action  of  light  from  them. 

Etna,  et'na.  A  table  cooking-utensil, 
heated  by  a  spirit  lamp. 

Etna,  Mount  (-ffitna).  The  volcano 
on  the  island  of  Sicily,  10,784  ft.  above  the 
sea-level.  Its  most  destructive  outburst 
occurred  in  1693 ;  its  latest  gi-eat  eruption 
in  1787. 

Etruria,  e-troo're-ah.  The  ancient  name 
of  nearly  the  whole  of  Italy.  The  Etrus- 
cans posse.<ised  a  high  degree  of  civiliza- 
tion, as  demonstrated  by  almost  innumer- 
able works  of  art,  masonry,  etc. 

Etude,  a-tud.  In  the  fine  art3  and  music, 
a  composition  designed  t    serve  as  a  study. 

Etymologry,  -ji.  That  part  of  phi!  logy 
which  explains  the  origin  and  derivation 
of  words;  that  part  of  grammar  which 
comprehends  the  various  inflections  and 
modifications  of  words,  and  shows  how 
they  are  formed  from  their  simple  roots. 

Eucaljrptus, 
u-ka-lip'tus.  A 
gen.  of  large 
generally  glau- 
cous  trees, 
ord.  Myrta- 
ceje.  There 
are  more  than 
100  species. 
TheAustralian 
colonists  call 
them  gum- 
trees,  from  the 
gum  that  ex- 
udes     from 

bark  and  iron-bark  trees,  from  the  fibrous 
or  solid  barks.  Some  trees  of  E.  arayg 
dalina  have  been  felled  which  were  480  ft. 


EUCHAEI8T 


812 


EUPHEMISM 


high  and  100  ft.  in  circumference  near  the 
ground.  E.  g'lobuhis  has  been  extensively- 
planted  in  malarious  districts  for  the  pur- 
pose of  rendering  them  healthier. 
Eucharist,  u'lia-rist.    The  sacrament  of 

the  Lord's  Supper. 
Euchelaion,   -ke-la'on.    In  the  Greek 
Ch.  tlie  oil  with  which  a  penitent  con- 
scious of  any  mortal  sin  is  anointed  by 
the  archbishop  or  bishop,  assisted  by  seven 
priests,  in  order  to  gain  absolution. 
EueMorine,  'kl6r-in.    An  explosive  gas 
obtained  by  the  action  of  hydrochloric  acid 
on  chlorate  of  potassium  ;  it  is  a  mixture 
of  chlorine  and  oxide  of  chlorine. 
Eucliolog-ion,   -ko-lo'ji-on.    The  ritual 
of  the  Greek  Ch.,  in  which  are  prescribed 
the  order  of  ceremonies,  sacraments  and 
ordinances ;  a  liturgy. 
Euchre,  'ker.    A  game  of  cards  ;  a  mod- 
ified form  of  6carte,  played  by  two,  three, 
or  four  players  with  the  thu-ty-two  high- 
est cards  of  the  pack. 
Euclid,  u'klid.    A  noted  mathematician 
of  Alexandria,  known  as  the  "Father  of 
Geometry  ;"  b.  abt.  320,  D.  abt.  260  b.  o. 
E.  of  Megara,  a  Greek  philosoplier,  pupil  of 
Socrates,  who  lived  abt.  400  b.  c,  was  the 
founder  of  the  Dialectic  School,   which 
combined    Socratic    ethics    and   Eleatic 
Metaphysics. 
Eudaemonism,  -de'mon-izm.    The  sys- 
tem  of  philosophy  which  makes  human 
happiness  its    highest    object,   declaring 
that  the  production  of  happiness  is  the 
foundation  of  virtue. 
Eudiometer,   -di-om'et-er.    An  instru- 
ment originally  designed  for  as- 
certaining the  purity  of  the  air  cr? 
or  the  quantity  of  oxygen  it  con- 
tains,  but  now  employed  gener- 
ally in  the  analysis  of  gases. 
Eudoxian,  -doks'i-an.    One  of 
a  sect  of  heretics  in  the  14th  cen- 
tury, followers  of  Eudoxius,  pa- 
triarch of  Antioch  and  Constan- 
tinople, who  affirmed  the  Son  to 

be  differently  affected  in  his  wll       

from  the  Father  and  made  ofEudiom 
nothing.  _  eter. 

Eugrene,  Prince,  oo-zhan.  (Eranpois 
Eugene  de  Savoy).  The  greatest  military 
commander  of  his  day  ;  b.  in  Paris,  1663  • 
D.  in  Vienna,  1736.  Refusing  a  cornmand 
in  the  French  army,  he  entered  the  Aus- 
trian service,  and  in  the  wars  with  the 
Turks  and  France  won  an  almost  unin- 
terrupted series  of  victories  during  an  ac- 
tive career  of  26  years.  His  last  great  vic- 
tory was  at  Peterwardein,  where  he  defeat- 
ed an  army  of  180,000  Turks. 


Eug-enie,  oo-zha'ne.  (Eugenie  Maria  d« 
Guzman).  Daughter  of  Conde  de  Monti- 
jo,  and  wife  of  Napoleon  III.;  b.  in  Gran- 
ada, Spain,  1826;  crowned  empress  of  the 
French,  1853  ;  appointed  Regent  while  her 
husband  was  Avith  the  army,  1870 ;  fled  to 
England  after  the  loss  of  the  battle  of  Se- 
dan, and  still  makes  that  country  her 
home. 

Eugenius,  u-je'ne-us.  The  name  of  four 
popes,  the  most  noted  being  E.  III.  (Ber- 
nard of  Pisa),  who  s.  Lucius  II.,  1145,  i>. 
1153.  The  outbreak  against  the  papacy, 
led  by  Arnold  of  Brescia,  occurred  during 
his  pontificate.  E.  IV.  (Gabriele  Condol- 
mero),  s.  Martin  V.,  1431  ;  d.  1447.  The 
schism  occasioned  by  the  action  of  the 
Council  of  Basle  occurred  in  his  pontifi- 
cate. 
Eugnbine,  'gu-bin.  Of  or  belonging  to 
the  ancient  Eugubium  (now  Gubbio), 
or  to  the  seven  tablets  discovered  there  in 
1444.  These  tablets,  called  the  E.  tables, 
furnish  a  comprehensive  memorial  of  tho 
ancient  IJmbrian  tongue,  and  show  that  it 
somewhat  resembled  the  ancient  Latin,  as 
well  as  the  Oscan. 

Eumeues,  ii-me'nez.    A  favorite  general 
of  Alexander  the  Great,  b.  360,  d.  816  b.c. 
E.    received    Pontus,    Cappadocia    and 
Paphlagonia  as  his  share  of  the  empire  at 
Alexander's  death,  but  was  killed  through 
the  intrigues  of  Antigonus. 
Eumenides,   -dez.    In  Class.  Mvth.  a 
name  given  to  the  Furies,  because'it  was 
considered    unlawful    and  dangerous  to 
name  them  under  their  true  designation 
Erinnys. 
Eunomia,  -no'mi-a.    A  small    asteroid 
revolving  between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and 
Jupiter,   discovered  29th  July,  1851,  by 
De  Gasparis. 
Eunomian,  -an.    One  of  a  sect  of  here* 
tics,  disciples  of  Er.nomius,  bishop  of  Cy- 
zicum  in   the  4th  century.     Thev  main- 
tained that  the  Father  was  of  a  different 
nature  from  the  Son,  and  that  the  Son  did 
not  in  reality  unite  himself  to  human  na- 
ture. 
Eunuch,  u'nuk,    A  castrated  male  ser- 
vant employed  in  Eastern  harems. 
Euomphalus,  -om'fal-us.    A  gen.  of  fos- 
sil gasteropodous  mollusks,  fam.  Turbini- 
da>,  appearing  in   the  Silurian  strata,  and 
keeping  its  place  till  the  triassic  period. 
Eupatried,  'pat-rid.    A  member  of  the 
ancient  aristocracy  of  Athens,   in  Avhom 
were  vested  the  privileges  and  powers  of 
lawgivers. 

Euphemism,   'fem-izm.      In    Ehet.    a 
figui*e  in  which  a  dehcate  word  or  expr«8- 


EUPHOKIUM 


313 


EUTYCHIAK 


sion  is  substituted  for  one  which  is  offen- 
sive. 

Euphonium,  -um.  A  brass  bass  in- 
strument, g-enerall}-  used  as  a  substitute 
for  tlie  bass  trombone. 

Euplionon,  'fo-non.  A  musical  instru- 
ment of  great  sweetness  and  power,  re- 
sembling the  iipright  piano  in  form  and 
the  organ  in  tone. 

Euphrates,  u-fra'teez.  A  large  river  of 
W.  Asia,  joined  by  the  Tigris  at  Kurnah ; 
1,800  m.  in  length,  and  navigable  nearly 
1,200  m. 

Euphrosyne,  -fros'i-ne.  An  asteroid, 
between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter, 
discovered  by  Ferguson,  September  1, 
1S54. 

Eupyrion,  -pir'i-on.  Any  contrivance 
for  obtaining  an  instantaneous  light,  as 
lucifer-matches,  &c. 

Eurasian,  -ra'shi-an.  One  born  in  Hin- 
dustan of  a  Hindu  mother  and  European 
father. 

Eureka,  -re'ka.  The  exclamation  of 
Archimedes  when  he  discovered  the 
method  of  detecting  the  amount  of  alloy 
in  King  Hiero's  crown  ;  hence  a  discov- 
ery ;  an  expression  of  triumph. 

Euroclydon,  -rok'li-don.  A  tempestu- 
ous wind  in  the  Levant,  which  was  the  oc- 
casion or  the  shipwreck  of  the  vessel  in 
which  St.  Paul  sailed,  as  naiTated  in  Acts 
xxvii.,  now  known  as  Gregaha. 

Europa,  -ro'pa.  An  asteroid,  between 
the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter,  discovered 
by  Goldschmidt,  February  4,  1858. 

Europa,  -ro'pa.  In  Myth,  sister  of 
Cadmus,  and  mother  of  Minor  and  Khada- 
manthus,  by  Jupiter,  who  seduced  her  in 
the  form  of  a  bull.  The  continent  of  Eu- 
rope derives  its  name  from  her. 

Elirope,  u'rop.  The  smallest  of  the  five 
continents,  about  one-fifth  the  size  of 
America.  It  is  bounded  N.  by  the  White 
Sea  and  Arctic  Ocean,  E.  by  Asia,  S.  by 
the  Mediterranean  and  W.  by  "the  Atlantic ; 
lying  bet.  36°  and  71°  12'  N.  lat.,  and  9° 
80'  W.  and  60°  60'  E.  long.  Its  govern- 
mental divisions  are  Sadowa,  France  and 
Smtzerland,  republics ;  Monaco,  princi- 
pality ;  Belgium,  Denmark,  Great  Britain, 
Greece,  Holland,  Italy,  Portugal  and 
Spain,  kingdoms;  Austria,  Germany,  Rus- 
sia and  Turkey,  empires.  Its  marine  divis- 
ions include  the  German  Ocean,  the  Med- 
iterranean, Baltic,  Eu.xine,  Irish,  North, 
"White,  and  seas  of  Marmora  and  Azof. 
Its  principal  islands  are  Great  Britain, 
Ireland,  Sardinia,  Sicily,  Corsica,  Malta, 
Candia,  Zealand,  Nova  Zembla  and  Spitz- 
bergen.    Its  mountain  ranges  include  the 


Alps,  Pyrenees,  Carpathians,  Appenines, 
Balkan  and  Hartz,  with  the  Ural  range 
dividing  it  from  Asia  in  the  N.  and  the 
Caucasus  in  the  8.  Its  chi^f  rivers  are  the 
Thames,  Severn,  Clyde,  Shannon, 
Danube,  Dnieper,  Volga,  Dneister,  Khine, 
Ehone,  Seine,  Tagus,  Guadalquiver  and 
Loire.  Its  lakes  include  Ladoga,  Peipus, 
Onega,  Maggiore,  Como,  Geneva,  Lu- 
cerne, Constance,  Cumberland  and  West- 
moreland, wth  Lough  Neagh  and  Lochs 
Lomond  and  Ness.  Total  area,  abt.  3,775,- 
000  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  326,500,000. 
Euripides,  u-rip'e-dez.  The  greatest  of 
Grecian  tragic  poets  ,  b.  in   Salamis,  480, 

D.  406  B.  c.  He  was  the  friend  of  Socrates 
and  the  rival  of  Sophocles. 

Eurylaiminse.-ri-la-ml'ne.  A  snb-fam.of 
fissirostral  insessorial  birds,  fam.  Coracia- 
dfe,  forming  one  of  the  connecting  links 
between  the  swallows  and  the  bee-eaters, 
closely  allied  to  the  todies. 

Eurypterida,  -rip-te'ri-da.  An  extinct 
sub-ord.  of  crustaceans,  ord.  Merostomata, 
closely  allied  to  the  king-crabs. 

Eusebian,  -se'bi-an.  A  follower  or  one 
holding  the  opinions  of  Eusebius,the  father 
of  ecclesiastical  history,  who  was  at  the 
head  of  the  semi- Arian  or  moderate  party 
at  the  Council  of  Nice. 

Eusebius,  Pamphili.  u-se'be-us.  A 
celebrated  divine,  honored  with  the  title 
of  "Father  of  Ecclesiastical  History;"  b.  at 
Caesarea,  266,  d.  abt.  340.  He  was  bishop 
of  his  native  city  from  314  till  his  death. 

Eustachian,  -sta'ki-an.  Of  or  pertain- 
ing to  Eustachi,  a  famous  ItaUan  physi- 
cian, who  died  at  Eome,  1574.  E.  tube 
forms  a  communication  between  the  in- 
ternal ear  and  the  back  part  of  the  mouth. 

E.  valve,  a  semilunar  membranous  valve 
which  separates  the  right  auricle  of  the 
heart  from  the  interior  vena  cava. 

Euterpe,  -ter'pe.     In  Myth,  one  of  the 

Muses,  who  presided  over 

lyric  poetry;  daughter  of 

Jupiter  and  Mnemosyne. 

In    Astron.    an    asteroid 

discovered  by  Hind,  1853. 

In  Bot.  a  gen.  of  palms. 
Euthanasia,  -than-a'zi- 

a.      An   easy    death.     A 

putting  to  death  by  pain- 
less means. 
Eutychian,  -ti'ki-an.  A 

follower    of     Eutychius, 

who  taught  that  in  Jesus 

Christ  there  was  but  one 

nature,     compounded    of 

the   divine    and    human 

natures.  This  herasy  wa* 


Euterpe. 


EU8TATHIAN 


814 


EVOLUTION 


condemned  by  the  Synod  of  Chalcedon, 
451. 

Eustathian,  'thl-an.  One  of  a  sect  of 
heretics  of  the  4th  century,  so  named 
from  their  founder  Eustathius,  who  de- 
nied tlio  lawfulness  of  marriage.  He  was 
excommunicated  by  the  Council  of  Gangi-a. 
Euxanthine,  iiks-anth'in.  A  substance 
supposed  to  be  derived  from  the  bile  or 
urine  of  the  buffalo,  camel,  or  elephant. 
It  comes  from  India  under  the  name  of 
purree  or  Indian  yellow,  and  is  used  as  a 
pigment.  It  is  the  magnesia  salt  of  eux- 
anthic  or  purreic  acid. 

Euxine,  'in.  The  sea  between  Eussia 
and  Asia  Minor  ;  the  Black  Sea. 

Evang-elical,  e-van-jel'ik-al.  Contained 
in  the  gospels,  or  four  first  books  of  the 
New  Testament.  According  to  the  relig- 
ious truth  taught  in  the  New  Testament. 
A  term  applied  to  a  section  In  the  Prot- 
estant churches  who  profess  to  base  their 
principles  on  Scripture  alone.  Applied 
in  Germany  to  Protestants  as  distinguished 
from  Eoman  CathoUcs,  and  especially  to 
the  national  Protestant  church  formed  in 
Prussia  in  1817.  E.  Alliance,  an  associa- 
tion of  various  churches  and  countries, 
formed  in  1845,  to  concentrate  the  strength 
of  an  enhghtened  Protestantism  against 
the  encroachments  of  Popery  and  Pusey- 
ism.  E.  Union,  a  religious  body  consti- 
tuted in  Scotland  in  1843. 

Evangelist,  ist.  A  witer  of  the  history 
or  doctrines,  precepts,  actions,  life  and 
death  of  the  Saviour;  specifically,  S8. 
Matthew,  Mark,  Luke  and  John.  One  of 
an  order  of  men  in  the  early  Church  who 
appear  to  have  been  a  kind  of  missionary 
preachers.  A  person  licensed  to  preach 
but  not  having  a  charge;  a  layman  en- 
gaged in  missionary  work  of  any  kind. 

Evangelistary,  "a-ri.  A  selection  of 
passages  from  the  Gospels,  as  a  lesson  in 
divine  service. 

Evaporation,  -va'per-a^shon.  The  act 
of  resolving  or  state  of  being  resolved  into 
vapor  ;  the  conversion  of  a  solid  or  Uquid 
by  heat  into  steam,  which  becomes  dissi- 
pated in  the  atmosphere  in  the  manner  of 
an  elastic  fluid  ;  vaporization. 

Evaporometer,  -om"et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  ascertaining  the  quantity  of  a 
fluid  evaporated  in  a  given  time;  an  atmom- 
eter. 

Eve,  ev.  In  Script,  the  wife  of  Adam, 
progenitor  of  the  human  race. 

Eve.    The  close  of  the  day;  the  evening. 

Evection,  c-vek'shon.  In  Astron.  the 
most  considerable  of  the  lunar  ix-regulari- 


ties,  caused  by  the  action  of  the  sun  upoa 
the  moon.  Its  general  and  constant  effect 
is  to  diminish  the  equation  of  the  center 
in  syzygies,  and  increase  it  in  the  quadra- 
ture. It  is  periodical,  running  through 
all  its  changes  in  about  27  days.  The  li- 
bration  of  the  moon. 

Eveningr-star,  e'vn-lng-star.  Hespe- 
rus or  Vesper ;  Venus,  visible  in  the  even- 
ing. 

Everett,  Alexander  Hill.  An  Amer- 
ican litterateur  and  diplomatist;  b.  in 
Mass.,  1792,  d.  while  Commissioner  to 
China,  1847.  Ho  was  Minister  to  Eussia, 
Holland  and  Spaiji.  Edward,  his  younger 
brother;  b.  1794,  d.  1865,  was  a  distin- 
guished statesman  ;  serving  in  Congress, 
as  Governor  of  Mass.,  Minister  to  Eng- 
land, and  Secretary  of  State  in  President 
Fillmore's  cabinet. 

Evergreen,  -gren.  A  plant  that  retains 
its  verdure  through  all  the  seasons, 
shedding  its  leaves  in  the  spring  or 
summer. 

Everlasting,  -last'ing.  Eternity ;  eter- 
nal duration,  past  and  future. 

Eviction,  -vik'shon.  Dispossession  by 
judicial  sentence  ;  the  recovery  of  lands 
or  tenements  from  another's  possession 
by  course  of  law. 

Evolation,  -la'shon.  The  act  of  flying 
away. 

E  V  o  1  u  t  e,  '6-liit.  In 
Geom.  a  curve  from 
which  another  curve, 
called  the  involute  or, 
evolvent,  is  described '' 
by  the  end  of  a  thread 
gradually  wound  upon 
the  former,  or  imvround 
from  it. 

Evolution,  -lu'shon .  The  act  of  unfold- 
ing or  unrolling  ;  development.  A  series 
of  things  unrolled  or  unfolded.  In  Geom. 
the  opening  of  a  curve  and  making  it  de- 
scribe an  evolvent.  In  Math,  the  extrac- 
tion of  roots  from  powers  ;  the  reverse  of 
involution.  Milit.  the  wheeling,  coun- 
termarching, or  other  motion  by  which 
the  disposition  of  troops  is  changed. 
Naut.  the  change  of  form  and  disposition  of 
a  fleet.  In  Biology,  the  theory  of  genera- 
tion. The  evolution  theory  of  the  origin 
of  species  is,  that  later  species  have  been 
developed  by  continuous  differentiation  of 
organs  and  modification  of  parts  from 
species  simpler  and  less  differentiated, 
and  that  thus  all  organic  existences,  oven 
man  himself,  maybe  traced  back  to  a 
simple  cell. 


EWE 


815 


EXEUNT 


Ewe,  \i.  A  female  sheep  ;  the  female  of 
the  oviue  race  of  animals. 

Ewer,  '  er .  A  kind  of  pitcher  with  a  wide 
spout,  that  accompanies  a  wash-hand 
hasin. 

Ewing,  Thomas.  An  American  jurist 
and  statesman,  b.  in  Va.,  1789,  d.  1871. 
He  was  a  m.-mber  of  the  U.  S.  Senate, 
Secretary  of  tlie  Treasury,  and  first  Secre- 
tary of  the  Interior. 

Exeeresis,  egz-e're-sis.  That  branch  of 
surgery  which  relates  to  the  removal  of 
parts  of  the  body. 

Exaltado,  eks-al-ta'do.  In  Spanish 
Hist,  a  member  of  the  extreme  liberal  or 
radical  political  party. 

Exarch,  'iirk.  A  prefect  or  governor 
under  tlie  Byzantine  Empire.  A  title  as- 
sumed fur  a'tirae  by  the  Bishops  of  Con- 
Btantinople,  Antioch,  Ephesus  and  Caesa- 
rea,  as  superiors  over  the  surrounding 
metropolitans.  A  title  given  to  inspectors 
of  the  clergy,  commissioned  by  the  East- 
ern patriarchs. 

Excalibur,  eks-kal'i-ber.  The  mythol- 
ogical sword  of  King  Arthur  given  him  by 
the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  to  whom  Merlin 
directed  him  to  apply  for  it. 

Excellency,  ek'sel-Ien-si.  A  title  of 
honor  j4iven  to  governors,  ambassadors, 
ministtTP,  and  the  like. 

Excerebration,  eks-se're-bra"shon. 
The  act  of  removing  or  beating  out  the 
brains. 

Excerpt,  ek-serpt'.  An  extract  from  an 
author  or  from  a  writing  of  any  kind. 

Excise,  ek-slz.  A  tax  or  duty  imposed 
on  certain  commodities  of  home  produc- 
tion and  consumption.  That  department 
of  the  civil  service  which  is  connected  Avith 
the  levying  of  such  duties.  In  some 
States,  the  Board  of  License. 

Excision,  -si'zhon.  The  act  of  cutting 
otV;  extirpation  ;  destruction. 

Excitator,  -at'er.  An  instrument  em- 
ployed to  discharge  an  electrical  apparatus 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  secure  the  operator 
from  the  elfect  of  the  shock. 

Exclusionist,  eks-klQ'zhon-ist.  One  of 
a  party  of  I'.nglish  politicians  m  the  time 
of  Charles  II.  favorable  to  a  bill  to  exclude 
his  popish  heirs  from  the  throne. 

Excommunication,  -kom-mu'ni-ka"- 
shon.  Expulsion  from  the  communion  of 
a  church. 

Excoriation,  -k6'ri-a"shon.  The  act  of 
flaying,  or  the  operation  of  wearing  off  the 
skin  or  cuticle  ;  a  galling ;  abrasion  ;  the 
Httit«  of  b^ng  gaUed  or  stripped  of  skin. 


Excortication,  -kor'ti-ka^'shon.  The 
act  of  stripping  off  bark. 

Excrement,  'krc-ment.  Matter  excreted 
and  ejected ;  that  which  is  discharged 
from  the  animal  body  after  digestion  ;  al- 
vine  discharges. 

Excuhitorium,  -ku'bi-t6"ri-um.  A 
gallery  in  a  church  where  public  watch 
was  kept  at  night  on  the  eve  of  some  fes- 
tival, and  from  which  the  great  shrine* 
were  observed. 

Excursus,  -ker'sus.  A  dissertation  oi 
digression  appended  to  a  work,  containing 
a  more  full  exposition  of  some  important 
point  or  topic  than  could  be  given  in  the 
notes  to  the  text. 

Exeat,  'e-at.  Leave  of  absence  given  to 
a  student  in  the  English  universities.  The 
permission  granted  by  a  bishop  to  a  priest 
to  go  out  of  his  diocese. 

Executioner,  ek-se-ku'shon-er.  One 
who  executes  or  carries  into  effact ;  espe- 
cially one  who  carries  into  effect  a  judg- 
ment of  death. 

Executive,  egz-ek'nt-iv.  Any  ofiicer 
who  superintends  the  execution  of  the 
laws  ;  the  person  or  persons  who  adminis- 
ter the  government. 

Executor,  -er.  The  person  appointed  by 
atestator  to  execute  his  will  or  to  see  it 
carried  into  effect. 

Executrix,  -triks.  A  female  executor; 
a  woman  appointed  by  a  testator  to  exe- 
cute his  will. 

Exedra,  -ed'ra.  In  Anc.  Arc.  an  apart- 
ment provided  with  seats  for  the  purpose 
either  of  repose  or  of  conversation.  They 
were  open  to  the  sun  and  ah-,  and  were 
appended  to  the  portico. 

Exegresis,  eks-e-je'sis.  The  exposition 
or  interpretation  of  any  literarj^  produc- 
tion, but  more  particularly  the  exposition 
or  interpretation  of  Scripture. 

Exelmans,  Bemy  Joseph  Isidore, 
Baron,  ek-sel-miin'.  A  French  mar- 
shal ;  B.  1775,  D.  1852.  He  fought  in  Na- 
poleon's chief  campaigns. 

Exequatur,  -e-kwa'ter.  A  written  rec- 
ognition of  a  person  in  the  character  of 
consul  or  commercial  agent  Issued  by  the 
government  to  which  he  is  accredited. 
An  authoritative  recognition  of  any  ofticial 
document ;  official  permission  to  perform 
some  act. 

Exergne,  egz-erg'.  The  small  space  be" 
neath  the  base  line  of  a  subject  ergraved 
on  a  coin  or  medal,  left  for  the  date,  en- 
graver's name,  &c. 

Exeunt,  eks'6-unt.    A  word  used  in  dra- 


EXFOLIATION 


816 


EXPONENT 


matic  literature  to  denote  the  period  at 
which  actors  quit  the  stage.  E.  omnes 
(all  go  out)  is  used  when  all  leave  the  stage 
at  the  same  time. 

Exfoliation,  -fo'li-a^shon.  In  Surg,  the 
scaling  of  a  bone  ;  the  process  of  separa- 
tion, as  i)ieces  of  unsound  bone  from  the 
Bound  part ;  desquamation.  In  Mineral, 
separation  into  scales  or  laminae. 

"Exheredation,  eks-he'rc-da"shon.  In 
civil  law,  a  disinheriting ;  the  act  of  a 
father  excluding  a  child  from  inheriting 

/  any  part  of  his  estate. 

Exhumation,  eks-hum-a'shon.  The 
act  of  exhuming  or  digging  up  that  which 
has  been  buried. 

Exile,  egz'd.  Banishment ;  the  state  of 
being  expelled  from  one's  native  country 
or  place  of  residence  by  authority,  and 
forbidden  to  return.  A  removal  to  a  for- 
eign country  for  residence  for  any  cause 
distinct  from  business.  The  person  ban- 
ished or  expelled  or  who  abandons  his 
countrv. 

Exmouth,  Edward  Pellew,  Vis- 
count. An  English  admiral;  «.  1T57,  d. 
1833.  Noted  for  his  expedition  to  Algiers, 
1816,  when  in  a  bombardment  of  four 
hours  he  destroyed  the  Algerian  ships, 
silenced  their  forts,  shelled  the  palace,  and 
compelled  the  Dey's  submission  and  the 
release  of  1,200  European  prisoners. 

Exo,  'o.  A  common  prefix  in  words 
taken  from  the  Greek,  the  equivalent  to 
without  ;  on  the  outside. 

Exocetus,  -sep- 
tus. The  flying- 
fish,  a  gen.  of  tel- 
eostean  fishes, . 
fam.  Scombereso- 
cidip,  sub-ord 
Abdominales.  It 
can    raise     itself  ,„   .       „  , 

from    the    water  1  lying-fish, 

and  pass  through  the  air  as  much  as  200 
yards. 

Exodus,  'o-dus.  The  emigration  of 
large  b  )dies  of  people  from  one  country 
to  another.  The  departure  of  the  Israel- 
ites from  Egypt  under  the  leadership  of 
Moses.  The  Second  book  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. 

Ex  officio,  -of-fi'shi-6.  By  virtue  of  of- 
fice, and  without  special  authority. 

Exogranxy,  -og'a-mi.  A  custom  among 
certain  savage  tribes  which  prohibits  a 
man  from  marrying  a  woman  of  his  own 
tribe. 

Exophthalmia,  -of-thaFmi-a.  A  pro- 
trusion of  the  eyeball  to  such  a  degree  that 
the  eyelids  cannot  cover  it. 


Exogen. 


Exogren,  M-jen.  A 
plant  whose  stem  Is 
formed  by  successive 
additions  to  the  out- 
side of  the  wood,  the 
largest  primary  class 
of  plants  in  the  Vegeta- 
ble kingdom.  All  ihe  . 
trees  of  cold  climates, 
and  most  of  those  in 
hot  latitudes,  are  ex- 
ogenous, and  distinguished  from  the  endo- 
genous by  the  reticulated  venation  of  their 
leaves,  and  by  their  seeds  having  two 
cotyledons  or  lobes. 

Exordium,  egz-or'di-um.  The  introduce 
tory  part  of  a  discourse  ;  the  preface  or 
proemial  part  of  a  composition. 

Exosmose,  eks'os-mos.  The  passage  of 
gases,  vapors  or  liquids,  through  mem- 
branes or  porous  media,  from  within  out- 
ward, in  the  phenomena  of  osmose,  there- 
verse  process  being  called  endosmose. 

Exoterics,  -te'riks.  The  lectures  of  Ar- 
istotle on  rhetoric,  to  which  all  were  ad- 
mitted ;  his  published  writings. 

Exotic,  egz-ot'ic.  Anything  not  native ; 
anything  of  a  foreign  origin. 

Expatriation,  eks-pa'tri-a^'shon.  The 
act  of  banishing  or  state  of  being  banished; 
especially,  the  forsaking  one's  own  coun- 
try, with  a  renunciation  of  allegiance,  and 
■with  a  view  of  becoming  a  citizen  in  anoth- 
er country. 

Expectation-week,  -pekt-a'shon-Avek. 
the  interval  between  Ascension-day  and 
Whitsu  day,  so  called  because  at  this 
time  the  apostles  continued  in  prayer  and 
expectation  of  the  Comforter. 

Expectorant,  -pek'to-rant.  Any  medi- 
cine which  promotes  exijectoration  or  dis- 
charges from  the  lungs. 

Experientialism,  -pe-ri-en'shal-ism. 
The  doctrine  that  all  knowledge  or  ideas 
are  derived  from  expei-ience,  none  being 
intuitive. 

Expiator,  -er.  One  who  expiates  or 
atones. 

Expletive,  'plet-iv.  A  word  or  syllable 
inserted  to  fill  ;i  vacancy;  an  oath;  a  curse. 

Explosive,  -plo'siv.  Anything  with  a 
tendency  to  explode.  In  Philol.  a  mute 
or  non-continuous  consonant,  as  k,  t,  b. 

Exponent,  -po'nent.  In  Alg.  thenum- 
ber  or  figure  which,  placed  above  the 
root  at  the  right  hand,  denotes  how  often 
that  root  is  repented  or  how  many  multi- 
plications are  necessary  to  produce  the 
power.    One  who  or  that  which  stands  aa 


EXPOET 


817 


EYE 


an  index  or  representative.     One  that  ex- 
pounds or  explains  anything. 
Export,  'port.      A  commodity  conveyed 
out  of  one  country  or  state  to  another  in 
traffic. 

Ex  post  facto,  post  fak'to.  In  law, 
done  after  another  thing.  An  ex  post 
facto  law  is  a  law  made  to  visit  with 
penal  consequences  an  act  done  before  its 
passing. 
Express,  -pres'.  A  messenger  sent  on  a 
particular  errand  or  occasion.  Any  regu- 
kr  provision  made  for  the  speedy  trans- 
mission of  goods  or  messages  ;  any  vehicle 
or  other  conveyance  sent  on  a  special 
message.  A  railway  train  which  travels  at 
a  specially  high  rate  of  speed. 
Exsufflation,  -suf-fla'shon.  Allowing 
or  blast  from  beneath.  A  kind  of  exor- 
cism, performed  by  blowing  and  spitting 
at  the  evil  spirit. 

Extempore,  eks-tem'po-re.  Extempo- 
raneous speaking  ;  the  act  of  expressing 
one's  self  Avithout  premeditation. 
Extensor,  -tens'er.  In  Anat.  a  muscle 
which  serves  to  extend  or  straighten  any 
part  of  the  bodj^ ;  opposed  to  flexor. 
Extermination,  -ter'min-a"shon.  The 
act  of  exterminating  ;  total  expulsion  or 
destruction;  extirpation.  In  Alg.  the 
process  of  causing  to  disappear,  as  un- 
known quantities  from  an  equation  ;  elim- 
ination. 

Extern,  -tern.  Outward  form  or  part  ; 
exterior.  A  R.  C.  student  or  pupil  who 
does  not  live  or  board  within  a  college  or 
seminary  ;  a  day  scholar. 
Exterritoriality,  -te'ri-to'ri-al"i-ti. 
Imiuunitj'  from  a  country's  laws,  such  as 
that  enjoyed  by  an  ambassador. 
Extersion,  -ter'shon.  The  act  of  wip- 
ing or  rubbing  out. 

Extinguisher,  ek-sting'gwish-er.  He, 
who  or  that  which  extinguishes  ;  specifi 
cally,  a  hollow  conical  utensil  to  put  on  a 
candle  or  lamp  to  extinguish  it. 
Extirpation,  -sterp-a'shon.  The  act  of 
rooting  out ;  eradication  ;  excision ;  total 
destruction. 

Extortion,  eks-tor'shon.  Oppressive 
or  illegal  exaction  ;  illegal  compulsion  to 
pay  money  or  to  do  some  other  act. 
Extra-constellary,  -tra-kon'stel-la-ri. 
A  term  applied  to  those  stars  which  are 
not  classed  under  any  constellation. 
Extract,  'trakt.  In  Lit.  a  passage  taken 
from  a  book  or  -writing ;  an  excerpt.  Any- 
thing drawn  from  a  substance  by  heat, 
solution,  distillation,  or  chemical  process. 


Extradition,  -tra-dl'shon.  Deliver}- >> 
one  nation  to  another  of  fugitives  froia 
justice,  in  pursuance  of  a  treaty. 

Extrados,  -tra'dos.  In  Arch,  the  ex' 
terior  curve  of  an  arch  ;  the  outer  curve 
of  a  voussoir. 

Extrajudicial,  -iu-di"shal.    Otit  of  the 

f)roper   court,  or  the  ordinarj'  course  oi 
egal  procedure. 
Extramundane,    mun'dan.     Beyond 
the  limit  of  the  material  world. 
Extramural,  -miir'al.    Without  or  be- 
yond the  walls,  as  of  a  fortified  city  or  a 
university. 
Extraneous,  -tra'ne-us.    Foreign  ;  not 
belonging  to  a  thing  ;  not  intrinsic. 
Extratropical,-tra-trop'ik-al.    Without 
the  tropics,  north  or  south. 
Extravagant,    -trav'a-gant.    One  who 
is  confined  to  no    general  rule.    Eccles. 
certain  decretal  epistles  of  the  i)opes,  pub- 
lished after  the  Clementines,  but  not  at 
first  an-anged  and  digested  vnth  the  other 
Papal  Constitutions. 

Extravasation,  -sa"shon.    The  act  of 
forcing  or  letting  out  of  its  proper  vessels 
or  ducts,  as  a  fluid;  eftusion. 
Extrinsically,     -trin'sik-al-li.       From 
without  ;  externally. 

Extroversion,  -tro-ver'shon.  A  mal- 
formation consisting  in  an  organ  being 
tm-ned  inside  out,  as  the  bladder. 
Exude,  -ud'  To  flow  from  a  body, 
through  the  pores  or  by  a  natural  dis- 
charge. 

Exuviation,  -a"shon.    In  Zool.  the  re- 
jection or  casting  off  of  some  part,  as  the 
deciduous  teeth,  the  skin  of  serpents,  the 
shells  of  crustaceans  and  the  hke. 
Eyalet,  i'a-let.     A    Turkish  government 
or  principahty  under  the  administration  of 
a  Aizier  or  pasha  of  the  first  class. 
Eyas,    'as.      A  young  hawk  just  taken 
from  the  nest,  not  able  to  prey  for  itself. 
Eyck,  Jan  Van,  ik.    (John  of  Bruges). 
One  of  the  greatest  of  Flemish  painters  ; 
B.  1390,  I).  1440.     His  brother  Hubert  was 
also  a  noted  artist ;  b.  13C6,  ».  1426.     The 
brothers  have  been  pronounced  the  origi- 
nators of  oil  painting. 

Eye.  The  organ  of  vision,  formed  by  the 
combination  of  two  segments  from  a  larger 
and  a  smaller  sphere.  The  segment  of  the 
lesser  sphere  is  composed  externally  of  a 
strong  membrane  called  the  cornea,  with- 
in which  are  the  aqueous  humor  and  the 
iris.  The  iris  is  a  colored  membrane  cap- 
able of  contraction  and  dilatation,  suspend- 
ed in   the  aqueous  humor,   with  a  hoi© 


EYEBALL 


318 


FABLE 


the  pupil)  in  tlie  center  for  the  transmis- 
sion of  light.  The  larger  sphere  presents 
three  coats,  the  outermost  being  the  scler- 
otic, within  which  is  the  choroid  and  last- 
ly the  retina.  The  eyes  of  a  ship,  the  eyes 
of  her,  the  foremost  part  in  the  bows  of  a 
ship.  It  was  an  old  custom  in  Britain  to 
paint  an  eye  on  each  bow,  and  in  Spanish 
and  Italian  boats,   as  well  as  in  Chinese 

Ciks,  the  practice  is  still  observed.  The 
wse  holes  are  also  called  the  eyes  of  her. 
The  word  is  applied  to  many  other  things 
about  a  ship. 

Eye-ball,  'bal.  The  ball,  globe,  or  apple 
of  the  eye. 

Eyebrow,  'brou.  The  hairy  arch  above 
the  eye. 

Eye-g-lass,  'glas.  A  glass  to  assist  the 
sight.  The  eye-piece  of  a  telescope,  mi- 
croscope and  the  like.  In  Surg,  a  glass  for 
the  application  of  coUyrium  to  the  eye. 

Eyelash,  'lash.  The  line  of  hair  that 
edges  the  eyelid.  A  single  one  of  the 
hairs  on  the  edge  of  the  eyehd. 

Eylau,  I'lou.  A  town  on  the  Pasmar, 
20  m.  from  Kdnigsberg,  E.  Prussia,  noted 
as  the  scene  of  the  great  victory,  Feb.  8, 
1807,  of  Napoleon  over  the  Russian-Prus- 
sian allies. 

Eyelet,  'let  A  small  hole  or  perforation 
to  receive  a  lace  or  cord. 

Eyelid,  'lid.  The  cover  of  the  eye ;  that 
portion  of  movable  skin  vdth  which  an 
animal  covers  or  uncovers  the  eye-ball  at 
pleasure. 


Eye-piece,  'pes.  In  a  telescope,  micro- 
scope, or  other  optical  instrument,  the 
lens  to  which  the  eye  is  appUed. 

Eyestone,  'ston.  A  small  calcareous 
body,  the  operculum  of  small  Turbinidaj, 
used  for  removing  substances  from  be- 
tween the  lid  and  ball  of  the  eye.  Being 
put  into  the  inner  corner  of  the  eye,  it 
works  its  way  out  at  the  outer  cor 
ner,  bringing  with  it  any  foreign  sub- 
stance. 

Eyestring,  -'string.  The  tendon  by  whi«h 
the  eye  is  moved. 

Eyetooth,  'toth.  A  pointed  tooth  in  the 
upper  jaw  next  to  the  grinders  ;  a  fang ; 
a  canine  tooth. 

Eyrie,  'ri.  A  bird's  nest ;  specifically  the 
nest  of  an  eagle  or  other  bird  of  prey. 

Ezekiel.  In  Scrip,  one  of  the  greater  He- 
brew prophets,  son  of  the  priest  Bezi, 
who,  with  Jehoiakim,  king  of  Juda,  was 
carried  captive  to  Mesapotamia ;  b.  abt. 
570  B.C.;  the  date  of  his  death  is  un- 
known. The  book  of  E.  contains  his 
prophecies. 

Ezra.  In  Scrip,  a  Jewish  priest,  who  led 
the  second  expedition  of  his  people  home 
from  the  Babylonian  exile,  458  b.  c.  A 
tomb  said  to  be  his  is  still  shown  on  the 
Tigris,  some  20  m.  above  its  junction 
with  the  Euphrates.  The  book  of  E.  re- 
lates the  events  connected  with  the  second 
return  i  that  of  Nehemiah  (formerly  first 
book  of  E.)  the  incidents  of  the  fli-st  r«- 
turn,  21  years  before. 


F 


FIS  the  6th  letter  of  the  English  alpha- 
bet, and  is  a  labio-dental  articulation, 
classed  as  a  surd  spirant,  its  corresponding 
sonant  spirant  being  v,  which  is  dis- 
tinguished from  f  by  being  pronounced 
with  voice  instead  of  breath.  The  figure 
is  the  same  as  that  of  the  ancient  Greek  di- 
gamma,  which  it  also  closely  resembles  in 
power.  F  is  a  common  consonant  initially, 
medially  and  finally,  in  the  latter  two  cases 
being  often  doubled.  As  an  initial  it  is 
very  common  in  conjunction  with  1  and  r, 
as  in  fly,  free.  In  plurals  it  often  becomes 
V,  asl  n  knife,  knives  ;  calf,  calves.  As  a 
Latin  numeral  it  signifies  40,  and  with  a 
dash  over  the  top,  40,000.  F.  often  stands 
for  Fellow  ;  F.  E.  S.,  Fellow  of  the  Eoyal 
Society  ;  F.  S.  A.,  Fellow  of  the  Societv 
of  Antiquaries.  F,  in  Music,  is  the  fourth 
note  of  the  diatonic  scale.  In  the  calen- 
dar F  is  one  of  the  seven  Dominical  letters. 


Ea,  fa.  In  music,  the  Italian  name  of  the 
4th  note  of  the  diatonic  scale. 

Fabian,  ^'bi-an.  Delaying  ;  dilatory  ; 
avoiding  battle,  in  imitation  of  Q.  Fabius 
Maximus,  a  Roman  general,  who  conduct- 
ed military  operations  against  Hannibal. 

Fabii,  -be-I,  An  illustrious  Roman 
family.  Quintus  Fabius  Maximus,  elected 
consul  122  B,  c,  defeated  the  AUobrogos 
in  Gaul  In  a  great  battle  in  which  they 
lost  120,000  men.  Quintus  Fabius  Max- 
imus RuHanus,  tho  greatest  soldier  of  his 
day,  was  five  times  consul  and  twice  dic- 
tator, 322  to  295  B.  0.  Quiutus  Fabius 
Maximus  Vemicosus,  chosen  consul  283 
and  dictator  217  b.  o,,  carried  on  a  success- 
ful defense  against  Hannibal,  and  was 
elected  consul  for  the  fifth  time,  209;  b. 
203  B  c 

Fable,  'bl.  A  feigned  story  or  tale,  in- 
tended to  instruct  or  amuse. 


FABLIAU 


819 


FAIRFAX 


Fabliau,  fab-16-6.  In  French  Lit.  one 
of  the  metrical  tales  of  the  Trouverea  or 
eai-ly  poets  of  the  Langue  d'Oil. 

Fabulist  u-list.  An  inventor  or  writer 
of  fables. 

Facade,  fa-sad'.  The  face  or  front  view 
01-  elevation  of  an  edifice. 

Face,  fas.  The  front  part  of  an  animal's 
head,  made  up  of  the  forehead,  eyes,  nose, 
mouth,  cheeks,  &c.;  the  visage.  Aspect 
or  air  of  the  face;  cast  of  features;  look.  In 
a  general  sense,  the  sm-face  or  side 
which  presents  itself  to  the  view  of  the 
spectator :  the  front ;  the  forepart. 

Facet,  fas'et.  A  little  face  ;  a  small  sur- 
face, as  the  facets  of  a  diamond.  In  Arch, 
a  Hat  projection  between  the  flutlngs  of 
columns.  In  Anat.  a  circumscribed  por- 
tion of  the  surface  of  a  bone. 

Facetiae,  fa-se'shi-e.  "Witty  or  humorous 
sayings  or  writings. 

Facient,  fa'shi-ent.  In  Aig.  the  variable 
of  a  quantic  as  distinguished  from  the  co- 
eillcient. 

Facinorous,  -sin'er-us.  Atrociously 
wicked. 

Facsimile,  fak-sim'i-lo.  An  exact  copy 
or  likeness,  an  imitation  of  an  original  in 
all  its  proportions,  traits  and  peculiarities. 

Faction,  'shon,  A  party,  in  pohtics, 
combined  or  acting  in  union,  in  opposi 
tion  to  the  government  or  state.  A  party 
promoting  discord  or  unscrupulously 
promoting  their  private  ends  at  the  ex 
pense  of  the  public  good.  In  the  U  S. 
usually  applied  to  any  active  sub-division 
of  a  poUtical  party.  Tumult,  discord, 
dissension.  In  Eom.  Antiq.  one  of 
the  four  classes,  distinguished  by  spe- 
cial colors,  into  Avhich  the  combatants  in 
the  circus  were  divided. 

Factor,  'ter.  In  Com.  an  agent  em 
ployed  by  foreign  mei-chants  to  transact 
busuiess.  He  may  buy  and  sell  in  his  own 
name,  in  which  particular  consists  the 
main  difference  between  factors  and 
brokers.  An  Arith.  the  multiplier  and 
multii)Iicand.  In  Alg.  any  expression 
considered  as  part  of  a  product. 

Factory,  to-ri.  A  building  or  collection 
of  buildings  appropriated  to  the  manu- 
facture of  goods ;  the  place  where  work- 
ers are  employed  in  fobricating  goods, 
wares  or  iitensils.  In  Great  Britain,  asso- 
ciations of  tradei"8  and  merchants  doing 
business  in  the  East,  for  purposes  of 
mutual  protection. 

Factoturr^,  -turn.  A  male  servant  em- 
I)loyed  to  do  all  kinds  of  work. 

Faculse,  'u-lo.    In  A»tron.  spots  on  the 


sun's  disk,  which  appear  brighter  than 
the  rest  of  Ms  surface. 

Faculty,  'ul-ti.  The  body  of  individ- 
uals constituting  one  of  the  learned  pro- 
fessions, more  especially,  medical  and 
surgical  professions.  In  colleges,  the 
masters  and  professors  of  the  several  de- 
partments. 

Faeces,  fe'sez.  Excrement ;  also,  set- 
tUngs  ;  sediment  after  infusion  or  distilla- 
tion. 

Fagot,  fag'ot.  A  bundle  of  sticks  or  twigs, 
used  for  fuel,  or  for  raising  batteries,  filling 
ditches,  and  other  purposes  in  fortifica- 
tion ;  a  fascine.  A  bundle  of  ii-on  for  re- 
manufacture,  or  steel  in  bars. 

Fagotto,  -got' to.  A  mu- 
sical instniment  with  a 
reed  and  mouth-piece  like 
the  clarionet  and  resem- 
bling the  bassoon.  The 
alto-fagotto  has  a  range  of 
three  octaves. 

F  a  g-  u  s  ,  fa'gus.  The 
beech,  a  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Cupuliferse.  There 
are  about  twenty  species. 

Fahrenheit,    Q-abriel 
Daniel,     far'en-hlt.      A       lagotto. 
distinguishea    German    philosopher ;    b. 
1690,  D.  1740.    He  invented  the  thermom- 
eter known  by  his  name. 

Faience,  la-i-ens'.  A  sort  of  fine  earth- 
enware glazed  with  a  fine  varnish,  and 
painted  in  various  designs,  named  from 
Faenza  in  Komagna,  where  it  is  said  to 
have  been  invented  in  1299. 

Faint,  fant.  A  fainting  fit ;  a  swoon. 
The  impure  spirit  Avhich  comes  over  first 
and  last  in  the  distillation  of  whisky, 
much  impregnated  with  fetid  essential  oil 
(fusel  oil). 

Fair,  far.  EUiptically,  a  fair  woman  ;  a 
handsome  female.  The  fair,  the  femalo 
sex ;  specifically,  the  loveliest  of  that  sex. 
A  stated  market,  or  meeting  of  buyer* 
and  sellers  for  trade.  Among  the  most 
celebrated  fah-s  in  Europe  are  those  of 
Frankfort-on-the-Main  and  Leipzig  in  Ger- 
many, of  Nijni-Novgorod  in  Eussia.  of 
Lyons  in  France.  A  festival  in  behalf  of 
a  religious  or  benevolent  object. 

Fair  Isle.  An  island  in  the  N.  Atlantic, 
bet.  the  Orkneys  and  Shetland,  the  scene 
of  the  disastrous  wreck  of  the  Duke  of 
Medina  Sidonia,  with  the  remaining  ves- 
sels of  the  defeated  and  scattered  Spanish 
Armada,  15S8. 

Fairfax,  Thomas,  liOrd.  An  En 
glish  general,  who  commanded  the  Par 


FAIRY 


820 


FAMILIST 


liamentary  army  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
civil  war,  1642  ;  and  again  in  1646 ;  b. 
1611,  D.  1671.  Thomas,  Lord  F.,  his 
grandson,  b.  1691,  d.  1782,  spent  part  of 
his  life  in  Virginia,  and  was  the  friend  and 
patron  of  Gen.  Washington. 

Fairy,  fu'ri.  A  fay  ;  an  imaginary  spirit, 
supposed  to  assume  human  form,  dance 
in  meadows,  &c. 

Fakir,  fii'ker.  An  Oriental  ascetic  or 
begging  monk.  They  are  filthy  in  habits, 
and  inflict  upon  themselves  the  severest 
tortures  and  moi'tifications.  In  the  U.  S. 
applied  to  streethawkers  of  cheap  or  coun- 
terfeit jewelry,  trinkets,  «&c. 

Falcllion,  fal'shon.  A  broad  short  sword, 
with  a  slightly  curved  point,  much  used 
in  the  Middle  Ages. 

Falconet,  fal'kon-et.  An  ancient  piece 
of  ordnance,  whose  diameter  at  the  bore 
was  4i  inches,  and  which  carried  shot  of 
H  to  2  pounds. 

Falconidee,    'i- 

du.  A  fam.  of; 
raptorial  birds  in' 
which  the  de-; 
structive  powers 
are  most  perfect- : 
ly  developed,  in- 
cluding the  dif- 
ferent species  of 
eagles,  the  hawks 
and  falcons  prop- 
erly so  called, 
comprising  the 
sub-fam.  caraca- 
ras,  buzzards, 
eagles,  falcons, 
kites,  hawks  and 
harriers. 

Faldstool,  fald'stol.  A  folding  stool 
similar  to  a  camp-stool ;  especially,  a 
kind  of  stool  placed  at  the  south  side  of 
the  altar,  at  which  the  kingn  of  England 
kneel  at  their  coronation.  A  small  desk  at 
which  in  cathedrals,  churches,  &c.,  the 
litany  is  enjoined  to  be  sung  or  said.  It 
is  sometimes  called  a  Litany-stool. 

Falernian,  fa-ler'ni-an.  The  ancient 
T>ine  made  from  grapes  from  Mt.  Faler- 
nus. 

Falkland  Islands.  An  English  group 
in  the  S.  Atlantic,  abt.  300  m.  8.  E.  of  the 
Straits  of  Magellan;  pop.  less  than  1,000. 

Fall,  fal.  The  act  of  dropping  from  a 
higher  to  a  lower  place  by  gravity  ;  de- 
scent. Descent  of  water ;  a  cascade  ;  a 
cataract.  The  season  when  leaves  fall 
from  trees  ;  autumn.  That  which  falls. 
Lapse  from  Innocence,  especially  the  act 


Peregrine  Falcon. 


of  our  first  parents  in  eating  the  forbidden 

fruit;  also,  the  apostasy  of  the  rebellious 

angels.      Naut.   the  part  of  a  tackle  to 

which  the  power  is  appUed  in  hoisting. 

Fallingr-sickness,  'ing-sik-nes.  The 
epilepsy ;  a  disease  in  which  the  patient 
suddenly  loses  his  senses  and  falls, 

Fallingr-star,  -star.  Meteors  which  ap- 
pear as  luminous  points  shooting  or  dart- 
ing through  the  sky,  and  followed  by 
long  trains  of  light.  They  are  believed  to 
consist  of  small  cosmical  bodies  which  en- 
ter our  atmosi)here  under  the  influence  of 
the  earth's  attraction,  ignite  and  are  va- 
jiorized  in  consequence  of  the  friction  re- 
sulting from  the  immense  velocity  with 
which  they  move.  Called  also  shooting- 
star.  In  Bot.  the  popular  name  of  the 
common  nostoc,  from  its  sudden  appear- 
ance on  gravel  walks  after  rain. 

Falling-stone,  -ston.  A  stone  falling 
from  the  atmosphere;  a  meteorite;  an 
aerolite. 

Fallow- 
deer,  -der. 
The  Cerviifl 
dama.  t^e 
horms  are  pe- 
cuUar  to  the  ^ 
male. 

Fallow-  ''^ 
finch, 
-finsh.  A 
small  insessorial  dentirostral  bird,  the 
Saxicola  oenanthe  or  wheat-ear.  Some- 
times also  called  the  FaUow-chat. 

Fall  River.  A  city  and  seaport  of  Bris- 
tol Co.,  Mass.,  at  mouth  of  Taunton  River, 
45  m.  S,  W.  of  Boston ;  it  has  extensive 
textile  manufactories ;  pop.  48,691. 

Falsehood,  'hod.  Contranety  or  want 
of  conformity  to  fact  or  truth  ;  falseness. 
"Want  of  veracity  ;  untruthfulness  ;  a  lie. 

Falsetto,  fal'set-to.  The  tone  above  the 
natural  compass  of  the  voice. 

Falsi  crimen,  fal'sl  kri'men.  In  law, 
the  crime  of  what  is  false;  the  crime  of 
fraud,  forgery. 

Fama,  ftl'ma.  In  Eorn.  Myth,  the  dei- 
fied personification  of  rumor. 

Familiar,  fa-mil'yer.  An  intimate ;  a 
close  companion.  A  demon  supposed  to 
attend  at  a  call ;  a  familiar  spirit.  In  the 
Inquisition,  an  oflicer  employed  in  appre- 
hending the  accused — so  named  because 
regarded  as  part  of  the  family  of  the  chief 
inquisitor. 

Familist,  'mil-ist.  One  of  the  religious 
sect  called  the   Family  of  Love  which 


Fallow-deer. 


FAMILY 


FAEOE  ISLANDS 


arose  in  Holland  in  1556.  They  taught 
that  religion  consists  wholly  in  love,  inde- 
pendently of  any  form  of  truth  held  and 
believed. 

Pamily,  'mi-li.  The  collectire  body  of 
jiersous  who  live  in  one  house  and  under 
one  he<id  or  manager;  a  household,  in- 
cluding parents,  children  and  servants, 
and  as  the  case  may  be,  lodgers  or  board- 
ers. The  parents  and  children  alone.  The 
children  as  distinguished  from  the  parents. 
The  descendants  from  one  common  pro- 
genitor ;  a  tribe  or  race ;  kindred  ;  lineage. 

Famine,  'min.  Scarcity  of  food ;  dearth ; 
a  general  want  of  provisions. 

Fan,  fon.  The  name  of  various  instru- 
ments for  (Exciting  a  current  of  air  by  an 
instrument  made  of  palm-leaf,  feathers, 
paper,  or  talfeta,  mounted  on  sticks.  In 
Mach.  any  contrivance  of  revolving  vanes 
or  disks,  as  for  wnnowing  grain,  cooling 
fluids,  urging  combustion,  &c. 

Fanatic,  fa-nat'ik.  A  person  aflFectedby 
excessive  enthusiasm,  particularly  on  re- 
ligious subjects. 

Fandango,'  -dang'go.  A  lively  dance, 
in  triple  time,  common  in  Spain  and  Span- 
ish A  merica.  It  was  originally  a  dance  of 
the  Moors. 

Fane,  fan.  A  temple ;  a  place  consecrated 
to  religion  ;  a  church.    , 

Fanfare,  fan'far.  A  flourish  of  trumpets, 
as  OH  the  approach  of  some  personage. 
A  short,  lively  tune  jdaj'ed  with  hunting 
horns,  to  inspirit  the  hunters.  An  osten- 
tatious parade  or  boast ;  bravado. 

Fan-foot,  'fut  N.  African  lizard,  gen. 
Ptjodactylus,  much  dreaded  in  Egj-pt  for 
its' venom.  The  poison  is  said  to  be  in- 
iected  by  the  teeth  but  to  exude  from  the 
lobules  of  the  toes.  It  is  so  much  dre^ided 
as  to  be  popularly  termed  Abou-burs,  or 
father  of  leprosy.  A  name  given  by  col- 
lectors of  moths  to  the  gen.  Polypogon. 

Fang-,  fang.  The  tusk  of  a  boar  or  other 
aniuial  by  which  the  prey  is  seized  and 
held  ;  a  long  j)ointed  tooth,  as  the  hollow 
poison  fang  of  a  serpent. 

Fan-light,  fan'lit.  Properly,  a  window 
in  form  of  an  open  fan  situated  over  a 
door,  but  now  used  for  any  window  over 
a  door. 

Fanning-mill,  'ing-mil.  A  machine 
for  cleaning  seeds  from  chaff,  husks,  &c.  ; 
a  fan. 

Fanon,  'on.  A  headdress  worn  by  the 
Pof)o  when  celebrating  mass  pontifically. 
The  handkerchief  used  by  the  jtriest  dur- 
ing the  celebration  of  mass.  The  white 
linen  cloth  in  which  the  laity  make  their 


oblations  at  the  altar.  The  lappets  of  the 
miter,  A  church  banner  carried  in  pro- 
cessions. 

Fantoccini,  -to-che'ne.  Puppets  made 
to  perform  by  concealed  wires  or  strings. 
Dramatical  representations  in  which  pup- 
pets are  the  performers. 

Fan-tracery,  'tras-er-i.  Elaborate  geo- 
metrical carved  work,  which  spreads  over 
the  surface  of  a  vaulting,  rising  from  a 
corbel  and  diverging  like  the  folds  of  a 
fan. 

Faraday,  Michael,  fur'ah-da.  An 
eminent  English  phvsician,  chemist  and 
electi-ician  ;  h.  1791,  i).  1867, 

Faradisation,  far'a-diz-a"8hon.  The 
medical  appUcation  of  the  magneto-elec- 
tric currents,  which  Faraday  discovered 
in  1837. 

Farce,  fars.  A  dramatic  composition  of 
a  broadly  comic  character,  differing  from 
a  comedy  chiefly  in  its  grotesqueness. 

Farcy,  far'si.  A  disease  of  horses  in- 
timately connected  -with  glanders,  the  two 
diseases  generally  runniuginto  each  other, 

Farding-bag,  fiird'ing-bag  The  first 
stomach  of  a  ruminant  animal,  where 
green  food  lies  imtil  chewed  over  again  ; 
the  rumen. 

Farina,  fa-ri'na.  A  soft,  tasteless  pow- 
der, obtained  by  trituration  of  the  seeds 
of  cereal  and  leguminous  plants,  and  of 
some  roots,  as  the  potato.  Fossil  farina, 
a  carbonate  of  lime,  light  as  cotton,  and 
easily  powdered. 

Fama.er,  farm'er.  One  who  farms ;  an 
agriculturist ;  a  husbandman.  F.  general, 
In  France,  under  the  old  monarchy,  a 
member  of  a  privileged  association  \s'hich 
farmed  certain  branches  of  the  revenue. 

Famese,  far-nez.  An  illustrious  Italian 
familv.  Alessandro  F.  was  elected  Pope, 
under  the  title  of  Paul  III.  A.  F.,  son  of 
the  Duke  of  Parma,  b.  1530,  d.  1592,  was 
one  of  the  foremost  generals  of  his  age, 
serving  imder  Don  John  of  Austria,  and 
made  governor  of  the  Low  Countries  on 
the  latter's  death.  He  obliged  Henry  IV. 
to  raise  the  seige  of  Paris  during  the  war 
of  the  French,  and  afterwards  defeated 
him  in  the  field;  he  also  defeated  the 
Prince  of  Nassau. 

Faro,  fu'rd.  A  game  at  cards  in  which  a 
I)erson  plays  against  the  bank. 

Faro-bank,  -bangk.  A  bank  or  estab- 
lishment, against  which  persons  play  at 
the  game  of  iaro  ;  a  place  for  gambling. 

Faroe  Islands  (Ferro),  fa'ro.  A  group 
of  22  small  islands  in  the  N.  Ocean,  abt. 
175  m.  N.  W.  of  the  Shetlands. 


FAEQUHAR 


FATHEE 


Farthingale. 


Farquhar,  G-eorg-e,  far'kwar.  An  En 
glish  draumtist ;  v..  1G78,  b.  1707.  Several 
of  Ills  plays  are  still  popular. 
Farragxit,  David.  G-lascoe,  Admi- 
ral. An  American  naval  officer,  b.  in 
Tenn.,  1801,  d.  1870.  He  played  a  prom- 
inent part  in  the  civil  war,  capturing  New 
Orleans  and  Mobile.  He  was  the  first 
American  upon  whom  the  title  of  Admiral 
Avas  conferred. 
Farrier,  'ri-er.  A 
horseshoer ;  gener- 
ally one  who  com- 
bines horseshoeing 
with  veterinary  sur- 
gery. 

Farro-w,  'ro.  Not 
producing  young  in 
a  particular  season  or 
year ;  applied  to  cows 
"only. 

Fartlling:,  far'thing 
The  fourth  part  of  a 
penny ;  a  small  cop- 
per coin  of  Great 
Britain. 

Farthing-ale,  'thin- 
gill.      A  hoop  petti- 
coat, or  circles  of  hoops,  used  to  extend 
the  jietticoat. 

Fasces,  fas'sez.  In  Eoman 
Antiq.  bundles  of  rods, 
with  an  axe  bound  in  A^ith 
them,  borne  by  lictors  be- 
fore the  superior  Koman 
magistrates  as  a  badge  of 
their  power  over  life  and 
limb. 

Fascia,  fa'sbi-a.  A  band  or 
fillet  worn  by  the  women 
of  ancient  Kome  next  to 
the  skin  to  make  the  waist 
appear  slender. 

Fascicularia,  fas-sik'u-iri"ri-a.  A  gen. 
of  extinct  polyzoa,  fam.  Tubullporidae,  oc- 
curring in  the  coralline  crag  of  Suffolk. 
Fascine,  -son'. 
In  Fort,  a  faggot, 
bundle  of  small 
sticks  of  wood, 
used  in  raising  bat- 
teries, filling  ditch- 
es, strengthening 
r  a  m  p  a  r  ts  and 
making  parapets. 
Fasciolaria,  'si-o-la"ri-a. 
mollusks,  fam.  Muricidje. 
Fast,  fast.  SAvift ;  dissipated ;  indulging 
in  sensual  vices.  Abstinence  from  food. 
The  time  of  fasting. 


Fasces. 


rascines. 


A  gen.  of 


Fat,  fat.  An  oily  concrete  substance,  a 
compound  of  carbon,  hydrogen  and  oxy- 
gen, dei>osited  in  the  cells  of  the  adipose 
or  cellular  membrane  of  animal  bodies.  It 
consists  of  tAvo  substances,  stcarine  end 
elaine  or  oleine,  the  former  sohd,  the  lat- 
ter liquid.  Human  fat  appears  to  contain 
no  steaiine,  but  margarine  and  oleine.  In 
printing,  type-work  containing  much 
blank  space,  and.  therefore  paying  tho 
Avorkman  Avell. 

Fatalism,  fat'al-izm.  The  doctrine 
that  all  things  are  subject  to  fate,  or  that 
they  take  place  by  inevitable  necessity. 

Fata  Morg-ana,  fa'ta  mor-ga'na.  A 
striking  optical  illusion,  principally  re- 
marked in  the  Strait  of  Messma,  betAveen 
the  coast  of  Sicily  and  Calabria.  The 
images  of  men,  houses,  trees,  &c.,  are  oc- 
casionally seen  from  the  coast,  sometimes 
in  the  water,  in  the  air,  or  at  the  surfaco 
of  the  Avater. 

Fate,  fat.  Primarily,  a  decree  pro- 
nounced by  God,  or  a  fixed  sentence,  by 
which  the  order  of  things  is  prescribed  ; 
hence,  inevitable  necessity  ;  destiny  de- 
pending on  a  superior  cause  and  uncon- 
trollable. Final  event ,  death.  In  Myth, 
the  Destinies  or  Parcae;  three  goddesses 
supposed  to  preside  over  the  birth  and 
life   of  men,  Clotho,  Lachesis  and  Atropos. 

Father,  fa'ther.  He  who  begets  a  child; 
next  male  ancestor ;  a  male  parent.  A 
male  ancestor,  the  progenitor,  or  foundei', 
of  a  race,  family,  or  hne.  The  appellation 
of  the  first  person  in  the  Trinity.  The 
title  given  to  dignitaries  of  the  Church, 
superiors  of  convents,  confessors  and 
priests.  The  title  of  a  senator  in  ancient 
liome.  The  eldest  member  of  any  pro- 
fession, or  of  any  body.  Fathers  of  the 
Church,  the  early  teachers  and  expound- 
ers of  Christianity.  Those  who  Avere  con- 
temporary with  the  apostles  are  called 
Apostolic  Fathers.  These  are  five  :  Cle- 
Tcent  of  Eome,  Barnabas,  Ilermas,  Igna- 
titus  and  Polycarp.  Those  of  the  first 
three  centuries,  sl^ied  Primitive  Fathers, 
are  Justin,  Theophilus,  bishop  of  Antioch, 
Irenajus,  bishop  of  Lyon,  Clement  of 
Alexandria,  Cyprian,  bishop  of  Carthage, 
Origen  of  Alexandria,  Gregory  Thauma- 
turgus,  Dionysius,  bishop  of  Alexandria, 
Tertullianus  of  Carthage,  and  the  five 
above  named.  The  fathers  of  the  fourth  and 
fifth  centuries  are  ranged  in  tAvo  classes, 
fathers  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  Church. 
The  former  are  Eusebius  of  Csesarea, 
Athanasius,  Basil  the  Great,  bishop  of 
Caisarea,  Gregory  Nazianzenus,  Gregory 
of  Nyssa,  Cyril",  bishop  of  Jerusalem, 
Chrysostom,  patriarch  of  Constantiaople, 


FATHER-IN-LAW 


FEBRUAEY 


Epiphaniua,  bishop  of  Salamis  in  Cyprus, 
Cyril,  bishop  ol"  Alexandria,  Ephraini,the 
Syrian   deacon    of   Edessa.     The  latter, 

Jtactantius,  Hilary,  bishop  of  Poictiers, 
Ambrose,  archbishop  of  Milan,  Jerome, 
the  translator  of  the  Bible,  Augustin, 
bishop  of  Hippo.  Adoptive  father,  one 
who  adopts  tlie  children  of  another.  Puta- 
tive father,  one  who  is  only  reputed  to  be 
the  father ;  the  supposed  father. 

Father-in-la-w,  -in-la.  The  father  of 
one's  husband  or  wife." 

Fathom,  'um.  A  measure  of  length  con- 
taining 6  feet. 

Patimide,  fat'i-mid.  A  descendant  of 
Fatima,  daughter  and  only  child  of  Ma- 
homet. A  line  of  caliphs,  the  Fatimite 
dynasty,  was  founded  in  909  by  Abu- 
Mohammed  Obeidalla,  who  gave  himself 
out  as  grandson  of  Fatima,  and  continued 
till  the  death  of  Adhed,  the  14th  Fatimite 
cahph,  in  llTl.  The  members  claimed 
pontifical  attributes. 

Pat-lute,  'lot.  ■'a  mixture  of  pipe-clay 
and  linseed-oil  for  filling  joints,  &c. 

Faun,  fan.  In  Rom.  Myth,  a  demigod  or 
rural  deity,  differing  little  from  the  satyr. 
The  form  was  principally  human,  with  a 
short  goat's  tail,  pointed  ears,  and  project- 
ing horns;  sometimes  also  with  cloven  feet. 

Fauna,  'a.  A  collective  word  signifying 
all  the  animals  peculiar  to  a  region  or 
epoch,  and  also  a  description  of  them  ; 
con-esponding  to  flora  in  respect  of  plants. 

Faust,  Johann  (Fust),  fowst.  One 
of  the  three  reputed  inventors  of  the  art 
of  printing  by  movable  types  ;  a  citizen  of 
Mentz,  B.  abt.  1400,  d.  1460. 

Faust,  John  (Dr.Faustus).  A  cele- 
brated astrologer  of  the  latter  part  of  the 
15th  century,  the  hero  of  numerous  tales 
and  dramas,  from  the  superstitious  legend 
that  he  sold  himself  to  Satan  for  24  years, 
was  served  by  Mephistopheles,  Satan's 
emissary,  who  canned  him  to  his  master 
at  the  expiration  of  the  contract. 

FauteTlil,  fo-tul.  An  arm-chair  ;  an  easy 
chair.  A  seat  in  the  French  academy. 
Droit  de  fauteuil,  the  pri\dlege  formerly 
enjoyed  by  gentlemen  of  rank  at  the 
French  Court  of  sitting  on  a  fauteuil  in 
presence  of  the  king,  corresponding  to 
the  droit  de  tabouret  enjoyed  by  ladies. 

Fauvette,  -vet'.  A  teinn  introduced 
from  French  works,  apphed  to  the  species 
of  soft-billed  birds  or  warblers,  such  as  the 
nightingale. 

Faux-pas,  -pa.  A  false  step ;  a  breach 
of  manners  or  moral  conduct ;  more  par- 
ticularly a  lapse  from  chastity. 


Favose. 


Favose,  -vose'.  Ilav 
ing  pits,  depressions 
or  cells,  like  those  of* 
a  honeycomb. 

Favosite,  fa'vo-sit. 
A  gen.  of  fossil  corals 
common  to  the  Siluri- 
an, Devonian  and 
Carboniferous  sys- 
tems. 

Favre,  Jules.  A  French  statesman  and 
orator,  b.  1S09,  D.  18T8.  He  was  one  oi 
the  principal  leaders  in  the  establishment 
of  the  republic  after  Napoleon  III.  surren- 
dered to  the  Germans  at  Sedan. 

Fawn,  fan.  A  young 
deer ;  a  buck  or  doe 
of  the  first  year. 

Fay,  fa.  A  fairy  ;  an 
elf. 

Feast,  i^st.  A  sump- 
tuous repast  or  enter- 1 
tafnment,    A  festival 
in  commemoration  of 
some    event,    or    in  V^'^^Ji.'yWiW^SSii^ 
honor  of  some  person-  Fawn, 

age. 

Feather,  feth'er.  A  plume ;  one  of  the 
dermal  growths  which  form  the  covering 
of  bii-ds.  Those  which  cover  the  body 
are  called  the  plumage.  In  founding,  a 
thin  rib  cast  on  iron  framing.  A  slip  in- 
serted longitudinally  into  a  shaft  or  arbor, 
and  projecting  so  as  to  fit  a  groove  in  the 
eye  of  a  wheel. 

Feathering:,  -ing.  The  uniform  turning 
of  the  blade  of  an  oar  horizontally,  when 
raised  from  the  water.  In  Arch,  an  ar- 
rangement of  small  arcs  separated  by  pro- 
jecting cups,  used  as  ornaments  in  the 
molding  of  arches,  &c.,  in  Gothic  archi- 
tecture ;  foliation. 

Feather-weigrhfc,  -wat.  Scrupulously 
exact  weight,  such  as  that  a  feather  would 
turn  the  scale,  when  a  jockey  is  weighed 
or  weighted.  The  lightest  weight  that 
can  be  placed  on  a  horse. 

Febrifacient,  fe-bri-fa'shi-eiat.  That 
which  i)roduce8  fever. 

Febrifugre,  -fuj.  Any  medicine  that 
mitigates  or  removes  fever. 

Febris,  fG'bris.    Fever. 

Febronianism,  -bro'ni-an-izm.  In  R. 
C.  Theol.  a  system  of  doctrines  antagonist 
tic  to  the  admitted  claims  of  the  pope, 
asserting  the  independence  of  national 
churches,  and  of  bishops  within  their  own 
dioceses. 

February,  feb'ru-a-ri.     The  name  of  th« 


FEBRUUS 


324 


FELLOW-CRAFT 


second  month  in  the  year,  introduced  into 
the  Roman  calendar  by  Numa.  In  com- 
mon years,  this  month  contains  twenty- 
eight  days ;  in  the  bissextile  or  leap-year, 
twenty -nine  days. 

Februus,  -us.  In  Class.  Myth,  an  old 
Italian  divinity,  whose  worship  Avas  cele- 
brated with  lustrations  in  the  month  of 
February. 

Fecial,  fu'shal.  A  member  of  a  college 
of  ancient  Roman  pries4^s,  whose  province 
it  was  when  any  dispute  arose  with  a  for- 
eign state,  to  demand  satisfaction,  to  de- 
termine the  circumstances  under  which 
war  might  be  commenced,  to  perform  the 
various  religious  rites  attendant  on  the 
declaration  of  war,  and  to  preside  at  the 
formal  ratification  of  peace. 

Fecit,  'sit.  A  word  which  is  placed  on 
one's  work,  as  a  statue,  &c.,  along  with 
the  name  of  the  maker  or  designer ;  as 
Straduarius  fecit,  Straduarius  made  it. 

Fecula,  fe'ku-la.  Starch  or  farina,  called 
also  Amylaceous  F.  The  green  colpring 
matter  of  plants ;  chlorophyll. 

Fedelini,  fa-del-e'nS.  A  dried  Italian 
paste  iu  inpeform,  smaller  than  vermicelli. 

Federal,  fe'dcr-al.  An  appellation  in 
America,  given  to  those  politicians  who 
wanted  to  strengthen  thefcedusor  general 
government  compact,  in  opposition  to 
others  who  wished  to  extend  the  separate 
authority  of  the  several  states.  In  the 
American  civil  war  of  lSGl-5,  the  term 
Federals  was  applied  to  the  Northern 
party  who  strove  to  retain  the  states  in 
the  Union,  in  opposition  to  the  Confed- 
erates, wlio  desired  to  secede. 

Federation,  -a'shon.  The  act  of  unit- 
ing in  a  league.  A  league ;  a  confederacy. 
A  federal  goverment,  as  that  of  the  U.  S. 

Feed,  fed.  Food ;  that  which  is  eaten ; 
pasture ;  fodder.  In  Mach.  as  much  ma- 
terial as  is  supphed  at  once  to  a  machine 
to  make  It  act.  In  Mech.  any  contrivance 
for  giving  to  a  machine  a  regular  and  uni- 
form suj)ply  of  material  to  bo  operated  on. 

Feeder,  'er.  One  that  gives  food  or  sup- 
plies nourishment.  One  who  fattens  cat- 
tle for  slaughter.  A  fountain,  stream  or 
channel  that  stippUes  a  main  canal  with 
water.  A  branch  or  side  railway  or  canal 
connecting  with  the  main  line.  In  iron- 
founding  a  large  head  or  supply  of  fluid 
iron  to  a  runner  or  mold  in  heavy  cast- 
ings. In  mining,  a  short  cross  vein  pass- 
ing into  a  lode. 

Feed-Water,  'wa-ter.  Warm  water  sup- 
l)lied  to  the  boiler  of  a  steam-engine  by 
the  feed-pump  through  the  feed-pipe. 


Feejee  Islands  (Fiji),  fe'je.  An  En- 
glish group  of  200  islands  in  the  S.  Pacific, 
65  inhabited  ;  pop.  abt.  150,000. 

Feeler,  'er.  An  organ  of  touch  in  in- 
sects and  others  of  the  lower  animals.  *^ 

Fee-tail,  fe'tiil.  An  estate  limited  to  a 
man  and  the  heirs  of  his  body,  or  to  him- 
self and  particular  heirs  of  his  body. 

Feint,  fant.  An  assumed  or  false  appear- 
ance ;  a  pretence  of  doing  something  not 
intended  to  be  done. 

Fel-bovinum,  fel-bo-vi'num.  Ox-gall, 
or  bills  bovLna,  an  extract  of  which  is  used 
by  painters  to  remove  the  greasiness  ol 
colors,  &c.  •=■ 

Felidae,  le'li-de.  A  fam.  of  carnivora  in 
which  the  predaceous  instincts reaoh  their 
highest  development.  They  are  among 
quadrupeds  what  the  Falconidse  are 
among  birds.  The  species  are  numerous, 
but  none  are  found  in  Australia.  The 
family  comprehends  the  domestic  cat,  the 
wildcat,  the  lion,  tiger,  leopard,  lynx, 
jaguar,  panther,  che^h,  ounce,  caracal, 
serval,  ocelot,  &c. 

Felinee,  -ll'no.  The  cat  family ;  a  sub- 
fam.  of  the  Felidae,  comprising  the  cats, 
lions,  tigers  and  lynxes. 

Felix,  fG'likz.  The  name  of  four  popes, 
F.  I.,  s.  Dionysius,  269  ;  d.  in  prison  and 
was  canonized.  F.  II.,  s.  Liberius,  358, 
D.  3G5;  was  canonized.  F.  III.,  s.  Sim- 
plicius,  483,  »,  492,  F,  IV,,  s,  John  I,, 
526,  D.  580. 

Felixian,  -lik'si-an.  One  of  a  Spanish 
religious  sect  of  the  latter  part  of  the  8th 
century,  who  sided  with  the  Archbishop 
of  Toledo  in  the  Adoptian  controversy. 

Fell,  fel.  A  seam  or  hem  sewed  dovrn 
level  with  the  cloth.  In  weaving,  the  line 
of  termination  of  a  web  formed  by  the 
last  weft-thread  driven  up  by  the  lay; 
the  line  to  which  the  warp  is  at  any  in- 
stant wefted. 

Fellah,  'la.  An  Egyptian  or  Syrian 
peasant  or  agricultural  laborer.  Chiefly 
applied  by  the  Turks  in  a  contemptuous 
sense. 

Felloe,  'lo.  One  of  the  curved  pieces  of 
wood  which  form  the  circular  rim  of  a 
cart  or  carriage  wheel. 

Fellow,  'lo.  A  companion;  an  asso- 
ciate. One  o^  the  same  kind.  An  equal 
in  rank  ;  a  peer  ;  a  compeer.  One  of  a 
pair.  An  appellation  of  contempt;  a  man 
without  good  breeding  or  worth.  A 
member  of  a  college  that  shares  its  reve- 
nues ;  or  a  member  of  any  incorporated 
society. 

Fellow-craft,  -kraft.    A  Freemason  ol 


FELO  DE  SE 


S25 


FENIAN 


the  second  rank  ;  one  above  an  entered 
apprentice. 

Felo  de  se,  fC-'16  do  se.  In  law,  one  wlio 
commits  felony  by  suicide. 

Pelon,  fel'on.  In  law,  a  person  who  has 
committed  felony.  A  person  guilty  of 
heinous  crimes.  A  whitlow  ;  a  sort  of 
intlammation  in  animals  similar  to  whit- 
low. 

Felony,  -i.  In  law,  a  crime  which  occa- 
sions the  forfeiture  of  lands  or  goods,  or 
both,  and  for  which  a  capital  or  other  pun- 
ishment may  be  inflicted. 

Felspar,  'spar.  A  mineral  consisting  of 
siUca  and  alumina,  with  potash,  soda  or 
lime,  a  principal  constituent  in  all  igneous 
and  metamorphic  rocks,  as  granite, 
gneiss,  porphyry,  greenstone,  trachyte, 
fclstone,  &c. 

Felstone,  'ston,  A  rock  composed  of 
felspar  and  quartz.  It  may  be  compact 
and  amorphous  or  vitreous,  as  pitchstone. 

Felt,  felt.  A  cloth  made  of  wool,  or  wool 
and  hair  or  fur,  matted  by  rolling,  beating 
and  pressure,  generally  with  lees  or  size. 

Felt-grain,  'gran.  In  Carp,  the  grain 
of  cut  timber  that  runs  transversely  to 
the  annular  rings  or  plates.  It  is  op- 
posed to  the  grain  that  follows  the  course 
of  the  annular  rings,  called  quarter  grain. 
Feltre,  fel'ter.  An  ancient  cuirass  made 
of  wood  or  felt. 

Felucca,  fe-lnk-a'.  A  long,  narrow  vessel, 


Felucca, 
rigged  ^vith  two   lateen  sails,  common  in 
the^Mediterranean. 

Female,  fe'mal.  Among  animals  one  of 
that  sex  which  conceives  and  brings  forth 
young.  Among  plants,  that  which  pro- 
duces fruit ;  that  which  bears  the  pistil 
and  receives  the  pollen  of  the  male  flow- 
ers. 

Feme-covert,  fem-ku'vert.  A  married 
woman  who  is  under  covert  of  her  hus- 
band. 

Femerell,  'e-rel.  In  Arch,  a  dome  or 
cover  placed  on  the  roof  for  the  purpose 
of  ventilation  or  the  escape  of  smoke. 


Feme-sole,  -sol'.  An  unmarried  woman. 
Femicide,  'i-sld.  ThekilHngof  awoman. 
Femur,  fii'mer.     In  vertebrate  animals, 
the  first  bone  of  the  leg  or  pehic  extrem- 
ity.    In  Entom.  the  third  joint  of  the  leg. 
In   Arch,   the  interstitial  space  between 
the  channels  in  the  triglyph  of  the  Doric 
order. 
Fen,  fen.    Low  land  overflowed  or  covered 
partially  with  water,   producing    aquatic 
plants  ;  a  moor  or  marsh.    A  disease   af- 
fecting hops,   caused  by  a  quick-growing 
moss  or  mold. 

Fence,  fens.  That  which  fends  off;  a 
wall,  hedge,  ditch,  bank  or  line  of  posts 
and  rails,  or  of  boards  and  pickets.  Any- 
thing to  restrain  entrance.  The  art  of  self- 
defense,  especially  by  the  sword  ;  skill  iu 
fencing  or  sword-play  ;  hence,  fig.  skill  la 
argument  and  repartee.  A  purchaser  or 
receiver  of  stolen  goods.  In  tools,  Mach., 
«fec.,  a  guard,  guide  or  gauge  to  regulate 
or  restrict  movement. 
Fencer,  'er.  One  who  teaches  or  prac- 
tices tlie  art  of  fencing  with  sword  or  foil. 
A  horse  good  at  leaping  fences. 
Fender,  fend'er.  A  utensil  employed  to 
hinder  coals  of  fire  from  rolling  forward  to 
the  floor.  A  piece  of  timber  or  bundle  of 
rope  hung  over  the  side  of  a  vessel  to  pre- 
vent it  being  injured  by  collision. 
Fenelon,  fen'a-15ng.  (Franfois  de 
Salignac  delaMothe.)  An  eminent  French 
divine  and  writer,  b.  1651  ;  d.  1715. 
Fenestella,  fe-nes-tel'la.  In  R.  C.  Ch. 
the  niche  on  the  south  side  of  an  altar, 
containing  the  piscina,  and  frequently  also 
the  credence.  In  Zool.  an  extinct  gen.  of 
fan-like  polyzoa,  very  abundant  in  palaeo- 
zoic rocks. 

Fenestral,  'tral,  A  small  window  ;  also 
the  framed  blinds  of  cloth  or  canvas  that 
formerly  supplied  the  place  of  glass. 
Fenestration,  fe-nes-tra'shon.  The  act 
of  making  windows.  In  Arch,  a  design 
in  which  the  windows  are  arranged  to 
form  the  principal  feature. 
Fengite,  fen'jit.  A  transparent  alabaster 
or  marble,  sometimes  used  for  windows. 
Fenian,  fu'ni-an.  One  of  an  association 
which  had  its  origin  in  America  among 
the  refugees  from  Ireland  after  the  out- 
break of  1&48,  the  object  of  Avhich  was  the 
erection  of  Ireland  into  an  independent 
republic.  It  propagated  itself  rapidly  over 
Ireland,  as  well  as  in  the  large  towns  of 
Britain  having  considerable  Irish  element. 
In  1865, 1866  and  186T  the  Fenians  made 
several  abortive  attempts  at  risings,  and 
two  or  three  raids  were  attempted  upon 


yfiNKS 


FEEMENTATION 


CaiiMla  \>ith  "equally  litti<s  success.    The 

last  was  made  in  18Y1. 

Penks,  fengks.  The  refuse  or'  wnale 
blubber,  valued  as  a  manure. 

Feodor  Ivanovitch,  fa'o-dor.  The 
last  czar  of  the  llurik  line ;  b.  1546,  d. 
1598.  During  his  reign  the  Eussiau 
church  declared  its  independence  of  the 
See  of  Constantinople.  F.  II.,  k.  1G29,  d. 
1682  ;  elder  brother  of  Peter  the  Great. 

Ferae,  fc're.  The  third  order  of  Mamma- 
lia according'to  Linnseus,  placed  between 
the  orders  Bruta  and  Glires.  It  contains 
ten  genera,  and  corresponds  to  the  Insect- 
ivora,  Carnivora,  Marsupialia  and  Lem- 
ures. 

Ferae  naturae,  na-tu're.  Of  a  wild  na- 
I  turo  ;  applied  in  law  to  animals  living  in  a 
wild  state,  as  the  hare,  deer  or  pheasants, 
as  distinguished  from  domesticated  ani- 
mals, the  cow,  horse,  sheep,  poultry,  &c. 

Feral,  'ral.  Wild  animals  descended 
from  tame  stocks  ;  animals  having  become 
A\-ild  from  a  state  of  domestication,  or 
plants  from  a  state  of  cultivation. 

Fer-de-lance,  fer-de-liins.  The  lance- 
headed  viper  or  Craspedocephalus  lan- 
ceolatus,  one  of  the  most  terrible  mem- 
bers of  the  rattlesnake  family. 

Ferdinand,  fur'de-nand.  The  name  of 
several  European  monarchs,  the  following 
being  the  most  distinguished.    F.  I.,  of 

.  Austria,  b.  1T93  ;  s.  his  father  Francis  I., 
1835  ;  abdicated  in  favor  of  the  present 
emperor,  Francis  Joseph,  1848.  F.  V. 
(The  Catholic),  of  Castile  and  Leon, 
son  of  Juan  of  Aragon,  m.  Isabella,  heir- 
ess of  C.  14C9  ;  the  pair  were  crowned  sov- 
ereigns of  C.  and  A.  1479  ;  established  the 
Inquisition,  1480  ;  took  Granada  from  the 
Moors,  and  sent  Columbus  to  America, 
1491-2 ;  defeated  the  French  in  Italy  in 
two  wars,  1495  and  1500-11,  annexing  Na- 
varre, whose  king  had  allied  himself  with 
France.  The  reign  of  F.  and  Isabella  is 
the  most  glorious  in  Spanish  history,  but 
was  marred  by  religious  intolerance.  F. 
I.,  II.  and  III.  of  Bohemia  and  Germany 
are  identical.  F.  I.,  younger  brother  of 
Charles  V.,  b.  1503,  s.  his  brother  1556,  d. 
1564.  F.  II.,  grandson  of  F.  I.,  b.  loTS, 
crowned  king  of  B.  1617  ;  his  persecution 
of  Protestants  cost  him  his  crown,  and  in- 
augurated the  terrible  Thirty  Years'  Civil 
"War;  s.  Matthias  as  Emperor  of  G.,  1619, 
Ms  life  was  ft  continual  warfare  against  the 
Protestant  League  ;  d.  1637.  F.  III.,  son 
■ands.  of  F.  II.,  b.  1608,  crowned  Emper- 
or of  Germany  tend  Hungary  and  King  of 
Bohemia,  1637 ;  d.  2657.  }Ie  carried  on 
the  war  against  the  German  Protestants 


Feretory. 


and  also  the  Swedes,  but  peace  was  flnallv 
secured  by  the  treaty  of  Westphaha,  which 
secured  to  Protestants  full  reUgious  tol- 
eration. F.  IV.,  of  Naples,  and  1.,  of  the 
Two  Sicihe.s,  son  of  Charles  III.,  of 
Spain  ;  b.  1751,  crowned  while  in  his  mi- 
nority, and  soon  became  involved  in  war 
with  Napoleon,  Avho  pl.aced  Murat  on  the 
throne  of  Naples  ;  restored  in  1816  he  unit- 
ed the\wo  kingdoms  into  one  monarchy 
under  the  wame  of  the  Two  Sicilies ;  d. 
1825.  He  was  a  tyrant  and  detested  by 
his  subjects.  F.  II.  (Bomba),  son  and  s. 
of  Francis  I.;  b.  1810,  crowned  1830,  ». 
1859.  His  character  was  infixmous.  F.  I., 
of  Portugal,  son  and  s.  of  his  ftither  Peter 
(The  Cruel),  1367,  d.  1388.  lie  was  wise 
and  generous.  F.  II.,  b.  1838,  s.  his 
brother,  Dom  Pedro  V.,  186l. 
Feretory,  fe'rG-to-ri. 
A  shrine  made  of  met- 
al or  wood  A^ariously 
adorned,  and  usually 
in  the  shape  of  a  ridged 
chest,  Avith  a  roof-hke 
ton  for  containing  the 
relics  of  saints.  It  is 
borne  in  processions. 

Feriae,  fe'ri-e.  In  Eoman  Antiq.  holi- 
days, during  which  free  Eomans  suspend- 
ed their  pohtical  transactions  and  lawsuits, 
and  slaves  enjoyed  a  cessation  from  labor- 
They  were  divided  into  two  classes,  pub- 
lic and  private.  The  latter  were  observed  • 
by  single  families  or  individuals,  the  for- 
mer included  all  days  consecrated  to  any 
deity,  and  bore  great  analogy  to  our  ob- 
servance of  Sunday,  the  people  visiting 
the  temples  of  the  gods  and  offering 
prayers  and  sacrifices. 
Ferine,  'rin.  A  wild  beast ;  a  beast  of 
prey. 

Fering-ee,  fe-ring'ge.  The  name  given 
to  Enghshmen  by  the  Hindus. 
Fermanag-h.  A  co.  in  Ulster,  Ireland, 
cap.  Enniskillen  ;  pop.  94,821. 
Fermentation,  -a'shon.  The  conver- 
sion of  an  organic  substance  into  new  com- 
pounds in  presence  of  a  ferment.  Fermen- 
tation differs  in  kind  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  substance  which  promotes 
it.  Vinous  fermentation  is  produced  by 
the  growth  of  the  yeast  plant;  lactic  fer- 
mentation is  due  to  the  presence  in  the 
liquid  of  common  blue  mold.  In  vinous 
fermentation  the  sugar  is  converted  into 
carbonic  acid  and  alcohol.  Lactic  fermen- 
tation takes  place  in  milk  in  the  process  of 
becoming  sour,  when  the  sugar  is  convert- 
ed into  lactic  acid.  Acetous  fermentation 
occurs    in   liquids   which   have   ah-eady 


PEEIJ 


827 


FESTUS 


undergone  vinous  fermentation  ;  tliey  be- 
come sour,  and  vinegar  is  produced.  This 
change  is  probably  due  to  the  growth  of  a 
fungus,  Mycoderma  aceti  (tlie  vinegar- 
plant).  Other  kinds  of  fermentation  are 
benzoic  fermentation,  in  v^hich  the  essen- 
tial oil  of  bitter  almonds  is  formed;  and 
sinapic fermentation,  occurringin  mustard 
moistened  with  water,  during  which  oil  of 
mustard  is  produced. 

Fern,  fern.  One  of  a  group  of  vascular 
cryptogamous  plants,  constituting  the  ord. 
Ei'Uces.  The  number  of  species  is  va- 
riously estimated  at  from  2,500  to  6,000. 
They  are  also  very  abundant  as  fossil 
plants.  The  earhest  known  forms  occur 
in  Devonian  rocks,  and  their  remains  con- 
tribute largely  to  the  formation  of  the 
beds  of  coal.  Male  fern  is  Lastrea  filix- 
mas  ;  lady-fern,  Athyrium  fiiix-femina. 
Fernando  Po.  A  Spanish  island  in  the 
Atlantic,  Eight  of  Biafra,  20  miles  from 
African  coast ;  a  penal  settlement ;  cap. 
Clarence  Town. 

Fern-seed,  sed.  The  spores  of  fern, 
formerly  supposed  to  impart  wonderful 
poAvers,  such  as  rendering  a  person  invis- 
ible. 

Feroher,  fer- 
o'her.  A  sym  , 
bol  or  represen- 
tation of  the 
solar  de  i  t  y , 
seen  on  many 
of  the  monu- 
ments exhum- 
ed from  the 
ruins  of  Nineveh  and  Babylon,  at  Perse- 
polis,  &c.  Sometimes  it  appears  as  a 
Avinged  circle  ;  at  others  as  a  demi-figure 
of  the  god,  with  expanded  -wings,  and  in 
the  act  of  discharging  an  arrow  from  his 
bow.  A  similar  figure  has  been  found  on 
monuments  in  Mexico  and  C.  America. 
Feronia,  fG-^ro'ni-a.  An  extensive  gen. 
of  coleopterous  insects,  sec.  Pentamera, 
fam.  Carabidae. 

Ferrara,  fer-ra-'ra.  A  broad-sword  of 
excellent  quality,  named  after  a  famous 
sword  smith,  Andrea  Ferrara,  but 
whether  he  was  a  Spaniard  or  Italian  is 
not  determined.  The  genuine  have  a 
crown  mark  on  the  blade. 
Ferrara,  fer-ra-ra.  An  ancient  fortified 
city,  cap.  of  prov.  of  F.,  Central  Italy,  on 
the  Volano,  20  m.  N.  E.  of  Bologna,  noted 
as  the  birthplace  of  Tasso,  G-uarini  and 
Cardinal  Bentivoglio,  and  as  the  residence 
of  Ariosto  the  poet ;  pop.  abt.  70,000. 
Ferret,  'ret.  A  variety  of  the  gen.  Mus- 
tela,  most  closely  allied  to  the  polecat ; 


Fcroher. 


are  used  in  catching  rabbits  and  rats.  In 
glass  manuf.  the  iron  used  to  try  the 
melted  matter  to  see  if  it  is  fit  to  work 
and  to  make  the  rings  at  the  mouths  of 
bottles. 

Ferretto,  'to.  Copper  calcined  with 
brimstone  or  white  vitriol,  used  in  color- 
ing glass. 

Ferricalcite.  -ri-kal'sit.  A  species  of 
calcareous  earth  or  limestone,  containing 
7  to  14  per  cent,  of  iron. 
Ferriferous,  -rif'er-us.  Producing  or 
yielding  iron.  F.  rocks  contain  abundance 
of  iron  ore,  comprising  clay,  iron  ore  and 
iron  pyrites. 

Ferrol,  fair'rol.  A  strongly  fortified 
Spanish  seaport,  on  the  Bay  of  Corunna, 
25  m.  S.  W.  of  Cape  Oi-tegal.  Only  war 
vessels  are  permitted  to  enter  its  harbor. 
Ferrotype,  'ro-tlp.  A  term  applied  to 
photographic  processes  in  which  the  salts  of 
iron  are  the  principal  agents.  A  photo- 
graph taken  on  japanned  sheet-iron  by  a 
collodion  process. 

Ferrugo,  -rd'go.  A  disease  of  plants, 
commonly  called  Eust,  caused  by  minute 
fungi,  chiefly  of  the  genera  Uredo  and 
Puccinia. 

Ferrule,   'ryl.    A  ring  of  metal,  round 
a  column,  eane,  fcc,  to  strengthen  it  or 
prevent  its  si)litting.    In  steam-boilers,  a 
bushing  for  expanding  the  end  of  a  flue. 
Ferrumination.  -rn'min-a"shon.    The 
soldering  or  uniting  of  metals. 
Ferry,  'ri.    A  vessel  in  which  passengers 
and  goods  are  conveyed  over  narrow  wa- 
ters ;    wheiTy.     The   place   or    passage 
where  a  ferry-boat  pMes. 
Ferula,  'rii-la.    The  scepter  of  the  em- 
peror of  the  Eastern  empire.    In  Bot.  a 
gen.  of  umbelliferous  plants,  whoso  species 
yield  powerful   stimulating  gum  resins, 
employed   in    medicine — as^etida,    am- 
moniacum  and  sagapenum. 
Fesse.     In  Her.  a  band  or  girdle  compris- 
ing the  center  third  part  of  the  escutcheon; 
one  of  the  9  honorable  ordinaries. 
Fesse-point,  'point.    The  exact  center 
of  the  escutcheon. 

Fester,  'tor.     A   small  inflammatory  tu- 
mor.    Act  of  festering  or  rankling. 
Festival,  'ti-val.     A  time  of  feasting  :  an 
anniversary  day  of  joy,  civil  or  religious. 
Festoon,  -ton'.    A  chain  or  garland  of 
flowers,  drapery,  &c.,  suspended  so  as  to 
form  depending  curves.  In  Arch,  a  sculp- 
tui-ed  ornament  suspended  between  two 
points ;  an  cncarpus. 
Festus,  Porcius.    The  Roman  govern* 


FETATION 


FIAT 


>  e     Fetiches  of  Dahomey. 


or  of  Judea,  appointed  62,  before  whom 

the  Apostle  Paul  was  charged  by  the  Jews 

with  treason  ;  d.  abt.  81. 
Petation,  fe-ta'shon.    The  formation  of 

a  fetus.  ,  .. 

Pete,  fat.    A  feast ;  a  holiday  ;  a  festival 

day.     Fete  de  Dieu,  a  feast  of  the  K.  C. 

Ch.  in  honor  of  the  real  presence  in  the 

Eucharist,  tcept   on  the  Thursday  after 

Trinity  Sunday. 
Fete-cliainpetre,  -shan-patr.  A  festival 

in  the  open  air  ;  a  rural  entertainment. 

Fetich,      fo  - 

tish.  Any  ob- 
ject, animate 
or  inanimate, 
natural  or  arti- 
ficial, regarded 
as  having  mys- 
terious powers 
residing  in  it 
or  as  being  the 
representative 
or  habitation 
of  a  deity.  Fe- 
tichism  pre- 
vails in  Africa. 
Each  t  r  i  b 
has  a  fetich 
in  common,  but  every  individual  may 
have  one  of  his  own,  to  which  he  olfers  up 
prayers,  and  which,  if  these  are  not  heard, 
he  punishes,  throws  away  or  breaks. 

Peticide,  'ti-sTd.  In  Medical  Jurispru- 
dence, the  destruction  of  the  fetus  in  the 
womb,  or  the  act  by  which  criminal  abor- 
tion is  produced. 

Fetlock,  fet'lok.  A  tufl  of  hair  growing 
behind  the  pastern  joint  of  horses.  The 
joint  on  which  the  hair  grows.  An  instru- 
ment fixed  on  the  leg  of  a  horse  when  in 
pasture  to  pi-event  his  running  off.  The 
fetlock  is  used  in  heraldry ;  thus,  some 
branches  of  the  Scotch  family  of  Lockhart 
have  for  arms  a  man's  heart  within  a  fet- 
lock, signifying  that  one  of  its  heads  ac- 
companied Sir  James  Douglas  when  he 
set  out  \vith  Bruce's  heart  for  Jerusalem  ; 
and  a  falcon  within  a  fetlock  was  a  badge 
of  Edward  IV.,  for  the  duchy  of  York. 

Fetlock-joint,  -joint.  The  joint  of  a 
horse's  leg  next  to  the  hoof. 

Fetlow,  'lo.  A  whitlow  or  felon  in  cat- 
tle. 

Fetor,  fe'ter.  Any  strong  offensive 
smell  ;  stench. 

Fetter,  fet'er.    A  chain  for  the  feet. 

Fettle,  '1.  The  state  of  being  in  high 
condition  or  order. 


Fetus,  fe'tus.  The  young  of  viviparous 
animals  in  the  womb,  and  of  oviparous  an- 
imals in  the  egg,  after  it  is  perfectly 
formed,  before  which  time  it  is  called  em- 
bryo. 

FeWa.  fet'wa.  In  Turk.  Law,  the  writ- 
ten decision  of  a  mufti  on  some  legal  point. 

Feudalism,  fud'al'izm.  The  system  of 
holding  land  by  military  services. 

Feudary,  a-ri.  A  tenant  who  holds  his 
lands  by  feudal  service ;  a  feudatory.  An 
ancient  officer  of  the  English  Court  of 
Wards. 

Feu  de  Joie,  fij-d-zhwa.  A  bonfire,  or  a 
firing  of  guns  iu  token  of  joy. 

Feuillage,  -yazh.  A  bunch  or  row  of 
leaves. 

Feuillans,  -yanz.  A  rehgious  order, 
founded  by  Jean  dela  Barriere  in  1577  ;  so 
called  from  the  Convent  of  Feuillant  in 
Languedoc. 

Feuillant  011113.  A  French  political 
society,  formed  1791,  during  the  Eevolu- 
tion.  Its  leaders  held  ministerial  power 
only  a  month,  1792,  and  were  overthrown 
by  the  Jacobins. 

Feuilleton,  fwel-ton.  That  part  of  a 
French  newspaper  devoted  to  light  litera- 
ture or  criticism. 

Fever,  fe'ver.  A  diseased  state  of  the 
system,  characterized  by  an  accelerated 
pulse,  increase  of  heat,  deranged  functions, 
diminished  strength,  and  often  with  ex- 
cessive thirst. 

Fez  fez.     A  red  head- 
di-es8     fitting     closely, 
with  a  tassel  of  blue  at  j^^^ 
the  crown,  much  worn  W^"^       "'**®EI^JI 
in  Turkey  and  N.  Africa  " 
generally. 

Fez   (Fas).    Cap.  of  an  Egyptian  and 
ancient  kingdojn  of  that    Turkish  Fez. 
name,  now  a  walled  city 
and  cap.  of  the  prov.  of  F.,  Morocco,  SO  m. 
S.  E.   of  Tangier.      The  city  is  deemed 
sacred  by  the  Mohammedans,  ani  only 
good  Moslems  are  permitted  to  enter  it ; 
pop.  abt.  62,000. 

Fiacre,  fe-a-kr.  A  small  four-wheeled 
carriage ;  a  hackney-coach. 

Fiance,  an-sa.  AJa  affianced  or  betrothed 
person. 

Fiants,  fl'ants.  The  dung  of  the  fox  or 
badger. 

Fiasco,  fG-as'ko.  A  failure  in  a  musical 
performance  ;  an  ignominious  failure  gen- 
erally< 

Fiat,  fl'at.  A  decisive  or  effective  com- 
mand.    In  Law,  a  short  order  or  warrant 


FIB 


FIESCHI 


by  a  judge  for  making  out  and  allowing 
certain  processes. 

Fib,  fib.  A  lie  or  falsehood ;  used  as  a 
softer  expression  than  either. 

Fiber,  fl'ber.  A  gen.  of  rodent  mam- 
mals, fam.  Castoridae,  the  only  known 
species  being  the  musk-rat,  or  F.  zibethi- 
cus.  A  thread  or  filament;  one  of  the 
I  hair-hke  bodies  of  whic^  the  tissues  of 
animals  and  plants  are  partly  constituted. 
The  slender  root  of  a  plant. 

Pibril,  'bril.  A  small  fiber ;  the  branch 
of  a  fiber  ;  a  very  slender  thread. 

Pibrilla,  'la.  One  of  the  components  of 
fiber :  specifically,  one  of  the  hairs  from  the 
epidermis  which  covers  the  young  roots 
of  plants. 

Pibrin,  'brin.  A  peculiar  organic  com- 
pound substance  found  in  animals  and 
vegetables,  procured  in  its  most  charac 
teristic  state  from  fresh  blood  by  whip- 
ping it  with  a  bundle  of  twigs.  It  also  ex- 
ists in  chyle,  forming  the  chief  part  of 
muscular  flesh,  and  is  composed  of  carbon, 
nitrogen,  hydrogen  and  oxygen,  being 
closely  allied  to  albumen  and  oaseine. 

Fibroeartiiage,  'br6-kar"ti-]aj.  The 
substance  intermediate  between  the  proper 
cartilage  and  tho  ligament  which  consti- 
tutes the  base  of  the  ear,  the  rings  of  the 
trachea,  the  epiglottis,  &c. 

Fibroin,  -in.  The  principal  chemical 
constituent  of  silk,  cobwebs  and  the  horny 
skeletons  of  sponges. 

Fibrolite,  'bro-lit.  A  mineral  composed 
of  silica  and  alumina. 

Fichtelite,  fish'tel-It.  A  mineral  resin 
found  in  the  Fichtelgebirge,  Bavaria. 

Fichu,  fi'sho.  A  light  piece  ot  dres^ 
worn  by  ladies,  covering  the  aeck  and 
shoulders. 

Fictor,  fik'ter.  Any  artist  who  works 
in  wax,  clay  or  other  plastic  material,  as 
contradistinguished  from  one  who  works 
in  solid  substances. 

Fiddle,  fid'l.    A  stringed  instrument  of 

■.     music,  the  finest  of  solo  instruments  and 

the  leading  instrument  in  the  orchestra. 

Naut.,  a  contrivance  to   prevent  things 

from  rolling  off  the  table  in  bad  weather. 

Fiddle-bow,  -b(5.  The  bow  strung  with 
horse-hair  with  which  the  player  draws 
sounds  from  the  violin. 

Fiddler,  'ler.  One  who  plays  on  the  vio- 
hn.  In  the  IT.  S.  the  popular  name  of  a 
small  crab  with  one  large  claw  and  a  very 
small  one. 

Fides,  fl'dez.  in  Class.  Myth,  the  god- 
dess of  faith,  commonly  represented  with 


her  hands  closely  Joined.    An  asteroid  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 
Fid-hammer,  fid'ham-mer.  A  tool  con- 
sisting of  a  fid  at  one  end  and  a  hammer 

at  the  other. 
Fidicula,  fi-dik'u-la.     A  small  musical 

instrument  in  the  shape  of  a  lyre. 
Fidouia,  -do'ni-a.    A  gen,  of  lepidopter- 

ous  insects,  fam.  Geometridte. 

Fiduciary,  -du'shi-a-ri.  A  trustee.  One 
who  depends  on  faith  for  salvation ;  an 
antinomian. 

Fief,  fef.  A  fee ;  a  feud ;  an  estate  held 
of  a  superior  on  condition  of  mihtary  or 
other  service. 

Field,  Cyrus  W.  An  American  mer- 
chant, B.  in  Mass.  1819.  The  organizer  of 
the  Atlantic  Cable  Company. 

Field-artillery,  feld'.'ir-til-e-ri.  Light 
ordnance  applicable  to  the  active  opera- 
tions of  the  field,  including  officers,  men 
and  horses. 

Field-book,  'buk.  A  book  used  in  sur- 
veying, engineering,  geology,  &c.,  in 
which  are  noted  angles,  distances,  observa- 
tions, &c. 

Field-cricket,  'krik-tt,  Acheta  campes- 
tris,  one  of  the  most  r  oisy  of  all  the  crick- 
ets, larger  and  rarer  than  the  house-cricket. 

Field-duck,  Muk.  The  little  bustard 
Otis  tetrax. 

Fielder,  'er.  A  cricket  or  base-ball  play- 
er who  stands  out  in  the  field  to  catch  and 
stop  balls. 

Fieldfare,  'far.  A  bird  of  the  gen.  Tur- 
dus. 

Field-grlass,  -glas.  A  binocular  tele- 
scope or  opera-glass  of  great  power.  A 
small  achromatic  telescope.  That  one  of 
the  two  lenses  forming  the  eye-piece  of 
an  astronomical  telescope  or  compound 
microscope  which  is  the  nearer  the  object 
glass,  the  other  being  the  eye-glass. 

Fielding',  Henry.  An  eminent  En- 
glish novelist;  k.  1707,  of  a  family  alhed  to 
the  royal  house  of  Austria ;  n.  at  Lisbon, 
Spain,  1754.  He  is  known  as  the  "  Father 
of  English  fiction." 

Field-marshal,  -mar'shal.  The  highest 
rank  conferred  on  general  officers  in  tha 
British  and  some  other  armies. 

Field-officer,  'of-fis-er.  A  military  of- 
ficer above  the  rank  of  captain  and  below 
that  of  general,  as  a  major  or  colonel. 

Fiend,  fend.  An  infernal  being ;  a  demon  ; 
the  devil ;  a  person  with  malicious  quali- 
ties. 

Fieschi,  Joseph  Marco,  fe-es'ke.  A 
Corsician,  b.   1790,  who  exploded  an  in* 


riESOLE 


FILE-LEADER 


fernal  machine  in  tlie  streets  of  Paris, 
1885,  by  which  Marshal  Mortier  nnd  9 
others  of  the  suite  of  King  Louis  Phillippe 
were  killed,  the  king  receiving  slight 
wounds.     F.  was  guillotined,  1836. 

Piesole,  Fra  Q-iovanni  da,  fe-ais-o'- 
Ifi.  (Beato  Angelica),  whose  real  name 
was  Giovanni  Guido,  among  the  gi-eatest 
of  Italy's  painters;  b.  1387,  d.  1455. 

Fierycross,  fi'e-ri-kros.  In  Scotland,  in 
ancient  times  a  signal  sent  as  a  summons 
to  repair  to  arms.  It  consisted  of  a  cross 
of  light  wooQ,  the  extremities  of  which 
were  set  fire  to  and  then  extinguished  in 
the  blood  of  a  goat. 

Fi.  fa.,fi'fa.  The  abbreviation  of  Fieri 
facias. 

Fife,  fif.  A  small  flute  having  but  one 
key,  and  a  compass  of  two  octaves  rang- 
ing upward  from  D  on  the  fourth  line  of 
the  treble  clef. 

Fifty,  flfti.  The  number  which  consists 
of  five  times  ten.  A  symbol  representing 
this  number,  as  50  or  1. 

Figr,  fig.  The  fruit  of  the  fig-tree  (Ficus 
Oarica).  An  excrescence  on  the  frog  of  a 
horse's  foot  following  a  bruise. 

Fiftieth,  fif  ti-eth.  One  of  fifty  equal 
parts  into  which  a  unit  or  whole  is  divid- 
ed. 

t'ifth-raonarchy  Man.  One  of  a  sect 
of  EngUsh  fanatics  which  sprung  up  in 
the  time  of  Cromwell,  and  considered  him 
as  commencing' the  fifth  great  monarchy 
of  the  world  (Assyria,  Persia,  Greece  and 
Eome  preceding),  during  which  Christ 
should  reign  on  earth  1000  years. 

Fifteen,  fif  ten.  The  number  which  con- 
sists of  five  and  ten.  A  symbol  represent- 
ing this  number,  as  15  or  xv. 

Fig-apple,  fig'ap-I.  A  species  of  apple 
without  core  or  kernel. 

Figr-eater,  'et-er.  A  bird;  the  greater 
pettychaps. 

Fig-htingr-fish,  f^t'ing-fish.  Macropodus 
or  Ctenops  pugnax,  a  small  fish,  fam. 
Anabasidae.  In  Siam  they  are  kept  in 
glass  globes,  for  the  purpose  of  fighting, 
and  an  extravagant  amount  of  gambling 
takes  place  about  the  result. 

Fig-shell,  fig'shel.  The  name  given  to 
the  various  species  of  Pyrula,  fam.  Mur- 
icidae. 

Fig-tree,  'tre.  A  tree,  gen.  Ficus,  the  F. 
Carica,  a  native  of  the  Mediterranean 
region.  The  tree  in  its  native  countries 
yields  two  crops  of  ripe  fruit  each  season. 

Figurant,  'ur-ant.  One  who  dances  at 
the  opera  in  groups  of  figures.    An  acces- 


The  ornamental 


Figure-head. 


sorv  chai-acter  on  the  stage,  who  has 
nothing  to  say. 

Figure,  'ur.  The  form  of  anything, 
as  expressed  by  the  outline  or  ter- 
minating extremities  ;  fashion.  In  Arith. 
a  character  standing  for  a  number, 
as  2,  7,  9.  In  Astrol.  the  horoscope ;  the 
diagram  of  the  aspects  of  the  astrological 
houses. 

Figure-head, 

figure,  statue  or 

bust  on  the  bow 

of  a  ship  over 

the     cutwater 

and  immediate- 
ly    under     the 

bowsprit. 
Figure-mak  - : 

er,  -mak-er.    A 

modeler  ;    one 

who      practices  • 

the  most  refined 

part  of  the  art  of 

molding  and  casts  busts,  animals,  foliage, 

&c.;  a  maker  of  wooden  anatomical  mod- 
els for  artists. 
Figure-stone,  -ston.      Agalmatolite  or 

bildstein  ;  a  var'ety  of  talc-mica,  so  soft  as 

to  be  easily  cut  into  figures. 
Filament,  fil'a-ment.  A  thread ;  a  fiber ; 

a  fine  thread,  of  which  flesh,  nerves,  skin, 

plants,  roots,  &c.,  and  also  some  minerals, 

are  composed. 
Filatory,    -to-rl.      A     machine    which 

spins  thread. 
Filature,  -tiir,    A  reel  for  drawing  oflf 

silk  from  cocoons  ;  a  fllatory.     An  estib- 

fishment  for  reeling  silk. 

Filbert,  'bert.  The  fruit  of  a  cultivated 
variety  ol  Corylus  Avellana,  or  hazel. 
The  oil  is  little  inferior  to  the  oil  ol  al- 
monds. 

File,  fil.  A  line  or  wire  on  which  papers 
are  strung  in  due  order  for  preservation. 
The  papers  strung  on  a  line  or  wire  ;  a 
collection  of  papers  arranged  according  to 
date  or  subject  for  ready  reference.  A 
roll,  list  or  catalogue.  A  row  of  soldiers 
ranged  one  behind  another.  A  steel  in- 
strument, having  teeth  upon  the  surfiice 
for  cutting,  abrading  and  smoothing 
metal,  wood,  &c. 

File-cutter,  'kut-er.    A  maker  of  files. 

File-fish,  'fish.  A  name  given  to  cer- 
tain fishes  from  their  skins  being  granu- 
lated like  a  file ;  they  constitute  the  gen. 
Balistes. 

File-leader,  'led-er.  The  soldier  placed 
infront  of  afile. 


riLE-MAECHING 


331 


FINGER 


File-marching,  'march-ing.  The 
inarching  of  a  line  of  soldiers  two  deep, 
when  faced  to  right  or  left,  so  that  front 
and  i-ear  rank  march  side  by  side. 

Filiation,  fil-i-a'shon.  The  relation  of  a 
son  or  child  to  a  father  ;  the  correlative  to 
paternity.  Adoption.  The  fixing  of  a 
bastard  child  on  some  one  as  its  father ; 
afiiiiation. 

Filibuster,  'i-bus-ter.  Originally,  a  buc- 
caneer in  the  W,  Indian  Islands  who 
preyed  on  Spanish  commerce  to  8.  Amer- 
ica ;  now  applied  to  adventm-ers  from  the 
U.  S.  who  invade  a  foreign  country. 

Filices,  'is-ez.  Scientific  name  of  the 
large  group  of  cryptogamic  plants,  known 
as  ferns. 

Filicite,  'i-sit.  A  fossil  fern  or  fllicoid 
}ilant. 

Filiety,  fi-li'e-ti.  The  relation  of  a  son  to 
a  parent ;  sonship. 

Filiformia,  fil'i-form-i-a.  One  of  the 
two  sections  into  which  crustaceans  of  the 
order  Lsemodipoda  are  divided,  the  other 
being  the  Ovalia. 

Filigree,  -grc.  Originally  granular  net- 
work, the  Italians  who  introduced  it  plac- 
ing beads  upon  it ;  an  enrichment  on  gold 
or  silver  wrought  delicately  in  the  manner 
of  little  threads  or  grains,  or  of  both  inter- 
mixed. 

FilitelSB,  -i-te'le.  A  tribe  of  spiders  who 
spread  their  threads  about  the  places  in 
which  they  prowl  in  pursuit  of  their  prey. 

Fillibeg,  'h-beg.  A  dress  reaching  only 
to  the  knees  worn  in  the  Highlands  of 
Scotland  ;  a  kilt. 

Fillipeen,  -li-pen.  A  present  given  in 
accordance  with  a  custom  borrowed  from 
Germany.  When  a  person  eating  nuts 
finds  one  with  two  kernels,  one  of  them  is 
given  to  a  person  of  the  opposite  sex,  and 
whoever  at  the  next  meeting  shall  utter 
the  word  fillipeen  first  is  entitled  to  a 
present  from  the  other.  The  term  is  ap- 
plied also  to  the  kernel  thus  given.  Writ- 
ten also  Phillipcna,  Philopena. 

Fillmore,  Millard.     The  13th  Presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S.,  J?,  in  N.  Y.  1800;   sat 
several  terms  in  Congress,  was  defeated 
for  Governor,  but  elected  Vice-President 
on  the  ticket  with  Gen.  Taylor,  1848,  and 
became  President  on  the  death  of  the  lat 
ter  1S50  ;  d.  1874  at  Butfalo. 
Filly,  'li.    A  female  or  mare  foal ;  a  young 
mare     A  wanton  girl. 
Film,  film      A  thin  skin  ;  a  pellicle,  as  on 
the  eye  .  a  fine  thread,  as  of  a  cobweb. 
Filter,  fil'ter.   A  strainer ;  any  substance 
through  which  liquors  are  passed  for  de- 


JFlns 


fecatlon.  Filters,  with  charcoal  and  sand 
filling,  are  now  largely  employed  for  the 
purpose  of  filtering  water  for  domestic 
uses. 

Filtrate,  'trat.  The  liquid  which  has 
been  passed  through  a  filter. 

FimasMng,  fim'ash-ing.  Among  hunt- 
ers, the  dung  of  several  sorts  of  Avild 
beasts;  fumets. 

Fimble,  'bl.  The  male  plants  of  hemp, 
which  ripen  soonest. 

Fimbria,  'bri-a.  A  fringe  ;  specificallr, 
in  Anat.  applied  to  the  fringed  extremity 
of  the  Fallopian  tube.  In  Bot.  applied  to 
the  dentated  ring  of  the  operculum  ol 
mosses. 

Fin,  fin.  One  of 
the  projecting! 
wing-like  organf^^ 
which  enable 
fishes  to  balance 
themselves  in  an 

upright  position,  and  assist  in  regulating 
their  movements  in  the  water,  consisting 
of  a  thin  elastic  membrane  supported  by 
little  bony  or  cartilaginous  ossicles.  The 
pectoral  and  ventral  are  known  as  paired 
fins,  and  represent  the  limbs  of  other  ver- 
tebrates ;  the  dorsal,  anal  and  caudal  are 
median,  vertical,  or  impar  fins,  and  pecu- 
liar to  fishes.  Applied  to  many  things  re- 
sembling a  fish's  fin. 

Finance,  fi-nans'.  The  system  or  science 
of  public  revenue  and  expenditure.  The 
income  or  resources  of  individuals. 

Finch,  finsh.  The  popular  name  of  the 
small  singing  birds,  gen.  Fringilla.  Also 
applied  to  the  numerous  group  constitut- 
ing the  fam.  Fringillidae. 

Finery,  fin'e-ri.  Fineness  ;  splendor  ; 
ornament ;  showy  or  excessive  decoration. 
In  iron-works,  the  second  forge  at  the 
mill  at  which  the  iron  is  hammered  and 
fashioned  into  a  bloom  or  square  bar. 

Finesse,  fi-nes'.  In  whist-playing,  the 
act  of  playing  with  the  view  of  taking  the 
trick  with  a  lower  card  than  may  be  in  the 
hand  of  your  adversary  on  the  left,  while 
a  higher  card  Is  in  your  own  hand. 

Finestiller,  fin'stil-er  One  who  distils 
spirit  from  treacle  or  molasses. 

Finestuff,  'stuf.  The  second  coat  of 
plaster  for  the  walls  of  a  room,  made  of 
finely  sifted  lime  with  sand  and  hair 

Fin-foot,  fin'fttt.  Heliornis,  a  gen.  of 
S.  American  birds,  so  called  from  their 
feet  being  lobed. 

Finger,  fing'ger  One  of  the  five  extr«mo 
members  of  the  hand,  exclusive  of  the 
thumb ;  a  digit. 


FINGEE-ALPHABET 


FIEE 


Fing-er-alphabet,  -al-fa-bet.  Certain 
positions  and  motions  of  hands  and  lin- 
gers answering  to  tiie  written  alphabet. 

Fingrer-board,  -bord.  The  board  at  the 
neck  of  a  violin,  guitar  or  the  like, 
where  the  fingers  acton  the  strings  ;  also 
the  range  of  keys  of  a  piano-forte,  organ 
or  harmonium     a  key -board. 

ring-er-grlass,  -glas.  A  bowl  at  "table  in 
which  to  rinse  the  fingers  after  dinner. 

Fing-ering:,  -ing.  In  music,  the  manage- 
ment  of  the  fingers  in  playing  on  an  in- 
strument. The  marking  of  the  notes  to 
guide  the  fingers  in  playing.  A  thick, 
loose  woolen  yarn 

Fingrer-post,  -post.  A  post  set  up  for 
the  direction  of  travelers,  generally  where 
roads  cross  or  divide. 

Fingrer-stone,  -ston.  A  fossil  resen- 
bling  an  arrow. 

Finial,  fin'i- 
al.  In  Gothic 
Arch,  the  or- 
namental ter- 
mination or 
apex  of  a  pin- 
nacle,canopy, 
gable  or  the 
like. 

Finical- 
ness,  -kal- 
ne3.  Quality 
of  being  fini- 
cal ;  extreme  nicety  in  dress  or  manners ; 
foppishness ;  fastidiousness. 

Finingr,  fin 'ing.     The  process  of 


Finials. 


ing.  Clarifying  of  wines,  malt  liquors, 
&c.  The  preparation,  generally  a  solution 
of  isinglass  or  gelatine,  used  to  fine  or 
clarify. 

Fining-pot,  -pot.  A  vessel  in  which 
metals  are  refined. 

Finis,  'is.    An  end  ;  conclusion. 

Finistere,  fin-is-tair.  A  dep.  of  W. 
Franco,  b.  E.  by  depts.  Morbihan  and 
Cotes-du-Nord,  N.  by  the  Enghsh  Chan- 
nel, W.  and  S.  by  the  Atlantic;  cap. 
Quimper,  pop.  700,465. 

Finite,  fi'nite.  Having  a  limit ;  opposed 
to  infinite.  In  Gram,  a  term  applied  to 
those  moods  of  a  verb  which  are  limited 
by  number  and  person. 

Finland.  A  country  of  N.  Europe,  for- 
merly belonging  to  Sweden  but  now  a 
Kussian  grand  duchy  ;  cap.  Ilelsingfors  ; 
area  147,415  sq.m.;  pop.  abt.  2,000,000. 

Finland,  Gulf  of.  A  vast  arm  of  the 
Baltic,  dividing  Finland  from  the  Faissian 
provinces ;    length   260    m.,     maximum 


breadth  90  m.  Its  ports  are  Cronstadt, 
Sweaborg  and  Eeval. 

Finmark.  A  Norwegian  prov.,  th« 
most  northerly  portion  of  Europe  ;  cap. 
Hammerfest ;  area,  1,284  sq.  m.;  pop. 
abt.  22,000. 

Finn,  fin.  A  native  of  Finland  ;  a  Fin- 
lander. 

Finner,  'er.  A  species  of  whale  (Physa- 
lus),  so  called  from  their  possessing  a  dor- 
sal hump  or  fin.  The  name  is  sometimes 
given  to  members  of  the  gen.  Balasnoptera. 

Finnikin,  'i-kin.  A  pigeon  with  a  crest 
somewhat  resembling  the  mane  of  a  horse. 

Finnish,  'ish.  A  language  spoken  by 
the  Fins  in  Northwestern  Kussia  and  re- 
lated tribes  in  Esthonia  and  Livonia,  allied 
to  the  Turkish  and  Hungarian. 

Fin-pike,  'pik.  A  fam.  of  ganoid  fishes, 
remarkable  for  the  structure  of  the  dorsal 
fin,  which  is  separated  into  twelve  or  six- 
teen strong  spines,  eacli  bordered  behind 
by  a  small  soft  fin.  Two  species  of  this 
curious  group  are  living,  but  the  family 
attained  its  maximum  in  paloiozoic  times. 

Finster-Aarhom,  finz-tiir-ahr'horn. 
The  highest  Alpine  peak  in  the  Bernese 
Oberland,  bet.  Berne  and  Yalais  ;  14,020  ft. 

Fion.  A  name  given  in  the  Ossianic 
poetry  to  a  semi-mythical  race  of  war- 
riors of  superhuman  size,  strength  and 
prowess.  Generally  they  are  supposed  to 
nave  been  Irish  militia,  and  to  have  had 
theirnames  from  Fion  MacCumhal  (the 
Finn  MacCoul  of  Dunbar,  and  Fingal  of 
Macpherson),  their  most  distinguished 
leader  ;  but  others  beheve  them  to  have 
been  of  the  race  that  inhabited  Germany 
before  the  Germans,  and  Scotland  and 
Ireland  before  the  Soots. 

Fir,  fer.  A  name 
sometimes  used  as 
co-extensive  with 
the  term  pine,  and 
inclu  ding  the 
whole  gen.  Pinus, 
but  generally  re- 
stricted to  the  sec. 
Abies.  The  tim- 
ber is  valuable  in 
house  and  ship 
building. 

Firdusi.  An 
eminent  Persian 
poet,  B.  abt.  940, 
D.  1020. 

Fire,  fir.  The 
simultaneous  evolution  of  heat  and  light 
during  the  process  of  combustion  ;  com- 
bustion. Anciently,  fire,  air,  earth  and 
water  were  regarded  as  the  four  elemeuta 


Scotch  Fir 


FIOED 


riEEWOEK 


of  vhich  all  things  are  composed.  The 
burning  of  anything ;  a  conflagration. 
Greek  fire,  an  artificial  fire  which  the 
Greeks  used  in  their  struggles  against  the 
Saracens,  and  which  is  said  to  have 
burned  even  in  water. 

Piord,  fj'ord.  An  inlet  from  the  sea, 
usually  long,  narrow  and  very  irregularly 
shaped,  common  on  the  coast  of  Norway  ; 
a  frith. 

Fire-alarm,  'a-larm.  An  apparatus  for 
instantaneously  commimicating  informa- 
tion of  fire,  as  by  telegraphic  signal. 

Fire-arra,  'arm.  Any  weapon  whose 
charge  is  expelled  by  the  combustion  of 
powder. 

Fire-arrow,  'a-ro.  A  small  iron  djirt, 
furnished  Avith  a  match  impregnated  with 
powder  and  sulphur,  formerly  used  to 
fii-e  the  sails  of  ships. 

Fireball,  'bal.  A  ball  filled  with  powder 
or  other  combustibles,  intended  to  injure 
by  explosion,  or  set  fire  to  inflammable 
material.  A  popular  name  of  a  class  of 
meteors  which  exhibit  themselves  as 
globular  masses  of  light,  moving  with 
gi-eat  velocitv  across  the  sky.  They  ai-e 
not  to  be  confounded  with  another  class  of 
meteors  that  explode  in  their  passage. 

Fire-balloon,  'bal-lon.  A  balloon  pro- 
pelled by  air  rarefied  by  heat.  A  balloon 
sent  up  at  night  with  fire-works,  which 
ignite  at  a  regulated  height. 

Firebox,  'boks.  The  box  in  which  the 
fire  in  a  locomotive  is  placed. 

Fireclay,  'klii.  A  clay,  consisting  chiefly 
of  silica  and  alumina,  capable  of  sustaining 
intense  heat,  and  used  in  making  fire- 
bricks, gas  retorts,  crucibles,  &c.  It  ex- 
ists chiefly  in  coalmeasm-es. 

Fire-cracker,  'krak-er.  A  small  fire- 
work, consisting  of  a  paper  cylinder  filled 
with  gunpowder,  &c.,  and  furnished  with 
a  fusee. 

Firedarap,  'damp.  Light  carbureted 
hydrogen  gas  or  marsh-gas,  sometimes 
abundantly  evolved  in  coal  mines,  and 
productive  of  the  most  dreadful  results 
by  its  explosion. 

Fire-dress,  'dres.  A  dress  which  en- 
ables the  wearer  to  pass  through  a  fierce 
flame,  consisting  of  a  light  armor  of  me- 
tallic gauze,  lined  vnth  cloth  immersed  in 
certain  saline  solutions. 

Fire-eater,  'et-er.  A  juggler  who  pre- 
tends to  eat  fire.  A  cant  term  for  a  fight- 
ing cliaraeter  or  duellist. 

Fire-eng-ine,  'en-jin.  A  machine  for 
throwing  water  to  extinguish  fire,  a 
species  of  force-pump,  in  which  the  water 


is  subjected  to  pressure  sufficient  to  raise 


Fire-escape, 
permanent  and  moveable. 

Firefly, 'fli.  A  name  indefinitely  given 
to  any  winged  insect  which  possesses 
luminosity.  Except  the  lantern-fly,  the 
fireflies  are  all  coleopterous,  and  mem- 
bers of  two  allied  families,  the  Elateridae 
or  skipjacks,  and  Lampj'^ridae,  to  which 
the  glow-worm  belongs. 

Fireplace,  'plas.  The  lower  part  of  a 
chimney  which  opens  into  an  apartment, 
and  in  which  fuel  is  burned ;  a  hearth. 

Fireplug-,  'plug.  A  plug  for  drawing 
water  from  the  main  pipes  in  a  street  to 
extinguish  fire. 

Fire-policy,  -po-li-si.  An  instrument 
whereby,  in  consideration  of  the  payment 
of  a  premium,  an  insurance  company  en- 
gages to  make  good  to  the  assured  person 
such  loss  as  may  occur  by  fire  to  his  prop- 
erty. 

Firepot,  'pot.  A  small  earthen  pot  filled 
with  combustibles,  used  in  military  oper- 
ations. That  part  of  a  furnace  in  which 
the  fire  is  made. 

Firescreen,  'skren.  A  movable  screen 
placed  before  a  fire  to  intercept  the  heat. 
A  woolen  screen  placed  in  the  passage 
way  from  a  powder  magazine,  whenever 
this  is  opened. 

Fireship,  'ship.  A  vessel  filled  with 
combustibles  to  be  set  on  fire  for  the  pur- 
pose of  burning  an  enemy's  ships. 

Firestone,  'stdn.  A  sandstone  which 
bears  a  high  degree  of  heat. 

Firework,  'werk.  A  preparation  of 
gunpowder,  sulphur  and  other  inflam- 
mable materials,  used  for  making  explo- 


FIEE-WORSHIP 


nSSILmGUIA 


sions  in  the  air  on  occasions  of  public  re- 
joicings, &c.;  also  ttie  name  given  to 
various  combustible  preparations  used  in 
war.  An  exhibition  of  fireworks ;  pyro- 
technics. 

Fire-worsMp,  Ver-ship.  The  worship 
of  fire,  the  highest  type  of  which  worship 
is  seen  in  the  arloration  of  the  sun.  In  the 
early  religion  of  India  the  sun  appears 
in  the  form  of  the  god  Agni,  what  was 
first  regarded  as  a  mere  phenomenon  in 
time  being  regarded  as  a  sentient  indi- 
vidual. Thus  in  the  Yedic  hymns  Agni 
is  the  god  of  fire,  corresponding  to  the 
Greek  Hephaestos.  The  worship  of  fire 
was  practiced  by  the  ancient  Persians  or 
Magians,  and  is  continued  by  the  Parsees. 
The  establishment  of  this  species  of  idol- 
atry is  ascribed  to  Zoroaster,  who  taught 
that  in  the  sim  and  in  the  sacred  fires  of 
temples  God  more  especially  dwelt,  and 
that  therefore  divine  homage  was  to  be 
paid  to  these. 

Firing'-iron,  'ing-I-ern,  An  instrument 
used  in  fiirriery  for  cauterizing  ;  a  cautery. 

Firkin,  fer'kin.  A  measure  of  capacity, 
being  the  fourth  part  of  a  barrel.  A  small 
wooden  vessel  or  cask  of  no  determinate 
capacity;  used  chiefly  for  butter,  tallow, 
&c. 

Firm,  ferm.  A  partnership  or  association 
of  two  or  more  i)ersons  for  carrying  on  a 
business ;  a  commercial  house. 

Firmament,  'a-ment.  The  region  of 
the  air ;  the  sky  or  heavens.  In  old 
Astron.  the  orb  of  the  fixed  stars,  or  the 
most  remote  of  all  the  celestial  spheres. 

Firman,  fer-man'.  A  decree,  order  or 
grant  of  an  Oriental  sovereign,  issued  for 
various  special  purposes;  passport,  per- 
mit, license  or  grant  of  privileges. 

Firmilian,  St.  Bishop  of  Ca^sarea ;  n. 
abt.  200,  D.  269.  He  was  the  friend  of 
Origen  and  St.  Cyprian,  and  suppressed 
the  Novatian  heresy. 

Firolidae,  fi-rol'i-de.  A  fam,  of  gaster- 
opodous  mollusks,  ord.  Nucleobranchiata 
or  Jleteropoda. 

First-day,  ferst'da.  A  name  given  to 
the  Lord's-day  by  Quakers  and  other 
Christian  bodies,  from  its  being  the  first 
day  of  the  week. 

First-fruit,  'frcH.  The  fruit  or  produce 
first  matured  and  collected  in  any  season. 
Of  these  the  Jews  made  an  oblation  to 
God,  as  an  acknowledgment  of  His  sover- 
eign dominion.  In  the  Ch.  of  England, 
the  incomeof  every  spiritual  benefice  for 
the  first  j^ear. 

First-mate,  'mat.    The  chief  officer  of  a 


merchant  vessel,  next  in  rank  to  the  cap» 
tain. 

First-water,  'wa-ter.  The  first  or 
highest  quality;  purest  luster;  apphed 
principally  to  diamonds  and  pearls. 

Fish,  Hamilton.  An  American  states- 
man, n.  in  N.  Y.  ISOD,  has  been  success- 
ively a  member  of  Congress,  Governor  of 
his  native  State,  and  Secretary  of  State 
under  Presidents  Grant  and  Arthur. 

Fish.,  fish.  A  general  name  for  a  class  of 
animals  subsisting  in  water,  the  first  divis- 
ion of  vertebrate  animals.  Cetaceous 
animals,  as  the  whale  and  dolphin,  aro 
popularly  called  fishes,  but  they  breathe  by 
lungs,  are  viviparous,  and  s^uckle  their 
young  like  mammalia.  The  term  has 
been  also  extended  to  other  aquatic  ani- 
mals, as  mollusca,  Crustacea,  «fec. 

Fish-carver,  'karv-er.  A  broad  knife, 
generally  of  silver,  for  carving  fish  at  table; 
a  fish-slice ;  a  fish-knife. 

Fisher's  Hill.  An  elevated  plateau  in 
A^irginia,  20  m.  S.  of  Winchester,  noted  as 
the  scene  of  a  severe  battle  between  the 
Federals  under  Gen.  Sheridan  and  the 
Confederates  under  Gen.  Earlv,  Sept.  22, 
1SG4,  the  latter  being  defeated,"  with  1,000 
killed  and  wounded,  over  1,000  prisoners, 
and  16  guns ;  Federal  loss,  abt.  8,000. 

Fish-flour,  'flour.  A  kind  of  flour  made 
by  grinding  dried  fish. 

Fishing'-fly,  'ing-fli.  An  artificial  fly 
used  as  bait  for  catching  fish. 

Fishing-tackle,  -tak-1.  All  the  appar- 
atus, as  rod,  lines,  hooks,  artificial  flies, 
&c.,  used  by  an  angler. 

Fishjoint,  'joint.  In  Rail,  a  splice  con- 
sisting of  one  or  more  oblong  plates,  bolt- 
ed to  the  sides  of  two  raOs  meeting  end  to 
end. 

Fish-louse,  'lous.  A  name  for  several 
crustaceans,  ord.  Siphonostoma  or  Ichthy- 
ophthira,  as  the  genera  Argulus,  Caligus, 
&c.,  parasitic  on  fishes. 

Fishplate,  'plat.  In  EaU.  one  of  th© 
plates  composing  a  fishjoint. 

Fish-sound,  'sound.  The  swimming 
bladder  or  air-sac  of  a  fish.  Isinglass  is 
prepared  from  the  sounds  of  some,  others 
are  converted  into  glue,  and  some  are 
eaten. 

Fish-tongue,  'tung.  An  instrument 
used  by  dentists  for  the  removal  of  the 
wisdom-teeth. 

Fish-way,  'wa.  A  contrivance  to  enable 
fish  to  ascend  a  fall. 

Fishwife,  'wif.  A  woman  who  sells  fish. 

Fissilingruia,  -ling'g-svi-a.    One  of  two 


FISSIPAEA 


FLABELLUM 


divisions  of  the  lacertilia  or  lizards.    The 

fam.  Lacertidffi,  the  monitors,  the  gen. 
Ameiva,  and  some  fossil  genera,  belong  to 
this  section. 

Fissipara,  -sip'ar-a.  In  ZooL  animals 
■vvhicli  propagate  by  spontaneous  flission, 
as  the  polypi,  Infusoria  and  certain  worms. 

Fissiped,  'si-ped.  An  animal  whose 
toes  are  not  coimected  by  a  membrane. 

Fissipennae,  -pen'ne.  The  plumed 
moths,  a  small  group  of  lepidopterous  in- 
sects. 

Fissirostres,  -ros'trez.  A  tribe  of  the 
Insessoresor  pei-chtng  birds,  divided  into 
two  sections  :  the  Nocturna,  Caprimul- 
gidai,  comprehending  the  night-jars  or 
goatsuckers,  whip-poor-wills,  &c.,  and  the 
Diurna,  Hirundinida3,  including  the 
swallows,  8^vifts,  martins,  &c. 

Fissurellidae,  -su-rel'li-de.  The  key- 
hole limpets,  a  fam.  of  gasteropodous 
mollusks,  oi'd.  Scutibranchiata. 

Fissure-needle,  fis'hur-ne'dl.  A  spiral 
needle  for  bringing  together  the  lips  of  a 
wound,  so  made  as  to  introduce  a  thread 
or  wire,  which  is  left  in  the  place  when 
the  needle  is  withdrawn. 

Fist,  fist.  The  hand  clenched.  The 
talons  of  a  bird  of  prey. 

Fistuca,  fis-tu'ka.  An  instrument  for 
driving  piles  ;  a  monkey. 

Fistula,  -la.  A  wind  instrument  of  mu- 
sic. In  Surg,  a  channel  excavated  be- 
tween an  internal  part  and  the  skin-sur- 
face, showing  no  tendency  to  heal,  differ- 
ing from  a  sinus  in  being  callous. 

Fistularia,  -Wri-a.    Tobacco-pipe  fish, 


Tobai 


;-o-pip 


a  gen.  of  acanthopterygious  fishe?,  fam. 
Aulostomida3,  or  Fistularidaj,  chai-acter- 
ized  by  the  elongation  of  the  facial  bones 
into  a  long  fistula  or  tube. 

Fistulina,  -ll'na.  A  gen.  of  Fungi,  al- 
lied to  Boletus,  found  on  old  trees, 
and  esteeemed  in  some  parts  of  Europe  as 
an  article  of  food.  When  grilled  it  is 
scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  broiled 
meat. 

Fitch,  fich.  In  Fur.  the  skin  of  the  pole- 
cat. 

Fitch,  John.  An  American  inventor, 
B.  in  Conn.  1743,  d.  1798.     He  built  the 


first  boat  propelled  by  steam,  tested  oa 
the  Delaware  Eiver,  1787. 

Fitch-hrush,  'brush.  A  brash  or  hair- 
pencil  made  of  the  hair  of  the  polecat. 

Fitchet,  'et.    A  polecat ;  a  foumart. 

Fitz,  fits.  A  son  ;  used  as  a  prefix  in  cer- 
tain surnames,  as  Fitzgerald,  Fitzherbert, 
especially  of  the  illegitimate  sons  of  kings 
or  princes  of  the  blood,  as  FitzrQ}^  Fitz- 
clarence. 

Fitzg-erald,  Edward,  Lord.  A  no- 
ble Irishman,  son  of  the  Duke  of  Leins- 
ter  ;  b.1763,  p.  in  prison,  1798.  He  was 
an  enthusiastic  patriot,  and  joined  the  so- 
ciety of  United  Irishmen,  ana  was  leader 
in  the  "rising"  of  '98.  Arrested  on  a 
charge  of  treason,  he  died  while  awaiting 
trial. 

Fiume,  fe-oo'ma.  An  Austrian  seaport, 
on  the  Gulf  of  Quarnero,  33  m.  S.  W.  of 
Trieste  ;  pop.  abt.  18,000. 

Five,  f  iv.  The  number  which  consists  of 
four  and  one  ;  the  number  of  the  fingers 
and  thumb  of  one  hand.  A  symbol  rep- 
resenting the  number,  as  5  or  V. 

Five-fingrer,  'fing-ger.  Potentilla  rep- 
tans,  a  perennial  plant ;  cinquefoil. 

Five-fingers,  -gers.  The  name  given 
to  two  species  of  star-fish,  the  Uraster  ru- 
bens  and  Solaster  papposus.  The  five  of 
trumps  in  certain  games  of  cards. 

Fives,  f  ivz.  A  game  played  with  a  ball, 
sometimes  called  hand-tennis. 

Fives.  A  disease  of  horses,  resembling 
the  strangles.    Written  also  Vives. 

Five  Hundred,  Council  of.  One  of 
the  two  French  councils  (the  other  being 
"  The  Ancients  ")  invested  with  legislative 
powers  by  the  Convention,  1795;  dis- 
solved by  Napoleon,  1799. 

Flabellum,  'lum.  A  fan ;  specifically, 
an  ecclesiastical  fan  anciently  used  to 
drive  away  flies  from  the  chalice  during 
the  eucharist.  '  Such  fans  are  a  mark  of 


-Flabellum. 


FLABELLAEIA 


836 


FLAME-BEAPvER 


distinction  ia  the  Cli.  of  Home,  and  are 
earned  before  tlie  Tope  and  other  digni- 
taries on  state  occasions. 

riabellaria,  fla-bel-la'ri-a.  A  gen.  of 
fossil  palms,  occurring  in  secondary  and 
tertiaiy  rocks.  The  fan-coral,  a  gen.  of 
Actinozoa,  ord.  Alcj^onaria. 

Flaccus,  Caius  Valerius.  A  Eoman 
poet,  author  of  "  Argonautica,"  describ- 
ing the  expedition  of  Jason :  b.  abt.  12,  d. 
abt.  88. 

Flag:,  iiag.    A  flat  stone  used  for  paving. 

"Flag.  An  ensign  or  colors  ;  a  cloth  on 
which  certain  figures  are  painted  or 
wrought,  borno  on  a  staff,  and  employed 
to   distinguish    one   company,  party  or 


nationality  from  another  ;  a  standard  on 
which  are  certain  emblems  expressive  of 
nationality,  party  or  opinion.  In  the 
army  a  flag  is  a  banner  by  which  one  regi- 
ment is  distinguished  from  another.  In 
the  navy,  flags  not  only  designate  the 
country  to  which  they  belong,  but  denote 
the  rank  of  the  oflicer  in  command.  There 
are  also  small  flags  used  in  the  navy  for 
signals  or  telegraphs.  Black  flag,  a  sign 
that  no  mercy  will  be  shown  to  the  van- 
quished. Ked  flag,  a  token  of  defiance  to 
battle.  White  flag,  a  flag  of  truce,  an  in- 
vitation to  the  enemy  to  confer,  and  in  the 
meantime  a  notification  that  the  fighting 
shall  cease. 
Plag-ellum,  -jol'lum.  In  Bot.  a  runner  ; 
a  weak,  creeping  branch  sent  out  from  the 
bottom  of  the  stem,  and  giving  off  at  its 
extremity  leaves  and  roots.  In  Zool.  the 
lash-like  appendage  exhibited  by  many 
infusoria;  an  appendage  to  the' legs  of 
some  Crustacea. 

Plag-eolet.  'jel-et.  A  small  wind  instru- 
ment of  music,  played  on  by  means  of  a 
mouth-piece  Inserted  in  a  bulb.  The 
double  flageolet  consists  of  two  Instru- 


Flagellant. 


ments  united  by  one  mouth-piece,  and 
producing  double  notes. 

Flag-ellant,     fla'- 

-jel-lant.     One  who 

whips  Mmself  in  re- 
ligious    discipline ; 

specifically,   one  of 

a      fanatical       sect' 

founded     in    Italy 

1260,  who  walked  in 

procession  with  feet 

and  shoulders  bare, 

and  whipped  them- 
selves till  the  blood 

ran      down     theh-5 

bodies,  to  obtoin  thef 

mercy  of  God  and^ 

appease   his    wrath 

against  the  vices  of  the  agt 
Fla&-ofB.cer,    flag'of-fis-er.      A    distin. 

guishing  title   for  the  commander   of  a 

squadron. 
Flagship,  'ship.     The  ship  which  bears 

the  flag-officer  and  on  which  his  flag  is  dis- 
played. 
Plake-white,  flak'whlt.      In  painting, 

the  purest  white-lead.     "When  levigated, 

it  is  called  body -white.     Basic  nitrato  of 

bismuth,  or  pearl-white. 

Flambeau,  flam'-  -  _   ,     j^--       \- ■  — 
bo.    A  fl  a  m  i  n  g  J  -y  ~  ~~^'- 
torch  :  a  light  made  ■'  ^~  '" '^    " 
of  thick  wicks  cov- 
ered with  wax  or 
other    inflammable 
material. 

Flamboyant, 
-boi'ant.  A  style 
of  Gothic  architec- 
ture once  popular 
in  France.  Its  chief 
characteristic  is  a 
wavy  fla  m  e  - 1  i  k  e 
tracery  in  the  win- 
dows. 

Flam.e,  flam.  A 
blaze;  vapor  in  com- 
bustion ;  hydrogen 
or  any  inflammable 
gas  in  a  state  of 
visible  combustion. 
Heat  of  passion ; 
tumult.  Ardor  of 
inclination  ;  warmth  of  aff"ection. 

Flame- bearer, 'bar-er.  The  name  given 
to  the  members  of  a  gen. of  humming-birds, 
having  flery  crimson-colored  feathers 
round  the  neck  like  a  gorget.  The  little 
flame-bearer  inhabits  the  extinct  volcano 
Chu-iqui,  in  Veragua,  9,000  feet  above  the 


-,-r 


Flamboyant  Win- 
dow. 


FLAMEN 


FLEET 


Flamingo. 


level  of  the  sea.      It  measures  only  2^ 
Inches  in  length. 

riamen,  flu'men.  In  Eom.  Antiq.  the 
name  given  to  any  priest  devoted  to  the 
service  of  one  particular  deity.  Originally 
there  were  but  three,  Flamen  Dialis,  con- 
secrated to  Jupiter ;  Flamen  Martialis,  to 
Mars  ;  and  Flamen  Quirinalis,  to  Quirinus 
or  Komulus.  The  number  was  ultimately 
increased  to  fifteen,  the  original  three  re- 
taining priority  in  point 
of  rank,  as  Majores,  and 
elected  from  the  patri- 
cians, while  the  twelve 
Minores  were  plebeians. 

Plaming-o,  fla-ming'go. 
A  bird  of  the  gen.  Phce- 
nicopterus,  ord.Natatores 
or  Palmipedes,  a  fam. 
Phoenicopteridffi,  allied 
to  the  Anatidie. 

Flaminius,  Titus 
duiixtius,  fla-min'yus. 
A  Koman  general ;  b. 
abt.  280, 1).  175  b.  c.  He 
defeated  the  Macedo- 
nians, and  in  196  reheved  Greece  from 
Macedonian  supremacy.  F.  Caius  Nepos, 
a  Eoman  Censor,  built  the  celebrated 
Flaminian  Way  (road),  221  b.  c;  elected 
consul,  22g-227,  he  was  in  the  latter  year 
defeated  by  Hannibal  at  Lake  Thrasymene, 
and  perished  on  the  field,  with  the  larger 
part  of  his  army. 

Flanders.  Anciently  a  flourishing  in- 
dependent European  state,  now  consti- 
tuting two  Belgian  provinces,  E.  and  W. 
F.,  having  a  total  pop.  of  abt,  1,500,000; 
cap.  Bruges. 

Flange,  flanj,  A  projecting  edge,  rim, 
or  rib,  as  the  projecting  pieces  on  the 
wheels  of  railway  carriages  to  keep  them 
on  the  rails.  Port-flange,  a  piece  of  timber 
fastened  over  a  ship's  port  to  prevent  dirt 
or  water  from  entering  when  it  is  open. 

Flange-rail,  'ral.  A  rail  furnished  with 
a  flange  on  one  side  to  prevent  the  wheels 
of  cars  running  ofl"  the  line. 

Flannel,  flan'nel.  A  soft  nappy  woolen 
cloth  of  loose  texture. 

Flat-fish,  'fish.  A  fish  which  has  its 
body  of  a  flattened  form,  swims  on  the 
side,  and  has  both  eyes  on  one  side,  as 
the  flounder,  turbot,  halibut  and  sole ; 
also  api)lied  to  the  skate  and  other  mem- 
bers of  the  ray  family. 

Flatidse,  'i-de.  A  sub-fam.  of  hemip- 
terous  insects,  belonging  to  the  Fulgor- 
id«e.    They  yield  Chinese  wax. 

Flat-race,  'ras.    A  race  over  level  or 


Flax. 


clear  ground,  as  opposed  to  a  hurdle-race 
or  steeple-chase. 

Flattery,  'te-ri.  The  act  of  one  who  flat- 
ters ;  false,  insincere  or  venal  praise ;  ca- 
jolery. 

Flatting,  'ing.  Preserving  unburnished 
gilding  by  touching  it  with  size.  A  mode 
of  house-painting,  in  which  the  paint, 
mixed  with  turpentine,  leaves  the  work 
without  gloss.  The  rolling  out  of  metal 
into  sheets. 

Flatting-mill,  'ing-mfll.    A  mill  for  rol- 
ling out  metals  by  cyhndrical  pressure. 
Flax,  flaks.    The  common 
nameofplants,  gen.  Linum, 
ord.  Linacese.    The  species,^ 
number  nearly  a  hundred, 
the  cultivated  species  being 
L.  usitatissimura.    The  fi- 
ber  is    used    for    making 
thread  and  cloth  called  lin- 
en, cambric,  lawn,  lace,  &c. 
A  useful  oil    is  expressed 
from  the  seeds,  and  the  res- 
idue, called  linseed  cake,  is 
one  of  the  most  fattening 
kinds  of  food  for  cattle. 
Flax-comb,     'kom.        An    instrument 
with  teeth,  through  which  flax  is  drawn 
for  separating  it  from  the  tow  or  coarser 
part  and  the  shives.    Called  also  Hackle, 
Heckle  and  Hatchel. 
Flax-dressing,  'dres-ing.    The  process 
or  trade  of  breaking  and  scutching  flax. 
Flaxraan,  John.    An  eminent  English 
sculptor  ;  b.  1755,  d.  18.6.      Canova  pro- 
nounced him  the  "greatest  of  modern 
artists." 

Flax-mill,  'mil.  A  mill  for  the  manu- 
facture of  linen  goods. 
Flaxseed,  'sed.  The  seed  of  flax  ;  lin- 
seed. 
Flea,  fle.  An  insect,  gen.  Pulex,  ord. 
Aphaniptera.  All  the  species  are  similar 
to  the  common  flea  (P.  irritans). 

Flea-beetle,  'be-tl.  Diff'erent  species  of 
beetles,  fam.  Halticidfe,  so  called  from  their 
leaping  powers,  being  provided,  lik« 
fleas,  with  thickened  hind-legs. 

Fleece,  fiCs.  The  coat  of  wool  that  covers 
the  sheep  or  that  is  shorn  from  a  sheep  at 
one  time.  Any  covering  resembling  wool 
in  quality  or  appearance.  The  loose  thin 
sheet  of  cotton  or  wool  coming  from  the 
breaking-card  in  the  process  of  manufac- 
ture. 

Fleet,  flet.  A  body  or  squadron  of  ships  ; 
a  number  of  ships  in  company,  whether 
of  war  or  of  commerce. 


FLEMISH  SCHOOL 


FLOATING-DOCK 


Flemish.  School,  The.  In  Paint,  the 
school  founded  in  Flanders,  early  in  the 
15th  century,  by  the  brothers  Van  Eyck, 
and  counting  among  its  scholars  Eubens, 
Vandyke,  Teniers,  the  younger,  and  others 
scarcely  less  eminent. 
ilensborg',  flainz'borg.  A  German  sea- 
port in  Schleswig-Holstein,  on  a  fiord  of 
the  Baltic,  having  large  ship-yards  ;  pop. 
23,146. 
Plesh,  flesh.  A  compound  substance 
forming  a  large  partof  an  animal,  consist- 
ing chiefly  of  fibrin,  -svith  albumen,  gela- 
tin, ha^matosin,  fat,  phosphate  of  sodium, 
phosphate  of  potassium,  phosphate  and 
carbonate  of  calcium,  sulphate  of  potas- 
sium and  chloride  of  sodium,  permeated 
by  an  acid  fluid,  caUed  flesh-juice.  Animal 
food  in  distinction  from  vegetable.  The 
body  as  distinguished  from  the  soul.  In 
Theol.  the  character  as  influenced  by  ani- 
mal propensities  or  selfish  passions.  Kin- 
dred ;  family  ;  near  relatives.  In  Bot.  the 
soft  pulpy  substance  of  fruit,  which  is  fit 
to  be  eaten. 

Flesh-brush,  'briish.  A  brush  for  ex- 
citing action  in  the  skin  by  friction. 
Flesh-color,  'kul-er.  The  color  of  flesh; 
carnation. 
Fleshing',  'ing.  A  covering,  as  drawers, 
worn  by  actors,  dancers,  &c.,  resembUng 
tlie  natural  skin. 

Fletcher,  flech'er.    An  arrow-maker  ;  a 
manufacturer  of  bows  and  arrows;  hence 
the  family  name  Fletcher. 
Fleur-de-lis,    fler-de- 
le'.     In  Iler.  a  bearing 
which  some  authorities 
maintain  represents  the 
lily,  others  the  head  of 
a  lance  or  some  warlike 
weapon.     The  fleur-de- 
lis  has  long  been  the  dis- 
tinctive bearing  of  the 
kingdom  of  France.    In 
Bot.  the  iris. 

Fleurus,  floo'rooz.  A  town  in  Hain- 
ault,  Belgium,  near  Charleroi ,  noted  for 
battles  fought  in  the  vicinity  in  1622, 1690, 
1794,  1S15  ;  pop.  3,800. 
Fleury,  Andre  Hercule  de,  floo're. 
An  eminent  French  divine  and  statesman, 
B.  1658,  D.  1743.  He  was  appointed  a 
cardinal  and  prime  minister,  1726. 
Flier,  fli'er  One  that  flies  or  flees  ;  a  run- 
away ;  a  fugitive.  A  part  of  a  machine 
which,  by  moving  rapidty,  equalizes  and 
regulates  the  motion  of  the  whole  ;  a  fly. 
One  of  the  arms  attached  to  the  spindle  of  a 
spinning-wheel,  over  which  the  thread 
passes  to  the  bobbin.  The  fan- wheel  which 


Fleur-de-lis. 


rotates  the  cap  of  a  wind-mill  as  the  -wind 
veers.     In  printing,  a  contrivance  for  tak- 
ing off  or  delivering  the  sheets  from  a 
printing  machine.     Written  also  Flyer. 
Flig-hter,  flit'cr.    In  brewing  and  distil- 
hng,  a  horizontal  vane  revolving  over  the 
surface  of  wort  in  a  cooler,  to  produce  a 
circular  current  in  the  liquor. 
Flint,  flint.    In  Mineral,  a  sub-species  of 
quartz,  very  hard,  strikes  fire  with  steel, 
and  is  an  ingredient  in  glass  and  in  all  fine 
pottery  ware.    Liquor  of  flints  is  a  solvi- 
tion  of  flint  or  silica  in  potash.    A  piece  of 
flinty  stone  used  in  a  flint-lock. 
Flint-glass,  'glas.    A  species  of  glass, 
so  called  because  ijulverized  flints  were 
originally  employed  in  its  manulacture.     JB 
Its  dispersive  power  in  regard  to  fight:  ,■ 
renders  it  invaluable  in  the  manufacture  of    g| 
the     object-glasses    of    telescopes    and 
microscopes.  Quartz  and  fine  sand  are  now 
substitued  for  flint  in  its  manufacture. 
Flinty-rock,    'i-rok.    A  siliceous  schist 
containing  about  57  per  cent,  of  silica,  the 
rest  being  lime,  magnesia  and  oxide  of 
iron.       Lydian     stone,   used    under    the 
name  of  touch-stone  for  testing  gold  by  its 
color,  is  a  variety  ;  also  horn-stone. 
Flitch,   flich.      The  side  of  a  hog  salted    ^ 
and  cured.      In  Carp,  one  of  several  asso-    « 
ciated  planks  fastened  side  by  side  to  form    TjS 
a  compound  beam. 

Flittermouse,  flit'er-mous.     A  bat ;  a 
fliekermouse  ;  a  flindermouse. 
Float,  flot.      The  small  piece  of  ivory  on 
the  surface  of  the  mercury  in  the  basin  of 
a  barometer.     The  hoUow  metallic  sphere 
of  a  self-acting  faucet  which  floats  in  the 
boiler  of  a  steam-engine  or  in  a  cistern. 
Floating-bridg-e,  'ing-brij.     A  bridge 
of  timber  supported  Avholly  by  the  water. 
Milit.    a     double     bridge,    the     upper 
floor   projecting    and    capable   of    being 
moved  forward  by  pulleys.    A  flat-bot- 
tomed steam    ferry-boat,  in   harbors   or 
rivers,  generafly  running  on  chains. 
Floating--  a       ti  7 

dock,  -dok.  in      ;'— '\ 
A    capacious  '""'" 
s  t  r  u  c  t  u  re, 
generally  of  a 
rectangular  I 

shape,        in-g'  • 

tended        to  3-  i 

serve     as     a^ffifaR-  „;-^ 

graving- 

dock.    Some  1 !        -  k. 

are   built  in 

water-tight  compartments,  from  which 
the  water  may  be  drawn  or  into  which  it 
may  be  introduced  at  pleasure. 


FLOOR 


330 


FLOWEE-PIECE 


Floor,  flor.  The  bottom  or  lower  part  of 
a  building'  or  room.  A  i)latform  of  boards 
or  planks  laid  on  timbers,  as  in  a  oridge ; 
any  similar  platform.  A  story  in  a  build- 
ing ;  a  suite  of  rooms  on  a  level.  That 
pai-t  of  the  bottom  of  a  vessel  which  is 
most  nearly  horizontal.  In  legislative 
assembhes,  tho  part  of  the  house  assigned 
to  the  members. 

Plora,  flo'ra.  In  Bot.  a  work  systemat- 
icaily  describing  the  species  of  plants  of  a 
country  or  geological  period.  The  botany 
or  the  complete  scries  of  plants  indigenous 
to  any  region  or  period.  One  of  the  small 
asteroids  between  the  orbits  of  Mai'S  and 
Jupiter. 

Flora.  In  Roman  Myth,  the  goddess  of 
flowers,  identical  with  Chloris  of  the 
Greeks.  She  was  the  reputed  wife  of 
Zephyrus,  and  was  worshipped  before 
Rome  was  built. 

Floran,  flor'an.  Tin  ore  stamped  very 
small.  An  exceedingly  small-gi-aincd  tin 
ore,  scarcely  perceptible  in  the  stone, 
though  perhaps  very  rich. 

Florascope,  flo'ra-skop.  An  optical  in- 
strument for  inspecting  flowers. 

Floreal,  -rfi-al.  In  the  French  repub- 
lican calendar,  tho  eighth  month  of  the 
year,  dating  from  September  22,  1792.  It 
commenced  April  20  and  ended  May  19. 

Florence.  One  of  the  first  of  Italian 
cities,  on  both  sides  of  the  Arno,  1ST  m.  N. 
^Y.  of  Rome,  in  a  beautiful  Apennine 
valley.  F.  was  anciently  the  cap.  of  Tus- 
cany, and  of  the  Italian  Kingdom  from 
1865  till  1ST2.  It  has  magnificent  palaces, 
churches,  art  galleries  and  other  public 
buildings,  and  its  roll  of  distinguished 
citizens  includes  Dante,  Petrarch,  Boccac- 
cio, Gahleo,  Michael  Angelo,  Leonardo  da 
Vinci,  and  Leo  X.;  pop.  120,400. 
Floriculture,  flo'ri-kul-tur.  The  culti- 
vation of  flowers  or  floAvering  plants. 
Florida,  flor'e-da.  Lit.  "Land  of  Flow- 
ers." The  S.  E.  State  of  the  IT.  S.,  b.  N. 
by  Georgia  and  Alabama,  E.  by  the  Atlan- 
tic, S.  and  W.  by  the  Gulf  of  Mexico; 
area,  59,268  sq.  m.;  pop.  142,803  whites, 
126,600  negroes;  principal  towns,  Talla- 
hassee, the  cap.,  Pensacola,  Appalachicola, 
St.  Augustine,  St.  Mary's,  Fernandina, 
Jackv?onvilIe,  and  Key  West ;  St.  Augus- 
tine and  St.  Mary's  on  the  E.,  and  Pen- 
sacola and  Tampa  on  the  W.,  have  fair 
harbors ;  chief  rivers,  the  Escambia,  St. 
John's,  Appalachicola,  Perdido,  Suwanee 
and  Choctawhatchee ;  lakes,  St.  George, 
Macao,  Kissimee  and  Okeechobee;  June  io, 
1861,  F.  formally  seceded  from  the  Union, 
but  was  re-admitted  Ip  1865.  y- 


Florida  Keys.  A  group  of  small  islands 
and  reefs,  extending  S.  W.  from  Capo 
Florida  some  200  m.  Thompson's  Island, 
on  which  the  city  of  Key  West  is  situated, 
is  the  chief. 

Florin,  'in.  A  name  given  to  diff"erent 
coins  of  gold  or  silver,  of  ditferent  values, 
and  to  moneys  of  account,  in  ditferent 
countries.  The  English  florin  is  50  cents, 
the  Austrian  gulden  or  florin  about  tht 
same  ;  the  gulden  or  florin  of  Germany  an(^ 
tho  guilder  or  florin  of  Holland,  40  cents. 
Florinean,  flo-rin'c-an.  One  of  a  secto/ 
Gnostics  of  tho  2d  century,  so  called  from 
Florin  us,  a  Roman  priest,  who  was  excom- 
mun  catedby  Pope  Eleutherius  In  176. 
Floripondio,  flor-i-pon'di-o.  Datui-a 
sanguinea,  an  infusion  from  whose  seeds 
prepared  by  tho  Peruvians  induces  stupe- 
faction, and  if  used  largely,  furious  deliri- 
um. 

Florist,   'ist.    A  cultivator  of  flowers; 
one  who  deals  in  flowers.  One  who  writes 
a  flora  or  an  account  of  plants. 
Floss,  flos.  A  silky  substance  in  the  husk* 
of  certain  plants.     Untwisted  filaments  of 
silk,  used  in  embroidering  on  satin,  &c. 
A  fluid  glass  floating  upon  iron  in  a  pud- 
ling-  furnace,  produced  by  the  vitrification 
of  oxides  and  earths. 
Flotsam,  flot'sam.     Such  portion  of  tho 
wreck  of  a  ship  and  the  cargo  as  continues 
floating  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 
Flounce,  flouns.    A  strip    of  cloth   at- 
tached to  a  gown  or  dress,  with  the  lower 
border  loose  and  spreading. 
Flounder,  floun'der.     A  small,  flat  mala- 
copterygious   fish.    fam.    Pleuronectid.ie, 
gen.    Pieuronectes  or  Platessa.      A  tool 
V  sed  to  stretch  leather  for  a  boot  front. 
Flour,  flour.     The  meal  of  wheat  or  other 
grain,  especially  the  finer  part  separated 
by  bolting ;  hence,  tho  fine  and  soft  pow- 
der of  any  substance. 
Flow,  flo.     A  stream   of  water  or  other 
fluid  ;  a  current.    The  rise  of  the  tide. 
Abundance ;    copiousness,  as  a  flow    of 
spirits.     Any  gentle  procedure  or  move- 
ment,  as  of  thought,  language  and  the  like. 
Flower,  flou'er.    In  Bot.  the  organs  of 
reproduction  in  a  phenogamous  plant.     A 
complete  flower  consists  of  stamens  and 
pistils,  together  with  two  sets  of  leaves, 
the  calyx  and  corolla. 
Flower-clock,    -klok.      A    contrivancs 
for  measuring  time  by  means  of  flower* 
that  open  and  shut  at  certain  hours  of  tha 
day. 

Flower-piece,  -pes.    A  painting  or  pic 
ture  of  flowers. 


FLOWEETRY 


340 


FLYmG-FISH 


riowretry,  'ret-ri.  Carved  work  repre- 
senting flowers. 

Plue,  flu.  A  passage  for  smoke  in  a 
chimney,  leading  from  the  fireplace  to  the 
chimney.  A  pipe  or  tube  for  conveying 
heat  to  water  in  steam-boilers.  A  passage 
in  a  wall  for  the  pm-pose  of  conducting  heat. 

Fluff,  fluf.  Light  down  or  nap  such  as 
rises  from  beds,  cotton,  &c.,  when  agi- 
tated ;  flue. 

Fluid,  llu'id.  A  body  whose  particles 
move  and  change  their  relative  position 
without  separation ;  a  liquid  or  gas  ;  op- 
posed to  a  solid. 

Fluke,  fluk.  The  part  of  an  anchor 
which  fastens  in  the  ground.  In  mining, 
an  instrument  used  in  cleaning  a  hole  pre- 
vious to  its  being  charged  with  powder 
for  blasting.  One  of  the  two  triangular 
divisions  constituting  the  tail  of  a  whale. 

Flume,  fliim.  The  passage  for  water 
that  drives  a  mill-wheel ;  an  artificial  chan- 
nel for  gold-washing. 

Fluor-spar,  flu'or-spar.  A  common  min- 
eral containing,  Avhen  pure,  48.7  per  cent, 
fluorine,  51.3  calcium.  It  is  often  beauti- 
fully banded,  especially  when  in  nodules, 
which  are  much  prized  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  vases,  and  occasionally  for  beads, 
brooch-stones,  and  other  ornamental  pur- 
poses. It  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  the 
ancients  for  the  same  purpose,  being  the 
material  of  the  original  myrrhine  vessels. 

Flute,  fl lit.  A  musical  wind-instrument 
consisting  of  a  tapering  tube  with  six 
holes  for  the  fingers,  and  from  one  to  four- 
teen keys  which  open  other  holes.  The 
sound  is  produced  by  blowing  M-ith  the 
mouth  into  an  oval  aperture  at  the  side 
of  the  thick  end  of  the  instrument.  Its 
useful  compass  is  about  two  and  a  half 
octaves,  including  the  chromatic  tones. 

Flute-stop,  'stop.  In  organs,  a  range  of 
Avooden  and  metal  pipes  tuned  in  unison 
with  the  diapason,  designed  to  imitate  the 
flute. 

Flute-work,  'werk.  The  name  given  to 
a  particular  class  of  stops  in  organ-build- 
ing, in  contradistinction  to  reed-work. 

Fluvialist,  flu'vi-al-ist.  One  Avho  ex- 
plains geological  phenomena  by  the  action 
of  existing  streams. 

Fluvicolinse,  -ko-]i'''ne.  The  water- 
caps,  a  sub-fam.  of  birds,  fam.Tyrannidse; 
a  synonym  of  Alectrurinaj. 

Fly,  fli.  A  wnged  insect  of  various  spe- 
cies, whose  distinguishing  characteristics 
are  that  the  whigs  are  transparent  and 
have  no  cases  or  covers.  In  Mech.  an 
aiTangement  of  various  designs  to  regulate 
the  motion  of  machinery.     In  weaving,  a 


shuttb  with  wheels  driven  through  the 
shed  %  a  blow  or  jerk.  In  knitting  ma- 
chines, a  piece  for  holding  the  needle  in 
position  while  passing  through  a  new  loop. 
In  spinning,  one  of  the  arms  thatrevolve 
round  the  bobbin  and  twist  the  yarn  as  it 
is  wound  on  the  bobbin.  That  i)art  of  a 
vane  which  shows  which  way  the  A\ind 
blows.  A  light  carriage ;  a  hackney  coach; 
a  cab.  A  hook  dressed  to  resemble  a  fly 
or  other  insects,  used  by  anglers.  In  a 
theater,  a  gallery  stage  at  a  level,  where 
the  ropes  for  drawing  up  parts  of  the 
scenes,  &c.,  are  ^.-.c-s-cv      ^- 

worked.  —  ''^V^v 

Flyblow,  'bio. 
the  ogg  of  a  fly. 

Flycatcher,  ^3^ 
'kach-er.   In  ^-f-'^ 
Zool.  the  Eng- 
lish name  of  the 


White-collared  Fly- 
catcher. 


birds  of  the  gen. 
Muscicapa,  ord. 
Insessores,tribe 
Den  tiros  tre  8, 
and  fam.  Musci- 

capidai,  in  many  places  of  great  use  in  d**^ 
stroying  noxious  insects. 
Flying-  -  buttress, 
'ing-b  ut-tres.  In 
Gothic  Arch,  a  but- 
tress in  the  form  of 
an  arch  springing 
from  a  soMd  mass  of 
masonry. 

Flying-  Dutch- 
man, 'ing  duch'- 
man.  A  legendary 
Dutch  captain  who 
for  some  heinous  of- 
fense was  condemned 
to  sail  the  sea,  beat- 
ing against  head- 
-winds,  till  the  day  ©f : 
judgment.  The  "ves- 
sel commanded  ]ty 
this  captain. 

Flyingr-Jlsh,    -fish. 
A  name    common  to 
fishes  of  the  famihes 
Scomberesocidog    and 
Sclerogenidaj,  which  have  the  power 
sustain  i  n  g 
themselves 
for  a  time 
in  the  air. 
General  1  y, 
however, 
limited    to' 
the   gen. 
Exocet  u  s.  Flying-fish. 


Flying-buttress. 


FLYFISHING 


341 


FOIL 


Flsrfisliillg:,  'fish-ing.  Angling ;  the  art 
oi-  practice  of  angling  for  fish  >vith  flies, 
natural  or  artificial,  as  bait. 

Flyingr-fox,  'foks.  Pteropus  rubricoUis, 
a  bat  found  in  the  islands  of  the  Eastern 
Archipelago,  the  largest  of  the  bat  tribe. 

Flying'-grurnard,  -ger-nard.  A  gen.  of 
fishes,  fam.  Sclerogenidaj  or  Cataphracta, 
or  mailed-cheeks,  closely  allied  to  the  gur- 
nards. 

Myingr-lemur, -le-mer.  The  name  giv- 
en to  insectivorous  mammals,  gen.  Gal- 
eopithccus.  They  possess  a  broad  flying 
membrane,  extending  from  the  nape  of 
the  neck  to  the  tail,  by  means  of  which 
they  can  take  extended  leaps  from  tree  to 
tree. 

Plyingr-phalanger.-fa-lan-jer.  A  popu- 
lar name  of  members  cfagen.  of  nocturnal 
marsupials  (Petaurus),  fam.  Phalangist- 
ida?,  nearly  allied  to  the  true  phalangers. 
A  fold  of  the  skin  extends  along  the 
flanks,  and  this  acting  as  a  parachute  en- 
ables the  animal  to  leap  great  distances. 

Plyingr-squid,  -skwid.  The  popular 
name  of  a  gen.  of  ccphalopodousmollusks 
(Ommastrephes),*  allied  to  the  calamaries 
or  squids. 

Fly-wheel,  whiil.  In  Mech.  a  wheel 
placed  OH  the  revolving  shaft  of  any  ma- 
chinery for  the  purpose  of  rendering  the 
motion  equable  and  regular  by  means  of 
its  momentum. 

Fo,  fo.  The  name  under  which  Buddha 
is  worshipped  in  China.  This  name  (writ- 
ten also  Foe  and  Fohi)  seems  to  be  the 
nearest  approach  that  the  Chinese,  owing 
to  the  meagerness  of  their  articulation, 
can  make  to  the  real  sound,  Buddha. 

Foal,  fol.  The  young  of  the  equine 
genus  of  quadrupeds,  and  of  either  sex  :  a 
colt. 

Foal-teeth.,  'teth.  The  first  teeth  of 
horses,  which  they  shed. 

Foam,  fdm.  Froth  ;  spume  ;  the  aggre- 
gation of  bubbles  formed  on  the  surface  of 
liquors  by  fermentation  or  violent  agita- 
tion. 

Foam-cock,  'kok.  In  steam-boilers,  a 
cock  at  the  level  of  the  water,  by  which 
impurities  are  drawn  off. 

Focimeter,  -sim'et-er.  In  Photog.  an 
instrument  for  finding  the  focus  of  a  lens 
which  has  not  been  properly  achroma- 
tized. 

Fodder,  fod'der.  Food  for  cattle, 
horses  and  sheep,  as  haj',  straw,  &c. 

Fcenus,   fe'nus.     A  remarkable  gen.  of 

^hymenopterous  Insects,  fam.  Ichneumon- 
idse.    They  are  parasitic,  feeding  in  the 


larva  state  upon  other  insects,  in  Avhich 
the  eggs  are  deposited  by  a  long  oviposi- 
tor. In  the  perfect  state  they  feed  upon 
the  nectar  of  flowers. 

Fog:,  fog.  A  dense  watery  vapor  exhaled 
from  the  earth  or  from  rivers  and  lakes, 
or  generated  in  the  atmosphere  near  the 
earth. 

Fogrbank,  'bangk.  At  sea  an  appear- 
blance  n  hazy  weather  sometimes  resera- 
ing  laud  at  a  long  distance,  but  which 
vanishes  as  it  is  approached. 

Fogr-bell,  'bel.  A  bell  placed  on  some 
rock,  shoal,  &c.,  whoso  ringing  is  a  warn- 
ing to  sailors  in  foggy  weather. 

Fogrg-ia,  fud'jah.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same 
name  in  S.  Italy  ;  pop.  34,390. 

Fogr-horn,  'horn.  A  horn  kept  on  board 
of  a  vessel  to  sound  as  a  warning  signal 


Siren  Fog-horn. 

in  foggy  weather.  A  sounding  instru- 
ment for  warning  vessels  of  their  proxim- 
ity to  the  coast  during  a  fog.  The  most 
powerful  is  an  instrument  called  the  siren, 
or  siren  fog-horn,  the  sound  being  pro- 
duced by  means  of  a  disk  vnth.  twelve 
radial  slits  made  to  rotate  in  front  of  a 
fixed  disk  exactly  similar,  a  cast-iron 
trumpet  20  feet  long  forming  part  of  the 
apparatus. 

Fogr-sigrnal,  'sig-nal.  Any  signal  made 
during  fog  to  prevent  collision.  In  Eail. 
a  signal  made  by  placing  detonating  pow- 
der or  torpedoes  on  the  rails,  which  ex- 
plode on  the  engine  passing  over  them,  and 
give  warning  of  danger.  A  shrill  steam 
whistle  to  give  warning  that  a  train  is  ap- 
proaching. A  signal  made  on  board  ship 
during  a  fog  to  prevent  collisions,  or  on 
shore  to  warn  ships  off  a  coast. 

Foil,  foil.  A  leaf  or  thin  plate  of  metal, 
as  tin  foil.  Among  jewelers,  a  thin  leaf  of 
metal  placed  under  precious  stones  to 
make  them  appear  transparent,  and  give 
them  a  ]>articular  color.  A  coat  of  tin 
with  quicksilver,  laid  on  the  back  of  a 
looking-fflass,  to  cause  reflection.  In  Arch. 


FOIL 


S42 


FOOLSCAP 


tencing.  y^\. 

n.    A  small     %f         \^ 
weasel.     A  ^^  ^4^ 

iir,  black  on  '^  % 


a  small  arc  In  the  tracery  of  a  Gothic  -win 

dow,  panel,  &c, 
Poll.  A  blunt  sword. 

or    one    that  has  a 

button  at  the  end 

used  in  fencing, 
Foin,  foin 

ferret  or 

kind  of  fur 

a    whitish    ground,       Fencing  Foils. 

from  the  ferret  or  weasel  of  same  name. 
Foix,  G-aston  de,  fwaw.    A  nephew  of 

Louis   XII.  of  France,  Due  de  Nemours 

and  Count  de  Narbonne  ;  b.  1489.     While 

in  command  of  the  French  army  in  Italy 

ho  won  the  great  battle  of  Ravenna,  but 

was  killed  Avhile  pursuing  the  flying  foe. 
Polding'-d.oors,  'Ing-dorz.      Two  doors 

which  meet  in  the  middle,  and  either  slide 

back  or  turn  back  on  hinges. 
Polding-machine,   'ing-ma-shen.      A 

machine  which    delivers  newspapers    or 

other  printed  work  folded. 
Poley,  John  Henry.    A  distinguished 

Irish  sculptor  ;  is.  in  Dublin,  181S ;  d.  1879. 
Foliagre,  fo'h-aj.    Leaves  in  general.    A 

cluster  of  leaves,  flowers  and  branches  ; 

particularly  in  Arch,  the  representation  of 

leaves,  flowers  and  branches,  intended  to 

ornament  and  enrich  capitals,  friezes,  pedi- 
ments, &c. 
Folio,  fo'H-6.      A  sheet  of  paper  once 

folded.   A  book  of  the  largest  size,  formed 

by  once  doubhng  a  sheet  of  paper.      In 

book-keeping,   the  left    and    right    hand 

I)ages  of  an  account-book,  expressed  by 

the  same  figure.     In  printing,  the  number 

appended  to  each  page.     In  law,  a  certain 

number  of  words  in  conveyances,  &c. 
Poliot,  -ot.    The  generic  name  for  a  com- 

l)aratively  harmless  devil  or  goblin,  allied 

to  Puck  or  liobin  Goodfellow. 
Folkestone.      A  fortified  seaport,  7  m. 

S.  W.  of  Dover,  England,  from  which  the 

steamers  for  Boulogne  sail ;  pop.  13,200. 
Follicle,  fol'li-kl.    In  Bot. 

a  dry   seed-vessel   or  pod 

opening  on  one  side  only; 

a  carpel  dehiscing  by  the 

A-entral  suture,  and  having 

no  dorsal  suture ;    a  uni- 

valvular  pericarp  formed  of 

a  simple  pistil.     A  vessel 

distended  with  air,  as  on 

the  roots,  stems  and  leaves 

of  Utriculada  and  on  the 

leaves  of  Aldrovanda.      In 

Anat.  a  little  bag  in  animal     Follicle  of 

bodies  ;  a  gland  ;  a  minute    Columbine. 

secreting  cavity. 


Folkland,  fr)k'land.  Land,  under  Saxon 
law,  of  the  folk  or  people,  as  distinguished 
from  bookland,  or  land  held  by  cVarter  or 
deed.  Folkland  was  the  property  of  the 
people,  and  while  it  continued  to  be  folk- 
land  it  could  not  be  alienated. 

Folklore,  'lor.  Rural  superstitions, 
tales,  traditions,  or  legends. 

Fomalhaut,  fo'mal-hat.  A  star  of  the 
first  magnitude  in  the  constellation  Piscis 
Australia  or  Southern  Fish,  much  used  in 
astronomical  measurements. 

Fond-du-lac,  fond-doo-ljik.  Lit.  "  End 
of  the  Lake."  A  county  and  city  of  Wis- 
consin, the  latter  situated  at  the  S.  end  of 
Lake  Winnebago,  70  m.  N.  W.  of  Mil- 
waukee ;  pop.  13,094. 

Fondus,  fon-dii.  A  term  apphed  to  that 
kind  of  printing  of  cahco,  paper-hangings, 
&c.,  in  Avhich  the  colors  are  blended  into 
each  other. 

Font,  font.  The  vessel  used  in  churches 
as  the  repository  of  the  baptismal  water, 
A  spring  or  fountain  of  water  ;  a  source. 
A  complete  assortment  of  printing  types 
of  one  size,  including  points,  accents,  &c. 

Fontainebleau,  fon-tan'blo.  A  French 
town,  dept.  Seine-et-Marne,  82  m.  S.  E. 
of  Paris,  noted  for  its  magnificent  royal 
palace  and  grounds  of  34,200  acres. 

Fontana,  Domenico.  An  Italian 
architect;  b.  151^3,  d.  1(507.  Under  Pope 
Sixtus  V.  he  erected  the  Egyptian  Obelisk 
in  front  of  St.  Peter's,  Pome,  1580,  and 
later  built  the  Lateran  and  Quu-inal  pal- 
aces, and  the  Vatican  Library. 

Fontenelle,  Bernard  le  Bovier  de, 
font-nail'.  An  eminent  French  writer, 
nephew  of  Corneille  ;  b.  in  Rouen  1C57,  d. 
1757.  Oneof  his  ablest  works,  an  "Essay 
on  the  Geometry  of  the  Infinite,"  was 
written  when  he  was  70  years  of  age. 

Fontenoy.  A  Belgian  village  6  m.  S.  E, 
of  Tournai,  noted  as  the  scene  of  the  great 
battle,  AijrilSO,  1745,  in  which  the  En- 
glish and  their  allies  under  the  duke  of 
Cumberland  were  disastrously  defeated 
by  the  French,  xmder  Marshal  Saxe  ;  pop. 
2,400. 

FoochoVT"  foo.  A  Chinese  seaport, 
prov.  Fokien,  on  the  Min,  opened  to 
foreign  trade,  1842  ;  pop.  about  1,000,000. 

Fool,  fol.  One  who  is  destitute  of  reason 
or  the  common  powers  of  understanding  ; 
an  idot ;  a  natural.  One  who  counterfeits 
folly  ;  a  iirofessional  jester  or  butfoon. 

Foolscap,  folz'kap.  Paper  of  the  small- 
est regular  m.e  but  one  ;  so  called  from 
its  ancient  water-mark  being  the  outline 
of  a  fool's  head  and  cap.  # . 


FOOT 


343 


FOREMAN 


Poot,  fyit.  In  animal  bodies,  the  lo^yest 
extremity  of  tlie  \(fg.  The  part  of  a  stoclc- 
ing  or  boot  which  receives  the  foot.  The 
lowest  part  or  foundation. 

Poot-and-mouth  Disease.  Eczema 
epizootica,  a  highly  contagious  eczema- 
tous  affection  which  attacks  the  feet  and 
mouths  of  cattle,  and  occasionally  spreads 
to  the  udder  of  milch-cattle. 

Poot-ball,  'bal.  A  large,  light  ball  to  be 
driven  by  the  foot ;  hence,  fig.  any  object 
subjected  to  many  vicissitudes  or  changes 
of  condition  ;  as  he  was  the  foot-ball  of  for- 
tune. A  game  played  with  a  foot-ball  by 
two  parties  of  players. 

]Poot-board,  'bord.  A  support  for  the 
foot ;  a  board  at  the  foot  of  a  bed  ,  the 
platform  on  which  the  engineer  and  fire- 
man of  a  locomotive  stand  ;  a  foot-plate. 

Poofbridgre,  'brij.  A  narrow  bridge  for 
foot  passengers. 

Poot-gTiards,  'gardz.  Guards  of  infan- 
try. The  foot-guards  in  the  British  army 
consist  of  three  regiments,  the  Grenadier, 
Coldstream  and  Scots  Guards. 

Poot-lig-hts,  'llts.  In  theaters,  a  row  of 
lights  i)laoe<l  on  the  iront  of  the  stage  and 
on  a  level  with  it  to  light  it  up.  To  appear 
before  the  foot-lights,  to  appear  on  the 
stage. 

Pootraan,  'man.  A  soldier  who  marches 
and  fights  on  foot.  A  male  servant  whose 
duties  are  to  attend  the  door,  the  carriage, 
the  table,  &c.;  a  man  in  waiting. 

Poot-pound,  'pound.  The  unit  selected 
in  measuring  the  work  done  by  a  mechan- 
ical force,  representing  1  lb.  weight  raised 
through  a  height  of  1  foot. 

Pootprint,  'print.  The  mark  of  a  foot. 
In  Geol.  an  impression  of  the  foot  of  an 
animal  on  the  surface  of  rocks,  made  at 
the  time  the  stone  was  in  a  state  of  loose 
sand  or  moist  clay ;  an  Ichnite. 

Poot-race,  'ras.    A  race  by  men  on  foot. 

Pootrot,  'rot.  A  disease  in  the  feet  of 
sheop. 

Pop,  fop,  A  vain  man  of  weak  under- 
standing and  much  ostentation  ;  one  whose 
ambition  is  to  gain  admiration  by  showy 
dress  and  pertness. 

Poralite,  fo'ral-It.  In  Geol.  a  name  ap- 
plied to  a  tube-like  marking  in  sandstone 
and  other  strata,  Avhlch  appears  like  the 
burrow  of  a  worm-like  animal. 

Poraminifera,  fo-ram'in  if'e-ra.  An 
ord.  of  Rhizopoda,  sub  kingdom  Protozoa, 
furnished  with  a  shell  or  test,  simple  or 
complex,  usually  perforated  by  pores 
(foramina).  Ho  far  as  yet  known  the  fo- 
ramiclfera  wero  the  earliest  of  created  be- 


ings, the  oldest  known  fossil  (Eozoon  can- 
adense,  of  the  Laurentian  rocks  of  Canada) 

belonging  to  this  order. 

Porbidden-fruit,  for-bid'n-frot.  Th« 
fruit  of  the  tree  of  knowledg..  prohibited 
to  Adam  and  Eve  in  Paradise.  In  Bot. 
the  fruit  of  the  Citrus  decumana,  or  shad- 
dock, when  of  small  size. 

Porcemeat,  fors'met.  In  cookery,  meat 
chopped  fine  and  seasoned,  either  served 
up  alone,  or  used  as  stufling. 

Porceps,  for'seps.  A  general  name  for 
a  two-bladed  instrument  on  the  principle 
of  pincers  or  tongs,  used  for  seizing  and 
holding,  and  for  extracting  objects  ;  used 
by  watchmakers,  jewelers,  dentists,  ac- 
coucheurs and  machinists. 

Porce-pump,  fors'pump.  A  pump  which 
delivers  the  water  under  pressure,  so  as  to 
eject  it  forcibly  or  to  a  great  elevation,  in 
contradistinction  to  a  lift-pump  in  which 
the  water  is  lifted  and  simply  runs  out  of 
the  spout. 

Porcing',  'ing.  In  Hort.  the  art  of  rais- 
ing plants,  flowers  and  fruits  by  artificial 
heat. 

Porcipation,  for-sip-a'shon.  Torture 
by  pinching  with  forceps  or  pincers. 

Pord,  ford.  A  place  in  a  river  or  other 
Avater  where  it  may  bo  passed  by  man  or 
beast  by  wading.    A  stream. 

Porearm,  fSr'arm.  That  part  of  the  arm 
between  the  elbow  and  wrist. 

Porecastle,  'kas-1.  A  short  deck  in  a 
ship  of  war,  forward  of  the  foremast,  above 
the  upper  deck.  In  merchant  ships  the 
forepart  of  the  vessel  under  the  deck, 
where  the  sailors  live. 

Porefather,  'fa-ther.  An  ancestor :  one 
who  precedes  another  in  the  Hne  of  gen- 
ealogy in  any  degree. 

PoreiB.ng:er,  'fing-ger.  The  finger  next 
to  the  thumb  ;  the  index  ;  called  by  our 
Saxon  ancestors  the  shoot-finger,  from  its 
use  in  archery. 

Porefoot,  'fut.  One  of  the  anterior  feet 
of  a  quadruped  or  multiped.  Naut.,  a  pieco 
of  timber  which  terminates  the  keel  at  che 
fore-end. 

PoregTOUnd,  'ground.  That  part  of  the 
field  or  expanse  of  a  picture  which  is  near- 
est the  eye  of  the  observer,  or  before  the 
figures. 

Poreigrner,  fo'rin-er.  A  person  born  in 
a  foreign  countrj' ;  an  alien. 

Poreman,  for 'man.  The  first  or  chiel 
man  ;  particularly,  the  chief  man  of  a  jury 
who  acts  as  their  speaker.  The  chief  of  a 
set  of  hands,  who  wiperintends  the  rest,- 
an  overseer ;  a  superintendent. 


FOREMAST 


844 


FOEMICAEIID^ 


Foreshortened. 


Foremast,  'mast.  The  mast  of  a  vessel 
Bearest  the  bow,  which  carries  the  foresail 
and  foretop-sail  j-ards. 

Foremast-man,  -man.  A  common 
sailor ;  a  man  before  the  mast. 

!Forenam.e,  'nam.  A  name  that  precedes 
the  family  name  or  surname. 

Porenoon,  'nun.  The  part  of  the  day 
from  the  morning  to  midday  or  noon. 

Foreshort  e  n , 
-  s  h  o  r  t '  n  .    In 
Porsp.  to  repre- 
sent   figures   in 
such  a  manner  as 
to  convey  to  the. 
mind  the  impres- 
sion of  the  entire 
length  of  the  ob- 
ject when  repre- 
sented as  viewed 
in  an  oblique  di- 
rection ;  to  repre- 
sent   any  object 
as    pointing    to- 
wards the    spec- 
tator standing  in 
front  of  the  pic- 
ture.   The  projecting  object  is  shortened 
in  proportion  to  its  approach  to  the  per- 
pendicular to  the  plane  of  the  jjicture. 
Foreshot,  'shot.    The  first  portion  of 
hquid  that  comes  over  In  the  distillation 
of  low  wines.    It  abounds  in  fusel-oil. 
Foreskin,  'skin.    The  skin  that  covers 
the  glans  penis  ;  the  prepuce. 
Forest,  for' est.    An  extensive  wood  ;  a 
tract    of  mingled  woodland    and    open 
and    uncultivated     ground ;    a    district 
devoted  to  the  purposes  of  the  chase. 
Forestick,   fore'stik.      The   front  stick 
lying  on  the  andirons  in  a  wood  fire. 
Forest-marble,  for'est  -mar-bl.    An  ar- 
gillaceous laminated  shelly  limestone,  alter- 
nating with  clays  and  calcareous    sand- 
stones, forming  one  of  the  upper  portions 
of  the  lower  oolite. 

Foretop-man,  for'top  man.  A  man  sta- 
tioned in   the  foretop  in  readiness  to  set 
or  take  in  the  smaller  sails  and  to  keep  the 
upper  rigging  in  order. 
Foretop-mast,  -mast.    The  mast  at  the 
head  of  the  foremast,  at  the  head  of  which 
stands  the  foretop-gallantmast. 
Forey,  Elie  Frederic.  A  distinguished 
French  marshal ;    b.  in  Paris,   1804,    d. 
1872.     He  served  with  distinction  in  the 
war  with  Austria,  and  in  Algiers  and  Mex- 
ico. 
ForficulidsB,  for'-fik-ii'li-de.  AfamUyof 


insects,  ord.  Orthoptera.     To  this  fam.  be- 
long the  different  species  of  earwigs. 
Forge,  farj.     A  furnace  in  which  metal  is 
heated  to  be  hammered  into    foniT :    a 
workshop  in  which  metal  is  hammered 


Traveling  Forge. 

and  shaped  by  the  aid  of  heat ;  a  smithy ; 
also,  the  works  where  iron  is  rendered 
malloablo  by  puddling  and  shingling  ;  a 
shinghng  mill.  For  miUtary  purposes  a 
travehng  forge  is  used.  The  act  of  beat- 
ing or  working  iron  or  steel ; 
the  manufacture  of  metallic 
bodies. 

Forgret-me  -  not,  for-get'- 
mo-not.  The  common  name  , 
of  Myosotis  palustris  or  scor- 
pion-grass, ord.  Boraginaceae, 
a  very  beautiful  plant,  con- 
sidered to  be  the  emblem  of 
friendship. 

Forgre-water,    iorj'wa-ter. 
Water  In  which  a  blacksmith 
has  dipped  his  hot  irons— a  Forget-mc- 
popular  remedy,  as  a  lotion,        not. 
for    aphthffi,   &c.,  and   also 
drunk  as  a  chalybeate.    It  contains  sul- 
phate of  iron. 

Fork-chuck,  fork'chuk.  An  appendage 
to  a  tm-ning-lathe,  which  screws  on  the 
mandrel,  having  on^the  outer  side  a  square 
holo  in  which  forked  pieces  of  ii-on  of  dif- 
ferent sizes  are  placed  when  in  use. 
Form.  A  Latin  termination  denoting 
like,  in  the  form  of;  as  vermiform,  worm- 
like ;  ensiform,  sword-like ;  oviform,  in  the 
form  of  an  egg,  &c. 

Forme,  for-ma.  In  Her.  a  term  applied 
to  a  cross  having  the  anns  expanding  to- 
ward the  ends  and  flat  at  the  outer  edges. 
Called  also  Patce. 
Formeret,  form-er-et'.  In  Arch,  the 
arch  rib,  which,  in  Gothic  groining,  lies 
next  the  waU,  and  is  consequently  less 
than  the  other  ribs  which  divide  the  vault- 
ing. 

Formicariidae,  for'mi-ka-ri"i-de.  The 
ant-birds,  a  fam.  including  the  bush- 
shrikes. 


FORMOSA 


845 


FOEUM 


Formosa.  A  Chinese  island  in  the  China 
Sea,  sei)arate(l  from  the  mainland  by  the 
Strait  of  F.,  90  m.  wide.  It  is  250  m.  long, 
and  from  40  to  80  m.  in  width ;  estimated 
area,  14,000  .sq.  m.;  estimated  pop.  2,300,- 
000.     Ke-liinj,'  is  the  chief  seaport. 

Forrest,  Edwin.  A  distinguished 
American  tragedian;  b.  in"  Phil.  1806,  D. 
1872. 

Forster,  John.  An  eminent  English 
author  and  iournalist ;  b.  in  Newcastle, 
1812 ;  D.  1876.  He  was  editor  of  the 
"London  Examiner,"'  and  author  of  sev- 
eral biographical  works,  among  the  latter 
being  "The  Life  of  Charles  Dickens,"  of 
whom  Mr.  F.  was  the  warm  friend  and 
executor. 

Forsterite,  fors'ter-It.  A  crystallized 
mineral,  which  occurs  at  Vesuvius,  con- 
taining silica  and  magnesia. 

Forsyth,  John.  An  American  states- 
man ;  born  in  Va.  1780,  d.  1841.  He 
was  a  member  of  both  branches  of  the  U. 

5.  Congress,  Minister  to  Spain,  Governor 
of  Georgia  and  Secretary  of  State  under 
Presidents  Jackson  and  Van  Buren. 

Fort,  fort.  A  fortified  place  :  any  build- 
ing or  place  fortified  for  security  against 
an  enemy  ;  a  castle. 

Fort  Alamo,  al-a-mo.  A  small  fortifi- 
cation in  Bexar  Co.,  Texas,  near  San  An- 
tonio do  Bexar,  noted  for  the  desperate 
defense  of  its  small  garrison  of  Texaus 
against  an  overwhelming  Mexican  force, 
March  0,  1836,  every  man  of  the  defenders 
perishing,  after  killing  four  times  their 
number  of  the  enemy.  Other  principal 
American  forts  to  which  interest  attaches 
are.  F,  Beauregard,  in  Port  Royal  har 
bor,  S  C,  captured  by  the  Federal  forces 
Nov.  7, 1861.  F.  Donelson,  a  strong  for 
tiflcation  on  the  Cumberland  River,  near 
Dover,  Tenn.,  captured  by  the  Federal 
ti-oops  Feb.  16,  1862.  F.  Fisher,  a  for- 
midable work,  commanding  Cape  Fear 
River,  N.  C,  20  m.  S.  of  Wilmington; 
captured  by  a  combined  naval  and  land 
attack,  Jan.  15, 1865,  after  having  repulsed 
two  previous  attacks.  F.  Hamilton,  the 
principal  work  commanding  N.  Y.  Bay, 
on  W.  end  of  Long  Island,  F.  Henry,  on 
the  Tennessee  River,  8  m.  from  F.  Donel- 
son ,  captured  by  the  Federal  forces  Feb. 

6,  1862.  F.  Jackson,  an  elaborate  work 
on  the  Mississippi,  80  m.  below  New  Or- 
leans, and  in  connection  with  F.  St. 
Pliilip,  on  the  opposite  bank,  supposed  to 
be  pi-oof  against  assault.  Com.  Farragut, 
however,  passed  both  wth  his  fleet, 
April  25,  1862,  captured  New  Orleans, 
and  compelled  the  surrender  of  both  forts, 
F.  Lafayette,  one  of  the  defenses  of  N,  Y. 


harbor,  on  the  Narrows,  facing  F.  Hamil- 
ton. F.  MiflSin,  a  work  at  the  junction  o( 
the  Delaware  and  Schuylkill  rivers,  in 
Penn.,6m.  below  Phila.;it  was  erected 
during  the  Revolution.  F  Moultrie,  one 
of  the  defenses  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  noted 
for  repulsing  the  British  fleet  in  tlie  Rev- 
olution ;  also  for  its  part  in  the  successful 
attack  by  the  Confederates  on  F.  Sumter, 
April  li-13,  1861.  F.  Pillow,  a  strong 
work  on  the  Mississippi,  40  m.  N.  of 
Memphis :  captured  by  the  Federals  June, 
1862 ;  recaptured  by  Gen.  Forrest,  April, 
1864,  many  of  the  colored  garrison  being 
killed  after  the  surrender.  F  Pulaski,  a 
defense  of  Savannah  River, captured  by  the 
Federals  April  12,  1862.  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, a  formidable  work,  having  370  guns 
in  position  ;  it  commands  the  entrance  to 
Hampton  Roads,  Va.  F.  Steadman,  a 
Federal  work  on  the  James  River,  Va.,  18 
m.  below  Richmond  ,  captured  by  the 
Confederates  March  14,  1865,  but  soon  re- 
taken. F.  Tompkins,  in  N.  Y.  harbor, 
facing  F.  Hamilton. 

Forte  The  strong  portion  of  a  sword- 
blad  eo  apier,  as  opposed  to  the  foible 
or  faible.  That  in  which  one  excels  •  a 
peculiar  talent  or  faculty. 

Fort  G-eorg-e.  One  of  the  strongest 
forts  in  Gt.  Britain,  on  a  peninsula  in 
Moray  Firth,  Scotland. 

Forth.  A  river  in  Scotland,  180  m.  long, 
emptying  into  the  North  Sea  through  a 
broad  estuary,  the  Frith  of  F. 

Fortieth,  for'ti-eth.  One  of  40  equal 
parts  into  which  a  whole  is  divided  ;  the 
quotient  of  a  unit  divided  by  40. 

Fortnight,  fort'nit.  The  space  of  14 
days :  two  weeks. 

Fortress,  'res.  A  fortified  place  ;  a  fort ; 
a  castle  ,  a  stronghold. 

Fort  Royal  Cap.  of  Martinique,  a 
French  W.  Indian  island  ;  pop.  14,876. 

Fortuna,  for-tu'na.  In  Roman  Myth,  the 
goddess  of  fortune.  A  small  asteroid  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 

Fort  St.  David.  On  the  Coromandel 
coast,  12  m.  from  Pondicherry ,  atone 
time  the  chief  English  trading  station,  but 
captured  by  the  French,  1758. 

Fort  "Wagrner.  On  Morris  Island,  in  the 
harbor  of  Charleston,  8.  C. 

Forty,  ti.  The  number  which  consists 
of  four  times  10  ,  the  sum  of  40  units.  A 
symbol  expressing  40  units,  as  40  or  xl. 

Forum,  fo'rum.  A  public  place  in  Rome 
where  causes  were  judicially  tried  and  ora- 
tions delivered  to  the  people.  A  tribunal ; 
a  court. 


rOET  WAYKE 


846 


FOUR  EVANGELISTS 


jPortWayne.  Cap.  of  Allen  Co.,  Ind., 
112  m.  N.  E.  of  Indianapolis,  at  junction 
of  St.  Joseph's  and  St.  Mary's  rivers  ;  pop. 
26,880. 

Possane,  fos'an.  A  species  of  carnivor- 
ous quadruped,  of  the  weasel  kind  (Viver- 
ra  fossa),  allied  to  the  genet. 
Fossil,  'sil.  Lit.  whatever  is  dug  out  of 
the  earth,  including  all  minerals  and  rocks, 
the  former  being  the  native  fossils,  the 
latter  extraneous  fossils.  It  is  now,  how- 
ever, restricted  to  designate  petrified 
forms  of  plants  and  animals. 
Fossilist,  -ist.  One  who  studies  the  na- 
ture and  properties  of  fossils  ;  one  versed 
in  the  science  of  fossils ;  a  palaeontologist 
Fossombrone,  -som-bro'ne.  A  city  of 
Urbino,  C.  Italy,  noted  for  the  signal 
defeat  of  the  Carthaginians  by  the  Eomans, 
194  B.  c;  pop.  abt.  9,000. 
Possores,  -so'rez.  An  extensive  sub- 
6ec.  of  hymenopterous  insects,  division 
Aculeata,  or  those  furnished  with  a  sting 
in  the  females,  including  the  garden- 
wasps,  sand-wasps,  &c.  That  group  of 
quadrupeds  which  contains  the  burro  wing- 
moles. 

Fossorial,  'ri-al.    An  animal  which  digs 
into  the  earth  for  a  retreat  or  residence  ; 
a  burro-wing  animal. 
Foster,  John.    A  brilliant  and  profound 
British  essayist;  B.  17T0,  d.  1843. 
Foster-brotlier,   'ter-bruth-er.    A  male 
cared  for  by  the  same  imrse,  but  not  the 
offspring  of  the  same  parents. 
Foster-child,  -child.    A  child  nursed  by 
a  woman  not  the  mother,  or  bred  by  a 
man  not  the  father. 

Foster-father,  -fa'ther.  One  who  takes 
the  place  of  a  father  in  bringing  up  a  child. 
Foster-mother,   -muth-er.    A  woman 
who  takes  the  place  of  a  mother  in  bring- 
ing up  a  child  ;  a  nurse. 
Foster-son,  -sun.    One  cared  for  like  a 
son  though  not  a  son  by  birth. 
Fotheringray.    A  village  of  Northam- 
pton   Co.,  England,  noted  as  the  seat 
of  the  castle  in  which  Mary,   Queen  of 
Scots,  was  imprisoned  by  Ehzabeth,  and 
finally  executed. 

Fouche,  Joseph,  foo-sha'.  Minister  of 
police  under  Napoleon  I  ,  and  by  him 
created  Duke  of  Otranto  b.  in  Nantes, 
1763  ;  D.  in  exile  at  Trieste,  1820. 
Foulard,  -lar.  A  silk  material  for  ladies' 
dresses,  originally  brought  from  India ;  a 
silk  handkerchief  or  cravat. 
Foundation-stone,  found-ii'shon-ston. 
A  stone  oi  a  public  building,  laid  in  pubUc 


with  some  ceremony,  but  having  no 
necessary  connection  with  the  founda- 
tion of  a  building. 

Foundling:,  'ling.  A  deserted  or  ex- 
posed infant;  a  child  foimd  without  Sk 
parent  or  owner. 

Foundling-hospital,  "ling-hos'pit-el. 
A  hospital  at  which  children  deserted  by 
their  parents  are  brought  up. 
Foundry,  'ri.  The  buildings  and  works 
occupied  for  casting  metals,  as  a  foundry 
of  bells,  cannon,  type,  &c. 
Fount,  fount.  A  spring  of  water;  a 
fountain.  Holy-water  fount,  the  stone 
basin  or  receptacle  for  holy-water  in  E. 
C.  churches. 

Fountain,  'an.  A  spring  or  natural 
source  of  water.  An  artificial  spout,  jet 
or  shower  of  water ;  also,  the  structure  or 
works  in  v;^-"."^  '".'^'^  ^"  ■^"'^f!l^er>(l ;  astruc- 


Fountain. 
ture  kept  supplied  with  water  for  use  or 
ornament.  Origin ;  first  principle  or 
cause.  In  Her.  a  circle  called  a  roundle, 
divided  into  six  spaces  by  waved  Hues 
across  the  shield,  and  tinctured  argent 
and  azure. 

Fountain-pen,  -pen.  A  writing  pen 
with  a  reservoir  for  furnishing  a  continu- 
ous supply  of  ink. 

Fouquier-T  i  n  V  i  1 1  e,  Antoine 
Gluentin,  foo-ke-ai'tang-veel'.  A  blood- 
thirsty French  Jacobin  ;  b.  1747,  guillo- 
tined 1795.  He  was  public  accuser  before 
Robespierre's  Revolutionary  Tribunal, 
and  gloated  over  the  death  of  thousands 
of  innocent  victims.  Sentenced  to  the 
same  fate,  he  exhibited  the  most  abject 
cowardice. 

Four,  for.  The  number  consisting  of 
tAvice  two.  Hence  a  four-oared  boat ;  the 
crew  of  a  four-oared  boat. 

Four  Evangrelists,  The.  The  name 
given  to  four  of  the  group  of  islands  off 
the  W.  entrance  to  the  straits  of  Magellan 
called  the  Twelve  Apostles. 


FOURIER 


84T 


FRANCE 


Fourier,  Francois  Charles  Mane. 

A  distinguished  French  socialist,  b.  1772, 
■D.  1887. 

Fourierism,  fr/ri-er-izm.  The  Social 
system  propounded  by  Fourier,  that  the 
world  was  to  be  subdivided  into  associ- 
ations, consisting  of  ISOO  members,  each 
group  occupying  a  common  edifice,  and 
all  enjoying  the  fruit  of  their  labors  in 
common.  Though  talent  and  industiy 
were  to  be  rewarded,  no  one  was  to  be  de- 
barred from  a  certain  amount  of  luxurj' 
and  amusement.  A  universal  language  was 
to  be  established,  while  the  several  groups 
were  to  be  associated  together  under  a 
central  government,  like  the  cantons  of 
Switzerland  or  the  TJ.  S.  of  America. 

Four-in-hand,  fijr'in-hand.  A  vehicle 
drawn  by  four  horses  and  guided  by  one 
driver  holding  all  the  reins. 

Four  Lakes.  A  series  of  small  lakes  in 
Dane  Co.,  Wis.  Madison,  the  State  cap., 
is  built  on  a  narrow  isthmus  bet.  the  thii-d 
and  fourth. 

Fourling,  'ling.  One  of  four  children 
born  at  the  same  time. 

Fourpence,  'pens.  An  English  silver 
coin  worth  four  pennies;  a  fourpenny  bit; 
a  groat. 

Four-poster,  'p6st-er.  A  large  bed 
having  four  posts  or  pillars  for  the  cur- 
tains. 

Fourscore,  'skor.  Twenty  taken  four 
times  ;  80  units. 

Fourteen,  'ten.  The  number  consisting 
of  ten  and  four.  A  sjrmbol  representing 
this  number,  as  14  or  xiv. 

Fourteenth,  'tenth.  One  of  14  equal 
parts  in  which  a  whole  is  divided ;  the 
quotient  of  a  unit  divided  by  14.  In  music 
the  octave  or  replicate  of  the  7th,  a  dis- 
tance comprehending  13  diatonic  inter- 
vals. 

Fowl,  foul.  A  barn-door  fowl ;  a  cock  or 
hen.     Anciently  a  b4rd. 

Fowling-piece,  'ing-pes.  A  light  gun 
for  shooting  birds. 

Fox,  Charles  James.  An  eminent 
English  orator  and  statesman  ;  b.  in  Lon- 
don, 1749  ;  D.  1806.  He  denounced  the 
conduct  of  the  government  toward  the 
American  colonies,  and  later  espoused  the 
cause  of  the  Frenchrevolutionists;  he  held 
the  office  of  foreign  secretary  in  1782,  and 
again  in  1806,  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Fox,  Greoi^e.  Founder  of  the  Society 
of  Friends ;  b.  in  Leicester,  Eng.,  1624 ;  n. 


Fox,  foks.     An  animal  of  the  gen.  Cania. 


Common  Fox  (Canis  vulpes). 

Fox-bat, 'bat.  A  bat,  fam.  Pteropida?,  one 
species,  the  Pteropus  eduUs,  or  kalong, 
attaining  a  length  of  4  to  5  feet  from  the 
tip  to  tip  of  the  wings. 

Foxhound, 
'hound.  Abound 
in  which  are  com- 
bined fleetness, 
strength,  spirit,  ^^ 
scent,  perse- 


^a«:55;^ 


verance,  and  sub-  Foxhound, 

ordination ;    sup- 
posed to  be  a  mixed  breed  between  the 
staghoiind  or  the  bloodhoimd   and   the 
greyhound. 

Fraction,  frak'shon.  The  act  of  break- 
ing, or  state  of  being  broken  ;  specifically, 
the  rite  of  breaking  bread  in  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  eucharist.  In  Arith.  and  Alg. 
one  or  more  aliquot  parts  of  a  unit  or 
whole  number,  distinguished  as  vulgar, 
proper,  improper,  simple,  compound, 
complex  and  decimal  fractions. 

Fragaria,  fra-ga'ri-a.  The  strawberry 
gen.,  ord.  Rosacese. 

Franc,  frangk.  The  name  given  to  two 
ancient  coins  in  France,  the  one  of  gold 
and  the  other  of  silver.  A  French  silver 
coin  and  money  of  account  which  since 
1795  has  formed  the  unit  of  the  French 
monetary  system,  and  has  also  been 
adopted  as  the  unit  of  currency  by  Switz- 
erland and  Belgium.  It  is  di^dded  into 
100  centimes,  and  its  value  is  about  19 
cents. 

France.  One  of  the  Great  Powers  of  Eu- 
rope, occupying  the  N.  W.  portion  of  the 
continent ;  b.  N.  by  the  English  Channel 
and  Belgium,  E.  by  Germany,  Switzer- 
land and  Italy,  S,  by  the  Mediterranean 
and  Spain,  andW.  by  the  Atlantic;  it  has 
a  length  from  N.  to  S.  of  660  m.,  and  a 
breadth  of  335  to  620  m.;  area  203,738  sq. 
m.;  pop.  38,192,412.  F.  is  divided  into  86 
departments,  all  being  named  after  some 
natural  feature  by  Avhich  they  are  distin- 
guished. Chief  toAvns,  Paris,  the  cap., 
Lj'ons,  Lille,  Toulouse,  Rouen,  Orleans, 
Amiens,  Eheims,  Tours,  Marseilles, 
Havre,  Bordeaux,  Nantes,  L'Orient, 
Dieppe,  Dunkerque,  St.  Malo,   Bayonne, 


FRANCIA 


848 


FEAKKFOET 


La  Eochelle,  Brest,  Toulon,  Cherbourg 
and  Eochefort,  the  last  14  being  seaports, 
and  the  last  four  naval  stations.  Princi- 
pal rivers,  Seine,  Loire,  Khone,  Oise,  Ga- 
ronne, Somme,  Yonne,  Aisne  and  Cher. 
Mountains,  Pyrenees,  Alps,  Jura,  Vos- 
ges,  Auvergne,  Cote  d'Or,  Cevennes  and 
Arree.  Principal  islands,  Corsica,  Ush- 
ant.  Belle-isle,  Noirmoutier,  Ee,  Oleron 
and  Hyeres.  There  are  no  lakes  of  notice- 
able size  or  importance.  The  colonies  of 
F.  are  Algeria,  Senegambia,  Gaboon  and 
the  islands  of  Eeunion,  Mayotte,  Nossi- 
B6  and  Ste.  Marie  in  Africa,  St.  Pierre  and 
Miquelon,  Martinique,  Guadaloupe  and 
Guiana  in  America,  Pondicherry,  Kari- 
kal,  Mahe,  Yanaon,  Cochin  China  and 
Chandernagore  in  Asia,  New  Caledonia, 
the  Loyalty  and  Marquesas  groups  in 
Oceanica.  The  history  of  F.  as  a  nation 
begins  with  Pharamond,  chief  of  the 
Franks  and  founder  of  the  Merovingian 
dynasty,  420.  Her  government  is  now  a 
republic. 

Francia,  Jose  G-aspar  Rodrignez, 

fran'the-ah.  Dictator  of  Paraguay  ;  b. 
175S,  D.  1S40.  He  was  a  physician  by 
profession,  but  was  made  Secretary  of 
State  in  the  young  Eeimblic,  1811,  and  be- 
came dictator  1814. 

Francis.  A  name  of  many  European 
sovereigns,  among  the  most  celebrated 
being  F.  I.,  of  Germany,  b.  1708,  eldest 
son  of  Leopold,  Duke  of  Lorraine,  found- 
er of  the  present  imperial  house  of  Haps- 
burg.  Lorraine,  through  his  marriage 
with  Maria  Theresa,  daughter  and  heiress 
of  the  Emperor  Charles  VI.,  s.  Charles 
VIL  as  Einperor  of  Germany,  1745 ;  n. 
1765.  F.  II.  of  Germany,  and  I.  of  Aus- 
tria, son  of  the  Emperor  Leopold  II.,  b. 
1768  ;  was  declared  Emperor  of  Austria, 
1804,  and  renounced  the  imperial  German 
title  1806 ;  n.  1835.  Most  of  his  active 
life  was  passed  in  the  struggle  against  Na- 
poleon I.  F.  I.,  of  France,  son  of  Charles, 
Comte  d' Angouleme,  by  Louise  of  Savoy, 
B.  1494;  he  married  the  daughter  of  Louis 
YII.,  1514,  and  s.  him  1515 ;  d.  1547.  His 
reign  was  characterized  by  almost  contin- 
uous wars  ^\^th  Italy  and  Germany,  but 
he  was  a  wise  and  liberal  ruler.  F.  II., 
B.  1548  ;  8.  his  father,  Henry  II.,  1559, 
having  married,  1558,  Mary  Queen  of 
Scots  ;  he  was  sickly  and  weak-minded ; 
D.  1560.  F.  I.,  of  the  Two  Sicilies,  b. 
1777;  s.  his  father,  Ferdinand  I.,  1825; 
he  was  a  tyrant ;  ».  1830.  F.  II.,  b.  1836; 
grandson  of  F.  I.  and  s.  his  father,  Ferdi- 
nand 11.  (the  infamous  Bomba),  1859.  He 
possessed  the  tyrannical  instincts  while 
lacking  the  abilities  of  Ms  immediate  an. 


cestors,  and  was  dethroned  1861,  Gen. 
Garibaldi  loading  the  successful  revolt. 
F.  Joseph  Charles,  Emperor  of  Austria 
and  King  of  Hungan-,  b.  1830  ;  s.  his  un- 
cle Ferdinand  IV.,  1848; 
still  on  the  throne. 

Francis,  St.  (of  Assi- 
si).  Founder  of  the 
Franciscan  order  of 
monks  ;  b.  at  Assisi,  Ita- 
ly, 1182,  D.  1226,  canon- 
ized 1230. 

Francisca,  -sis'ka.  The 
ancient  Frankish  battle- 
axe,  differing  chiefly  from 
the  modern  kind  in  the 
angle  at  which  it  was! 
joined  with  the  handle. 

Franciscan,  'kan.  One  i 
of  the  order  of  mendicant ! 
friars  founded  by  St.  : 
Francis  of  Assisi,  about  I 
1210,  and  otherwise  called  | 
Minorites,  or,  from  the  .  "'v  v«^5«^r^-\ 
color  of  their  habit.  Gray  prancilcan  or 
^"^'•s-  Gray  Friar. 

Francis  de  Paulo,  St.  Founder  of 
the  Minim  order  of  monks;  b.  In  Cala- 
bria, 1416,  D.  1507,  canonized  1651. 

Francis  de  Sales,  St.  An  eminent 
theologian,  bishop  of  Geneva  ;  b.  at  Sales, 
near  Geneva,  1567,  d,  1622 ;  canonized 
1665. 

Francis  Xavier,  St.  A  devoted  Jesu- 
it, called  the  "  Apostle  of  the  Indies  ;" 
B.  in  Navarre,  1506  ;  d.  in  Sumatra,  1552  ; 
canonized  1622.  Most  of  his  life  was  spent 
as  amissionary  in  the  E.  Indies. 

Franc-tireur,  fran-te-rvjr.  One  of  the 
French  guerrilla  soldiers,  organized  in  the 
war  of  1870,  after  the  defeat  of  the  regular 
army,  for  harassing  the  enemy,  cutting 
off  detachments,  &c. 

Frang-ipane,  fran'ji-pan.  A  species  of 
pastry,  containing  cream,  almonds  and 
sugar.    A  kind  of  perfume. 

Frank,  frangk.  Amemberof  the  ancient 
German  tribe  or  aggregate  of  tribes  which 
overthrew  the  Eoman  dominion  in  Gaul 
and  gave  origin  to  the  name  France  ;  a 
native  of  Franconia.  A  name  given  by 
the  Turks,  Greeks  and  Arabs  to  all  inhab- 
itants of  the  western  parts  of  Europe. 

Frank.  A  letter  sent  by  mail  free  of  post- 
age ;  also,  that  which  makes  a  letter  free, 
as  the  signature  of  a  person  possessing  the 
privilege. 

Frankfort.  Cap.  of  Kentucky,  on  the 
Kentucky  Eiver ;  pop.  6,958. 


FEAIirKFORT-BLACK 


849 


FPwEDEEICK 


African  Frankincense. 


Frankfort-black,  'furt-blak.  A  fine 
black  pigment  used  in  copper-plate  print- 
ing. 

rrankfort-on-the-Main.  A  noted 
German  city,  on  tlie  river  Main,  20  m.  N. 

E.  of  Metz,  founded  in  the  5th  century  by 
the  Franks,  and  cap.  of  the  Eastern  Em- 
pire from  iyiS  to  889,  afterward  the  place 
of  election  of  the  German  emperor.    Later 

F.  became  a  member  of  the  Hanseatic 
League,  and  was  a  "  free  city  "  from  1259 
till  1866,  when  it  was  incorporated  vrith 
Prussia.  F.  was  captured  by  the  French 
in  1T50, 1792  and^, 
1796;  pop.  abt. 
100,000. 

Frankincense 
'in-sens.  Oliba- 
num,  a  gum  res- 
in which  distils 
from  incisions 
made  in  the  Bos- 
weUia  thurifcra, 
ord.  Amyrida- 
ceae,  inhabiting 
the  mountains  of 
India,  which, 
when  burned,  ex- 
hales   a     strong 

aromatic  odor.  African  frankincense  is 
yielded  by  B.  Carterii ;  the  common  frank- 
incense is  the  produce  of  Pinua  Abies  or 
spruce  fir. 

Franklin  Bay.  A  bay  in  the  Arctic 
Ocean  off  the  coast  of  British  N".  America. 

Franklin,  Benjamin.  A  distin- 
guished American  philosopher  and  states- 
man ;  n.  in  Boston,  1706;  died  in  Phila., 
1790.  He  commenced  life  as  a  printer's 
apprentice,  andremoved  to  Phila.,  on  be- 
coming a  journeyman,  and  soon  after  es- 
tablished the  "Pennsylvania  Gazette,"  a 
newspaper  which  became  famous  as  the 
medium  of  "Poor  Eichard's"  sayings.  In 
the  troubles  preceding  and  during  the 
Eevolution  he  was  sent  upon  a  delicate 
mission  to  England  and  France.  He  also 
served  as  member  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, as  President  of  Penn.,  and  as  a 
member  of  the  convention  which  framed 
the  Constitution.  His  discovery,  1752,  of 
the  identity  of  electricity  and  "lightning, 
won  the  admiring  plaudits  of  the  scien- 
tists of  the  day,  and  F.  was  elected  an 
honorary  member  of  the  most  distinguish- 
ed societies, 

Franklin,  Jolin,  Sir.  A  celebrated 
English  naval  officer  and  Arctic  explorer  ; 
B,  1786;  i>.  (it  is  believed)  1847,  while 
on  a  voyage  in  search  of  a  N.  W.  pas- 
sage. 


Franklinite,  'lin-It.  A  mineral  com- 
pound of  iron,  zinc  and  manganese. 

Franks,  The.  A  name  taken  by  a 
Confederation  of  Gothic  tribes  who  in- 
vaded Gaul  and  Spain  256-270,  and  settled 
In  Gaul  481,  founding  the  Kingdom  of 
France.  The  Orientals  call  all  the  inhab- 
itants of  W.  Europe  Franks. 

Frater,  fra'ter.  A  monk  ;  a  member  of 
a  religious  establishment. 

Fratercula,  'ku-la.  A  gen,  of  web- 
footed  birds,  the  puffins. 

Fratricelli,  'tri-sel-lT.  A  sect  of  Fran- 
ciscans established  in  Italy  in  1294.  They 
claimed  to  be  the  only  true  church,  and 
denounced  the  pope,  whose  authority 
they  threw  off,  as  an  apostate.  They 
made  all  perfection  consist  in  poverty, 
forbade  oaths,  discountenanced  marriage, 
and  w^ere  accused  by  their  opponents  of 
very  lewd  practices.  The  sect  is  said  to 
have  continued  until  the  Eeformation, 
which  they  embraced. 

Fratricide,  -sid.  The  crime  of  mnrder- 
ing  a  brother.     One  who  kills  a  brother. 

Fraunhofer's  liines,  froun'ho-ferz 
linz.  The  dark  lines  observed  crossing  a 
solar  spectrum  at  right  angles  to  its 
length,  caused  by  the  absorption  of  por- 
tions of  the  rays  emitted  from  the  incan- 
descent body  of  the  sun  in  their  passage 
through  the  gases  and  vapors.  The  dis- 
covery led  to  the  invention  of  the  spectro- 
scope, to  the  science  of  spectroscopy,  and 
to  all  present  knowledge  of  solar  and 
stellar  chemistry. 

Fraxin,  fraks'in.  A  substance  existing 
in  the  bark  of  the  common  ash-tree,  de- 
coctions of  which  have  the  property  of 
fluorescence. 

Frazer  River,  A  large  stream  of  Brit- 
ish N.  America,  which  empties  into  the 
Gulf  of  Georgia,  opp.  Vancouver's  Island, 

Freckle,  frek'l,  A  yellow  spot  in  the 
skin,  particularly  on  the  face  and  hands, 
hereditary  or  produced  by  the  action  of 
the  sun.    Any  small  spot  or  discoloration, 

Frederick  (Frederic).  A  name  of 
numerous  European  sovereigns,  the  most 
noted  of  whom  are  :  F.  V.  of  Bohemia, 
B.  1596 ;  died  in  exile,  1632.  Seven  kings 
of  the  name  filled  the  throne  of  Norway 
and  Sweden  between  the  years  1522  and 
1853,  of  whom  the  most  conspicuous  was 
F.  VI.,  who  s.  his  father,  1808;  allying 
himself  wth  Napoleon,  a  British  fleet  un- 
der Nelson  destroyed  his  fleet  and  bom- 
barded his  cap.  In  1814  he  was  forced  to 
cede  Norway  to  Bernadotte,  King  of  Swe- 
den ;  D.  1S39.  F.  I.  of  Germany  (Barbar- 
ossa,  the  "Eed-beard"),  son  of  Freda"M;k, 


FEEDEEICKSBUEG 


850 


FEEESTOIfE 


Duke  of  Suabia,  b.  1121,  s.  his  uncle  Con- 
rad III.  as  emperor,  1152.  He  joined  the 
8d  Crusade,  and  was  drowned  in  Pales- 
tine, 1190.  F.  XL,  B.  1194,  crowned  1215  ; 
J>.  1250.  He  led  a  Crusade  122T,  to  the 
Holy  Land,  and  captured  Jerusalem. 
F.  II.  of  Prussia  (Frederick  the 
Great),  b.  1712,  s.  his  father,  1740;  d. 
1786.  His  reign  was  one  of  almost  con- 
tinuous wars  with  France,  Austi-ia  and 
Russia,  in  the  Seven  Years'  War,  175(>-63, 
the  three  being  allies,  F.  receiving  only 
nominal  assistance  from  England.  F. 
William  III.,  b.  1770,  s.  his  father,  F. 
William  II.,  1797;  he  participated  in  the 
Napoleonic  wars,  at  one  time  losing  more 
than  half  his  dominions,  but  recovering 
these  finally  on  the  downfall  of  the 
French  Emperor ;  d.  1840.  His  son  Wil- 
liam IV.  s.  to  the  throne,  but  was  forced, 
1S5S,  to  relinquish  power  to  his  brother, 
the  reigning  Emperor  William  I.  of 
Germany,  who  s.  Wm  as  King  of  Prussia, 
1S61. 

Predericksburg:,  A  city  of  Spottsyl- 
vania  Co.,  Va.,  on  the  Eappahannock,  65 
m.  N.  of  Eichmond,  noted  as  the  scene  of 
a  series  of  the  most  sanguinary  battles, 
Dec.  13-16,  1862,  of  the  late  civil  war,  re- 
sulting In  the  defeat  of  the  Federals  un- 
der Gen.  Burnside  by  the  Confederates 
under  Gen.  Lee,  with  a  total  loss  of  over 
12,000  ;  pop.  5,010. 

Frederickshall.  A  Norwegian  seaport 
on  Swinesund  fiord,  57  m.  S.  E.  of  Chris- 
tiania,  at  the  siege  of  which,  1718,  Charles 
XII.  of  Sweden  was  killed  by  a  musket 
ball ;  pop.  6,300. 

Frederickton.  Cap.  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, on  the  St.  JolmEiver,  60  m.  N.  W. 
of  St.  John ;  pop.  7,000. 

iFreetown,  (St.  Q-eorg-e).  Cap.  of  the 
English  Colony  of  Sierra  Leone,  Upper 
Guinea,  W.  Africa;  pop.  16,200. 

Pree-Chargre,  fre'chiirj.  In  electrical 
experiments  with  the  Leyden  jar  or  bat- 
tery, a  term  applied  to  that  part  of  the  in- 
duced electricity  which  passes  through 
the  air  to  surrounding  conductors. 

Free  Church,  cherch.  That  ecclesias- 
tical body  (Free  Church  of  Scotland), 
which,  on  the  disruption  of  the  Estab- 
lished Church  of  Scotland  in  May,  184S, 
was  founded  by  those  who  left  her  com- 
munion. 

Free-city,  'sit-i,  A  city  having  an  inde- 
pendent government  and  virtually  form- 
ing a  state ;  a  name  given  to  certain 
cities,  principally  of  Germany,  which 
were  really  small  republics.  They  were 
once  numerous,  but  are  now  reduced  to 


three,    viz. 
Bremen. 


Hamburg,     Ltibeck     and 


Freedman,  fred'man.  A  man  who  has 
been  a  slave,  but  is  manumitted. 

Free-lance,  fre'lans.  A  member  of  one 
of  those  companies  of  knights  and  men- 
at-arms  who  wandered  from  place  to  place, 
after  the  Crusades,  seUing  their  services  to 
the  highest  bidder. 

Freemartin,  'mar-tin.  A  cow-calf  twin 
born  with  a  bull-calf.  It  is  generally  bar- 
ren, and  in  this  case  on  dissection  is  found 
to  have  parts  of  the  organs  of  each  sex, 
but  neither  perfect. 

Freemas  on- 
ry,''ma-sn-ri.  A 
term  apphed  to 
an  organization 
caUing  them- 
selves Free  and 
Accepted  Ma- 
sons, and  all  the 
mysterie  s 
therewith  con- 
nect e  d .  A  c  - 
cording  to    its 

own  pecuhar  ,,  .  t^  v, 
language  it  is  Masonic  Emblem, 
founded  on  the  practice  of  social  and  moral 
virtue.  It  claims  the  character  of  charity, 
in  the  most  extended  sense ;  and  brother- 
ly love,  relief  and  truth  are  inculcated  in 
it.  Fable  and  imagination  have  traced  back 
its  origin  to  the  Eoman  Empire,  to  tho 
Pharaohs,  the  Temple  of  Solomon,  the 
Tower  of  Babel,  and  even  to  the  building 
of  Noah's  ark.  In  reality  it  took  its  rise 
in  the  middle  ages  along  with  other  incor- 
porated crafts.  Skilled  masons  moved 
from  place  to  place  to  assist  in  building 
Cathedrals,  abbeys,  «fcc.,  and  it  was  essen- 
tial for  them  to  have  some  sign  by  which, 
on  coming  to  a  strange  place,  they  could 
be  recognized  as  real  craftsmfen  and  not 
impostors. 

Free-SOiler,  'soil-or.  In  the  United 
States,  one  of  a  faction  of  the  Democratic 
party  which  advocated  the  non-extension 
of  slavery. 

Free-spirits,  'spi-rits.  A  sect  of  here 
tics  which  originated  in  Alsace  in  the  13th 
century,  and  quickly  spread  over  Italy, 
France  and  Germany.  They  claimed  free- 
dom of  spirit,  and  claiming  that  they 
could  not  sin,  lived  in  open  lewdness,  go- 
ing from  place  to  place  accompanied  by 
women  under  the  name  of  sisters. 

Freestone,  'ston.  Any  species  of  stone 
composed  of  sand  and  grit,  so  called  be- 
cause it  is  easily  cut  or  wrought. 


FPwEE  TEMPLAR 


851 


FRICTIO:S' 


Free  Templar.  A  member  of  an  or- 
gunizJition  c<jmbinirig'  the  principles  of  tee- 
totalism  with  certain  mystic  rites  allied  to 
those  of  Freemasonry,  which  branched  otf 
from  tliG  Good  Templars  on  the  point  of 
the  independence  of  each  local  lodge,  the 
Tree  Templars  maintaining  this  independ- 
ence, while  the  Good  Templars  subordi- 
nate themselves  to  a  grand  lodge. 

Freethinker,  'thingk-er.  One  who  pro- 
fesses to  be  free  from  the  common  modes 
of  thinking  in  rehgious  matters;  a  deist; 
an  unbeliever  ;  a  skeptic ;  one  who  discards 
revelation. 

Free-trader,  'trad-er.  An  advocate  of 
free-trade  ;  one  who  opposes  the  imposi- 
tion of  customs  duties  levied  with  the 
view  of  prohibiting  or  restricting  the  in- 
troduction of  foreign  goods. 

Freeze,  frez.  To  congeal ;  to  harden  into 
ice  ;  to  change  from  a  iluid  to  a  solid  form 
by  cold  or  abstraction  of  heat. 

Freezingr-point,  'ing- point.  That  de- 
gree of  a  thermometer  at  Avhich  a  liquid 
begins  to  freeze  ;  specifically,  the  temper- 
ature at  which  water  freezes.  By  the 
Centigrade  thermometer  the  freezing-point 
of  water  is  0°  or  zero ;  by  Fahrenheit's, 
32°  above  zero,  that  of  mercury  being  39° 
below  zero,  and  of  sulphuric  ether  46°  be- 
low zero. 

Freezingr-nuxture,  -miks-tur.  A  mix- 
ture such  as  produces  a  degree  of  cold 
sufficient  to  freeze  liquids.  A  mixture  of 
three  parts  of  snow  with  four  parts  of 
crystallized  chloride  of  calcium  produces 
a  degree  of  cold  which  sinks  the  thermom- 
eter to  54°  below  zero  Fahr. 

Freiburg".  Cap.  of  canton  of  same  name, 
Switzerland,  17  m.  S.  W.  of  Berne ;  pop. 
10,750. 

Fremont,  John  Charles.  An  Ameri- 
can military  officer,  who  won  enduring 
fame  as  a  successful  explorer  of  the  Eocky 
Mountain  region  ;  b.  in  Ga.,  1813.  He  was 
elected  Governor  of  California,  1S46,  and 
TJ.  S.  Senator  from  that  State,  1850.  In 
1856  M-as  the  first  candidate  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  for  President,  being  defeated 
by  James  Buchanan ;  in  1878  appointed 
Governor  of  the  State  of  Arizona ;  now 
living  retired  on  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.  Bay. 

French-chalk,  frensh'chak.  A  variety 
of  indurated  talc,  in  masses  composed  of 
small  scales,  used  by  tailors  for  drawing 
lines  on  cloth,  and  for  similar  purposes. 

French-horn,  'horn.  A  brass  musical 
instrument  having  several  curves,  and 
gradually  wdening  from  the  mouthpiece 
to  the  end  whence  the  sound  issues. 


French-polish,  'pol-ish.  Gum-lac  dis- 
solved in  spirits  of  wine,  used  for  coating 
wood  ■with  a  fine  glossy  surface.  Gum- 
sandarac,  gum-copal,  gum-arabic  and  lin- 
seed oil  are  also  sometimes  introduced. 
The  surface  produced  on  cabinet-work  by 
the  appUcation  of  the  polish. 

French-roof,  -rof.  A  flat  roof  with 
curved  sides. 

French-white,  'whit.  Finely  pulver- 
ized talc. 

Fresco,  fres'ko.  Coolness  ;  shade ;  duski- 
ness. A  method  of  painting  on  walls, 
performed  with  mineral  and  earthy  pig- 
ments on  fresh  plaster. 

Freshman,  fresh'man.  A  novice  ;  one 
in  the  rudiments  of  knowledge.  A  stu- 
dent of  the  first  year  in  a  university. 

Fresnel,  Augustin  Jean,  fra-nair.  A 
distinguished  French  natural  philosopher ; 
B.  1798,  D.  1827.  He  discovered  the 
double  refraction  and  polarization  of  light 
now  in  universal  use,  and  known  as  the 
French  system. 

Frey,  fri.  In  Scand.  Myth,  the  Norse 
god  of  sun  and  rain  ;  also  of  the  fruits  of 
the  earth. 

Friar,  'er.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch.  a  name 
common  to  the  members  of  all  religious 
orders,  but  more  especially  to  those  of  the 
four  mendicant  orders — Minors,  Gray 
Friars  or  Franciscans  ;  Augustines ;  Do- 
minicans or  Black  Friars ;  White  Friars  or 
Carmelites. 

Fliar-bird,-berd.  Tropidorhynchus  cor- 
niculatus,  an  Australian  bird,  fam.  Meli- 
phagidae.    Called  also  Leather-head. 

Friar's-balsam,  'erz-bal-sam.  An  alco- 
holic solution  of  benzoin,  "styrax,  tolu  bal- 
sam and  aloes,  used  as  a  stimulating  ap- 
plication for  wounds  and  ulcers. 

Friar's-lantem,  -Ian-tern.  The  ignis 
fatuus  or  will  o'  the  wisp. 

Fricandeau,  frek-an-do.  Properly  a 
fricassee  of  veal,  but  applied  to  various 
preparations  of  veal. 

Fricassee,  fri-kas-se'.  A  dish  of  chopped 
chickens,  rabbits,  or  other  small  animals, 
dressed  Avith  a  strong  sauce  and  stewed. 

Friction,  frik'shon.  The  act  of  rubbing 
the  surface  of  one  body  against  that  of 
another ;  attrition.  The  resistance  which 
a  moving  body  meets  AAith  from  the  sur- 
face on  which  it  moves.  Coefficient  of 
friction  is  the  ratio  that  subsists  between 
the  force  necessary  to  move  one  surface 
horizontally  over  another  and  the  pres- 
sure between  the  two  surfaces.  Thus  the 
coefficient  of  friction  for  oak  and  cast-iron 
is  88;  100,  or  .83. 


FRICTION-BALLS 


852 


FRINGE 


Friction-balls,  -balz.  Balls  placed 
under  a  heavy  object  to  reduce  the  fric- 
tion, while  that  object  is  moving  horizon- 
tally. Some  swing-bridges  have  such 
ball's  placed  under  them. 

Friction-clutch,  -kluch.  A  species  of 
loose  coupling  much  used  for  connecting 
machines  which  require  to  be  frequently 
engaged  and  disengaged,  or  which  are 
subject  to  sudden  variations  of  resistance. 

Friction-cones,  -konz.  In  Mach.  a 
form  of  slip-coupling,  which  allows  the 
cones  to  slip  on  any  extreme  pressure 
being  applied. 

Friction-coupling",  -kup'ling.  A  form 
ofcoupUngin  which  two  shafts  are  con- 
nected by  friction,  as  in  the  friction-clutch 
and  friction-cones. 

Friction-powder,  -pou-der.  A  com- 
position of  chlorate  of  potash  and  anti- 
mony, which  readily  ignites  by  friction. 

Friday,  fri'dii.  The  6th  day  of  the  week. 
Good  F.,  the  Friday  immediately  preced- 
ing Easter;  which  is  kept  sacred,  in  mem- 
ory of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ, 
as  it  is  believed  to  be  the  anniversary  of 
the  day  on  which  he  was  crucified. 

Friedland,  fred'lahnt.  A  town  of  E. 
Prussia,  36  m.  S.  E.  of  Konigsberg,  noted 
for  the  great  victory,  June  14,  180T,  of 
the  French  under  Napoleon  I.  over  the 
allied  Russian  and  Prussian  armies,  re- 
sulting in  the  treaty  of  Tilsit. 

Friendly  Islands  (Tonga).  An  archi- 
pelago of  the  S.  Pacific,  of  which  Ton- 
gataboo  is  the  chief  island ;  pop.  abt. 
25,000. 

Friend,  frend.  One  of  the  Society  of 
Dissenters,  which  took  its  rise  in  England 
about  the  middle  of  the  17th  century, 
through  the  preaching  of  George  Fox. 

Frieze, 
f  r  0  z.  In 
Arch,     that 


Frieze. 

A  coarse  woolen  cloth  hav- 
ing a  shaggy  nap  on  one  side,  extensive- 
ly manufactured  in  Ireland. 

Frieze-panel,  'pan-el.  One  of  the  up- 
per panels  of  a  door  of  six  panels. 

Frigra,  frig'a.    In  Scand.  Myth,  the  vdfe 


Frigate. 


of  Odin,  a  goddess  corresponding  in  some 
respects  to  the  Aphrodite  of  the  Greeks 
and  Venus  of  the  Romans.  Called  also 
Froya. 

Frig-ate,  fri'gat.  A 
war  A'essel  larger 
than  a  sloop  or  brig, 
and  less  than  a  ship 
of  the  line ;  usually 
carrying  thirty  to 
sixty  guns  on  the 
main  deck  and  on 
a  raised  quarter-deck 
and  forecastle,  or 
having  two  decks. 
Since  the  introduc- 
tion of  Iron-claQ  war 
vessels  the  term  has 
been  appUed  to  those 
having  a  high  speed 
and  great  fighting 
powen  Double-banked  frigates,  such  as 
carried  guns  on  two  decks  and  had  a  flush 
upper-deck.  Steam  frigates,  large  steam- 
ships can-ying  guns  on  a  flush  tipi>er-deck, 
and  having  a  tier  also  on  the  lower  deck. 

Frigate- 
b  i  r  d, 
-herd.  The 
name  given 
to  a  gen. 
of  trop- 
ical birds 
(Tachy- 
petes),  pel- 
ican fam. 
(Pelican- 

!S'°„°'the-  ™^»'«-«- 

cormorants ;  a  man-of-war  bird. 

Frigid  Zone,  frij'id.  A  space  about 
either  pole  of  the  earth,  terminated  by  a 
parallel  of  66^°  of  latitude,  known  as  the 
polar  circles.  At  the  pole  the  sun  is  visi- 
ble for  half  the  year  and  invisible  the  other 
half. 

Frimaire,  fre-raar.  The  8d  month  of 
the  French  repubhcan  calendar,  dating 
from  September  22,  1792.  It  commenced 
November  21,  and  ended  December  20. 

Fringe,  frinj.  An  ornamental  append- 
age to  the 
borders  of 
garm  e  n  t  s 
or  furni- 
ture, con- 
sisting of 
loose 
thread  s. 
The  use  of 
fringes  is  of  very  great  antiquity,  as  shown 
by  the  dresses  of  figures  on  the  ancient 


imr_ 


Assyrian  Fringes. 


FEINGILLIDJS 


S53 


FROimSPIECE 


Head,  Foot  and  Bill  of 
a  Finch. 


Egyptian  and  AssjTian  monuments.  In 
Bot.  a  row  of  teeth  bordering  the  orifice  of 
the  capsule  in  almost  all  the  genera  of 
mosses. 

Pring-illidae,  frin-jil'li-de.  The  finches, 
ord.  Coniros- 
t  r  e  s  .  The 
species  have 
been  divided 
among  several 
sub-families,  as 
the  weavers, 
tanagers,  haw- 
finches, true 
finches,  bunt- 
ings,larks,  bull- 
finches, cross-beaks,  the  Spizellinaj  and 
Pitylinas.  But  the  first  two  are  now 
ranked  as  distinct  families. 
Fring-illinee,  -ll'ne.  A  sub-fam.  of  the 
Frinirillidit',  including  the  true  finches, 
such  as  the  goldfinch,  chatfinch,  bullfinch, 
canary,  &c. 

Fringingr-reef,  'ing-ref.  A  class  of 
coral  reefs,  known  also  as  Shore-reefs,  from 
their  encircling  islands,  at  a  moderate  dis- 
tsmce  from  the  shore. 

Prit,  frit.  The  matter  of  which  glass  is 
made  after  it  has  been  calcined  in  a  fiir- 
nace,  consisting  of  silex  and  metallic 
alkali,  occasionally  with  ether  ingredients. 

Frith.,  frith.  A  narrow  arm  of  the  sea; 
an  estuary  ;  the  opening  of  a  river  into  the 
sea.  A  wear  for  catcMng  fish ;  a  kind  of 
net. 

Frizz,  friz.  That  which  is  frizzed  or  curl- 
ed, as  a  wig  or  lock  of  hair. 

Frobisher,  Martin,  Sir.  An  English 
naval  oflicer  and  na\igator,  the  first  who 
sought  a  N.  "W.  passage  ;  h.  1518,  i>.  1594. 
F.  Strait  divides  the  N.  side  of  Hudson's 
Strait  from  the  W.  shore  of  Davis'  Strait; 
length  140  m.,  wdth  abt.  20  m. 

Frock,  frok.  Primarily,  an  ecclesiastical 
garment  with  large  sleeves  worn  by 
monks ;  hence  the  j>hrase,  to  unfrock  a 
priest.  An  upper  coat;  an  outer  garment; 
especially,  a  loose  garment  worn  by  men 
over  their  other  clothes.  A  gown,  which 
opens  behind,  worn  by  females  and  chil- 
dren. 

Frock-coat,  Hcot.  A  straightbodied 
coat,  h-iNing  the  same  length  before  and 
behind ;  a  surtout. 

Frog-fisli,  'fish.  The  name  given  to  the 
members  of  the  teleostean  gen.  Ba- 
trachus,  fara.  Lophiida*.  The  grunting 
frog-fish   ia    remarkable    for    the    noise 


Frog  and  its  Metamor- 
phoses. 


it   makes     when    taken,   which    resem- 
bles the  grunt- 
ing of  a  pig. 

Frog-,  frog.^ 
The  common 
name  of  ani- 
mals belong- 
ing to  the  gen. 
Kana,  tailless 
amphibian  s,  , 
ord.  Anoura, 
rem  a  r  k  a  b  1  e 
for  the  trans- 
form a  t  i  o  n  8 
they  undergo 
while  passing  from  the  tadpole  form  to 
that  of  the  mature  frog.  In  farriery,  a 
tender  horn  in  the  sole  of  a  horse's  foot, 
divided  into  two  branches,  and  running 
toward  the  heel  in  the  form  of  a  fork.  A 
triangular  crossing  plate  for  the  wheels 
of  rail  way  carriages,  where  one  lino  crosses 
another  at  an  oblique  angle.  An  orna- 
mentjil  fastening  for  a  frock  or  gown.  The 
loop  of  the  scabbard  of  a  bayonet  or  Bword. 

Frog-h.opper,  'hop-er.  Aphrophora  spu- 
maria,  a  small  insect,  ord.  Ilomoptera,  re- 
markable for  its  powers  of  leaping.  Its 
larvaj  are  found  on  leaves,  inclosed  in  a 
frothy  liquid,  commonly  called  cuckoo-spit 
or  frog-spittle. 

Froissart,  Jean.  An  eminent  French 
historian  ;  «.  1837,  d.  1406. 

Frond,  frond.  In  Bot.  a  term  used  to 
designate  the  leaves  of  ferns  and  other 
cryptogamous  plants. 

Fronde,  frond.  The  name  of  a  party  in 
France,  who,  during  the  minority  of  Louis 
XIV.,  waged  civil  war  against  the  court 
party  on  account  of  the  heavy  fiscal  impo- 
sitions. 

Frondescence,  frond-es'sens.  In  Bot. 
the  precise  time  of  the  year  and  month  in 
which  each  species  of  plants  unfolds  its 
leaves.    The  act  of  bursting  into  leaf. 

Frondeur,  fron-der.    A  member  of  the 
Fronde.     Generally,  an  opponent  of  the' 
party  in  power ;  a  member  of  the  opposi- 
tion. 

Frontier,  fron'ter.  That  part  of  a  coun- 
try which  fronts  or  faces  another  country; 
the  confines  of  a  countiy;  the  marches; 
the  border. 

Frontignac,  'tin-yak.  French  wine, 
from  Frontignan  (Ilerault),  where  it  is 
produced. 

Frontispiece,  'tis-pes.    That  which  is 

seen  in  front,  or  which  directly  presents 

,    itself  to  the  eye  ;  as  the  principal  face  of  a 


FEOin'LET 


854 


FULCEUM  FOECEPS 


building.  An  ornament  or  engraving 
fronting  the  first  pago  of  a  book. 

Frontlet,  frunt'let.  A  frontal  or  brow- 
band  ;  a  fillet  or  band  worn  on  the  fore- 
head. In  Ornith.  the  naargin  of  the  head 
behind  the  bill  of  bu-ds. 

Frost,  frost.  The  act  of  freezing.  That 
state  or  temperature  of  the  air  which  oc- 
casions the  congelation  of  water.  Frozen 
dew;  called  also  hoar-frost  and  white- 
frost.  Coldness  or  severity  of  manner  or 
feeling.  Black -frost,  a  state  of  the  atmos- 
phere by  which  vegetation  is  frozen  with- 
out any  appearance  of  rime  or  hoar-frost. 

Frosting,  'ing.  A  composition  resem- 
bling hoar-frost,  made  of  loaf  sugar  mixed 
with  whites  of  eggs,  used  to  cover  cake, 
&c. 

Frost-smoke,  'smok.  A  thick  fog  re- 
sembling smoke,  arising  from  the  surface 
of  the  sea  when  exposed  to  a  temperature 
much  below  freezing-point.  When  the 
thermometer  is  down  to  zero,  the  fog  lies 
close  on  the  water  in  eddying  white 
wreaths. 

Frost-work,  'werk.  The  beautiful  cover- 
ing of  hoar-frost  deposited  on  shrubs  or 
other  natural  objects. 

Froude,  James  Anthony,  frood.  An 
English  essayist  and  historian  ;  b.  1818. 

Fructescence,  fruk'tes-sens.  In  Bot. 
the  time  when  the  fruit  of  a  plant  ar- 
rives at  maturity  and  its  seeds  are  dis- 
persed ;  the  fruiting  season. 

Fructidor,  fruk-ti-dor.  The  12th  month 
of  the  French  republican  calendar,  begin- 
ning August  18  and  ending  September  16. 

Fructist,  'tist.  One  who  classifies  plants 
by  their  fruit. 

Fructose,  'tos.  In  Chem.  sugar  of  fruit, 
c  on  si  sting  partly  of  cane-sugar  and  partly 
of  inverted  sugar,  an  Tmcrystallizable  sugar. 

Fruit,  frot.  In  a  general  sense,  whatever 
vegetable  products  the  earth  yields,  as 
corn,  grass,  cotton,  flax,  grapes,  and  all 
cultivated  plants.  In  a  more  Umited 
sense,  the  reproductive  product  of  a  plant ; 
the  seed  or  the  part  that  contains  the  seeds, 
as  wheat,  rye,  apples,  pears,  acorns, 
melons,  <fec.  In  a  still  more  limited  sense, 
the  edible  succulent  products  of  certain 
plants,  as  the  apple,  orange,  peach,  grape, 
berries,  tfec.  In  Bot.  the  mature  ovary, 
composed  of  the  pericarp  and  the  seed. 

Fruit-tree,  'tre.    A  tree  cultivated  for 

fruit. 
Frumentation,      fro-mem- 1  a '  s  h  o  n . 
Among  the  Ilomans,  a  largess  of  grain  be- 
stowed on  the  people  to  quiet  them  when 
uneasy  or  turbulent. 


Frumenty,  'men'ti.  A  dish  of  hulled 
wheat  boiled  in  milk  and  seasoned ;  fur- 
menty. 

Frunxp,  frump.  A  cross-tempered,  old- 
fashioned  female. 

Fnistum,  'turn. 
In  Geom.  the 
part  of  a  solid 
next  the  base, 
left  by  cutting  off 
the  top  portio)! 
by  a  plane  paral- 
lel to  the  base ;  or  _ 
the  part  of   any 

solid  between  the  two  planes,  either  par- 
allel or  inclined  to  each  other. 

Frutex,  fro'teks.  In  Bot.  a  shrub ;  a 
plant  having  a  woody,  durable  stem,  but 
less  than  a  tree. 

Fry,  frl.  A  swarm,  especially  of  little 
fishes  ;  a  swarm  of  any  small  animals,  or  of 
young  people.    The  young  of  the  salmon. 

Fuca,  Strait  of,  foo'kah.  The  connec- 
tion between  the  Pacific  and  the  Gulf  of 
Georgia,  dividing  Washington  Territory 
from  Vancouver's  Island.  The  Island  of 
San  Juan,  the  ownership  of  which  has 
caused  so  much  controversy  between  Gt. 
Britain  and  the  U.  S.  is  in  the  strait  of  F. 

Fucaceee,  fu-ka'se-e.  An  ord.  of  algse, 
consisting  of  oHve-colored  inarticulate  sea- 
weed. Macrocvstis  pvrifera  is  said  to  have 
fronds  500  to  l'',500  feet  long. 

Fucino,  Lake  of  (Colona).  The  chief 
lake  of  S.  Italy,  10  m.  long  by  7  m.  wide  ; 
in  prov.  of  Asuzzo  Ultra  II. 

Fueg"ian,  -c'.ii-an.  A  native  or  inhabitant 
of  Tierra  del  Fuego. 

Fuel,  'el.  Any  matter  which  serves  as 
aliment  to  fire. '  Anything  that  serves  to 
feed  or  increase  flame,  heat  or  excitement. 

Fuentes  de  Onore,  foo-ain'teez  da  o- 
no'm.  A  village  in  prov.  Salamanca, 
Spain,  16  m.  W.  of  Cindad  liodrigo,  noted 
for  the  sanguinary  but  indecisive  battle. 
May  5,  1811,  between  the  Anglo-Spanish 
army  under  Wellington  and  the  French 
under  Marshal  Massena. 

Fuero,  fti-er'o.  A  Spanish  term,  signify- 
ing a  code  of  law,  a  charter  of  privileges,  a 
custom  having  the  force  of  law,  a  declara- 
tion by  a  magistrate,  the  seat  or  jui-isdic- 
tion  of  a  tribunal.  F.  juzgo,  a  code  of 
Spanish  law,  said  to  be  the  most  ancient 
in  Europe. 

Fulcrum  Forceps.  A  forceps  used  by 
dentists,  in  which  one  beak  is  furnished 
with  a  hinged  metal  plate,  padded  vith 
india-rubber,  which  rests  against  the  gum, 
'wrbile  the  other  has  the  usual  gouge  shape. 


FULCRUM 


FUNGITE 


Fulcrum. 


Ptilcrum,  ful'- 
krum.  A  prop 
or  support.  In 
Mech.  that  by 
which  a  lever  is 
sustained. ;  the 
point  about 
Avhich  a  lever 
tui-ns  in  lifting 
a  body.    In  the 

figure  L  is  the  lever,  by  depressing  which 
over  F,  the  fulcrum,  the  stone  is  raised. 

"Fvdgor,  'gor.  Splendor  ;  dazzling  bright- 
ness. 

Pulgrora,  'go-ra.  The  lantern-fly  gen., 
homopterous  insects  allied  to  the  Cicadi- 
dae,  hvt  formed  into  a  family,  the  Fulgori- 
dse. 

Fulgruration,  -gur-a'shon.  The  act  of 
lightening  or  flashing  with  light.  In  as- 
sajing,  the  sudden  brightening  of  the 
melted  globules  of  gold  and  silver  in  the 
cupel  of  the  assayer,  when  the  last  film  of 
vitreous  lead  or  copper  leaves  the  surface. 

Pulgrurite,  -it.  Any  rocky  substance 
that  has  been  fused  or  vitrified  by  light- 
ning. A  vitrified  tube  of  sand  formed  by 
Ughtning  penetrating  the  solid  ground 
and  fusing  a  portion  of  the  materials. 

Fulica,  fii'li-ka.  A  gen.  of  grallatorial 
birds,  including  the  coots. 

Fuligulinse,  -lig-u-ll'ne.  Thesea  ducks, 
a  sub-fam.  of  the  Anatidae,  including  the 
pochai-ds,  canvas-backs,  &c. 

Fuller,  'er.  One  whose  occupation  is  to 
full  cloth.  In  blacksmith's  work,  a  die ; 
a  half-round,  set-hammer. 

Fuller's-earth,  'erz-erth.  A  variety  of 
clay  or  marl,  useful  in  scouring  or  cleansing 
cloth,  consisting  of  silica  50  per  cent.,  alu- 
mina 20,  water  24,  magnesia,  lime  and 
peroxide  of  iron,  it  occurs  in  and  gives 
its  name  to  a  division  of  the  lower  oolitic 
strata. 

Fullingr-mill,  'ing-mil.  A  mill  for  fuU- 
ing  cloth  by  means  of  pestles  or  stampers, 
which  beat  and  press  it  to  a  close  or  com- 
pact state,  and  cleanse  it, 

Fulmar,  ful'- 
miir.  A  natatorial 
or  swimming  oce- 
anic bird,  fern. 
Procellaridfe  or 
petrels.  It  makes 
its  nest  on  sea- 
clitfs,  in  which  it  -- 
lavs  only  one  egg. 
The  natives  of  St. 
Kilda   value    the 

eggs  above  those  of  any  other  bird,  and 
search  for  them  by  descending  precipices 


Fulmar  Petrel. 


'min-at.       An    explosive 


in  the  most  perilous  manner.  The  feathers, 
down  and  the  oil  found  in  its  stomach  are 
also  valuable.  When  caught  or  assailed 
it  fightens  itself  by  disgorging  the  oil  from 
its  stomach. 

Fulrainate, 
compound. 

Fulton,  Robert.  An  American  civil 
engineer  and  inventor ;  b.  in  Penn.,  1765; 
D.  1815.  He  made  the  first  practical  ap- 
plication of  steam  to  navigation,  1807. 

Furtt,  fum.  The  Phoenix,  one  of  the  four 
symbolical  animals  supposed  to  preside 
over  the  destinies  of  the  Chinese  Empire. 

Fumarole,  fu'ma-rol.  A  hole  from 
which  smoke  issues  in  a  sulphur-mine  or 
volcano. 

Fumosity,  -os'i-ti.  Tendency  to  emit 
fumes  ;  fumes  arising  from  excessive 
drinking. 

Fun,  fun.  Sport;  mirthful  drollery; 
frolicsome  amusement. 

Funambulist,  fu-nam'bu-list.  A  rope 
walker  or  rope-dancer. 

Funchal.  Cap.  of  the  Portuguese  island 
of  Madeira ;  pop.  about  20,000. 

Fundament,  fun'da-ment.  The  seat; 
the  lower  part  of  the  body  on  which  ono 
sits ;  also  the  orifice  of  the  intestines  ;  the 
anus. 

Fundi,  'di.  A  grain  allied  to  millet,  cul- 
tivated in  W.  Africa.  It  is  light  and  nu- 
tritious, and  recommended  as  food  for  in- 
valids.   Called  also  hungry  rice. 

Fundus,  dus.  In  Anat.  the  base  of  any 
cone-shaped  organ,  as  the  uterus,  bladder, 
«fec.  -- 

Fundy,  Bay  of.  A  large  bay  dividing 
New  Brunswick  from  Nova  Scotia;  170 
m.  long,  30  to  50  m.  wide. 

Funeral,  f&'ner-al.  The  ceremony  of 
burying  a  dead  human  body  ;  the  solemni- 
zation of  interment ;  obsequies.  The  pro- 
cession of  persons  attending  the  burial  of 
the  dead. 

Fungri,  fun'jT.  An  ord.  of  acotyle4onou8 
or  cryptogamous  plants,  5,000  being 
known,  comprehending  the  various  races 
of  mushrooms,  toad-stools  and  similar 
plants,  also  microscopic  plants  growing 
upon  other  plants,  and  substances  known 
as  molds,  mildew,  smut,  rust,  brand, 
dry-rot,  &c.  F.  differ  from  other  plants 
in  being  nitrogenous  and  in  inhaling  oxy- 
gen and  giving  out  carbonic  acid  gas. 

Fungidae,  'ii-do.  A  fam.  of  simple  fud 
single  lamellatetl  corals  resembling  a 
fungus  or  mushroom. 

Fungrite,  'jit.    A  kind  of  fossil  coral. 


rUNQOLOGY 


856 


FYZABAD 


Furbelows. 


Pungology,  fung-gol'o-ji.  A  treatise  on 
or  the  science  of  the  fungi ;  mycology . 

Funnel,  fun'nel.  A  passage  for  a  fluid 
or  flowing  substance,  as  the  shaft  of  a 
chimney  ;  specifically,  in  /Cr^^ 
steam-ships,  a  cylindrical  '"'' '-  " 
iron  chimney  rising 
above  the  deck.  A  ves- 
sel for  conveying  fluids 
into  vessels  with  small 
openings. 

Fvjc,  fer.  The  short,  fine, 
soft  hair  of  certain  ani- 
mals, growing  thick  on 
the  skin,  and  distin- 
guished from  hair,  which 
is  longer  and  coarser. 

Furbelow,  'b<5-lo.  A 
piece  of  stuff  plaited  and 
puckered  on  a  gown  or 
petticoat ;  a  flounce. 

Furlong',  'long.  A  measure  of  length ; 
the  eighth  part  of  a  mile  ;  forty  rods, 
poles  or  perches. 

Furlough.,  'lo.  Leave  of  absence ;  es- 
pecially that  to  an  oflicer  or  soldier  for  a 
certain  time. 

Furnace,  'nas.  A  place  where  a  vehe- 
ment tii-e  and  heat  may  be  made  and 
maintained,  as  for  melting  ores  or  metals, 
heating  the  boiler  of  a  steam-engine, 
warming  a  house,  baking  pottery  or  bread, 
&c.  Any  place,  time  or  occasion  of  severe 
torture. 

FurnarinsB,  -na-rl'ne.  The  oven-bird, 
asub-fam.  of  tenuirostral  insessorial  birds, 
fam.  Certhida3  or  creepers. 

Furore,  fo-ro'ra.  Great  excitement ;  en- 
thusiasm. 

Furrier,  fer'i-er.  A  dealer  in  or  dresser 
of  furs  ;  one  who  makes  or  seUs  fur  goods. 

Furruckabad.  Cap.  of  district  of 
same  name,  pres.  Bengal,  India,  on  the 
Ganges ;  pop.  80,000. 

Furst,  "Walter.  One  of  the  triumvi- 
rate, the  others  being;  William  Tell  and 
Arnold  of  Melchthal,  who  wrested  Switz- 
erland from  Austria,  ]30T. 

Fury,  fu'ri.  In  class.  Myth,  one  of  the 
three  avenging  deities,  Tisiphone,  Alecto 
and  Megsei-a,  daughters  of  Earth  or  Night, 
represented  as  fearful  winged  maidens, 
■with  serpents  twisted  in  their  hair,  and 
blood  dripping  from  their  eyes,  dwelling 
in  the  depths  of  Tartarus,  and  dreaded  by 
gods  and  men. 

Fuse,  fuz.    A  tube  filled  with  combusti- 


ble matter  used  in  blasting,  discharging 

a  shell,  &c. 
Fusee,   fii- 

z  e ' .    The 

cone    of    a 

wat  c  h    o  !• 

clock, round 

Avhich     is    Barreland  Fusee  of  a  Watch. 

wound    the 

chain  or  cord,   a  mechanical  contrivance 

for  equalizing    the  power  of  the  main- 
spring. 
Fusee.    An  ancient  musket  or  firelock ; 


Fusee. 

a  fusil.    Same  as  fuse.    A  kind  of  match. 
Fusee.    The  track  of  a  buck. 

Fusee-engine,  -en-jin.  A  machine  for 
making  fusees  for  watches  and  clocks. 

Fusel-oil,  'zel-oil.  Oil  of  potato-spu-it ; 
crude  amylic  alcohol,  which  produces 
stupefying  and  poisonous  effects. 

Fusileer,  -er'.  Properly,  a  soldier  armed 
with  a  fusil ;  a  soldier  Avho  bore  fire- 
arms, as  distinguished  from  a  pikeman 
and  archer. 

Fusion,  fu'zhon.  The  act  or  operation 
of  melting  or  rendering  fluid  by  heat.  The 
state  of  being  melted  or  dissolved  by  heat. 
Point  of  fusion  of  metals,  the  degree  of 
heat  at  which  they  melt  or  liquefy. 

Fustian,  fus'ti-an.  A  coarse  twilled 
stuff  of  cotton  or  cotton  and  linen  with  a 
pile  like  velvet,  but  shorter.  It  includes 
corduroy,  moleskin,  velveteen,  &c.  An 
inflated  style  of  writing ;  a  swelling  stj-le ; 
bombast. 

Futurist,  fu'tiir-ist.  In  Theol.  one  who 
holds  that  the  prophecies  of  the  Bible  are 
yet  to  be  fulfilled. 

Fuzee,  -z6'.  In  farriery,  a  splint  applied 
to  the  legs  of  horses. 

Fylfot,  fil'fot.  A  peculiarly-formed  cross, 
introduced  into  Europe,  about  the  Gth 
century,  from  India  or  China,  Avhere  it 
was  employed  as  a  mystic  symbol  among 
religious  devotees.  It  was  often  used  in 
decoration  and  embroidery  in  the  middle 
ages. 

Fyzabad.  Ancient  cap  of  Oude,  Britisli 
India,  on  the  Gogra ;  pop.  103,700. 


J 


S57 


GAETA 


GIS  the  7th  letter  in  the  English  alpha- 
bet. It  has  two  sounds,  g  hard,  aguc- 
tural  mute,  and  the  soft  or  sonant  sound, 
corresponding  to  the  ha:  d  or  surd  sound 

k  (or  c  hard).  This  sound  of  ^  is  what  the 
lette*  always  has  before  a  (except  in  gaol), 
o,  u,  aiid  when  initial  also  before  e  and  i 
in  a'l  words  of  English  origin,  and  when 
final.  The  soft  sound,  as  in  gem,  gin,  is 
a  palatal  sound,  and  did  not  occur  in  the 
oldest  English  or  Anglo-Saxon.  The  let- 
ter Gr  was  a  Rom'in  invention  of  compar- 
atively late  times,  and  was  formed  from 
from  C.  Gr  is  silent  before  n  at  the  be- 
ginning of  vvords;  in  the  middle  of  words 
before  n  i:  is  generally  pronounced ;  at  the 
end,  it  is  not  properly  pronounced  but 
lengthens  the  preceding  vowel,  as  in  be- 
nign, campaign.  In  many  words  which 
in  Anglo-Saxon  contained  a  guttural  h, 
it  has  intruded  itself  before  the  h.  as  in 
fbught,  bright,  high  In  words,  originally 
beginning  with  w,  and  borrowed  from  the 
German  into  the  French,  g  has  been  in- 
serted before  the  w,  hence,  guard  and 
ward,  guarantee  and  warrant.  Asa  num- 
eral, G  was  anciently  used  to  denote  400, 
and  with  a  dash  over  it,  40,000.  In  the 
calendar  itis  the  7th  Dominical  letter.  In 
music,  the  5th  note  and  dominant  of  the 
normal  scale  of  C,  called  also  sol;  the  lowest 
note  of  the  grave  hexachord  ;  in  the  Guid- 
onian  system  gamma  ut;  a  name  of  the 
treble  clef,  which  is  seate*  on  the  G  or 
second  hne  of  the  treble  staii'. 

Gab,  gab.  In  steam-engines,  the  hook  on 
the  end  of  the  eccentric  rod  opposite  the 
strap. 

G-aboon.  A  large  river  of  "W.  Africa, 
em  p  tying  into  the  Atlantic  just  8.  of  the 
equator. 

Gable,  'bl.  In  Arch,  the  triangular  end 
of  a  house  or  other  building,  from  the  level 
of  the  eaves  to  the  top,  distinguished  from 


Gable  of  16th  centmy. 
a  pediment  by  not  being  surrounded  by  a 
oornice.    The  end-wall  of  a  house. 


Gabardine,  ga'bar-den.  A  coarse  frook 
or  loose  upper  garment ;  a  mean  dress. 

Gabriel.  In  Scrip,  the  angel  sent  -with 
messages  to  the  prophet  Daniel,  to 
Zacharias  to  announce  the  birth  of  John  the 
Baptist,  and  to  Mary,  mother  of  Jesus,  to 
announce  his  incarnation. 

Gab-lever,  gab'16-ver.  In  steam-en- 
gines, a  contrivance  for  lifting  the  gab 
from  the  wrist  on  the  crank  of  the  eccen- 
trfc  shaft  in  order  to  disconnect  the  eccen- 
tric from  the  valve  gear. 

Gablock,  'lok.  A  false  spur  fitted  on  to 
the  heel  of  a  gamecock  to  make  it  more 
effective  in  fighting. 

Gabrielite,  ga'bri-el-It.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Anabaptists  in  Pomerania,  so  called  from 
Gabriel  Scherling. 

Gadfly,  gad'fli.  A  dipterous  insect,  gen. 
Oilstrus,  which  stings  cattle  and  deposits 
its  eggs  in  their  skin  ;  called  also  botfly ; 
also  known  by  the  name  breeze. 

Gadbelic,  -he'lik.  Of  or  pertaining  to 
that  branch  of  the  Celtic  race  comprising 
the  Ti^rse  of  Ireland,  the  Gaels  of  Scotland, 
and  the  Manx  of  the  Isle  of  Man ;  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  Cymric  branch,  com- 
prising the  Welsh  and' Bretons,  the  Corn- 
ish, and  generally  all  the  earliest  Celtic  in- 
habitants of  Britain.  Ireland  Avas  the 
home  of  the  Gadhelic  branch,  whence  it 
spread  to  Scotland  in  the  6th  century,  a 
portion  under  the  name  of  Scots  settling 
inArgyle.  They  ultimately  became  the 
dominant  race,  the  Picts,  an  earlier  Cym- 
ric race,  being  lost  in  them. 

Gadolinite,  'G-lin-it.  A  mineral  hav- 
ing the  appearance  of  vitreous  lava.  It 
consists  ofyttria,  silica  and  the  protoxides 
of  cerium  and  iron. 

Gadwall.  A 
bird  of  the 
duck  family, 
f o  u  n  d  in 
Northern  Eu- 
rope. 

Gael,  gill.  A 
Scottish  High- 
lander or  Celt. 

Gaelic,  'ik. 
The    language 

of  the  Celts  inhabiting  the  Highlands  of 
Scotland. 

Gaeta,  ga-ai'ta.  A  fortified  seaport, 
prov.  Caserta,  S.  Italy,  41  m.  N.W.  of  Na- 
ples ;  pop.  abt.  20,000. 


Gadwall. 


GAFFER 


858 


GALILEAN 


Gaffer,  gaf'er.  An  old  rustic ;  a  word 
originally  of  respect,  but  degenerated  in- 
to a  term  of  familiaritv  or  contempt.  The 
foreman  of  a  squad  ot  English  workmen, 
especially  navvies  ;  an  overseer. 

Gag'e,  gaj.  A  pledge  or  pawn.  Anything 
thrown  down  as  a  token  of  challenge  to 
combat.  Formerly  the  challenger  cast  on 
the  ground  a  glove,  a  gauntlet  or  the  like, 
which  was  taken  up  by  the  accepter. 

Q-ag'e.  The  name  given  to  several  varie- 
ties of  plum,  as  the  green  gage,  golden 
gage,  &c. 

Gag-rein,  gag'ran.  A  rein  intended  to 
draw  the  bit  into  the  corners  of  the  horse's 
mouth. 

Gaining-twist,  gan'ing-twist.  In 
rifled  arms,  a  spiral  inclination  of  the 
grooves,  which  shortens  toward  the  muz- 
zle. 

Gainsborough,  ThoHias,  ganz'bro. 
An  eminent  English  landscape  painter, 
B.  1727,  D.  17S8. 

Gaiter,  ga'ter.  A  covering  of  cloth  for 
the  leg,  fitting  upon  the  shoe  ;  a  spatter- 
dash.  A  shoe  with  cloth  upper  ;  also  a 
shoe  which  covers  the  ankles. 

Galactophagrist,  ga-lak-tof  a-jist.  One 
who  eats  or  subsists  on  milk. 

Gala-day,  ga'la-da.  A  day  of  festivity ; 
a  holiday  with  rejoicings. 

Gala-dress,  -dres.  A  holiday  dress ;  a 
person's  gayest  dress. 

Galatea.  In  Myth,  a  Nereid,  beloved  by 
Polyphemus  the  Cyclops  and  by  Aeis. 

Galaxidae,  -laks'i-de.  A  fam.  of  acan- 
thopterygian  fishes,  formerly  classed  with 
the  Salmonidae,  much  resembling  common 
trout. 

Galaxy,  gal'ak-si.  In  Astron.  the  Milky 
Way;  that  long,  white,  luminous  track 
which  stretches  across  the  heavens,  and 
when  fully  traced,  is  found  to  encompass 
the  heavenly  sphere  like  a  girdle,  occa- 
sioned by  a  multitude  of  stars  so  distant 
and  blended  as  to  be  distinguished  only 
by  the  most  powerful  telescopes.  At  sev- 
eral points  are  seen  dark  spots,  one  of  the 
most  easily  distinguished  of  which  has 
long  been  known  as  the  "  coal-sack."  Any 
remote  cluster  of  stars.  An  assemblage 
of  splendid  persons  or  things. 
Galba,  Servius  Sulpicius.  Emperor 
of  Kome,  s.  Nero  ;  u.  abt.  1  a.  d.  ;  crowned 
6S,  killed  by  his  soldiers,  69. 

Galbulinse,  gal-bQ-H'ne.  Thejacamars, 
a  fam.  of  flssirostral  birds,  allied  to  the 
trogons  and  kingfishers 

Galexuys,  ga-le'mis.  A  gen.  of  mammals 


allied  to  the  shrews.  Only  two  species  are 
known,  the  Russian  desman  or  musk-rat 
and  the  French  desman.  Owing  to  a  pow- 
erful musky  odor  which  they  exhale  they 
are  often  called  musk-rats. 

Galen.  An  eminent  Greek  physician  ; 
B.  at  Pergamus,  130,  d.  at  Eome,  208.  Ilia 
system  of  practice  was  in  common  use 
for  13  centuries. 

Galena,  'na.  A  remedy  or  antidote  for 
poison  ;  theriaca.  Sulphate  of  lead  ;  the 
principal  ore  of  lead. 

Galenic,  -len'ik.  Eelating  to  Galen,  the 
celebrated  physician,  or  his  principles  and 
methods.  The  G.  remedies  consist  of 
preparations  of  herbs  and  roots,  by  infu- 
sion, decoction,  &c.  Tho  chemical  rem- 
edies consist  of  preparations  by  means  of 
calcination,  digestion,  fermentation,  &c. 

Galeocerdo,  ga'lb-o-ser"do.  A  gen.  of 
sharks  whose  broad-based,  sharp,  serrat- 
ed teeth  occur  fossil  from  the  lower  ter- 
tiaries  upward. 

Galeodes,  'des.  A  gen.  of  arachnidans, 
by  some  called  Solpuga,  forming  the  type 
of  a  distinct  family,  Galeodidie  or  8ol- 
pugidie,  having  somewhat  the  appearance 
of  large  spiders. 

Galeopitheeus,  -pi-thc"kus.  The  flj- 
ing-lemur,  a  gen.  of  mammals  of  so  pe- 
cuhar  a  structure  as  to  constitute  a  family 
(Galeopithecida?)  of  themselves.  Tho 
bones  of  the  arm  and  leg  are  elongated, 
and  support  lateral  folds  of  skin  service- 
able as  a  parachute,  but  not  as  organs  of 
flight. 

Galerius,  Caius  Valerius  Max- 
imianus.  A  Roman  soldier,  b.  260 ; 
was  adopted  by  the  Emperor  Diocletian, 
and  proclaimed  Cassar,  292  ;  in  305,  on  the 
abdication  of  Diocletian  and  Maximian,  he 
became  Emperor  of  the  West  and  Con- 
stantius  Chlorus  of  the  East ;  d.  311. 

Galicia,  ga-lish'ya.  A  section  in  N. 
W.  Spain  divided  into  four  provinces  ;  cap. 
Santiago.  The  people  are  distinguished 
for  industry,  probity  and  patriotism  ;  pop. 
abt.  2,000,000. 

Galicia  and  Iiodomeria  (Kingr- 
dom  of.)  A  division  of  Austria  com- 
prehending the  N.  E.  corner  of  the  em- 
pire; cap.  Lemberg;  area  34,357  sq.m.; 
pop.  abt.  6,000,000. 

Galilean,  gal-i-le'an.  A  native  or  in- 
habitant of  Gahlee  in  Judea.  One  of  a 
sect  among  the  Jews  who  opposed  the 
payment  of  tribute  to  the  Romans.  Of  or 
pertaining  to  or  invented  by  Gahleo,  the 
ItaUan  astronomer,  aa  the  Galilean  tele- 
scope. 


1 


GALILEE 


GALLEON 


G-alilee.  That  section  of  Palestine  b.  N. 
by  Syria  and  the  Lebanon,  E.  by  the  Jor- 
dan and  W.  by  Phoenicia,  the  birthplace  of 
Christianity ;  'it  is  now  Included  in  the 
Turkish  pasluihc  of  Damascus.  Sea  of 
G.,  also  called  in  Scrip.  Lake  of  Tiberias, 
Gennesaret  and  Kinnaeth,  is  simply  a 
broad  expanse  of  the  Kiver  Jordan, 

Galilee,  'i-le.  A  portico  or  chapel  an- 
nexed to  a  church,  used  for  various  pur- 
poses. In  it  public  penitents  were  sta- 
tioned, dead  bodies  deposited  previous  to 
their  interment,  and  religious  processions 
formed ;  and  it  was  only  in  the  Galilee 
that  in  certain  religious  houses  females 
were  allowed  to  converse  with  monks 
or  attend  divine  service.  When  a  female 
made  application  to  see  a  monk  she  was 
directed  to  the  porch,  in  the  words  of 
Scripture,  "  He  gocth  before  you  into  Gal- 
ilee ;  there  shall  you  see  nim." 

Galileo  (Galilei).  An  eminent  Italian 
mathematician      and     natural     philoso- 

?her ;  b.  at  Pisa,  1564  •  d,  at  Florence, 
&42.  He  discovered  the  isochronism 
of  the  vibrations  of  the  pendulum,  the 
law  governing  the  velocity  of  fall- 
ing bodies 
and  invented 
the  thermom- 
eter and  tele- 
scope. H  e 
suffered  im- 
prison m  e  n  t 
as  a  heretic. 

Galiong-ee. 
A  Turk  i  s  h 
sailor. 

Galiot,  -ot. 
A  small  gal 
ley  or  brigan- 
tine  moved 
by  sails  and 
oars,  having  Dutch  Galiot. 

one  mast  and  sixteen  or  twentv  seats  for 
rowers.  A  Dutch  or  Flemish  freight  ves- 
sel. Also  a  name  formerly  given  to  a 
bomb-ketch. 


GaU-fly. 
rancor ;    malignity. 


The 


gall  bladder.  G.  of  glass,  the  neutral  salt 
skimmed  off  the  surface  of  crown-glass; 
called  also  Sandiver.  A  vegetable  ex- 
crescence produced  by  the  deposit  of  the 
ef;g  of  an  insect  in  the  bark  or  leaves  of  a 
plant.  The  galls  of  commerce  are  pro- 
duced by  a  species  of  cynips  depositing  its 
eggs  in  the  tender  shoots  of  the  Quercus 
infectoria,  a  species  of  oak.  Galls  are  in- 
odorous, and  have  a  nauseously  bitter  and 
astringent  taste;  their  chief  "ingredients 
are  tannin  and  gallic  acid.  They  are  also 
termed  nut-galls  or  gall-nuts. 

Gall,  Franz  Joseph.  A  German  phy- 
sician, and  founder,  wth  Spurzheim,  of 
the  science  of  phrenology ;  b.  in  Baden, 
1758 ;  ».  in  Paris,  1S2S. 

Gall,  St.  An  E.  canton  of  Switzerland, 
S.  of  Lake  Constance  ;  cap.  St.  Gall ;  area, 
2,076  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  about  200,000. 

Galla,  gal'la.  One  of  a  race  inhabiting 
the  S.  and  E.  of  Abyssinia,  forming  with 
the  Fulahs,  Mandingoes  and  Nubas  the 
link  connecting  the  Negroes  with  the  Sem- 
itic races,  and  belonglBg  to  the  great  Kafii* 
family.  The  principal  member  of  the 
Abyssinian  or  Ethiopic  group  of  Hamitic 
tongues,  the  chief  spoken  language  of 
Abyssinia. 

Gailand,  Antoine,  'long.  A  French 
traveler  and  writer  ;  b.  1646,  d.  1715.  He 
made  the  first  translation  of  "The  Thou- 
sand and  One  Nights,"  or  Arabian  Nights' 
Entertainments. 

Galla-ox,  'la-oks.  A  variety  of  the  ox, 
a  native  of  Abyssinia,  remarkable  for  the 
size  of  its  horns,  which  rise  from  the  fore- 
head with  an  outward  and  then  an  inward 
curve,  so  as  to  present  a  very  perfect 
model  of  a  lyre.  It  has  .ilso  a  hump  on 
the  shoulders.    Called  also  Sanga. 

Gallatin,  Albert.  An  American  states- 
man ;  B.  in  Geneva,  Switzerland,  1761  ] 
immigrated  to  the  U.  S.,  1780.  and  settled 
in  Penn.,  1786.  Entering  political  life  he 
was  elected  to  Congress  and  became  the 
leader  of  the  Republican  party ;  1801-13 
he  was  Secretary  of  the  Treasurj',  and 
afterward  Minister  Resident  at  Paris  and 
Commissioner  to  England  on  the  boundary 
and  fishing  disputes  ;  d.  1849. 

Gallandet,  Thomas  Hopkins.  An 
Amei-ican  philanthropist;  b.  in  Penn., 
1787,  D.  1851.  He  founded  the  first  deaf 
and  dumb  asylum  in  the  U.  S.,  at  Hart- 
ford, Conn. 

Gallegros.  A  river  of  Patagonia,  S. 
America,  emptying  into  the  Atlantic. 

Ghalleon,  'le-un.  A  large  ship  formei-iy 
used  by  the  Spaniards  in  their  commere« 


GALLERIA 


SCO 


GALYANISM 


Galley. 


with  S.  America,  usually  furnished  with 
four  decks. 

Galleria,  -lo'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  nocturnal 
lepidopterous  insects,  fam.Tineidse,  whose 
larvic  are  very  destructive  to  beehives. 

Galley,  'li. 
A  low  vessel 
with  one 
deck,  and 
navig-nted 
\\ith  sails  and 
oars,  once 
eommonly 
used  in  the 
Mediterra- 
nean. The 
larg-est  sort  of 
of  them  were 
called  galleas- 
ses, those  of 
small  size 
half-galleys,  and  those  of  a  still  less  size 
quarter-galleys.  A  ship  of  war  of  the 
ancient  Greeks  and  Homans,  propelled 
chiefly  by  oars.  The  boat  of  a  war-ship 
appropriated  for  the  captain's  use.  The 
pook-room  ol  a  ship  of  war  or  a  steamer. 
An  oblong  reverberatoi-y  furnace  Avith  a 
row  of  retorts,  whose  necks  protrude 
through  lateral  openings.  In  priating,  a 
frame  of  wood,  brass,  or  zinc,  on  which 
the  types  are  placed  when  composed. 

fl-all-fly,  gal'flT.  An  insect  that  punc- 
tures plants,"and  occasions  galls  ;  a  veget- 
able excrescence. 

Gallia  (Gaul).  The  ancient  name  of 
France. 

Galilean  Chixrch.  The  title  of  the  E. 
O.  Church  in  France,  which  refused  to  ac- 
cede to  the  demands  of  papal  authority  in 
respect  to  temporalities,  and  held  that  de- 
cisions of  the  Holy  See  may  be  set  aside 
by  the  body  of  the  clergy.  Galhcanism  is 
opposed  to  Ultramontanism. 

Gallienus,  Publius  liucinius  "Va- 
lerius. Emperor  of  Rome,  son  of  Va- 
lerian ;  B.  233  ;  s.  his  father  Avho  was  a 
prisoner  to  the  Persians,  260;  assassinated 
by  his  soldiers  at  the  siege  of  Milan,  268. 

Galligraskins,  gal-li-gas'kinz.  Large 
open  breeches ;  wide  hose.  Leather 
guards  worn  on  the  legs  by  sportsmen. 

Gallinaceae,  -nfi'sc-e.  The  term  by 
which  the  whole  order  of  rasorial  birds 
is  sometimes  designated,  but  properly  re- 
stricted to  that  section  of  which  the  do- 
mestic fowl  is  the  type,  including  turkej^s, 
partridges,  grouse,  pea-fowl,  and  allied 
forms,  the  second  sub-ord.  being  the  Co- 
lumbidse  or  Columbaceae  (pigeons). 


Gallinha,  'in-ha.  A  nominal  money  ol 
account  in  W.  Africa,  represented  by  cow- 
ries. 

Gallinipper,  'i-nip-er.  A  large  mos- 
quito. 

Gallinule,  'lin-id.  Gallinula,  a  gen.  of 
grallatorial  birds,  fara.  Rallidae  or  rails, 
allied  to  the  coots. 

Gallipoli,  -lip'o-le.  A  Turkish  sea- 
port at  tho;'anction  of  the  Hellespont  and 
Sea  of  Man'nora  :  the  chief  naval  rendez- 
vous ;  pop.  abt.  52,000. 

Gallius,  Caius  Sulpicius.  The  first 
Rmian  astronomer,  elected  consul,  160  b. 
c.  His  prediction  of  an  eclipse  on  the  eve 
of  the  battle  of  Pydna,  16S,  was  A-erified, 
and  secured  him  the  highest  honors.  G., 
Caius  Vibius  Trebonianus,  emperor  of 
Rome,  B.  205 ;  s.  Decius,  251 ;  killed  by  his 
soldiers,  258.  He  lost  popularity  through 
purchasing  peace  from  the  Goths. 

Galliwasp,  'li-wasp.  A  species  of  lizard 
bearing  the  scientific  name  of  Celestus  oc- 
ciduus. 

Gall-oak,  gal'ok.  Quercus  infcctoria,  the 
oak  from  which  the  galls  of  commerce  are 
obtained. 

Galloon,  pal-Ion'.  A  narrow  close  lace 
made  of  cotton,  silk,  gold  or  silver 
threads,  &c.,  used  for  binding  shoes,  hats 
and  other  purposes. 

Galloway,  'lo-wa.  A  horse  of  small  size^ 
first  bred  in  Galloway  in  Scotland,  charac- 
terized bj'  great  6i)iri"t  and  endurance. 

Gallowglass,  -glas.  An  ancient  heavy- 
armed  foot-soldier  of  Ireland  and  the 
Western  Isles  ;  opposed  to  kerne,  a  light- 
armed  soldier. 

Gall-stone,  gal'ston.  A  concretion 
formed  in  the  gall-bladder.  The  common 
kind  is  used  by  painters  as  a  yellow 
coloring  matter. 

Galvani,  Aloisio.  An  Italian  physi- 
ologist, discoverer  of  Galvanism  ;  b.  at 
Bologna,  1T37  ;  d.  1798. 

Galvan- 
ism, gal' 
V  a  n-ism. 
That 
branch  of. 
the  s  c  i 
e  n  c  e  o  f '^ 
electricity  "•^^- 
w  h  i  c  h  xlittici  J . 

treats    of 

the  electrical  currents  arising  from 
chemical  action,  more  particularly  from 
that  accompanying  the  decomposition  of 
metals.  Galvanic  electricity  is  a  most  im- 
portant agent  in  the  arts,  in  modicine, 


GALYANOGRAPHY 


©AR 


Burgeiy,  &c.  Through  its  discovery  the 
Invention  of  the  electric  telegi-aph  be- 
came possible. 

Q-alvanography,  -og'ra-fi.  A  method 
of  producing  plates  for  copper-plate 
engraving  by  the  galvanoplastic  pro- 
cess without  etching.  The  impressions 
arc  taken  from  this  in  the  same  manner 
as  in  copper-plate  printing. 
Gralvanometer, 
-om'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  detecting  the 
existence  and  deter- 
mining the  strength 
and  direction  of  an 
electric  current.  The 
Sine  G.  is  exhibited  in 
the  cut.  Thompson's 
mirror  galvanometer 
is  the  most  sensitive. 
Its  needle  is  rigidly,.  ^^  ^, 
attached  to  a  concave^  ~^^ 
mirror,  and  suspended  ^^^--i 
In  the  cen  ter  of  a  verti-  Sine  Galva- 
cal  coil  by  a  silk  fiber.  nometer. 

A  movable  magnet  is 
provided  for  bringing  the  needle  into  the 
plane  of  the  coll  when  the  latter  does  not 
coincide  with  the  magnetic  meridian. 
Needle,  mirror  and  magnet  weigh  only 
about  li  grains. 

Galvanosoope,  'o-skop.  An  instru- 
ment for  detecting  the  existence  and  di- 
rection of  an  electric  current.  A  magnetic 
needle  is  a  galvanoscope. 
Galveston.  Cap.  of  county  of  same 
name  in  Texas,  on  an  island  in  bay  of  same 
name,  on  Gulf  of  Mexico,  230  m.  S.  E.  of 
Austin.  G.  is  the  commercial  metropolis 
of  the  State  ;  pop.  22,248. 
Galway.  An  Irish  seaport,  cap.  of  Co. 
G.,  on  bav  of  same  name,  113  m.  W.  of 
Dublin ;  pop.  18,320. 

Gama,  Vasco  de.     A  Portuguese  navi- 
gator, B.  at  Sines  about  1460  ;  d.  in  Cochin, 
1524.     He  was  the  first  to  double  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  1497. 
Gambeson,  gam'be-zon. 
A  quilted    tunic,    stuffed 
with  wool,  fitting  the  body, 
and  worn  under  the  haber- 
geon ;    strong    enough   to 
resist  ordinary  cuts,  it  was 
frequently   worn    without 
armor.     Called  also  Acton 
and  Ilacqueton. 
Gambetta,    Leon.      A 
French  lawyer  and  states- 
man :    B.  at  Cahors,  1838  ; 
».  1884.    An  ai'dent  repub- 
lican, eloqueat  and  brave,  he  manifested 


Gambeson. 


the  greatest  energy  in  the  defense  of  Pari* 
against  the  Germans,  18T0,  and  ^vhcn 
longer  defense  was  useless,  escaped  by 
balloon,  reached  Bordeaux  and  con- 
tinued the  war  for  some  months.  After 
the  formation  of  the  republic  G.  entered 
the  National  Assembly,  and  at  once  as- 
sumed a  leadership  which  only  terminated 
witli  his  death. 

Gambia.  A  river  of  W.  Africa,  abt. 
1,000  m.  In  length.  It  empties  into  the 
Atlantic  at  Bathurst.  Cap.  of  a  British 
colony  called  G. 

Gambit,  'bit.  In  chess-playing,  the  sacri- 
fice of  a  pawn  early  in  the  game,  for  the 
I)urpose  of  talking  up  an  attacking  posi- 
tion. 

Gamogrenesis,  -o-jen'e-sis.  Generation 
by  copulation  of  the  sexes ;  sexual  gen- 
eration. 

Ganges.  The  sacred  river  of  India, 
1,557  m.  long,  with  a  delta  extending  200 
m.  N.  of  the  Bay  of  Bengal.  The  Hooghly, 
on  which  Calcutta  is  situated,  is  one  of  its 
two  principal  arms. 

Ganjah.,  gan'jS.  E.  Indian  name  for  the 
dried  hemp  plant  from  which  the  resin  has 
not  been  removed  ;  it  is  sold  for  smoking, 
like  tobacco. 

Gannet,  'et. 
The  soian  goose, 
a  bird  of  the  gen. 
Sula,  fam.  PeU- 
canida?. 

Ganoidei, 
-oid'-e-i.  The  2d 
order  of    fishes « 
according  to  the"^ 
arrangement    of 

M.  Agassiz.  The  ^  ,  „  n^^^^ 

bony    pike    and  Solan  Goose, 

sturgeon   are  of  this  order. 

Ganymede,  'i-med.  In  Class  Myth, 
a  youth  carried  off  by  Jupiter,  in  eagle 
form,  and  made  cup-bearer  to  the  immor- 
tals. 

Ganza  'za.  One  of  the  birds  (a  species 
of  wild  goose)  which,  in  the  fictitious 
work  of  Cyrano  de  Bergerac  (1649),  relat- 
ing the  journey  of  Dominic  Gonzales, 
Spanish  adventurer,  to  the  moon,  are 
represented  as  drawing  the  chariot  of 
Gonzales. 

Gaon,  ga'on.  One  of  an  order  of  Jewish 
doctors  who  appeared  after  the  closing  ©f 
the  Talnmd. 

Gar,  gar.  An  element  in  proper  names 
derived  from  the  Anglo-Saxon  ;  as  Edgar, 
happy  weapon  ;  Ethelgai-,  noble  weapon. 


GARANGAN 


GAETER 


Garde-brace. 


Oaran^an,  'an-gan.  A  Javanese  species 
of  ichneumon,  the  Herpestes  jaranicus, 
possessing  the  power  of  inflating  and  con- 
tracting its  body  with  great  rapidity. 

Q-arda    Lake.     The 

nrincipal    lake    of    N. 
Italy,    surrounded    by 
the   provinces  of  Ver- 
ona, Brescia   and  Man- 
tua, and  on  the  N.  by 
the  Tyrol ;  35  m.  long 
by  12  m.  wide. 
Garde-brace,     gard' 
bras.     A  piece  of  armor 
fastened  to  the  elbow-plates,    and    cover- 
ing the  elbow  and  upper  part  of  the  arm ; 
used  in  the  15th  century. 
Garfield,    James    Abram.      Nine- 
teenth   President  of  the    U.  8.;   b.  in 
Orange    Township,    Cuyahoga    Co.,   0., 
Nov.   19,   1831.      Entered   the  army  as 
Colonel,  1861;  was  promoted  to  Major- 
General,  but  resigned  on  election  to  Con- 
gress, 1863;  1880  elected  to  U.  8.  Senate, 
and  nominated    and    elected    President. 
Was  shot  by  Guiteau,  July  2,  and  died 
September  18,  1881. 

Gargoyle,  g  a  r'- 
goil.  In  Arch,  a 
projecting  spout 
for  throwing  the 
water  fi-om  the 
gutters  of  a  build- 
ing. 

Garibaldi,  -i-bal'  Gargoyle, 

di.    A  jacket  worn 

by  ladies,  supposed  to  resemble  the  colored 
shirt  worn  by  Garibaldi  and  his  soldiers. 
A  peculiar  style  of  hat ;  so  named  for  a 
similar  reason. 

Garibaldi,  Giuseppe,  Gen.  A  dis- 
tinguished Italian  patriot ;  b.  at  Nice, 
180T ;  D.  at  Ctvprera,  1881.  He  was  an 
exile  for  several  years,  residing  in  New 
York  City  and  vicinity. 

Garnet,  'net.  The  name  common  to  a 
group  of  minerals  varying  in  composition, 
as  alumina,  lime,  magnesia  or  some  other 
base  is  associated  with  the  silica  which 
composes  about  half  the  mineral.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  coarse  garnet,  there  are  the 
oriental  garnet,  of  crimson-red  color,  the 
most  prized  of  all  the  varieties  ;  the  gros- 
Bular  or  olive-green  garnet  from  Siberia ; 
the  pyrope,  the  topazolite,  the  sv.ccinite, 
the  melanite,  the  pyrenite,  the  allochroite, 
the  aplome,  and  the  coiophonite.  Naut., 
a  sort  of  tackle  fixed  to  the  main-stay,  and 
bsed  to  hoist  the  <^argo  in  and  out. 


Garnishee,  -nish-e'.  In  law,  a  person 
warned  not  to  pay  money  which  he  owes 
to  another  person  who  is  indebted  to  the 
person  giving  warning. 

Garonne,  ga-ron.  A  French  river, 
principal  branch  of  the  Girondo,  which 
empties  into  the  Bay  of  Biscay  85  m.  N. 
W.  of  Bordeaux. 

Garrick,  David.  A  distinguished  En- 
glish tragedian  b.  at  Hereford,  1710 ;  d. 
1779. 

Garrison,  William  Lloyd.  An  em- 
inent American  journalist  and  anti-slavery 
agitator  ;  b.  in  Mass.,  1804 ;  d.  1879. 

Garrote,  gar-rot'.  A  mode  of  capital 
punishment  in  Spain,  the  victim  being 
placed  on  a  stool  before  a  post  to  which  is 
affixed  an  iron  collar  with  a  screw  ;  this 
collar  is  made  to  clasp  the  neck  and  drawn 
tighter  by  means  of  the  screw  till  life 
becomes  extinct.  The  instrument  by 
means  of  which  this  punishment  is  in- 
flicted. A  form  of  robbery  by  compress- 
ing the  victim's  windpipe  till  he  becomes 
insensible. 

Garrulus,  'rii-lus.  A  gen.  of  insessorial 
birds  of  the  crow  fam.,  containing  the  jays. 

Garter,  gar'ter. 
A  band  used  to  tie  a 
stocking  to  the 
leg.  The  badge  of 
the  highest  order  of 
knighthood  in  G. 
Britain,  the  order  of 
the  Garter ;  hence, 
also,  the  order  it- 
self, founded  by  Ed- 
ward III.  in  mem- 
ory of  the  following^ 
circumstance :  The 
Countess  of  Salis- 
bury having  dropped 
her  garter  while 
dancing,  the  king 
picked  it  up  and  tied 
it  round  his  own 
leg,  but,  observing 
the  jealous  glances 
of  the  qiieen,  he  re- 
stored it  to  its  own- 


Insignia  of  the 
Garter. 


er  with  the  exclamation,  "Honi  soit  qui 
mal  y  pense  "  (Shamed  be  he  who  thinko 
evil  of  it).  The  emblem  of  the  order  is  a 
dark  blue  ribbon  edged  with  gold,  bearing 
the  motto,  and  with  a  buckle  and  pend- 
ant of  gold,  worn  on  the  left  leg  below  the 
knee.  The  dress  is  of  different  colored 
velvets,  the  collar  of  gold  and  the  star  of 
silver,  the  two  last-mentioned  being  in  the 
<brm  of  a  garter.  The  original  number  of 
knigrhta  was  26,  and  thia  is  still  tke  nom« 


GAS 


GATIIEEING-PEAT 


inal  number,  although  the  princes  of  the 
blood  are  admitted  as  supernumerary 
members.  Oriffinally  known  as  the  Order 
of  St.  George,  it  still' retains  that  title.  A 
king-of-arms  instituted  by  Henry  Y.  for 
the  ser^ice  of  the  order  of  the  Garter. 
Ho  is  also  principal  king-of-arms  in  Eng- 
land. In  Her.  the  half  of  a  bend.  In  a 
circus  the  tapes  held  up  for  a  performer  to 
leap  over. 

Gras,  gas.  An  elastic  aeriform  fluid,  a 
term  originally  synonymous  with  air,  but 
afterward  restricted  to  bodies  supposed  to 
be  incapable  of  being  reduced  to  a  liquid 
or  solid  state.  Since  the  liquefaction  of 
gases  by  Faraday  the  term  has  resumed 
nearly  its  original  signification  and  desig- 
nates any  substance  in  an  elastic  aeriform 
state.  Many  of  the  gases  are  of  great  im- 
portance in  the  arts  and  manufactures, 
and  coal-gas  has  contributed  immensely 
to  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  modern 
living.  Gases  are  invisible  except  when 
colored,  which  happens  in  two  or  three 
instances. 


habitiHi?  a  univalve   shell.      The  garden 
snail  is  a  type.    The  class  comprises  also 


tity  of  gas  emi^oyed  in  any  chemical  ex- 
periment. A  reservoir  or  storehouse  for 
gas. 

Q-aspe,  gas'pa.  A  peninsula  in  Quebec, 
E.  Canada,  coutnining  two  counties,  Gaspe 
and  Bonaventurc. 

G-assendi,  Pierre.  An  eminent  French 
astronomer  and  philosopher ;  b.  in  Prov- 
ence 1592,  B.  1655. 

Gasteromycetes,  ga8'ter-6-mi-8e"tez. 
One  of  the  six  great  divisions  of  the  fun- 
gi, comprising  those  genera  with  naked 
spores  in  which  the  hymenium  or  fruit- 
bearing  surface  is  inclosed  in  a  peridium 
or  outer  coat.      It  includes  the  puff-balls. 

Q-asterophilus,    -ofi-lus.      A  gen.  of 

f)arasiiic  insects  inhabiting  the  stomach  of 
lorses,  the  grubs  or  larvse  of  which  are 
ordinarily  termed  bots. 

Q-asteropoda,  -op'o-da.  A  class  of  mol- 
lusks  consisting  princijmlly  of  animal'^  in- 


Gosteropoda. 

whelks,  periwinkles,  limpets  and  cowries. 
No  known  gasteropod  has  a  bivalve  shell. 

Gasterosteidse,  -os-tc'i-de.  The  stickle- 
backs, a  fam.  of  spine-finned  acanthopter- 
ygian  fishes,  remarkable  for  building  nests 
for  their  young. 

G-astronomy,  -tron'o-mi.  The  art  or 
science  of  good  living ;  the  pleasures  of 
the  tables ;  epicurism. 

G-astrotomy,  -trot'd-mi.  The  operation 
of  cutting  open  the  abdomen. 

Gate-         - 
house,   J 
gJit'hous.  A 
house,  as  a 
per  t  er'  s  i 

lodge,  at  the 
entrance    to 
the  ground s 
of  any  man 
sion,     insti- 
tution, &c. ; 
the  house  off 
the     person 
who  attends  I 
the  gate   at 
a  level  cross- 
ing on  a  rail- 
waj 
cial 

Arch.  a 
house  over  Gate-house  at  Sens,  France, 
the  gate  giv- 
ing entrance  to  a  city,  castle,  abbev,  col- 
lege or  mansion,  and  forming  the  residence 
of  the  gate-keeper.  In  ancient  times  these 
houses  were  often  large  and  imposing 
structures,  of  great  strength,  and  were 
sometimes  used  as  prisons. 

G-ates,  Horatio,  Gen.  An  American 
oflicer  in  the  lievolution  ;  b.  in  England, 
IT'28;  u.  1S06.  He  captured  Gen,  Bur- 
goyne  and  his  array  at  Saratoga,  I?.  Y. 

Gath.ering--peat,  gath'er-ing-pet.  A 
fiery  peat  which  was  sent  round  bv  the 
Borderers  to  alarm  the  country  in  time  of 
danger,  as  the  fiery  cross  was  by  the 
Highlanders.  A  iieatput  Into  the  flro  at 
night  to  preserve  the  iir©. 


ay ;    espe- 
illy,       i  n 


GATINEAU 


8&4 


GEAE 


Gauntlets. 


Gatineau,  gah-teen'o'.  A  river  of  E- 
Canada  which  empties  into  the  Ottawa 
near  the  city  of  that  name. 
Gatlingr-gun,  sat'ling-<2run.  An  Amer- 
ican Jorm  of  the  mitrailleuse,  so  named 
from  the  inventor. 

Gaub,  gab.  An  Indian  name  for  the  as- 
tringent medicinal  fruit  of  Diospyros  Em- 
bryopteris,  which  yields  juice  containing 
60  per  cent,  of  pure  tannic  acid.  The 
juice,  in  addition  to  its  use  as  an  astrin- 
gent and  styptic,  is  employed  in  Bengal  for 
paying  the  bottoms  of  boats. 
Gaucho,  ga-o'cho.  A  native  of  the  pam- 
pas of  La  Plata,  of  Spanish  descent,  noted 
for  independence,  for  horsemanship  and 
the  use  of  the  lasso. 

Gaul,  pal.     The  name  of  ancient  France. 
An  inhabitant  of  Gaul. 
Gauntlet,  gant'let.    An  iron  glove  with 
fingers    cov-  * 
ered     with.  ^ 

small  plates,  ""^^  '*" 
formerly 
worn  b7; 
armed  cava-' 
liers.  It  used 
to  be  thrown 
down  in 
token  of  challenge ;  hence,  to  throw  down 
the  gauntlet,  to  challenge  ;  to  take  up  the 
gauntlet,  to  accept  the  challenge.  Any 
long  glove  which  envelops  the  hand  and 
wrist.  In  Surg,  a  bandage  covering  hand 
and  fingers. 
O-atir,  gour.  One  of  the  largest  of  the  ox 
tribe  (Bos  gaurus),  inhabiting  the  moun- 
tain jungles  of  India,  so  fierce  when 
Aroused  that  neither  tiger,  rhinoceros, 
nor  elephant  dare  attack  it.  The  hide  on 
the  shoulders  and  hind-quarters  is  some- 
times nearly  2  inches  in  thickness.  It 
has  never  been  domesticated. 
Gausabey,  gou'sa-ba.  A  village  com- 
mittee or  petty  court  in  Ceylon,  to  which 
all  minor  disputes  are  referred. 
Gauss,  Karl  Friedrich.  A  distin- 
tinguished  German  mathematician  ;  is.  at 
Brunswick,  1777,  i).  1855. 
Gautier.  Theophile,  go-te-a.  An 
eminent  French  litterateur  and  poet:  u.  at 
Tarbes,  1810,  n.  1S72. 
d-auze,  gaz.  A  very  thin,  transparent 
stuft',  of  silk,  linen,  or  cotton,  either  plain 
or  figured,  the  latter  being  worked  with 
flowers  of  silver  or  gold.  Any  slight 
open  material,  as  Avire  gauze. 
Mvami.  The  nom  de  plui-^e  o.  "Paul 
Chevalier,  a  clevei-  French  carioaturist  • 
B.  in  Paris,  ISOl,  d.  1866.  I 


Gavial,   gii'vi-al.    A  gen    of  the    ord. 


Gazelles. 


Gavial  or  Gangetic  Crocodile. 
Crocodilia,  characterized  by  narrow  elon- 
gated jaws. 

Gay-Lussae,  Joseph  Louis.  An  em- 
inent Fi-ench  chemist;  n.  at  St.  Leonard, 
1778,  p.  18.50. 
Gayal,  gi'al.  A  species  of  ox  (Bos  fron- 
talis) found  wild  in  the  mountains  of  N. 
Burmah  and  Assam,  and  long  domesti- 
cated. 

Gaza.  A  city  of  Syria,  pashalic  of  Da- 
mascus ;  50  m.  S.  W.  of  Jerusalem,  and  3 
m.  from  the  Mediterranean.  G.  is  men- 
tioned in  Scrip,  at  the  time  of  the  Jewish 
exodus  from  Egypt ;  pop.  15,000. 
Gazelle,  ga-zel'.  An 
animal  of  Aft-ica  and 
India,  of  the  gen, 
Antilope.  It  has  a 
brilliant,  beautiful 
eye. 

Gazette,  -zet'.  A. 
newspaper;  a  sheet- 
containing  an  ac- 
count of  transactions 
and  events  deemed 
important  and  interesting.  The  first  ga- 
zette in  England  was  published  at  Oxford 
in  1665.  On  the  removal,  of  the  court  to 
London  the  title  of  London  Gazette  was 
adopted  It  is  now  the  ofticial  newspaper, 
published  Tuesdays  and  Fridays.  A  ga- 
zette is  published  also  in  Edinburgh  and 
Dubhn,  and  all  three  contain  among  other 
things  a  list  of  those  who  have  become 
bankrupt  since  last  publication  ;  hence,  to 
appear  in  the  gazette,  to  become  bankrupt. 
A  popular  name  for  newspapers  in  the  U. 
8.  and  British  colonies. 
Gear,  gcr. 
Mach.  the 
ances  or  furnish- 
ings connected  \ 
■\Wth  the  acting  • 
portions  of  any  ' 
piece  of  mechan-  "^^^^s^JjIL^s^^^ 
ism ,  as  valve  gear;  ^Virjv^rJ^ 
specifically,  Spur-gearing, 

toothed  wheels  or 

the   connection  of  toothed  wheels  with 
each  ot^er ;  gearing. 


GEAGH 


S65 


GENEALOGY 


Greag-h.  The  name  ^ven  by  the  Turks 
to  a  cycle  of  12  years,  each  year  bearing 
the  name  of  a  different  animal. 

Gecarcinus,  jC-kar-si'nus.  The  gen.  of 
short-tailed  decapod  crustaceans  ;  Land- 
crabs. 

Gecininse,  je-si-ni'ne.  The  green  -wood- 
I)eckers,  a  s"ub-fam.  of  scansorial  birds, 
fam.  Picid.-e. 

Geckotidae,  gek-o'ti-. 
de.  A  fam.  of  noc- 
turnal lizards,  also, 
called  Ascalabotes, ' 
sec.  Pachyglossaj,  the 
toes  being  furnished 
•with  flattened  sucking 
pads  by  means  of 
which  they  can  run  up 
a  perpendicular  wall, 
or  across  a  ceiling. 

Geez,  gaz.      The  an- 
cient     language      of 
Abyssinia,  a  dialect  of       WaJl-gecko. 
Arabic.     It  has  a  liter- 
ature reaching  back  to  the  4th  century. 
As  a  living  language  it  has  been  superceded 
by  Amharic.    Called  also  Literary  Ethi- 
opic. 

Gehenna.  gG-hcn'na.  A  term  used  in 
the  New  Testament  as  equivalent  to  hell, 
place  of  fire  or  torment  and  punishment. 

Gelada,  gel'ad-a.  A  singular  Abyssinian 
baboon,  having  a  heavy  mane  which  hangs 
over  the  shoulders,  and  which  only  grows 
when  the  animal  is  adult. 

G^lalasan  Era,  je-lal-c'an  e'ra.  The 
era  of  Yezdegerd,  so  called  from  its  reform 
by  Gelal-Edin,  sultan  of  Khorassin. 

Gelatine,  jel'a-tin.  A  concrete  animal 
substance,  transparent  and  soluble.  It  is 
confined  to  the  tendons,  ligaments,  car- 
tilages and  bones,  and  exists  nearly  pure 
in  the  skin,  but  is  not  contained  in  any 
healthy  animal  fluid.  Its  leading  charac- 
ter is  the  formation  of  a  tremulous  jelly 
when  its  solution  in  boihng  water  cools. 
The  coarser  forms  from  hoofs,  hides,  &c., 
are  called  glue  ;  that  from  skin  and  finer 
membranes  is  called  size  ;  and  the  purest 
gelatine,  from  the  air-bladders  and  other 
membranes  of  fish,  is  called  isinglass.  It 
is  a  nutritious  article  of  food,  but  animals 
fed  exclusively  on  it  die  with  the  symp- 
toms of  starvation,  as  it  cannot  yield  albu- 
men, fibrine  or  caseine. 

Gelding",  geld'ing.  A  castrated  horse. 
Formerly  the  Avord  was  applied  to  men  as 
v\cll  as  brutes,  and  was  equivalent  to 
eunuch. 

Geelong^.    A  city  of  Victoria,  S.  Aus- 


Gemini. 


tralia,  40  m.  S.  "W.  of  Melbourne  on  th« 
W.  arm  of  Port  8t.  Philip  ;  pop.  27,460. 

Gelon.  The  tyrant  of  Syracuse,  b.  abt. 
530.  D.  478  «.  c.  He  defeated  the  Cartha- 
ginians at  Himera  -with  great  skughter, 
480. 

Gem,  jem.  A  precious  stone  of  any  kind, 
especially  when  cut  and  polished ;  a  jewel; 
anything  remarkable  for  beauty,  rarity, 
or 'costliness.  AKificial  gems  are  made  of 
what  is  termed  paste,  mixed  AWth  metallic 
oxides  for  producing  the  desired  color. 

Gemara,  ge-ma'ra.  In  Jewsh  literature, 
the  part  of  the  Talmud  or  commentary  on 
the  Mishna. 

Gemini,  jem'i-nl.  In  Aetron.  the  8d 
sign  of  the  zodiac, 
so  named  from  its 
two  brightest, 
stars.  Castor,  of' 
the  first  magni- 
tude, and  Pollux, 
of  the  second.  Its 
constituent  stars ' 
form  a  binary  syi 
tem  revolving  in 
about  250  years. 
The  sun  is  in 
Gemini  from  about  May  21  till  about  June 
21,  or  the  longest  day. 

Gemmation,  -a'shon.  In  Zool.  the  pro- 
cess of  reproduction  by  buds ;  budding. 
In  Bot.  the  time  when  leaf-buds  are  put 
forth. 

Gemsbok,  gemz'- 
bok.  Oryx  Gazella, 
a  splendid  variety 
ofS.  African  ante- 
lope, having  some- 
what the  appear- 
ance of  a  horse. 

Gem-sculpture, 
jem'skulp-tur.  The 
art  of  lithoglyptics  ; 
the  art  of  represent- 
ing   designs    upon^ 
precious    sto  n  e  i 
either     in      raised 
work  (cameos)  or 
by  figures  cut  into  or  below  the  surface 
(ihtaglios). 

G^msliom,  gemz'horn.  An  organ  stop 
of  conically  shaped  tin  pipes,  having  a 
peculiarly  pleasant  tone. 

Gendarme,  zhan-d^rm.  A  private  in  the 
armed  police  of  France.  In  former  times 
the  appellation  was  confined  to  the  flower 
of  the  French  army,  composed  of  the 
nobles  or  noblesse. 

Genealogry,  je-ne-al'o-ji.    A  history  of 


Gemsbok. 


GENERAL 


866 


GENSERIC 


the  descent  of  a  person  or  family  from  sin 
ancestor  ;  enumeration  of  ancestors  and 
their  children  in  the  natural  order  of 
succession.     Pedigree ;  lineage. 

General,  ien'er-al,  One  of  the  chief 
military  officers  of  a  country  or  govern- 
ment, the  commander  of  an  army,  a  di- 
vision or  brigade.  Eccles.,  the  chief  of  an 
order  of  monks,  or  of  all  congregations 
under  the  same  rule. 

Greneral  Assembly.  The  supreme 
court  of  the  Established  Church  and  Free 
Church  of  Scotland.  The  highest  tribunal 
of  the  Presbyterian  churches  of  America. 

Grennappe,  zha-nap'.  A  small  Belgian 
town,  prov.  Brabant,  17  m.  S.E.  of  Brus- 
sels, noted  as  the  scene  of  the  first  en- 
gagement in  the  battle  of  Waterloo. 

Grenesee  River.  A  stream  in  W.  N. 
Y.,  noted  for  its  series  of  falls,  the  princi- 
pal of  which  are  at  Rochester  and  Portage. 
It  rises  in  Potter  Co.,  Pa.,  and  empties 
into  Lake  Ontario,  six  miles  below  Roch- 
ester ;  total  length,  145  m. 

Genesis,  'e-sis.  The  first  book  of  the 
Old  Testament,  containing  a  history  of  the 
creation.  In  the  original  Hebrew  this 
book  has  no  title ;  the  present  title  was 
given  it  by  those  who  translated  it  into 
Greek.     Its  history  covers  S,TOO  years. 

Genet,  je-net'. 
The  Yiverra  ge- 
netta,  a  carnivor- 
ous animal,  fam. 
Yiverrida3,  about 
the  size  of  a  small 
cat,  and  having  a 
very  beautiful  soft 
fur,  and,  like  the 
agreeable  perfume. 

Geneva,  je-ne'va.  A  spirit  distilled  from 
gi-ain  or  malt,  with  the  addition  of  jumper 
berries.  The  word  is  now  usually  in  the 
form  gin. 

Geneva.  The  leading  but  smallest  in 
extent  of  the  Swiss  cantons,  cap.  Geneva, 
area  110  sq.  m.,  pop.  83,197.  G.,  the  cap., 
is  the  largest  and  richest  city  of  S^\^tzer- 
land,  on  the  S.W.  corner  of  Lake  G.,  70 
m.  N.E.  of  Lyons;  pop.  47,200.  It  was 
a  thi'iving  place  in  the  time  of  Julius 
Ca?sar.  Lake  of  G.  (Leinan),  the  largest 
in  Switzerland,  in  the  S.W.  section  of  the 
canton ;  length  55  m.,  width  1  to  9  m. 
Along  its  shores  are  Nyon,  Vevay, 
Ouchj%  Clarens  and  Meillerie. 

Geneva  Bible.  A  copy  of  the  Bible  in 
English,  printed  at  Geneva,  1560,  in  com- 
mon use  in  England  till  the  version  made 
by  order  of  King  James  was  intro- 
duced. 


Genoc. 
civet,   producing  an 


Genevieve  St.  The  patroness  of  Paris ; 
B.  at  Nanterre  423,  i).  512.  Tradition 
says  she  performed  miracles,  predicted 
coming  events,  and  was  the  means  of  con- 
verting Cloxis  the  king. 

Genevre,  zha-nav'r.  An  Alpine  i>arfe 
bet.  France  and  Piedmont,  11,615  ft.  high. 
A  road  made  by  order  of  Napoleon  I. 
crosses  it  at  the  height  of  6,000  ft. 

Geng-his  Ehan.  A  Tartar  chief  who 
consolidated  his  people  and  carried  on 
perpetual  and  successful  war;  b.  1164,  i>. 
1227.  He  overrun  a  great  part  of  N. 
China,  destroyed  Samarcand  and  Bokha- 
ra and  subjugated  Persia.  It  is  estimat- 
ed that  5,000,000  souls  were  slain  in  his 
Avars. 

Genitals,  ien'it-alz.  The  parts  of  an  an- 
imal which  are  the  immediate  instruments 
of  generation  ;  the  privates  ;  the  sexual 
organs. 

Genitor,  -er.  One  who  procreates;  a 
sire ;  a  father. 

Genoa.  The  commercial  metropolis  of 
modern  Italy,  formerly  the  cap.  of  a 
duchy,  noted  for  its  magnificent  palaces 
and  churches,  also  for  its  manufac- 
tures ;  pop.  abt.  180,000.  It  is  strongly 
fortified. 

Genoiiilliere,  zhnol- 
yur.  A  steel  covering 
for  the  knees  Avhich  first  ( 
appeared  in  the  13th  cen- 
tiu-y.  In  Fort,  the  i)art( 
of  the  interior  slope  of 
the  parapet  below  the 
sill  of  an  embrasure.  Genouilli^res. 
The  height  of  the  parapet 
above  the  banquette  in  a  barbette  battery. 

Genius  loci,  je'ni-us  lo'sl.  The  presid- 
ing divinity  of  a  place.  The  pervading 
spirit  of  a  place  or  institution. 

Genre,  zhan-r.  A  term  applied  to  paint- 
ings Avhich  depict  scenes  of  ordinary  life, 
as  domestic,  i-ural  or  village  scenes.  The 
term  is  applied  in  an  analogous  sense  to 
sculpture  and  the  drama. 

Gens,  jens.  In  ancient  Rome  a  clan  or 
house  embracing  several  families  united 
together  by  a  common  name  and  certain 
religious  rites ;  as  the  Fabian  gens,  all 
bearing  the  name  Fabius. 

Genseric.  A  Yandal  King,  b.  at  Seville, 
406,  i^.  477.  He  invaded  Africa,  429,  de- 
feated the  Romans,  captured  Carthage, 
and  Mauritania  43&.  His  fleet  also  defeated 
the  Roman  fleet,  and  in  455  he  captured 
and  sacked  that  city,  carrying  the  Empress 
Eudoxia  a  i>i-isoner  to  Carthage. 


GEITTIA^T 


GEOLOGY 


Q-eixtian,    jen'sM-an, 
The  name  given  to  the 
members  of  the  gea. 
Geiitiana,  a  largo  gen. 
of  tlie  bitter  herbace- 
ous plants,  having  op- 
posite,  often  strongly 
ribbedleaves,  and  blue, 
3'ello\r  or    red,   often 
showy  flowers.      The 
root,   the  only    medi- 
cinal part  of  the  plant, 
has  a  yellowish  brown         Gentian, 
color  and  a  very  bitter 
taste,  and  is  in  frequent  use  as  a  tonic. 
Grentian-spirit,  jen'shi-an-spi-rit    An 
alcoholic  liquor  produced  by   vinous  fer- 
mentation of  an  infusion  of  gentian,  much 
drunk  by  the  Swiss. 
Gentil,  'til.    A  species  of  trained  falcon 

or  hawk. 
Oentile,  til.     In  Scrip,  any  one  belong- 
ing to  the  non-Jewish  nations ;  a  worship- 
er of  false  gods  ;  any  i)erson  not  a  Jew 
>r  a.  Christian  ;  a  heathen.   In  civil  affairs 
all  nations  who  were  not  Eomans. 
Genus,  jG'nus.     In  logic,  that  which  has 
several  species  under  it ;  a  class  of  a  greater 
extent  than  species.    In  science,  an  as- 
semblage of    species    possessing  certain 
characters  in  common,  by  which  they  arc 
distinguished  from  others. 
Geo.      A  frequent  prefix  in  compound 
words   derived  from  Greek,  referring  to 
the  earth  ;  as,  geography,  geology,  geom- 
etiy. 
Geocyclic,   -6-sIk'iik.     Of  or  pertaining 
to  the  revolutions  of  the  earth.     Circling 
the    earth  periodically.    G.   machine,  in- 
tended to  represent  Low  the  changes  of 
seasons,  the  days,  &c.,  are  caused  by  the 
inclination  of  the  axis  of  the  earth  to  the 
plane  of  the  ecliptic,  at  an  angle  of  66^°, 
and  how  tlie  axis,  by  remaining  parallel  to 
itself  In  all  points  of  its  path  round  the 
fiun,  invariably  preserves  this  inclination. 
Geode,  Md.     In  mineral,  a  lump  of  agate 
or  other  mineral,  or  a  mere  incrustation. 
It  is  sometimes  empty,  and  the  cavity  is 
line  dwith  crystals,  as  m  agate  balls ;  some- 
times it  contains  a  solid  movable  nucleus, 
and  sometimes  an  earthy  muitter,  whence 
the  name, 

Geodephaga,  -6-defa-ga,  Predaceous 
land-beetles,  a  div.  of  carnivorous  coleop- 
terous insects,  subdivided  into  two  large 
families,  Cicindelidte  and  Carabida;. 
Geodesy,  -od'e-sl.  That  branch  of  ap- 
plied mathematics  which  determines  tlie 
figure  and  area  of  the  earth's  surface  and 
the  variations  of  gravity. 


Geoffrey  of  Monmoutli.  An  ancient 
English  histo:-ian  ;  b.  abt.  1090  ;  d.  1154, 
as  abbot  of  Abingdon.  His  chronicles  ol 
the  early  kings  are  high  authority. 

Geoffrey  Saint-Hillaire,  Etienne. 

An  eminent  French  naturalist  ;  b.  at 
Etjunpes,  1TT2  ;  d.  in  Paris,  1S44.  G.  S. 
II.,  Isidore,  his  son,  b.  iu  Paris,  1805;  p. 
18G1,  was  also  distinguished  in  the  same 
line  as  his  father. 

Geography,    -og'ra-fi.       The    science 
which  treats  of  the  world  and  its  inhabi- 
tants.     General  or  Universal  G.  treats  of 
the  earth  both  as  a  distinct  body  in  the 
universe,  and  as  connected  >vith  a  system 
of  heavenly  bodies.    Mathematical  G.  ap- 
ples mathematical  truths  to  the  figure  of 
the  earth,    and  determines  the  relative 
positions  of  places,  longitudes  and  lati- 
tudes,  the  Imaginary  lines  and   circles, 
their  measure,  distance,  «&c.    Physical  G. 
describes  the  principal  features   of   the 
earth's  surface,  climates  and  temi>eratnres, 
and  shows  bow  these,  with  other  causes, 
affect  the  condition  of  the  human  race, 
and  also  gives  a  general  account  of  ani- 
mals and  productions.     Political  G.  treats 
of  the  jnhi&itantsand  their  social  relations. 
Sacred  or  Biblical  G.  treats  of  Palestine 
and    nations    mentioned    in    Scripture, 
illustrating    and    elucidating     Scripture 
history.    A  book  containing  a  description 
of  the  earth  or  of  a  portion  of  it. 
Gteology,  -ol'o-ji.     The    science    which 
deals  with  the  structure  of  the  crust  of 
the  globe  and  of  the  substances  which 
compose  it ;  or  the  science  of  the  minerals 
and  the  relations  which  the  several  con- 
stituent masses  bear  to  each  other.      It 
also  investigates  the  successive  changes 
that  have  taken  place  in  the  organic  and 
inorganic  kingdoms  of  nature.    The  geolo- 
gist ought  to  be  well  versed  in  chemistry, 
mineralogj',  zoology,  botany,  comparative 
anatomy  and  every  brunch  of  science  i-e- 
lating  to  organic  and  inorganic  nature. 
The  rocks  have  been  variously  di\ided  in 
accordance  Avith  their  position  and  con- 
tents.    The  first  great  division  is  into  un- 
fitratified  and  stratified.     The  unstratified 
rocks  may  belong  to  any  age  ;    they  are 
divisible  into  two  groups,  metamorphic 
and  volcanic,  all  crystalline.      Four  sub- 
stances enter    into    their  composition — 
mica,  quartz,  felspar  and  hornblende.  The 
stratified  rocks  have  been  deposited  from 
water,  and  have  been  divided  into  meta- 
morphic and    fossiliferous.      The    meta- 
morphic rocks  are  gneiss,  some  granites, 
serpentine  and    the    like.       The  oldest 
strata,   Lauren tian,    are    represented    by 
these  rocks,  and  the  tertiaries  exhibit  tlie 


GEOMETPJCIAN 


808 


GEOEGE 


conversion  of  limited  areas  into  crj'stalline 
masses.  The  fossiiiferous  strata  have 
been  divided  into  Laurentian,  Cambrian, 
Biluiian,  Devonian  and  Old  Ked  Sand- 
stone, Carboniferous,  Permian  or  Lower 
New  Hed  Sandstone,  Triassic  or  Ui)per 
New  Ked  Sandstone,  Oolitic  or  Jiirassic, 
subdivided  into  lias,  oolito  proper,  pur- 
becks,  Cretaceous,  Tertiaiy,  divided  into 
Eocene,  Miocene,  Pliocene  and  Pleisto- 
cene, Quaternary  or  Post-tertiary,  di- 
vided into  Prehistoric  or  Post- pleistocene 
and  Historic  or  llecent,  in  which  deposits 
are  now  forming',  and  species  now  existing- 
or  existing-  Avithin  the  historic  period. 
Another  division  of  stratified  fossiiiferous 
rocks  is  into  Primary  or  Palaeozoic, 
Secondary  or  Mesozoic,  Tei-tiary  or  Caino- 
zoic,  and  Post-tertiaiy  or  Quaternary. 

Greometrician,  -om'e-tri'''shan.  One 
skilled  in  geometry  ;  a  mathematician. 

Geometry,  -om'e-tri.  The  science  of 
magnitude  in  general ;  that  branch  of 
mathematics  which  treats  of  the  properties 
and  relations  of  magnitudes.  It  is  the 
most  general  and  important  of  the  mathe- 
matical sciences;  it  Is  founded  upon  a 
few  axioms  or  self-evident  truths,  and 
every  proposition  which  it  lays  down, 
whether  it  be  theorem  or  problem,  is 
subjected  to  the  most  accurate  and  rigid 
demonstration.  It  is  distinguished  as 
theoretical  or  speculative  and  practical. 
The  former  treats  of  the  various  proper- 
ties and  relations  of  magnitudes,  with 
demonstrations  of  theorems,  &,c. ;  and  the 
latter  relates  to  the  performance  of  ope- 
rations and  the  application  of  geometrical 
principles  to  the  various  measm-ements  in 
the  ordinary  concerns  of  life. 

Ge<>-navig'atioii,o-na-vi-ga"8hon.  That 
branch  of  the  science  of  navigation  in 
which  the  place  of  a  ship  is  determined 
by  referring  to  it  some  other  spot  on  the 
surface  of  the  earth— in  opposition  to 
Cffilo-navigation. 

Geonomy,  -on'o-mi.  The  science  of  the 
physical  laws  relating  to  the  earth,  includ- 
ing^ geology  and  physical  geograjihy. 

Geophagrist,  -ofa-jist.  One  Avho  prac- 
tices geophag-ism  ;  one  who  eats  earth. 

George.  The  name  given  to  four  (Hano- 
verian) kings  of  England.  G.  I.  (Lewis), 
son  of  Ernest  Augustus,  Elector  of  Han- 
over, by  Sophia,  granddaughter  of  James 
I.,  B.  'at  Osnaburg,  1660  ;  s.  his  fiither, 
1C98,  and  on  the  death  of  Queen  Anne  was 
declared  her  successor  under  the  Act  of 
Settlement  Avhich  excluded  the  E.  C.  de- 
scendants of  James  II.  G.  was  entirely 
ignorant  of  the  English  language,  and  waa 


onlv  tolerated  by  the  English  people';  d. 
172^.  George  II.  (Augustus)  son  antls.  of 
the  former,  b.  at  Hanover,  16S3  ;  crowned 
172T,  ».  1760.  G.  distinguished  himsoH 
in  the  general  European  war  of  1740,  in 
which  he  was  the  ally  of  Austria  against 
Prance,  Spain  and  I*i-us8ia,  and  command- 
ed in  person  in  the  victory  over  the 
French  at  Dettingen,  1743.  In  1755 
v/ar  Avas  renewed  and  G.  allied  himself 
Avith  Frederick  the  Great  of  Prussia 
against  France  in  the  seven  years'  Avai-. 
G.  III.,  grandson  of  the  former,  and  son 
of  Frederick,  Prince  of  Wales,  b.  173S ; 
r>.  1820,  after  the  longest  reign  of  any 
English  monarch.  During  his  reign  the 
American  Colonies  secured  their  indepen- 
dence. G.  IV.,  son  and  s.  of  the  former, 
B.  1762,  D.  1830.  He  was  an  unpopular 
monarch,  and  Avas  s.  by  his  brother  Wil- 
liam IV. 
George, 

figure  of 
St.  George 
on  horse- 
back en- 
coun  t  e  r  - 
ing  the 
dragon, 
Avorn  pen- 
dent from 
the  collar 
by  knights 
of  the  Gar- 
ter. A  loaf. 


supi»o  s  e  d 
to    have 


George. 


been  originally  stami>ed  Avith  a  figure  oi 
St.  George. 

Georg-e,  Lake  (Horioon).  A  beauti- 
ful lake  in  N.  E.  New  York,  an  exten- 
sion of  L.  Champlain  ;  30  m.  long  by  3  m. 
Avide. 

G«orge,  St.  (of  Cappadocia).  The 
patron  saint  of  England  and  Greece,  AA-asa 
pious  and  learned  priest,  appointed  Ariita 
Bishop  of  Alexandria,  854.  He  Avas  killed 
by  a  mob,  and  canonized  494.  Tradition 
Bays  he  Avas  named  "Victorious"  from 
haAing  killed  a  terrible  dragon  in  Asia 
Minor,  supposed  to  bo  that  mentioned  by 
St.  John'in  the  Book  of  Pevelation. 

George,  St.,  Order  of.  The  title  of 
several  orders  of  European  knighthood, 
some  now  extinct.  The  principal  aro  tho 
Eussian  military  order,  instituted  by 
Catharine  II.,  1769  ;  that  of  St.  G.  Lucca, 
1838 ;  tho  Hanoverian  Order  of  St.  G., 
1839,  and  that  of  St.  G.  of  the  Keunicn, 
founded  by  Joseph  Bonaparte  In  Naples 
1*08. 


GEGEGETOWN 


GEliMANY 


Georg-etown.  A  city  and.  port  of  entry 
of  Washington  Co.,  District  of  Columbia, 
2  m.  N.  W.  of  "Washington ;  pop.  12,578. 

Gteorg-ia,  jor'je-ah.  A  section  of  W. 
Asia,  inclnding  nearly  tha  entire  isthmus 
connecting  the  Caspian  and  Euxine  seas, 
now  the  Kussian  govt,  of  Trans-Caucasus  ; 
cap.  TiHis,  area  18,000  sn.  m.,  pop.  abt. 
850,000. 

Georgia.  One  of  the  S.  States  of  the 
American  Union,  b.  N.  by  Tennessee  and 
N.  Carolina,  E.  by  the  Atlantic,  S.  by 
Florida,  W.  by  Alabama ;  area  58,000  sq. 
m.  G.  is  divided  into  138  counties.  Its 
chief  towns  are  Atlanta,  the  cap.,  Sa- 
vannah, Macon,  Milledgeville,  Athens, 
Brunswick,  Kome,  St.  Mary's,  Colum- 
bus and  Newton ;  principal  rivers.  Sa- 
vannah, St.  Mary's  and  Altamaha.  G.  was 
named  after  George  II.  of  England,  and 
was  the  last  organized  British  colony 
Avithin  theU.  S.,  Savannah  being  laid  out 
as  a  city  by  Gen.  Oglethorpe,  1733.  G. 
seceded  Jan.  19,  1861 ;  was  readmitted 
to  the  Union,  1S68  ;  pop.  1,542,180. 

Georgria,  Gulf  of .  In  the  N.  Pacific, 
bet.  British  Columbia  and  Vancouver's 
Island  ;  100  ra.  long  by  20  m.  wide. 

Q^orgrian  Bay  (Manitouliix  liake). 

An  arm  of  Laku  Huron,  on  the  Canadian 

shore  ;  50  by  20  m. 
Geoscopy,  -os'ko-pi.     Knowledge  of  the 

earth  or  soil  obtained  by  inspection. 
Geoselenic,  'o-sG-len"ik.      Eclating  to 

the  joint  action  or  mutual  relations  of  the 

eartli  and  moon  ;  as  geoselenic  phenomena. 

Geothermometer,  '6-ther-mom"et-er. 
An  instrument  for  measuring  the  degree 
of  terrestrial  heat  in  mines  and  artesian 
wells. 

Geotrupidae,  .ie-o-tr^p'i-de.  A  fam.  of 
burrowing  lamellicorn  beetles,  sec.  Peta- 
locera,  which,  Avhen  alarmed,  feign  death. 

Gephyrea,  ge-fl're-a.  A  class  of  the 
Anarthropoda,  comprising  the  spoon- 
worms  and  allies. 

Gerall,  ge'ra.  The  smallest  piece  of 
muney  current  among  the  ancient  Jews, 
the  2dth  part  of  a  shekel,  or  nearly  3  cents. 

Gerard,  Matirice  Etienne,  Comte. 
A  French  general ;  b.  1793,  d.  1855.  He 
served  Mith  distinction  under  Napoleon 
I.,  and  captured  Antwerp,  1832. 

Gerbillus,  jer-bil'lus.  A  gen.  of  small 
burrowing  rodents  (the  gerbils),  fam.  Mu- 
jidje,  having  a  long  tail,  tufted  at  the  end. 

Gerlo-antico,  -16-an-te'kd.  A  rare,  rich, 
flesh-colored  inarblo  used  for  statuary 
piu'po^ed  ia  B.om». 


German,  'man.  A  native  or  inhabitant 
of  Germany.  The  language  of  the  higher 
and  more  southern  districts  of  Germany, 
and  the  literary  language  of  all  Germany, 
It  is  divided  into  three  periods — Old  High 
German,  from  the  8th  to  the  12th  centu- 
ry. Middle  High  German,  to  the  15th  cen- 
turj%  and  Modern  High  German.  The 
first  embraces  the  Allemannic,  Frankish 
and  other  sub-dialects.  The  second  is  tho 
language  of  the  Minnesingers,  of  the  na- 
tional heroic  legends  (Heldensagen),  and 
of  the  lay  of  the  Nibelungen.  Modern 
German  is  properly  the  dialect  of  Saxony, 
which  Luther  rendered  classical  by  Ms 
translation  of  the  Bible. 

German-silver,  -sil'ver.  Packfong; 
the  white  alloy  of  nickel,  formed  by  fus- 
ing together  100  parts  of  copper,  60  of  zinc 
and  40  of  nickel. 

Germanicus,  Caesar.  A  Eoman  gen- 
eral, brother  of  Emperor  Claudius  ;  b.  14 
B.  c,  D.  19  A.D.  His  principal  military 
exploit  was  the  defeat  of  the  great  German 
chief  Arminius  (Hermann).  Ho  was  the 
father  of  the  notorious  Caligula,  and  his 
daughter  AgTii>pina  was  tho  mother  of  the 
Emperor  Nero. 

Germantown.  A  suburb  of  Philadel- 
phia, noted  as  the  scene  of  the  defeat  of 
Gen.  Washington  bj'  Gen.  Ilowe,  Oct.  4, 
1777. 

Germany  (Empire  of).  A  confedera- 
tion of  States  occupving  the  greater  por- 
tion of  N.  Central  llurope,  bounded  N.  by 
the  North  and  Baltic  Seas  and  Denmark, 
E.  by  Kussia,  S.  by  Austria  and  S\%itzer- 
land,  and  W.  by  France,  Belgium  and  the 
Netherlands ;  cap.  Berlin  ;  area  9,590.21 
German  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  44,000,000. 
The  teiTitorial  divisions  of  the  empire  are 
the  Kingdoms  of  Prussia,  Bavaria,  Saxony, 
and  Wurtemberg;  grand-duchies  of  Hesse, 
Mecklenburg-Schwerin,  Saxe-Weimar, 
Mecklenburg-Strelitz  and  Oldenburg ; 
duchies  of  Brunswick,  Saxe-Meiningen, 
Saxe-Altenburg,  Saxe-Coburg-Gotha  and 
Anhalt ;  principalities  of  Lippe-Detmold, 
W  a  1  d  e  c  k,  Schwai-zburg  -  Rudolstadt. 
Schwarzburg-Sondershausen,  R  e  u  s  s  - 
Schleiz,  lieuss-Greiz  and  Schaumburg- 
Lippe,  Avith  the  free  cities  of  Bremen, 
Hamburg  and  Lubeck,  and  the  ceded 
province  of  Alsace-Lorraine.     The  princi- 

Sal  cities  are  Berlin,  Munich,  Dresden, 
tuttgart,  Carlsruhe,  Darmstadt,  Schwer- 
in,  Breslau,  Leipzig,  Cologne,  Mentz, 
Augsburg,  Weimar,  Neu-Strelitz,  Olden- 
burg, Brunswick,  Meiningen,  Altenburg, 
Gotha,  Dessau,  Hamburg,  Bremen,  Brem- 
erhaven,  Konigsberg,  Frankfort-on-the- 
Maia  and  Strasburg,  Chief  rivers,  the  Dan* 


GERMmAL 


870 


GIANTS'  CAUSEWAY 


nbe,  Ehine,  Elbe,  Weser,  Main  and  Oder. 
The  present  empire  was  formed  Jan.  18, 
18T1,  wlien  the  ruling  monarch  of  Prussia, 
King  "WilHam  I.,  was  crowned  hereditary- 
Emperor  of  the  Germans,  the  constitution 
being  adopted  May  4  of  the  same  year. 
G-erminal,  zhfir-mo-nal.  The  7th  month 
of  the  first  French  republican  calendar, 
commencing  March  21  and  ending  April 
19. 

Germination,  jerm-i-na'shon.  The  first 
act  of  growth  by  an  embryo  plant ;  the 
time  in  which  seeds  vegetate  after  being 
planted  or  sown. 

G-erontes,  ge-ron'tez.  In  Greek  Antiq. 
magistrates  in  Sparta  who,  with  the 
ephori  and  kings,  were  the  supreme  au- 
thority of  the  state.  They  could  not  be 
elevated  to  the  dignity  before  their  60th 
year. 

Gerry,  Elbridge.  An  American  states- 
man ;  B.  iH  Mass.,  1744,  p.  1814.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
Commissioner  to  France  (1797),  governor 
of  Mass.,  and  (1812)  Vice-President  of  the 
U.  8. 

Gerusia,  -rO'si-a.  The  senate  of  ancient 
Sparta ;  the  aristocratic  element  of  Spartan 
polity. 

Gervillia,  jer-vU'li-a.  A  gen.  of  conch- 
ifers  or  bivalves,  fam.  Aviculidae,  or 
wing-shells,  found  fossil  from  the  carbon- 
iferous system  to  the  chalk,  inclusive. 
Gestation,  jest-a'shon.  The  act  of  carry- 
ing young  in  the  womb  from  conception 
to  delivery  ;  pregnancy.  Exercise  in  which 
one  is  borne  or  carried,  as  on  horseback, 
or  in  a  carriage,  without  the  exercise  of 
his  own  powers. 

Gesture,  'tur.  A  motion  of  the  face, 
body  or  limbs  expressive  of  sentiment  or 
passion  ;  any  action  or  posture  intended 
to  express  an  idea  or  a  passion,  or  to  en- 
force an  argument  or  opinion. 
Gethsemane.  The  garden  at  the  foot 
of  the  Mount  of  Olives,  near  Jerusalem, 
celebrated  as  the  scene  of  the  agony  of 
Christ  and  his  betrayal  by  Judas. 
Gettysburg'.  A  town  in  Adams  Co., 
Penn.,  86  m.  S.  W.  of  Harrisburg,  noted 
for  its  proximity  to  the  desperate  three 
days'  battle  (July  1  -S,  1863)  between  the 
Federals  under  Gen.  Meade,  and  the  Con- 
federates under  Gen.  Lee.  The  latter  was 
defeated,  losing  80,000,  including  14,000 
prisoners ;  the  Federal  loss  was  upward 
of  23,000. 

Geyser,  gl'zer.  The  name  given  to 
springs  of  hot  water.  The  geysers  of  Ice- 
land number  nearly  one  hundred.      Thoy 


are,  however,  surpassed  by  those  which 
have  been  discovered  in  comparatively 
recent  times  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in 
the  Yellowstone  region. 
Ghat,  gat.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a  pass 
through  a  mountain  ;  also,  a  range  or  chain 
of  hills.  A  landing-place  or  stairway  to 
the  rivers  of  India. 

Ghazepore,  gaz-e-poor'.  Cap.  of  adist. 
of  same  name  in  British  Bengal,  India, 
on  the  Ganges ;  pop.  107,000. 
Ghee,  gc.  In  the  E.  Indies,  butter  made 
from  the  milk  of  the  buffalo,  clarified  by 
boihng. 

Ghent,  gant.  Cap.  of  E.  Flanders,  Bel- 
gium, 80  m.  N.  W.  of  Brussels,  at  the 
junction  of  the  Lys  and  Scheldt ;  built  on 
26  islands  with  canals  dividing  them,  and 
connected  by  800  bridges.  It  dates  back 
to  the  7th  century,  and  is  surrounded  by 
a  broad  wall,  8  m.  in  circumference  ;  pop. 
abt.  122,000. 

Gherkin,  ger'kin.    A  small-fruited  vari- 
ety of  the  cucumber,  used  for  pickling. 
Ghetchoo,  get'sho.    E.  Indian  name  for 
Aponogeton  monostachyoa,  tHb  roots  oi 
which  resemble  potatoes. 
Ghetto,    'to.      The   quarter    in    certain 
Italian  towns  where  Jews  live. 
Ghibelline,  gi'bel-in.    One  of  a  faction 
in  Italy  in  favor  of  the  emperor  and  op- 
posed to  the  Guelfs,  or  pope's  faction. 
They  arose  in  the  12th  century,  and  dis- 
turbed Germany  and  Italy  for  800  years. 
Ghoont,  gont.     A  small  sure-footed  E. 
Indian  pony,  used  in  the  mountain  ranges 
as  a  pack  or  saddle  horse. 
Ghost,  Holy,  The,  gost.     In  Theol. 
the  third  person  in  the  Trinity.      All  who 
subscribe  to  the  Athanasian  Creed  believe 
the  Holy  Ghost  proceeds  from  the  Father 
and  Son  ;  the  Greek  Church  teaches  that 
he  proceeds  from  the  Father  only. 
Ghost-moth,   moth.    A  nocturnal  lepl- 
dopterou 8  insect,  so  called  from  the  male 
being  white  and  hovering  with  a  pendu- 
lum-like motion  in  the  twilight  over  one 
spot  where  the  female,  which  is  red  and 
gray,  is  concealed. 

Ghoul,  ghol.  An  imaginary  evil  being 
among  Eastern  nations,  supposed  to  prey 
upon  human  bodies. 

Giallolino,  jyal-lo-le'no.  An  oxide  of 
lead  or  massicot,  a  fine  yellow  pigment, 
also  known  as  Naples  Yellow. 
Giants'  Causeway.  A  remarkable 
basaltic  formation  on  the  N.  coast  of  Ire-, 
land,  constituting  a  platform  600  ft.  longf 
by  850  broad  and  25  ft.  high,  of  closely  ar- 


GIAOUR 


371 


GIRANDOLE 


ranged  columns.  It  owes  its  name  to  a 
tradition  tliat  giants  constructed  it  -with  a 
view  to  invading  Scotland. 

Griaour,  jour.  A  word  used  by  the  Turks 
to  designate  the  adherents  of  "all  religions 
except  the  Mohammedan.  The  use  is  so 
common  that  it  is  often  appUed  without 
Intending  an  insult.    A  dog. 

Gibberish.,  gib'ber-ish.  Eapid  and  in- 
articulate talk ;  unmeaning  words. 

Gibbet,  jib'bet.  A  gallows ;  consisting 
of  an  upright  post  with  an  arm  projecting 
from  the  top,  on  which  malefactors  are 
hanged.  The  projecting  beam  of  a  crane 
which  sustains  the  pulleys  and  the  weight 
of  goods;  a  jib. 

Gibbon,  gib'bon.  A  name  common  to 
apes,  gen.  Hylobates,  but  more  particular- 
ly restricted  to  the  species  Hylobates  lar, 
having  imusually  long  arms.  Its  color  is 
black,  but  its  face  is  surrounded  by  a 
■white  or  gray  beard. 

Gibbon,  Edward.  A  distinguished 
Enghsh  historian  ;  b.  1757,  d.  1794. 

Gibel,  jib'el.  A  fish  of  the  carp  gen., 
Cyprinus  gibelio,  said  to  be  able  to  Uve  30 
hours  out  of  water. 

Gibeonite,  gi^be-on-it.  A  slave's  slave  ; 
a  workman's  laborer  ;  a  farmer's  drudge. 

Giblets,  jib'iets.  The  entrails  of  a 
fowl,  removed  before  roasting,  as  the 
heart,  liver,  gizzard,  «fec.,  often  served  as  a 
sauce  or  in  a  pie. 

Gibraltar.  An  Impregnably  fortified  city 
and  seaport  in  Spain  at  the  naiTOwest 
part  of  the  Straits  of  G.,held  by  the  En- 
glish. Straitsof  G.,  the  passage  connect- 
ing the  Atlantic  and  Mediterranean  and 
dividing  Europe  and  Africa ;  length  36  m., 
width  from  15  to  24  m. 

Gig-,  gig.  A  httle  thing  that  is  whu-led 
round  in  play ;  a  top  ;  a  whirligig.  A 
light  carriage  \\ith  one  pair  of  wheels  ;  a 
chaise.  A  long  narrow  rowing-boat, 
adapted  for  racing ;  also  a  ship's  boat, 
generally  furnished  with  sails.  A  machine 
consisting  of  rotary  cylinders  covered  vnth 
wire  teeth  for  teazling  woolen  cloth. 

Gilbertine,  gil'bert-in.  One  of  a  relig- 
ious order  founded  about  1148,  by  Gil- 
bert, lord  of  Sempringham  in  Lincoln- 
shire, England,  the  male  members  of 
which  observed  the  rule  of  St.  Augustine, 
and  the  females  that  of  St.  Benedict. 

Gill,  jil.  A  measure  of  capacity,  contain- 
ing the  fourth  part  of  a  pint. 

Gill-flirt,  'Ilert.  A  sportive  or  wanton 
gh-1. 

Gillie,  'li.  In  the  Highlands,  a  man-ser- 
vant ;  a  serf ;  a  boy. 


Gimbal. 


Gimbal,  gim'bal.  A 
contrivance  for  securing 
free  motion  in  suspen  • 
sion,  or  for  suspending 
anything,  as  a  chronom- 
eter, so  that  it  may  keep 
a  constant  position  or 
remain  in  equiHbrium. 
The  mariner's  compass  Is  suspended  by 
such  a  contrivance. 

Gimcrack,  jim'krak.  Originally  a 
ppruce  or  pert  boy.  A  tr^sdal  piece  of 
mechanism  ;  a  toy. 

Gin,  jin.  A  contraction  of  Geneva,  a  dis- 
tilled spirit.  A  machine  used  instead  of 
a  crane,  from  which  a  block  and  tackle  is 
suspended,  and  a  windlass  is  attached.  A 
whim  or  windlass  which  turns  a  cjdinder 
and  winds  on  It  a  rope,  raising  minerals, 
&c.,  from  a  depth.  A  machine  for  sepa- 
rating seeds  from  cotton.  A  machine  for 
driving  piles,  an  engine  of  torture,  and  a 
pump  moved  by  sails.    A  trap  ;  a  snare. 

Ging-al,  'gal.    A  large  musket  used  in 

Asia  by  the'natives,  and  fired  from  a  rest. 

Some  are  mounted  on    carriages.      The 

Chinese  use  them  extensively. 
Gingerbread-work,      'jer-bred-werk. 

Ornamental  work   cut,  carved,  or  formed 

in  various  fanciful  shapes,  as  an  ornament 

to  buildings,  &c. 
Ging-hanx,  ging'am.     A  kind   of  striped 

cotton  cloth. 
Ginseng, 

jin'-seng.     A 

"name     given  < 

to  two  plants 

of    the    gen. 

Panax,     ord. 

Araliaceae,the 

root  of  which 

is  considered 

by    the    Chi- 
nese a  imiver- 

sal panacea  or 

remedy  for  all  ills. 
Giorgione,  Giorgio  Barbarelli.  An 

eminent  Italian  painter,  founder  of  the 

Venetian   School ;  b.  1477,  d.   1511.      He 

was  a  feilow-student  with  Titian, 

Giraffe,  ji-raf.  The  cam«lopard  (Gu-af- 
fa  Camelopardalis  or  Camelopardalis  Gi- 
raffa),  a  ruminant  animal  constituting  the 
only  species  of  its  gen.  and  fam.  It  is  the 
tallest  of  animals,  reaching  the  height  of 
18  to  20  feet.  It  is  a  mild  and  inoffensive 
animal,  and  in  captivity  is  very  gentle  and 
playful. 

Girandole,  'ran-dol.  A  chandelier ;  a 
lai-ge  kind  of  branched  candlestick.     In 


Ginseng. 


GIEAED 


872 


GLANDERS 


I'yrotcchnics,  a  revolving  firework  ;  a,  re' 
volving  suii. 

Crir^rd,  Stephen.  An  American  phil- 
anthropist, is.  in  France,  1750  ;  d.  In  Thila- 
delphia,  l6ol.  He  made  a  large  fortune  as  a 
nercliant  la  Philadelphia,  and  at  his  death 
left  $2,000,000  to  found  a  college  for  or- 
phan boys,  to  be  conducted  on  sti-ictly 
secular  principles.  The  building,  one  6t 
the  finest  in  the  country,  was  begun  in 
18o3,  and  completed  in  1348. 

G-irasole,  'ra-s6l.  The  turnsole  (Helio- 
troi)iuui  curopteum).  A  transparent  va- 
riety of  opal,  usually  white  or  bluish- 
white,  but  when  turned  toward  any  bright 
light  it  constantly  reflects  a  reddish  color 
—hence  its  name  ;  Fire-opal. 

Girdle,  ger'dl.  A  band  or  belt ;  some- 
tliing  drawn  round  the  waist  of  a  person 
and  fastened.  Inclosure  '  circumference. 
In  jewelry,  the  line  which  encompasses 
the  stone,  i)arallcl  to  the  horizon.  In  Arch, 
a  small  circular  band  or  fillet  round  the 
shaft  of  a  column. 

Girl,  gerl.  A  female  child ;  a  person  of 
the  female  sex  not  arrived  at  puberty  ;  an 
unmarried  young  woman.  In  the  language 
of  the  chase,  a  roebuclv  of  two  years  old. 

Girondist,  zhi-rond'ist.  A  member  of 
a  celebrated  pohtical  party  during  tiie  first 
French  revolution,  so  named  because  the 
most  talented  and  eloquent  of  their  leaders 
were  from  the  department  of  La  Gironde. 

Girth,  gerth.  The  band  by  which  a  sad- 
dle or  any  burden  on  a  horse's  back  is 
made  fast  by  passing  under  his  belly.  Any 
circular  bandage.  The  measure  round 
anything  of  a  cylindrical  shape.  In  print- 
ing, one  of  two  bands  attached  to  the 
rounce  of  a  press,  and  used  to  run  the 
carriage  in  or  out. 

Gittem,  git'tern.  An  instrument  of  the 
guitar  kind  strung  -with  wire  ;  a  cittern. 

Gitteth,  'teth.  A  musical  instrument 
supposed  to  have  been  introduced  to  the 
Israelites  by  David  fi-om  Gath  in  the  land 
of  the  Phihstines. 

Giusto,  jus'to.  In  Music,  ia  just,  cor- 
rect, or  steady  time. 

Gizzard,  giz'erd.  The  third  and  princi- 
pal stomach  in  birds.  It  performs  the 
function  of  teeth  in  triturating  or  grinding 
the  food. 

Glacier,  gla'shi-er.  An  immense  accu- 
mulation of  ice  fining  a  valley  and  pouring 
down  its  masses  to  vallevs  yet  lower. 
They  present  the  appearance  of  frozen  tor- 
rents, frequently  several  miles  in  length, 
traversed  by  deep  rents  called  crevasses. 
They  movo  gradually  down  into  the  lower 


valleys  at  a  var3'ing  rate  of  18  to  24 
inches  in  twenty-four  hours.  In  the  wn- 
ter  of  1818-19  some  Swiss  glaciers  came 
60  far  down  into  the  lower  valleys  as  to 
sweep  away  whole  villages.  They  are 
found  in  many  lofty  mountain  ranges,  as 
the  Alps,  the  Andes,  &c.  G.  theory  at- 
tributes important  geographical  changes 
to  the  action  of  glaciers,  which,  during 
the  glacial  period,  covered  a  large  part  of 
the  frigid  and  temperate  zones.  The 
name  is  also  given  to  any  theory  account- 
ing for  the  downward  motion  of  glaciers. 

Glacis,  gla'sis.  A  gentle  slope  or  slop- 
ing bank.  In  Fort,  a  sloping  bank  so 
raised  as  to  bring  the  enemy  into  the 
most  direct  line  of  fire  from  the  fort.  In 
Geol.  an  easy  slope,  like  that  of  shingles 
piled  on  the  shore  by  the  action  of  tides 
and  vraves ;  less  steep  than  a  talus. 

Glade,  glud.  An  opening  or  passage 
through  a  wood  ;  on  open  place  in  a  wood 
or  forest.  An  opening  in  ice  or  a  place 
left  unfrozen  ;  smooth  ice.     An  everglade. 

Gladiate.  glad'i-;it.  Sword-shapcd  ;  as 
the  legume  of  a  i>lant. 

Gladiator,  -cr.  In  Eom.  Antiq.  one 
Avho  fought  in  public  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  people.  At  first  prisoners, 
slaves  or  condemned  criwiinals  ;  but  af- 
terward freemen  fought  in  the  arena,  for 
hire  or  from  choice.  Under  the  empire 
knights,  senators  and  even  women  ex- 
hibited themselves  in  this  way. 

Gladstone,  "William.  E^wart.  A  dis- 
tinguished English  statesman  and  orator ; 
15.  in  Liverpool,  1809.  He  is  at  present 
(18S4)  ])rime  minister  for  the  second  time, 
succeeding  the  late  Lord  Beaconsfield 
(Disraeli). 

Glag-ol,  gla'gol.  An  ancient  Sclavonic  air 
])habet,  principally  used  in  several  E.  C. 
dioceses  of  Istria  and  Dalmatia  in  the 
jisalms,  liturgies  and  offices  of  the 
church.  It  bears  traces  of  having  existed 
prior  to  Christianitj',  and  to  have  been  ori- 
ginally cut  on  sticks  in  the  Eunic  fashion. 
The  earliest  Sclavonic  manuscripts  are 
written  in  Glagol. 

Glair,  glar.  The  white  of  an  egg  used  as 
varnish  to  preserve  paintings,  and  as  a 
size  in  gilding. 

Glaive,  glav.  An  ancient  cutting  weap- 
on, used  by  foot  soldiers,  fixed  to  the  end 
of  a  pole,  and  differing  from  the  bill  in 
having  its  edge  on  the  outside  curve. 

Glanders,  gliin'derz.  In  Farriery,  a 
dangerous  contagious  disease  of  horses. 
In  Sled,  a  dangerous  contagious  disease 
in  the  human  subject,  accompanied  by  a 


GLASGOW 


873 


GLOBATE 


pustular  eruption,  communicated  by  inoc- 
ulation from  glaudered  animals. 
Glasgow,  glas-go.  The  principal  manu- 
facturing and  commercial  city  of  bcotland, 
on  both  sides  the  river  Clyde,  42  m.  S.  E. 
of  Edinburgh  ;  pop.  abt.  470,000. 

Criass,  glas.  A  hard,  brittle,  transparent 
artilioial  substance,  formed  by  the  fusion 
of  silicious  matter,  such  as  powdered  liiut 
or  fine  sand,  together  with  some  alkali,  al- 
kaline earth,  salt  or  metallic  oxide.  Al- 
though exceedingly  brittle  when  cold,  yet 
it  is  so  ductile  when  heated  that  it  may  be 
6pun  into  lilaments  of  the  greatest  con- 
ceivable fineness,  and  these  when  cold  are 
pliant  and  elastic  in  a  high"  degree.  Solu- 
ble glass,  a  silicate  of  potash  or  soda  in 
which  the  alkali  predominates.  Tempered 
or  toughened  glass  is  hardened  by  being 
Immersed  in  a  hot  bath  of  melted  wax, 
resin,  oil,  &c.  The  name  is  applied  to 
many  objects  made  of  glass,  as  looking- 
glass,  hour-glass  ;  also  to  ditferent  optical 
instruments.  G.  of  antimony,  a  vitreous 
oxide  of  antimony  mixed  Avith  sulphide. 
G.  of  borax,  a  vitreous  transparent  sub- 
stance obtained  by  exposing  to  heat  the 
crystals  of  biborate  of  podium. 

Glasschord,  'kord.  The  name  given  by 
Franklin  to  a  musical  instrument,  with 
keys  like  a  piano-forte,  but  with  bars 
of  glass  instead  of  strings  of  wu-e,  invent- 
ed in  Paris  in  1785  by  a  German  named 
Beyer. 

Glass-eye,  -I.  The  common  name  in 
Jamaica  for  a  species  of  thrush  (Turdus 
jamaicensis),  so  called  from  the  glass-like 
iris  of  the  bird.  A  pulp}^  berry  on  which 
it  feeds  is  called  glass-eye  berry. 

Glassite,  it.  One  of  a  religious  sect 
founded  in  Scotland  in  the  early  part  of 
the  18th  century  by  John  Glass,  a  minister 
of  the  Established  Church,  deposed  in 
1728  for  his  opinions  regarding  ecclesiasti- 
cal polity,  in  England  and  America,  to 
Avhich  this  sect  spread,  the  adherents 
called  themselves  Sandemanians,  after 
Robert  Sandeman,  a  native  of  Perth,  and 
6on-in-law  of  Mr.  Glass. 

Glass-mosaic,  -mo-za'ik.  A  modem 
Italian  work  in  imitation  of  thfe  antique, 
formed  of  small  squares  of  colored  glass, 
representing  a  painting  so  perfectly  as  to 
deceive  the  eye,  used  for  brooches,  lids  of 
snuff-boxes,  &c. 

Glastonbury-thom,  'ton-ber-i-thorn. 
A  variety  of  hawthorn,  the  original  thorn, 
in  popular  tradition,  having  been  the  staff 
brought  over  by  Joseph  of  Arimathea 
from    the    Holy  Land    to  Glastonbury, 


Eng.,  where  he  is  said  to  have  founded 
the  celebrated  abbey. 

Glauber-salfc,  gla'ber-salt.  Sulphate  of 
soda,  a  well-known  cathnrtic.  It  may  be 
preparfed  by  the  direct  action  of  sulphuric 
acid  on  carbonate  of  soda. 

Glaucolite,  'kol-It.  A  variety  of  scapo- 
lite,  composed  chiefly  of  the  silicates  of 
alumina  and  lime. 

Glaucoma,  -ko'ma.  An  almost  incurable 
disease  of  the  eye,  being  an  opacity  of  the 
vitreous  humor.  It  somewhat  resembles 
cataract,  especially  in  the  gradual  obscmra- 
tion  of  vision. 

Glaucopis,  'pis.  A  gen.  of  birds,  fam. 
Corvidae,  the  only  known  species  of  which 
is  the  New  Zealand  crow,  called  by  the 
natives  kokako. 

Glaucus,  'kus.  A  gen.  of  nudibranchiate 
gasteropodous  moUusks,  popularly  known 
as  sea-lizards. 

Glaucus.  In  Myth,  a  marine  deity,  said 
to  have  built  the'  ship  Argo  and  accom- 
panied Jason  on  the  expedition  in  quest 
of  the  Golden  Fleece. 

Glendale.  A  parish,  also  known  as 
Frazer's  Farm,  near  Malvern  Hills,  Ya., 
noted  as  the  scene  of  a  bloody  battle  (June 
30,  1862),  between  the  Federals,  under 
Gens.  Meade,  McCall  and  Seymour,  and 
the  Confederates,  under  Gens.  Longstreet 
and  Ilill.  The  former  withdrew,  having 
suffered  heavy  loss. 

Glendower,  Owen.  A  Welsh  chief,  a 
descendant  of  Llewellyn,  the  last  native 
Prince  of  Wales,  who  revolted  against 
Henry  IV.  and  successfully  defended  the 
mountain  fastnesses  against  the  English 
armies.  Later  he  joined  Harry  Percy  and 
Lord  Mortimer,  and  shared  in  their  defeat 
near  Shrewsbury.  Ectiring  to  Wales,  he 
maintained  a  successful  revolt  until  his 
death;  b.  1350,  ».  1415.  • 

Gliadine,  gll'a-din.  The  viscid  portion 
of  gluten,  a  slightly  transparent  brittle 
substance,  having  a  slight  smell  similar  to 
honey-comb. 

Glires,  'rez.  The  4th  order  of  mammalia, 
according  to  the  system  of  Linnaeus.  It 
includes  the  porcupines,  hares,  rabbits, 
&c.,  beavers,  rats  and  mice ;  guinea-pigs, 
agoutis,  marmots,  lemmings,  hamsters, 
dormice,  jerboas,  the  paca  and  squirrels, 
and  corresponds  closely  to  the  Rodentia 
of  Cuvier.  Their  chai-acteristic  is  two  flat 
incisors  in  each  jaw. 

Globate,  glob'at.  Having  the  form  of  a 
globe;  spherical;  spheroidal. 


GLOBE 


374 


GLUE 


Globe.  Any  round  or 
spherical  soJid  body  ;  a 
ball ;  a  body  whose  sur- 
face is  in  every  part  equl* 
distant  from  the  center. ' 
The  earth  ;  the  terraque- 
ous ball.  An  artificial 
sphere  of  metal  or  other 
substance  on  whose  con-  ^^^  triobe. 
vex  surface  is  drawn  a  map  of  the  earth 
or  of  the  heavens.  That  on  which  the 
oceans,  seas,  continents,  isles  and  coun- 
tries of  the  earth  are  represented  is  called 
a  terrestrial  globe,  that  which  exhibits  the 
constellations  a  celestial  globe 

Globe-fish, 

'fish.  The 
nameg-iven  tc 
several  fishes 
of  the  genera 
Died  on  and 
Tetraodou, 

fam.  Diodonti-  /<i.^v^«oi, 

dae,  ord.  Plec-  Wobe-fish. 

tognathi,  possessing  the  power  of  assum- 
ing a  globular  form  by  swallovdng  air. 
Globule,  glob' ul.    Alittle  globe;  asmall 

f  article  of  matter  of  a  spherical  form.  In 
hysiol.  a  circular  or  elliptical  corpuscle 
found  in  the  blood  of  all  animals. 

Globulin,  Ti-lin.  A  protein  body  form- 
ing, in  association  with  haematin  or 
ho-mato-globulin,  the  main  ingredient  of 
the  blood  globules,  and  also  occurring, 
mixed  a^  ith  albumen,  in  the  cells  of  the 
crystalline  lens  of  the  eye. 

Glochidate,  glo'kid-at.  In  Bot.  fur- 
nished Avith  bristles  or  rigid  hau-s,  the 
ends  of  which  are  hooked  back  or  barbed 
like  a  fish-hook. 

Glomeridse,  glo-me'ri-de.  The  wood- 
louse  millipeds,  a  fam.  of  Arthropoda, 
ord.  Chilognatha,  class  Myriapoda.  One 
species,  called  the  pill-m"illiped  or  pill- 
worm,  was  formerly  used  in  medicine. 

Gloriole,  glo'ri-ol.  A  circle,  as  of  rays, 
represented  in  ancient  paintings  as  sm-- 
rounding  the  heads  of  saints. 

Glory,  'ri.  Praise,  honor,  admiration  or 
distinction  accorded  by  common  consent 
to  a  person  or  thing ;  honorable  fame  ;  re- 
nown ;  celebrity.  In  painting,  a  combi- 
nation of  the  nimbus  and  aureola,  that  is, 
of  the  luminous  halo  (nimbus)  encircling 
the  head  of  holy  persons,  and  the  halo 
(aureola)  encompassing  the  whole  person. 
Popularly,  it  is  frequently  confounded 
with  the  nimbus. 

Glossanthrax,  glos-an'thraks.  A  dis- 
ease in  horsea  and  cattle,  characterized  by 


I    malignant  carbuncles  in  the  mouth,  and 

especially  on  the  tongue. 
}  Glossary,  'a-ri.  A  vocabulary  of  glosses 
or  explanations  of  the  meaning  of  words 
used  by  any  author,  of  the  technical  terms 
of  any  art  or  science,  of  a  dialect  and  the 
like ;  a  limited  and  partial  dictionary. 

Glosser,  'er.  A  writer  of  glosses  ;  a  scho- 
liast ;  a  commentator. 

Glossology,  -ol'o-ji.  The  definition  and 
explanation  of  terms,  as  of  a  science  ;  tech- 
nologv.  The  science  of  language  ;  uni- 
versal grammar ;  comparative  philology; 
glottology. 

Glottis,  glot'is.  The  opening  at  the  up- 
per part  of  the  trachea  or  windpipe,  and 
between  the  vocal  cords,  which,  by  its 
dilatation  and  contraction,  contributes  to 
the  modulation  of  the  voice.  In  music, 
a  small  tongue  or  reed  by  means  of  which 
ancient  wind-instruments  were  sounded. 

Glove,  gluv.  Any  covering  for  the  hand, 
or  for  the  hand  and  Avrist,  with  a  separate 
sheath  for  each  finger. 

Glover's-stitch,  'erz-stich.  In  Surg,  a 
peculiar  stitch  employed  in  sewng  up  a 
wound. 

Glucina,  glu-sl'na.  The  only  oxide  of 
the  metal  glucinum  or  beryllium. 

Gluck,  Jobann  Cbristophe,  von. 
A  noted  German  musical  composer;  b. 
1714 ;  D.  1787. 

Glucose,  -kos'.  A  variety  of  sugar  less 
sweet  than  cane-sugar,  produced  from 
grapes,  corn,  cane-sugar,  dextrin,  starch, 
cellulose,  &c.,  by  the  action  of  acids,  cer- 
tain ferments  and  other  reagents,  and  by 
processes  going  on  in  living  plants.  It 
also  occurs  in  the  urine  of  persons  sufl'er- 
ing  from  one  varieties  of  diabetes,  'fhero 
are  two  varieties,  distinguished  by  their 
action  on  polarized  light ;  dextro-glucoso 
turns  the  plane  of  polarization  to  the  right ; 
levo-glucose  turns  it  to  the  left.  When 
heated  up  to  400°  it  becomes  caramel,  and 
is  used  by  cooks  and  confectioners  as  col. 
oring  matter. 

Glume,  gliim.    In  Bot.  the  im- 
bricate scale-like  bract  inserted  ,,» 
on    the   axis    of  the  6j«kelet  in  g) 
Graminese  and   Cj'peraceaj ;    the 
husk  or  chaff  of  gi-ain,  the  palea 
or  pale. 

Gluteeus,    glu-te'us.     In  Anat. 
a  name  common   to    the    three 
muscles  of  the  hips  which  form  Glume, 
part  of  the  buttocks. 

Glue.  Common  or  impure  gelatine  ob- 
tained by  boiling  animal  substances,  as 
the  skins,   hoofs,   &c,,   of  animals,   with 


GLTTTEN 


875 


&NU 


Glutton. 


water;  used  as  u  cement  for  uniting 
pieces  of  wood  or  other  material.  The 
name  is  also  applied  to  other  \ascous  sub- 
st'inces.  Marine  glue,  a  solution  of  caout- 
chouc in  naphtha  with  shellac. 

Gluten,  'ten.  A  tough  elastic  substance 
found  in  the  flour  of  wheat  and  other 
grain.  It  contributes  much  to  the  nutri- 
tive quality  of  flour,  and  gives  tenacity  to 
its  paste.  A  similar  substance  is  found 
in  the  juices  of  certain  plants.  It  consists 
of  gliadine,  vegetable  fibrine  and  caseine, 
with  sometimes  a  fatty  substance. 

Glutton,glut' 
n.  One  who 
indulges  to  ex- 
cess in  eating 
or  eating  and 
drinking;  a 
gormandi  z  c  r. 
One  who  in- 
dulges or  is 
eager  in  anything  to  excess.  The  Gulo 
arcticus,  a  carnivorous  quadruped,  inter- 
mediate between  the  bears  and  weasels, 
resembling  the  former  in  general  struc- 
ture and  the  latter  in  dentition.  It  is 
known  also  by  the  name  of  Wolverine, 

Glycerine,  gli'se-rin.  A  transparent  col- 
orless liquid  with  a  sweet  taste,  obtained 
from  natural  fats  by  saponification  with  al- 
kalies or  by  the  action  of  superheated 
steam. 

Glycol,  glT'kol.  The  type  of  a  class  of 
artificial  compounds  intermediate  in  their 
properties  and  chemical  relations  between 
alcohol  and  glycerine.  It  is  a  diatomic 
acid,  alcohol  being  a  monatomic  and  glyc- 
erine a  triatomic. 

GlycyrrMza,  gli-si-ri'za.  A  gen.  of  le- 
guminous plants,  G.  glabra  being  the  plant 
from  which  licorice  is  derived. 

Glyphaea,  gll-fC-'a.  A  gen.  of  small  fos- 
sil crustaceans,  somewhat  resembhng  lob- 
sters. 

Glyphic,  glif  ik.  A  picture  or  figure  by 
which  a  word  is  implied  ;  a  hieroglyphic. 

Glyphography,  -og'ra-fi.  A  peculiar 
electrotyping  process  in  which  a  design 
drawn  on  a  metal  plate  is  coated  with  ink  or 
varnish,  and  then  A\ith  the  copper  deposit, 
the  result  being  a  plate  with  the  drawng 
in  relief,  from  which  impressions  may  be 
obtained  after  the  manner  of  ordinary  let- 
terpress. 

Glyptocrinus,  -to'kri-nus.  A  gen.  of 
f<jssil  encriuites,  belonging  to  the  lower 
Silurian. 

Glyptodipterini,  'to-dip-ter-i"nI.  A 
fam.  of  ganoid  fossil  fishes  occurring  in 
the  Devoaian  series  of  rocks. 


Glyptodon, 

-don.  A  fossil, 
edentate  animal, 
allied  to  the  arma- 
dillos, found  in 
the  upper  tertiary 
strata  of  S.  Amer-, 
ica.  It  was  of  the' 
size  of  an  ox,  and 
covered    with     a  Glyptodon. 

coat  of  mail. 

Gl3rptogTaph.,  -graf.  An  engraving  on 
a  gem  or  precious  stone. 

Gnarl,  narl.  A  protuberance  on  the  out- 
side of  a  tree  ;  a  knot ;  a  snag. 

Gnat,  nat.  A  name  applied  to  several  in- 
sects^of  the  gen.  Culex,  the  female  having 
a  proboscis  or  sting.  The  most  trouble- 
some of  this  gen.  is  the  mosquito. 

Gnatliodon,  nath'o-don.  A  gen.  of 
mollusks,  of  which  there  is  one  well-known 
species,  G.  cuneatus.  A  gen.  of  birds  (the 
toothed-billed  pigeons),  allied  to  the  pig- 
eons. It  is  also  called  Didunculus,  from 
being  in  some  particulars  a  miniature  re- 
semblance of  the  dodo. 

Gnat-worm,  nat'werm.  A  small  water 
insect  produced  by  a  gnat,  and  which  after 
several  changes  is  transformed  into  a  gnat ; 
the  laf  va  of  a  gnat. 

Gneiss,  nis.  A  species  of  rock,  composed 
of  quartz,  felspar  and  mica,  arranged  in 
layers.  It  is  rich  in  metallic  ores,  but  con- 
tains no  fossil  remains.  G.  often  contains 
hornblende  in  place  of  mica,  and  receives 
the  name  of  syenitic  gneiss.  The  only 
difference  between  this  rock  and  granite 
consists  in  the  fohation,  the  materials  of 
granite  being  crystallized  promiscuously, 
those  of  gneiss  being  segregated  in  layers. 

Gnome,  nom.  An  imaginary  being,  sup- 
posed by  the  Cabalists  to  inhabit  the  in- 
ner jjarts  of  the  earth,  and  to  be  the  guard- 
ian of  mines,  quarries,  &c.  A  dwarf;  a 
goblin. 

Gnomonics,  no-mon'iks.  The  art  or 
science  of  constructing  dials  to  show  the 
hour  of  the  day  by  the  shadow  of  a  gno- 
mon. 

Gnostic,  nos'tik.  One  of  a  sect  of  phi- 
iosophers  that  arose  in  the  first  ages  of 
Christianity.  They  held  that  all  natures, 
intelligible,  intellectual  and  material,  are 
derived  from  successive  emanations  from 
the  infinite  fountain  of  Deity.  These 
emanations  they  called  eons. 

Gnu,  nu.  A  gen.  of  ruminant  quadrupeds 
(Catoblepas),  inhabiting  S.  Africa,  gen- 
erally ranked  by  naturalists  among  the  an- 
telopes, but  by  some  placed  in  the  oxfan> 


GOAT 


376 


GOLD 


ily.  The  form  of  C.  gnu  i)artake8  of  that 
of  the  antelope,  ox  and  horse. 

Goat,  got.  A  well-known  horned  rum- 
inant quadruped,  gen.  Capra.  They  are  of 
the  size  of  sheep,  but  stronger,  less  timid, 
and  more  agile.  They  frequent  rocks  and 
mountains,  and  subsist  on  scanty  coarse 
food.  Their  strong  ordor  is  pi'overbial. 
Their  milk  is  sweet,  nourishing  and  medi- 
cinal, and  their  flesh  furnishes  food.  Some 
varieties  furnish  valuable  hair  or  wool. 

Goat-sucker,  'suk-cr.  A  name  common 
to  tlie  various  species  of  birds  gen.  Cap- 
rimulgus  given  originally  from  the  erro- 
neous opinion  that  they  sucked  goats. 
The  whip- j)Oor- will  is  an  American  species. 

Gobbler,  gob'ler.  One  who'  swallows  in 
haste  ;  a  greedy  eater ;  a  gormandizer.  A 
turkey-cock. 

Gobelin,  go'be-lin,  A  species  of  rich 
tapestry,  ornamented  with  complicated 
and  beautiful  designs  in  brilliant  and  per- 
manent colors ;  also  a  printed  worsted 
cloth  for  covering  chairs,  sofas,  &c.,  in 
imitation  of  tapestry. 

Gobius,  go'bi-us.  The  goby,  a  gen.  of 
fishes,  sec.  Malacopterygii  Abdominales, 
fam.  Cyprinidaj,  including  the  gudgeons. 

Goblin,  gob'lin.  An  evil  or  mischievous 
sprite  ;  a  gnome ;  an  elf;  a  malicious  fairy. 

Go-cart,  go'kiirt.  A  small  framework  on 
castors,  without  a  bottom,  in  which  chil- 
dren learn  to  walk  without  danger  of  fall- 
ing. 

God,  god.  The  Supreme  Being ;  Jeho- 
vah ;  the  eternal  and  infinite  Spirit,  the 
Creator  and  the  Sovereign  of  the  uni- 
verse. Any  being  beheved  to  possess  di- 
vine power,  and  worthy  of  worship.  Any 
person  or  thing  exalted  too  much  in  esti- 
mation, or  deified  and  honored  aa  the 
chief  good. 

God-wit.  A  bird 
found  in  Europe 
and  Airica,  es- 
teemed for  its 
flesh. 

Godchild, 'child.  Vl* 
One   for  whom   a  S^ 
person     becom^cs  :5--n|^ 
jnsor   at    bap-  0^^ 


sponsor   at    ba} 

tism    and    prom 

ises  to  see  educat-  -,    ,    . 

ed  as  a  Christian;  Uodwit. 

a  godson  or  goddaughter. 
Godenda,  go-den 'da.    A  pole-axe  having 

a  spike  at  its  end,  used  in  the  13th  cen- 
tury. 
Godfather,  '13-ther.    A  man,  other  than 

the  father,  who  at  the  baptism  of  a  child 


makes  a  confession  of  the  Christian  faith 
in  its  name,  and  guarantees  its  religious 
education ;  a  male  sponsor.  One  who 
gives  a  name  to  any  person  or  thing. 

Godfrey  of  Bouillon.  The  principal 
chief  of  the  first  Crusade,  a  son  of  Eus- 
tace, 2d  Count  of  Boulogne ;  u.  1058 ;  d. 
1100.     He  captured  Jerusalem,  1098. 

Godhead,  'hed.  Godship ;  deity ;  di- 
vinity ;  divine  nature  or  essence.  A  deity 
in  person  ;  a  god  or  goddess. 

Godmother,  'muth-er.  A  woman  who 
becomes  a  sponsor  for  a  child  In  baptism. 

Godo^wn,  gO-doun'.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a 
warehouse. 

God's  Acre.  An  old  name  for  a  burial- 
ground — still  occasionally  used. 

Godson,  god'sun.  A  male  for  whom 
another  has  been  sponsor  at  the  baptismal 
font. 

Goethe,  Johann  Wolfgung-  von, 
fon  goh'ta.  The  German  Shakespeare ; 
B.  1749,  D.  1832. 

Goggle,  gog'l.  A  strained  or  affected 
rolling  of  the  eye.  In  Surg,  instruments 
used  to  cure  squinting  or  the  distortion 
of  the  eyes  which  occasions  it.  Cylindrical 
tubes  in  which  are  fixed  glasses  for  defend- 
ing the  eyes  from  cold,  dust,  &c.,  and 
sometimes  with  colored  glasses  to  abate 
the  intensity  of  liirht.  Spectacles.  Blinds 
for  horses  that  are  apt  to  take  fright. 

Goitre,  goi'ter.    Bronchocele  ;  a  morbid 
enlargement     of     the 
thyroid  gland,  contain- 
ing   a   serous  fluid  or 
sometimes     a   gaseous 
matter.     Its  position  is 
on  the  antei-ior  part  of  ;i  | 
the    neck.     The    sameV 
disease  affects  the  testes 
and  the  female  breasts, 
but  is  not  called  goitre. 
Cellular  sarcoma   is    a 
name  applicable  to  the 
disease  in  all  locations.  • 

Golconda.  An  ancient  and  celebrated 
city  in  the  Nizam's  dominions,  India, 
once  the  cap.  of  a  powerful  kingdom,  but 
now  of  little  importance  ;  noted  for  dia- 
mond-cutting. 

Gold,  gold.  A  precious  metal  of  a  bright 
vellow  color,  and  the  most  ductile  and 
imalleable  of  all  metals.  It  is  not  hable  to 
i  jury  by  exposure,  and  is  therefore  well 
fitted  to  be  used  as  coin.  It  may  be  beaten 
into  leaves  so  exceedingly  thin  that  1  grain 
in  weight  will  cover  56  square  inches.  It 
mav  also  be  melted  and  remelted  with 
scarcely  any  diiniaution.     Ita   specifio 


Goitre. 


GOLDEN-BEETLE 


8TT 


GOKDOLA 


gra\ity  is  19.3,  or  about  nineteen  times 
heavier  than  Avatcr.  The  fineness  of  pold 
is  estimated  by  carats.  Jeweler's  pold  is 
usually  a  mixture  in  the  proportions  of 
three-fourths  of  pure  pold  with  one-fourth 
of  copper.  Gold  is  seldom  used  for  anj' 
purpi)se  in  a  state  of  perfect  purity  on  ac- 
count of  its  softness,  but  is  combined  with 
some  harder  metal.  Graphic  gold,  an  ore 
of  tellurium,  consisting  of  tellurium,  gold 
and  silver. 

G-olden-beetle,  'n-bc-tl.  The  popular 
name  of  several  species  of  beetles,  gen. 
Chrj-somehi,  belonging  to  the  tetramerous 
sec,  ord.  Chrysomelida;. 

Golden-pheasant,  -fez-ant.  Phasia- 
nus  ])!ctus,  a  beautiful  species  of  Chinese 
pheasant. 

Golden-"wasp,  -wosp.  The  popular 
name  of  the  Chrysididse,  a  tribe  of  hymen- 
opterous  insects,  which,  in  the  richness  of 
their  color,  vie  with  the  humming-birds. 
They  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  nests  of 
other  hj^menoptera,  their  larvae  destroying 
those  of  these  insects. 

GrOldfi.nch.,'finsh.  The  Frlngilla  carduclis, 
a  common  ]5ritish  song-bird,  so  named 
from  the  yellow  markings  on  its  wings. 

Goldfish,  'fish.  A  fish  of  the  gen.  Cypri- 
nns,  of  the  size  of  a  pilchard,  so  named 
from  its  bright  color.  They  are  reared 
and  kept  for  ornament. 

Gold-foil,  'foil.  A  thin  sheet  of  gold 
used  by  dentists  and  others. 

Gold-leaf,  'lef.  Gold  foliated  or  beaten 
into  a  thin  leaf  on  a  block  of  marble 
with  liammers  of  polished  iron.  It  is  then 
cut  into  pieces  about  an  inch  square,  placed 
between  skins  and  again  beaten,  until  it 
ha.s  acquired  the  necessary  degree  of  thin- 
ness. 

Gold-size,  'siz.  A  size  or  glue  used  as  a 
surface  on  which  to  apply  gold-leaf ;  a  mix- 
ture of  chrome  and  varnish  used  in  gold- 
printing  and  for  other  purposes. 

Goldsmith.  Oliver.  An  eminent  Irish 
author;  is.  1T2S,  d.  1774.  His  "  A'^icar  of 
Wakefield"  is  one  of  the  master-pieces 
of  simple  romance. 

Goldsmiths'-note,  'smiths-not.  The 
name  given  to  the  earliest  form  of  bank- 
note, from  the  fact  that  it  was  issued  by 
goldsmiths. 

Gold-thread,  'thred.  A  thread  formed 
of  tiattened  gold  laid  over  a  thread  of  silk 
by  twisting  it  Avith  a  wheel  and  iron  bob- 
bins ;  the  same  as  Gold-wire. 

Golf,  golf.    A  game  played  with  clubs  and 


balls,  on  large  commons,  where  a  series  of 
small  holes  are  cut  in  the  turf  so  as  to 
form  a  circuit  or  round.  The  object  of 
the  game  is,  starting  from  the  first  liole,  to 
drive  the  ball  into  all  the  other  holes  in 
succession,  the  side  which  holes  its  ball 
\vith  the  fewest  strokes  being  said  to  gain 
the  hole. 

Golf-club,  'klub.  A  club  used  in  the 
game  of  golf.  These  are  of  different  uses 
and  names,  one  being  the  driver,  another 
the  putter,  a  third  the  spoon,  a  fourth  the 
deck,  &c.  An  association  formerly  for 
practicing  golf  playing, 

Golgrotha.  The  scene  of  the  crucifixion 
of  Christ,  just  outside  of  the  E.  gate  of 
Jerusalem  ;  also  known  as  Mt.  Calvary. 

Goliath.  In  Scrip,  a  Philistine  giant, 
slain  by  David,  w^hile  still  a  shepherd  boy, 
with  a  sling  and  stone,  abt.  the  11th  cen- 
tury 15.  c. 

Goliath-beetle,  go-li'ath-bc-tl.  The 
popular  name  of  beetles,  gen.  Goliathus, 
remarkable  for  their  large  size,  and  on 
account  of  their  beauty  and  rarity  much 
prized  by  collectors. 

Goloshe,  -losh'.  An  overshoe,  gener- 
ally made  of  vulcanized  india-rubber. 

Gomarite  (Gomarist),  'mar-Tt.  A  fol- 
lower of  Francis  (iomar,  a  Dutch  disciple 
of  Calvin  in  the  17th  century.  The  sect, 
otherwise  called  Dutch  llemonstrants, 
strongly  opposed  the  doctrines  of  Armini- 
us,  adhering  rigidly  to  those  of  Calvin. 

Gomer.  Eldest  son  of  Japhet,  youngest 
son  of  Noah,  and  progenitor  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Asia  Minor  and  S.  Europe. 

Gk)iauti,  -mii'ti.  The  Malayan  name  for 
the  sago-palm. 

Gondola,  gon'do-la.  A  flat-bottomed 
boat,  very  long  and  narrow,  used  at  Ven- 
ice in  Italy  on  the  canals.  They  terminate 
at  each  end  in  a  sharp  point  or  peak  ns- 


Gondola. 

ing  to  the  height  of  5  feet.  Towards  th« 
center  is  a  curtained  cabin  for  the  passen- 
gers.   A  long  platform  rsalway  car. 


GONFALON 


878 


GOKE 


Gonfalon,  'fa-Ion,  An 
ensign  or  standard  ;  espe- 
cially an  ensign  having'  two 
or  three  streamers  or  tails 
fixed  on  a  frame  made  to 
turn  like  a  vane.  The 
person  intrusted  with  the 
gonfalon  in  the  medieval 
republican  cities  of  Italy 
was  often  the  chief  person- 
age in  the  state.  Gonfalon. 

Gk>ng:,  gong.  A  Chinese  musical  instru- 
ment made  of  a  mixed  metal  of  copper  and 
tin,  in  form  like  a  round  flat  dish  with  a 
rim  2  or  3  inches  in  depth.  It  is  struck  by 
a  padded  drum-stick.  They  are  in  com- 
pion  use  in  hotels  in  America  to  announce 
meals.  In  Mach.  a  stationary  bell  whose 
hammer  is  moved  by  a  wire  or  cord,  as  in 
the  engine  room  of  a  steamer. 

G-ongronha,  gon-gon'ya.  A  variety  of 
mate  or  Paraguay  tea,  prepared  from  the 
leaves  of  Ilex  Gongonha  and  I.  Theezans, 
species  of  holly. 

Qoniaster,  go-ni-as'tcr.  A  gen,  of  star- 
fishes, occurring  also  fossil  in  the  green- 
sand,  chalk  and  elder  tertiaries ;  often 
called  Cushion-stars. 

Goniatites,  'ni-a-tT"tez.  An  extinct 
gen.  of  fossil  shells,  belonging  to  the  di- 
branchiate  cephalopodous  mollusks,  fam. 
Ammonites. 

Gonionieter,-ni-om'' 
et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  solid 
angles,  or  the  inclina- 
tion of  planes,  particu- 
larly the  angles  formed 
by  the  faces  of  crystals. 

Goniopholis,  -ofol- 
is.  A  genus  of  fossil 
crocodiles. 

GonoplacidsB,      -no- 
pla'sl-do.      A  fam.   of 
brachyurous  crustaceans.    Several  species 
occur  fossil. 

Gonopteryx,  gon-op'ter-iks.  A  gen.  of 
lepidopterous  insects,  the  brimstone  or 
sulphur  butterflies. 

Gonorrhea,  go-no-re'a.  A  specific  con- 
tagious inflammation  of  the  male  urethra 
or  the  female  vagina. 

Gonosome,  go'no-som.  In  Zool.  a  col- 
lective term  for  the  reproductive  zoolds  of 
a  hj'drozoon. 

Good  Friday,  A  fast  of  the  Christian 
church  in  memory  of  our  Saviour's  cruci- 
fixion, kept  on  the  Friday  of  Passion- 
week  ;  tlie  thii-d  day  before  Easter. 


Goniometer. 


Good  Templarism  gm\  tem'pler'izra. 
The  principles  of  th«y  society  of  Good 
Templars,  combining  teetotalism  with 
certain  mystic  rites  imitated  less  or  more 
from  freemasonry,  having  secret  signs, 
passwords  and  insignia  peculiar  to  itself. 
The  members  differ  from  Free  Templars 
in  that  they  recognize  the  authority  of  the 
grand  lodge. 

Goon,  glm.    A  species  of  E,  Inslian  grain. 

Gooroo,  go'ro.    A  Hindu  spiritual  guide. 

Goose,  gos.  The  common  name  of  birds, 
fam.  Anseridae,  ord.  Lamellirostres,  a  weU- 
known  family  of  natatorial  birds. 

Goose-step,  'step.  The  act  of  a  soldier 
marking  time  by  raising  the  feet  alternate- 
ly without  moving. 

Gopher,  go'fer.  The  name  given  by  the 
French  settlers  in  the  valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi and  Canada  to  many  burrowing 
animals  of  different  genera,  A  species  oi 
burrowing  land-tortoise  of  the  Southern 
States,  whose  eggs  are  valued.  In  Georgia 
a  snake,  the  Coluber  coupen. 

Gopher-wood,  -w6d.  A  species  of  wood 
used  in  the  construction  of  Noah's  ark, 
but  whether  cypress,  pine  or  other  wood 
is  a  point  not  settled. 

Goracco,  -rak'ko.  Prepared  tobacco,  a 
paste  smoked  in  their  hookahs  by  the 
natives  of  W,  India. 

Goral,  'ral.  Antilope  goral  or  Nemorhe- 
dus  goral;  a  species  of  antelope  inhabiting 
the  Himalayan  Mountains. 

Goramy,  -ra-mi'.  A  fish,  gen.  Osphro- 
menus,  fam.  Anabasidae  or  Labyrinthi- 
branchidfe.  It  is  kept  in  jars  in  Java  and 
fattened  on  water-plants.  It  is  one  of  the 
few  fishes  which  bmld  nests. 

Gordiacea,  gor-di-a'se-a.  The  hair- 
worms, an  order  of  annuloid  animals  with 
a  body  resembling  horse-hair. 

Gordian,  Marcus  Antonius  Afri- 
canus.  A  Roman  pro-consul,  elected  in 
association  wth  his  son  Emperor  of  Rome; 
]{.  160;  suicided  after  the  death  of  his  son, 
238.  G.,  Marcus  Antonius  Pius,  grandson 
of  above,  B.  225;  became  Emperor,  238; 
murdered  by  the  usurper  Philippus,  244. 

Gordian  Knot,  The.  An  intricate 
knot,  made  by  Gordius,  King  of  Phrygia, 
which,  the  oracle  declared,  could  only  bo 
untied  by  one  Avho  should  conquer  Asia. 
Alexander  the  Great  cut  It  open  with  his 
sword. 

Gore,  gor.  Blood  that  is  shed  or  drawn 
from  the  body  ;  thick  or  clotted  blood. 

Gore.  A  triangular-shaped  piece  sewed 
into  a  garment,  sail,  (fee,  to  widen  it  in  any 


GOEGE 


879 


GOTHAED 


part;  a  gusset, 
of  land. 


A  slip  or  triangular  piece 


Plate  Gorget. 


Gorge,  gorj.  The  throat ;  the  gullet ; 
the  canal  by  which  the  food  passes  to  the 
stomach.  In  Arch,  the  narrowest  part  of 
the  Tuscan  and  Doric  capitals :  also  a 
cavetto  or  hollow  molding.  That  which 
is  gorged ;  swallowed  food  caused  to  re- 
gurgitate through  nausea  or  disgust.  A 
narrow  passage  between  hills  or  moun- 
tains. The  entrance  into  a  bastion  or 
other  outwork  of  a  fort. 

Gorget,  gor'jet.  A 
piece  of  armor  for  de- 
fending the  throat  or 
neck;  also  a  breast- 
plate like  a  half-moon. 
The  camail  or  throat 
covering  of  chain-mail 
is  sometimes  called  the  gorget  of  mail. 

Gorgey,  Arthur.  A  Hungarian  gen- 
eral, IS.  ISIS;  D.  1S78.  He  was  given  chief 
command  of  the  patriot  army  in  1848, 
and  in  1849  was  made  dictator  and 
traitorously  surrendered  his  anny  to  the 
Eussians. 

Gorgon,  'gon.  In  Greek  Myth,  one  of 
several  monsters  of  terrific  aspect,  the 
sight  of  which  turned  the  beholder  to 
stone.  They  are  represented  as  three  sis- 
ters— Stheno,  Euryale  and  Medusa. 

Gorgoneia,  -gon-I'a.  In  Arch,  masks 
carved  in  imitation  of  the  Gorgon's  or 
Medusa's  head ;  used  as  key-stones. 

Gorgonidae,  -de.  A  fam.  of  sclerobasic 
corals,  ord.  Alcyonaria,  comprising  the 
eea-shrubs,  fan-corals  and  the  red  coral 
of  commerce. 

Gorilla,  go-ril'la.  The  largest  animal  of 
the  ape  kind,  called  also  the  Great  Chim- 

f)anzee  ;  possessed  of  great  strength,  and 
las  a  barking  voice,  rising  in  rage  to  a 
terrific  roar.  The  gorilla  has  thirteen  ribs, 
and  in  the  proportion  of  its  molar  teeth 
to  the  incisors  and  in  the  form  of  its  pelvis 
it  approaches  closely  the  human  form 
The  Phoenician  navigator  Hanno  found 
the  name  in  use  in  the  5th  century  b.  c. 
in  W.  Africa. 

GortschakofF,  gor-chah-kof .  The  pat- 
ronymic of  a  noble  Russian  family,  the 
most  distinguished  members  being 
Michael,  Prince  G.,  b.  1795,  who  was 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  llussian  ar- 
mies in  the  Danubian  Principalities  and 
Crimea,  1853-5,  and  afterward  Governor 
of  Poland  ;  i>.  1861.  Alexander,  Prince 
G.,  brother  of  the  above,  was  a  distin- 
guished diplomatist ;  b.  1800,  d.  1879. 


Goshawk. 


Goshawk,  gos'hak. 
A  raptoxlal  bird 
of  the  hawk  kind, 
gen.  Astur,  the  fe- 
male being  much 
the  larger.  It  was 
formerly  much  us<jd 
in  falconry. 

Gospel,  'pel. 
Lit.  God's  word. 
The  history  of  the 
birth,  life,  actions, 
death,  resurrection, 
ascension  and  doc- 
trines of  Jesus  Christ. 
One  of  the  four  records  ot  Christ's  life  left 
by  his  apostles.  System  of  gospel  doc- 
trine or  of  religious  truth.  Any  general 
doctrine. 

Gossamer,  'a-mer.  A  fine  filmy  sub- 
sUince  like  cobwebs,  floating  in  the  air  in 
calm  clear  weather,  especiallv  in  autumn. 
It  is  formed  by  small  species  of  spiders. 

Gossypium,  -sip'i-um.  The  cotton- 
plant,  ord.  Malvaceaj,  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant groups  of  plants. 

Goth,  goth.  One  of  an  ancient  Teutonic 
race  of  people,  first  heard  of  as  inhabiting 
the  shores  of  the  Baltic.  Great  hordes 
mig)-ated  southward  in  the  2d  century, 
dispossessed  the  Eomans  of  Dacia,  occu- 
pied the  coast  of  the  Black  Sea  from  the 
Don  to  the  Danube,  and  afterward  oyer- 
ran  and  took  an  important  part  in  sub- 
verting the  Eoman  Empire.  The  Moeso- 
goths,  a  section  of  the  Western  or  Visi- 
goths, settled  in  Moesia,  and  applied  them- 
selves to  agriculture  ;  and  a  portion  of  the 
Scriptures  in  their  language  is  the  earliest 
specimen  of  the  Teutonic  or  Gothic  tribe 
of  tongues.  The  Eastern  Goths  were 
called  Ostrogoths. 

Gothamite,  go'tham-It.  A  man  of  Go- 
tham ;  a  Gothamist ;  a  term  sportively 
applied  to  the  inhabitants  of  New  York. 

Gothic,  goth'ik.  The  lan- 
guage of  the  Goths.  In 
printing  the  name  of  an 
angular-faced  type.  The 
Gothic  order  of  archltec- 
tui-e. 

GothicisiQ,    'I  sizm.     A  - 
Gothic  idiom.    Conformity  ' 
to  the  Gothic  style  of  ar-  >> 
chitecture.     Eudeness    of 
manners ;   barbarousuess. 

Gothard,  Mount  St. 
A  celebrated  Swiss  plateau 
and  pass,  the  former  11,000  ft.  above  the 
sea  level.  The  highway  from  Lake  Lucerne 
to  Lake  Maggiore,  N.  Italy,  is  through  the 


GOTHLAND 


GRACE 


pass,  6,S00  ft.  high.  The  souices  of  the 
rivers  Rhino,  Rhone  and  Reuss  are  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  noted  St.  G.  hospice. 
G-othland.  A?  southerly  div.  of  Sweden, 
containing  12  counties  ;  pop.  2,580,000.  A 
Swedish  island  in  the  Baltic  ;  cap.  Wisby  ; 
pop.  57,300. 

G-otteiiburgr.  Cap.  of  the  Swedish  co. 
of  same  name,  2S0  m.  8.  W.  of  Stockholm, 
and  facing  the  northernmost  point  of  Den- 
mark ;  pop.  00,000. 

GrOUgh,  Hugh,  Viscount.  A  distin- 
guished British  general ;  b.  in  Ireland 
1779,  D.  1867.  He  won  distinction  by 
subjugating  the  East  Indian  Sikhs. 
Gouda,  gou'da.  A  kind  of  cheese  from 
Goudii,  in  Holland. 

Gouge,  gouj.  A  chisel  with  a  hollow  or 
Bemi-cylindrical  blade  ;  a  similar  instru- 
ment x'lsed  in  turning  wood.  An  imposi- 
tion ;  a  cheat ;  also,  an  impostor. 
Gounod,  Felix  Charles.  An  eminent 
JTreuch  musical  composer ;   b.   1818. 

Gourinae,  gou-ri'ne.    The  gi-ound  doves 

or  pigeons,  asub-fam.  of  the  ColumbidfB, 

which  far  surpass  in  size  all  other  j>igeons. 

The  head  of  G.  Victoriieis  sm-mountedby 
a  handsome  crest. 

Gourmand,  gor'miind.  A  glutton  ;  a 
g-reedy  feeder. 

Gourmet,  -ma.  A  man  of  keen  palate ; 
a  connoisseur  in  wines  and  meats  ;  an  epi- 
cure. 

Gously,  gous'li.  An  old  form  of  harp 
used  by  the  Sclavoniaus,  whose  bards  were 
called  Gouslas,  the  poetry  which  they 
chanted  being  styled  gouslo. 

Gout,  gout.  A  constitutional  disease  giv- 
ing rise  to  paroxysms  of  acute  pain  with 
a  specific  form  of  inflammation,  appearing 
after  puberty  chiefly  in  the  male  sex,  and 
returning  after  intervals.  It  is  generally 
characterized  by  affection  of  the  first  joint 
of  the  great  toe,  by  nocturnal  exacerba- 
tions and  morning  remissions,  and  by  vas- 
cular plethora.  Indolence,  inactivity,  and 
too  free  iise  of  tartareous  wines,  fermented 
liquors  and  very  high-seasoned  food,  are 
the  X)rincii)al  causes  which  give  rise  to  this 
disease. 

Governess,  guv'ern-es.  A  female  vested 
with  authority  to  control  and  direct ;  a 
tutoress  ;  a  lady  who  has  the  care  of  in- 
structing and  directing  children.  Any- 
thing regarded  as  feminine  that  governs, 
instruct,  or  tutors. 

Governor-general,  -jen'-'er-al.  A  gov- 
ernor who  has  under  him  subordinate  or 
deputy  governors ;  a  viceroy ;  as  the  gov- 
ernor' general  of  India. 


Governor. 


Governor, -er.  Ho 

who  or  that  which 
governs,  rules  or 
directs.      One  in- 
vested   with     su- 
preme    authority 
to  administer    or 
enforce  the  laws  ; 
the    supreme    ex- 
ecutive magistrate 
of  a  state,  commu- 
nity,   corporation 
or  post.      A  tutor, 
one  who  has  the 
care    of  a  young 
man  ;  one  v^ho  in- 
sti-ucts  a  pupil  and  foi-ms  his  manners. 
A  father ;  an  employer ;  an   elderly  per- 
son.     A  contrivance  in    mills  and   ma- 
chinery for  maintaining  a  uniform  velocity 
with  a  varying  resistance. 
Governor's  Island.     A  small  island 
in   N.   Y.   harbor,   on   which  is    erected 
Castle  William  and  Fort  Columbus. 
Gowan,   gou'an.    Decomposed  granite; 
granite  rock  in  a  soft  or  fragile  condition. 
Go"wlee,  gou'Ie.      Lit.   a  cow-herd ;  the 
name  «fono  of  the  Indian  castes. 
Grab,  grab.    A  sudden  grasp  or  seizure  ; 
a   catch.      An   implement  for  clutching 
boring  bits  and  the  hke  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  power  and  steadiness  in  work- 
ing them  ;  also  an  instrument  of  various 
shapes  for  clutching  objects  for  the  pur- 
pose ofraising  them,  as" for  drawing  pipes, 
drills,  &c.,  from  artesian  wells. 
Gracchus,  Caius  Sempronius.    A 
Roman   orator    and    statesman  who,   as 
tribune,  was  the  originator  of  many  ex- 
cellent laws  ;  B.  159  b.  c,  killed  in  a  mas- 
sacre organized  by  Opimius,  121.       His 
brother  Tiberius  Sempronius  was  elected 
tribune,  and  was  also  killed  in  an  uprising 
of  the  patricians  against  his  proposal  to 
distribute  the  public  lands  ;  b.  lOS  b.  c, 
D.  183. 

Grace,  grfis.  Favor ;  kindness  ;  disposi- 
tion to  oblige  another.  In  Scrip,  the  free, 
unmerited  love  and  favor  of  God ;  also  the 
influence  of  the  Spirit  in  renewing  the 
heart  and  restraining  from  sin.  Virtuous 
atfection  or  disposition,  as  faith,  patience, 
&c.,  i)roceeding  from  divine  influence. 
That  element  in  deportment  or  languaga 
which  renders  it  appropriate  and  agree- 
able ;  elegance  with  appropriate  dignity. 
Aff"ectation  of  elegance ;  assumption  of 
dignity  or  refinement.  In  Greek  Myth, 
beauty  deified  ;  one  of  three  goddesses  in 
whose  gift  were  grace,  loveliness  and  fa- 
vor, worshipped  in  Greece  under  the  name 


GRACULINtE 


381 


GKAND-CKOSS 


of  Charites,  called  Gratiae  by  theEomans. 
Thev  were  generally  known  aa  Aglaia, 
Thalia  and  Euphrosyne. 
Graculinae,  grak-u-ll'ne.  The  gracklcs, 
a  sub-lam.  of  conirostral  birds,  ord.  Pas- 
seres,  fam.  Sturnidae  or  starlings.  The 
Paradise  grackle  of  India  has  acquired 
great  celebrity  as  a  desti-oyer  of  locusts 
and  caterpillars. 

Gradient,   gra'di-ent.      The    degree  of 
slope  or  inclination   of  the  ground  over 
which  a  railway,  road  or  canal  passes  or 
is  intended  to  pass  ;  the  rate  of  ascent  or 
descent. 
Q-raduate,  -at.    One  who  has  been  ad- 
mitted to  a  degree  in  a  college  or  univer- 
siti',  or  by  some  professional  incorporated 
society. 
Graf,   graf.     The  German  equivalent  of 
the  English  earl  and  French  count. 
Graft,  graft.     A  small  shoot  or  scion  of  a 
tree  inserted  in  another  tree  as  the  stock 
which  is  to  support  and  nourish  it. 
Graham    of    Claverhouse,    Jolin 
(Viscount  Dundee).     A  Scotch  gen- 
eral ;  n.  1650,  killed  at  the  battle  of  KUhe- 
crankie,  1689.     He  achieved  notoriety  for 
his  persecution  of  the  Covenanters. 
Grail,   gi-iil.    The  legendary  holy  vessel, 
supposed  to  have  been  of  emerald,  from 
which  our  Saviour  ate  the  paschal  lamb  at 
the  last  supper,  or,   according  to  other 
legends,   from   which  he  dispensed    the 
wine,  and  said  to  have  been  brought  to 
England  by  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  who 
had  caught  the  last  drops  of  Christ's  blood 
in  it  as  he  was  t:iken  from  the  cross.    The 
grail  having  been  lost,  became  the  great 
object  of  quest  to  the  knights-errant  of  all 
nations,  none  being  qualified  to  discover 
it  but  a  knight  perfectly  chaste  in  thought 
and  act,  and  tho  stories  and  poems  of  Ar- 
thur and  the  Knights  of  the  Round  Table 
are  founded  on  this  legend  of  the  quest  of 
the  holy  chalice. 

Graining",  'ing.  In  painting,  the  process 
of  producing  an  imitation  of  the  grain  or 
fibers  of  wood  ;  wainscotting.  A  process 
in  leather-dressing  by  which  tho  skin  is 
softened  and  the  grain  raised. 
Grain-leather,  'leth-er.  A  name  for 
dressed  skins,  blacked  on  the  grain  side. 
Grains,  granz.  The  husks  or  remains  of 
malt  after  brewing,  or  of  any  gi-ain  after 
distillation. 

Grains  of  Paradise.  The  pungent 
somewhat  aromatic  seeds  of  Amomum 
Meleguetta,  nat.  ord.  Zingiberaceae,  a  plant 
of  tropical  W.  Africa.  They  are  chiefly 
used  in  cattle  medicines  and  to  give  a  fiery 
pungency  to  cordials.  i 


Grain-tin,  gran'tin.  The  purest  kind  of 
tin,  prepaied  from  the  ore  called  stream- 
tin  found  in  river-beds. 
Grallatores,  gral-a-to'rez.  Orders  of 
birds  adapted  for  wading  in  water,  includ- 
ing the  cranes,  herons,  storks,  plovers, 
snipes,  rails,  coots,  &c.  &c.  Most  modern 
naturalists  have,  however,  separated  the 
herons  and  storks  from  the  Grallatores, 
and  placed  them  in  an  order  by  them- 
selves, to  which  they  give  the  name 
Ciconiaj. 
Gramineee,  gra-min'e-o.  A  very  import- 
ant group  of  Glumaceae,  generally  her- 
baceous, the  bamboos  forming  a  marked 
exception  to  this  rule.  The  various  cereals 
and  the  sugar-cane  aro  members  of  this 
family. 

Graminivorous,  min-iv'6-rus.  Feed- 
ing or  subsisting  on  grass;  said  of  oxen, 
sheep,  horses,  &c. 

Grammalogrue,  grara'ma-log.  In  pho- 
nography, a  letter- word ;  a  word  repre- 
sented by  a  logogram ;  as  it,  represented 
by   I  ,  that  is  t. 

Grammar,  gram'mSr.  A  system  of 
general  principles  and  of  particular  rules 
for  speaking  or  writing  a  language  ;  a 
book  containing  such  principles  and 
rules;  a  digested  compilation  of  customary 
forms  of  speech  in  a  nation. 
Gram.  The  French  standard  unit  of 
weight,  equivalent  to  a  cubic  centimeter 
of  water,  or  the  millionth  of  a  cubic  meter 
at  a  temperature  of  4°  Centigrade,  or 
39.2°  Fahrenheit  in  a  vacuum,  in  Paris.  It 
is  equal  to  15.43248  grains  troy. 
Grampian  Hills.  The  principal  moun- 
tain of  Scotland,  the  highest  summit,  Ben 
Nevis,  being  4,406  ft.  above  sea  level.  A 
mountain  chain  in  Victoria,  B.  Australia. 
Grampus,  'pus.  A  marine  cetaceous 
mammal,  gen.  Orca,  which  grows  to  the 
length  of  25  feet.  The  grampus  is  carniv- 
orous and  remarkably  voracious,  even  at- 
tacking the  whale. 

Granada.     Ancient  Spanish  city,  cap.  of 
prov.,  ^nd  formerly  of  the  kingdom  of 
same  name ;  on  the  Xenil,  120  m.  W.  of 
Seville.     It  is  noted  for  its   specimens  of 
Moorish  art,  the  chief  of  these  and  most 
magnificent  extant  being  the  Alhambra 
palace ;  pop.  T0,T46. 
Gran  Chaco  (El).     A  large  interior  sec- 
tion of  S.  America,  occupied  by  roving 
Indian  tribos  and  vast  herds  of  cattle. 
Grandchild,  grand'child.     A  son's  or 
daughter's  child. 
Grand-cross,  'kros.    The  highest  class 
of  knighthood  in  the  order  of  the  Bath. 


GRAND-DUKE 


GEAPE 


Grand-duke,  Muk.  The  title  of  the 
sovereign  of  several  of  the  states  of  Ger- 
many, considered  of  a  rank  between 
duke  and  king  ;  also  applied  to  members 
of  the  imperial  iamily  of  Russia.  The 
great  horned  owl. 

Grrandee,  pran-de'.  A  nobleman.  In 
Spain,  a  nobleman  of  the  first  rank,  who 
has  the  king's  leave  to  be  covered  in  his 
presence. 

Grandfather,  grand'fa-ther.  A  father's 
or  mother's  father. 

Grand-g-arde,  'gard.  A  piece  of  plate 
armor  used  in  the  15th  and  16th  centuries 
In  the  tournament.  It  covered  the  breast 
and  left  shoulder. 

Grand  Gulf.  A  village  of  Claiborne 
Co.,  Miss.,  on  the  Mississippi  River,  60 
m.  above  Natchez.  The  Confederates 
fortified  it  strongly  during  the  rebellion, 
but  the  works  were  captured  by  Com. 
Porter,  May  3,  18(53. 

Grand-jury,  'ju-ri.  A  jury  whose  duty 
it  is  to  examine  into  the  grounds  of  accu- 
sation against  offenders,  and  to  find  bills  of 
Indictment  to  be  presented  to  the  court. 

Grand  Lodg'e.  The  principal  lodge  or 
governing  body  of  Freemasons. 

Grand-master,  'mas-ter.  The  title  of 
the  head  of  the  military  orders  of  knight- 
hood, as  the  Hospitallers,  the  Templars, 
and  the  Teutonic  knights.  The  title  is 
also  given  to  the  heads  of  the  order  of 
Freemasons. 

Grandmother,  'muth-er.  The  mother 
of  one's  father  or  mother. 

Grand-nephew,  'ne-vu.  The  grandson 
of  a  brother  or  sister. 

Grand-niece,  'nes.  The  grand-daughter 
of  a  brother  or  sister. 

Grandparent,  'pa-rent.  The  parent  of 
a  parent. 

Grand-piano,  'pi-a-no.  A  large  piano, 
of  great  compass  and  strength,  and  in 
which  the  wires  or  strings  are  generally 
triplicated.  They  are  generally  in  the 
shape  of  a  harp,  to  correspond  with  the 
varying  lenjf  th  of  the  strings. 

Grand-seignior,  -sen'yer.  The  sov- 
ereign or  sultan  of  Turkey. 

Grandson,  'sun.  The  son  of  a  son  or 
daughter. 

Grand- vicar,  -vi'ker.  A  principal  vicar  ; 
a  Frencli  ecclesiastical  delegate. 

Grand- vizier,  -vi-zer'.  The  chief  min- 
ister of  the  Turkish  Empire. 

Grange,  grfmi  A  farm,  with  the  dwell- 
ing-house, stables,  byres,  barns,  &c.    A 


society  or  lodge  of  farmers  in  the  U.  S., 
for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  interests 
of  agriculture,  more  especially  for  abolish- 
ing the  restraints  and  burdens  imposed  on 
it  by  the  commercial  classes,  and  for  doing 
away  with  middlemen. 

Granger,  griinj'er.  A  member  of  a  farm- 
ers' grange.     A  farmer. 

Granicus.  An  ancient  name  of  a  small 
river  in  Bithynia,  on  whose  banks  Alex- 
ander the  Great  vdth  80,000  soldiers  de- 
feated the  Persian  King  Darius  with  600,- 
000,  334  B.  c. 

Granilite,  gran'i-lTt.  Indeterminate 
granite  ;  granite  that  contains  more  thah 
three  constituent  parts. 

Granilla,  -il'la.  The  dust  or  small  grains 
of  the  cochineal  insect. 

Granite,  'it.  An  unstratified  rock,  com- 
posed generally  of  quartz,  felspar  and 
mica,  united  in  a  confused  crystallization, 
that  is,  without  regular  arrangement  of 
the  crystals. 

Granivorous,  gran-iv'6-rus.  Eating 
grain  ;  feeding  or  subsisting  on  seeds  ;  as 
granivorous  birds. 

Grant,  Francis,  Sir.  A  celebrated 
British  painter  ;  u.  1804,  d.  1877. 

Grant,  Ulysses  Simpson,  Gen. 
Eighteenth  President  of  the  U.  S. ;  b.  in 
Ohio,  1822.  Educated  at  West  Point,  ho 
served  during  the  Mexican  war,  but  re- 
signed in  1854.  Voluntering  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  rebellion,  he  was  soon  commissioned 
as  brigadier-general,  and  rapidly  rose  to 
the  command  of  the  western  department, 
and  in  1864  was  made  commander-in-chief 
of  the  entire  forces,  and  transfei-red  to  the 
East.  After  a  series  of  repulses  and  de- 
feats lasting  over  a  year,  he  forced  Gen. 
Lee  to  evacuate  Richmond,  and  received 
the  surrender  of  the  last  army  of  the  Con- 
federacy, April  9, 1865.  The  rank  of  Gen- 
eral was  created  expressly  in  his  honor, 
and  he  acted  as  Secretary  of  War  from 
Aug.  1,  1867,  to  June  14,  1868.  Elected 
President  in  November  of  that  year,  he 
was  re-elected  in  1872.  A  candidate  for  a 
third  term,  he  was  defeated  for  the  nom- 
ination by  James  A.  Garfield,  and  remov- 
ing to  N.  Y.  city,  engaged  in  business  in 
which  he  was  unfortunate,  the  firm  of 
Grant  &  Ward,  in  which  he  and  his  three 
sons  were  partners,  having  failed  (May, 
1884)  with  liabilities  estimated  at  over 
$17,000,000.    Died  July  23,  1885. 

Grape,  grap.  Properly,  a  cluster  of  the 
fruit  of  the  vine,  but  commonly  a  single 
beiTv  of  the  vine.  The  cOTcabel  or  knob 
at  t^e  butt  of  a  cannon. 


GRAPE-SHOT 


GEEAT  BKITAm 


Grape 


Q-rape-shot,  'shot.  A  mis- 
sile intcrmediato  between 
case-shot  and  solid  shot,  con- 
sisting of  three  tiers  of  cast- 
iron  l>alls  arranged  between 
four  parallel  iron  disks  con- 
nected together  by  a  central 
AVTought  iron  pin. 

Graphite,  graf'it.  One  of 
the  forms  under  which  car- 
bon occurs  in  nature,  also 
Iknown  as  Plumbago,  Black-lead  an  '  "Wad; 
used  chiefly  in  the  manufacture  of  pencils, 
crucibles  and  portable  furnaces,  in  bur- 
nishing iron  to  protect  it  from  rust,  and  for 
counteracting  friction  between  the  rub- 
bing surl^ices  of  machinery. 

Grapholite,  'ol-Tt.  A  species  of  slate 
suitable  for  writing  on. 

Graph-Ometer,  -om'et-er.  A  mathe- 
matical instrument,  called  also  a  semi- 
circle, for  measuring  angles  in  surveying. 

Grapnel, 
grap'nel.  A 
small  anchor 
fitted  with 
four  or  five 
flukes  or 
claws.  A 
grappling-^ 
iron  used  to 
hold  one  ship 
to  another  preparatory  to  boarding. 

Grapsidee,  graps'i-de.  A  fam.  of  de- 
capod brachyurous  crustaceans,  fam. 
Catametopes. 

Graptolitidas,  grap-to-nt'i-de.  An  ex- 
tinct sub-fam.  of  the  hydrozoa,  found 
fossil  in  Silurian  slate. 

Grass-clotli,  gras'kloth.  A  name  given 
to  certain  beautiful  light  fabrics,  made  in 
India  from  the  fiber  of  Boehmeria  nivea 
or  China  grass,  Bromelia  Pigna,  &c. 
None  of  the  plants  are  grasses. 

Grasshopper,  'hop-er.  A  saltatorial 
orthopterous  insect,  fam.  Grj-llidse,  nearly 
allied  to  the  locust  ti-ibe. 

Grass-widow,  'wi  do.  A  wife  living 
apart  from  her  husband. 

Gratelupia  gra-te-lu'pi-a.  A  genus  of 
fossil  bivalve  moUusca. 

Graticule,  'ti-kfd.  A  design  or  draft 
divided  into  squares  for  the  purpose  of 
producing  a  copy  of  it  in  larger  or  smaller 
dimensions. 

Grattan,  Henry.  An  eminent  Irish 
lawyer,  orator  and  statesman  ;  b.  1750, 
».  1820.  He  was  a  member  of  the  last 
Irish  and  also  of  the  British  Parliament, 

Grave-digrerer,  grav'dig-er.    One  whose 


Grapnel. 


occupation  is  to  dig  graves.  The  common 
name  in  Jamaica  for  a  hymenopterous  in- 
sect, gen.  Sphex. 

Gravel,  gra'vel.  Small  stones  or  frag' 
mcnts  of  stone,  or  very  small  pebbles.  In 
Pathol,  small  concretions  or  calculi  in  the 
kidneys  or  bladder,  similar  to  sand  or 
gravel;  the  disease  occasioned  by  such 
concretions  ;  stone. 

Graver,  grav'er.  One  who  carve?  or 
engraves  ;  a  sculptor.  An  engraving  tool 
made  of  fine  tempered  steel ;  a  burin.  An 
instrument  used  for  turning  iron  after  it 
has  been  roughed  out  by  the  heel-tool. 

Gravidation,  gra-vid-a'shon.  The  act 
of  gravidating  or  making  pregnant,  or 
state  of  being  gravidated  or  made  preg- 
nant ;  pregnancy ;  impregnation. 

Gravi&rada,  -vi-gra'da.  A  family  of 
huge  fossil  animals  allied  to  the  sloths, 
but  of  the  bulk  of  a  rhinoceros,  difi'ering 
from  the  sloth  in  that  their  feet,  instead 
of  being  suitable  for  climbing,  were  adapt- 
ed for  digging. 

Gravimeter,  -vim-'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  determining  the  specific  gravities  of 
bodies,  Avhether  liquid  or  solid. 

Gravitation,  -vi-ta'shon.  The  act  of 
tending  to  a  center  of  attraction  ;  the  force 
by  which  bodies  are  pressed  or  drawn,  or 
by  which  they  tend  toward  the  center  of 
the  earth  or  other  center,  or  the  effect  of 
that  force. 

Gray,  Thomas.  A  gifted  English  poet: 
B.  1716,  n.  1771. 

Gray-lagr.  gra'lag.  The  common  wild 
goose  or  fen -goose,  the  supposed  original 
of  the  domestic  goose. 

Gray- 
ling*, 
'hng.  Thy- 
mallusvul-^ 
garis,  avo- 

Salmonidse,  called  also  Umber.  It  is  ex- 
cellent food. 

Gray-0"Wl,  'oul.  The  tawny  owl,  a  com- 
mon British  species. 

Grazioso,  gra-tsi-o'so.  An  instruction 
to  the  performer  that  the  music  is  to  be 
exT'Cuted  elegantly  and  gracefully. 

Greaser,  grez'er.  A  name  of  contempt 
given  to  a  Mexican  or  Central  American 
Creole. 

Great  Britain.  United  Kingdom  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  or,  "  The  Brit- 
ish Empire."  A  political  division  cov- 
ering sections  of  the  five  continents,  the 


GEEAT-GO 


884 


GREENOCK 


Horned  Grebe. 


original  comprising  the  island  of  Britain, 
formerly  divided  into  the  kingdoms  of 
England  and  Scotland  and  the  principal- 
ity 01  Wales  ;  to  this  Ireland  was  added 
by  conquest,  in  a  series  of  invasions  be- 
ginning in  1160  and  ending  only  in  1691, 
when  Limerick  surrendered.  The  several 
divisions  of  the  Empire  with  the  area  and 
population  are  :  In  Europe,  121,987  sq.  m., 
pop.  34,869.900;  Asia,  1,102,946  sq.  m., 
pop.  161,000,000  ;  Africa,  223,831  sq.  m., 
pop.  1,340,000  ;  N.  America,  8,524,161  sq. 
m.,  pop.  4,372,869  ;  C.  America  and  W. 
Indies,  28,688  sq.  m.,  pop.  1,236,000;  S. 
America  (and  islands),  164,472  sq.m.,  pop. 
254,810 ;  Australia,  3,008,890  sq.  m.,  pop. 
2,815,726.  The  government  is  a  constitu- 
tional monarchy,  the  title  of  the  present 
sovereign  being  Victoria  Alexandrina, 
Queen  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  and 
Empress  of  India. 

Great-g-o,  grut'go.  The  examination  for 
degrees  at  some  universities. 

Grebe,  greb.  The 
common  name  of, 
birds,  gen.  Podiceps, 
fam.  Colymbidag. 

Grecism,  gro'sizm. 
An  idiom  of  the 
Greek  language. 

Grecque,  grek.  An  attachment  to  coffee 
pots  for  holding  the  coffee  grounds.  The 
bottom  is  perforated  with  holes,  and  the 
hot  water  is  poured  through  it,  carrying 
with  it  the  aroma  of  the  coffee  without  the 
grounds.  The  name  is  also  given  to  a  cof- 
fee-pot furnished  with  this  contrivance, 

Greece.  A  kingdom  of  S.  Europe  compris- 
ing two  large  divisions  known  as  Livadia 
or  N.  Greece,  and  the  Morea  (ancient 
Peloponnesus),  or  S.  Greece,  including 
several  islands.  The  sub-divisions  or 
monarchies  are  Attica  and  Bceotia,  Phocis 
and  Phthiotis,  Acarnania  and  jEtolia,  Eu- 
boeain  theN.,  Corinth  and  Argohs,  Arca- 
dia,Laconia,  Messenia,  Achaiaand  Elis,the 
Cyclades  and  Ionian  Islands  ;  total  area, 
20,162  sq.  m.,  pop.  1,864,254.  Modern  G. 
dates  only  from  1832,  having  been  pre- 
viously under  Turkish  dominion  for  cen- 
turies. The  principal  cities  are  Athens 
the  cap.,  Zeitunia,  Missolonghi,  Egripos, 
Nauplia,  Tripolitza,  Sparta,  CalamSta, 
Patras,  Syra  and  Corfu,  capitals  of  the 
several  nomarchics.  The  government  is 
a  limited  monarchy,  and  the  ruling  mon- 
arch is  George  I.,  of  the  royal  house  of 
Denmark. 

Greek  Churcli.  That  branch  of  the 
Christian  church  Avhlcli  separated  from 
the  Latin  or  Western  church  in  the  9th 


and  10th  centuries,  and  is  the  prevailing 
religion  of  Russia,  Greece  and  the  Otto- 
man Empire.  The  principal  points  of 
difference  with  the  R.  C.  Church  are  in 
holding  that  the  Holy  Ghost  proceeds 
from  the  Father  above,  in  permitting  the 
marriage  of  priests.  In  denying  purga- 
torial punishment,  in  holding  to  consub- 
stantiation  in  the  eucharist,  and  denying 
other  than  the  nominal  spiritual  supremacy 
of  the  patriarchs  of  Constantinople. 

Greeley,  Horaxie.  A  distinguished 
American  journalist  and  author  n.  in  N. 
II.,  1811,  p.  1872.  He  was  the  founder  and 
life-long  editor  of  the  N.  Y.  Tribune. 

Greenback,  grcn'bak.  A  popular  name 
for  the  paper  money  of  the  U.  S.,  first  is- 
sued in  1862  ;  so  called  from  the  back  of 
the  note  being  of  a  green  color.  The  term 
is  sometimes  used  to  include  the  U.  8. 
bank-notes. 

Green-chafer,  'chuf-er,  A  coleopterous 
insect  of  the  genus  Agestrata. 

Greene,  Nathaniel,  Gen.  An  Ameri- 
can patriot,  B.  in  li.  I.,  1742,  d.  1786.  He 
ranked  next  to  Gen.  Washington  in  the 
Revolutionary  struggle. 

Green-ebony,  'eb-on-i.  An  olive-green 
wood  obtained  from  the  S.  American  tree 
Jacaranda  ovalifolia,  ord.  Bignoniaceae, 
used  for  round  rulers,  turnery,  marquetry 
work,  &c.,  and  also  in  dyeing,  yielding 
olive-green,  brown  and  yellow  colors. 

Greenfinch,  'finsh.  An  insessorial  bird, 
gen.  Coccothraustes,  the  C.  chloris,  fam, 
Fringillidse. 

Green-grage,  'gaj.  A  species  of  plum, 
the  reine  claude  of  the  French. 

Greenhouse,  'hous.  A  building,  largely 
of  glass,  constructed  for  the  purpose  of 
cultivating  exotic  plants  which  are  too 
tender  to  endure  the  open  air  during  the 
colder  parta  oi  the  year.    The  temperature 

in  Avinter  is  kept  up  by  means  of  artificial 

heat. 

Greenland.  The  northernmost  part  of 
the  American  continent,  separated  from 
the  main  land  by  Davis'  Straits  and  the 
Atlantic,  and  extending  to  60°  N.  lati- 
tude. It  is  under  Danish  jurisdiction,  and 
its  Etiropean  population  number  only 
about  10,000.  The  natives  are  called  Es- 
uimaux.  The  principal  settlements  aro 
Disco,  Upernavik  and  Frederickshavn. 

Greenlandite,  'land -it.  A  variety  of 
precious  garnet  obtained  from  Greenland, 

Green-mineral,  'min-er-al.  A  carbonate 
of  copper,  used  as  a  pigment, 

Greenock.    A  Scotch  seaport  having  ex- 


GEEENOUGH 


GRESSOEIAL 


tensive  shipv;xrds,  on  the  Frith  of  Clyde, 
19  m.  N.  W'.  of  Glasgow  ;  pop.  49,700, 
Q-reenougrh.  Horatio.  A  distinf^uished 
American   sculptor,  b.   in   Mass.,  1805,  d. 
1S52. 
Green-room,  'rum.    A  room  near  the 
stage  in  a  theater,  to  which  actors  retire 
during  the  intervals  of  their  parts  in  the 
play. 
Q-reensand,  'sand.    A  name  common  to 
two  grouits  of  strata,  the  one  belon^ng  to 
the  lower  cretaceous  series,  the  other  to 
the   upper   cretaceous    series ;    between 
them  is  the  gault. 

Green-sickness,  'sik-nes.  A  disease  of 
young  females,  characterized  by  livid  com- 
plexion, languor,  depraved  appetite  and. 
digestion,  and  a  morbid  condition  of  the 
catamenial  discharge ;  chlorosis. 
Green-snake,  'snak.  The  name  given 
in  the  U.  S.  to  two  species  of  coluber. 
Green-tea,  'te.  A  tea  of  a  greenish 
color,  due  to  the  mode  in  wliich  the  leaves 
of  the  plant  are  treated  in  the  process  of 
drying. 

Greenwicll,  A  city  in  Kent  Co.,  En- 
gland, G  m.  8.  E.  of  London  Bridge.  It  is 
noted  for  its  seamen's  hospital,  the  Koyal 
Observatory  and  as  the  point  from  which 
longitude  is  reckoned ;  pop.  143,671. 
Gregrarinidae,  gre-ga-rin'i-de.  A  class 
of  animal  organisms,  comprising  the  low- 
est forms  of  the  Protozoa,  found  in  the 
intestines  of  various  animals,  especially 
the  cockroach  and  earth-worm. 
Gregrariousness,  grc-ga'ri-ns-nes.  The 
state  or  quality  of  being  gregarious  or  of 
living  in  Hocks  or  herds. 
Greg-g-oe,  'go.  A  short  cloth  jacket 
or  cloak  with  a  hood  attached,  worn  by 
the  Greeks  and  others  in  the  Levant. 
Gregrorian,  -go'ri-an.  Belonging  to, 
established  or  produced  by  Gregory.  G. 
calendar,  the  calendar  as  reformed  by 
Pope  Gregory  XIII.  in  1582,  which  adjusts 
the  leap  years  so  as  to  harmonize  the  civil 
year  with  the  solar,  and  shows  the  new 
and  full  moon,  with  the  time  of  Easter  and 
the  movable  feasts  depending  thereon,  by 
means  of  epacts.  G.  year,  the  ordinary 
year,  as  reckoned  according  to  the  Grego- 
rian calendar.  It  consists  of  365  days,  6 
hours,  48  minutes,  49  seconds,  the  excess 
over  365  days  forming  a  whole  day  every 
fourth  year.  G.  epoch,  the  time  from 
which  the  Gregorian  computation  dates, 
the  year  1582.  G.  chant,  one  of  a  series 
of  choral  melodies  introduced  into  tho  ser- 
vice of  the  Christian  Church  by  Pope  Greg- 
ory I.  about  the  end  of  tho  6th  century. 


Grenade. 


G.  telescope,  the  first  and  most  common 
form  of  the  reflecting  telescope,invented  by 
James  Gregory,  a  Scotch  mathematician. 

Gregrory.  The  name  of  16  Roman  pon- 
tilts,  the  most  prominent  of  whom  were 
G.  YII.  (Hildebrand),  «.  1028 ;  s.  Alex- 
ander II.,  1073  ;  D.  1085.  He  inaugurated 
extensive  reforms  in  the  Church,  <»xcom- 
municated  the  Emperor  Henry  IV.  of 
Germany,  and  aimed  to  subordinate  tho 
entu-e  civil  power  of  Europe  to  the  spii-it- 
ual.  G.  XIII.  8.  Pius  v.,  1572,  and  was 
also  a  reformer  and  liberal  patron  of  learn- 
ing, endowing  the  Gregorian  and  other 
colleges  at  Home ;  he  introduced  the  "new- 
style  "  into  the  Julian  calendar  ;  v>.  15S5. 

Gregrory,  James  G.  An  eminent 
Scotch  mathematician  ;  u.  1638 ;  d.  1674. 

Gremial,  'mi-al.    An  episcopal  ornament 
for  the  breast,  lap  and 
shoulders,  made  of  silk 
or  damask. 

Grenade,  -nad'.  A  hol- 
low shell  of  metal  or  an- 
nealed glass,  filled  with 
powder,  fired  bj'  means  ^ 
of  a  fuse  and  thrown 
among  enemies.  They 
are  of  different  sizes  ani 
thrown  from  a  cannon  or 
by  hand. 

Grenadier,    gren-a- 
dcr'.       Originally,     a 
soldier     who     threw 
hand  grenades.  When 
hand   grenades  went' 
out  of  general  use,  the 
name    was    still    re- 
tained  for    the    com- 
pany, the  members  of 
which  were  of  great 
height  and  were  dis- 
tinguished by  a  par-   ,- 
ticular  dress,  as  for  in-    ~ 
stance  the  high  boar-  Grenadier  of  1740. 
skin  cap.  A  S.  African 
bird  of  brilliant  plumage,  red  above,  black 
below,  called  also  G.  Grossbeak. 

Grenadine,  '-din.  A  thin  gauzy  silk  or 
woolen  fabric,  used  for  ladies'  dresses, 
shawls,  &c. 

Grenville  Georg-e.  An  English  states- 
men, who,  as  prime  minister,  originated 
the  oppressive  Stamp  Act  of  1765,  which 
resulted  in  the  revolt  and  independence 
of  the  American  colonies ;  u.  1712 ;  d.  1770. 

Gressorial,  gres-so'ri-al.  A  term  applied 
to  birds  which  liave  three  toes  forward 
(two  of  which  are  connectod)  and  one  bor- 
hind. 


GEEUZE 


GEOIN 


Greuze,  Jean  Baptiste.  A  distin. 
guished  Frencli  painter  ;  b.  1726,  d,  1805' 

Grey,  Claarles,  2d  Earl.  An  English 
statesman  under  whoso  prime  minister- 
ship the  Eeform  Bill  of  18B0  was  passed ; 
B.  1764,  D.  1S45. 

Grey,  Lady  Jane.  Granddaughter  of 
Henry  Vlil.,  and  bequeathed  the  crown 
of  England  by  Edward  VI.  She  was  per- 
suaded against  her  will  to  assume  the 
throne,  but  was  queen  only  a  few  days, 
the  people  declaring  in  favor  of  Princess 
Mary,  Edward's  sister.  Lady  Jane  and 
her  husband,  Lord  Guilford  Dudley,  son 
of  the  Duke  of  Northumberland,  were  be- 
headed on  Tower  Hill ;  b.  1537,  i>,  1554. 

Greyliound,gTa' 
hound.  A  tall  flee 
dog,  remarkable 
for  the  keenness  of 


its  sight,  the  sym- 
metrical strength 
and  beauty  of  its 
form,  and  its  great 
ileetness.  There 
are  many  sub-vari-  Greyhound, 

eties  from  the  Irish 

and  Highland  breeds  to  the  Italian  grey- 
hound. It  figures  on  Egyptian  monu- 
ments, and  is  supposed  to  be  the  gaze- 
hound  of  old  English  Avriters. 

Gribble,  grib'l.  An  isopod  crustacean, 
which  commits  great  damage  by  boring 
into  submerged  timber.  It  is  not  unlike  a 
wood-louse. 

GrifBn,  griffin.  In  Myth,  an  imaginary 
animal,  the  fore  part  being  represented  as 
an  eagle  and  the  lower  part  as  a  lion.  It 
was  supposed  to  Avatch  over  mines  of  gold 
and  hidden  treasures,  and  was  consecrated 
to  the  Bun^,  G.  male,  in  Her.  a  griffin 
without  wings  and  having  large  ears.  A 
species  of  vulture.  The  bearded  griffin  is 
the  lammergeycr. 

Grillag-e,  gi-il'aj.  In  Engin.  a  frame- 
work composed  of  heavy  beams,  used  to 
sustain  foundations  and  prevent  their  ir- 
regular setthng  in  soils  of  unequal  com- 
pressibihty. 

Grille.  A  lat- 
tice or  open 
work  or  grat- 
ing. A  metal 
screen  to  in- 
close or  pro- 
tect a  shrine, 
tomb  or  sacred  Grille, 

ornament.     A 

gate  of  metal  inclosing  or  protecting  the 
entrance  of  a  religious  house  or  sacred 
building.    A  small  screen  of  iron  bars  in 


the  door  of  a  nunnery  or  convent,  through 

which  inmates  converse  with  visitors ;  th« 

wicket  of  a  monastery. 

Grimm's  Law.  A  law  discovered  by 
Jacob  L.  Grimm,  the  great  German  phil- 
ologist, formulating  certain  changes  which 
the  mute  consonants  undergo  in  corre- 
sponding words  in  the  most  important 
branches  of  the  Aryan  family  of  languages. 

Griquas,  gre'kwus.  S.  African  half- 
castes,  occupying  the  banks  of  the  Orang« 
Kiver,  resulting  from  the  intercourse  be- 
tween the  Dutch  settlers  and  Hottentot 
and  Bush  women.  Part  are  Christiana 
and  considerably  civilized.  They  have  a 
thriving  settlement  called  Griquatown, 
530  miles  northeast  of  Cape  Town. 

Grisaille,  gres-al'.  A  style  of  painting 
in  gray  tints  employed  to  represent  solid 
bodies  in  relief. 

Grisette,  gri-zet'.  In  France,  a  girl  or 
young  married  woman  of  the  working- 
class;  more  commonly,  a  belle  of  the 
working  class  given  togayetyand  gallan- 
try.   A  female  servant  of  loose  morals. 

Grisi,  Giulia,  gre'se.  An  eminent 
Italian  cantatrice ;  b.  in  Milan,  ISIO,  n. 
1869. 

Grison,  gri'sun.  A  S.  American  animal  of 
the  weasel  kind  but  a  little  larger.  It  is 
very  amusing  in  captivity.  Called  also, 
Huron. 

Grisons,  gre'sunz.  The  inhabitants  of 
the  eastern  Swiss  Alps.  The  largest  and 
most  eastern  of  the  Swiss  cantons. 

Grivet,  griv'ot.  A  small  green-gray  Abys- 
sinian monkey,  gen.  Cercopithecus.  The 
common  hand-organ  monkey  is  either  a 
vorvet  or  grivet. 

Griwennick,  gri-ven'ik.  A  silver  coin 
of  Kussia,  equal  to  10  copecks,  or  about 
8  cents. 

Groat,  grot.  An  old  English  coin  and 
money  of  account,  equal  to  fourpence.  A 
proverbial  term  for  a  small  sum. 

Grocer's-itch,  gro'serz-ich.  A  variety 
of  eczema  impetiginoides,  produced  in 
grocers  and  persons  working  in  sugar- 
refineries  by  the  irritation  of  sugar. 

Grog,  grog.  A  mixture  of  spirits  and 
water  not  sweetened;  rum  and  water 
cold  without  sugar.  Also  a  general  term 
for  strong  drink. 

Grog-gery,  'e-ri.  A  place  where  grog 
and  otlier  liquors  are  sold  and  drunk. 

Grogram,  'ram.  A  coarse  stuff  made  of 
silk  and  mohair.     A  strong,  coarse  silk. 

Groin,  groin.  The  hollow  or  depression 
of  the  human  body  in  front  at  the  junction 


GEOMET 


887 


GEOUND-TACKLE 


of  the  thigh  with  the  trunk.  In  Arch,  the 
angular  curve  made  by  the  intersection  of 
simple  vaults  crossing  each  other  at  any 
angle.  A  'svooden  breakwater  constructed 
between  low  and  high  water  to  retain  sand 
or  mud  thrown  up  by  the  tide. 

G-romet,  grom'et.  A  ring  for  fastening 
the  upper  edge  of  a  sail  to  its  stay.  Shot 
gromet,  a  similar  ring  used  to  contain  shot 
in  time  of  action.  Q.  wad,  a  wad  used 
in  firing  cold  shot  from  smooth-boi'e  guns 
Avhen  the  elevation  is  less  than  8° . 

Groningren,  gron'Ing-ain.  A  fortified 
seaport  and  cap.  of  a  prov.  of  same  name, 
in  the  Netherlands,  87  m.  N.  E.  of  Am- 
sterdam, celebrated  for  its  university ; 
pop.  41,000. 

Q-roning-enist,  gro-nin'jen-ist.  One  of 
a  sub-sect  of  the  Anabaptists,  which  took 
its  rise  in  the  ten-itory  of  Groningen. 
They  held  the  opinion  that  Judas  and  the 
high  priests  were  blessed,  because  in  the 
murder  of  Jesus  they  had  executed  the 
designs  of  God. 

Groora,  grom.  A  boy  or  young  man  Avho 
has  the  charge  of  horses  ;  one  of  several 
ofiicers  in  the  English  royal  household,  as 
groom  of  the  stole ;  groom  of  the  chamber. 
A  man  newly  married  or  about  to  be 
married  ;  a  bridegroom. 

Groora's-man,  gromz'man.  One  who 
acts  as  attendant  on  a  bridegroom  at  his 
marriage. 

Groot,  grot.  An  old  money  of  account  in 
Bremen,  of  the  value  of  rather  over  a 
cent.  Seventy-one  groots  were  equal  to 
one  rix-doUar  or  thaler. 

Gros,  gro.  A  fabric,  usually  of  silk,  of 
&  strong  texture ;  as  gros  de  Naples,  gros 
de  Tours,  gros  de  Berlin,  &c.,  all  strong 
fabrics. 

Grosclieii,  gro'shen,  A  German  coin 
equal  to  a  little  over  two  cents.  Ten 
groschens  make  one  mark,  which  is  worth 
about  25  cents.  Thogroschen  is  divided 
into  10  pfenuige. 

Grossbeak,    gros'-      A  V       fc.»\ 
bck.    A  name  com-  — -"*   ^     ^*^'^ 
mon  to  several    in- 
sessorial     birds      of 
different  genera,    re- 
sembling the  finches,  ^» 
to      whose     family 
(Fringillidas)  they  in  i>'-J^»-*^~  "irt-^ 
general  belong.  ^Sj^^ii^^^ 

Grote,      Georgre.    Green   Grossbeak, 

An  English  histoH- 

an;  k.  1794,  d.  1871. 
Grotesque,  gro-tesk'.    A  capricious  va- 


riety of  arabesque  ornamentation  used  by 
the  Eomans  in  decorative  painting,  and 
revived  by  the  artists  of  the  Eenaissance. 
A  squat-shaped  printing  type. 
Grotius,  Hugo  (De  Groot).  A  dis- 
tinguished Dutch  jurist  and  author  b. 
1583,  D.  1645.  His  "  International  Law  " 
is  still  authority. 

Grotto,  grot'to.  A  cave  or  nattiral  cavity 
in  the  earth,  as  in  a  mountain  or  rock. 
An  artificial  cavern  decorated  with  rock- 
work,  shells,  &c.,  constructed  for  coolness 
and  pleasure. 

Grouchy,  Emmanuel,  Marquis  de. 
A  French  Marshal ;  b.  1766,  d.  1847.  Ho 
refused  to  march  his  corps  from  Wavre 
to  the  assistance  of  Napoleon  I.  at  Water- 
loo, without  orders,  and  has  been  charged 
with  treachery 

Ground-dove,  'duv.  A  name  common 
to  birds,  fam.  Columbidse,  which  live 
mostly  on  the  ground  and  little  on  trees. 
They  include  the  beautiful  bronze-wings 
of  Australia, 

Ground-h.O&,  'hog.  The  popular  name 
of  the  American  marmot,  usually  called 
Woodchuck.  A  name  applied  to  the 
Orycteropus  capensis  of  S.  Africa. 
Ground-line,  'lln.  In  Geom.  and  Persp. 
the  line  of  intersection  of  the  horizontal 
and  vertical  planes  of  projection. 
Groundling-,  'ling.  A  popular  name 
for  two  fishes  that  keep  at  the  bottom  of 
the  water,  the  spined  loach  and  the  black 
goby. 

Ground-nut,  'nut.  Arachis  hypogaea, 
an  annual  plant  growing  in  the  warm 
parts  of  America,  having  pods  containing 
two  to  four  seeds  of  the  size  of  a  hazel- 
nut, and  a  root  resembling  licorice,  for 
which  it  is  sometimes  used.  The  peanut 
or  earthnut. 

Ground-pig:,  'pig.  A  S.  African  rodent, 
sub-fom.  Echimyna;  so  called  from  its 
burroAving  habit's. 

Ground-plan,  'plan.     The  representa- 
tion of  the  divisions  of  a  building  on  a 
level  with  the  gi'ound. 
Ground-rent,  'rent.     Rent  paid  for  the 
privilege  of  building  on  another  man's 
land. 
Ground-squirrel,  'skwi-rel.    The  com- 
mon name  of  several  rodents,  gen.  Tami- 
as,  allied  to  the  true  squirrels.     A  well- 
known  species  is  the  chipmunk,  hackee 
or  chipping-squirrel. 
Ground-swell,   'swel.      Abroad    deep 
swell  or  rolling  of  the  sea  near  the  shore. 
Ground-tackle,  'tak-I,    A  general  term 


GKOUSE 


GUDGEON 


for  tlio  anchors,  cables,  &c.,  used  for  se 
curing'  a  vessel  at  anchor. 

Grouse,    grons.  ■ —- 

The         common 
name  of  a  num- 
ber    of    rasorial 
birds,    g-en.    Te- 
trao,     fam.     Te-  £ 
traonidse,  inchid-  /j' 
ing  the  capercail 
zie,  wood  grouse,  _. 
or    cock    of  the ~~'"^--^jS>%-fe:!S{'^ V 
woods,       black-       ■^^^■'^f^^'' 
cock,  the  prairie-  ^^^  Groucse. 

hen  of  N.  Amer- 
ica, the  spotted  grouse,  dusky  grouse,  &c. 

Grove,  "William  Bobert.  An  emi- 
nent English  electrician  and  scientist :  u. 
1811,  D.  1879. 

Growxer,  grpul'er.  A  fish  of  the  perch 
kind,  so  called  from  the  sound  it  utters  on 
being  landed. 

Gru-gTU,  gro'gro.  The  grub  of  the  large 
coleopterous  insect  Calandra  palmarum. 
It  lives  in  palm-trees  and  in  the  sugar-cane 
and  is  regarded  as  a  delicacy  by  the  natives 
of  S.  America. 

Gruidae,  -i'do.  A  fam.  of  wading  birds, 
of  which  the  crane  is  the  type. 

Grunts,  grunts.  A  popular  name  in  the 
"W.  Indies  for  fish,  gen.  Hsemulon,  and  in 
the  TJ.  S.  for  those  of  the  gen.  Pogonias. 

Gryllidae,  gril-ll'de.  A  fam.  of  insects, 
ord.  Orthoptera.  The  three  principal 
genera  are  Gryllus,  Gryllotalpa  and  Tri- 
dactylus.  The  common  house-cricket  and 
the  locust  afford  examples  of  the  first. 

Grypliaea,  gri-fe'a.  A  gen.  of  fossil  la- 
luellibranchiate  bivalves,  closely  allied  to 
the  oyster,abundant  in  the  secondaiy  strata 
from  the  lias  upwards  to  the  chalk,  but 
scarcely  known  in  tertiary  strata. 

Gryphite,  griflt.  An  oblong  fossil  shell, 
gen.  Grypha?a,  popularly  known  as  mil- 
ler's thumbs  or  crowstones.  They  occur 
in  the  cretaceous  and  Jurassic  formations. 

Gryphosis,  gri-fo'sis.  A  gro-vving  inward 
of  the  nails. 

Gr3rpin8e,  gri-pl'ne.  The  wedge-tailed 
humming-birds,  a  sub-fam.  of  tenuirostral 
birds,  ord.  Passeres,  fam.  Trochilidse. 

Guaiacum,  gwfi'ya-kum.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Zygophyllacefe,  and  also  the 
resin  of  G.  officinale,  popularly  called  lig- 
num vitiB.  The  resin  is  used  in  medicine, 
as  well  as  the  bark  and  wood. 

Guan,  gwiin,  A  S.  American  gaUina- 
ceous  bird,  gen.  Penelope,  aUied  to  the 
curassows. 


Guacharo. 


Guacliaro,  gwa- 
cha'ro.  An  inses- 
sorial  bird,  the  ste- 
atornis  caripensis, 
family  of  goatsuck- 
ers, 

Guadalupe. 

(Guadalupe  Hidal- 
go). A  town  3  m. 
N.  of  the  city  of^ 
Mexico,  noted  as' 
the  place  where 
the  treaty  of  peace 

with  the'U.  S.  was  negotiated  (1848),  by 
which  Upper  California  and  New  Mexico 
were  ceded  to  the  latter. 
Gruanaco,  gwa-na'ko.  The  Auchenia 
Huanaca,  fam.  Camelidse  or  Pylopoda,  a 
species  of  the  genus  of  ruminant  mam- 
mals to  which  the  llama  belongs. 
Guano,  gwii'no.  A  substance  found  on 
many  small  islands,  especially  in  the 
Southern  Ocean  and  on  the  coast  of 
8 .  America  and  Africa,  chiefly  composed 
of  the  excrements  of  sea-birds  in  a 
decomposed  state.  It  is  an  excellent 
manure. 

Ghiara,  'ra.    The  Brazilian  name  of  tho 
scarlet  ibis. 

Guarapo,  -ra'pO,  A  preparation  from 
the  juice  of  the  sugar-cane,  much  used  as 
a  beverage  in  Venezuela.  The  same  name 
is  given  to  sugar  and  water  which  has 
undergone  vinous  fermentation. 
Guatemala.  A  C.  American  republic, 
bounded  N.  by  Yucatan  and  Mexico,  E.  by 
San  Salvador  and  Honduras,  W.  and  S. 
by  the  Pacific;  area,  40,781  sq.  m.;  pop. 
1,2-37,590.  Nueva  G.,  the  cap.  90  m.  from 
the  Pacific,  has  a  pop.  of  46,000.  The 
Montagna  is  the  only  river  of  size,  and 
Golfo  Dolce  the  only  lake. 
Guatemozin.  The  last  prince  of  the 
Aztec  dynasty  in  Mexico,  s.  of  Monte- 
zuma ;  B.  1481,  put  to  death  by  order  oi 
Oortez,  1522. 

Guayaquil.   Cap.  of  dept.  of  same  name 
and  principal  commercial  city  of  Ecuador, 
S.  America  ;  pop.  24,870. 
Gudgeon,  gui'on.    A  small  fresh-water 
fish,     fam.    Oy-  - 

prinidfe.      S  e  a  - 
gudgeon,      the] 
black     goby 
r  o  ck  -  fi  s  h .     In 
Mach.  that  part 
of    a   horizontal 
shaft  or  axle  which  turns  in  the  collar,  In- 
dependent of  the  body  of  the  shaft. 


Gudgeon. 


GUDIN 


GUINEA-rOWL 


Gudin,   Jean  Antoine  Theodore. 

An  eminent  French  painter  :  b.  1802,  d, 
1877. 

Guebre,  gii'ber.  The  name  griven  by  the 
Mohammedans  to  one  belonging  to  the 
Persian  fire-worshippers,  called  in  India 
Parsees.  They  worship  fire  as  a  symbol 
of  the  Supremo  Being.  Their  sacred 
books  are  termed  Zend-Avesta. 
Guelph,  gwelf.  The  name  of  a  dis- 
tinguished princely  family  in  Italy,  origi- 
nally German,  and  re-transported  into  Ger- 
many in  the  11th  century,  stili,  however, 
retaining  large  possessions  in  Italy.  "Welf, 
Bon  of  Iscnbrand,  Count  of  Altorf,  one  of 
the  vassals  of  Charlemagne,  is  said  to 
have  been  the  first  to  bear  the  name.  It 
still  continues  in  the  two  branches  of  the 
House  of  Brunswick— the  ducal  and  the 
royal,  to  which  latter  the  reigning  family 
of  Britain  belongs.  After  the  battle  of 
"Weinsberg,  fought  in  1140  against  the 
Waiblingens  (Ghibellines),  the  term 
was  extended  to  that  fection  in  Italy 
"Which  aimed  at  national  independence 
and  supported  the  pope,  while  that  of 
Ghibelliiie  was  given  to  the  supporters 
of  the  emperors  in  their  endeavor  to  sub- 
jugate Italy  to  Germany. 
Guereza,  ge-re'za.  A  beautiful  Abys- 
sinian monkey,  gen.  Colobus. 
Q-uericke,  Otto  von.  An  eminent 
German  philosopher  and  mechanician,  in- 
ventor of  the  air-pump;  b.  1602,  d.  1686. 
Queux,  gu.  The  title  of  the  patriot 
nobles  of  the  Low  Countries  who  Avith- 
stood  Philip  II.  of  Spain  in  his  efibrts  to 
impose  the  Inquisition  on  their  native 
land. 

Guevei.  The  native  name  of  the  pigmy 
antelope  of  Africa,  the  smallest  species  of 
the  familj'.  In  size  it  scarcely  exceeds  a 
rat,  and  its  legs  are  not  thicker  than  a 
goose-quill. 

Guiana.  A  country  of  E.  S.  America, 
between  the  Amazon  and  Orinoco,  former- 

K  divided  into  British,  French,  and 
utch  G.,  but  since  1872,  when  the  Dutch 
ceded  their  portion  to  Great  Britain, 
Into  two  divisions.  British  G.  has  an 
area  of  134,800  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  300,000; 
chief  towns,Georgetown,  Paramaribo  and 
New  Amsterdam ;  principal  rivers,  the 
Demerara,  Surinam,  Essequibo,  Berbioe 
and  Corentyn.  Fi-ench  G.  comprises  the 
eastern  section  ;  area,  35,080  sq.  m.;  pop. 
abt.  34,000 ;  it  is  the  chief  penal  settlement 
of  the  French  government. 
Guicowar.  gi'kwar.  The  title  of  a  sov- 
ereign prince  in  India,  the  ruler  of  Baroda. 
Spelled  also  Guikwar,  Gaekwar,  &c. 


Guillemot. 


Guido  (G.  Reni).  An  eminent  Italian 
painter  ;  b.  1575,  d.  1642. 

Guilder,  gild'er.  A  coin  in  Holland 
Avorth  twenty  stivers  or  40  cents;  a  florin. 

Guilford  Court-house.  A  village  oi 
Guilford  Co.,  N.  Carolina,  the  scene  of  a 
severe  battle  (March  15, 1781)  between  the 
British  under  Lord  Cornwallis  and  the 
Americans  under  Gen.  Greene,  the  latter 
being  defeated. 

Guillemot,  gil'le- 
mot.  A  natatorial 
bird,  gen.  Uria,  in- 
cluded among  the 
auks,  or  made  with 
them  a  sub-fam.  of 
the  divers. 

Guillotine,  -lo-ten'. 
An  engine  for  behead- 
ing persons  at  one 
stroke — an  invention 
of  the  middle  ages- 
adopted  with  im- 
provements by  the 
National  Assembly  of  France  during  the 
first  revolution 
on  the  propos- 
al of  a  Dr. 
Guillotin,  after 
whom  it  is 
named.  I  n 
this  apparatus 
decapitation  is 
effected  by 
means  of  a 
steel  blade 
loaded  with  a 
mass  of  lead, 
and  sliding  be- 
tween two  up- 
right posts, 
grooved  o  n 
their  inner 
sides,  the  i»er- 
son's  neck  be- 
ing confined  in  a  circular  opening  between 
two  planks,  the  upper  one  of  which  also 
slides  up  or  down. 

Guinea.  An  extensive  coast  region  of 
W.  Africa,  comprising  Angola,  Benguela, 
Congo,  Liberia,  Ashantee,  Dahomey,  Sier- 
ra Leone,  Benin,  Bia- 
fra,  and  other  smaller 
territorial  ilivisions. 

Guinea-fowl,  -foul. 
The  Numida  nieleagris 
of  the  rasorlal  order, 
fam.  Phasianidae,  close- 
ly allied  to  the  pea- 
cocks and  pheasants.         Guinea-fowl. 


fl 


French  Guillotine. 


GUINEA. 


GUN-BAEREL 


Guinea-pig. 


Guinea,  gin'e.  A  gold  coin  of  Great 
Britain  of  the  value  of  21  shillings  sterling ; 
since  the  issue  of  sovei-cigns  in  1817  no 
longer  coined. 

Guinea-pig',  -pig.  A  rodent  mammal, 
gen.Cavia  or  Cavy,  tho  C.  cobaya,  found 

in  Brazil.    The  ~ 

name  guinea- 
pig  is  a  misno- 
mer, as  the 
animal  is  not 
related  to  the 
pig. 

Gui  n  e  a  - 
worm, 
-Averm.  A  spe- 
cies of  worm, 

common  in  hot  countries,  which  often 
insinuates  itself  under  the  human  skin, 
causing  intense  pain. 

Guipure,  ge-pur'.  An  imitation  of  an- 
tique lace,  vei-y  dm-able,  equally  beautiful, 
and  less  expansive.    A  kind  of  gimp. 

Guitar,  gi-tar'.  A 
musical  stringed  in- 
strument, somewhat 
resembUng  the  lute, 
having  six  strings, 
which  are  played 
upon  by  twitching 
with  the  fingers  of 
the  righiihand.while 
the  notes  are  stop- 
ped by  the  fingers  of 
the  left.  /^'^M 

Gulaund,      g  Q  -  -  ^iifi-*^ 
land.      An    aquatic 
fowl  of  a    size   be-  Guitars, 

tween  a  duck  and  a 
goose.       It  inhabits  Iceland. 

Guizot,  Francois  Pierre  Guill- 
aume,  gwe-zo'.  A  distinguished  French 
scholar,  historian  and  statesman  ;  b.  1787, 
D.  1874. 

Gulf-stream,  gulf  strem.  A  current  of 
warm  water,  which  flows  from  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico  through  the  channel  between 
Cuba  and  America,  past  the  Bermudas, 
touching  the  tail  of  the  Great  Bank  of 
Newfoundland,  and  thence  sweeps  on- 
ward toward  Europe,  part  going  north 
and  part  returning  southerly  to  the  tropics. 

Gul-gul,  gul'gul.  A  sort  of  chunam  or 
cement  made  of  pounded  sea-shells  mixed 
with  oil,  which  hardens  like  a  stone,  and 
Is  put  over  a  ship's  bottom  in  India,  so 
that  worms  cannot  penetrate  it. 

Ghilo,  gii'lo.      The  generic  name  under 

J  which  the  gluttou  or  wolverine  and  the 


Gull. 


grison,  with  other  carnivorous  congeners, 
have  been  arranged. 
Gull.      A    natatorial 
bird,  gen.Larus,  fam. 
Laridre,  ord.    Longi- 
pennes  of    Cuv  er. 
There     are     various 
species,  as  the  com- 
mon gull  or  sea-mew, 
the  black -headed  gull, 
the  herring    gull,  tho 
kittiwake,  the  wagel  or  great  black -backed 
gull,  tho  ivory  gull,  tho  burgomaster,  «fcc. 

Gum.  A  juice  which  exudes  from  trees 
and  thickens  on  the  surface,  or  is  obtained 
fi'om  their  seeds  or  roots.  There  are  six 
varieties  of  gum,  namel3%  gum-arabic, 
gum-scnegal,  gum  of  the  cherry  and  other 
stone-fruit  trees,  gum-tragacanth,  gum  of 
Bassora  and  the  gum  of  seeds  and  roots. 

Gum-animal,  'an- 
i-mal.  The  Gal  ago 
senegalensis,  a  quadru- 
manous  animal  of  W. 
Africa,  about  tho  size 
of  a  rat. 

Gum-arabic,  -ar'a- 
bik.  The  juice  of  va- 
rious species  of  trees  I 
of  the  gen.  Acacia. 

Gum-elastic,  'e-las- 
tik.  Caoutchouc ;  india- 
rubber.  Gum-arabic  Plant. 

Gum-juniper,  -iu'ni-per.  The  resin  of 
Callitris  quadrivalvis,  a  coniferous  tree, 
used  in  varnish-making  ;  when  powdered 
it  forms  pounce,  used  for  preparing  paper 
and  parchment  for  writing  on. 

Gum-resin,  -rez'in.  A  mixed  juice  of 
plants,  consisting  of  resin  and  other  sub- 
stances, extracted  by  incision.  Tho  most 
important  are  olibanum,  galbanum,  scam- 
mony,  gamboge,  euphorbium,  asafetida. 
aloes,  myrrh  and  ammoniac. 

Gum-seneg-al,  -sen'c-gal.  A  kind  of 
gum-arabic  brought  from  the  country  of 
the  river  Senegal,  In  Africa,  yielded  by 
Acacia  Verek. 

Giim-tragacanth,  -trag'a-kanth.  A 
gum  yielded  by  several  species  of  Astrag- 
alus, sub-gen.  Tragacantha. 

Gun,  gun.  A  name  applied  to  every 
species  of  fire-arm  for  throwing  projectiles 
by  tlie  explosion  of  gunpowder  or  other 
explosive. 

Gun-barrel,  'bar-el.  The  barrel  or  tube 
of  a  gun.  Gun -barrel  drain,  a  cylindrical 
drain  of  small  diameter. 


GUN-BOAT 


891 


GUY  DE  LUSIGI^ATT 


Gun-boat,  'bot.  A  boat  or  small  vessel 
fitted  to  carry  one  or  more  guns  of  heavy 
caliber,  and  from  its  light  draught  capable 
of  running  close  inshore  or  up  rivers. 

Gun-carriage,  'kar-ij.  The  carriage  or 
structure  on  which  a  cannon  is  mounted 
or  moved,  and  from  which  it  is  fired. 

Gun-cotton,  'kot-tn.  A  highly  ex- 
plosive substance  produced  by  soaking 
cotton  or  any  vegetable  fiber  in  nitric  and 
sulphuric  acids,  and  then  leaving  it  to  dry. 
It  has  about  four  times  the  explosive  force 
of  gunpowder. 

Gun-metal,  'met-1.  An  alloy,  generally 
of  nine  parts  of  copper  and  one  part  of  tin, 
used  for  the  manufacture  of  cannon,  &c. 
Other  metals,  as  zinc  or  iron,  have  some- 
times been  added  or  substituted  for  the 
tin. 

Gunny,  'ni.  A  strong  coarse  sackcloth, 
for  bags,  sacks  and  packing  generally, 
made  from  jute,  the  fiber  of  Corchorus 
capsularis,  and  sunn,  the  fiber  of  Crotala- 
ria  juncea. 

Gun-port,  'port.  A  hole  in  a  ship  for  a 
cannon. 

Gunpowder,  'pou-der.  An  explosive 
mixture  of  saltpeter,  sulphur  and  char- 
coal, reduced  to  a  fine  powder,  then  gran- 
ulated and  dried. 

Gun-tackle,  'tak-1.  The  blocks  and  pul- 
leys affixed  to  the  sides  of  a  gun-carriage 
and  the  side  of  a  ship  by  moans  of  which 
a  gun  is  run  up  to  or  drawn  back  from 
the  port-hole. 

Gunter's  Chain,  'terz-chiin.  The  chain 
in  common  use  for  measuring  land,  having 
a  length  of  66  feet ;  it  Is  divided  into  100 
links  of  7.92  inches.  100,000  square  links 
make  one  acre. 

Gunter's  Iiine,  lln..  A  logarithmic  line 
on  Gunter's  scale,  used  for  performing 
tho  multiplication  and  division  of  num- 
bers mechanically  by  tho  dividers.  A 
sliding  scale  corresponding  to  logarithms 
for  performing  these  operations  by  inspec- 
tion without  dividers. 

Gunter's  Q,uadrant,  kwod-rant.  A 
kind  of  stereographic  projection  on  the 
l)lane  of  the  equator,  the  eye  being  sup- 
posed in  one  of  the  poles.  It  is  used  to 
find  the  hour  of  the  day,  the  sun's  azi- 
muth, «fec.,  as  also  to  take  the  altitude  of 
an  object  in  degrees. 

Gunter's  Scale,  skrd.  A  large  plain 
scale  having  various  lines  upon  it,  both 
natural  and  logarithmic,  of  great  use  in 
solving  mechanically  by  means  of  a  slider 
problems  in  navigation  and  surveving. 


Gun  To'wn.-  A  cress-road  settlement  in 
Mississippi,  on  M.  &  O.  R.  R.,  noted  for 
the  defeat  of  a  Federal  force  of  12,000, 
under  Gen.  Sturgis,  by  the  Confederate 
cavalry  under  Grcn.  Fon-est,  June  10, 1864 ; 
Federal  loss,  3,500. 

Gurg-let,  ger'glet.  A  very  porous  earthen 
vessel  for  cooling  water  by  evaporation. 
Goirnard,  'nard.  The  ixmular  name  ol 
fishes,  gen.  Trigla,  fam.  Sclerogenidse. 
Gustavu.S.  The  name  of  four  kings  of 
Sweden,  G.  I.  (Vasa),  b.  at  Stockholm, 
1496  ;  drove  the  Danish  usurper,  Chris- 
tian II.,  from  the  country  and  was  crowned 
king  1527;  d.  1559.  G.  II.  (Adolphus), 
grandson  of  above,  was  one  of  the  greatest 
generals  of  history;  b.  1594;  crowned 
1611 ;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Liitzen,  Ger- 
many, 1632.  He  defeated  the  Prussians 
and  Poles,  and  as  champion  of  the  Protes- 
tant cause  overrun  nearly  the  whole  of 
Germany.  G.  III.,  b.  1746 ;  crowned 
1771  ;  assassinated  by  Ankarstrom,  one  of 
his  nobles,  1792.  G.  IV.,  b.  1778  ;  s.  hia 
father,  G.  III.,  1792 ;  was  deposed  and  d. 
in  Switzerland,  1837. 

Gusto,  gust'6.    Nice  appreciation  or  en- 
joyment ;  keen  relish  ;  taste  ;  fancy. 
Gut,  gut.    The  intestinal  canal  of  an  ani- 
mal from  the  stomach  to.  the  anus ;  intes- 
tine ;  a  narrow  strait. 

Gutenberg",  Johann.  The  inventor  of 
the  art  of  printing  with  movable  types ;  b. 
at  Mentz,  Germany,  1400  ;  d.  1468. 
Gutta,  'ta.  One  of  a  series  of  pendent 
ornaments,  generally  in  the  form  of  the 
frustum  of  a  cone,  but  sometimes  cylin- 
di-ical,  attiiched  to  the  under  side  of  the 
mutules  and  under  the  triglyphs  of  the 
Doric  order. 

Gutta  Fercha,  per'cha.  A  substance 
resembling  caoutchouc  in  many  of  its 
properties,  but  stronger,  more  soluble 
and  less  elastic.  It  is  obtained  in  the  state 
of  a  milky-looking  juice,  which  hardens 
on  being  exposed  to  the  air,  and  is  the  sap 
of  a  large  tree  of  the  gen.  Isonandra,  ord. 
Sapotacese. 

Guttifer,  'i-fer.  In  Bot.  a  plant  that  ex- 
udes gum  or  resin  ;  a  plant  belonging  to 
the  ord.  Guttifera). 

Guttural,  'er-al.  A  letter  or  combination 

of  letters  pronounced  in  the  throat ;  any 

guttural  sound   or  articulation.      In  the 

English  alphabet  the  gutturals   are  c,  g 

(both  hard),  k  and  q. 

Guy  de  Lusignan.    A  French  knight. 

and  Crusader  who  was    elected  King  of 

I    Jerusalem,  1186;    losing    his    cap.    and 

I    crown,  1187,  to  Saladin.  Kichard  CcBur  do 


GYLE 


GTRElJfCEPHALA 


Lion  made  him  King  of  Cyprus  ;  b.  1136, 
».  1194. 

Gyle,  £?il.  A  brewer's  vat.  The  ferment- 
ed wort  ased  by  vinegar  makers. 

Q-ymnasiarch,  jim-nu'zi-iirk.  A  magis- 
trate \vho  suijerin tended  the  gymnasia  in 
Greece. 

Q-ymnasium,  -um.  A  place  where 
atliletic  exercises  are  performed.  Among 
the  ancient  Greeks  those  who  took  part 
in  such  exercises  were  naked  or  nearly  so, 
hence  the  name.  A  school  or  seminary 
preparatory  to  the  universities. 

Gfymnast,  'nast.  One  who  teaches  or 
practices  gymnastic  exercises. 

Gymnoderinse,  'no-de-rI"ne.  A  S. 
American  sub-fam.  of  conirostral  birds, 
fam.  CorvidiB,  nearly  aUied  to  the  true 
crows;  the  fruit  crows. 

Gymnodont,  -dont.  One  of  a  fam. 
of  plectognathous  teleostean  fishes,  in- 
cluding the  spinous  globe-fishes. 

Gymnogen,  -gen.  In  Bot.  a  plant 
•with  a  naked  seed ;  a  gymnosperm. 
Among  the  gymnogena  are  pines  and  firs, 
yews,  joint-firs,  the  Cycadaceae,  &c. 

GyuinolaeirLata,  -le'ma-ta.  An  order 
of  the  Polyzoa,  in  which  the  mouth  is 
devoid  of  the  valvular  structure  known 
as  the  epistome. 

Gymnophiona,  -fl'6-na.  Huxley's 
name  for  a  small  order  of  Amphibia,  in- 
cluding only  certain  vermiform  animals 
which  are  found  in  various  tropical  coun- 
tries burrowing  in  marshy  ground,  some- 
what like  gigantic  earthworms. 

Gymnophthalmata,  -nof-thal'ma-ta. 
A  tribe  of  Medusffi,  having  a  disk-shaped 
body,  circulating  vessels  running  to  the 
margin,  and  the  eye-specks  either  uncov- 
ered or  wanting. 

Gyrunophthalinidse,  'mi-dS.  A  fam. 
of  lizards  comprising  several  genera,  in 
which  the  eyes  are  distinct  and  exposed, 
the  eyelids  being  rudimentary. 

Gymnosoraata,  -no-so'ma-ta.  An  or- 
der of  Pteropodii  in  which  the  body  is  not 
protected  by  a  shell. 

Gymnosophist,  -nos'o-fist.  One  of  a 
sect  of  ancient  Hindu  philosophers  Avho 
lived  solitarily  in  the  woods,  wore  little  or 
no  clothing,  ate  no  flesh,  renounced  all 
bodily  pleasures,  and  addicted  themselves 
to  mystical  contemplation. 

^ymnotus,  -no'tus.  A  genus  of  fishes, 
sec.  Apodes,  or  those  which  have  no  dor- 
sal fin.  The  only  known  species  is  the 
Gymnotns  eleotricus,  or  electric  eel. 


Gynseceum,  jin-G'se-um.  Among  tha 
ancients,  the  females'  apartment  or  di- 
vision of  a  house  of  consideration.  A 
sort  of  manufactory  in  ancient  Rome  for 
making  clothes  and  furniture  for  the  em- 
peror's family,  the  managers  of  which 
were  females.  In  Bot.  the  pistil  taken 
in  a  collective  sense,  precisely  as  the 
stamens  form  the  andrceceum,  the  petals 
the  corolla,  and  the  sepals  the  calyx. 

Gynarch.y,  'iir-ki.  Government  bj"  a  fe- 
male or  females. 

Gypaetinaa,  jip-a'e-tl-ne.  The  bearded 
vultures,  a  sub-fam.  of  which  the  type  is 
the  gen.  Gypaetos. 

Gypogeranidge,  'o-jer-an"i-de.  A  fam. 
of  vultures,  including  a  single  genus,  of 
which  only  one  species,  the  secretary-fal- 
con of  S.  Africa,  is  known, 

Gypsogrrapliy,  -sog'ra-fi.  The  art  of 
engraving  on  gypsum. 

Gypsologry,  -sol'o-ji.  That  branch  of 
knowledge  that  treats  of  the  gypsies, 
their  language,  history,  manners  and  cus- 
toms. 

Gypsoplast,  'so-plast.  A  cast  taken  in 
plaster  of  Paris  or  white  lime. 

Gypsum,  'sum.  A  mineral  found  in  a 
compact,  crystallized  state,  as  alabaster 
and  selenite,  or  in  the  form  of  a  soft  chalky 
stone  which  in  a  very  moderate  heat  gives 
out  its  water  of  crystallization,  and  be- 
comes a  very  fine  white  powder,  exten- 
sively used  under  the  name  of  plaster  of 
Paris. 

Gypsy, 'si.  One  of  a  peculiar  vagabond 
race  found  in  every  country  of  Europe,  as 
well  as  in  parts  of  Asia,  Africa  and  Amer- 
ica,distinguishable  from  the  peoples  among 
whom  they  rove  by  their  bodily  appear- 
ance and  by  their  language.  Their  lan- 
guage, which  they  call  Romany  chiv  or 
chib  or  Romanes,  is  a  Hindu  dialect 
closely  allied  to  Sanskrit,  but  much  cor- 
rupted by  admixture  with  the  tongues  of 
the  peofiles  among  whom  they  have  so- 
journed. Ethnologists  generally  concur 
in  regarding  the  gypsies  as  descendants  of 
some  obscure  Indian  tribe. 

Gypsy-moth,  'si-moth.  The  Hypo- 
gymna  dispar  of  naturahsts. 

Gyracanthus,  jl-ra-kan'thus.  A  gen. 
of  fossil  acanthopterygious  fishes,  found 
in  the  carboniferous  and  Permian  forma- 
tions. 

Gyrencephala,  jl-ren-sefa-la.  One  of 
the  four  sub-classes  into  which  Owen  has 
divided  the  mammalia,  based  on  the  struc- 
ture of  the  brain.  To  the  G.  belong  tho 
Quadrumana,     Carnivora,     Artiodaotyla, 


GYEFALCON 


HADITH 


Perissodactyla,  Proboscidea,  Toxodontia, 
Sirenia,  and  Cetacea. 

Gyrfalcon,  jer'fa-kn.  A  species  of  fal- 
con, one  of  the  boldest  and  most  beautiful 
of  the  tribe. 

Gyrinidse,  ji-rrnl-de.  A  fam.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  sec.  Pentamera,  sub-sec. 
Hydradephaga  or  water-beetles. 

Gyrodus,  'ro-dus.  A  thick -toothed  fos- 
sil flsh  found  in  the  oolite  of  Durrheimin 
Eaden,  as  also  in  the  chalk. 

Gyrolepis,  -rol'e-pis.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
ganoi  1  lishes,  found  in  the  new  red  sand- 
stone and  the  bone  beds  of  the  lias. 

Gyronechina,  -ron'G-kl"na.  Whirligigs, 
a  sub-fani.  of  aquatic  carnivorous  beetles. 

Gyrophora,  -rof'o-ra.  A  gen.  of  lichens, 
one  of  which  is  the  tripe-de-roche,  on 
which  Sir  J.  Franklin  and  his  companions 
lived  for  some  time. 


G3rropristis,  ro-pris'- 
tis.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
placoid  fishes  from  the 
red  sandstone  near 
Belfast. 

Gjrroscope,  'ro-skop. 
An  apparatus,  consist- 
ing of  a  rotating  disk 
mounted  by  very  ac- 
curately fitted  pivots 
in  a  ring  or  rings,  also 
rotating  in  different 
ways.  By  means  of 
this  instrument  the 
rotation  of  the  earth  on 
its  axis  can  bo  ocularly 
demonstrated. 


Gyroscope. 


Gyve,  jiv.    A  shackle,  usually  for  the 
legs;  a  fetter. 


H 


HIS  the  8th  letter  of  the  alphabet,  and 
often  called  the  aspirate,  though  not 
the  only  aspirated  letter  in  EngUsh.  The 
sound  that  distinctively  belongs  to  it  is 
that  which  it  has  at  the  beginning  of  a 
syllable  either  before  a  vowel,  as  in  hard, 
heavy,  or  after,  w,  as  in  where,  when. 
This  letter,  along  with  most  of  the  others 
ia  the  Anglo-Saxon  alphabet,  was  bor- 
rowed from  the  Latin  alphabet,  into  which 
It  passed  from  the  Greek.  In  music,  H  is 
the  German  equivalent  for  B  natural,  B 
being  with  them  our  B  flat.  As  a  numeral 
in  Latin,  H  denotes  200.  and  with  a  dash 
over  it  200,000.  As  an  abbreviation  in 
Latin,  H  stands  for  homo,  haeres,  hora, 
&c.;  in  EngUsh,  H.M.S.  stands  for  his 
(her)  majesty's  ship  or  service,  H.E.II. 
for  his  (her)  royal  highness,  H.P.  for  half- 
pay. 

Habakkuk,  ha-bak'kuk.  The  name  of 
one  of  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament. 
Ilabakkuk  was  the  eighth  of  the  twelve 
minor  prophets,  and  his  prophecy  is  ad- 
mired for  Its  elevated,  lyrical  style. 

Haberdasher,  'ber-dash-er.  A  dealer 
in  drapery  goods. 

Habergreon,  -ber'je-on.  A  coat  of  mail 
consisting  of  a  jacket  without  sleeves, 
formed  of  little  iron  rings,  and  descended 
from  the  neck  to  the  middle  of  the  body. 

Habitant,  'bit-ant.  An  inhabitant.  A 
name  applied  to  inhabitants  of  Lower 
Canada  of  French  extraction. 

Habit-shirt,  -shert.  A  thin  musUn  or 
lace  garment,  worn  by  females  over  the 
breast  and  neck. 


Habrocozna,  -brok'r)-ma.  A  gen.  of 
mammals,  ord.  Eodentia,  sub-ord.  Hystri- 
cida3,  allied  to  the  cavies. 

Habromania,  -bro-ma'ni-a.  Insanity 
in  which  the  delusions  are  of  a  gay  char- 
acter. 

Habroneme,  hab'ro-ncm.  In  mineral, 
having  the  form  of  fine  threads. 

Hachure,  hach'ur.  Short  hues  which 
mark  half-tints  and  shadows  in  designing 
and  engraving,  employed  in  dehneating 
mountains. 

Hacienda,  5-the-en'da.  In  Spanish 
America,  a  manufacturing,  mining,  stock- 
raising,  or  other  esteblishment  in  tho 
country  ;  an  isolated  farm  or  farm-house. 

Hack,  hak.  A  horse  kept  for  hire;  a 
worn-out  horse.  A  drudge  or  a  person 
overworked ;  a  writer  employed  in  the 
drudgery  and  details  of  book-making. 

Hackery,  'e-ri.  A  rude  two-wheeled 
cart  drawn  by  oxen,  used  by  the  natives 

of  India. 
Haddock,  had'dok.      A  fish  of  the  cod 

fam.,  but  smaller  than  the  cod. 
Hackney,  'na.     A  horse  kept  for  riding 

or  driving ;  a  pony.     A  coach  or  other 

carriage  kept  for  hire. 
Hades,  ha'dez.     The  invisible  abode  of 

the  dead  ;  the  place  or  state  of  departed 

souls  ;  the  world  of  spirits. 
Hadith,  had'ith.  In  Mohammedan  theol. 

the  body  of  traditions  relating  to  Moham- 
med, now  forming  a  supplement  to  th« 

Koran.    Originally  it  w»3  not  lawful  to 


HAD  J 


HAIRCLOTH 


commit  tliem  to  ■writing,  but  the  danger 
of  their  being  lost  or  corrupted  led  to  their 
being  placed  on  record. 

Hadj,  haj.  The  Mohammedan  pilgrim- 
age to  Mecca  and  Medina. 

Hadji,  'o.  A  Mussulman  who  has  per- 
formed his  pilgrimage  to  Mecca.  The 
name  is  also  applied  to  a  Greek  or  Arme- 
nian who  has  visited  the  holy  sepulchre  at 
Jerusalem. 

Hadrosaurus,  had-ro-sii'rus.  A  gen. 
of  extinct  reptiles  belonging  to  the  deino- 
saurian  division  of  the  (5rnithoscelida.  It 
appears  to  have  been  the  American  repre- 
sentative of  the  iguanodon  of  Europe,  re- 
sembling it  in  its  enormous  dimensions, 
herbivorous  habits  and  anatomical  struc- 
ture, 

Haexaa,  ho'ma.  Blood ;  much  used  as  a 
prefix  in  words  of  Greek  origin  referring 
to  the  blood. 

Haemachrozae,  -krom.  The  coloring 
matter  of  the  blood ;  Haematosin. 

Eaematics,  -mat'iks.  That  branch  of 
physiology  which  treats  of  the  blood. 

Haematinone,  -mat'in-on.  A  red  glass 
known  to  the  ancients  and  used  for  mo- 
saics, ornamental  vases,  &g.  It  contains 
no  tin  and  no  coloring  matter  except  cu- 
pric  o.xide.  All  attempts  of  the  moderns 
to  imitate  it  liave  hitherto  failed. 

Haematosis,  -ma-to'sis.  The  arteriali- 
zation  of  blood ;  sanguification,  or  the 
formation  of  the  blood. 

Hsenaatozoa,  'ma-to-zo"a.  A  term  ap- 
plied to  the  entozoa  which  exist  in  the 
blood  of  mammals,  birds,  reptiles,  fished, 
and  many  invertebrate  animals.  They  are 
generally  microscopic,  without  generative 
organs,  and  found  both  in  the  arteries  and 
veins. 

Haemoglobin,  'mo-glob-in.  The  fluid 
matter  of  a  red  color  contained  in  the  red 
corpuscles  of  the  blood.  It  can  be  resolved 
into  an  albuminous  substance  called  glob- 
ulin, and  the  coloring  matter  hiematin. 

Haemulon,  'mu-lon.  A  gen.  of  ?can- 
thoptcrygious  fishes,  fam.  Sci<'enida5. 

Hafiz,  haf'lz.  Having  the  whole  Koran 
by  heart. 

Hafiz,  Mohammed  Shem.s-ed- 
Deen.  An  eminent  I'ersian  poet ;  r>.  at 
Shiraz,  abt.  1300,  i).  abt.  1390.  His  writ- 
ings have  been  translated  into  English. 

Haft,  haft.  A  handle  ;  used  chiefly  of  a 
knife,  sword  or  dagger ;  the  hilt. 

Hagr,  hag.  An  ugly  old  woman.  A  witch. 
A  fury  ;  a  she-monster.  A  pen.  of  car- 
tilaginous, fishes  allied  to  the  lamprey. 


Hagada,  hag-ii'da.  A  legend,  anecdote, 
or  saying  in  the  Talmud  illustrative  of  the 
law.  The  free  rabbinical  interpretation  of 
Scripture. 

Hagrg-ai,  gi.  The  name  of  one  of  the 
books  of  the  Old  Testament.  Haggai  was 
the  tenth  of  the  twelve  minor  prophets, 
and  the  first  of  those  who  prophesied  in 
Jerusalem  after  the  Babylonian  captivity. 
He  urged  the  rebuilding  of  the  temple. 

Hag-iocracy,  ha-ji-ok'ra-si.  The  gov- 
ernment of  the  priesthood ;  a  sacred  gov- 
ernment ;  a  hierarchy. 

Hagiography,  -ji-og'ra-fi.  The  last  of 
the  three  Jewish  divisions  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. These  divisions  are :  The  Law, 
contained  in  the  first  five  books ;  the 
Prophets,  or  ISfevim  ;  and  the  Cetuvim, 
or  writings,  by  way  of  eminence.  The 
latter  is  called  by  the  Greeks  Ilagio- 
grapha,  comprehending  the  Psalms,  Prov- 
erbs, Job,  Daniel,  Ezra,  Nehemiah, 
Euth,  Esther,  Chronicles,  Canticles,  La- 
mentations and  Ecclesiastes.  In  the  E. 
C.  Ch.  lives  of  the  saints. 

Hagiology,  -ol'o-ji.  History  or  descrip- 
tion of  the  sacred  writings.  That  branch 
of  literature  which  has  to  do  vrith  the  his- 
tory of  the  lives  and  legends  of  the  saints. 

Hague,  The.  Cap.  of  the  Kingdom  of 
the  Netherlands,  a  prov.  of  Holland,  10 
m.  S.  W.  of  Leyden  ;    pop.  97,300. 

Hahnemann,  Samuel  Christian 
Friedrich.  A  distinguished  German 
physician  and  chemist,  originator  of  the 
homeopathic  svstem  of  medical  practice  ; 
B.  1755  ;  t).  in  Paris  1843. 

Haiduck,  bl'd«k.  One  of  a  class  of 
mercenary  foot-soldiers  in  Hungary  who 
sold  their  services  to  the  best  bidder. 
The  name  is  now  given  to  macers  in  the 
Hungarian  courts,  halberdiers  of  Hunga- 
rian magnates,  .and  the  lackeys  and  other 
attendants  in  German  courts. 

Haik,  hiik.  A  large  piece  of  woolen  or 
cotton  cloth  worn  by  the  Arabs  over  the 
tunic  but  under  the  burnoose.  Also 
written  Hyke. 

Hailstone,  hiU'stdn.  A  single  ball  or 
pellet  of  hail. 

Hair-bracket,  har'brak-et.  In  ship- 
building, a  molding  which  comes  in  at  the 
back  of  or  runs  aft  from  the  figure-head. 

Hair-breadth,  bredth.  The  diameter  or 
breadth  of  a  hair  ;  a  very  small  distance. 
Among  the  Jews  it  was  reckoned  the 
forty-eighth  part  of  an  inch. 

Haircloth,  'kloth.  Cloth  made  of  hair 
or  in  part  of  hair  ;  used  for  covei-ing  the 
cushions    of   chairs,    couches,    &c.,    and 


HAIE-LINE 


HALF-LAP  COUPLING 


Bornctimea  woru  next  the  skin  in  doing 
penance. 

Hair-line,  'lln.  A  slender  line  in  writ- 
ing or  drawing  ;  a  hair-stroke.  A  type 
having  all  the  laco-lincs  fine. 

Hair-pencil,  'pen-sil.  A  fine  brush  or 
pencil  made  of  hair. 

Hair-pin,  'pin.  A  pin  used  to  keep  the 
liair  in  a  certain  position ;  especially,  a 
double  pin  or  bent  wire  used  by  women. 

Hair-powder,  'pon-der.  A  fine-scented 
powder  of  flour  or  starch  for  sprinkling 
the  hair  of  the  head. 

Hair-salt,  'salt.  Epsomite,  a  native  sul- 
phate of  magnesia. 

Hair-space,  'spfis.  The  thinnest  space 
used  by  printers. 

Hair-spring,  'spring.  In  watch-mak- 
ing, the  fine  spring  giving  motion  to  the 
balance  wheel. 

Hair-tail,  'tal.  The  blade-fish,  or  Trich- 
iurus  lepturus. 

Haixvtrigrger,  'trig-er.  A  trigger  to  a 
gun-lock  so  dehcately  adjusted  that  the 
slightest  touch  >vill  discharge  the  piece. 

Hair-worm,  'wemi.  A  fihforra  worm, 
gen.  Gordius. 

Hai-tsai,  ha-tsa.  A  transparent  gluten 
much  used  in  China,  the  chief  ingredient 
of  which  is  supposed  to  be  Plocaria  tenax, 
a  small  sea- weed. 

Hake,  hak.  A 
gen.  of  fishes,  cod 
fam. 

Hakem,  ha'kem. 
In  Arabia  a  wise  Hake, 

man ;      hence,     a 

physician.  A  title  sometimes  given  to  a 
commander,  ruler,  or  governor,  as  of  a 
province. 

Hakemite,  -It.  Eelating  to  the  caliph 
Hakem,  or  to  the  astronomical  tables  pub- 
lished under  the  caliph  Hakem. 

Halacha,  ha'la-ka.  The  Jewish  oral  or 
traditional  law,  as  distinguished  from  the 
written  law  laid  down  in  the  Scriptures, 
and  like  it  believed  to  be  of  divine  origin. 
The  ultimate  conclusion  of  Talmudic  i*ab- 
bis  on  a  disputed  question. 

Haladroma,  -la'dro-ma.  A  gen.  ofpal- 
mii)ed  birds,  ord.  Lougipennes,  resem- 
bling the  petrels  in  figure  and  beak,  and 
the  cormorant  in   their  pouch-Hko  throat. 

Halation,  ha-lu'shon.  In  Photog.  an 
appearance  as  of  a  halo  of  fight  surround- 
ing the  edge  of  a  dark  object  in  a  photo- 
graphic piotnro  developed  upon  iodide  of 
silver. 


Halberts. 


Halbert,  hal'bert. 
An  ancient  military 
weapon,  intended  for 
both  cutting  and  ^ 
thrusting,  formerly ' 
carried  by  sergeants 
of  foot,  artillery  and 
marines. 

Halcyon, 'si-on.  A' 
gen.  of  the  kingfisher 
family,  of  which  there 
are  many  species. 
Called  more  com- 
monly Alcedo.  H. 
days,  according  to  the  ancient  belief,  the 
seven  days  before  and  as  many  after  the 
winter  solstice,  when  the  halcyon  was  be- 
lieved to  brood,  and  the  weather  was 
calm  •  hence,  days  of  tranquillity. 

Haldanite,  hal'dan-it.  A  follower  of 
the  brothers  Haldane,  Scotch  Independ- 
ents or  CongregationaHsts,  who  seceded 
from  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland 
and  founded  the  sect  at  the  close  of  the 
last  century. 

Hale,  Matthew,  Sir.  An  eminent 
English  jurist ;  b.  1609,  d.  1676. 

Half-blood,  haf'blud.  One  born  of  the 
same  mother  but  not  the  same  father  aa 
another,  or  ^ice  versji.  One  born  of  a 
male  and  female  of  different  breeds  or 
races ;  a  half-breed. 

Half-breed,  'bred.  One  who  is  half- 
blooded  ;  specifically  apphed  to  the  off- 
spring of  American  Indians  and  whites. 

Half-brother,  'bruth-er.  A  brother  by 
one  parent,  but  not  by  both. 

Half-caste,  'kast.  One  bom  of  a  Hindu 
parent  on  one  side  and  of  a  European  on 
the  other. 

Half-cock,  'kok.  The  position  of  the 
cock  or  hammer  of  a  gun  when  it  is  ele- 
vated only  half-way  and  retained  by  the 
first  notch. 

Half-cro-WTl,  -kroun'.  An  English  sil- 
ver coin  of  the  value  of  2s.  6d. 

Half-dime,  -dim'.  A  silver  coin  of  the 
TJ.  S.  of  the  value  of  five  cents. 

Half-eagle,  'e-gl.  An  American  gold 
coin  of  the  value  of  five  dollars. 

Halfer,  'er.    A  male  fallow-deer  gelded. 

Half-face,  'fas.  The  part  of  the  face 
seen  iu  profile. 

Half-lap  Coupling:,  'lap  kup-ling.  In 
Mech.  a  kind  of  permanent  coupling  in 
which  the  boss-ends  of  the  connected 
shafts  are  made  semi-cylindrical,  so  as  to 
overlap  each  other.  This  is  reckoned  the 
best  form  of  permanent  coupling. 


HALF-LENGTH 


HALTICID^ 


Half-lengrth,  'length.  Showing  only 
the  upper  half  of  the  body,  as  a  portrait. 

Half-pace,  'pas.  The  resting-place  of  a 
staircase.  The  broad  space  or  interval 
between  two  flights  of  steps.  When  it 
occurs  at  the  angle  turns  of  the  stair  it  is 
called  a  Quarter-pace.  A  raised  floor  in  a 
bay-window. 

Half-penny,  ha'pen-ni.  An  English 
copper  coin  of  the  value  of  half  a  penny. 

Half-pike,  haf'plk.  A  spear-headed 
■weapon  with  a  shaft  about  half  the  length 
of  the  ordinary  pike.  One  form  of  this 
weapon,  called  alsospontoon,  was  former- 
ly carried  by  infantry  officers ;  another 
form  is  used  in  the  navy  in  boardmg  ships. 

Half -round,  'round.  In  Arch,  a  mold- 
ing whose  profile  is  a  semicircle.  »It  may 
be  either  a  bead  or  a  torus. 

Half-shift,  'shift.  In  playing  the  violin 
a  move  of  the  hand  a  little  way  upward  on 
the  neck  of  the  instrument  so  that  the 
first  linger  can  readily  stop  the  note  G  on 
the  first  string. 

Half-sovereigrn,  'so-ve-rin.  A  British 
gold  coin  iu  value  10s. 

Half -tint,  'tint.  An  intermediate  color ; 
middle  tint. 

Haliaetus,  hal-i-a'e-tus.  A  gen.  of  birds, 
fam.  Falconidae,  eagle  group,  differing 
from  the  true  eagles  in  the  greater  length 
of  the  bill,  in  the  toes  and  lower  part  of 
the  tarsi  being  destitute  of  feathers,  in 
feeding  on  carrion  almost  as  readilj'  as  on 
newly-killed  prey,  and  in  inferior  courage. 
The  most  noted  species  is  11.  leucocepha- 
lus,  the  white-headed  erne  or  sea-eagle, 
the  chosen  symbol  of  the  U.  S. 

Halibut,  ha'li-but.  A  fish,  gen.  Ilippo- 
glossus,  one  of  the  largest  of  the  flat-fish 
family  or  Pleuronectidai. 

Halictus,  -lik'tus.  A  gen.  of  hymenop- 
terous  insects,  sec.  Aculeata,  sub-sec.  Api- 
arire,  and  group  Andrenidaj  or  short- 
tongued  bees. 

Halieutics,  -li-ii'tiks.  A  treatise  on 
fishes,  or  the  art  of  fishing ;  ichthyology. 

Halifax.  Charles  Monta^ru,  Earl 
of.  A  celebrated  English  statesman  and 
financier;  b.  1661,  d.  1T15.  As  prime 
minister  he  was  the  originator  of  the  na- 
tional debt,  and  founder  of  the  Bank  of 
England. 

Halifax.  A  city  in  W.  Kiding  Co.,  York, 
England,  noted  for  its  woolen  manufac- 
tories, 85  m.  S.  W.  of  York  ;  pop.  71,300. 
The  cap.  of  Nova  Scotia,  a  fortified  sea- 
port, the  naval  depot  of  the  British  N. 
American  fleet,  and  a  trans-Atlantic  steam- 
ship station  ;  pop.  3S,846. 


Haliogrraphy,  -og'ra-fi.  That  depart- 
ment  of  science  which  treats  of  the  sea. 

Haliotis,  -o'tis.  A  gen.  of  gasteropo- 
dous  niollusks,  both  fossil  and  recent, 
commonly  called  sea -ears  or  ear-shells. 

Halitns,  'li-tus.  In  Physiol,  the  breath  ; 
the  vapor  exhaled  from  the  body,  so  long 
as  the  blood  is  warm  ;  the  odorous  vapor 
exhaled  by  newly  drawn  blood. 

Hall,  Joseph.  An  eminent  English  the- 
ological writer ;  b.  1574,  d.  1656. 

Hallam,  Henry.  An  Enghsh  historian; 
B.  1779,  V.  1859. 

Halleck,  Fitz-Greene.  An  eminent 
American  poet ;  b.  in  Conn.  1790,  d.  1867, 

Halleck,  Henry  "Wag-er,  Gen.  An 
American  general,  b.  at  Utica,  N.  Y., 
1814,  graduated  at  W.  Point,  1839,  ap- 
pointed major-general,  1861,  and  rose  to 
be  commander-in-chief,  July,  1862,  being 
superseded  by  Gen.  Grant,  March,  1864 ; 
D.  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  187'2. 

Hallelujah,  hal-le-lo'ya.  Praise  ye  Je- 
hovah ;  give  praise  to  God.  It  is  used  as 
a  noun  or  as  an  exclamation. 

Halley,  Edmund.  A  noted  English 
astronomer ;  b.  1656,  d.  1742.  He  was 
the  first  who  accurately  predicted  the 
action  of  a  comet,  and  made  other  impor- 
tant celestial  discoveries. 

Halloo,  -10'.  A  cry  uttered  to  attract  at- 
tention. 

Hallow-e'en,  'lo-en.  The  eve  or  vigil  of 
All-IIallows  or  All-Saints. 

Hallowmas,  -mas.  The  feast  of  All- 
Souls  ;  the  time  about  All-Saints'  and  All- 
Souls'  Day,  viz.,  the  1st  of  November,  and 
thence  to  Candlemas. 

Hallux,  'luks.  The  innermost  of  the 
five  aigits  which  normally  compose  the 
hind  foot  of  a  vertebrate  animal.  In  man, 
the  great  toe. 

Halmaturus,  -ma-tii'rus.  A  gen.  of 
marsupials  belonging  to  the  kangaroos. 

Halo,  ha'ld.  A  luminous  ring  or  circle, 
either  white  or  colored,  appearing  round 
the  sun  or  moon.  When  they  are  of  small 
diameter  they  are  usually  called  coronse. 
Halos  are  at  times  accompanied  with  other 
phenomena,  such  as  parhelia,  or  mock- 
suns  ;  paraselene,  or  mock -moons,  and 
variously  arranged  white  bands,  crosses 
or  arcs. 

Haloscope,  -skop.  An  instrument  which 
exhibits  all  the  phenomena  connected  with 
halos,  parhelia  and  the  hke. 

Halticidae,  hal-tis'i-de.  The  flea-feeetles, 
a  fam.  of  coleopterous  insects,  of  which 
the  gen.  H'altica  is  the  type. 


HALTIO 


89T 


HAN 


Haltio,  'ti-o.     In  Lapland  Myth,  one  of 

the  guardian  spu-its  of  Mount  Niemi. 

Salyard,  'viird.  A  ropo  or  tackle  for 
hoisting  and  lowering  sails,  yards,  &c. 
"Written  also  Halliard. 

Halysites,  'i-slts.  A  fossil  gen.  of  coral, 
fom.  JTavositida;,  peculiar  to  the  palaeozoic 
strata. 

jEaxn,  ham.  A  common  element  in  En- 
glish place-names,  as  Buckingham,  Dur- 
ham, &c.,  a  home.  Hamlet  is  a  diminu- 
tive. The  inner  angle  of  the  joint  which 
unites  the  thigh  and  the  leg  of  an  animal. 
The  thigh  of  a  hog,  or  other  animal,  salted 
and  dried  in  smoke. 

Ham.  In  Scrip,  the  2d  son  of  Noah,  and 
progenitor  of  the  African  race  through  his 
sons  Cash,  Phut,  Mizraim  and  Canaan. 

Ham.  Atownofdept.  Somme,  France, 
86  m.  S.  E.  of  Amiens,  noted  for  its  strong 
fortress  in  which  Napoleon  III.  was  con- 
fined, 1840-46,  and  from  which  he  escaped 
in  disguise  ;  pop.  about  3,000. 

Hamadryad,  'a-drl-ad.  In  Oreek  and 
Eoman  Antiq.  a  wood-nymph,  feigned  to 
live  and  die  with  the  tree  to  which  she 
was  attached. 

Ham.adryas,  -as.  A  dog-faced  ape  (Cy- 
noccphalus  hamadryas). 

Hamal,  ha'mal.  A  porter  in  Constanti- 
nople. 

Ham.arthritis,  ham-iir-thr!'tis.  In  Med. 
universal  gout,  or  gout  in  all  the  joints. 

Ham.el,  'el.  The  name  for  the  bright 
star  alpha  in  the  constellation  Aries. 

Hamiform.,  ha'mi-form.  In  Zool.  curved 
at  the  extremity  ;  resembUng  a  hook. 

Hamburg.  A  free  city,  cap.  of  prov.  of 
same  name,  in  Germany,  the  commercial 
emporium  of  the  empire,  on  the  Elbe  at 
its  junction  Avith  tlie  Elster,  and  GO  m. 
from  its  mouth  ;  pop.  354,720. 

Hamilcar.  A  famous  Carthaginian  gen- 
eral father  of  the  more  celebrated  Hanni- 
bal; B.  abt.  300  B.  c;  killed  in  battle  in 
Spain,  229.  He  successfully  defended 
Sicily  against  the  llomans  for  5  years,  and 
finished  his  successful  military  career  in 
Spain. 

Hamilton.  The  patronyomic  of  a  noble 
Gcottisii  family.  James  H.,  2d  Earl  of 
Arran,  became  regent  in  1542.  He  was  a 
warm  {partisan  of  Maiy  Queen  of  Scots ; 
1).  1575. 

Eam.iIton,  Alexander.  An  eminent 
JL'Cotch-American  statesman  and  orator, 
B.  in  Nevis,  1757,  killed  in  a  duel  with 
Aaron  Burr,  at  Weehawken,  N.  J.,  1804. 
He  was  »  member   of  tha    Continental 


Hammer-beam. 


Congress,  one  of  the  Commissioners  which 
framed  the  Federal  Constitution,  and 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  under  Presi- 
dent Washington. 

Hamilton,  "William,  Sir.  The  most 
celebrated  metaphysician  of  the  Scotch 
school ;  B.  1788,  d.  1856. 

Hamilton,  William  Bo-wan,  Sir. 
An  eminent  Irish  scientist  and  astron- 
mer,  b.  1805,  d.  1865. 

Hamitic,  ham-it'ik.  Eelating  to  Ham  or 
his  descendants;  specifically,  appellative 
of  a  class  of  African  tongues,  comprising 
the  ancient  Hieroglyphic  language,  Cop- 
tic, Ethiopian  or  Abyssinian,  Libyan  or 
Berber,  and  the  Hottentot  groups. 

Hammer-beam. 
A  beam  acting  as  a 
tie  at  the  feet  of  a 
pair  of  pjrincipal 
rafters. 

Hammer-  fish, 
'mer-fish.  A 
rapacious  fish,  fam. 
Squalidfe  or  sharks, 
the  balance-fish, 
called  also  Ham- 
mer-headed Shark. 

Hammer-oyster,  -ois-ter.  A  bivalve 
shell-fish  found  jn  the  W.  Indies,  resem- 
bhng  the  pearl-oyster  when  young,  but 
when  mature  resembling  the  form  of  a 
hammer. 

Hammock,  'mok.  A  hanging  bed,  con- 
sisting of  a  piece  of  cloth,  gathered  at  the 
ends  and  suspended  by  cords  and  hooks. 

Hampden,  John.  An  English  patriot 
and  Parliamentary  leader  ;  B.  1594,  killed 
at  Chalgrove  Hill,  1643.  He  was  a  cham- 
pion of  popular  rights  against  the  oppres- 
sive measures  of  Charles  I.,  and  sulfered 
prosecution  and  imprisonment. 

Hampton  Boads.  A  broad  channel  of 
Chesapeake  Bay,  opening  into  James 
lliver  bet.  Norfolk  and  Hampton,  com* 
mandcd  by  Fortress  Monroe. 

Hamster,ham'- 
ster.  A  gen.  of 
rodent  burrow- 
ing quadrupeds 
(Cricetus)  of  the 
rat  family  (Mu- 
ridse). 

Hamstring-, 
'string.  One  of 
the  tendons  of  the  ham. 

Han,  han.  The  Chinese  dynasty  founded 
by  Kau-tsu,  and  lasting  from  b.  c.  206  to 
A.  D.  220.    It  is  the  most  celebrated  of  all 


Hamster. 


HANAPER 


HANOVER  COURT-HOUSE 


tho  dynasties  of  China,  and  with  it  com 
mences  tho  modern  history  of  that  emi>ire, 

Hanaper, 
ha'iia-p  or. 
A  kind  of 
basket  used 
in  early 
days  by  the 
king  s  of 
England  for 

j  h  o  1  d  i  n  g  Hanaper. 

their  money  ^ 

as  tliey  journeyed  from  place  to  place ; 
the  king's  treasury.  This  word  answered 
to  tlie  modern  exchequer. 

Hancock,  John.  An  American  states- 
man ;  B.  in  Mass.,  17-37,  n.  1793.  He  was 
president  of  the  Provincial  and  Continen- 
tal congresses  and  one  of  tho  signers  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and 
governor  of  his  native  State  from  1780  till 
his  death. 

Hancock,  "Winfield  Scott,  Gen.  An 
American  officer;  b.  in  Penn.,  1S24;  gradu- 
ated from  West  Point,  1844, served  through 
the  Mexicaa  war,  appointed  brigadier-gen- 
oral,  1861,  and  served  with  gallantry 
through  the  rebellion  ;  now  senior  Major- 
General  in  command  of  the  Department  of 
the  Atlantic,  headquarters  at  Governor's 
Island.  In  ISSO  he  was  an  unsuccessful 
candidate  for  the  presidency,  being  beaten 
by  Gen,  Garfield. 

Hand-book,  hand'buk.  A  small  book 
or  treatise  ;  a  manual  or  compendium  ;  a 
guide-book  for  travelers. 

Handcuff,  'kuf.  /  manacle  or  fastening 
for  the  hand,  consisting  of  an  iron  ring 
round  each  wrist  and  linked  together. 

Handel,  G-eor^re  Frederick.  The 
most  eminent  musical  composer  of  the 
ages  ;  b.  at  Halle,  Germany,  1684,  d.  1759. 

Hand-gallop,  'gal-lup.  A  slow  and 
easy  gallop,  in  which  the  hand  presses  the 
bridle  to  hinder  increase  of  speed. 

Handicap,  han'di-kap.  In  racing,  an 
allowance  of  a  certain  amount  of  time  or 
distance  to  the  inferior  competitors  in  a  race 
to  bring  them  all  as  nearly  as  possible  to  an 
oquahty,  or  the  extra  weight  imposed 
upon  the  superior  competitors  with  the 
same  object.  Also  the  name  of  such  a 
race. 

Hand-lead,  'led  The  lead  which  is 
used  for  sounding  in  rivers,  harbors  or 
shoal  water,  much  smaller  than  the  deep- 
sea  load. 

Handloom,  'lom.  A  weaver's  loom 
worked  by  the  hand,  as  distinguished  from 
a  power -loom. 


Handmill,  'mil.  A  mill  for  grinding 
grain,  pepper,  coffee,  &c.,  moved  by  the 
hand. 

Hand-press,  'pros.  A  printing  press 
worked  by  hand. 

Handrail,  'vM.  A  rail  or  railing  in  a 
stair  raised  upon  slender  posts  called  bab 
listers.  In  a  locomotive  engine,  the  rail- 
ing along  the  sides  to  protect  person* 
when  passing  to  the  front. 

Handspike,  'splk.  A  bar  used  with  the 
hand  as  a  lever  for  raising  weights,  heav- 
ing about  a  windlass,  &c. 

Hangr-chow-foo.  A  walled  Cliinese 
city,  cap.  of  prov.  of  Che-kiang,  on  the 
Tsien-tang-kiang,  140  m.  S.  E.  of  Nankin, 
and  formerly  cap.  of  the  kingdom;  pop. 
740,000. 

Hanger,  hang'er.  A  short,  broad  sword 
incurvated  at  the  point.  In  Mach.  apart 
that  suspends  ajournal-box  in  which  shaft- 
ing, &c.,  runs.  Called  also  Hanging- 
bracket. 

Hanging-buttress, 
'ing-but-tres.  In  Arch,  a 
buttress  not  standing  solid 
on  a  foundation,  but  sup- 
ported on  a  corbel. 

Hanging-garden,  -gar- 
dn.  A  garden  formed  in 
terraces  rising  one  above 
the  other.  The  hanging- 
gardens  of  Babylon  were 
anciently  reckoned  among 
the  wonders  of  the  world. 
They  were  five  in  number, 
occupied  each  an  area  of  4 
acres,  and  the  summit  was 
300  feet  above  the  base,  so 
that  the  whole  presented 
the  appearance  of  a  great 
pyramid. 

Han-lin,  han'lin.  The 
national  or  imperial  college 
of  China  from  the  mem- 
bers of  which  the  emperor's 
ministers  are  generally  Hanging-but- 
chosen,  tress. 

Hannibal.  The  most  famous  general 
of  Carthage ;  b.  247  b.  c,  suicided  to  avoid 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Romans,  188, 
his  projects  of  reform  being  rejected  by 
his  own  people.  For  more  than  20  years 
he  was  successful  in  his  struggle  against 
Rome. 

Hanover  Court-House.  A  village, 
cap.  of  Hanover  Co.,  Va.,  noted  as  tho 
scene  of  a  severe  engagement.  May  28, 
1863,  between  a  Confederate  corps  and  a 


IIANSE 


HARMONICA 


Federal  brigade  under  Gen.  Porter,  tlie 
latter  winning  a  decisive  victory. 
Hanse,  bans.  A  league ;  a  confederacy. 
H.  towns,  certain  commercial  cities  in 
Germany  which  associated  for  the  protec- 
tion of  commerce  as  early  as  the  12th  cen- 
tury. To  this  confederacy  acceded  cer- 
tain commercial  cities  in  Holland,  Eng- 
land, France,  Spain  and  Italy,  until  they 
amounted  to  seventy-two,  and  for  centu- 
ries the  confederacy  (Hanseatic  League) 
commanded   the  respect  and    defied  the 

g>wer  of  kings.  Liibeck,  Hamburg  and 
remen,  the  three  free  cities  of  Germany, 
are  still  often  spoken  of  as  the  Hanse 
towns. 

Hanselines.  The  loose  breeches  worn 
during  the  15tk  century. 

Hansom,  han'sum.  A  two-wheeted 
hackney  carriage  or  cabriolet.  It  holds 
two  persons,  and  the  driver  sits  on  an  el- 
evated seat  be'iind  the  body  of  the  car- 
riage. 

XEanuman,  han'u-man.  The  name  of  a 
fabulous  monkey,  the  friead  of  Vishnu, 
much  referred  to  in  the  second  or  class- 
ical age  of  Hindu  mythology.  Also,  the 
name  of  a  moakey  in  India  to  which  wor- 
ship is  paid. 

Hapalidse,  hap-al'!-de,  A  fam.  of  S. 
A  merican  platj-rhine  monkeys.  The  mar- 
moset, eahoni'and  ouistiti  are  the  popular 
and  native  names  for  these  animals. 

Hapsburg-,  House  of.  The  dynastic 
lineof  the  Austrian  emperors,  named  from 
the  Castle  of  H. ,  in  Switzerland,  and  found- 
ed by  ILudoiph,  Count  of  H.,  who  was 
elected  Emperor  of  Germany  1273.  Since 
178G  the  djTiasty  has  borne  the  name  of 
Hapsburg-tjorraiue. 

Har,  har.  A  syllable  occurring  as  a  pre- 
fix in  person  and  place  names,  and  signi- 
fying an  army ;  thus,  Harold  signifies  the 
loader  of  an  army ;  Hereford,  ford  of  an 
army.  It  takes  various  forms,  as  hare, 
Jier,  here,  &c. 

Hardiugre,  Henry,  Tiscount.    An 

English  general;  b.  1785,  D.  1856.  He 
served  with  credit  in  the  Peninsular  war, 
was  appointed  Governor-General  of  India, 
1S44,  and  subdued  the  Sikhs,  and  s.  the 
Duke  of  Wellington  as  Commander-in- 
Chief,  1852. 

Hardware,  'war.  Wares  made  of  iron 
or  other  metaL 

Hare,  bar.  The  common  name  of  the  ro- 
dent quadrupeds,  gen.  Lepus,  remarkable 
for  its  fecundity,  generally  producing 
three  or  four  at  a'timo  and  breeding  eev- 


eral  times  in  the  year.  In  Astron.  one  of 
the  forty-eight  ancient  constellations  of 
Ptolemy,  situated  in  the  southern  hemi- 
sphere. 

Hare-kanguroo,  'kang-ga-ro.  A  small 
kangaroo  of  Australia,  not  imlike  a  hare, 
but  smaller  in  size. 

Hareld,  ha'reld.  An  oceanic  duck  of  the 
sub-gen.  Harelda.  Its  do^v]l  is  said  to  ri- 
val that  of  the  eider. 

Harem,  hn'rem.    The  apartments  appro- 

t)riated  to  the  female  members  of  a  Mo- 
lammedan  family.  The  occupants  may 
consist  of  wives  to  the  number  of  four,  fe- 
male slaves,  who  may  be  retained  as  con- 
cubines or  as  servants,  and  of  female  freo 
slaves,  with  whom  concubinage  is  un- 
lawful. 

Harfangr,  h&r'fang.     The  great  flnowy 
owl  found  in  the  arctic  regions. 
Hari,  ha'rL    A  name  of  the  Hindu  god 
Vishnu. 

Harleian,  har'le-an.  A  collection  of 
7000  manuscripts,  besides  rare  printed 
books,  made  bv  Secretary  Harley,  Earl  of 
Oxford,  and  his  son.  The  collection  is 
now  in  the  British  Museum, 
Harlequin-TDeetle,  'le-kwin-be-tl.  A 
coleopterous  insect,  so  called  from  the 
mixtm-e  of  gray,  black  and  red  on  the  ely- 
tra. 

Harleq.tiin-duck,  -dufc.  A  species  of 
duck  having  a  beautifully  mottled  plu- 
mage, the  male  being  fantastically  streaked 
with  gray,  whence  the  name. 
Harleqtlin-snake,  -snak.  A  venom- 
ous S.  American  snake,  striped  with  red 
and  black.  , 

Harlot,  'lot.    A  woman  who  prostitutes 
her  body  for  hu-e ;  a  prostitute. 
Harmattan,  -mat' tan.  A  hot,  dry  wiad 
which  blows  periodically  from  the  interior 
parts  of  Africa  toward  the  Atlantic  in  De- 
cember, January  and  February  ;  it  viith- 
ers  vegetation,  and  even  affects  the  hu- 
man body  so  that  the  skin  peels  off. 
Harmonia,  mo'ni-a.    A  small  asteroid 
between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupite... 
Harmonica,  -mon'i-ka.    A  collection  of 
musical  glass  gob- 
lets,     resembling 
fineer-glasses,  putj- 
into    a   revolving^ 
motion    on    their 
centers  while  the 
rim     is     touched 
by  the  finger.    A 

musical  instrument  consisting  of  a  smaU 
box,  in  which  are  raagad  horizontally  a 


Harmonica. 


HAEMOmCHOED 


HAEEI-KARRI 


number  of  oblong-  plates  of  glass  or  metal, 
which  are  struck  with  a  small  flexible 
hammer. 

Harmonicliord,  -kord.  An  instru- 
ment played  like  a  piano-forte,  but  sound- 
ing like  a  violin. 

Harmonicon,  -kon,  A  powerful  musi- 
cal instrument  consisting  of  a  large  barrel 
organ,  containing  pipes  to  imitate  wind- 
instruments  and  an  apparatus  to  produce 
the  effects  of  drums,  cymbals,  &c.  A 
small  mouth  instrument  consisting  of  free 
reeds  inclosed  in  a  box  in  such  a  way  that 
inspiration  produces  one  set  of  sounds, 
respiration  another.  Chemical  harmoni- 
con, a  contrivance  in  which  a  tlame  of 
hydrogen  gas  causes  a  column  of  air  in  a 
tube  to  give  forth  musical  sounds. 

TTa.naoniplloii,  -fi>n.  A  musical  wind- 
instrument  consisting  of  a  series  of  free 
reeds  inserteti  in  a  tube  like  a  clarinet.  It 
is  played  upon  by  means  of  keys  arranged 
like  those  of  a  jnano-forte. 

Harmonist,  'mon  ist.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Pi-otestants  from  Wiirtemberg,  who  set- 
tled in  America  in  1808.  They  hold  their 
property  in  common,  and  consider  mar- 
riage a  civil  contract. 

Harmonium,  -md'ni-um.  A  musical 
instrument  resembhng  a  small  organ, 
played  on  a  clavier  similar  to  that  of  an 
organ,  the  sounds  being  produced  by  free 
reeds. 

Harmonometer,  -mon-om'et-er.  A 
monochord  for  measuring  the  harmonic 
relations  of  sounds. 

Harold.  The  name  of  two  of  England's 
early  kings.  II.  I.,  sm-named  Harefoot, 
because  of  his  fleetness,  was  2d  son  of 
Canute  the  Great,  and  s.  to  the  throne, 
103T,  B.  1040.  H.  II.,  son  of  Godwin, 
Earl  of  Kent,  was  proclaimed  King  1066, 
as  s.  of  Edward  the  Confessor;  he  defeat- 
ed an  invasion  of  Norsemen  the  same  year, 
but  was  himself  defeated  and  overthrown 
by  William,  Duke  of  Normandy  a  few 
days  later. 
Harp, 
harp.  A 
stri  ng  0  d 
musical  in- 
strument of 
great  anti- 
quity,found 
among  the 
Assyrian  s , 
Egyptians/ 
Hebr  e  w  s  , 
G^e  e  k  s , 
Irisii,  Welsh, 


Egyptian  harps, 
and  other   nations. 


Haroun-al-Raschid.  The  most 
eminent  of  the  Abbassides  caUphs;  b. 
abt.  766,  D.  809. 

Harpa,  hiir'pa.  A  gen.  of  gasteropodous 
mollusks  of  the  whelk  family,  commonly 
called  Ilarp-shells. 

Harpalidae,  -pal'i-de.  A  fam.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  sec.  Geodephaga,  usually 
found  under  stones. 

Harper,  harp'er.  A  player  on  the  harp. 
An  Irish  brass  coin  of  the  reign  of  Queen 
Elizabeth,  of  the  size  of  a  shilling  and  the 
value  of  a  penny. 

Harper's  Fei*ry.  A  village  in  Jefferson 
Co.,  W.  Virginia,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Shenandoah  and  Potomac  rivers,  53  m.  N. 
W.  of  Washington,  noted  as  the  scene  of 
John  Brown's  abolition  raid,  1859,  and 
for  several  minor  engagements  in  the  civil 
war. 

Harpoon,  har-p6n'.  A  spear  or  javelin 
used  to  strike  and  kill  whales  and  large 
fish.  It  may  be  thrown  by  the  hand  or 
fired  from  a  gun. 

Harpooner,  'er.  The  man  in  a  whale- 
boat  who  throvrs  the  harpoon. 

Harpoon-gun,  'gim.  A  gim  for  firing 
a  harpoon,  employed  in  the  whale-fishery. 

Harp-seal,  hiirp'sGl.  The  Greenland 
seal. 

Harpsichord,  'si-kord.  A  stringed  mu- 
sical instrument  with  a  key-board,  some- 
thing like  the  horizontal  grand  piano-forte, 
superseded  by  the  piano-forte  about  the 
middle  of  the 
18th  century. 

Harpy,     hiir'pi.  I 
In  Class.  Antiq. 
fabulous     winged  I 
monster,  ravenous  \ 
and  filthy,  having 
the  face  of  a  wo- 
man and  the  body 
of  a  bird.      The 
harpies       were 
three  in  number,  Aello,  Ocypete  and  Cek 
eno. 

Harpy-eagrle,  -6-gl.  The  Thrasaetu* 
Ilarpyia,  a  raptorial  bird  of  Mexico  and  S. 
America,  celebrated  for  its  great  strength. 

Harridan,  ha'ri-dan.  A  hag ;  an  odious 
old  woman. 

Harrier,  -er.  A  small  dog  of  the  hound 
species  employed  in  hunting  the  hare. 
There  are  several  breeds.  A  hawk  of  the 
gen.  Circus,  aUied  to  the  buzzards. 

Harri-Karri,  -ka'ri.  The  Chinese  term 
for  the  mode  of  suicide  incumbent  ou 
Japanese  officiaia,  when  ordered  by  gor- 


Harpy. 


HAEEISBURG 


iOl 


HATCHING-APPARATUS 


ernment  to  perform  it  as  a  punishment 
for  any  offense.  It  is  effected  by  inflicting 
two  gashes  across  the  abdomen  in  the 
form  of  across. 

Harrisburgr.  Cap.  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
Dauphin  Co.,  on  the  Susquehanna,  107  m. 
N.  W.  of  Phila.  ;  pop.  30,762, 

Harrison,  John.  An  EngUsh  mechanic 
and  inventor ;  b.  1693,  n.  1776.  He  in- 
vented the  most  perfect  sea-clironometer 
of  his  time,  also  the  compensation  pendu- 
lum. 

Harrison,  "William  Henry,  Gten. 
Ninth  President  of  the  U.  S.  ;  b.  in  Va., 
1773  ;  D.  one  month  after  his  inauguration, 
April  4,  1841.  He  was  the  hero  of  the 
Indian  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  in  Indiana, 
1811,  and  also  defeated  a  British  force  on 
the  Thames,  Canada,  1813  ;  afterward 
elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  and  sent  as 
minister  to  Colombia,  1828-29.  Was  the 
unsuccessful  Whig  candidate  for  the  Presi- 
dency, 1836,  and  was  elected  1840. 

Harrow,  'ro.  An  agricultural  imple- 
ment, formed  of  pieces  of  timber  or  metal 
crossing  each  other  and  set  with  iron 
teeth. 

Hart,  h.lrt.  A  stag  or  male  deer  when 
he  has  passed  his  fifth  year,  and  the  sur- 
royal  or  crown  antler  is  formed.  Hart  of 
ten,  a  hart  with  ten  tines  or  branches  on 
his  horns. 

Hartbeest,  'best.  The  name  given  by 
the  Dutch  colonists  to  the  kaama,  a  S. 
African  antelope. 

Hartshorn,  harts'horn.  The  antler  of  the 
hart  or  stag,  formerly  much  used  as  a  source 
of  ammonia.  A  name  given  to  the  salt 
and  spirit  of  ammonia.  Jelly  of  hartshorn, 
a  nutritive  jelly,  fonnerly  obtained  from 
the  shavings  of  the  horns  of  harts,  now 
procured  from  the  bones  of  calves. 

Hartford.  Cap.  of  county  of  same  name, 
also  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  on  tlie 
Connecticut  Kiver,  30  m.  N.  E.  of  New 
Haven  ;  pop.  42,015. 

Hartz  Mountains.  A  range  in  N.  W. 
Germany,  abt.  70  m.  in  length  by  28  in 
width.  The  Brocken,  the  highest  peak,  is 
8,740  ft.  above  sea  level.  The  range  is 
rich  in  minerals,  but  is  especially  noted 
for  the  superstitious  traditions  witli  which 
many  of  its  chief  heights  and  valleys  are 
identified. 

Harvard.  The  oldest  American  college, 
founded  1638 ;  located  at  Cambridge,  now 
a  suburb  of  Boston, 

Harvester,  har'vest-er.  A  machine  for 
cutting  grain,  grass,  or  other  crop  ;  a 
mower  ;  a  reaper. 


Harvest-fly,  -fll.  A  name  appUed  to 
several  large  hemipterous  insects  of  the 
Cicada  group,  popularly  called  locusts. 

Harvest-month,  -month.     September. 

Harvest-moon,  -mon.  The  moon  near 
the  full  at  the  time  of  harvest,  or  about 
the  autumnal  equinox,  when,  by  reason  of 
the  small  angle  of  the  ecliptic  and  the 
moon's  orbit  with  th<f  horizon,  it  rises 
nearly  at  the  same  hour  for  several  days. 

Harvest-mouse,  -mous.  The  Mus 
messorius,  a  very  small  species  of  field- 
mouse. 

Harvey,  "William.  A  celebrated  En- 
glish physician  and  anatomist ;  b.  1578,  d 
1657.  He  discovered  the  true  theory  of 
the  circulation  of  the  blood. 

Haslet,  has'let.  The  entrails  of  a  beast 
used  for  human  food,  as  the  heart,  liver, 
lights,  &c. 

Hasoda,  ha-s6'da.  In  the  Turkish  se- 
raglio, a  school  established  for  training 
young  slaves  of  both  sexes. 

Hassock,  has'sok.  A  thick  mat  or  bass 
on  which  persons  kneel  in  church  ;  also 
a  small  footstool. 

Hastings.  A  borough  and  seaside  re^ 
sort  in  Co.  Sussex,  England,  54  m.  S.  E. 
of  London,  noted  for  the  battle,  Oct.  14, 
1066,  in  which  William  the  Conqueror 
won  the  English  throne :  pop.  32,146. 

Hastings,  "Warren.  The  first  English 
viceroy  of  India;  b.  1732,  d.  1818.  His 
impeachment  for  malfeasance  in  otTice, 
trial  and  acquittal,  form  one  of  the  most 
interesting  legal  incidents  in  English  his- 
tory. 

Hasty-pudding-,  hast'i-pud-ding.  A 
thick  pudding  made  of  nlilk  and  flour 
boiled  quickly  together ;  also,  oatmeal  and 
water  boiled  together  ;  porridge.  A  bat- 
ter made  of  Indian  meal  stu-red  into  boil- 
ing water ;  mush. 

Hatchet,  hatch'et.  A  small  ax  with  a 
short  handle,  used  with  one  hand.  An 
Indian  tomahawk. 

Hatchetine,  -in.  A  fatty  substance  oc- 
curring in  argill.accous  ironstone,  like  wax 
or  spermaceti  in  consistence ;  also  termed 
Mineral  Tallow.  It  consists  of  86  carbon 
and  14  hydrogen .  A  soft  mineral  contain- 
ing 80  carbon,  20  hydrogen. 

Hatching,  'ing.  Shading  in  a  drawing 
or  engraving  consisting  of  crossed  lines  ; 
cross-hatching. 

Hatching-apparatus,  -ap-pa-ra-tus. 
An  incubator  for  bringing  forth  chickens 
from  eggB  by  the  agency  of  ai-tificial  heat. 


HATCHMENT 


402 


HAY-TEDDER 


Hatchment,  'ment.  In  Her.  the  coat 
of  arras  of  a  person  dead,  showing  the  rank 
of  the  deceased,  whether  the  person  was 
a  bachelor,  a  married  man,  a  wife,  &c. 
Hatchway,  'wa.  A  square  or  oblong 
opening  in  the  deck  of  a  vessel,  or  in  a 
building. 

Hattemist,  hat'tem-ist.    One  of  an  ec- 
clesiastical sect  in  Holland,  so  called  from 
Pontian    von    Hattem  of  Zeeland  (17th 
century).       They     denied     the     expia- 
tory sacrifice  of  Christ,  and  the  corruption 
of  human  nature. 
Hatteras.    An  inlet  of  Pamlico  Sound, 
N.  Carolina.     It  is  commanded  by  forts 
H.  and  Clark,  both  of  which  were  captured 
Aug.  29, 1861,  by  Com.  Stringham. 
Hatti-sheriff,  'ti-sher-if.    An  irrevoca- 
ble order  from  the  Sultan  of  Turkey,  who 
subscribes  it  usually  with  these  words  :— 
"Let  my    order  be  executed  according 
to  its  form  and  import."    The  words  are 
usually  edged  with  gold,  or  otherwise  or- 
namented. 
Hauberk,  ha'berk.    A  coat  of  mail  with- 
out sleeves,  formed  of  steel  rings  inter- 
woven. 
Haulm,  halm.      The  stem  or  stalk  of 
grain  of  all  kinds.     Straw. 
Haustellata,  has'tel-la^ta.    A  div.  of 
insects,  in  which  the  mouth  is  furnished 
Avith  the  haustellum  or  proboscis  adapted 
for  suction.    It  includes  the  homopterous. 
heteropterous,  lepidopterous  and  dipte: 
ous  insects. 

Hautboy,  ho'boi.  An  oboe;  a 
wind-instrument  of  wood,  sounded 
through  a  double  reed.  An  organ - 
stop  resembliag  the  hautboy  in 
sound. 

Hauy,  Rene  Just,  Abbe. 
hah-we',  One  of  the  most  eminent 
of  French  mineralogists ;  b.  1T43, 
B.  1822. 

Havana.  Cap.  of  Island  of  Cuba, 
on  the  N.  W.  coast,  founded  by 
Diego  Velasquez,  1511 :  pop.  221,- 
4G0.  ^  ^ 

Havelock,  hav'lok.    A  light  cov- 
ering for  the  head  and  neck,  com- 
posed of  white  cloth,  used  by  sol- 
diers and  others  as  a   protection 
against  sun-stroke. 
Haversack,    'er-sak.     A  bag  ofn^t 
strong  cloth  ^vith  a  strap  fitting  t.^^ 
over  the  shoulder,  worn  by  soldiers    ^' 
in    marching    order,    for   cairying 
their  provisions.      In  artillery,  a  leather 
bag  used    to   carry  cartridges  from  the 
ammunition  chest  to  the  piece. 
Haversian,  ha-ver'si-an.    The  net-work 


of  minute  canals  which  traverse  the  solid 
substance  of  bones,  conveying  the  nutri- 
ent vessels  to  all  parts. 

Havildar,  hav'il-dar.  The  highest  non- 
commissioned officer  in  the  native  armies 
of  India  and  Ceylon  ;  a  sepoy  sergeant. 

Havre,  hahv'r.  A  fortified  seaport,  dept. 
Seine-Inferieure,  on  the  N.  estuary  of  the 
Seine,  42  m.  W.  of  liouen,  France ;  pop. 
abt.  100,000. 

Hawk,  hak.  A  name  frequently  applied 
to  almost  all  the  members  of  "the  fam, 
Falconida?,  but  also  restricted  to  designate 
a  section  of  that  family. 

Hawk-moth,  'moth.  A  lepidopteroui 
insect,  fam.  SphingidjB  or  sphinxes. 

Hawk's-bill,  haks'bil.  Chelone  or 
Caretta  imbricata,  a  well-known  turtle. 

Hawser,  lias'er.  A  small  cable  or  a  large 
rope,  in  size  between  a  cable  and  a  tow- 
line. 

Hawthorne,  Nathaniel.  A  distin- 
guished American  novehst,  n.  in  Mass., 
1804,  D.  1864. 

Haydn,  Joseph,  hl'dn.  An  eminent 
Austrian  musical  composer :  b.  1732.  ». 
1809. 

Hayes,  Isaac  I.  An  American  Arctic 
explorer  ;  b.  in  Penn.,  1832;  made  success- 
ful voyages  in  1853  with  Dr.  Kane,  also  in 
1860  and  1869-71. 

Hayes,  Rutherford  Birchard.  Nine- 
teenth President  of  the  U.  S,;  «.  in  Ohio, 
1822.  Served  with  gallantry  in  the  civil 
war,  was  elected  to  Congress,  thrice  Gov- 
ernor of  Ohio,  and  in  1876  President. 

Hay-fever,  ha'fe-ver.  A  summer  fever, 
popularly  but  erroneously  ascribed  to  the 
efiluvium  of  new-cut  hay.  It  is  probably 
due  to  the  irritation  of  pollen  or  vegetable 
spores  entering  the  nostrils. 

Ha3niau,  Jiilius  Jakob,  Baron 
von,  hi'now.  An  Austrian  general :  b. 
1786,  D.  1853.  He  was  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  Austrian  army  in  the  Hun- 
garian rebellion,  1849,  and  is  accused  of 
heartless  cruelty. 

Hay-tedder,  ha'ted-er,    A  wheeled  ma- 


Hay-tedder. 


chine  for  scattering  hay  au  ae  to  expose  16 
to  the  sun  and  air. 


HATTI 


403 


HEAYEN 


Ha3rti,  hi'i'te.  One  of  the  largest  islands 
of  the  W.  Indies,  in  the  Greater  Antilles 
group,  E.  of  Cuba  and  Jamaica  ;  length 
abt.  400  m.;  maximum  width,  154  m.  It 
is  politically  divided  into  two  republics, 
Hayti  proper,  the  W.  end,  cap.  Port-au- 
Prince,  and  Santo  Domingo,  cap.  Santo 
Domingo.  Its  principal  towns  are  Port-au- 
Prince,  Cape  Ilaytien,  Jacmel,  Jeremie, 
Aux  Caj'es,  Santo  Domingo,  Porto  Plata 
and  Gonaives ;  chief  rivers,  Artibonite  and 
Yagua ;  pop.  of  Hayti  proper,  581,322 ;  of 
Santo  Domingo,  283,419. 

Hazard,  haz'erd.  A  game  at  dice  requir- 
ing much  calculation  and  experience,  and 
almost  always  played  for  money.  Applied 
to  strokes  in  the  old-fashioned  game  of 
billiards  in  which  the  balls  were  pocketed. 

Head-dress,  hed'dres. 
The  covering  or  orna- 
ments of  a  woman's 
head,  an  important  part 
of  female  attire,  which 
has  ass  u  m  e  d  many 
forms  since  early  times. 

Heading:,  'ing.  A 
drift-way  or  passage  ex- 
cavated in  the  line  of  an 
intended  tunnel,  form- 
ing a  gullet  in  Avhich 
the  workmen  labor.  A 
preparation  of  equal 
parts  of  alum  and 
green-vitriol  used  in  brewing. 

Head-lig-ht,  'lit.  A  light  with  a  reflec- 
tor placed  in  front  of  a  locomotive. 

Head-money,  'mun-ne.  A  capitation 
tax. 

Head-water,  'wot-er.  The  part  of  a 
i-iver  near  its  source,  or  one  of  the  streams 
that  contribute  to  form  a  larger  stream. 

Heam.  The  after-birth  or  secundine  of  a 
beast. 

Hearse,  hers.  A  hind  in  the  second  year 
of  its  ago.  A  carriage  for  conveying  the 
dead  to  the  grave. 

Heart,  hart.  A  muscular  organ,  which 
is  the  propelling  agent  of  the  blood  in  the 
animal  body,  situated  in  the  thorax  of 
vertebrated  animals.  From  this  organ  the 
primary  arteries  arise,  and  in  it  the  main 
veins  terminate.  One  of  a  suit  of  playing- 
cards. 

Heart-bum,  bom.  A  burning  sensation 
in  the  stomach  ;  cardialgy. 

Heart-cam,  'kam.  A  wheel  or  double 
cam,  having  tlie  form  of  a  heart,  far  con- 
verting a  unifoi-m  circular  motion  into  a 
reciprocating  alternating  motion. 


Heart-disease,  'dlz-ez.  A  morbid  con- 
dition of  the  heart,  either  functional  or 
organic.  To  the  former  belong  palpita- 
tion, syncope  and  angina  pectoris ;  to  the 
latter, 'hypertrophy  of  the  heart,  dilata- 
tion of  the  cavities,  &c. 

Heart-wood,  'wud.  The  central  part 
of  the  wood  of  exogens ;  the  duramen. 

Heat,  het.  An  affection  of  matter  be- 
lieved to  consist  in  a  <^rtain  motion  or  vi- 
bration of  the  ultimate  molecules  of  which 
bodies  are  composed.  An  exhibition  of 
energy,  of  which  motion,  light,  gravity, 
electricity,  Ac,  are  other  exhibitions  un- 
der different  conditions. 

Heath,  heth.  A  name  common  to  plants, 
ord.  Ericaceas,  but  more  specifically  con- 
fined to  the  genera  Erica  and  Calluna.  In 
the  southern  promontory  of  Africa  thou- 
sands of  acres  are  covered  with  heaths,  in^ 
eluding  hundreds  of  difi'iirent  species.  In 
Great  Britain  heather  covers  large  tracts, 
and  is  used  to  thatch  houses,  to  make 
brooms,  and  even  beds  in  the  Highlands. 
Sheep  and  cattle  eat  it,  and  bees  extract 
finely  flavored  honey  from  the  flowers. 
The  young  shoots  and  flowers  are  said  to 
have  been  anciently  employed  for  the 
manufacture  of  beer. 

Heat-engine,  hct'en-jin.  The  name  of 
heat-engine  or  thermo-dynamic  engine 
is  given  to  all  machines  which  yield  force 
in  virtue  of  heat. 

Heathen,  he'then.  One  -who  worships 
idols  or  does  not  acknowledge  the  true 
God ;  a  pagan ;  an  idolater.  In  Scrip, 
the  word  seems  to  comprehend  all  nations 
except  the  Jews  or  Israelites,  as  they  were 
all  addicted  to  idolatry.  The  word  is  now 
applied  to  all  except  Chiistians,  Jews  and 
Mohammedans. 

Heathenism,  -izm.  The  rites  or  sys- 
tem of  religion  of  a  heathen  nation  ;  pa- 
ganism ;  idolatry. 

Heather,  heth'er.    Heath. 

Heathery,  -i.  A  place  Adhere  heaths 
grow ;  a  house  in  which  valuable  heaths 
are  cultivated. 

Heat-spectrum,  het'spek-trum.  An 
invisible  spectrum,  produced  by  the  rays 
of  the  sun  when  a  beam  of  light  is  decom- 
posed by  means  of  a  prism.  It  shows  that 
the  blue  rays  have  the  least  heat  or  none, 
and  the  red  the  gi-eatest. 

Heaven,  hev'n.  The  blue  expanse  which 
surrounds  the  earth,  and  whicli  appears 
above  and  around  us,  like  an  immonso 
arch  or  vault,  iu  which  the  sun,  moon  and 
stars  soem  to  be  set ;  the  skv.  The  part 
of  space  in  which  Jews  and  Chiistians  b«- 


HEAVE-OFFEEING 


404 


HEDGEHOG 


liere  God  affords  more  sensible  manifes- 
tations of  his  glory  ;  the  final  abode  of  the 
blessed ;  applied  also  to  the  abodes  of  the 
celestial  deities  of  heathen  mythologies. 

Heave-offeringr,  hev'of-fer-ini?.  In  the 
Jewish  ceremonial  law,  an  ottering  con- 
sisting of  the  tenth  of  the  tithes  which  the 
Levites  received,  or  of  the  first  of  the 
dough,  «fec.,  which  was  to  be  heaved  or 
elevated. 

Hebdomadal,  heb-dom'a-dal.  "Weekly, 
consisting  of  seven  days,  or  occurring 
every  seven  days. 

Hebdomadary.  In  E.  C.  Cb.  a  mem- 
ber of  a  chapter  or  convent  whose  week  it 
is  to  ofliciate  in  the  choir,  rehearse  the 
anthems  and  prayers,  and  perform  other 
services  which  on  extraordinary  occa- 
sions are  performed  by  the  superiors. 

Hebe,  he'be.  In  Class.  Antiq. 
tlie  goddess  of  youth  and 
the  cup  bearer  of  Olympus,  a 
daughter  of  Zeus  and  Hera, 
who  gave  her  as  a  wife  to 
Heracles  after  his  deification, 
in  reward  of  his  achieve- 
ments. She  had  the  power 
of  restoring  the  aged  to  the 
bloom  of  3'outh  and  beauty, 
and  is  only  to  be  recognized 
by  the  cup  in  which  she  pre- 
sented the  nectar.  One  of 
the  small  asteroids  between 
the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupi- 
ter. 

Hebe-vase,  -vas.  In  the  fine  arts,  a 
small  vase,  so  named  because  borne  by 
Hebe,  who  is  represented  as  filling  the  cups 
of  the  gods  from  such  a  vessel. 

Hebraist,  'bra-ist.  One  versed  in  the 
Hebrew  language  and  learning. 

Hebrew,  'bru.  One  of  the  descendants 
of  Jacob;  an  Israelite;  a  Jew.  The  lan- 
guage spoken  by  the  Hebrews,  one  of  the 
Semitic  family.  Eabbinical  or  modern  H., 
the  language  used  by  the  Eabbins  in  their 
writings.  Its  basis  is  Hebrew  and 
Ohaldaic,  but  they  borrow  from  the  Ara- 
bic, Greek,  Latin,  and  modern  tongues. 

Hebrides,  New.  A  group  of  S.  Pacific 
islands;  area 4,'200  sq .  m.  ;  pop.   134,000. 

Hecla.  An  Iceland  volcano,  5,110  ft. 
above  sea  level.  Its  summit  is  clothed  per- 
petually in  snow.  Destructive  eruptions 
occurred  in  1783  and  1845-46. 

Hecate,  hek'a-te.  In  Greek  Myth,  (and 
afterward  in  Latin),  a  goddess  of  a  three- 
fold character,  identified  sometimes  with 
Selene  or  Luna,  sometimes  with  Artemis 
or  Diana,  sometimes  with  Proserpine  ;  in 


Hebe. 


latter  times  especially  regarded  as  a  god- 
dess of  the  infernal  regions. 

Hecatomb,  he'ka-tom.  In  Class.  Antiq. 
a  sacrifice  of  a  hundred  oxen  or  beasts  of  the 
same  kind.    Any  great  sacrifice  of  victims. 

Hecatompedon,  -ka-tom'pe-don.  A 
temple  100  feet  in  length ;  particularly 
applied  to  the  temple  of  Minerva  or  Par- 
thenon at  Athens. 

Hecatonstylon,  -ton-stil-on.  In  An- 
cient Arch,  a  building  having  a  hundred 
columns. 

Heckle,  hek'l.  A  toothed  apparatus 
employed  in  the  preparation  of  animal 
and  vegetable  fibers  for  spinning. 

Hectare,  'tar.  A  French  measure  con- 
taining 100  ares,  or  10,000  square  meters 
=2.471143  statute  acres ;  a  square  hec- 
tometer. 

Heetocotylus,  -to-kot'il-us.  In  Biology 
the  metamorphosed  reproductive  arm  of 
certain  of  the  male  cuttle-fishes,  as  the 
argonaut,  which  becomes  detached  and  is 
deposited  within  the  mantle  cavity  of  the 
/emaleforthe  purpose  of  conveying  the 
sperm-cells  to  hor. 

Hectogrrara,  'to-gram.  A  French  weight 
containing  100  grams,  or  3  ounces  8.4383 
drams  avoirdupois. 

Hectoliter,  -tol'i-ter.  A  French  measure 
for  liquids,  containing  100  liters  ;  equal  to 
1-lOth  of  a  cubic  meter,  or  22.009068  im- 
perial gallons.  As  a  dry  measure  it  is 
called  a  setier,  and  contained  10  decahters. 

Hectometer,  -tom'e-ter.  A  French  meas- 
ure containing  100  meters  or  109,3633 
yards. 

Hector.  One  of  the  heroes  of  the  Trojan 
war,  son  of  Priam  and  Hecuba.  He  was 
slain  by  Achilles,  who  treated  his  dead 
body  with  indignity. 

Hectostere,  -to-ster.  A  French  measure 
of  sohdity,  containing  100  cubic  meters, 
3,531.66  EngUsh  cubic  feet. 

Hecuba.  Second  wife  of  Priam,  King  of 
Troy,  and  mother  of  Hector,  Paris  and 
Cassandra,  with  other  children.  She 
drowned  herself  after  the  fall  of  Troy. 

Hedg-ebogr,  ^^^-  .i^,.-     " 


hej'hog.  A 
gen.  insectiv- 
orous quad- 
rni)eds,  the 
type  of  the 
fam.  Erina- 
ceidiB.  When 
attacked,  it 
erects  its 
prickles  and 
rolls  Itself  into  a  round  form,  which  pre* 


HEDGE-SCHOOL 


405 


HELIOGRAPH 


sents  the  points  of  the  prickles  on  all  sides 
to  an  assailant. 

Hedg-e-scliool,  'skol.  A  school  formerly 
kept  beside  a  hedge,  or  in  the  open  air,  in 
Ireland  ;  a  poor,  mean  school. 

Hedg-ing-g-love,  'ing-gluv.  A  strong 
leather  glove  worn  to  protect  the  hand  in 
trimming  hedges. 

Hedonism,  he'don-izm.  Tke  doctrine 
that  the  chief  good  of  man  lies  in  the  pur- 
suit of  pleasure,  maintained  by  Aristippus 
and  the  Cyrenaic  school. 

Heel-tool,  hel'tol.  A  tool  with  an  acute 
cutting  edge  and  an  angular  base  or  heel, 
used  by  metal-turners  for  roughing  out  a 
piece  of  iron. 

Heeren,  Arnold  Hermann  Lud- 
wig-.  An  eminent  German  historian  ;  b. 
1700,  D.  1842. 

Hegrel,  Greorg-  Wilhelm  Friedrich. 
A  prominent  German  metaphysician  ;  u. 
17T0,  D.  1831. 

Heg-ira,  hej'i-ra.  The  flight  of  Moham- 
med from  Mecca,  September  13,  022  a.  d., 
afterward  adopted  as  the  name  of  the 
era  from  which  the  Mohammedans  reckon 
their  time,  beginning  July  16,  622. 

Heidelberg.  A  city  in  the  Grand 
Duchy  of  Baden,  Germany,  renowned  for 
Its  University,  founded  1386,  by  Kupert 
II.,  Elector-Palatine  of  the  Ehine ;  pop. 
24,620. 

Heig'h.,  hi.  An  exclamation  used  in  en- 
couraging. 

Heig'n-no,  'ho.  An  exclamation  usually 
expressing  some  degree  of  languor  or  un- 
easiness. 

Heine,  Heinrich.  An  eminent  German 
poet ;  15.  ISOO,  u.  at  Paris,  1856. 

Heirloom,  ar'lum.  A  personal  chattel 
that  descends  to  an  heir  with  the  inherit- 
ance, being  such  a  thing  as  cannot  be  sep- 
arated from  the  estate  without  injury  to 
it.  Any  piece  of  personal  property  which 
has  belonged  to  a  family  for  a  long  time. 

Helamys,  he'la-mis.  The  jumping-hare 
or  jnm  ping-rat,  a  gen.  of  rodents  allied  to 
the  jerboas. 

Helarctos,  -lark'tos.  A  sub-gen.  of  the 
gen  Ursus,  comprising  bears  found  in 
India  and  the  eastern  islands.  All  the 
sun-boars  are  slenderly  made,  and  their 
fur  is  not  so  heavy  and  thick  as  that  of 
other  bears. 

Helder,  The.  A  seaport  of  the  Nether- 
huids,  commanding  the  entrance  to  the 
Zuyder-Zee,  opp.  the  Texel,  40.  m.  N.W. 
of  Amsterdam  ;  pop,  20,876. 

Helen.  The  supposed  daughter  of  Jupi- 
ter, by  Tyridai-us  or  Leda,  and  the  most 


beautiful  woman  of  the  age,  was  the  cause 
of  the  Trojan  war.  Accepting  Menolaus 
for  her  husband,  she  was  soon  after  ab- 
ducted by  Paris,  son  of  Priam,  King  of 
Troy.  Her  former  suitors,  Ajax,  Ulysses 
and  others,  joined  Menelaus  in  the  war  of 
revenge.  After  the  death  of  Paris  she  is 
said  to  have  married  Deiphobus,and  finally 
to  have  been  reunited  to  Menelaus.  The 
accounts  of  her  death  are  conflicting. 

Helena.  The  name  of  several  Catholic 
saints,  the  most  noted  of  these  being  the 
Empress  H.,  wife  of  Constantius  Chlorus 
and  mother  of  Constantino  the  Great.  She 
visited  Palestine  when  SO  years  of  age,  and 
assisted  in  discovering  the  true  Cross  ;  b. 
247,  D.  328. 

Helena,  St.  An  isolated  island  in  the  S. 
Atlantic,  belonging  to  Great  Britain,  and 
noted  as  the  scene  of  Napoleon's  exile 
and  death,  1815-21  ;  pop.  abt.  7,000. 
Jamestown  is  the  only  place  of  importance 
on  the  island. 

Heliac,  'li-ak.  In  Astron.  emerging 
from  the  light  of  the  sun  or  passing  into 
it.  The  heliacal  rising  of  a  star  is  when, 
after  being  in  conjunction  with  the  sun  and 
invisible,  it  emerges  so  as  to  be  visible  in 
the  morning  before  sunrising.  The  helia- 
cal setting  of  a  star  is  when  the  sun  ap- 
proaches so  near  as  to  render  it  invisible. 

Heliades.  In  Myth,  the  daugnters  of 
the  Sun,  and  sisters  of  Phaeton,  who  were 
turned  into  poplar  trees  as  they  wept  over 
their  brother's  sad  fate. 

Helicon,  -kon.  A  mountain  in  Boeotia, 
in  Greece,  from  which  flowed  two  foun- 
tains sacred  to  the  Muses,  Aganippe  and 
Hippocrene.  The  Greeks  supposed  it  to 
be  the  residence  of  Apollo  and  the  Muses. 
Mt.  Paleovuvi,  5,000  ft.  above  the  sea  level. 

Helictis,  he-lik'tis.  A  gen.  of  Asiatic 
carnivorous  quadrupeds,  allied  to  the 
skunks. 

Helier's,  St.  Cap.  of  Jersey,  one  of  the 
English  channel  islands  :  pop.  33,720  :  it  is 
fortified. 

Heligroland.  A  small,  barren  island 
in  the  N.  Sea,  commanding  the  entrance 
of  the  German  rivers  Elbe  and  AYesei-, 
owned  and  garrisoned  by  Gt.  Britain, 
since  1807,  before  which  time  it  belonged 
to  Denmark. 

Heliocentric,  hG'li-o-sen"trik.  Appear- 
ing as  if  seen  from  the  sun's  center. 

Heliochromy,  -li-ok'ro-mi.  The  art  of 
producing  colored  photograi>hs. 

Heliog-raph,  'li-o-graf.  An  instrument 
for  taking  photographs  of  the  sun.  A  pic- 
ture taken  by  heliography  ;  a  photograph. 


HELTOLATRT 


406 


HELODUS 


Heliolatry,  -li-ora-tri.    Tho  worship  of 

the  sun. 
Heliolites,  'U-o-li"tez.     A  gen.  of  corals, 
lam.   Milleporidaa.     They  occur  in  the  Si- 
lurian aud  Devonian  systems. 
Heliometer,   -li-om'et-er.      An  instru- 
ment for  measuring-  tho  diameters  of  the 
sun,  moon  and  planets,  or  any  distance 
hctween  celestial  objects. 
Heliopolis.     A  once  famous  Egyptian 
city,  now  in  ruins,  C>  m.   N.   E.  of  Cairo ; 
the  original  seat  of  the  ancient  sun-wor- 
ship. 
Helioscope,  'li-o-skop.    A  sort  of  tele- 
scope fitted  for  viewing  tho  sun  without 
pain  or  injury  to  the  eyes,  made  with  col- 
ored glasses,  or   glasses  blackened    -with 
smoke,  or  with  mirrors  formed  simply  of 
surfaces  of  trans[)arent  glass,  which  reject 
but  a  small  portion  of  light. 
Heliostat,  -os-tat.    A  name  given  to  va- 
rious contrivances  for  reflecting  tho  sun's 
light  either  temporarily  or  continuously 
to  an  observer  at  a  distance.  The  simplest 
ieliostat  is  a  mirror  hung  up  at  a  distant 
station   so  as  to  reflect  a  flash  to  the  ob- 
server whose  station  may  be  many  miles 
from  it. 
ECeliotype,'li-o-tTp.  A  photographic  pro- 
cess by  which  pictures  can  bo  printed  in 
the  same  manner  as  lithographs. 
Helium,  -um.     A  name  proposed  for  a 
new    hypothetical  elementary  substance 
supposed   to  have    been     discovered   by 
spectrum  analysis  in  the  form  of  glowing 
gas  in  the  atmosphere    smroundiug  the 
sun. 
Helix,  'liks.    A  spiral  line,  as  of  wire  in 
a  coil.     In  Arch,  a  small  volute  or  t\vist 
under  the  abacus 
of  the  Corinthian 
capital,    of  which 
in    every    perfect 
capital     there    are 
sixteen,     two     at 
each     angle,    and 
two      meeting 
Tinder  the  middie 
.  of  each  face  of  the 
'  abacus.      A    gen. 
of  gasteropodous   mollusks,   typo  of  the 
fam.  Helicida?,  ord.  Pulmonata,  and   com 
I)rising  the  land  shell-snails. 
Hell,  hel.    The  place  of  the  dead,  or  of 
Eouls  after  death ;  the  lower  regions  or  the 
grave  ;  called  in  Hebrew  sheol,  and  by  the 
Greeks  hades.     The  place  or  state  of  pun- 
ishment for  the  wcked  after  death. 

Helladotherium,  'la-dc-thG"ri-um.   A 
fossil  gen,  of  mammals  gome  what  restm- 


llelices. 


bling  tho  giraffe.     It  occurs  in  the  pliocene 
of  France  and  Greece. 
Hellas.      The  ancient  name  of  Greece 
proper,  now  Livadia. 
Hell-bender,  'bend-er.    A  name  given 
to  the  large  N.  American  salamander. 
Hellenes,  -le'nez.      Tho  inhabitants  ol 
Greece ;  tho  Greeks. 
Hellenist,  'len-ist.     One  who  affiliates 
with  Greeks  or  who  adopts  their  language, 
manners  and  customs  ;  especially,  a  J  ew, 
who  used  the  Greek  language  in  the  early 
ages  of  Christianity. 
Hellespont,  'les-pont.    A  narrow  strait 
between  Europe  and  Asia,  now  called  tho 
Dardanelles. 

Hell-Gate.  A  narrow  rocky  channel  in 
the  East  River,  oi)posite  the  upper  end  of 
N.  Y.  City,  in  which  the  eddies  were  very 
powerful.  The  navigation  has  been  ma- 
terially improved  through  the  removal  of 
most  of  the  rocks  by  submarine  blasting. 
Helm,  helm.  The  instrument  by  which 
a  ship  is  steered,  consisting  of  a  rudder,  a 
tiller,  and  in  large  vessels,  a  wheel. 

Helm- 
et,Iielm'- 
et.  A 
defensive 
coveri  n  g 
for  the' 
head. 
The  ear- 
lier Greek 
and     Eo- 

nian  helmets  did  not  protect  the  face.  Dur- 
ing the  Middle  Ages  helmets  were  mado 
of  steel,  frequently  inlaid  with  gold,  and 
provided  with  bars  and  flaps  to  cover  tho 
face  in  battle,  and  to  allow  of  being  opened 
at  other  times. 

Helmet-shell,  shel.  The  common 
Jiame  of  shells  gen.  Chassis,  pcctinibran- 
chiate  gasteroi)ods,  fam.  Buccinida\ 

Helmholtz,  Hermann  Ludwigr 
Ferdinand.  One  of  Germany's  most 
eminent  scientists  ,  «.  1S21,  d.  1SS3.  II* 
invented  the  ophthalmoscope. 

Helminthic,  hel  miu'thik.  A  medicine 
for  cxpeihng  worms. 

Helmintholite,  'thol-It.  A  fossil  worm, 
with  or  without  a  shell. 

Helmund.  An  Afghanistan  river,  empty- 
ing into  Lake  liamoon  ;  SOO  m.  in  length. 

Helocera,  he-los'era.  A  tribe  of  pen- 
tamerous  beetles,  including  mimic  beetles, 
pill -beetles,  &c. 

Helodus,  'lo-dus.  A  fossil  gen.  of  shark 
toeth. 


Open  Helm- 
et. 


HELOPID^ 


407 


HENEY 


Helopidae,  -lop'i-dc.  A  fam.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  sec.  lleteromera. 

Helot,  'lot.     A  slave  in  ancient  Sparta. 

Helps,  Arthur.  An  eminent  Britisli 
histoiian  and  essayist ;  b.  1S13,  d.  18TS. 

Helsingrfors.  Cap.  of  grand  duchy  of 
Finland,  Europ?an  Russia,  on  the  gulf  of 
same  name ;  strongly  fortified,  pop.  84,- 

soo. 
Helve-hammer,     hclv'ham-mer.      A 

large  heavy  blacksmith's  hammer,  tilted 

by  the  helve  and  oscillating  on  bearings. 
Helvetic,  hel-vet'ik.   Of  or  pertaining  to 

the  llelvetii,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Alps, 

now  Switzerland. 

Helvetic.      A  follower  of  Zmnglius  in 

opposition  to  Luther. 
Hemachate,  ho'ma-kat.    A  species  of 

agate,    interspersed  with    spots    of  red 

jasper. 
Hemadromometer,    -dro-mom"et-er. 

An  instrument  for  measuring  the  rate  at 

which  the  blood  moves  in  the  arteries. 
HemadyxLamom.eter,      -dl-na-mom"- 

et-er.     A  contrivance  for   ascertaining  the 

Iiressure  of  the  blood  in  the  arteries  or 

veins. 
Hem.astatic,   -stat'ik.     A  remedy   for 

stanching  the  flow  of  blood. 
Hematherm.,  -therm.      A  name   given 

by  some  some  zoologists  to  a  warm-blood- 
ed animal. 
Hem.atiu,  -tin.   The  red  coloring  matter 

of  the  blood  occurring  in  solution  in  the  in- 

tei'ior  of  the  blood  corpuscles  or  cells. 
Hematite,  -tit.    A  name  applied  to  two 

ores  of  iron,  red    hematite  and    brown 

hematite. 
Hemerohaptist,  'me-ro-bap"tist.  One 

of  a  sect  among  the  Jews  who  bathed 

every  day. 
Hemi,  hem'i.    A  prefix  signifying  half, 

used  in  many  compound   words   derived 

from  the  Greek. 
Hemicarp.  -karp.     One  of  the  halves  of 

a  fruit  whicli  spontaneously  divides  into 

two,  as  a  pea. 
Hemicrania,  -mi-kra'ni-a.     A  pain  that 

affects  only  one  side  of  the  head. 
Hemidactylus,  -dak'til-us.    A  gen.  of 

lizards  of  the  gecko  or  flat-toed  family. 
Hemigale,  hc-mig'a-le.    A  pretty  Bor- 

nean    carnivorous  mammal  of  the  civet 
.  family. 
Hem.iiia,    -ml'na.    An  ancient  Eoman 

measure  containing  half  a  sextarius,  about 

i  pint  English  wine  measure.     In  Med.  a 
^measure  o<iual  to  about  10  fluid  ounces. 


Hemipodius,  -po'di-us.  A  gen.  ol 
rasorial  birds  allied  to  the  quails. 

Hemlptera,  -mip'ter-a.  An  order  of 
four-winged  insects,  including  plant-lice, 
boat-fly,  cochineal  insect,  locust,  bug, 
lantern-fly,  &c. 

Hemisphere,  hem'i-sfcr.  A  half  sphere, 
half  the  terrestrial  globe  ;  half  the  surface 
of  the  heavens. 

HemLorrhagre,  'or-aj.  A  discharge  of 
blood  from  the  blood-vessels. 

Hemorrhoids,  -oidz.  Painful  tumors 
or  tubercles,  consisting  of  enlargements 
of  the  mucous  membrane,  formed  in  the 
rectum  or  around  the  anus ;  piles.  In 
Scrip.,  emerods. 

Hemp-palm,  hemp'pSm.  A  Chinese 
and  Jai)anese  species  of  palm  of  the  fibers 
of  whose  leaves  cordige  is  made,  while 
hats  and  cloaks  are  made  from  the  leaves. 

Hemtise,  ho'muz.  The  roe  in  its  third 
year. 

Hen,  hen.  The  female  of  any  kind  of 
bird  ;  especially,  the  female  of  the  domes- 
tic or  barn-yai-d  fowl. 

Henchman,  hensh'man.  A  servant ,  a 
male  attendant ;  a  follower. 
Hendecagron,  hen-de'ka-gon.  A  plane 
figure  of  eleven  sides  and  as  many  angles. 
Henry.  The  Christian  name  of  man}' 
European  sovereigns,  of  whom  are  :  H.  I. 
of  England  (Beauclerc,  "Fine  Scholar"), 
4th  son  of  WiUiam  the  Conqueror,  u.  IOCS, 
D.  1135.  He  usurped  the  tlu-ono  in  th( 
absence  of  his  elder  brother  Robert,  whom 
he  imprisoned  during  life ;  he  was  a  wise 
and  moderate  ruler.  H.  II.,  grandson  of 
the  preceding  and  first  of  the  Plantaganet 
lino;  B.  1122;  s.  Stephen,  1154;  d.  1189. 
H.  III.,  B.  1206;  crowned,  1216;  d.  1272. 
He  was  a  weak  tj-rant,  and  his  violations 
of  Magna  Charts  caused  a  popular  revolt, 
in  which  he  was  defeated  and  made  pris- 
oner by  the  barons,  1264,  but  was  restored 
to  his  throne  the  next  j-ear.  H.  IV. 
(Bolinbroke),  son  of  John' of  Gaunt,  bo- 
came  Duke  of  Lancaster  on  the  death  of 
his  father,  but  Richard  II.  refused  to  con 
firm  his  title  to  the  estate.  This  led  to  a 
rebellion,  the  overthrow  of  Richard  and 
the  crowning  of  II.  The  repulse  of  the 
Scotch  invasion  and  the  overthrow  of 
Hotspur  and  Glendower  Avere  the  princi- 
pal public  events  of  his  reign.  H.  V.,  son 
of  the  above,  b.  13SS,  s.  his  father,  1413  ; 
B.  1422.  He  was  dissipated  in  youth,  but 
reformed  on  ascending  the  throne,  and  his 
reign  was  Aviso  and  glorious.  He  invaded 
France  as  a  claimant  to  the  throne,  1415, 
and  won  the  great  victory  at  Agincourt, 


HENRY 


403 


HERACLEONITE 


making  peace  through  marriage  with 
Catherine,  daughter  of  Charles  VI.  H. 
VI.,  son  and  s.  of  H.  V.,  b.  1421 ;  crowned, 
1422 ;  D.  in  prison,  1471.  During  his  reign 
the  sanguinary  civil  war,  known  as  the 
"  War  of  the  Koses,"  devastated  England. 
The  king  was  the  head  of  the  JL,ancaster 
faction,  but  the  York  faction  was  success- 
ful, capturing  and  imprisoning  the  king, 
who  died  while  in  their  hands.  II.  VII. 
(Earl  of  Richmond),  first  of  the  Tudor 
line  ;  b.  1456  ;  crowned,  1485,  after  defeat- 
ing Richard  III.  at  Bosworth ;  d.  1509.  By 
his  marriage  with  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Edwai-d  IV.,  the  houses  of  Lancaster  and 
York  were  united  in  a  permanent  bond. 
H.  VIII.  (Bluff  King  Hal),  son  and  s.  of 
H.  VII.  ;  b.  1491 ;  crowned,  1509 ;  d. 
1547.  He  married  six  wives,  two  of  whom 
Buffered  death  on  charges  of  infidelity  and 
treason  ;  he  also  repudiated  the  control  of 
the  Pope  in  spiritual  affairs,  suppressed 
the  monasteries  and  carried  on  war  against 
France  and  Scotland.  H.  II.  of  France, 
B.  1519 ;  s.  his  brother  Francis  II.,  1547  ; 
».  1559.  He  waged  a  successful  war  with 
Charles  V.  and  his  son  Philip  II.,  captur- 
ing Metz,  Toul  and  Verdun,  and  also  drove 
the  English  out  of  Calais,  which  port  had 
been  held  by  them  for  200  years.  He  re- 
ceived a  mortal  wound  in  a  tourney.  H. 
III.,  son  of  the  preceding,  b.  154G  ;  s.  his 
brother  Charles  IX.,  1574,  having  been 
elected  King  of  Poland,  1573.  He  was 
weak  and  profligate ;  was  excommuni- 
cated by  the  Pope  for  the  murder  of  the 
Duke  of  Guise,  and  was  assassinated  by 
eJaques  Clement,  a  fanatical  monk,  1589. 
H.  IV.  (Henri  le  Grand),  first  of  the  Bour- 
bon lino;  B.1553;  s.  to  the  throne  of 
Navarre  in  right  of  his  mother,  Jeanne  d' Al- 
bert, 1581,  and,  on  the  death  of  Coligny, 
became  head  of  the  Huguenot  or  Protes- 
tant party,  defeating  the  Catholics  in  the 
decisive  tattle  of  Ivry,  1590,  and  obtaining 
complete  possession  of  the  kingdom,  1594. 
He  issued  the  P:dict  of  Nantes,  1598,  and 
established  full  religious  toleration.  As- 
sassinated, 1610,  by  Ravaillac,  a  religious 
zealot.  Germany  has  had  seven  monarchs 
bearing  th  name.  H.  Ill  son  of  Conrad 
II. ;  B.  1017 ;  elected  emperor,  1089  ;  n. 
1056.  He  deposed  three  popes,  raised 
Clement  to  the  p.apal  throne  and  carried 
on  successful  wars  in  Bohemia,  Hungary 
and  Italy.  11.  IV.,  son  and  s.  of  the 
abo-vc;  B.  1050;  elected  emperor  during 
his  father's  life ;  d.  1106.  He  deposed 
Pope  Gregory  VII.,  who  in  tvu-n  excom- 
nmnicated  him  and  incited  a  successful 
revolt  against  him,  in  which  his  son  partici- 

Sated,  and  he  was  deposed  by  the  States- 
en  cral.     H.  lY.,  son  of  the  former,  b. 


1081,  was  acknowledged  as  emperor  before 
his  father's  death,  at  the  suggestion  of 
Pope  Pascal  1 1.  He  renounced  the  ancient 
right  of  selecting  bishops  and  maintained 
peaceful  relations  with  the  pope.  He  died 
1138,  and  was  the  last  of  the  male  line  of 
the  Frank  monarchs.  II.  VII.,  son  of  II., 
Count  of  Luxemburg ;  b.  1262 ;  chosen 
emperor,  1308.  He  invaded  Italy,  then 
torn  by  the  striie  between  the  Guelphs 
and  Ghibellines,  and,  after  taking  several 
cities  by  storm,  he  died  suddenly,  it  is 
supposed  from  poison,  1813,  when  about 
to  attack  Naples. 

Henry,  Patrick.  A  distinguished  Amer- 
ican statesman  and  orator;  b.  in  Va., 
1736  ;  I).  1799. 

Henry-rifle,  'ri-ri-fl.  A  rifle  called  after 
the  inventoi-,  Mr.  Henry,  an  Edinbm-gh 
gun-maker. 

Hepatic,  he-pat'ik.  A  disorder  of  the 
liver.  A  medicine  supposed  to  acton  tho 
liver. 

Hepheestos,  -fes'tos.  In  Myth,  the 
Greek  equivalent  ofthe  Latin  Vulcan. 

Heptade,  'tad.  The  sum  or  number  of 
seven. 

Heptagrlot,  'ta-glot.  A  book  in  seven 
languages. 

Heptagon,  -gon.  In  Geom.  a  plane  fig- 
ure consisting  of  seven  sides  and  as  many 
angles.  In  Fort,  a  place  that  has  seven 
bastions  for  defense. 

Heptag-yn,  -jin.  lu  Bot.  a  plant  which 
has  seven  styles. 

Heptahedron,  -ta-hC'dron.  A  solid  fig- 
ure with  seven  sides. 

Heptandria,  -tan'dri-a.  The  7th  class 
iu  the  Linniean  system  of  plants. 

Heptarchy,  'tark-i.  A  government  by 
seven  persons,  or  the  country  governed 
by  seven  persons,  usually  applied  to  the 
seven  Anglo-Saxon  kingdoms,  Kent,  tho 
South  Saxons  (Sussex),  West  Saxons 
(Wessex),  East  Saxons  (Essex),  the  East 
Angles,  Mercia  and  Northumberland.  In 
point  of  fact  there  was  no  period  of  history 
when  these  seven  kingdoms  existed  to- 
gether. 

Heptateuch,  'ta-tiik.  The  first  seven 
books  of  the  Old  Testament. 

Hera,  hC'ra.  In  Greek  Myth,  the  supreme 
goddess  of  heaven,  the  Avife  and  sister  of 
Zeus,  the  Juno  of  the  Romans. 

Heracleonite,  he-rak'lG-ou-It.  One  of 
an  early  sect  of  heretic^,  followers  of  Ile- 

racleon,  who  denied  that  the  world  was 

created  by  tho  Son  of  God,  and  also  re- 
jected the  Old  Testament. 


HEEACLIDJS 


409 


HERMIT-CRAB 


Hera<;lid8e.  In  Anc.  Hist,  the  descond- 
auta  of  Hercules,  who  were  expelled  from 
the  Peloponnesus,  1'209  u.  c,  and  settled 
in  Attria.  A  century  later  they  returned, 
and  this  (calle<l  the  Dorian  migi-ation) 
forms  i:i  Grecian  chronology  the  connect- 
ing link  between  fabulous  and  authentic 
history. 

Herat.  An  important  city  of  Afghanistan, 
the  conver^ng  point  of  ail  roads  leading 
Into  India  from  the  N.  "W.;  pop.  abt. 
60,000. 

Herb,  erb.  A  plant  or  vegetable  with  a 
soft  or  succulent  stalk  or  stem,  which  dies 
to  the  root  every  year,  and  is  thus  distin 
guishcd  from  a  tree  and  a  shrub,  which 
liave  ligneous  or  hard  woody  stems. 

Herbal,  'al.  A  book  containing  names 
and  descriptions  of  plants,  or  the  classes, 
genera,  species  and  qualities  of  vegetables. 
A  collection  of  plants  dried  and  preserved ; 
a  hortus  siccus ;  a  herbarium. 

Herbalist,  -ist.  A  person  skilled  in 
plants ;  one  who  makes  collections  of 
plants  ;  a  dealer  in  medicinal  plants. 

Herbicarnivorous,  -i-kiir-niv'o-rus. 
An  animal  which  subsists  on  both  vege- 
table and  animal  food. 

Herbivora,  -iv'6-ra.  Animals  which 
subsist  on  herbs  or  vegetables. 

Herculaneum.  An  important  city  of 
Italy,  in  the  Campagna,  8  m.  S.  E.  of  Na- 
ples, buried  by  an  eruption  of  Vesuvius, 
A.  D.  79.    It  has  been  largely  exhumed. 

Hercu  1  e  s , 


ex  t  r  a  o  r  d  i-  Hercules  Slaying  the  Hydra 
nary      feats, 

which  are  generally  called  the  labors  of 
Hercules ;  he  is  represented  as  brawny 
and  muscular,  with  broad  shoulders,  gen- 
erally naked,  with  a  ion's  skin  and  a  club. 
The  illustration  represents  the  second  la- 
bor of  Hei-cules,  the  slaying  of  the  Ler- 
nasan  hydra.  A  constellation  In  the  north- 
ern hemisphere,  containing  over  100  stars, 
Hercules-beetle,  -be-tl.  A  very  large 
Brazilian  lamellicoi-n  beetle. 


Herder,   Johann  Gottfried    von. 

An  eminent  German  theologian  an^ 
writer ;  b,  1744,  d.  1S03. 
Heredity,  he-red'1-ti.  The  doctrine  that 
the  ofl'spriug  inherits  characteristics  of  th« 
parents. 
Heresiarcb,  he-re'si-ark.  A  leader 
ia  heresy  ;  a  prominent  or  arch  heretic. 
Heretic,  're-tik.  A  person  who  holds 
and  avo\V3  religious  opinions  contrary  to 
the  doctrines  of  the  bcripture.  In  the  11. 
0.  Ch.  one  who  does  not  submit  to  tht 
teachings  of  the  church  ;  a  Protestant. 
Heretogr,  're-tog.  In  Anglo-Saxon  times, 
the  leader  or  commander  of  an  army,  pc 
of  the  militia  in  a  district. 
Hermaphrodite,  her-maf'ro-dlt.  An  an- 
imal in  which  the  characteristics  of  both 
sexes  are  either  really  or  apparently  com- 
bined; an  animal  having  the  parts  of  gene- 
ration both  of  male  and  female,  so  that  re- 
production can  take  place  without  the 
union  of  two  individuals.  Confined  to  cer- 
tain groups  of  inferior  worms,  mollusks, 
barnacles,  &c.;  also  applied  to  plants. 
There  are  no  real  hermaphrodites  in  the 
human  family. 

Hermes,  'mCz.  In  Myth,  the 
name  given  to  Mercury  by 
the  Greeks.  In  Greek  Antiq.  a 
statue  composed  of  a  head,  usu- 
.ally  that  of  the  god  Hermes, 
placed  on  a  quadrangular  pillar.  ' 
The  Athenian  houses  had  one 
of  these  at  the  door,  and  some- 
times in  the  peristyle.  The 
hermae  were  held  in  great  rever- 
ence. They  were  likewise 
placed  in  front  of  temples,  near 
tombs,  in  pubhc  places,  on  high- 
roads as  sign-posts  ^vith  dis- 
tances Inscribed  upon  them, 
and  on  the  boundaries  of  lauds] 
and  states,  and  at  the  gates  of 
cities.  Hermes  or 

Hermesianism,  -mc'zi-an-  Mercury 
izm.  A  rationahzing  theory  held  by  some 
German  Catholics,  derived  from  George 
Hermes,  professor  at  Bonn. 
Hermit,  'mit.  A  i)erson  who  retires 
from  society  and  lives  in  solitude  ;  a  i-e- 
cluse  ;  an  anchoret. 

Hermitage,  -aj.  The  habitation  of  a 
hermit ;  a  secluded  habitation.  A  French 
wine  produced  along  the  Lower  Rhone. 
Hermit-crab,  -krab.  A  name  common 
to  a  fam.  of  well-known  decapod  crusta- 
ceans, which  occupy  the  cast-off  univalvo 
shells  of  various  mollusks,  changing  their 
habitation  for  a  larger  one  as  they  increase 
in  size. 


HERMOGENEAN 


410 


HESPERIDE3 


Hennog'eiieaii,  -mo-je-no'an.  One  of  a 
sect  of  heretics,  followers  of  Ilermogenes, 
who  held  matter  to  bo  the  source  of  all 
evil,  and  that  souls  aro  formed  of  corrupt 
matter. 

Hero,  ho'ro.  In  Myth,  a  kind  of  demi- 
god sprung  from  the  union  of  a  divine 
with  a  human  being,  mortal,  but  partak- 
ing of  immortality,  and  after  death  placed 
among  tho  gods.  The  central  figure  in 
any  remarkable  event.  Tho  principal 
male  character  in  a  novel  or  play. 

Herod  (the  Q-reat).  Eoman  King  of 
fJudea;  b.  at  Ascalon  T2  b.  o.,  appointed 
Governor  of  Galileo  4T,  and  King  of  Judea 
40.  During  his  reign  Christ  was  born, 
and  the  cruel  King  ordered  the  "  murder 
of  the  innocents  ;"  p.  3  a.  d.  II.  Antipas, 
son  of  the  preceding,  on  tho  death  of  his 
father  bccam:  tetrarch  of  Galilee,  and 
imprisoned  and  murdered  John  tho  Bap- 
tist ;  ho  treated  tho  Saviour  with  contume- 
ly when  lie  was  brought  before  him,  and 
surrendered  liim  to  the  Jews.  Dci)Osed 
and  exiled  by  Emperor  Caligula,  39  a.  ». 

Herodian,  he-rdd'i-an.  One  of  a  party 
among  the  Jews,  taking  their  name  from 
Herod,  and  represented  by  Matthew  and 
Mark  as  acting  in  concert  with  tho  Phar- 
isees in  endeavoring  to  obtain  from  Jesus 
Christ  the  materials  for  his  accusation. 

Herodotus.  The  first  authentic  histo- 
rian of  Greece,  known  as  ' '  The  Father  of 
History."     lie  lived  in  5th  century  b.  c. 

Heroine,  'ro-in.  A  female  hero ;  a 
woman  of  brave  spirit.  The  principal  fe- 
male character  in  a  poem,  play,  novel,  ro- 
mance, story,  or  tho  like. 

Heron,  her-un.  A  gralla- 
torial  bird,  gen.  Ardea, 
constituting  with  the 
storks  and  bitterns  the 
family  Ardcidas 

Heron  (Hieron  or 
Hero).  An  ancient 
mathematician  of  Alex- 
andria, Egypt ;  he  lived 
in  the  first  century  a.  n., 
and  is  said  to  have  dis- 
'  covered  the  motive  Heron. 
power  of  steam,  and  to  have  invented 
"  Hero's  fountain." 

Herpetologry,  -pe-tol'o-ji.  A  descrip- 
tion of  reptiles,  including  oviparous  quad- 
rupeds, as  tho  crocodile,  frog,  tortoise 
and  serpents. 

Herr,  her.  The  title  by  which  persons  of 
respectable  position  are  addressed  in  Ger- 
many, and  equivalent  in  most  casea  to  tho 
English  Mr. 


Hero's  Fountain,  hG'roz 
foun'tan.  A  pneumatic  appara- 
tus in  which  the  elastic  force  of  a 
confined  body  of  air,  increased 
by  hydrauHc  pressure  and  react- 
ing upon  the  surface  of  Avater 
in  a  closed  reservoir,  produces 
a  jet  which  rises  abovo  that 
surface  to  a  height  equal  to  the 
effective  height  of  the  pressing 
column. 

Herpe,  her'pe.  The  falcated 
sword  of  Perseus ;  a  harlequin's 
wooden  sword. 

Herpestes,  -pcs'tez.  A  gen.  of  h^.!-©'.. 
Old  World  viverrine  carnivorajyomj^ain 
comprising  tho  ichneumons. 

Herring-,  her'ing.  The  name  given  to 
two  distinct  but  closely  allied  species  of 
malacopterygian  fishes  of  the  gen.  Ciupea 
— C.  harengus  and  C.  Leachii.  The  former 
is  the  common  herring. 

Herrnhuter,  hern'hHt-er.  One  of  a  sect 
established  by  Nicholas  Lewis,  Count  of 
Zinzendorf.  Called  also  Moravians  and 
United  Brethren. 

Herscliel,  Ker'shel.  A  planet  discovered 
by  Sir  William  Herschel,  in  1781,  first 
called  Georgium  Sidus  in  honor  of  King 
George  III.,  afterward  Herschel,  in  honor 
of  the  discoverer,  but  now  Uranus.  It 
has  a  very  i-emote  place  in  our  system, 
and  is  accompanied  by  six  satellites'. 

Herschel,  "William,  Sir.  An  emi- 
nent astronomer ;  B.  in  Hanover  1738,  o. 
1822.  Most  of  his  life  was  spent  in  En- 
gland. John  Frederick  William,  his  son, 
was  also  distinguished  in  tho  same  line ; 
B.  in  England  1790,  d.  1871. 

Heruli.  A  Teutonic  race  anciently  in- 
habiting the  shores  of  tho  Baltic.  They 
invaded  Greece  262  and  destroyed  the  fa- 
mous Ephesian  Temple  of  Diana ;  later 
they  swept  over  Italy,  and  destroyed  the 
Western  Empire  476,  disappearing  from 
history  abt.  550. 

Herzegovina.  A  former  prov.  ofTur- 
key,  but  occupied  by  Austria  since  1878  ; 
bounded  N.  by  Croatia,  E.  by  Bosnia,  S. 
by  Montenegro  and  W.  by  Dalmatia. 

Hesperian,  hes-pe'ri-an.  An  inhabitant 
of  a  western  country. 

Hesperides,  -per'i-dez.  In  Greek  Myth, 
the  daughters  of  Hesperus,  brother  of  At- 
las, three  or  seven  in  number,  possessors 
of  the  fabulous  garden  of  golden  fruit, 
watched  over  by  an  enchanted  dragon  at 
the  western  extremities  of  tho  earth  ;  the 
apples  were  stolen  by  Hercules,  who  b1o\# 
the  dragon. 


HESPERIID^ 


411 


IIEZEKIAH 


HesperiidSB,  -I'l-do.  A  fam.  of  diurnal 
lepidopterous  insects,  of  which  tlio  type  is 
the  gen.  Ilesperia.  They  are  little, large- 
headed  butterflies. 

Hesiod.  One  of  the  celebrated  poets  of 
Greece,  by  some  believed  to  have  been 
contemporary  vrith  Homer,  by  others 
as  succeeding?  him. 

Hesse.  An  ancient  division  of  Germany, 
now  included  in  Ilesse-Nassua ;  cap. 
Cassel ;  pop.  1,46T,530.  H.  Darmstadt,  a 
State  of  the  German  Empire  ;  cap.  Darm- 
stadt ;  pop.  962,700. 

Hessian,  nesh'i-an.  Relating  to  Hesse, 
ill  Germany.  H.  boots,  a  kind  of  long 
boots,  originally  worn  by  Hessian  troops. 

Hessian-bit,  -bit.  A  peculiar  kind  of 
jointed  bit  for  bridles. 

Hessian-jly,  -fii.  A  small  two-winged 
fly,  nearly  black,  the  larva  of  which  is 
A-ery  destructive  to  young  wheat. 

Hestia,  hes'ti-a.  In  Myth,  the  Gi'cek 
equivalent  of  the  Latin  Yesta.  An  aster- 
oid between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupi- 
ter, discovered  by  Pogson,  August  16, 1857. 

Hetarism,  het'a-rism.  The  doctrine  that 
in  primitive  stiites  of  society  all  the  women 
in  a  tribe  are  held  in  common. 

Heterarchy,  het'er-ark-i.  The  govern- 
ment of  an  alien. 

Hetero,  'e-ro.  A  prefix  from  the  Greek 
denoting  dilFerence,  and  opposed  to  homo, 
which  signifies  resemblance. 

Heterocerus,  -ros'er-us.  A  gen,  of 
pentamerous  coleopterous  insects,  fam. 
Heteroceridaj,  formerly  including  the 
Clavicornes. 

Heterogryna,  -te-roj'in-a.  A  tribe  of  the 
aculeate  llj-menoptera,  in  which  the  fe- 
males are  of  different  kinds,  one  fertile, 
the  other  infertile,  or  neuter,  as  the  ants. 

Heteromera,  -ro'me-ra.  A  section  of 
coleopterous  insects,  Including  such  as 
have  five  joints  in  the  tarsus  of  the  first 
and  second  i)air  of  legs,  and  only  four  in 
the  third  pair. 

Heteromys,  he'te-ro-mis.  A  gen.  *of 
rodent  mammals,  sub-ord.  Saccomyida, 
fam,  Saccomyina,  of  which  only  one  spe- 
cies, the  spiny-pouched  rat,  is  known, 

Heteroousian,  -ou"si-an.  One  of  a 
branch  of  the  Arians  who  held  the  Son 
was  a  different  substance  from  the  Father. 

Heterophag-i,  -te-rofa-ji.  That  sec.  of 
birds  the  young  of  which  require  to  be  fed 
by  their  parents. 

Heteropoda,  rop'6-da.  An  ord.  of 
marine  mollusks,  the  most  highly  organ- 
ized of  the  Gasteropoda, 


Heteroptera,  'te-ra,  A  sec.  of  hemip- 
terous  insects  comjtrising  the  land  and 
water  bugs. 

Heteroscian,  -rosh'i-an.  An  inhabitant 
of  one  temperate  or  arctic  zone,  as  con- 
trasted Avith  an  inhabitant  of  the  other 
temperate  or  arcUc  zone,  in  respect  that 
their  shadows  at  noon  always  fall  in  op- 
posite directions. 

Hetman,  het'man.  The  title  of  the  head 
of  the  Cossacks.  This  dignity  was  abolish- 
ed among  the  Cossacks  of  the  Ukraine  by 
Catharine  the  Great,  and  although  the 
Cossacks  of  the  Don  still  retain  their  het- 
man, the  former  freedom  of  election  is 
gone,  and  the  title  is  now  held  by  the 
Eussian  heir -apparent  to  the  crown. 

Hexade,  beks'iid.  A  scries  of  six  num- 
bers. 

Hexagron,  'a-gon.  In  Geom.  a  figure  of 
six  sides  and  six  angles.  If  the  sides  and 
angles  are  equal,  it  is  a  i-egular  hexagon. 

Hexahedron,  -a-he'dron.  A  regular 
solid  body  of  six  sides  ;  a  cube. 

Hexahemeron,  'me-ron.  The  term  of 
six  days.  A  history  of  the  six  days'  work 
of  creation  as  contained  in  the  first  chap- 
ter of  Genesis. 

Hexapla,  'a-i)la.  An  edition  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  in  six  languages  or  six  versions; 
applied  particularly  to  the  edition  pre- 
pared by  Origen  in  the  3d  century. 

Hexapod,  -pod.  An  animal  having  six 
feet,  as  the  true  insects. 

Hexastyle,  'a-stil.    A  portico  or  temple 


Hexastyle. 

which  has  six  columns  in  front. 
Hexoctahedron,    -ok'ta-he"dron.      A 

polyhedron   contained    under  forty-eight 

equal  triangular  faces. 
Hey,    ha.      An    exclamation    oi   joy   or 

mutual  exhortation. 
Heyday,  'da.    A  frolic  ;  wildness  ;  frolio- 

somencss,  as  the  heyday  of  youth. 

Hezekiah..    In  Scrip.  King  of  Judah, 
sou  of  Ahaz,  crowned  726,  u.  697  b.  c.  Ha 


HIATUS 


412 


HIND 


overthrew  idolatry,  and  was  delivered 
from  Sennacherib  by  luiraculoua  inter- 
vention. 

Hiatus,  hl-a'tus.  A  space  from  which 
something,  as  one  or  more  individ- 
uals of  a  series,  is  wanting ;  a  lacuna  in  a 
manuscript  where  some  part  is  lost  or  ef- 
faced. 

Hibernate,  -ber'nat.  To  winter ;  to  pass 
the  season  in  close  quarters  or  in  seclu- 
sion. 

Hibernian,  'ni-an.  Pertaining  to  Hiber- 
nia,  now  Ireland  ;  Irish. 

HibernoCeltic,  -self'ik.  The  native 
language  of  the  Irish  ;  that  branch  of  the 
Celtic  language  spoken  by  natives  of  Ire- 
land. 

Hicatee,  hik'a-te.  A  fresh-water  tor- 
toise of  C.  America,  esteemed  for  its  liver 
and  feet. 

Hidalg'O,  hi-dal'go.  In  Spain,  a  man  be- 
longing to  the  lower  nobiUty  ;  a  gentleman 
by  birth. 

Hide,  hid.  The  skin  of  an  animal,  either 
raw  or  dressed. 

Hidrotic,  hi-drot'ik.  A  medicine  which 
causes  perspiration. 

Hielmar.  A  lake  of  Sweden,  40  m.  long 
by  8  m.  wide  ;  it  is  connected  with  Lake 
Jialar  by  the  river  Ore. 

Hieracian, -er-fi'shan.  One  of  a  sect  of 
early  heretics,  followers  of  llierax,  who 
taught  that  none  in  the  married  state  could 
obtain  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Hierarch.,  hi'cr-ark.  One  who  rules  or 
has  authority  in  sacred  things. 

Hierarchy,  -1.  Rule  by  sacred  persons  ; 
a  form  of  government  admi.iistered  bv  the 
priesthood  or  clergy. 

Hierog:l3rph,  -o-glif.    The  fig- 
lu'c  of  an  animal  or  object,  in- 
tended to  stand  for  an  alphabet- 
ical character;  a  figure  imply- 
ing a  wokI,  an  idea,  or  sound. 
Hieroglyphics     are     found    in 
abundance  on  Egyptian  monu- 
ments, and  the  term  was  origin- 
ally applied  to  those  of  Egypt 
in  the  belief  that  they  were  used 
only  by  the  priests,  but  has  since  Egyptian 
been  extended  to  picture  writing    lliero- 
in  general,  as  that  employed  by    glyphs, 
the  Mexicans. 

Hierogrram,  -gi-am.  A  species  of  sacred 
writing. 

Hierology,  -oro-ji.  The  science  which 
treats  of  the  ancient  writings  and  inscrip- 
tions of  the  Egyptians,  or  a  treatise  on 
that  science. 


cu  \>y  UK 


M-^ 


Hieroinaii!37T,  'er-o-miir-ter.  A  priest 
who  suffers  martyrdom. 

Hieronimian,  -nim"i-an.  One  of  a  re- 
Mgious  order  jirofcssing  the  rule  of  St. 
Augustine,  founded  by  Columbini  of  Si- 
enna in  1454.    Called  also  a  Jesuate. 

Hierophant,  -fant.  A  priest ;  one  who 
teaches  the  mysteries  and  duties  of  relig- 
ion. 

Hig-h-caste,  hi'kast.  Of  or  belonging  to 
the  highest  order  or  caste  of  Hindus. 

Hig-hland-flingr,  -fling.  A  sort  of  horn- 
pipe peculiar  to  the  Scottish  Highlanders. 

Higrh-mass,  'mas.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch.  the 
mass  which  is  read  before  the  high-altar 
on  Sundays,  feast-days  and  great  occa- 
sions. 

High-men,  'men.  False  dice  so  loaded 
as  always  to  turn  up  high  numbers  ;  op- 
posed to  low-men. 

Highness,  'nes.  A  title  of  honor  given 
to  princes  or  other  persons  of  rank. 

Hig-h-pressure,  'pre-shur.  Having  a 
pressure  greater  than  50  lbs.  on  the  square 
inch  ;  said  of  steam  and  steam-engines. 

Hild,  hild.  An  element  in  names  of  per- 
sons, signifying  a  person  of  noble  charac- 
ter or  rank,  as  Hildebert,  a  bright  hero  ; 
Mathild,  Matilda,  a  heroic  lady. 

Hildreth,  Hichard.  An  American  his- 
torian ;  «.  in  Mass.,  1807,  ».  in  Florence, 
Italy,  1865. 

Hill-folk,  hil'fok.  In  Scand.  Myth,  a 
class  of  beings  intermediate  between 
elves  and  the  human  race,  inhabiting  caves 
and  small  hills,  and  eager  to  receive  the 
benefit  of  man's  redemption. 

Hillel.  An  eminent  Jewish  rabbi,  cred- 
ited with  the  authorship  of  the  Talmud ; 
B.  at  Babylon  abt.  110  a.  d.  ;  r>.  230,  hav- 
ing lived  120  years. 

Himalayas,  The.  An  Asiatic  moun- 
tain chain,  the  loftiest  in  the  world ;  esti- 
mated length  1,900  m.,  width  100  m.  The 
highest  peak  is  Mount  Everest,  29,100  ft. 
above  sea  level. 

Himilcon.  A  Carthaginian  general,  s. 
of  Hannibal  in  the  war  against  Hionysius 
of  Syracuse,  whom  he  defeated ;  b.  abt. 
450  ]{.  c,  D.  892. 

Himyaritic,  hira-ya-rit'ik.  The  lan- 
guage spoken  in  the  southeast  of  Arabia, 
a  dialect  of  Arabic. 

Hin,  hin.  A  Hebrew  measure  of  capacity, 
containing  the  sixth  part  of  an  ephah,  or 
about  5  quarts. 

Hind,  hind.  The  female  of  the  red  deer 
or  stag. 


HmD-CALF 


41! 


niSTERlD^ 


Hind-calf,   'kaf.      A  hart  of  the  first 

year. 
Hindi,  'de.    A  dialect  of  Northern  India, 

differing-  from  Hindustani  in  being  a  purer 

Aryan  dialect. 
Hindley's   Screw,  hind'liz  slcro.     A 

screw  cut  on  a  folid  whose  sides  are  arcs 

of  the  i)itch  circle  of  a  wheel  into  which 

the  screw  is  intended  to  work. 

Hindustan.  India  Proper.  A  section  of 
S.  Asia,  bounded  by  the  Himalayas  on  the 
N.,  Assam  and  Burmah  on  the  K,  Afghan- 
istan and  Beloochistan  on  the  W.  and  the 
Indian  Ocean  on  the  S. ;  area,  1,627.572 
sq.  m.  ;  pop.  214,820.746.  Its  principal 
rivers  include  the  Ganges,  Indus,  Brahma- 

Sootra,  Taptee,  Nerbudda,  Godavery, 
[ahanuddy  ;  its  mountain  ranges,  the 
Himalayas,  Ghauts  and  Vindhyas.  The 
political  divisions  are  British  India,  com 
prising  the  presidencies  of  Bengal,  Bom- 
bay and  Madras ;  the  protected  States, 
virtually  under  British  control,  and  the 
independent  States  of  Nepaul  and  Ehotan, 

Hindustani.,  hin-do-stan'e.  One  of  the 
languages  of  Hindustan,  a  form  of  Hindi 
which  grew  up  in  the  camps  of  the  Mo- 
hammedan conquerers  of  India  since  the 
11th  century  as  a  medium  of  communica- 
tion with  the  subject  population,  more 
corrupted  than  Hindi,  and  filled  with 
Persian  and  Arabic  words.  It  is  the  offl 
cial  language  and  means  of  general  inter- 
course throughout  nearly  the  whole  Pen- 
insula.   Called  also  Urdu. 

Hingr-ching",  hing'ching.  The  Chinese 
name  for  the  phonetic  signs  In  their  alpha- 
bet. 

Hinny,  hin'ni.  A  mnle ;  the  produce  of 
a  stallion  and  a  she  ass. 

Hip-knob,   -nob.    In 

Arch,  a  finial  or  similar 

ornament  placed    on  the 

top  of  the  hip  of  a  roof  or 

on  the  point  of  a  gable. 
Hippocrates.      An  em- 
inent   Grecian  physician, 

styled   "The    Father    of 

Medicine"  ;  b.  in  Cosabt 

460  b.  c.;d.  894. 
Hippocrene,  kro'ne.    A 

spring  on  Mount  Helicon 

in  Boeotia,  consecrated  to 

the  Muses,  the  waters  of 

which  possessed  the  power  of  poetic  in- 
spiration. 
Hippodrome,  'po-drom.      Anciently,  a 

place  in  which  horse-races  and  chariot 

races  were  performed;  sometimes  applied 

to  a  modern  circus. 


Hip-knob. 


Hippogriff,  -grif.     A  fabulous  monster, 

half  horse  and    half-griffon  ;    a  winged 

horse. 
Hippolith,  -hth.    A  stone  found  in  the 

stomach  oi  intestines  of  a  horse, 
Hippolyte,     po'li-tc.    A  gen.  of  long 

tailed  crustaceans  allied  to  the  shrimps. 

Hippopathologry,  -pa-thol"o-ji.  The 
science  of  veterinary  medicine ;  the  pa- 
thology of  the  horse. 

Hippopopliag-i,  pofa-ji.  Eaters  of 
horse-flesh.  A  name  given  by  the  old 
geogi-aphers  to  certain  nomadic  Scythian 
tribes,  on  the  north  of  the  Caspian  Sea, 
who  fed  on  horse-flesh. 
Hippopotamus,  -p6-pot'a-mus.  An 
ungulate  or  hoofed  mammal,  a  native  of 
Africa,  whoso  flesh  is  greedily  eaten  bv  the 
natives.  It  has  been  found  of  the  length 
ofl7  feet,  and  stands  about  5  feet  high. 
It  dehghts  in  water,  and  feeds  on  water- 
plants  or  on  the  herbage  growing  near  the 
water.  It  is  an  excellent  swimmer  and 
diver  and  can  remain  under  water  a  con 
siderablo  time.  Its  tusks  and  teeth  are 
Eupei'ior  to  ivory.  There  are  several  ex- 
tinct species  known. 

Hippopus,  'po-pus.    A  gen.  of  lamelli- 
branchiate  mollusks,  of  which  there  is  but 
one  known  species,  the  H.  maculatus,  or 
bear's-paw  clam. 
Hip-roof, 'rof. 
A     roof,      the 
ends  of  which 
rise  immediate- 
ly     from     thej' 
wall    pi  at  e  si 
with  the  same  Hip-roof, 

inclination      to 

the  horizon  as  its  other  two  sides. 
Hircus,  her'kus.  The  goat ;  sometimes 
used  as  the  systematic  name  of  the  gen., 
but  more  frequently  as  the  specific  name 
of  the  common  domestic  goat.  In  Astron. 
a  fixed  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  the 
same  with  Capella. 

Hirudo,  hi-rfrdo.  The  leech,  a  gen.  oi 
red-blooded  worms  or  annelids. 
HirTindininse,  -run'din-!"no.  A  sub- 
fam  of  birds  comprising  the  swallows,  and 
coiistitutiug  with  the  swifts  the  family 
Ilirundinidfe. 

Hispidse,  his'pi-dc,  A  fam.  of  coleop- 
teroiifi  insects,  of  which  the  typo  is  the 
gen  Uispa;  popularly  known  in  the  U.  S. 
as  little  leaf  beetles. 

Histeridee,  -ter'i-de.  A  fam.  of  clavi- 
corn  beetles.    The  gen,  Hister  is  the  type, 


niSTElONISM 


414 


HOGSHEAD 


Histrionism,  'tri-on-izm.  The  acts  or 
])i-aotice  of  stago-playcrs  ,  feigned  repre 
sentation. 
Hive,  hiv.  A  box,  chest  or  basket  for 
the  reception  and  habitation  of  a  swarm  of 
honey-bees.  A  swarm  of  bees,  or  the  bees 
inliabitinga  hive. 

Hoar-frost,  hor'frost.     The  white  parti - 
ck>s  of  frozen  dew. 
Hoai'Stone,  'ston.    A  landmark ;  a  stone 
designating?  the  bounds  of  an  estate. 
Hoax,  hoks.    Something  done  for  decei)- 
tion  or  mockery;  a  trick  played  off  in 
sport ;  a  practical  joke, 
Hoazin,  ho'a-zin.     A  singular  gregarious 
H.  American  bird,   sometimes  called  the 
Crested  Turaco,  gen.  Opisthocomus.     It 
is  of  the  size  of  the  peacock. 
HobartTown.     Cap.   of  Tasmania,  an 
important  seaport  on  the  river  Derwent ; 
pop.  48,420. 
Hobbisra,  hob'izm.     The  principles  of 
Thomas  Hobbes,  an  Enghsh  philosopher 
of  the  ITth  century,  who  considered  reh- 
gion  to  be  a  mere  engine  of  state,  and  man 
by  nature  altogether  a  ferocious  and  selfish 
being,  requiring  tho  strong  hand  of  des- 
potism to  keep  him  in  check. 
Hobby,  'bi.    A  small  but  strong-winged 
British  fiilcon,  sometimes  trained  to  chase 
larks,  i)igeons,  and  even  partridges. 
Hobby-horse,  -hors.    A  wooden  horse 
on  whicli  boys  ride.     One  of  the  principal 
performers  iu  a  morris  dance,  having  the 
figure  of  a  horse    supported  round  his 
waist,  and  his  feet  concealed  by  a  long 
foot-cloth. 
Hobg-oblin,  -gob'iin.     A  kind  of  goblin 

or  fairy. 
Hobnail,  'nfil.  A  nail  with  a  thick  strong 
head  used  for  shoeing  horses,  or  for  the 
soles  of  heavy  boots. 
Hobomokko,  -o-mok'ko.  Among  Amer- 
ican Indians  an  evil  spirit. 
Hoche,  Lazare,  osh.  A  brilliant  French 
general;  n.  ITOS,  d.  1797.  He  was  given 
command  of  the  army  of  the  Moselle  when 
but  24  years  of  age,  and  drove  the  Aus- 
trians  under  Wurmser  out  of  Alsace ;  he 
then  brought  the  Civil  War  in  Vendee  to 
a  close,  and  in  1797,  as  Commander-in 
Chief  of  the  army  of  the  Sambro  and 
Mouse,  he  defeated  the  Austrians  in  sev- 
eral battles.  He  died  suddenly  in  the 
flower  of  manhood. 

Hochstadt,  hok'stat.  A  Bavarian  town 
on  tho  Danube,  11  m.  N.W.  of  Augsburg, 
noted  as  the  scene  of  four  groat  battles, 
the  defeat  of  the  Emperor  Henry  IV.  in 
1061,  the  defeat  of  the  Imperialists  by  the 


French  and  Bavarians.  1703,  the  defeat  of 
the  iatter  by  Prince  Eugene,  1704,  and  the 
defeat  of  the  Austrians  by  the  French  un- 
der Moreau,  1800. 

Hock,  hok.  The  .ioint  of  an  animal  be- 
tween the  knee  and  the  fetlock  In  man, 
the  posterior  part  of  the  knee-joint  ;  the 
ham.  A  light  Ithenish  wine,  either  spark 
ling  or  still. 

Hockey,  '6.  A  game  of  ball  played  Avith 
a  club  curved  at  the  lower  end,  by  wo 
parties  or  sides,  the  object  being  to  drive 
the  ball  into  that  part  of  the  field  marked 
off  as  their  opponent's  goal. 

Hod,  hod.  A  kind  of  shoulder  trough, 
having  a  long  handle,  for  carrying  mortar 
and  brick  to  masons  and  bricklayers.  A 
coal-scuttle. 
Hodja,  'jii.  In  Turkey,  a  professor  in  a 
mcdress  or  secondary  school  attached  to  a 
mosque.  Hodjas  have  been  softos  and 
passed  an  examination  in  the  Arabic  lan- 
guage, tlie  Koran  and  its  commentaries. 
Hodometer,  -om'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  the  length  of  Avay  traveled 
by  any  vehicle. 

Hoe,  ho.  An  instrument  for  cutting  up 
weeds  and  loosening  the  earth  m  fields 
and  gardens.  A  plate  of  iron  with  an  eye 
for  a  handle.  Horse-hoe,  a  frame  uiounted 
on  wheels,  used  for  the  same  purpose  as  a 
hand  hoc,  and  worked  by  horse-power ;  a 
cultivator. 

Hoe-cake,  'kak.  A  cake  of  Indian  meal;  so 
named  because  sometimesbaked  on  a  hoe. 
Hoflfmanist,  hof'man-ist  One  of  a  sect 
of  Lutheran  dissenters,  followers  of  Hoff- 
man, a  professor  at  Helmstadt  in  1598, 
who  taught  that  reason  and  religion  are 
antagonistic. 

Hog:,  hog,    A  swine,    All  varieties  of  the 
domestic  hog  are  derived  from  the  wild 
boar.     They  are  ungulate  animals,  and  be 
long  to  the  family  Haida?.     In  the  game  of 
curling,  a  stone  which  does  not  go  over 
the  hog-score ;  tho  hog-score  itself. 
Hogarth,  William.    A  distinguish  oil 
English  painter  ;  u.  1697,  d.  1754. 
Hogg-,  Janus.    An  eminent  Scotch  poet 
and  novelist,  called   "  The  Ettrick  Shep- 
herd," li.  1772,  D.  1835. 
Hog's  back,  hogz'bak.     In  Geol.  a  term 
used  to  express  the  ridgy  conformation  of 
any  district  of  alternate  rounded  ridges 
and  ravines. 
Hogshead,  'hod.    A  measure  of  capacity 
containing  52.'  imperial  gallons.  In  Amer- 
ica this  name  is  often  given  to  a  butt,  con 
taining  from  100  to  140  gallons. 


HOHENLINDEW 


415 


nOLY-FIRE 


Hohenlinden.  A  Bavarian  village  on 
the  Iser,  86  m.  8.  of  Munich,  noted  for  the 
victory  of  the  French  under  Morcau,  over 
the  Austri.ins  iindcr  Archduke  John,  ISOO. 

Hohenstauffen.  A  German  dynastic 
line,  ll;3S  to  1268,  the  most  distinguished 
of  Avhom  Avas  tho  Emperor  Frederick  Bai-- 
barossa,  cro\\Tied  115'2. 

IHoheazolleni.  A  Prussian  state, 
formed  of  two  provinces,  and  nearly  sur- 
rounded by  Wurtemberg  and  Baden.  The 
dynasty  -was  founded  in  800  by  Thassilo, 
count  of  Zollern;  in  tho  16th  century  the 
younger  branch  of  tho  family  became  the 
ruling  dynasty  of  Frussia. 

Holland,  hol'land.  (The  Netherlands). 
A  European  Kingdom  bounded  N.  and 
^Y.  by  the  North  iSea,  8.  bv  Belgium,  and 
E.  by  Prussia;  area  11,801  sq.  m.;  pop. 
4,107,659.  It  is  divided  into  12  provinces, 
and  has  colonies  in  the  E.  and  \V.  Indies, 
and  on  the  W.  coast  of  Africa.  Among 
the  colonies  arc  the  islands  of  Java,  Jla- 
dura,  Celebes,  the  Moluscas,  Curacoa,  and 
others  of  less  importance.  The  principal 
cities  include  The  Hague,  the  cap.,  Ams- 
terdam, Kotterdam,  Utrecht,  Arnheim 
and  Middk'burg. 

Sollands,  'landz.  A 
sort  of  gin  imported 
from  Holland. 

Hollow-brick ,  '16- 
brik.  A  brick  madevdth 
perforations  thiough  it 
for  the  i)urpose  of  warm- 
ing or  ventilation,  or  to 
prevent  jjioisture  from 
l>enetratingawall. 

Hollo  w-square, 
-skwur      A  body  o^  sol- 
diers drawn  up  in  tho  form  of  a  square, 
with  an  empty  space  In  the  middle. 

Hollow  wall,  -wal. 
A  wall  built  iu  two 
thicknesses,  leaving 
a  cavity  between, 
either  for  the  pur- 
pose of  p-eventing 
moistm-e  from  being 
driven  by  storms 
through  the  brick 
wor  for  ventilating,  Hollow-wall, 
for  preserving  a  uniform  temperature  in 
apartments,  or  for  saving  materials. 

Uoilow-ware,  -war.  A  general  trade 
name  given  to  various  iron  articles  which 
are  hollow,  as  caldrons,  kettles,  sauce- 
pans, coffee-mills,  &c. 

Holmes,  Oliver  Wendell.  An 
j\meri(\in  poet,  author  and  scientist;  b. 
in  Mass.  1803. 


Hollow-brick. 


Holocaust,  ho'lo-kast.  A  burnt  sacri- 
fice or  ollering,  tho  whole  of  which  was 
consumed  by  lire,  a  species  of  sacrifice  in 
use  among  tho  J  ews  and  some  pagan  na- 
tions ;  now  sometimes  applied  to  a  great 
slaughter  or  sacrifice  of  life. 

Holometabola,  ho'lo-me-tab"o-la.  Tho 
sec.  of  tho  class  Insecta  which  undergo  a 
complete  metamorphosis. 

Holometer,  -lom'eter.  A  mathemati- 
cal instrument  for  taking  all  kinds  of 
measures,  both  on  the  earth  and  in  the 
heavens ;  a  pantometer. 

Holophanerous,  -lo-fan'G-rus.  In  ZooL 
an  epithet  apijfied  to  the  metamorphosis 
of  insects  when  complete. 

Holoptycllius,  -lop-tik'i-us.  A  gen.  of 
fossil  ganoid  fishes.  Tho  name  is  limited 
to  those  oi  the  old  red  sand-stone,  and 
that  of  Khizodus  given  to  those  of  the 
coal-measures, 

Holostomata,  -lo'stom'a-ta.  A  division 
of  gasteropodous  mollusks  in  which  tho 
aperture  of  the  shell  is  rounded  or  entire. 

Holothuroidea,  -thu'roi-dt;"a.  The 
sea-cucumber  or  sea-slugs,  an  order  of 
echinoderms,  capable  of  extending  them- 
selves to  several  times  tho  length  they 
have  in  a  state  of  repose,  and  of  extraor- 
dinary reproduction  of  parts,  even  of 
vital  organs.  The  young  tmdergo  a  met- 
amorphosis during  development. 

Holstein,  House  of.  A  dynasty, 
formerly  rulers  of  an  independent  duchy, 
now  a  Prussian  province,  the  elder  branch 
of  which  is  at  preset  represented  by  the 
Dukes  of  Schloswig-Holstein,  Sonderburg- 
Augustenburg,  and  of  Schleswig-Holstcin- 
Sonderburg-Glucksburg,  and  the  youngest 
(H.  Gottrop),  by  the  Czar  of  Kussia,  and 
tho  Prince  of  Wasa,  son  of  ex-King  Gus- 
tavus  IV.  of  Sweden. 

Holster,  hol'ster.  A  leathern  case  for  a 
pistol,  carried  by  a  horseman  at  tho  fore- 
part of  his  saddle. 

Holy-cross,  ho'li-kros.  An  order  of 
Augustinian  canons,  suppresse/'  in  the 
ITth  century.  An  ecclesiastical  orde-  es- 
tablished in  Franco  in  1834,  who  devola 
themselves  to  preaching  and  education— 
the  brothers  educating  orphan  boys,  and 
tho  sisters  educating  girls  and  attending 
the  sick.  A  society  formed  by  clerical 
members  of  the  extreme  ritualistic  section 
of  the  English  Church. 

Holy-fire,  -fir.  In  the  E.  C.  and  Greek 
Churches,  a  light  kindled  on  Holy  Satur- 
day, the  Saturday  preceding  Easter  Sun- 
day, by  sparks  from  a  flint.  All  the  lights 
are  previously  extinguished,  and  the  holy 
fii-e  is  greeted  by  the  cccleslaetics  on  their 


HOLT-EOOD  DAT 


416 


IIONET 


knees  exclaiming?  "  Lumen  Christi"  (Light 
of  Christ^  At  Homo  tlie  ceremony  is  per- 
formed in  the  presence  of  the  pope.  At 
Jerusalem  it  is  celebrated  by  the  Greek 
and  Armenian  clergy  combined.  There 
the  light  is  represented  as  miraculous. 

Holy-rood  Day.  The  14th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, on  wliioh  a  religious  festival  is 
observed  in  memory  of  the  exaltation  of 
our  Saviour's  Cross.    Holy-cross  Day. 

Holy-stone,  -stdn.  A  soft  sandstone 
used  by  seamen  for  cleaning  the  decks  of 
shijjs. 

Holy-water  Sprink- 
ler. An  instrument  con- 
sisting of  a  bunch  of 
twigs  or  a  brush  of 
horse-hair,  which  is 
dipped  in  the  holy -water 
vessel  and  shaken  over 
or  toward  the  congre 
gation. 

Homburgr,    A  popular 
spa,    formerly    cap 
Ilesse-Nassau,    Prussia, 
9  m.  N.  W.  of  Franlvfort ;      Holy -water 
pop.  8,260.  Sprinkler. 

Homer,  ho'mer.  The  eminent  Greek  poet, 
supposed  to  have  ilourished  about  800  years 
ij.  c,  and  to  have  been  a  native  of  Scio  ; 
both  the  "  Iliad  "  and  "  Odyssey  "  are  by 
some  critics  ascribed  to  him,  but  others 
consider  the  last  named  as  the  production 
of  several  different  writers. 

Home-rule,  hdra'rol.  The  political  pro- 
gramme of  the  National  party  in  Ireland 
subsequent  to  the  collapse  of  Fenianism. 
Its  leading  feature  is  the  establishment  of 
a  native  parliament  to  conduct  internal 
legislation,  leaving  the  general  political 
government  of  the  empire  to  an  imperial 
parliament. 

Homicide.  ho'mi-sTd.  A  person  who 
kills  another  ;  a  manslayer.  The  act  of 
one  person  killing  another,  sometimes 
.iustifiable  in  law. 

Homiletics,  -mi-let'iks.  The  art  of 
] -reaching. 

Homily,  'mi-li.  A  discourse  or  sermon 
read  or  pronounced  to  an  audience.  Book 
of  Homihe.s,  in  the  C.  of  Englaml,  one  of 
two  series  of  plain  doctrinaf  discourses, 
ascribed  to  Cranmer,  15i7,  and  Jewell, 
15G3. 

Hominy,  -ni.  Maize  hulled  and  coarsely 
ground  or  broken. 

Homo,  ho'mo.  A  prefix  derived  from 
the  Greek,  signil^'ing  sameness  ;  opposed 
to  hetero,  denoting  difference. 

Homoeopathy, -me-op'a-thi.  The  mode 


of  treating  diseases  by  the  administration 
of  medicines  capable  of  exciting  in  healthy- 
persons  symptoms  similar  to  those  of  tho 
disease  treated. 

Homogrenesis,  -mo-jen'e-sis.  The  doc- 
trine that  tho  offspring  of  an  animal  or 
plant  run  through  the  same  cycle  of  ex- 
istence as  the  parent,  as  opposed  to  heter- 
ogenesis  or  xenogenesis,  which  maintoins . 
that  tho  offspring  of  certain  organisms  rua 
through  a  totally  different  series  of  states 
from  those  of  tho  parent. 

Homoiousian,  -moi-ou'si-an.  One  of  a 
sect  ot  Arians,  followers  of  Eusebius,  who 
m.iintained  that  the  nature  of  Christ  is 
not  the  same  with,  but  only  similar  to, 
that  of  the  Father,  as  distinguished  from 
the  Homoousians,  who  maintained  that 
he  was  of  tho  same  nature. 

Homologroumena,-  hora'o-lo-gou"m6- 
na.  An  epithet  api)lied  by  Ensc^bius  to 
the  generally  acknowledged  books  of  tho 
New  Testament,  to  distinguish  them  from 
the  Antllegomena. 

Homoousian,  hd-md-ou^si-an.  A  mem- 
ber of  the  orthodox  party  in  the  Church 
during  tho  great  controversy  upon  tho 
nature  of  Christ  in  the  4th  century,  who 
maintained  that  the  nature  of  tho  Father 
and  the  Son  is  the  same,  in  opi)osition  to 
the  llomoiousians,  who  held  that  their 
natures  were  only  similar. 

Homoptera,  -niop'ter-a.  One  of  tho 
sections  into  which  the  ord.  of  hemipter- 
ous  insects  has  been  divided,  the  other 
section  being  the  Heteroptora.  To  this 
section  belong  the  Alphidaj,  Coccidae, 
Cicadidas,  Fulgoridaj,  &c. 

Homuncionite,  hdm-un'shon-it.  Ec- 
cles,  one  of  a  sect  of  early  heretics,  follow- 
<'rs  of  Photinus,  who  denied  the  divinity 
of  our  Lord,  and  held  that  the  image  of 
God  is  impressed  on  the  body,  not  on  the 
mind  of  man. 

Homunculus,  hd-mung'ku-lus.  A  lit- 
tle man  ;  a  manikin  ;  a  dwarf. 

Hon.    An  abbreviation  of  Honorable. 

Honduras.  A  republic  of  Central 
America,  bounded  N.  and  E.  by  the  Car- 
ibbean Sea,  S.  by  Nicaragua  and  San 
Salvador,  and  W.  by  Guatemala;  area, 
47,095  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  500,000.  It  con- 
sists of  7  provinces  with  Comayagua  as 
the  cap.  and  chief  emporium. 

Hone,  hon.  A  stone  of  a  fine  grit,  used 
for  sharpening  instruments  that  require  a. 
fine  edge,  and  particularly  for  setting- 
razors  ;  an  oilstone. 

Honey,  hun'i.  A  sweet,  viscid  juice,  col- 
lected and  elaborated  from  the  flowers  of 


HONEY  AI^T 


417 


nOOGIILT 


Honey -comb. 


plants  by  Bcveral  kinds  of  insects,  for  the 
food  of  themselves  and  their  progeny,  es- 
pecially by  the  honey-bee. 

Honey-ant,  ant.  A  kind  of  ant  inhab- 
iting xMexico.  Some  of  these  insects 
secrete  a  kind  of  honey  in  thou-  abdomens 
which  become  so  distended  as  to  appear 
like  small  pellucid  grapes.  When  food  is 
scarce  these  ants  are  devom-ed  by  others, 
and  they  are  also  eaten  by  the  inhabitants 
of  the  country. 

&oney-buzzard,  -buz-ard.  The  Pernis 
apivoriis,  so  called  from  breaking  into  the 
nests  of  bees  and  wasps  to  obtain  the 
larvaj. 

ffoney-comb,  -kom.  A  waxy  substance 
of  a   lirm,    close     .  ,__,    ,-_- 
texture,     formed  ^s^BJftaiLJdJ!. 

glomeration  o""  '**^ 

cells  for  the  recep 

tion  of  the  honey, 

and  for  the  eggs 

which       produce 

their  young.  Any 

substance,    as     a 

casting  of  iron,  «fec..  perforated  with  cells 

like  those  of  a  honey -comb. 

JHoney-oomb  Moth.  A  gen.  of  moths 
of  the  same  tribe  with  the  clothes' -moths, 
which  infest  bee-hives.  They  appear  to 
c"Joy  perfect  immunity  from  the  stings 
of  the  bees. 

Honey-devr,  -du.  A  sweet  saccharine 
substance  found  in  the  leaves  of  plants 
in  small  drops  like  dew.  There  are  two 
kinds ;  one  secreted  from  the  plants,'and 
the  other  deposited  by  the  insects  known 
as  ajihides.  Different  kinds  of  manna  are 
the  dried  honey-dew  or  saccharine  exuda- 
tions of  certain'  plants,  A  kind  of  tobacco 
which  has  been  moistened  Avith  molasses. 

Honeygnide,  -gTd.  A  name  given  to 
African  cuckoos  gen.  Indicator,  which, 
bjf  thflir  motion  and  cries,  conduct  per- 
sons to  hives  of  wild  honey. 

Honeymoon,  -mon.  The  first  month 
after  marriage ;  the  interval  spent  by  a 
newly-married  pair  in  traveling,  before 
settling  down. 

Honey-sucker,  -snk-er.  The  common 
name  of  birds  film.  Mcliphagid.O' snb-ord. 
Tennirostres,  ord.  Insessores,  i>eculiar  to 
Australiaand  the  neighboring  islands. 

Hong*,  hong.  The  Chinese  name  for  the 
foreign  factories  or  mercantile  houses  sit 
uate<l  at  Canton.  II  merchants,  a  body  of 
eight  to  twelve  Chinese  merchants  at  Can 
ton,  who  once  had  the  sole  privilege  of 


trading  with  Europeans,  and  ware  re 
sponsible  lor  the  conduct  of  the  Europe^ 
ans  with  whom  they  dealt.  By  the  treaty 
of  1842  their  peculiar  functions  ceased. 
Hongr-Kongr.  An  island  and  British 
colony  in  the  Bay  of  Canton,  at  the  moutk 
of  the  Canton  River;  area  29  sq.  m.;  pop. 
128,274.     Victoria  is  the  capital. 

Honiton-lace,  hon'i-ton-las,  A  kind  of 
lace  made  atlloniton  in  Devonshire,  Eng 
land,  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  its  fig- 
ures and  sprigs. 

Honorarium,  on-er-a'ri-um.  A  fee  ten  • 
dered  to  a  professional  man  for  profession 
al  services. 


ga  r  m  e  n  t  Monk's  Hood.    Uood  for 
with  which  he  Hawk, 

covers    his 

head.  A  covering  for  a  hawk's  head  or 
eyes,  used  in  falconry.  Anj-thing  that  re- 
sembles a  hood  in  form  or  use. 

Honolulu.  Cap.  of  the  Sandwich  Is- 
lands, on  Hawaii ,  pop,  abt.  16,600. 

Hood,  John  B.  A  general  of  the  Con- 
federate army  In  the  American  Civil  War ; 
B.  in  Kentucky,  1831,  n.  1879. 

Hood,  Thomas.  An  eminent  Englisk 
poet  and  >\it;  b.  1798,  d.  1845. 

Hood-cap,  'kap,  A  species  of  seal,  th« 
Stemmatoous  cristatus,  so  called  from  an 
appendage  on  the  head  which  the  male  in- 
llates  when  angry  or  excited. 

Hood-xnould, 

'mold.  In  Arch, 
the  upper  project- 
ing molding  of 
the  arch  over  a 
Gothic  door  or  , 
window,  &c. 

Hooded  -  snake, 

'ed-snak.  Thecobra- 

de-capello,  which  is  the  Portuguese  for 

the  snake  with  a  hood. 
Hoof,  hr»f.       The    liorny  substance  that 

covers  the  feet  of  horses,   oxen,  sheep, 

goats,  deer,  «fec. 
Hoogrhly,    hoog'Ie.      A  river  of  India, 

formed  by  the  two  W.  branches  of  the 

Ganges,  250  m.  long  ;  Calcutta  and  Huogh* 

ly  are  located  on  its  banks. 


Hood  Molding. 


HOOKAH 


41S 


HOEIZON 


Hookah,  iK/kiih.  A  pipe 
with  a  largo  bowl  and  a  loii^ 
pliable  tubo,  so  constructed 
that  the  smoke  of  the  tobacco  is 
made  to  pass  through  water  for 
tho  purpose  of  cooling  it. 

Hooker,  Joseph.  An  Amer" 
loan  general ;  r..  in  Mass.  18Ht, 
».  1ST9.  lies.  Gen.  Burnside 
as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Federal  army,   Jan.  13C3,  but 

*  was  removed  after  tho  disas- 
trous defeat  of  Chancellors  ville. 
May  2-3,  of  tho  same  year. 

Hook-motion,  huk'mo-shon . 
stfsam-engine  a  valve-gear  which  is 
versed  by  V-l^^oks. 

Hook-SQUid,  'skwid.  A  name  applied 
to  the  decapodoua  cephalopod  mollusks  of 
the  genera  Onychoteuthis  and  Enoploteu- 
this,  allied  to  the  common  squids  or  ca- 
lamaries,  remarkable  for  the  length  of 
their  tentacles. 

Hoondee,  hon'do.  An  E.  Indian  bill  of 
exchange  drawn  by  or  upon  a  native  bank- 
er or  shroff. 

Hoop,  bop.  A  circular 
band  of  wood,  metal  or 
other  material  used  to 
confine  the  staves  of 
casks,  «fec.,  or  for  simi- 
lar purposes.  A  circle 
or  combination  of  cir- 
cles of  elastic  material, 
used  to  expand  the-, 
skirts  of  ladies'  dresses: 
a  farthingale;  crinoline.  _^ 

'„.  Hoop,  18th  cen- 

Hooper,    William.  tury. 

An    American    states- 
man; B.  in  Mass.  ~ 
1T42,  D.  1790.     lie 
was  a  member  of 
the  Con  t  i  n  e  n  t  a 
Congress,    and     a 
signer  of  the  Dec- 
laration    of    Inde- 
l^endence. 

Hoopoe,  hu'pG.  A 
bird  of  the  gen. 
IT  pupa,  whose  head 
Is  adorned  with  a 
beautiful  crest, 
which  it  can  erect  Hoopoe, 

or  depress  at  })]casure. 

Hoosier,  'zhi-er.  A  term  applied  to  citi- 
zens of  the  State  of  Indiana. 

Hoot,  hot.    A  cry  or  shout  In  contempt. 

Hop-fly, 'fli.  A  species  of  Aphis,  so  de- 
structive in  hop- plantations  as  to  cause 
material  variations  in  tho  price  of  hops. 


Hop-frogrfly,  'frog-tll.  A  species  of 
froth-tly  which  does  much  damage  in  hop- 
plantations 

Hopkins,  Stephen,  'kinz.  An  Amer- 
ican statesman,  J5.  in  11.  I.,  ITOT,  i).  1785. 
He  was  a  member  of  tho  C-ontinontrd  Con- 
gress, and  signed  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. 

Hopkinsian,  -kin'si-an.  A  follower  of 
Dr.  Samuel  Hopkins,  of  Connecticut,  who 
rejected  the  Calvinistic  doctrine  of  imput- 
ed sin  and  imputed  righteousness.  Tho 
basis  of  the  system  is  that  all  virtue  and 
true  holiness  consist  in  disinterested  be- 
nevolence, and  that  all  sin  is  selfishness. 

Hopkinson,  !Francis.  An  American 
statesman,  b.  in  Penn.,  1737,  d.  1791.  He 
was  a  delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress 
from  N.  J.,  and  a  signer  of  the  Declai-a- 
tion  of  Independence.  Joseph  H.,  his 
son,  a  distinguished  jurist,  and  author  of 
"  Hail,  Columbia,"  b.  1770,  d.  1812. 

Hoplite,  'lit.  In  Greek  Antiq.  a  heavy- 
rrmed  soldier. 

Hoplotheke,  -lo-the'ke.  Eccles.  a  work 
containing  the  opinions  of  the  fathers 
against  heretics,  supposed  to  have  been 
compiled  by  order  of  Emmanuel  Corn- 
menus. 

Hopple,  'pi.  A  fetter  for  the  legs  of 
horses  or  other  animals  when  turned  out 
to  graze. 

Hoppo,  'po.  In  China,  an  overseer  of 
commerce  ;  a  collector.  A  tribunfil  whose 
fauction  it  is  to  collect  that  portion  of  the 
public  revenue  arising  from  trade  and 
navigation. 

Hor,  Mt.  A  summit  of  the  Seir  range, 
Arabia,  bow  called  Jebelorely-llarboon- 
A  tomb  marks  the  traditionary  burial- 
place  of  Aaron,  the  first  Jewish  high- 
priest. 

Horace,  hor'as.  (Quintus  Horatius  Flac- 
cus).  The  eminent  Latin  poet ;  B.  at  Ve- 
nusia,  65,  d.  S  b.  c. 

Horatii  and  Curatii.  In  Rom.  Hist, 
tho  names  of  three  brothers  of  two  fami- 
lies, chosen  670  b.  c,  by  the  Eomans  and 
Albans,  to  decide  by  battle  whether  liomo 
or  Alba  should  bo  the  subject  city.  The 
n.  were  victorious,  and  Alba  submitted 
to  Eome'a  authority. 

Horizon,  ho-ri'zon.  The  circle  which 
bounds  that  part  of  the  earth's  surface 
visible  to  a  spectator  from  a  given  point. 
An  imaginary  great  circle,  parallel  to  the 
sensible  horizon,  whose  plane  passes 
through  the  (;enter  of  the  earth,  whos« 
j»oles  are  the  zenith  and  nadir,  and  which 
divides  the  globe  into  two  equal  hemi- 


HORIZOTq--GLASS 


419 


HORSE-POWER 


spheres :  called  the  Rational  or  Celestial 
Horizon. 

Horizon-glass,  -glas.  In  Astron.  one 
of  two  small  spcculnms  on  one  of  the  ra- 
dii of  a  quadrant  or  sextant.  One  half  the 
fore-glass  is  silvered,  Avhile  the  other  half 
is  transparent,  in  order  that  an  object  may 
be  seen  directly  through  it ;  the  back-glass 
is  silvered  aboVe  and  below,  but  in  the 
middle  there  is  a  transparent  stripe 
through  which  the  horizon  can  be  seen. 

Horigontal, 
-ri-zon'tal.  Par- 
allel to  the  hori- 
zon ;  on  a  level. 

Hornb  ill. 

horn'bil.  A  verj- 
singular  gen.  of 
■birds  (Buceros), 
akin  to  the  tou- 
cans, remarkable 
for  the  large  size 
of  the  bill,  and 

Svn^^T;    Rhinoceros  Hornbill 
tuberance       b  y 

which  it  is  surmounted. 

Hornbook,  'buk.  In  former  times,  the 
first  book  of  children,  or  that  in  which 
they  learned  theu-  letters  ;  so  called  from 
the  horn  covering  placed  over  the  single 
page  of  which  it  consisted,  the  whole  be- 
ing fixed  to  a  wooden  frame  with  a  handle. 
It  generally  contained  the  alphabet  in  Ro- 
man and  small  letters,  several  rows  of 
monosyllables,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer.  A 
book  containing  the  first  principles  of  any 
science  or  branch  of  knowledge ;  a  manual. 

Homed-h.orse,  hornd'hors.  The  gnu. 

Horned-screamer,  'skrCm-er.  The 
kamiclii,  a  grallatorial  bird,  gen.  Palame- 
dea,  liaving  a  long  movable  horn  project- 
ing from  its  forehead.  Its  voice  is  loud 
and  shrill,  and  its  cry  is  uttered  suddenly 
and  with  such  vehemence  as  to  have  a 
very  startling  effect. 

Hornet,  horn'et.  An  insect  of  the  gen. 
Vespa  or  wasp,  much  larger  and  stronger 
than  the  wasp,  and  causing  more  severe 
pain  by  its  sting. 

Hornie,  'i.  A  name  given  in  Scotland  to 
the  devil,  in  allusion  to  the  horns  with 
Avhich  he  is  gejierally  represented. 

Homito.  or-ne'to.  In  Geol.  a  low,  oven- 
shaped  mound,  common  in  tlie  volcanic 
districts  of  S.  America,  from  whose  sides 
and  summits  columns  of  hot  smoke  and 
other  vapors  are  usually  emitted. 

Hornpipe,  'pip.  An  instrument  of  mu- 
sic formerly  popular  in  Wales,  consisting 
of  a  wooden  pipe  vntYi  holes,  and  a  piece 


of  horn  forming  the  bell-shaped  end.  A 
lively  dance  and  the  music  for  it. 

Horogrraphy,  hor-og'ra-fi.  The  art  of 
constructing  instruments  for  showing  the 
hours,  as  clocks,  watches,  dials ;  dialling. 

Horologe,  'o-loj.  A  piece  of  mechanism 
for  indicating  the  hours  of  the  day  ;  a  time- 
piece of  any  kind. 

Horolgium,  -o-loj'i-um.  The  Horologe 
or  Clock,  a  southern  constellation  consist- 
ing of  12  stars.  H.  Flone  or  Flora's  clock 
in  Bot.  a  table  of  the  hours  at  which  tht 
flowers  of  certain  plants  open  and  close  in 
a  given  locality. 

Horoscope,  'os-kop.  In  Astrol.  an  ob- 
servation made  of  the  aspect  of  the  heavens 
at  the  moment  of  a  person's  birth,  by 
which  the  astrologer  claimed  to  foretell 
the  future.  A  scheme  or  figure  of  the  12 
houses  or  12  siens  of  the  zodiac,  in  which 
is  marked  the  disposition  of  the  heavens 
at  a  given  time,  and  by  which  astrologers 
formerly  told  the  fortunes  of  persons,  ac- 
cording'to  the  position  of  the  stars  at  the 
time  of  their  birth.  A  kind  of  planisphere, 
invented  by  John  of  Padua.  A  table  of 
the  length  of  the  days  and  nights  at  all 
places. 

Horoscopy,  -os'ko-pi.  The  art  or  prac- 
tice of  predicting  future  events  by  the  dis- 
position of  the  stars  and  planets.  The  as- 
pect of  the  heavens  at  the  time  of  a  child's 
birth. 

Hors  de  combat,  hor  de  kon-ba.  Dis- 
abled from  fighting  ;  rendered  useless. 

Horse,  hors.  A  quadruped,  gen.  Equus, 
constituting  with  the  ass,  zebra  and  quag- 
ga  the  fam.  Equidje  or  Solidungula. 

Horsefly,  'AT.  A  large  fly  that  stings 
horses  and  sucks  their  blood,  the  latter 
characteristic  distinguishes  it  from  the 
gadfly. 

Horsegnards,  'gardz.  A  body  of  cavahy 
for  guards.  The  name  given  to  the  })ublio 
oflice,  Whitehall,  London,  apin-opriated 
to  the  departments  under  the  comman- 
der-in-chief The  military  authorities  at 
the  head  of  the  British  Avar  department, 
in  contradistinction  of  the  civil  chief,  the 
secretary-of-war. 

Horse-jockey,  '.jo-ki.  A  professional 
rider  or  trainer  of  race-horses  ;  a  dealer  in 
horses. 

Horse-Mackerel,  'mak-er-el.  A  spe- 
cies of  fish,  the  scad. 

Horse-Power,  'pou-er.  The  power  of  a 
horse  or  its  equivalent;  the  force  with 
which  a  horse  acts  when  drawing.  From 
a  variety  of  experiments  it  is  found  that  a 
horse,  at  an  average,   can  raise  160  lbs. 


HORSETAIL 


HOUND 


weight  at  the  velocity  of  2J-  miles  per 
hour.  The  power  of  a  horse  exerted  in 
this  way  is  made  the  standard  for  esti- 
mating the  power  of  a  steam-engine,  each 
horse-power  being  estimated  as  equiva- 
lent to  83,000  lbs.  raised  one  foot  high  per 
minute. 

Horsetail,  'tal.  The  tail  of  a  horse.  A 
Turkisii  standard. 

Horticulture,  hor'ti-kul-tur.  The  art 
of  cultivating  or  managing  gardens  or 
raising  fruits,  flowers  and  culinary  vegeta- 
bles 

Hosanna,  ho-zan'na.  An  exclamation  of 
I)raiso  to  God,  or  an  invocation  of  bless- 
ings. 


hoz.  Close-fitting  trousers  or 
breeches  reaching  to  the  knee.  Covering 
foi  the  lower  part  of  the  legs,  including 
the  feet ;  stockings.  A  flexible  pipe  for 
conveying  fluid  to  any  required  point. 

Hosea.  In  Scrip,  the  name  of  one  of  the 
minor  prophets,  who  flourished  734^783 
B.  c;  author  of  a  canonical  book  of  the 
Old  Testament,  bearing  his  name. 

Hose-reel,  'rcl.  A  light  carriage  flir- 
nishod  with  a  larga  ravoMng  druia  for 
carrying  hose  for  fire-engines,  &c. 

Hosraer,  Harriet.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican artist ;  b.  in  Mass.  1831,  but  for  many 
years  a  resident  of  Eome. 

Hospice,  hos'pis.  A  place  of  refuge  or 
entertainment  for  travelers  on  some  diffi- 
cult road  or  pass,  as  among  the  Alps, 
kept  by  monks,  who  also  occupy  it  as  a 
convent. 

Hospital,  'pit-al.  A  building  for  the  re- 
ception of  any  class  of  persons  who  are 
unable  to  supj^ly  their  own  wants,  and 
are  more  or  less  dependent  upon  public 
help  to  have  those  wants  supplied. 

Hospitaller,  -er.  One  re- 
siding in  a  hospital  for  the 
purpose  of    receiving  the 
poor,    the    sick    and    the 
stran  ger.  On  e  of  a  religion  s 
community,  of  which  there 
were  several,  Avhoso  office 
it  was  to  reheve  the  poor, 
the  stranger  and  the  sick. 
One  of  an  order  of  knights 
who  builtft  hospital  at  Jeru-i^ 
ealem  a.d.  1042  for  pilgrims.""' 
They  were  called  Knights 
of  St.  John,  and  after  then-  -.rf^^-^AZ^ 
removal  to  Malta,  Knights  Hospitaller, 
of  Malta. 

Hospodar,  -pS-dilr'.      A  title  of  dignity 


Knight 


formerly  borne  by  the  vassal  princes  ol 
Moldavia  and  Wallachia,  and  in  earlier 
times  by  the  princes  of  Lithuania  and  the 
King  of  Poland. 

Host,  host.  One  who  receives  and  enter- 
tains another  at  his  own  house ;  one  from 
whom  another  receives  food,  lodging  or 
entertainment;  a  landlord;  the  correlative 
of  guest.  In  the  K.  C.  Ch.  the  consecrated 
wafer,  representing  the  body  of  Christ,  or, 
as  Roman  Catholics  believe,  transubstan- 
tiated into  his  own  body.  * 

Hostillar  hOs'til-er.  Eccles.  the  monk 
who  entertained  the  guests  in  a  monas- 
tery. H.  external,  the  monk  who  relieved 
those  who  came  to  the  gates  of  the  mon- 
astery. H.  intrinsic,  the  monk  who  en- 
tertained the  guests  residing  in  the  mon- 
astery. 

Hostilius,  Tullius.  Third  King  of 
Eome;  s.  Numaabt.  650;  in  his  reign  the 
war  with  Alba  ended  with  the  Horatii- 
Curatii  combat  (see  Horatii).  < 

Hotbed,  hot'bed.  A  bed  of  earth  heated 
by  fermenting  substances,  covered  with 
glass  to  defend  it  from  the  cold  air,  intend- 
ed for  raising  early  plants,  or  for  nourish- 
ing exotic  plants  of  warm  climates. 

Hothouse,  'hous.  A  house  to  shelter 
tender  plants  and  shrubs  from  the  cold 
air,  and  In  which  a  relatively  high  tem- 
perature is  artificially  kept  uj). 

Hot-press,  'pres.  A  means  of  calender- 
ing and  smoothing  paper  or  cloth  by  sub- 
.iecting  it  to  heavy  pressure  between  glazed 
boards;  hot  iron  plates  are  distributed 
through  the  pile  to  heat  it. 

Hottentot,  'n-tot.  One  of  a  certain  de- 
graded tribe  of  S.  Africa.  An  isolated 
branch  of  the  Hamitic  or  N.  Afi:ican  family 
of  tongues. 

Houdon,  Jean  Antoine.  An  eminent 
French  artist ;  s.  1741,  d.  1828.  Among 
his  works  is 
tho  statue  of 
"VVa  s  hington 
in  the  State 
House  at 
Richmond, 
Va. 

Hound 

hound.    A^ 

generic  name! 

of  the  dog  ; 

but    more 

par  ticularly 

restricted  to  particular  breeds  or  varieties 

used  in  the  chase. 


Deer-hound. 


HOUND-FISH 


421 


HUB 


Smooth  Houndfibh. 


Hound- 
fish,  'rish. 
A  popular 
name  for 
certain 
fishcfs  of 
the  shark  famity. 

Hour,  our.  The  twenty-fourth  part  of  a 
day  ;  sixty  minutes.  Certain  prayers  in 
the  K.  C  Ch.,  to  be  repeated  at  certain 
times  of  the  day,  as  matins  and  vespers. 
In  Myth,  goddesses  of  the  seasons  or 
hours  of  the  day. 

Hour-grlass,  'glass.  An  in- 
strument for  measuring  time, 
consisting  of  a  glass  vessel  hav- 
ing two  compartments,  from 
the  uppermost  of  which  a  quan- 
tity of  sand,  Avater  or  mercury 
runs  by  a  small  aperture  into 
the  lower, 

Houri,  hou'ri.  Among  the 
Mohammedans  a  nymph  of 
paradise.  In  the  Koran  the  houris  are 
represented  as  most  beautiful  virgins, 
created  of  pure  musk  and  endowed  with 
unfading  youth  and  immunity  from  all 
disease.  Their  company  is  to  form  the 
chief  fehcity  of  the  faithful. 

Hou»e-fly,  hous'flr.  A  well-known  dip- 
terous insect,  the  Musca  domestioa  of 
naturalists. 

Householder,  'hold-er.  The  master  ©r 
chief  of  a  faniily ;  one  who  keeps  house 
Avith  his  family  ;   the  occupier  of  a  hou«e. 

Housekeeper,  'kSp-er.  One  who  occu- 
pies a  house  with  his  family;  a  man  or 
woman  who  maintains  a  family  in  a  house. 
A  female  servant  who  has  the  chief  care  of 
the  family. 

Housel,  houz'el.  The  cucharist;  the 
sacrament ;  the  act  of  taking  or  receiving 
the  sacrament. 

House-surgeon,  'ser-jon.  The  resident 
medical  otlicer  in  a  hospital. 

Housewife,  'wif.  The  mistress  of  a 
family  ;  the  wife  of  a  householder ;  a  fe- 
male manager  of  domestic  aftJairs.  A  little 
case  for  pins,  needles,  thread,  scissors  and 
theMke.   • 

Houston,  Sanx.  An  American  states- 
man and  general;  b.  in  Va.,  1793,  d.  1862. 
He  was  President  of  Texas  after  its  seces- 
sion from  Mexico,  and  Governor  of  the 
State  after  its  admission  to  the  Union ; 
alsoTJ.  S.  Senator. 

Houyhnhmn,  hou'inm .  One  of  a  class 
of  beings  described  by  Swift  in  "  Gulliver's 
Travels"  as  a  raco  of  horses  endowed 
■with  reason  and    extraordinary  virtues, 


Howdah. 


and  who  bear  rule  over  the  Yahoos  or 
men-like  beings,  a  vicious,  disgusting  raee^. 

Hovel,  ho'vel.  An  open  shed  for  shelter- 
ing cattle,  protecting  produce  from  the 
Aveather,  &c.    A  small  mean  house. 

Howadji,  hou-aj'i.  A  name  given  to  a 
merchant  in  the  East,  because  merchants 
were  formerly  the  chief  travelers. 

Howdah, 'da.  A 
seat  erected  on 
the  back  of  an 
elephant  for  per- 
sons to  ride  in. 
It  is  of  various 
forms. 

Howe,  Ellas. 
An  American  in- 
ventor ;  B.  in^ 
Mass.,  1819  ;  n.' 
1S67.  He  patent- 
ed the  first  sew- 
ing machine. 

Howel,  'el.  A  cooper's  tool  for  smooth- 
ing his  Avork,  as  the  inside  of  a  cask. 

Howitzer, 'its-er.     „  .     ,  Q 

A  short  piece   ofc^jTrT'^l         ^n 

ordnance    usually ^^|)j     ||    —  H IkJ 

having  a  chamber  tr 

for    the     powder 
narrower  tha)i  the* 
bore,  especially  de- 
signed for  the  hori-       Brass  IIoAvitzer. 
zontal     firing     of 

shells  with  small  charges,  combining  in 
some  degree  the  accuracy  of  the  cannon 
with  the  caliber  of  the  inortar,  but  much 
lighter  than  any  gun  of  the  same  capacity. 

Howqua,  'kwa.  A  Chinese  tea  of  very 
fine  quality. 

Ho'wth.  A  popular  seaside  resort  at  the 
N.  entrance  to  Dublin  Bav,  Ireland,  8 
m.  N.  K.  of  the  city  of  Dub'Un. 

Huamangra.  Cap.  of  prov.  Ayacucho, 
Peru,  140  m.  K  W.  of  Cuzco,  rioted  for 
its  proximity  to  the  battle-ground,  1824, 
where  the  Spaniards  were  disastrously 
defeated  by  Sucre,  and  their  power  la  S. 
America  destroyed. 

Hub.  hub.  The  central  part,  usually  cy- 
lyndrical,  of  a  wheel  in  whioh  the  spokes 


Hubs  of  Wheels. 


are  set  radially  ;  the  nave.     In   die-sink- 
ing, a  cylindrical  pieco  of  steel  on  which 


HUCKABACK 


492 


HUNGARY 


the  design  of  a  coin  is  engraved  in  relief. 
A  fluted  screw  of  hardened  steel  used  In 
•utting  screw-tools,  chasing-tools,  &c. 

Huckaback,  huk'a-bak.  A  kind  of  lin- 
en cloth  with  raised  figures  on  it  some- 
thing Hke  damask,  used  for  table-cloths 
and  towels. 

Huckle,  '1.  The  hip  ;  a  bunch  or  part 
projecting  like  the  hip. 

Hudson,  Hendrik.  An  English  nan 
gator ;  b.  1580  ;  discovered  the  river  in  IsT. 
Y.  State  which  bears  his  name,  while  in 
the  eervice  of  the  Dutch  E.  India  Co., 
1609 ;  in  1611  discovered  Hudson's  Bay. 
He  is  supposed  to  have  perished  at  sea, 
having  been  deserted  by  his  crew.  H. 
Bay,  an  immense  inland  sea  of  British  N. 
America ;  area  510,000  sq.  m. 

Hug,  hug.  A  close  embrace ;  a  clasp  or 
gripe. 

Hughes,  Thomas.  A  popular  English 
statesman  and  author,  writing  under  the 
sobriquet  of  •'  Tom  Brown  ";  u.  1S28. 

Hug-o,  Victor  Marie,  Vicomte,  oo- 
go'.  A  French  poet  and  novelist,  with 
radical  political  sentiments  ;  b.  180J. 

Huguenot,  hii'gi'-not.  A  French  Protes- 
tant of  the  period  of  the  religious  wars  in 
France  in  the  16th  century. 

Hull,  Isaac.  An  American  naval  com- 
mander, b.  in  Conn.  1775,  d.  1843.  He 
cominanded  the  frigate  Constitution  in 
the  fight  (1812)  in  which  the  British 
frigate  Guerriere  was  captured.  This 
was  the  first  naval  engagement  of  the  war. 

Humanitarian,  -manM-ta"ri-an.  One 
who  has  a  great  regard  or  love  for  human- 
ity ;  a  philanthropist.  One  who  denies 
the  divinity  of  Christ,  and  believes  him  to 
have  been  a  mere  man.  A  disciple  of  St. 
Simon,  from  his  maintaining  th<-  perfect- 
ibility of  human  nature  without  the  aid  of 
grace. 

Humbl&-bee,  Imm'bl-be.  The  common 
name  of  a  gen.  of  large,  hairy  bees  (Bom- 
bus). 

Humble-pie,  -pi.  A  pie  made  of  the 
heart,  liver,  kidneys  and  entrails  of  the 
deer. 

Humboldt,  Friedrich  Heinrich 
Alexander,  Baron  von.  A  distin- 
guislied  German  traveler,  scientist  and 
author;  b.  1701);  d.  1859.  K.-rl  Wilhelm, 
Baron  von  H..  brother  of  the  preceding, 
was  an  eminent  statesman  and  philologist, 
styled  "  the  creator  of  comparative  philol- 
ogy ;"  B.  1767,  p.  1835. 

Hume,  Daniel.  An  eminent  British 
historian ;  b.  in  Edinburgh  1711,  ».  1770. 


Tufted-necked 
Humming-bird. 


Humming-bird , 

'ing-berd.  A  name 
given  to  the  individ- 
uals of  a  family  (Tro- 
childiai)  of  minute 
and  beautiful  birds, 
so  called  from  the 
sou  nd  of  their  \vings 
in  flight.  Some  400 
species  are  known. 
Humming-bird 
Hawk-moth.  A 
lepidopterous  i  n  - 
sect,  the  Macro- 
glossa  Stella  tarum, 
fam.  Sphingidie.  It 
is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  of  the  diurnal  species,  and  re- 
markable for  the  loudness  of  the  sound 
which  its  wings  produce. 

Hun,  hun .  A  member  of  an  ancient  A  si- 
atic  race,  probably  of  Mongolian  or  Tartar 
stock,  first  appearing  prominently  in  his- 
tory about  375  a.  d.  In  that  year  they 
crossed  the  Dnieper,  defeated  the  Goths 
and  drove  them  over  the  Danube  into  the 
Eoman  province  of  Pannonia  (Hungary). 
In  the  reign  of  Attila  (434)  they  overran 
and  ravaged  the  greater  part  of  Europe, 
and  compelled  the  Eomans  to  pay  tribute. 
With  the  death  of  Attila  their  power  was 
broken. 

Hunchback,  hunsh'bak.  A  hump-back ; 
a  hump-backed  person. 

Hundred,  hun'dred.  The  product  of  10 
multiplied  by  10;  five  score.  A  division 
or  part  of  a  county  in  England,  supposed 
to  have  origin  aliy  contained  a  hundred 
families  or  freemen. 

Hundred-fold,  -fold.  A  hundred  times 
as  much. 

Hundredth,  'dredth.  The  one  after  the 
ninety-ninth.  One  of  a  hundred  parts  into 
which  anything  is  divided. 

Hundredweight,  'dred-wat.  In  avoir- 
dupois weight,  a  denomination  usually 
denoted  by  cwt.,  containing  112  lbs. 

Hungary-water,  hung'ga-ri-wa-ter.  A 
toilet  distilled  water  consisting  of  dilute 
alcohol  aromatized  ;  so  called  because  first 
made  for  the  use  of  a  queen  of  Hungary. 

Hungary.  A  country  of  Central  Europe, 
formerly  an  independent  kingdom,  but 
since  1570  attached  to  the  Austrian  I-^m- 
pire,  of  which  it  forms  the  easterly  and 
largest  part ;  area  82,867  sq.  m.;  pop.  15,- 
789,445.  The  chief  cities  are  Buda-Pesth, 
the  cap.,  Presburg,  Arad,  Komorn,  Temes- 
var,  Gran,  Debreczin,  Szegedin  and  Maria 
Theresienstadt.    Its  rivers  are  the  Dan- 


HUNS 


HYAL^EID^ 


ube,  tho  Save  and  otber  tributai-ies,  and 
the  Carpathian  mounUiin  range  extends 
from  E.  to  W.  along  its  northern  frontier. 

Huns,  The,  hunz.  A  Scythian  race  which 
occupied  Tartary  several  centuries  prior 
to  the  Christian  era,  and  against  the  incur- 
sions from  which  the  great  wall  of  China 
was  built.  They  finally  divided  into  tv.o 
nations,  called  North  and  South  H.  The 
former  crossed  into  Europe  and  ravaged  a 
large  section  of  the  Koman  Empire,  under 
the  leadership  of  Attila,  capturing  and 
sacking  Eome  in  the  5th  centurv.  Forced 
by  the  Goths  to  retire  across  the  Tanais, 
they  again  penetrated  E.  Europe,  settling 
in  the  section  since  known  as  Hungary. 

Hunker,  hnngk'er.  In  U.  S.  politics,  a 
member  of  the  section  of  the  Democratic 
party  opposed  to  progress ;  hence,  any  per- 
son opposed  to  innovations  in  general ;  a 
conservative. 

Hujit,  James  Henry  lieig-h.,  hunt. 
A  distinguislied  English  poet,  editor  and 
author;  b.  ITSl,  d.  1859. 

Hunt-counter,  -koun'ter.  A  dog  that 
runs  back  on  the  scent,  and  hence  is  worth- 
less. 

Hunter,  'er.  One  who  engages  in*  the 
chase  of  Avild  animals.  A  hunting-dog. 
A  horse  used  in  the  chase.  A  watch  whose 
glass  is  protected  by  a  metal  cover ;  a  hunt- 
ing-watch. 

Hunter,  John.  An  eminent  British 
anatomist ;  b.  near  Glasgow,  1728,  d.  1793. 

Hunting-cog:,  'ing-kog.  In  Mach.  an  odd 
cog  in  one  of  two  geared  wheels,  serving 
to  change  the  orderof  contact  of  the  teeth, 
so  that  the  same  teeth  shall  not  continu- 
ally meet. 

Huntingdonian,  -ting-dd'ni-an.  Ec- 
cles.,  a  member  of  the  Countess  of 
Huntingdon's  connection,  founded  by 
George  Whitefield  after  his  separation 
from  tlie  Wesley  sin  1748. 

Huntingrton,  Samuel.  An  American 
statesman  and  jurist,  b.  in  Conn.  1782,  i>. 
1796.  He  was  a  member  of  th§Continen- 
tal  Congress,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  Chief  Justice  and  Gov- 
ernor ofhis  native  State. 

Hurdy-grurdy,  her'di-ger'di.  A  mu- 
sical instrument  whose  tones  are  produced 
by  the  friction  of  a  wheel  against  four 
strings,  two  of  which  are  pressed  by  the 
lingers  or  by  keys.  Tho  other  two  strings 
are  tuned  a'fifth  apart  to  produce  a  drone 
bass,  and  are  not  stopped. 

Huron,  Lake.  The  smallest  of  the  five 
great  lakes  of  N.  America,  bet.  lakes  Erie 
and  Michigan,  abt.   800  m.  in  circumfer- 


ence ;  it  contains  3.000  islands,  one  o{ 
which,  the  Great  Manitoulin  or  Sacred 
Island,  runs  parallel  to  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  northern  coast. 

Hurricane,  hur'i-kan.  A  violent  tern- 
pestor  wind  storm.  H.  deck,  a  light  ele- 
vated deck  of  a  steamboat. 

Husband,  huz'band.  A  man  joined  to  a 
woman  by  marriage  :  the  correlative  of 
wife. 

Huss,  Johann,  hoos.  A  distinguished 
religious  reformer,  b.  in  Bohemia  1373, 
burned  at  the  stake  by  order  of  the  Council 
of  Constance  1415.  His  followers,  called 
Hussites,  inaugurated  a  war  for  religious 
freedom,  1418,  and  continued  with  such 
success  that  the  Emperor  Sigismund 
granted  them  acceptable  terms  and  peace 
was  restored. 

Hutchinsonian,  huch-in-so'ni-an.  A 
follower  of  the  opinions  of  John  Hutch- 
inson, of  Yorkshire,  England,  a  philoso- 
pher and  naturalist  of  the  18th  century, 
who  rejected  Newton's  doctrine  of  gravi- 
tation and  iTiaintained  that  the  Old  Testa- 
ment Scriptures  embraced  a  complete 
system  of  natural  philosophy  as  well  as  of 
religion. 

Hutchinson,  Thomas.  An  American 
statesman,  k.  in  Mass.  1711,  x>.  in  London 
1780.  He  was  Chief  Justice  of  his  native 
State  1760,  and  Governor  in  1709  ;  his  un- 
wise course  in  the  latter  position  did  much 
to  precipitate  tho  Eevolution. 

Huxley,  Thomas  Henry.  A  distin- 
guished English  scientist  and  author,  B. 
1825.  ITo  is  a  leader  of  the  Darwnian 
school  of  naturalists.  i 

Huzvaresh,  huz-va'r*sh.  Same  as  Peh- 
levi ;  tho  dialect  Int©  Avhich  the  Zend- 
Avesta  of  Zoroaster  was  translated  during 
the  Sassanian  dynasty  in  Persia. 

Huzza, -za'.     A  form  of  hurrah. 

H3rads,  hl'adz.  A  clustar  of  seven  stars 
in  the  Bull's  Head,  sujtposed  by  the  an- 
cients to  indicate  the  approach  of  rainy 
weather  when  they  rose  Avith  the  sun. 
This  notion  Avas  derived  from  the  fable  of 
the  daughters  of  Atlas  and  Pleione,  Avho, 
overwhelmed  Avith  grief  at  the  fate  of  their 
brother  Hj'as,  Avho  Avas  torli  in  pieces  by 
abull,  Avept  so  Aiolently  that  the  gods  in 
compassion  took  them  into  heaven  and 
placed  them  in  the  Bull's  forehead,  Avhere 
thoy  still  continued  to  Aveep. 

Hyaenodon,  -e'no-don.  A  gen.  of  fossil 
carnivorous  quadrupeds  found  in  eocene 
and  mioccno  strata  of  the  tertiaries. 

Hyalasidae,  -al-o'i-de.  A  fam.  of  ptero- 
pods,  of  the  gen.  Hyatea  is  the  type. 


HYALESCENCE 


424 


HYDEOPATHY 


Myalesccnce,  -es'sena.  The  act  or  pro- 
cess of  becoming  transparent  as  glass. 
Hyalog-raphy,  -©g'ra-fi.  The  aot  of 
writing  or  engraving  on  glass. 
Jlyalonemidse,  'al-o-nG"mi-d(j.  A 
fumily  of  glass  sponges,  comprising  the 
glass-rope  of  Japan, 

Hiyalotype,  -al'o-tip.  A  positive  photo- 
graphic picture  taken  on  glass. 
ilybrid,  'brid.  A  mongrel  or  mule  ;  an 
animal  or  plant,  the  produce  of  a  female 
animal  or  plant  which  has  been  impreg- 
nated by  a  male  of  a  different  variety, 
species  or  gmius. 
ilyde  Park.  A  park  of  400  acres  in  the 
city  of  London,  England. 
JSydra,  hi'dra.  In  Greek  Myth,  a  ser- 
pent or  monster  in  the  lake  of  Lernsea,  in 
ArgoUs,  represented  as  having  many 
heads,  one  of  which,  being  cut  off,  was 
immediately  succeeded  by  another,  unless 
the  Avound  was  cauterized.  The  destruc- 
tion of  this  monster  was  one  of  the  twelve 
labors  of  Hercules.  A  southern  constella- 
tion running  along  the  south  of  Cancer, 
Leo,  and  Virgo.  A  genus  of  fresh-water 
polypes  of  a  very  low  type  of  structure. 
They  may  be  divided  into  almost  any 
number  of  fragments,  and  each  portion 
becomes  developed  into  a  fresh  indepen- 
dent polypite.  Reproduction  is  effected 
by  gemmation  as  well 
as  by  the  production 
of  ova  and  sperm-  • 
cells. 

Hydrant,  'drant. 
A  pipe  with  suitable 
valves  and  a  spout  by 
which  Avater  is  i-aised 
and  discharged  from 
a  main  pipe ;  also,  a 
street  fountain. 

Hydraulics,  -dral'- 
iks.    That  branch  of  science  which  deals 
with    the   application    of  the  motion  of 
liquids    to  machinery  and  of  machinery 
to  the  motion  of  liquids. 

Hydriad,  'dri-ad.  In  Myth,  a  water 
nymph. 

Hydrobarometer,  'drd-ba-  rom'-'et-er. 
An  instrumeitl  for  determining  the  depth 
of  the  sea. 

Hydrobranchiata,  -brang-ki-a  "  t  a . 
The  first  section  of  the  ord.  Gasteropoda, 
containing  mollusca  which  breathe  in 
water  only. 

Hydrocantbaridse,  -kan-thar^i-d^. 
Water-beetles,  a  group  of  aquatic  coleop- 
terous insects,  with  numerous  genera. 

HydrocllOBrus,  -dro-kc'rus.      A  gen.  of 


Hydrant. 


rodent  mammals,  fam.  Oavlda),  the  best- 
known  member  of  which  is  the  cai)ybara 
or  water-hog. 

Hydrocoriase,  -kor'i-sS.  Th«  water- 
bugs,  a  tribe  of  heteroptcrous  insects 
containing  two  families,  the  Notonectidss 
or  water-boatmen,  and  the  Nepida;  or 
water-scorpions. 
Hydrogen,  -jon.  An  elementary  sub- 
stance, the  vapor  of  a  metal,  and  capable 
of  solidification.  The  name  was  given  to 
it  by  the  French  chemists  in  consequence 
of  its  being  one  of  the  elements  of  water. 
It  also  forms  a  component  of  all  vegetable 
and  animal  products,  and  is  usually  pro- 
cured by  the  action  of  dilute  sulphuric 
acid  upon  zinc  or  iron,  or  by  passing  the 
vapor  of  water  over  red-hot  iron.  It 
unites  with  all  other  elementary  gaseous 
bodies,  and  forms  with  them  compounds 
of  importance  and  utility ;  thus  with  oxy- 
gen it  forms  water ;  with  nitrogen,  am- 
monia ;  with  chlorine,  hydrochloric  acid ; 
Ac.  It  forms  compounds  also  with  car- 
bon, iodine,  phosphorus,  cyanogen,  sul- 
phur, &c. 
Hydrog-nosy,  -drog'no-si.  A  history 
and  description  of  the  waters  of  the  earth. 
Hydrography,  'ra-fl.  That  branch  of 
Ssieiicj  which  has  for  its  object  the  mea- 
surement and  description  of  the  sea, 
lakes,  rivers,  and  other  waters,  embracing 
marine  surveying,  the  determination  of 
the  winds,  currents,  &c.,  and  the  art  of 
forming  charts,  which  exhibit  the  contour 
of  the  bottom  of  the  sea  and  harbors. 
Hydromel,  'dro-mel.  A  liquor  consist- 
ing of  honey  diluted  in  water ;  when  al- 
lowed to  ferment  It  is  called  mead  or 
vinous  hydromel. 

Hydroraeteor,  -dro-mo'te-cr.  A  mete- 
or dependent  upon  the  vapor  of  water ;  iu 
the  plural,  a  general  term  foi  all  the  aque- 
ous phenomena  of  the  atmosphere,  as  rain, 
hail;  snow,  &c. 

Hydrometer,  -drom  '  et  -  er. 
An  instrument  to  measure  the 
specific  g#ivity  or  density  of^ 
water  and    other   fluids,    the^ 
strength  of  sinrituous  liquors 
and  of  various  solutions.    An 
inr^trument  to  measure  the  ve- 
locity of  running  water. 
Hydromys,    hl'dro-mis.    A 
gen.    of    rodent   quadrupeds, 
fam.  Muridtu  ;  the  beavor-rats. 
Hydropathy,  -dro'pa-thi.  A 
mode  of  treating  diseases  by 
the  use  of  pure  Avater  both  in-  llydrom- 
ternally  and  externally  ;    the        ctor. 
Avater  cure. 


HYDHOPHIS 


425 


HYMN^ 


Hydrophis,  -fis.  Water-snakes  ;  a  g^eii. 
of  venomous  reptiles,  I'am.  Hydridae. 

Hydrophobia,  -dro-lo'bi-a.  A  disease 
produced  by  the  bite  of  a  mad  animal,  es- 
pecially of  a  mad  or  rabid  dog,  one  of  the 
characteristics  of -svhich  is  an  aversion  to 
or  inability  to  swalloAv  liquids. 

Hydrophore,  'dro-for.  An  instrument 
for  obtaining  specimens  of  water  at  any 
particular  depth. 

Hydropli3rte,  -fit.  A  plant  which  lives 
and  grows  in  Avatcr. 

Hydropult,  -pult.  A  machine  for  throw- 
ing water  by  hand-power,  used  as  a  gar- 
den-engine or  fire-annihilator. 

Hydrostat,  -stat.  A  term  applied  to  any 
apparatus  for  preventing  the  explosion  of 
steam-boilers. 

Hydrostatics,  -dro-stat'iks.  The  sci- 
ence which  treats  of  the  weight,  motion 
and  equilibrium  of  fluids,  particularly  of 
water. 

Hydrus,  -drus.  A  gen.  of  water-snakes, 
now  generally  called  Hydrophis,  the  type 
of  the  fam.  Ilydridfe.  A  constellation  of 
the  Southern  Hemisphere. 

Hyemation,  -em-a'shon.  The  passing 
of  a  winter  in  a  particular  plac*. 

Hyena,  -<i'- 
na.  A  gen. 
of  digitigrade 
carnivo  reus 
quadrupe  d  s, 
constituting 
a  family^ 
which  unites/ 
the  skull 
characters  of  Hvena. 

the    FelidjB 

vnth  the  skeleton  and  gregarious  habits  of 
the  Canidai. 

Hyena-dog,  -dog.  The  wild  dog  of  Cape 
Colony,  rather  smaller  than  a  mastiff, 
fierce  and  active. 

Hyetogrraph,  'e-to-graf.  A  chart  show- 
ing the  average  rainfall  in  the  different  re- 
gions of  the  earth. 

Hyg-iene,  'ji-en.  That  department  of 
medicine  which  treats  of  the  preserya- 
tion  of  health ;  sanitary  science. 

Hygrogrraph,  'gro-graf.  An  instru- 
ment which  registers  automatically  the 
variations  of  the  atmosphere  as  regards 
moistness. 

Hygrometry,  -grom'et-ri.  That  branch 
of  physics  which  relates  to  the  determina- 
tion of  the  humidity  of  bodies,  especially 
of  the  moisture  in  tha  atmosphere. 


Hygcna. 


Hyg-eia,  -jo'j'a.  In  Class. 
Myth,  the  goddess  of 
health,  daughter  of  Escu- 
lapius.  She  is  represented 
as  a  blooming  maid,  with 
a  bowl  in  one  hand 
and  grasping  a  ser-^ 
l>ent  vnth  the  other. 
One  of  the  asteroid#  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Mars 
and  Jupiter,  discovered 
in  1S49.  It  revolves  round 
the  su-^i  in  2160  solar  days, 
and  is  three  and  one- 
fourth  times  the  distance^ 
of  the  earth  from  the  sun. 

Hyla,  'la.  A  gen.  ofbatrachian  reptiles; 
the  tree-frogs. 

Hyleosaurus,  'le-o-sa"ru8.  A  gigantic 
fDssil  lizard,  discovered  in  the  Wealden 
formation  of  Tilgate  Forest.  Its  probable 
length  was  about  25  feet.  It  is  one  of  the 
Ornithoscelida,  the  gi-oup  which  presents  a 
structure  intermediate  between  that  ef  ex- 
isting birds  and  reptiles. 

Hylism,  'lizm.  In  Metaph.  the  theory 
which  regards  matter  as  the  original  prin- 
ciple of  evil,  in  opposition  to  the  good 
spirit. 

Hylopathism,  -lop'ath-ism.  The  doc- 
trine tliat  matter  is  sentient. 

Hylophag-OUS,  -lof-a-gus.  A  term  ap- 
phed  to  an  animal  that  feeds  upon  the 
young  shoots  of  trees,  roots,  &c. 

Hylotheism,  -lu-the'izm.  The  doctrine 
or  belief  that  there  is  no  God  except  mat- 
ter and  the  universe. 

Hymen,  'men.  In  Class.  Myth,  a  fabu- 
lous deity,  the  son  of  Bacchus  and  A^enus, 
supposed  to  preside  over  marriages. 

Hymenoptera,  'men-op'te-ra.  An  ord. 
of  insects,  the  tail  of  the  female  being 
mostly  armed  with  an  o\ipositor  by  means 
of  which  she  perforates  the  bodies  in  which 
she  deposits 
her  eggs,  or 
with  a  sharp 
sting.  The 
order  in- 
cludes the 
bees,  wasps, 
ants,  ich- 
neumon- 
flies,  &c. 

Hymn,him. 
A  song  or 
ode  in  henor 

of  God,  or  in  Hymenoptera. 

honorof  ''  '■ 

some  deity ;  a  sacred  lyric. 


HYMENEAL 


U26 


Hymeneal,  -men-G'al.  A.  marriage  song. 
Kelating  to  marriage. 

Hyraenologry,  -ol'o-ji.  A  treatise  on  the 
membranes  of  the  animal  sj-stem. 

Hyopotamus,  -pot'a-mus.  The  river- 
hog;  anon-ruminant,  even-toed  mammal 
found  fossil  in  the  tertiary  strata  of  En- 
gland and  France. 

Hypatia,  hl-pu'shah.  Daughter  of  The- 
on,  of  Alexandria,  of  high  education  and 
a  teacher  of  mathematics  ;  n.  in  Alexan- 
dria, toward  the  end  of  the  4th  century. 
8he  became  the  most  celebrated  professor 
of  the  Neo-Platonic  school  of  philosophy, 
and  was  killed  by  fanatical  Christians,  415. 
Her  writings  were  burned  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Alexandrian  Library. 

Hypaethral,  -pe'tliral.  In  Arch,  a  build- 
ing not  roofed,  as  the  Temple  of  Neptune 
at  Paestum. 

Hyperborean,  -per-b6're-an.  An  in- 
habitant of  the  most  northern  region  of 
the  earth.  In  the  early  Greek  legend  the 
Hyperboreans  were  a  people  who  lived 
beyond  the  north  wind,  were  not  exposed 
to  its  blasts,  but  enjoyed  a  land  of  per- 
petual sunshine  and  abundant  fruits. 
They  were  free  from  disease,  violence  and 
war,  and  their  natuTal  life  lasted  1000 
years,  which  was  spent  in  the  worship  of 
Apollo. 

Hyperdulia,  -du'll-a.  The  peculiar 
worship  offered  by  Koman  Catholics  to  the 
Yirgin  Mary,  so  called  because  higher  than 
that  given  to  other  saints  (which  is  known 
as  duha),  though  of  course  Inferior  to  la- 
tria,  the  worship  due  to  God  alone. 

Hyperion,  -pe'ri-on.  In  the  oldest 
mythology  of  Greece,  the  god  of  the  sun, 
distinguished  for  his  beauty :  afterward 
identified  with  Apollo. 

Hypnologry,  hip-nol'o-ji.  The  study  of 
the  phenomena  accompanying  sleep;  a 
treatise  or  discourse  on  sleep. 

H3rpocarpog'ean,  hi'pr)-kar-po"je-an. 
A  plant  which  produces  its  fruit  below 
ground. 

Hypodermic,    -po-der'mik,      A   medi- 


cine introduced  under  the  skin,   as  mor- 
phia or  other  narcotic  agent.  ,  « 

Hypog-sean,  -jc'an.  A  term  applied  t& 
l)arts  of  plants  which  grow  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  earth. 

Hypostasis,  -pos'ta-sis.  That  which 
forms  the  basis  or  foundation  of  some- 
thing. Used  by  early  Greek  Christian 
writers  to  denote  distinct  substance  of  the 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit  in  the  God- 
head, called  by  them  three  hj-postases, 
and  by  the  Latins  persona;,  whenco  the 
modern  term  persons  applied  to  the  Goil- 
head.  « 

Hypotenuse,  -pot'e- 
-nus.  In  Geom.  the 
subtense  or  longest  side 
of  a  right-angled  trian- 
gle, or  a  line  that  sub- 
tends the  right  angle. 

HypsiprynaxLUS,  hip 
si-prim'nus.     A  gen.  ol' 
marsupial       animals  a b. Hypotenuse, 
known  as  kangaroo  rats. 

Hjrpsistarian,  -sis-ta'ri-an.  One  of 
certain  heretics  of  th©  4th  century,  some 
of  whose  notions  were  Pagan,  some  Jew- 
ish and  some  Christian:  so  called  from  wor- 
shiping the  most  high  in  one  person  only. 

Hypsometer,  -som'et-er.  A  thermo- 
metrical  barometer  for  measux-ing  alti- 
tudes. 

Hypsometry,  -ri.  The  art  of  measur- 
ing the  relative  or  absolute  heights  of 
places  upon  the  surface  of  the  earth, 
either  by  the  barometer  or  by  trigonomet- 
rical observations. 

Hyrax,  'raks.  A  gen,  of  pachyderma- 
tous mammalia,  intermediate  in  their  char- 
acter between  the  rhinoceros  and  the  tapir. 

Hyson,  'son.  A  species  of  green  tea 
from  China.  H.  skin,  the  refuse  of  hyson 
tea. 

Hysteranthous,  his-ter-an'thus.  Plants 
in  which  the  leaves  appear  after  the 
flowers,  as  in  the  willows,  poplars,  &c. 

Hystricidae,  -tris'i-dc.  The  porcupine 
tribe,  a  fam.  of  rodents. 


IIS  the  9th  letter  and  3d  vowel  of  the 
English  alphabet,  in  Avhich  it  repre- 
sents not  only  several  vowel  sounds  but 
also  the  consonantal  sound  of  y.  The  two 
panncipal  sounds  arc  the  short  sound  as  in 
pit,  pin,  fin,  and  the  long  as  in  pine,  fine, 
wine.  It  has  also  three  other  sounds,  that 


in  first,  dirk,  that  in  machine,  intrigue ; 
and  the  consonant  sound  heard  in  many 
words  Avhen  it  precedes  a  rowel,  as  in 
million,  opinion,  trunnion.  I  and  J  wer« 
formerly  regarded  as  one  character. 
I.  The  nominative  case  of  the  pronoun  of 
the  first  person ;  the  word  which  expresses 


lANTHINA 


42T 


ICHKEUMONID^ 


j  one's  self.  In  Metliapli.  the  conscioua 
thinking  subject ;  the  ego. 

lanthina,  I-an'thin-a.  A  gen.  of  oceanic 
gasteropotlous  mollusca ;  the  violet-snails. 
"When  alarmed  it  pours  out  a  violet  secre- 
tion, which  serves  for  its  concealment,  in 
the  manner  of  the  ink  of  the  cuttle-fish. 

lapetus,  -ap'e-tus.  In  Myth,  the  son  of 
\  Titan  and  Terra,  and  founder  of  the 
human  race.  In  Astron.  a  satellite  of 
Saturn. 

latroleptic,  -a'trd-lep"tik.  Curing  by 
ointments  and  frictions.  The  iatroleptic 
method  consists  in  the  application  of 
medicines  to  the  skin  aided  by  friction.  It 
is  also  termed  the  Epidermic  Method. 

Iberian,  -be'- 
ri-an.  One  of 
the  primitive  in- 
h  a  b  i  t  a  nts  of 
Spain.  The 
Basques  are  sup- 
posed to  be  rep-; 
i-eseutatives  of 
the  ancient 
Spanish  Iberi- 
ans. 

Ibex,  'beka.  A 
sub-gen.  of  the 
hollow  - h o  rn  - 
ed  ruminants 
(cavicorcia),  in-  Ibex, 

habiting    the 
highest  points  of  the  Alps  and  Apennines. 

Ibidem,  ib-i'dem.  In  the  same  place  ; 
contracted  ib.,  Ibid. 

Ibis,  i'bis.  A  gen.  of  grallatorial  birds 
allied  to  the  storks,  one 
of  whose  most  remark- 
able species  is  tho  Ibis 
religiosa  of  Cuvier.  It 
was  reared  in  the  temples 
of  ancient  Egypt  •\vlth  a 
degree  of  respect  border- 
ing on  adoration.  The 
sacred  ibis  is  named 
Threskiornis  by  some 
zoologists. 

,  Ice,  Is.     A   solid,   trans- 

.  parent,  brittle  substance, 
formed  by  the  congela- 
tion of  a  fluid  by  means  of  the  abstrac- 
tion of  the  heat  necessary  to  preserve  its 
fluidity.  Water  begins  to  freeze  at  32° 
Fahrenheit. 

Ice-belt,  'belt.  A  fringe  of  ice  along  the 
shores  in  Arctic  regions. 

Iceberg:,  'berg.  A  vast  and  lofty  body  of 
ice  floating  on  the  ocea.n,  sometimes  2 
miles  long  and  half  as  broad. 


Sacred  Ibis. 


Iceblink,  'bhngk.  A  bright  yellowish- 
white  tint  near  the  horizon,  reflected  from 
the  snow  in  the  arctic  or  antai'ctic  regions, 
observed  before  the  ice  itself  is  seen. 

Iceboat,  'bot.  A  strong  boat,  common- 
ly propelled  by  steam,  used  to  break 
a  passage  through  ice.  A  boat  for  sailing 
on  the  surface  of  ice. 

Ice-cap,  'kap.  A  bladder  containing 
pounded  ice,  applied  to  the  head  in  cases 
of  inflammation  of  the  brain.  The  great 
sheet  of  land  ice  formed  round  the  pole 
during  glacial  times. 

Ice-cream,  'krom.    A  species  of  confec- 


spe 

aim 


tionery  made  by  congealing  cream  A'ari- 
ously  flavored  in  a  vessel  surrounded  by 
a  freezing  mixture. 

Ice-fern,  'fern.  A  beautiful  fern-like 
incrustation  of  ice  or  hoar-frost  produced 
on  the  glass  of  windows  by  the  freezing  of 
the  insensible  moisture. 
Ice-field,  'fold.  A  sheet  of  ice  so  exten- 
sive that  its  limits  cannot  be  seen  from 
the  mast-head.  A  lai-ge  sheet  of  ice. 
Ice-floe,  'flo.  A  sheet  of  ice,  smaller  than 
an  ice-field. 

Iceland,  Is'land.  An  island  of  the  N". 
Atlantic  belonging  to  Denmark  ;  area,  abt. 
40,000  sq.  m.  It  is  of  volcanic  formation, 
and  the  gi-eater  portion  is  in  a  chronic  state 
of  terresti-ial  agitation.  Mt.  Ilecla  is  the 
principal  volcanic  peak,  and  the  geysers 
and  basaltic  caves  are  among  the  most  in- 
teresting of  tho  natural  phenomena  of  the 
world.  The  natives  are  pure  Scandinavian, 
speak  the  Old  Norse  tongue,  are  Prot- 
estants and  well  educated  ;  pop.  abt.  10,- 
000.  lieikiavik  is  the  cap.  and  the  chief 
port. 

Iceland-moss,  -mos.  Cetraria  islandica, 
a  species  of  lichen  found  in  the  arctic  re- 
gions, and  on  lofty  mountains.  It  is  used 
in  medicine,  and  is  a  nutiitious  article  of 
diet. 

Ice  and-spar,    -spar,      A    transparent 
rhomboidal  variety  of  calcareous  spar,  or 
carbonate  of  lime.     It  possesses  the  i)rop- 
erty  of  double  refraction,  and  is  valuable 
for  experiments  on  the  double  refraction 
and  polarization  of  light. 
Ice-plO"W,    'plow.      A   sort  of  plow   for 
cutting  grooves  on  ice,  with  a  A'iew  to  its 
removal,  or  to  open  a  i)assage  for  boats. 
Ichneumonidse,    'i-dc*.      A    fam.    of 
hymenopterous  insects,  the  genera  and 
epecies  of  which  are  very  numerous,  over 
■   3,000  species  existing,  it. is  said,  in  Europ* 
alone  •,  the  iclmeumon-flies. 


TCE-8AW 


42S 


IDAHO 


Xce-saw's  -sa.  A 
largo  saw,  used  for 
cutting  tbi-ougli  the 

'  ice,  to  relieve  ships 
■H-hen  frozen  up,  or 
for  cutting  blocks 
for  storage. 

Ich.  dien,  cch'  den. 
Lit.  "I  serve":  the; 
motto  of  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  originally 
adopted  by  Edward 
the  Black  Prince,  in 
token  of  his  subjec- 
tion to  his  father, 
Edward  III. 

Ic  h.neu- 
mon,     i  k  - 

nfi'tuon.  A' 
dlgitigrade 
carnivoro  u  s, 
animal,  gen 
H  e  r  p  estes. 
fam,  Viver- 
ridje,     bear- 


Egyptian    Ichneumon. 


ing  a  close   resemblance   to    the  weasel 
tribe  both  in  form  and  habits. 
Ichnite,   'nit.      In    Geol.  the  term  ap- 
plied to  fossil  footprints;  often  used  in 
composition  ;  as  ornithichnite,  bird  foot- 
print; tetrapodichnite,  the  footprint  of  a 
four-footed  animal,  as  a  batrachian   rep- 
tile. 
IclinologTr,   -nol'o-ji.      That  branch    of 
geology  which  treats  of  the  fossil  foot- 
marks of  animals. 
Ichor,  i'kor.     In  Myth,  an   ethereal  fluid 
that  supplied  the  place  of  blood  in  the 
veins  of  the  gods  of  the  Greeks  and  Ko- 
mans.      A  thin    watery  acrid   discharge 
from  an  ulcer,  wound,  &c. 
Ichthyolite,  ik'thi-o-llt.    A  fossil  fish  or 
the  impression  of  a  fish  in  rock. 
Ichtlayolog-y,   -thi-ol'o-ji.    The  branch 
of  zoology   which  treats  of  fishes,  their 
structure,  form  and  classification,  habits, 
uses,    Ac.     The    orders    are     Pharyngo- 
branchii,       Marsipobranchii,        Elasmo- 
branchii,  Ganoidei,  Teleostei,  Dipnoi. 
Ichthyophagist,   -ofa-jist.      One  who 

subsists  on  fish. 
Ichthyopsida,  -op'si-da.     The  primary 
division  of  the  Vertebrata,  comprising  the 
fishes  and  .imphibia. 
Ichthyo- 
saurus,  -o- 
8a"rus,     A 

fish-like      liz-  Ichthvosaiirus. 

ard ;    an    inj- 
wionfefe  fossfl  marine     saurian   or  reptile 


having  an  organization  combining  the 
characters  of  saurian  reptiles  and  of 
fishes  with  some  of  the  peculiarities  of  the 
whales. 
Ichthys,  'this.  A  word  found  on  many 
seals,  rings,  urns,  tomb-stones,  ..fee.,  be- 
longing to  early  Christianity,  and  sup- 
posed to  have  a  mystical  meaning,  from 
each  character  forming  an  initial  letter  of 
the  words  "  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God, 
the  Saviour."  .  ' 

Iconoclast,  i-kon'o-klast.     A  breaker  or 
destroyer  of  images;  c.xposer  of  shams, 
superstitions  or  impositions. 
Iconography,  -og'ra-fi.   That  branch  of 
knowledge  that  treats  of  ancient  art  so  far 
as  it  consists  in  the  representation  of  ob- 
jects by  means  of  images  or  statues,  busts, 
paintings  in  fresco,  mosaic  works,  engrav- 
ings on  gems  or  metals,  and  the  like. 
loonolater,   -ol'a-ter.      One   who  wor- 
ships images :  a  name  sometimes  given 
to  the  Eoman  Catholics. 
Icosahedral,    'kos-a-he"dral.      Having 
twenty  equal  sides. 
Icosahedron,  -"dron.     A  goli<i  of  twenty 

equal  sides. 
Icosandria,   -kos-an'dri-a.     In  Bot.  the 
l'2th  class  in  the  Linnasan  system,  distin- 
guished by  having  twenty  "or   more  sta- 
mens Inserted  in  the  calyx.     They  ijro- 
duce  our  most  esteemed  fruits. 
Icteria,  ik-tc'ri- 
a.      A   gen.    of 
birds     generally 
included   in  the. 
fam.  Turdidajor 
thrushes.   I.  vir- 
idis    (chattering 
flycatcher       o  r 
yellow -breasted 
chat)     has    the 
faculty  of  mim- 
icking     almost    _, 
any    noise   that    Chattering  Flycatcher, 
it  hears,    Avhich 

it  repeats  often  during  the  whole  night. 
Icteridse,  -ter'i-de.     A  fam.  of  conirostral 
passerine  birds,  allied  to  the  Sturnidaj,  re- 
markable   for    the    hammock-like    nests 
which    they  construct ;  the  hangnests. 
Id.     Contracted  from  idem  ;  the  same. 
Ida,   i'dah.      A  mountain  range  in  Asia 
Minor.     Near  the  base  of  one  of  its  princi- 
pal summits  was  situated  the  famous  city 
of  Troy  (Troja). 
Idaho.     A  territory  in   the  U.  S.,  organ- 
ized 18G3;    bounded    JST.    by  British    N. 
Amei-ioa  and  Montana,  E.   by  Wyoming 
8.  by  Utah  and  Nevada,  "W.  by  Oregon  and 


IDEALISM 


429 


ILLINOIS 


.  Washington ;  area,  9G,000  sq.  in.  The 
mountain  ranges  are  the  Salmon  Eiver, 

•  Bitter  Koot  and  Wind  Itiver ;  the  chief 

i  rivers,  St.  Joseph,  Salmon,  Clearwater  and 
Coeiir  d'Alcne.     Boise  City  (the  caix),  Ida- 

'  ho  City,   Centrcville,     Esmeralda,  Lewis- 

,'  ton,  Faiby  City  and  Florence  constitute 
the  principal  towns.     Pop.  32,610. 

Idealism,  I-de'al-izm.  That  system  of 
I)hilosophy  according  to  wluch  nothing  ex- 
ists but  the  mind  itself  and  the  ideas  per- 
ceived by  the  mind. 

Ides,  Tdz.  In  the  ancient  Eoman  calen- 
dar the  13th  of  January,  February,  April, 
June,  August,  S«ptem'ber,  November  and 
December,  and  the  15th  of  March,  May, 
July  and  October.  Eight  days  in  each 
month  are  sometimes  called  by  this  name, 
but  only  one  should  strictly  receive  it,  the 
others  being  reckoned  as  so  many  days  be- 
fore the  Ides. 

Idiot,  id'-i-ot.  A  human  being  destitute  of 
reason  or  the  ordinary  intellectual  powers 
of  man  ;  one  who  has  no  lucid  intervals, 
as  distinguished  from  a  lunatic,  who  has 
lucid  intervals. 

Idioticon,  'ik-on.  A  dictionary  con- 
fined to  a  particular  dialect,  or  containing 
words  and  phrases  peculiar  to  one  part  of 
a  country. 

Idle-wheel,  i'dl-whel.  In  Mech.  a  wheel 
placed  between  two  others  for  the  pur- 
I)ose  simply  of  transferring  the  motion 
from  one  axis  to  the  other  without  change 
of  dii-ection. 

Idolater,  -dol'at-er.  A  worshiper  of 
idols  ;  one  who  pays  divine  honors  to  any- 
thing made  by  hands  ;  one  who  worships 
as  a  deity  that  which  is  not  God ;  a  pagan. 

Ifurin.  In  Celtic  Myth,  the  Hades  of  the 
ancient  Gauls,  where  the  Avicked  were  tor- 
tured by  being  chained  in  the  lairs  of 
dragons,  subjected  to  incessant  distillation 
of  poisons,  exposed  to  serpents  and  savage 
beasts,  &c. 

Ig-loo,  ig'lo.  The  name  given  by  the  Es- 
quimaux to  a  hut  made  of  snow.  The  ex- 
cavation which  a  seal  makes  in  the  snow 
over  its  breathing-hole,  for  the  protection 
of  its  young. 

Ignatius,  St.  (Surnamed  Theophorus). 
Bishop  of  Antioch,  n.  abt.  32,  martyred  in 
Kome,  107.  His  writings  are  still  held  in 
high  esteem. 

Igncscent,  -nes'sent.  A  stone  or  min- 
eral that  gives  out  sparks  when  struck, 
especially  with  steel  or  iron. 

Igiaicolist,  -nik'ol-ist.  A  worshiper  of 
iirc. 


Common  Iguuna. 


Ig-nis-fatuus,  'ms-fat'u-us.  A  meteor 
or  light  that  api)ears  in  the  night,  and  flits 
about  in  the  air  a  little  above  the  surface 
of  the  earth,  generally  supposed  to  be  pro- 
duced by  the  decomposition  of  animal  or 
vegetable  substances,  or  by  the  evolution 
of  gases  which  spontaneously  inflame  in 
the  atmosphere.  It  is  popularl)^  kiiown 
by  such  names  as  Will-o'-the-wisp,  Jack- 
a-lantern,  Corpse-candle,  &c. 

Igrnorantin, -no-rant'in.  One  of  an  or- 
der of  lay  brothers  devoted  to  the  ele- 
mentary instruction  of  the  poor.  Some- 
times called  Brother  of  Charity. 

Ig-uana, 
-wii'na.  A 
gen.  of  la- 
c  e  r  t  i  1  i  a  1), 
reptile: 
faui.  Iguau- 
i  d  ie,  of 
which  there 
are  several 
8  p  e  cies, 
some  herbivorous  and  others  omnivorous. 
They  are  very  timid,  live  chiefly  «n  trees, 
and  are  used  as  food. 

Igruanodon,  ig-wa'nO-don.  An  extinct 
fossil  colossal  lizard,  found  in  the  Wealdeu 
strata,  its  estimated  length  varying  from 
30  to  70  ft. 

Ihram.  The  garb  w^orn  by  Mohamme- 
dan pilgrims,  consisting,  for  men,  of  two 
scarfs,  one  folded  round  the  loins  and  the 
other  thrown  over  the  neck  and  shoulders; 
for  women,  of  a  cloak  enveloping  the 
whole  person. 

I.  EC.  S.  An  abbreviation  usually  con- 
sidered as  standing  for  Jesus  Hominum 
Salvator,  Jesus  the  Saviour  of  Men,  or  for 
In  hac  (cruce)  salus,  in  this  (cross)  is  sal- 
vation ;  but  it  was  oi-iginally  the  first  three, 
or  perhaps  the  first  two  and  the  last  let- 
ters of  the  Greek  form  of  Jesus. 

Iliad,  il'i-ad.  An  epic  poem  in  the  Greek 
language,  in  24  books,  generally  regarded 
as  composed  by  Homer.  The  main  or 
primary  subject  of  this  poem  is  the  wrath 
of  Achilles  and  the  circumstances  result- 
ing from  it ;  in  describing  which  the  poet 
exhibits  the  miserable  effects  of  disunion 
and  public  dissensions. 

Illinois,  il'le-noi.  A  State  of  the  Ameri. 
can  Union,  lulniitted  1818;  bounded  N.  by 
Wisconsin  and  Lake  Michigan,  E.  by  In- 
diana, S.  by  Kentucky,  W.  by  Io^va  and 

Missouri;  area,  55,410  sq.  m.  ;  pop. 
3,377,871.  The  surface  is  almost  entirely 
level  prairio  ;  the  prmcii)al  i-ivers  arc  Mis- 
sissippi Oh  the  W.  boundaiy,  the  Ohio  04 


IMAGE-BEEAKER 


IMPONDERABLE 


the  S.,  the  Illinois,  Wabash,  Sangamon 
and  Kasikaskia ;  chief 
towns,  Chicaf^o,  Spring- 
field (cap.).  Galena,  llock 
Island,  Alton,  Peoria, 
Bloomington  and  Van- 
daha. 

Imagre-breaker,  im'aj- 
hrak-er.  One  Avho  breaks 
or  destroys  images  ;  an 
Iconoclast ;  an  idoloclast. 

Imagro,  a'go.  The  last  or 
Itcrfect  state  of  an  insect, 
after  the  pupa  case  or 
sheath  has  been  shed,  and 
the  animal  appears. 

Imazn.,  i-mam.  A  min- 
ister or  priest  who  per- 
forms the  services  of  the  Mosque. 

Imbrication,  im-bri-ka"*hon.  State  of 
being  imbri- 
cate an  over- 
lapping of  the 
edges,  like  that 
of  tiles  or  shin- 
gles. A  hollow 
resembling 
that  of  a  gutter 
tile. 

Imbrocata, 
bro-kii-ta.      In 


Imbrication — Hoof 
and  Column. 


fencing,  a  thrust  over  the  arm. 
Imraaterialism,  -ma-tc'i-i-al-izm.  The 
doctrine  that  immaterial  substances  or 
spiritual  beings  exist  or  are  possible.  The 
doctrine  that  there  is  no  material  Avorld, 
but  that  all  exists  only  in  the  mind. 
Immersion,  -mer'shon.  In  Astron.  the 
disappearance  of  a  celestial  body  by  passing 
either  behind  another  or  into  its  shadow ; 
opposed  to  emersion.  The  occupation  of 
a  star  is  immersion  of  the  fii-st  kind ;  the 
eclipse  of  a  satellite,  immersion  of  the 
second  kind. 

Immersionist,  -ist.  One  who  holds 
that  immersion  is  essential  to  Christian 
baptism. 

Immigrrant,  'mi-gr^nt.  One  who  mi- 
grates into  a  country  for  the  purpose  of 
permanent  residence  ;  the  correlative  of 
emigrant. 

Iramolator,  'mo-lat-er.  One  of  a  sect 
of  modern  Kussian  fanatics  Avho,  for  the 
sake  of  saving  their  souls,  mutilate 
their  bodies  and  kill  themselves. 
Imm.ortal,  -mor'tal.  One  av%o  is  ex- 
empt from  death  or  annihilation  :  often 
applied,  in  the  plural,  to  the  gods  of  clas- 
Bical  mythology. 


Immortalist,  -ist.  One  who  holds  that 
the  soul  is  immortal. 

Impanation,  -pa-nfi'shon.  The  sup- 
posed real  presence  in,  and  union  of  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ  with,  the  sub- 
stan(!e  of  the  bread  and  wine,  after  conse- 
cration, in  the  eucharist ;  consubstantia- 
tion :  distinct  from  transubstantiation, 
which  holds  that  there  is  a  miraculous 
change  of  the  elements  into  the  real  body 
and  blood  of  Christ :  a  tenet  of  the  Lu- 
theran Church. 

Impasto,  -pas'to.  In  painting,  the 
thickness  of  the  body  of  pigment  applied 
by  the  painter  to  his  canvas. 

Impennate,  pen'at.  A  bird,  as  the 
penguin,  with  short  wings  covered  Avith 
scales. 

Iraperator,  -pe-ra'tor.  In  Eora.  Antiq. 
a  title  originally  applied  to  a  military 
commander  After  the  overthrow  of  the 
Kepublic,  Imperator 
became  the  highest 
title  of  the  supreme 
ruler,  expressing  the 
same  thing  as  the  title 
king.  Later  it  had  the 
signification  which  we 
attach  to  the  word  em- 
peror. 

Imperial,    -pe'ri-al. 
In  Arch,  an  imperial : 
roof  or  dome.     A  tuft  ' 
of  hair    on  a    man's 
loAver    lip :    so   called 
from  being  the  style  of 
beard  made  fashiona- 
ble  by    the  Emperor 
Napoleon  III.    A  size     Imperial  Dome, 
of  paper,  22  by  30  inches. 

Impeyan,  'pi-an.  A  large  gallinaceous 
bud  belonging  to  the  pheasant  tribe,  gen. 
Lophophorus.  The  head  is  surmounted 
by  a  plume  or  crest,  the  feathers  in  the 
male  being  very  much  elongated.  The 
plumage  of  the  male  is  of  the  most  bril- 
liant, changing,  metallic  hues— green, 
steel-blue,  A'iolet  and  golden  bronze. 
Implacental,  'pla-sen-tal.  A  mammal 
destitute  of  placenta. 

Impluvium,  -plu'vi-um.  In  Anc.  Arch, 
a  term  Avhich  denoted  in  the  houses  of  the 
ancient  Romans  a  basin  in  the  middle  of 
the  atrium  or  entrance-hall,  beloAV  the 
compluvium,  or  open  space  in  the  roof,  to 
recciA'e  the  i-ain. 

Imponderable,  -pon'der-a-bl,  In  phy- 
sics, a  thing  Avhich  has  no  appreciable 
Aveight ;  a  term  formerly  applied  to  heat, 
light,  electricity  and  magnetism,  on  the 


IMPOSING-STONE 


481 


INCUNABULUM 


Shalted  Impost. 


supposition  that  they  were  material  sub- 
stances yd  destitute  of  weiglit,  or  of  inap- 
preciable weight. 

Imposing-stone,  -poz'ing-ston.  In 
printing,  a  table  of  stone  or  metal  on  which 
the  pages  or  columns  of  typo  are  made 
into  forms. 

Impost,  'post.  A 
duty  or  tax  laid  fey 
government  on  goods 
imported ;  a  customs- 
duty.  In  Arch,  the 
point  where  an  arch' 
rests  on  a  wall  or  col- 
umn. 

Imprint,  'print.  The 
name  of  a  printer  or 
publisher  of  a  book, 
with  the  place  and  of- 
ten the  date  of  publication. 

Impromptu,  -promp'tu.  Anything 
made  oft'hand,  at  the  moment  or  without 
previous  study ;  an  extemporaneous  com- 
position. 

Inarch.,  -arch.  To 
gi-aft  by  uniting,  as  a 
scion,  to  a  stock  with- 
out separating  the 
scion  from  its  parent 
tree. 

Inaugruration,  -a'- 
gu-rri"shon.  The  act 
of  inducting  into 
office  with  appropri- 
ate ceremonies. 

Inauration,  -rfi'-r' 
shon.  The  act  or  pro- 
cess of  gilding  or  cov- 
ering Avith  gold. 

Inbond,  'bond.  In  Arch,  a  term  applied 
to  a  brick  or  stone 
laid  lengthwise  across 
a  Mall;  opposed  to 
outbond,  where  the 
brick  or  stone  is  laid 
Avith  Its  length  parallel 
to  the  face  of  the  wall. 

Inca,  'ka.  A  king  or 
prince  of  Peru  before 
the  conquest  of  that 
country  by  the  Span- 
iards. 

Incarnation,  -kar- 
na'shon.  The  act  of  incarnating  or  cloth- 
ing Mith  flesh ;  confinement  within  abodv, 
as  the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God.  In 
Surg,  the  process  of  healing  Avounds  and 
filling  the  part  with  new  flesh. 

Incendiary,  -sen'di-a-rl.    A  pereoa  who 


Inarching. 


Inbond  and  Out- 
bond Wall. 


sets  fire  to  a  building ;  one  who  is  guilty 
of  arson.'   A  political  agitator. 

Incense,  'sens.  Perfume  exhaled  by  fire; 
the  odors  of  spices  and  gums  burned  in 
rehgious  rites,  or  as  an  offering  to  some 
deity.  The  materials  burned  for  making 
perfumes. 

Incensory,  'd-ri.  The  veesel  in  which 
incense  is  burned  and  oflfered  ;  a  censer. 

Inceration,  -se-ra'shon.  The  act  of 
covering  with  wax. 

Incertum,  -sei'tum.  In  Anc.  Arch,  a 
mode  of  building  walls  used  by  the  Ko- 
mans,  in  whicli  the  stones  were  not 
squared  nor  the  joints  placed  regularly  ; 
rubble-work. 

Incest,  sest.  The  crime  of  cohabita- 
tion or  sexual  commerce  between  persons 
related  within  the  degrees  wherein  mar- 
riage is  prohibited  by  the  law  of  a  coun- 
try. Spiritual  incest,  the  crime  of  cohab- 
itation between  persons  who  have  a  spir- 
itual alliance  by  means  of  baptism  or  con- 
firmation. 

Inch.,  insh.  A  lineal  measure,  the 
twelfth  part  of  afoot.  The  inch  is  subdi- 
vided decimally  for  scientific  purposes, 
and  into  halves,  quarters,  eighths,  six- 
teenths, &c.;  for  mechanical  purposes. 

Inchpin,  'pin.  The  sweetbread  of  a  deer. 

Incineration,  in-sin-er-u'shon.  The 
act  of  reducing  to  ashes  by  combustion. 

Incisor,  -siz'er.    In  Zqol.  a  fore  tooth. 

Inclinometer,  -klT-nom'et-er.  An  ap- 
paratus for  determining  the  vertical  ele- 
ment of  magnetic  force. 

Incognita,  -kog'ni-ta.  A  female  who  is 
unknown  or  in  disguise ;  the  state  of  a 
female's  being  in  disguise  or  unknown. 

Incognito,  -to.  One  unknown  or  in  dis- 
guise or  under  an  assumed  name. 

Incremation,  -kre-ma'shon.  The  act 
of  consuming  by  burning,  as  dead  bodies ; 
a  conflagration. 

Incuhation,  -ku-ba'shon.  The  act  of 
sitting,  as  on  eggs,  for  the  purpose  of 
hatching  young.  Artificial  incubation, 
the  hatching  of  eggs  by  prolonged  artifi- 
cial warmth.  The  Egyptians  have  from 
time  immemorial  been  accustomed  to 
hatch  eggs  by  artificial  heat.  In  China, 
also,  artificial  incubation  has  long  been 
practiced. 

Incubator,  -ku-bat-er.  An  apparatus  or 
contrivance  for  hatching  eggs  by  artificial 
heat. 

Incunabulum,  -ku-nab'u-lum.  In  bib- 
liography, a  book  printed  during  the  early 


INDECIDUATTi: 


482 


mDICTION 


period  of  the  art ;  generally,  a  book  print- 
ed before  tbo  year  1500. 

Indeciduate,  -dG-sid'u-ut.  Not  decldu- 
ate ;  a  term  used  in  regard  to  tliose  pla- 
cental mammals,  as  the  horse,  cow,  pig-, 
whoso  uterus  develops  no  decidiia,  the  pla- 
centa therefore  coming  away  without  loss 
of  substance ;  non-deciduate. 

Indeciduous,  -us.  Not  deciduous  or 
falling,  as  the  leaves  of  trees  in  autumn  ; 
lasting ;  evergreen. 

Indehiscent,  -his'ent.  In  Bot.  not  de- 
hiscent ;  not  opening  spontaneously  when 
ripe. 

Independent,  -pend'ent.  One  Avho,  in 
religious  altairs,  maintains  that  every  con- 
gregation of  Christians  is  a  complete 
church,  subject  to  no  superior  authority, 
and  competent  to  perform  every  act  of 
government  in  ecclesiastical  alfali-s. 

Index-flngrer,  'deks-flng-gcr.  The  fore- 
finger, so  called  from  its  being  used  in 
pointing. 

Index-g-lass, -glas.  In  reflecting  astro- 
nomical instruments,  a  mirror  which 
moves  with  the  index,  and  Is  designed  to 
reflect  the  image  upon  the  horizon-glass, 
whence  it  is  again  reflected  to  tho  eye  of 
the  observer. 

India,  Me-ah.  The  ancient  name  of  all 
S.  Asia  lying  between  Persia  and  China, 
now  consisting  of  Hindustan,  or  India 
W.  of  the  Ganges,  and  Chin-India,  the 
section  E.  of  the  Ganges,  and  compre- 
hending Burmah,  Slam  and  Anam. 

Indian,  -an.  Pertaining  to  either  of 
tho  Indies,  E.  or  W.,  or  tho  aborigines  of 
America,  I.  architecture,  pecuhar  to  In- 
dia or  Hindustjui.  It  comprehends  a  great 
variety  of  styles.  I.  shot,  a  name  given 
to  tho  plants  of  the  genus  Canna.  The 
fruit  has  three  cells,  each  contaiiung  sev- 
eral round,  hard,  black  seeds  resembling 
shot,  sometimes  iised  as  a  substitute  for 
coffee,  and  yielding  a  purple  dye.  I.  sum- 
mer, in  N.  America,  a  season  of  pleasant 
warm  weather  occurring  late  in  autumn. 

Indiana,  -ah'nah.  A  State  of  the 
American  Union,  admitted  1S16 ;  bound- 
ed N.  by  the  State  of  and  Lake  Michigan, 
E.  by  Ohio,  S.  by  Kentucky  and  W.  by 
Illinois  ;  area,  33,890  sq.  m.,  pop.  1,9T8,- 
801.  It  has  no  mountains,  but  tho  gen- 
eral surface  of  the  soil  is  undulating,  and 
along  the  Ohio  there  are  low  hills ;  the 
principal  rivers  are  the  Ohio  and  Wabash  ; 
chief  towns,  Indianapohs  (cap.),  Evans- 
ville.  Fort  Wayne,  Terra  Haute,  Jelfer- 
Bonville,  Madison,  Columbus,  Vincennes 
and  South  Bend. 


India-paper,  -pa-per.  A  delicate  ab- 
sorbent paper  made  in  China,  and  used  t« 
take  first  or  finest  proofs  of  engravings. 
It  is  imitated  succssfully. 

India-rubber,  -rub'er.  Caoutchouc,  a 
substance  of  extraordinary  elasticity,  pi-o- 
duced  from  several  trees  of  different  nat- 
ural orders,  chiefly  Euphorbiaceaj,  Arto- 
carpaceieand  Apocynacea;. 

Indian  Territory.  A  section  of  the  U. 
S.  set  apart  as  the  homo  of  the  Indian 
tribes  tvhich  ceded  tho  lands  E.  of  tho 
Mississippi  to  the  government,  bounded 
N.  by  Kansas,  E.  by  Arkansas,  and  S.  and 
W.  by  Texas  and  New  Mexico;  area  71,000 
sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  60,000.  There  are  ten 
tribes  within  the  territory,  the  principal  of 
which  are  the  Choctaws,  Creeks,  Semi- 
noles,  Chickasaws,  Cherokees  and  Osages, 
many  of  whom  are  quite  highly  civilized. 
The  largest  town  is  Vineta,  pop.  abt. 
1,000.  The  Wachita  Mountains  intersect 
the  S.  portion  of  the  territory  ;  the  chief 
rivers  are  the  Arkansas  with  its  forks,  tho 
Canadian  and  False  Wachita,  and  Eed. 

Indie,  'dik.  A  term  applied  to  a  class  of 
Indo-European  (Aryan)  languages,  com- 
prising Hindi,  Hindustani,  Mahratti,  Ben- 
gah,  and  the  dead  languages  Prakrit 
and  Pali,  and  modern  Sanskrit  and  Vedie 
Sanskrit. 

Indicator,  'di-kat- 
er.  In  Mech.  an  in- 
strument for  ascer- 
taining and  recording 
tho  pressure  of  steam 
in  the  cylinder  of  a 
steam-engine,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  tho 
steam-gauge  which 
shows  the  pressure  of 
the  steam  in  the 
boiler.  An  apparatus 
or  appliance  in  a  tele- 
graph for  giving  sig- 
nals oron  which  mes- 
sages are  recorded,  as  the  dial  and  index 
hand  of  the  alphabetic  telegraph ;  spe- 
cifically, a  name  given  to  a  recording  in- 
strument Invented  by  Professor  Morse, 
by  which  mes  sages  are  printed  as  they  are 
received. 

Indicatorinae,  -ka-to-ri"ne.  Tlie  honey- 
guides,  a  sub-fam.  of  scansorial  birds? 
fam.  Cuculida3  or  cuckoos. 

Indiction,  -dik'shon.  In  Chron.  a  cycle 
of  fifteen  years,  instituted  by  Constantino 
tho  Great ;  originally,  a  period  of  taxa- 
tion, Constantino  having  reduced  the  time 

which  the  Eomans  were  obliged  to  serve 

in  the  army  to  fifteen  years  and  imposed 


Eichard's    Indica- 
tor. 


rNDIQEITE 


INFALLIBILITY 


a  tax  at  the  end  of  that  term  to  pay  the 
troops  discharged.  This  practice  intro- 
duced the  keeping  of  accounta  by  this  pe- 
riod, and  it  was  also  used  instead  of  the 
olympiads  in  reckoning  yeai-s,  beginning 
from  Jan.  1,  a.  i).  813. 

Indig-ene,  'di-jCn.  One  born  in  a  coun- 
try ;  a  native  animal  or  i)lant. 

Indigro,  -gi).  A  beautiful  bhie  vegetable 
dye,  ex  ten  .•lively  employed  in  dyeing  and 
calico  printing.  It  is  almost  entirelv  ob- 
tained from  leguminous  plants,  gen.  Indi- 
gofera. 

Indigo-bird,  -herd.  A  N.  American 
bird  of  the  tinch  family  of  a  deep  blue 
color,  and  -with  a  sweet  song. 

Indo-Briton,  'do-brit-on.  A  person  of 
liritish  parentage  born  in  India, 

Indo-European,  "do-u-ro-pe'an.  A 
name  often  given  to  a  number  of  allied 
languages,  called  also  Aryan  and  some- 
times Indo-Germanic,  and  generally  clas- 
Bifled  into  six  branches,  Indie  or  Indian 
(Sanskrit,  Hindustani,  &c.),  Iranian  or 
Medo-Persic  (Zend,  Pehlevi,  Parsi,  Per- 
sian, &c.),  Celtic,  Grffico-Latin  (compris- 
ing the  two  ancient  classical  languages  and 
all  the  Eomanco  tonguies),  Teutonic  (in- 
cluding English,  German,  &c.),  and 
Sclavonic  (Russian,  &c.). 

Indra,  Mra.  A 
Hindu  deity  orig- 
inally repVesent- 
ing  the  sky  or 
heavens,  and  wor- 
shiped in  the 
Vedic  period  as 
the  supreme  god, 
though  he  after- 
ward assumed  a 
subordinate  place 
in      the      Indian 

pantheon.  He  is  ^  _•-  ^  _j*-~^Sn 
represented  inva-  j    , 

rious  Avays,  espe-  mora, 

cially  with  four  arms  and  hands,  and 
riding  on  an  elephant.  When  painted  he 
is  covered  with  eyes.  In  the  oldest  Ve- 
dic hymns  the  character  of  Indra  is  that 
of  a  mighty  ruler  of  the  bright  firmament, 
at  once  beneficent,  as  giving  rain  and 
shade,  and  awful  and  powerful,  as  in  the 
storm. 

Indri,  'dri.  A  tailless  quadrumanous 
quadruped,  fam.  Lemuridse,  about  the 
size  of  a  cat  and  covered  with  curled 
woolly  hair. 

Indulg-ence,  dulj'ens.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch. 
remission  by  church  authority  to  a  repent- 
ant sinner  of  the  canonical'  penanco  at- 

^  tached  to  certain  sins  in  this  life,  and  als© 


of  the  temporal  punishment  which  would 
await  the  impenitent  in  purgatory. 
Induction-coil,  -koil.     In  Elect,  an  ap- 
paratus for 


Induction-coil, 
sess  high  power  of  overcoming  resistance 
as  well  as  great  quantity,  and  hence  very 
intense  effects,  chemical',  physiological  and 
luminous  are  obtainable  from  them. 

Indus,  'dus.  The  Indian,  a  Southern 
constellation  situated  between  Sagittarius 
and  the  South  Pole. 

Indus.  A  large  river  of  W.  Asia,  ISOO  m. 
in  length,  emptying  into  the  Arabian  Sea 
by  several  deltas. 

Inerm,  -erm'.  In  Bot.  destitute  of 
prickles  or  thorns,  as  a  leaf. 

Inertia,  -er'shi-a.  In  physics,  the  prop- 
erty of  matter  by  which  it  retains  its  state 
of  rest  or  of  uniform  rectilinear  motion  so 
long  as  no  foreign  cause  occurs  to  change 
that  state  ;  called  also  vis  inertiae.  In  Med. 
sluggishness. 

In  esse,  in  es'se.  In  being  ;  actually  ex- 
isting ;  distinguished  from  in  posse  or  in 
potentia,  which  denote  that  a  thing  is  not, 
but  may  be. 

Inexhaustible,  in-egz-hast'I-bl.  Inca- 
pable of  being  emptied,  sp<^t  or  wearied; 
unfailing.  I.  bottle,  a 
toy  used  by  conjurors, 
consists  of  an  opaque 
bottle  containing  with- 
in it  gem^rally  five 
small  vials.  These  com- 
municate with  the  ex- 
terior by  five  small 
holes  which  can  be ' 
closed  by  the  fingers, 
and  each  has  also  a, 
small  neck  which 
I>asse3  up  into  the 
neck  of  the  bottle.  A 
different  kind  of  li- 
quor Is  put  into  each 
vial,  and  any  one  of 
the  liquids  can  be 
poured  out  at  pleasure  by  uncovering  the 
corresponding  hole,  which  admits  the  air 
and  permits  the  liquor  to  escape. 

Infallibility,  -fal'i-bil'M-ti.  Thequalitv 
of  being  incapable  of  error  or  mistake.  A 
dogma  of  the  R.  C.  Ch.  that  the  church  as 
a  whole  is  not  suffered  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
to  fall  into  error.    Infallibility  of  the  Pope, 


Inexhaustible 
Bottle. 


INFANTA 


484 


INGEESS 


the  dogma,  first  established  as  an  article 
of  faith  by  the  Ecumenical  Council  Avhioh 
met  at  Eome  in  1870,  that  the  Pope  when 
speaking  ex  cathedra  upon  matters  of 
faith  or  morals,  though  not  in  council,  is 
infallible. 

Infanta,  -fan'tii.  In  Spain  and  Portu- 
gal, any  princess  of  the  royal  blood,  ex- 
cept the  eldest  daughter  when  heiress  ap- 
j^arent. 

Infante,  -fan'tfi.  In  Spain  and  Portu- 
gal, any  son  of  the  king,  except  the  eldest 
or  heir  apparent. 

Infanticide,  -fant'i-sTd.  The  murder 
of  an  Infant;  specifically,  the  destruction 
of  a  child,  either  newly-born  or  in  the 
course  of  parturition, 

Infantiry,  'fant-ri.  Soldiers  that  serve 
on  foot,  as  distinguished  from  cavalry. 

Infernal,  -fer'nal.  Pertaining  to  the 
lower  regions,  or  regions  of  the  dead,  the 
Tartarus  of  the  ancients.  Pertaining  to 
or  resembling  hell;  inhabiting  hell.  I 
machine,  an  apparatus,  contrived  for  the 
purposes  of  assassination  or  other  mis- 
chief. 

Inferno,  -fer'no.  Hell,  from  Dante's 
great  poem. 

Infidel,  'fi-del,  A  disbeliever  ;  a  skeptic. 
One  who  does  not  believe  in  God  or  has 
no  rehgious  faith ;  an  atheist ;  a  free- 
thinker. A  person  who  refuses  to  believe 
the  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures  and  the 
divine  origin  of  Christianity.  A  term  ap- 
plied by  the  professors  of  any  religious 
system  to  a  person  who  refuses  to  believe 
that  the  system  is  of  divine  origin,  as  by 
Mohammedans  to  a  Christian. 

Infinite,  -nit.  That  which  is  infinite; 
an  infinite  space  or  extent ;  specifically, 
the  infinite  being ;  the  Almighty. 

Infinite,  -ne'to.  In  Music,  perpetual, 
as  a  canon  whose  end  loads  back  to  the 
beginning. 

Inflorescence,  -flO-res'sens.  A  flower- 
ing ;  the  unfolding  of  blossoms.  In  Bot. 
a  mode  of  flowering  or  the  manner  in 
Avhich  flowers  are  supported  on  their  foot- 
stalks or  peduncles. 

Infracostal,  -fra-kost'al.  In  Anat.  sit- 
uated beneath  the  ribs. 

Infralapsarian,  -laps-a"ri-an.  One  of 
that  class  of  Calvinists  who  consider  the 
decree  of  election  as  contemplating  the 
apostasy  as  i)ast,  and  the  elect  as  being  in 
a  fallen  and  guilty  state ;  opposed  to  Su- 
pralapsarian. 

Infra-maxillary,  -maks'il-la-ri.  In 
Anat.  belonging'  to  the  lower  jaw. 


Infulu. 


Infra-median,  -me'di-an.    A  term  ap- 

phed  to  the  zone  along  the  sea-bottom  ly- 
ing at  the  depth  of  between   50  and  100 

fathoms,  when  it  was  believed  that  marine 

life  did  not  extend  below  200   fathoms. 

Marine  life  is  now  believed  to  extend   to 

all  depths. 

Infra-mundane,  -mun'dan.  Lying  or 
being  beneath  the  world. 

Infructuose,  -fruk'tu-6s.  Not  ])roduc- 
tng  fruit. 

Infula,  'f  u-la.  A  name  given 
among  the  ancient  Romans 
to  a  woolen  head-dress,  worn 
by  priests  and  vestal  virgins 
as  a  sign  of  their  calling,  by 
the  emperors  and  higher  mag'- 
istrates  on  solemn  occasions, 
and  by  those  seeking  protec- 
tion or  sanctuary.  It  was 
also  placed  upon'  the  victim 
in  sacrifice.  The  term  has 
also  been  apphed  to  the  head-covering  of  a 
Christian  priest,  and  latterly  to  a  pendent 
ornament  at  the  back  of  a  miter. 

Infumation,  fu-ma'shon.  The  act  of 
drving  in  smoke. 

Infusionism,  'zhon-izm.  The  doctrine 
that  souls  are  pre-existent,  and  that  a 
soul  is  divinely  infused  into  each  human 
fcetus  as  s«on  as  it  is  formed  by  genera- 
tion ;  opposed  to  Traducianism  and  Crea- 
tionism. 

Infusoria,  -so'ri-a.  A  class  of  minute, 
mostly  microscopic  animals,  so  named 
from  being  frequently  developed  in  organic 
infusions,  provisionally  regarded  as  the 
highest  class  of  the  Protozoa. 

IngersoU,  Jared.  A  distinguished 
Amei-ican  statesman  and  jurist ;  u.  in 
Conn.  1T49,  d.  1822.  He  was  twice  At- 
torney-General of  the  U.  S.,  assisted  in 
framing  the  Constitution,  and  was  the 
Federalist  candidate  for  Vice-President, 
1812. 

Ingrluvies,  glii'vi-ez.  In  Zool  the  crop, 
craw  or  gorge  of  birds.  The  stomach  or 
paunch  of  ruminant  animals. 

Ingot,  'got.  A  wedge  of  gold  or  silver 
cast  in  a  mold  ;  a  mass  of  unwrought 
metal. 

Ingrain,  -gran.  A  yarn  or  fabric  dyed 
with  fast  colors  before  manufacture. 

Ingres,  Jean  Dominique  Au- 
gruste,  an-gr.  An  eminent  French 
painter  ;  n.  1781,  b.  1867. 

Ing'ress,  'gres.  In  Astron.  the  entrance 
of  the  moon  into  the  shadow  of  the  earth 
in  eclipses,  the  sun's  entrance  into  a  Eiga, 

&G. 


INHALER 


485 


INSECTIVORA. 


Inlialer,  -hfil'er.  In  Med,  an  apparatus 
for  inhaling' vapors  and  volatile  substances, 
as  steam  of  Iiot  water,  vapor  of  chloro- 
form, iodine,  &c.  An  apparatus  to  ena- 
ble a  person  to  breathe  without  injury  in 
a  deleterious  atmosphere  ;  a  respirator. 

Inia,  'i-a. 
A  gen.  of 
Ce  t  a  c  e  a  -^ 

belonginor  ^-A     _     „™__«_^ 
to  thedol-  '-"'^tfe^PJ^^^viC?" 
phinfam.,  "'■"■ 

containing  Inia  Boliviensis. 

only     on  e 

knoAvn  species,  I,  boliviensis. 

Injector,  jekt'er.  An  apparatus  for  sup- 
plying the  boilers  of  steam-engines  with 
water.  It  Avorks  equally  well  whether  the 
engine  is  running  or  at  rest. 

Ink,  ingk'.  A  colored  liquid,  used  in 
Avriting  and  the  like.  Common  writing 
ink  is  generally  made  of  an  infusion  of 
galls,  copperas  and  gum-arabic. 

Ink-bag,  'bag.  A  bladder-shaped  sac, 
found  in  some  dibranchiate  cephalopods, 
containing  a  viscid  fluid  resembling  ink, 
by  ejecting  which  they  render  the  sur- 
rounding water  opaque  and  thus  conceal 
themselves.  It  is  used  to  some  extent 
for  drawing  under  the  name  of  sepia. 

Inkermann,  iug'kur-man.  A  village  of 
the  Crimea.  European  Russia,  noted  for 
the  battle,  Nov.  6, 185i,  in  which  the  allied 
English  and  French  defeated  the  Russians; 
the  latter  lost  abt.  9,000  men,  the  former, 
abt.  4,500. 

Inman,  Henry.  An  eminent  American 
artist,  n.  in  N.  Y.  1801,  d.  1846,  while  at 
work  on  a  large  order  from  Congress  for 
the  historical  embellishment  of  the  Cap- 
itol. 

Ink-stone,  'ston.  A  small  round  stone 
of  difterent  colors,containing  native  vitriol 
or  sulphate  of  iron,  used  in  making  ink. 

Inlet,  in'lct.  A  bay  or  recess  in  the  shore 
of  a  sea,  lake  or  river ;  a  large  strip  of 
water  running  into  the  land. 

Inn.  A  house  for  the  lodging  and  enter- 
tainment of  travelers.  In  England,  a  col- 
lege of  municipal  or  Common  law  profes- 
sors and  students. 

Inning:,  'ing.  In  base-ball  or  cricket,  the 
time  or  turn  for  using  the  bat. 

Innocent,  'nd-sent.  On  o  free  from  guilt 
or  harm.  A  natural ;  an  idiot.  Massacre 
of  the  Innocents,  the  murder  of  the  chil- 
dren of  Bethlehem,  by  Herod,  as  recorded 
in  Mat.  ii.  16. 

Innocent.  A  title  borne  by  13  Roman 
pontiffs,  the  most  distinguished  of  whom 


was  I.  III.  (Lothario  Conti),  b.  in  Rome, 
1161,  s.  Celestine  III.,  1198;  d.  1216. 
During  his  pontificate  the  4th  Crusade 
took  place;  also  the  persecution  of  the 
Albigenses,  the  excommunication  and  de- 
position ot  the  German  Emperor  Otho, 
and  the  interdicts  upon  the  commerce  of 
England  and  France. 

Innocents'-day,  -sents-da.  A  church 
festival  celebrated  on  the2Sth  of  Decem- 
ber, in  commemoration  of  the  infants 
murdered  by  Herod. 

Innocua,  -nok'a-a.  One  of  the  three 
sections  into  which  the  colubrine  snakes 
are  divided,  according  as  they  are  venom- 
ous or  otherwise,  the  other  two  sections 
being  the  Suspecta  and  Venenosa.  In 
this  section,  which  includes  the  boas  and 
pythons,  there  are  no  fangs. 

Innspruck,  inss'prook.  Cap.  of  the 
Tyrol,  in  Austria,  at  the  junction  of  the 
irin  and  Sill :  pop.  16,370. 

Inosite,  'os-it.  A  saccharine  substance, 
isomeric  with  glucose,  found  in  the  mus- 
cular substance  of  the  heart,  in  the  lungs, 
kidneys,  brain,  &c. 

In  posse,  pos'se.   In  possibility  of  being. 

Inquisition,  -kwi-zi'shon.  In  the  R.  C, 
Ch.  a  tribunal  for  the  examination  and 
punishment  of  heretics,  established  in  the 
12th  century  by  Father  Dominic,  who  was 
charged  by  Pope  Innocent  III.  with 
orders  to  excite  Catholic  princes  and  peo- 
ple to  extirpate  heretics.  Its  operations 
were  confined  to  S[)ain  and  Portugal  and 
their  colonies,  and  to  part  of  Italy,  and  its 
functions  were  exercised  with  the  greatest 
cruelty.  It  still  nominally  e.xists,  but  Its 
actionals  confined  to  the  examination  of 
books  and  the  trial  of  ecclesiastical  of- 
fenses. 

Insect,  'sekt.  In  Zool,  one  of  a  class  of 
invertebrate  animals,  division  Arthropoda 
or  Articulata,  distinguished  by  the  fact 
that  the  tlu-ee  divisions  of  the  body— the 
head,  thorax  and  abdomen — are  always 
distinct  from  one  another.  Insects  are  all 
pi'oduced  from  eggs.  They  have  been  di- 
vided into  three  sections — Ametabola, 
Hemimetabola,  and  Holometabola,  accord- 
ing as  they  remain  always  the  same  or 
undergo  an  incomplete  or  complete  met- 
amorphosis. The  first  do  not  pass  through 
metamorphosis;  the  second  undergo  an 
incomplete  change,  while  in  the  last  the 
metamorphosis  is  complete. 

Insectivora,  -sek-tiv'd-ra.  In  Zool.  an 
order  of  mammals  which  live  to  a  great  ex- 
tent on  insects.  The  shrew,  hedgehog 
and  mole  are  familiar  examples.  An  order 
of  birds  that  feed  on  insects,  as  the  swal- 


mSESSOEES 


436 


INTERNUNCIO 


lows.  The  sub-order  -w  hich  includes  tlie 
great  majority  of  Olieiroptera  or  bats, 
Insessores,  -ses-sO'rez.  In  Ornith. 
perchers  or  i)asserine  birds,  compreliend- 
ing  all  those  which  live  habitually  among 
trees,  with  the  exception  of  birds  of  prey 
and  climbing  birds. 

Insomixia,  -som'nl-a.  Want  of  sleep  ;  in- 
ability to  sleep. 
Insouciance,  an-so-syans.  The  quality 
of  being  insouciant ;  heedlessness  ;  uncon- 
cern. 
Inspissation,  in-spis-a'shon.  The  oper- 
ation of  rendering  a  fluid  substance  thicker 
by  evaporation,  &c. 

Installation,  -stal-a'shon.    The  act  of 
giving  possession  of  an  office,  rank,  or 
order   with  the  customary  ceremonies ; 
generally  apphed  to  ministers. 
Instep,  'step.    The  forepart  of  the  upper 
side  of  the  human  foot ;  the  tarsus.    That 
part  of  the   hind-leg  of  a   horse    which 
reaches  from  the  ham  to  the  pastern-joint. 
Insulator,    'su-lat-er.     A    substance  or 
body  that  insulates  or  interrupts  the  com- 
munication of  electricity  or  heat  to  sur- 
rounding objects  ;  a  no«-conductor. 
Insurgent,   -ser'jent.     A    person  who 
rises  in  opposition  to  civil  or  poHtical  au- 
thority ;  one  who  openly  and  actively  re- 
sists the  execution  of  the  laws. 
Intaglio,  -tal'yo.     A  figure  engraved  or 
cut  into  a  substance  so  as  to  form  a  hol- 
low.    A  precious  stone  with  a  figure  or 
device  engraved  on  it  by  cutting,  the  re- 
verse of  cameo,  which  has  the  figure  in 
relief. 
Integer,  'te-jer.    An  entire  entity.     In 
Arith.  a  whole  number,  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  a  fraction. 

Integument,  -teg'u-ment.  That  which 
naturally  invests  or  covers  the  body  of  an 
animal  above  the  Protozoa;  also  the  skin  of 
seeds. 

tntensifier,  -tens'i-fl-er.       In   Photog. 
those  substances  which,  when  applied  to 
a  negative,  increase  the  actinic  opacity  of 
the  deposit  ah-eady  formed. 
Inter,  -ter'.    To  bury  ;  to  inhume. 
Inter,  in'ter.    A  Latin  preposition,  signi- 
fying among  or  between. 
Interact,  -akt.  In  the  drama,  the  interval 
between  two  acts  ;  a  short  piece  between 
others ;  an  interlude. 

tntercostales,  -kos-ta"lez.  In  Anat.  the 
two  sets  of  muscles  between  the  ribs,  the 
external  and  internal. 

Interdict,  -dikt.  Prohibition  ;  a  prohibit-  ^ 
ing  wder  or  decree. 


Interlacing  Arches. 


Interest,  est.  Premium  paid  for  the  us« 
of  money;  the  profit  per  cent,  derived 
from  money  lent  or  property  used  by  an- 
other person,  or  from  debts  remaining 
unpaid. 

Interf retted, -fret'ed.  In  Her.  interlaced: 
applied  to  any  bearings  linked  together. 
Interim,  in'ter-im.  The  meantime  ;  time 
intervening. 

Interimist,  -ist.    A  Lutheran  who  ac- 
cepted the  Interim,  a  pacific  decree  of  the 
Emperor  Charles  V. 
Interlace, 
-las'.  To  be  in- 
termixed ;     to 
intersect.       I. 
arches,  circular 
arches     which 
intersect    each 
other. 

Interlocutor, 
-lok'u-ter.  One 
who  s])eaks  in  a  dialogue  ;  one  who  takes 
part  in  a  conversation. 
Interlude,  -lud.     An  entertainment  be- 
tween the  acts  of  a  play,  or  between  the 
play  and  the  afterpiece.     The  first  name 
given  to  regular  dramatic  compositions  in 
England.     A  brief  piece  of  church  music 
played  between  stanzas  of  the  metrical 
psalm  or  hymn. 
Interment,  'ment.      The  act  of  deposit- 
ing a  dead  body  in  the  earth ;    burial ; 
sepulture. 
Intermontane,    -mon'tan.       Between 
mountains. 

Intermundane,  -mun'dSn.    Being  be- 
tween worlds  or  between  orb  and  orb. 
Intermural  -miir'al.      Lying  between 
Avails. 

Intern,  -tern'.  To  send  to  or  cause  to 
remain  in  the  interior  of  a  countiy  Avithout 
permission  to  leave. 

International,  -ter-na'shon-al.  A  se- 
cret society,  the  objects  of  which,  so  far  as 
avowed,  are,  by  a  close  union  of  the  work- 
ing classes  in  all  countries  to  put  down 
international  Avars ;  to  overthroAV  all  laws, 
customs  and  privileges  contrary  to  the 
interests  of  the  iniustrial  classes ;  to  op- 
pose the  international  union  of  Avorking- 
men  to  the  influence  of  capital  in  the  or- 
ganization of  labor.  Secularistic  and  com- 
munistic theories  are  held  by  many  mem- 
bers, but  their  application  is  no  part  of  its 
programme. 
Internuncio,  -nun'shi-o.  An  envoy  of 
the  pope,  sent  to  smaller  states,  dis'tin- 
guished  fi-ora  the  nuncio  who  represents 
him  at  com-ts  of  emperors  and  kings. 


INTEEPELLATION 


437 


ION 


Interpellation,  -pel-iri"siion.  A  ques- 
tion put  by  a  inember  of  a  lesislative  as- 
seuiby  to  a  minister  or  member  of  the 
government. 

Interpolator,  'p6-la-ter.  One  -wlio 
foists  into  a  book  or  manuscript  spurious 
words  or  passages  ;  one  who  adds  some- 
thing to  genuine  writings. 

Interpreter,  'pre-ter.  One  who  ex- 
plains or  expounds ;  a  translator.  One 
who  explains  what  a  speaker  says  in  one 
language  to  the  person  spoken  to  in  an- 
other. 

Interregnum,  -reg'nnm.  The  time  in 
which  a  throne  is  vacant,  between  the 
death  or  abdication  of  a  king  and  the  ac- 
cession of  his  successor.  Any  interval 
during  which  the  powers  of  the  executive 
are  in  abeyance. 

Interrog-ation,  'r0-ga"shon,  A  ques- 
tion ]nit;  inquiry.  The  note,  mark  or 
sign  ?,  indicating  that  the  sentence  im- 
mediately preceding  it  is  a  question. 

Interstellar,  -stel'ar.  Situated  among 
the  stars. 

Intervital,  -vl'tal.  Between  two  live.s  ; 
pertaining  to  the  intermediate  state  be- 
tween death  and  the  resurrection. 

Intestate,  test'at.  A  person  who  dies 
Avithout  making  a  vaUd  Mill. 

Intestine,  'tin.  The  canal  or  tube  that 
extends  from  the  right  or  pyloric  orifice 
of  the  stomach  to  the  anus,  receives  the 
partly  digested  food  from  the  stomach, 
retains  it  till  it  mixes  ■nith  the  bile  and 
pancreatic  juice,  and  till  the  chyle  is  taken 
up  by  the  lacteals,  and  conveys  the  faeces 
from  the  body. 

Intinction,  -tingk'shon.  The  act  of 
dyeing.  Eccles.  the  practice  of  adminis- 
tering the  sacred  body  and  blood  together 
in  the  communion,  as  is  done  to  the  laity 
in  the  East.  In  the  R.  C.  Church  intinc- 
tion is  practiced  by  the  priest  Avhen  he 
breaks  a  portion  of  the  host,  puts  it  in  the 
chalice  and  receives  both  together. 

Intine,  'tin.  The  inner  coat  of  the  shell 
of  the  pollen-grain  in  plants. 

In  toto,  to 'to.    "Wholly ;  entirely. 

Intoxicant,  in-toks'i-kant.  That  which 
intoxicates ;  an  intoxicating  liquor  or  sub- 
stance, as  brandy,  bhang,  &c. 

Intra,  in'tra.  A  Latin  preposition  and 
adverb,  signifying  within. 

Intrafoliaceous.  -fo-li-a"shus.  In  Bot. 
growing  on  the  insido  of  a  leaf. 

Intramundane,  -mun'dan.  Belonging 
to  the  material  world. 


Intramural, -mur'al.  Being  within  the 
walls  or  boundaries,  as  of  a  university  or 
city. 

Intransigrentes,  -trans-i-hen'taz.  The 
name  given  to  the  extreme  left  in  the 
Spanish  Cortes,  and  afterwards  to  a  very 
advanced  republican  party,  corresponding 
to  the  extreme  Communists  of  Francw 
and  elsewhere. 

Intro,  in'tro.  A  Latin  adverb,  used  as 
an  English  x^refix,  and  signifjing  within, 
into,  in. 

Introit,  -tro'it.  In  the  E.  C.  Ch,  a  psalm 
or  passage  of  Scripture  sung  or  chanted 
while  the  priest  proceeds  to  the  altar  to 
celebrate  mass ;  now  used  for  any  musi- 
cal composition  designed  for  opening  the 
church  service  or  for  the  service  generally. 

Intuitionalism,  -tu-i'shon-al-izm.  In 
Metaph.  the  doctrine  that  the  perception 
of  truth  is  from  intuition. 

Intumescence,  -mes'ens.  The  state  or 
process  of  swelling  or  enlarging  with  heat ; 
expansion. 

Inverness.  A  Scotch  seaport  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Kess,  115  m.  N.  of  Edin- 
burgh; pop.  18,647.  It  is  the  chief  city 
of  the  Highlands. 

Invertebrata,  -ver'te-bra"ta.  One  of 
the  two  great  divisions  of  the  animal  king- 
dom — the  other  being  the  Vertebrata — 
including  all  animals  destitute  of  vertebras 
or  a  backbone. 

Inverted,  -vert'ed. 
In  Arch,  an  arch 
with  its  intrados  be- 
low the  axis  or 
springing  hue,  and  of  T„  „  .„.  .  ,„„ 
which  therefore  the  I^^^rted  Arches, 
lowest  stone  is  the  key  stone. 

Invisible,  -vi'zi-bl.  A  Eosicrucian,  be- 
cause not  daring  publicly  to  declare  him- 
self. A  heretic  of  the  16th  century,  who 
denied  the  visibiUty  of  the  Church. 

Involucre,  -vo-Iii'ker.  In  Bot.  any  col- 
lection of  bracts  round  a  cluster  of  flow- 
ers. 

Inwick,  'wik.  In  the  game  of  curling,  a 
station  in  which  the  stone  stops  very  near 
the  tee  after  passing  through  a  wick. 

Iodine,  I'od-in.  In  Chem.  a  peculiar 
non-metallic  elementary  solid  substance, 
constituting  one  of  the 'group  of  halogens! 
It  exists  in  the  water  of  the  ocean  and 
mineral  springs,  in  marine  molluscous 
animals,  and  in  sea-weeds,  from  the  ashes 
of  which  it  is  chiefly  pirocured.  It  is  large- 
ly employed  in  medieine. 

Ion.     Iq  Myth,  the  son  of  Apollo  and 


lONA 


43S 


IRON-CLAD 


Creusa,  aad  reputed  ancestor  of  the  Ioni- 
an 3. 
lona  (Icolmkill  or  Columbkill),  Lit. 

yt.  Columba's  Ketreat.  A  small  island  of 
the  Hebrides,  noted  as  the  ancient  seat  of 
monasteries,  established  by  St.  Columba, 
who  introduced  Christianity  into  Scotland. 
The  remains  of  4S  Scotch,  4  I/ish.  8  Nor- 
wegian and  1  French  king  are  interred 
in  one  of  its  ruined  churches. 
Xonia.  A  section  of  Asia  Minor,  colo- 
nized from  Attica  about  1,000  b.  c.  It  con- 
tained the  important  cities  of  Ephesus, 
Miletus,  Colophon  and  others.  It  was 
conquered  by  the  Lydians,  560  n.  c,  and 
by  the  Persians  55T,  by  the  Macedonians, 
and  linally,  133  n.  c,  by  tho  Eomans. 
Ionian  Islands.  An  elongated  group 
of  abt.  40  islands  in  the  Mediterranean,  S. 
and  W.  of  Greece,  and  now  belonging  to 
that  kingdom.  Corfu  is  the  chief. 
Ionian  Sea.  The  arm  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean which  connects  -with  the  Adriatic 
by  the  Strait  of  Otrantc.  Its  maximum 
Avidth  is  400  m. 
Ionic,  i-on'ik.  One  of  the 
five  orders  of  architecture, 
the  distinguishing  charac- 
teristic of  which  is  the  vo- 
lute of  its  capital. 
I  O  TJ,  i'6  ii.  A  paper  hav- 
ing on  it  these  letters,  fol- 
lowed by  a  sum,  and  duly 
signed;  in  use  as  an  ac- 
knowledgment of  a  debt, 
and  taken  as  evidence  there- 
of. 

Iowa,  i'o-wah.  A  State  of 
the  American  Union,  ad-  lonjc  Qraer 
niitted  1846;  bounded  N. 
by  Minnesota,  E.  by  Illinois  and  Wiscon- 
sin, S.  by  Missouri,  and  W.  by  Nebraska 
and  Dakota ;  area,  65,045  sq.  m.,  pop. 
1,024,615.  It  is  mostly  rolling  prau-ie,  with 
considerable  coal  and  mineral  area.  The 
chief  cities  are  Des  Moines,  the  cap.,  Du- 
buque, Iowa  City,  Davenport,  Council 
Bluffs,  Burlington,  Keokuk  and  Cedar 
Rapids.  Principal  rivers,  the  Missouri, 
Mississippi,  Des  Moines,  Cedar  and  Iowa. 
Iplligenia,  if-e-je-ni'ah.  In  Myth,  the 
daughter  of  Agamemnon  and  Clytem- 
nestra,  offered  as  a  sacrifice  to  Diana,  but 
preserved  by  the  goddess  and  made  a 
priestess  at  Tauris.  She  was  taken  back 
to  Greece  l)y  lier  brother  Orastes. 
Ipse  dixit,  ip'se  diks'it.  A  mere  as- 
sertion Avithout  proof. 
Iranian,  i-ra'ni-an.  A  family  of  Indo- 
European  or   Aryan  tongues,  indudiag 


Persian,  Zend,  Pehlevi,  Parsi  or  Pazend, 
and  cognate  tongues.  The  word  is  de- 
rived from  the  legendary  history  of  the 
Persian  i-ace  given  in  Firdusi's  ''  Book  of 
Kings,"  according  to  which  Iran  and  Tur 
are  two  of  three  brothers,  from  whom  the 
tribes  Iran  (Persians)  and  Turan  (Turks 
and  thou-  cognate  tribes)  sprang. 
Ireland  (Erin  or  Hibernia),  The 
most  westerly  island  of  Europe,  a  division 
of  the  British  Empire;  bounded  N.,  S. 
and  W.  by  tho  Atlantic,  and  E.  by  the 
North  Channel,  the  Irish  Sea  and  St. 
George's  Channel ;  area,  32,506  sq.  m., 
pop.  5,849,200.  Its  chief  cities  are  Dub- 
lin, cap.,  Cork,  Belfast,  Limerick,  Water- 
ford,  Galway,  Clonmel,  Sligo,  Londonder- 
ry and  Enniskillen.  Principal  rivers,  the 
Shannon,  Boyne,Barrow,  Lee,  Suir,  Nore, 
Slaney,  Foyle  and  Erne.  Its  lakes, 
Neagh,  Allen,  Eee,  Erne,  Corrib,  Mask, 
Killarney  and  Conn.  The  mountain 
ranges  are  the  Connemara,  Wicklow, 
Mourne,  Derryreagh,  Galtees,  Slieve 
Bloona  and  Slieve  Donard.  It  is  governed 
by  a  Lord-Lieutenant,  has  32  representa- 
tives in  the  British  House  of  Lords,  and 
105  in  tho  Commons. 

Irene,  i-re'ne.      The  Greek  goddess  of 
peace.    One  of  the  small  planets  between 
tho  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 
Iridescence,  i-rid-es'ens.  The  condition 
of   being    iridescent ;    exhibition  of  col- 
ors like  those  of  the  rainbow. 
Iris,  I-rls.      In  Class.  Jlyth.  the  goddess 
of  the  rainbow  and  the  messenger  of  the 
gods;  hence,  sometimes  used    for   any 
messenger.       The    lleur-de-lis    or    flag- 
flower,  a  beautiful  and  extensive  genus  of 
plants  of  the  nat.   order  Iridacese.      In 
Astron.  one  of  the  asteroids  between  the 
orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 
Iriscope,  'ri-skop.     A  philosophical  toy 
for  exhibiting  prismatic  colors. 
Irish,  'rish.      A  native  of  Ireland ;    the 
people  of  Ireland.     The  Irish  language; 
the  Iliberno-Celtic. 

Iron,  'crn.  The  commonest  and  most 
useful  of  all  the  metals,  constituting  about 
2  per  cent,  of  the  whole  mineral  crust  of 
the  globe.  Iron  exists  in  nature  imder 
four  diff"erent  states— the  native  state; 
that  of  an  oxide;  in  combination  with 
combustible  bodies,  particularly  sulphur, 
and  in  the  state  of  salts. 
Iron-clad,  -klad.  A  vessel  prepared  for 
naval  warfare  by  being  cased  or  covered, 
wholly  or  partially,  with  thick  iron  plates, 
generally  having  a  backing  of  teak  behtnd 
and  often  also  between  the  plates. 


lEON-CEOWN 


489 


ISMAELIAN 


Iron-hats. 


Iron-crown,  -krouu . 
An  antique  crown  of 
gold  set  witli  jewels, 
made  originally  for 
the  Lombard  kings, 
which  was  supposed 
t#  confer  the  right  of 
sovereignty  over  ail 
Italy  on  the  wearer.  It  was  so  called  from 
inclosing  an  iron  circlet,  said  to  have  been 
forged  from  one  of  the  nails  used  in  the 
crucifixion  of  Christ. 

Iron-hat, 
-hat.  AJiead- 
pieee  of  met- 
al worn  from 
the  12th  to 
the  17th  cen- 
tury. Called 
also  Steel-hat 
and  Kettle-hat. 

Iron-liquor,  -lik-er.  Acetate  of  iron, 
used  as  a  mordant  by  dyers,  &c. 

Iron-sand,  -sand.  A  variety  of  octahe- 
dral iron  ore  in  grains. 

Ironside,  -sTd.  One  of  Oliver  Cromwell's 
veteran  troopers ;  a  soldier  noted  for  rough 
hardihood. 

Ironstone,  -ston.  A  general  name  ap- 
plied to  the  ores  of  iron  containing  oxygen 
and  silica. 

Iroquois,  ir-o-kwoi'.  A  league  of  N. 
American  Indians,  originally  located  in 
W.  and  Central  JST.  Y.,  composed  of  six 
tribes,  the  Oneidas,  Mohawks,  Senecas, 
Cayugas,  Onondagos  and  Tuscaroras. 
They  sided  with  Great  Britain  in  the  war 
of  the  Kevolution,  and  have  since  been 
scattered,  a  few  still  being  on  reservations 
in  W.  N.  Y. 

Irving,  Edward.  A  Scotch  divine, 
the  most  eloquent  preacher  of  his  age  ;  b. 
1792,  B.  1884.  He  was  the  founder  of  the 
sect  called  Irvingites,  or  the  Catholic  Apos- 
tolic Church. 

Irving',  "Wasliingrton.  A  distin- 
guished American  author;  ».  in  N.  Y., 
17S3,  D.  1859. 

Irvinglte,  er'ving-it.  A  follower  of  Ed- 
ward  Irving,  a  clergyman  of  the  Scottish 
Church,  who,  drifting  into  mysticism, 
was  deposed  in  1833.  A  prominent  fea- 
1  ture  in  Irving's  doctrines  was  the  imme- 
diate second  comingof  our  Saviour.  His 
followers  organized  themselves  into  a  body 
called  "The  Holy  Apostolic  Church," 
which  still  exists.  • 

Isaac,  I'zak.  In  Scrip,  son  of  Abraham 
and  Sarah,  and  father  of  Esau  and  Jacob, 
one  of  the  Hebrew  patriarchs.    He  died 


at  Hebron,  aged  180  years.  His  life  is  re- 
corded in  Genesis. 

Isag'Og'ics,  'sa-goj'iks.  That  department 
of  theological  study  introductory  to  exe- 
gesis or  the  intei-pretation  of  Scripture. 

Isag'on,  -gon.  In  Math,  a  figm-e  whose 
aHgles  are  equal. 

Isaiab.,  -za'yah.  In  Scrip,  the  most  emi- 
nent of  the  Hebrew  prophets,  the  son  o' 
Amoz,  and  active  during  the  reigns  of 
Uzziah,  Jotham,  Ahaz  and  Hezekiah,  kingdl 
ofJudah. 

Isapostolic,  -pos-tol"ik.  A  term  ap- 
plied to  the  Christian  fathers  who  were 
alive  in  the  time  of  the  apostles,  and  to 
the  customs  instituted  by  these  fathers  ; 
to  certain  holy  women  resembling  the 
apostles  in  sanctity ;  to  the  founders  of 
Clirlstianity  in  any  given  country. 

Ishmael,  ish'miil.  The  eldest  son  of 
Abi-aham,  the  Hebrew  patriarch,  by 
Hagar,  the  bondwoman.  He  was  the  an- 
cestor of  the  Arabians. 

Ising-lass,  i'zing-glas.  The  purest  com- 
mercial form  of  gelatine,  prepared  from 
the  sounds  or  air-bladders  of  certain  fresh- 
water fishes,  particularly  several  species 
of  sturgeon  found  in  the  rivers  of  Russia. 
A  name  sometimes  given  to  mica. 

Isis,  'sis.      One  of  the        ^^^ 
chief  deities  in  the  Egyp- 
tian mythology,  the  sis- 
ter or  sister-wife  of  Osi- 
ris, and  mother  of  Horus. 
Among  the  more  philo- 
sophical theologians  she 
was  made  the  symbol  of ' 
pantheistic  divinity.    By  ' 
the  people  she  was  wor- 
shipped as  the  goddess 
of  fecundity.    The  cow- 
was  sacred  to  her.    She 
is  represented  usually  as  J 
a  woman  with  the  horns  igjg 

of  a  cow,  between  which 
is  a  globe  supporting  a  throne,  and  some- 
times with  a  lotus  on  her  head  and  the 
sistrum  in  her  hand. 

Islam,  iz'lam.  The  religion  of  Moham- 
med, and  also  the  whole  body  of  those 
who  profess  Islamism. 

Ismael,  Shah,  is-mah-el.  Founder  of 
the  Sufi  dynasty,  Persia  ;  b.  1487,  d. 
1524. 

Ismaelian,  -ma-e'li-an.  A  member  of 
the  Mohammedan  sect  which  maintained 
that  Ismael,  and  not  Moussa,  ought  to  be 
Iniaum.  In  the  10th  century  they  formed 
a  secret  society,  from  WjJiCh  sprang  the 
Assassins. 


IS0CRATE3 


440 


IZZAED 


Isodomon. 


Isocrates.  A  Greek  philosopher  and 
orator,  friend  of  Plato  and  teacher  of 
Xenophon  ;  u.  436,  d.  338  b.  c. 

Isodomon,  i-sod' 
o-mon.  One  of 
the  methods  of 
building  walls 
amonff  theGreeks, 
in  which  the  stones' 
forming  the 
courses  were  of 
equal  size  and  so 

disposed  that  the  vertical  joints  of  an 
npper  course  were  immediately  over  the 
middle  of  the  stones  forming  the  lower 
course. 

Isopathy,  -sop'a-thi.  The  theory  that 
diseases  are  cured  by  the  products  of  the 
diseases  themselves.  The  theory  that  a 
diseased  organ  is  cured  by  eating  the  same 
organ  of  a  healthy  animal. 

Isotlxerm,  'so-therm.  An  imaginary 
line  over  the  earth's  surface  passing 
through  points  having  the  same  tempera- 
ture. Also  a  similar  hne  based  on  the 
distribution  of  temperature  in  the  waters 
of  the  ocean. 

Ispahan.  Formerly  the  largest  and  most 
important  city  of  Porsia  and  its  cap.  for 
many  centuries,  on  the  Zendarood  Kiver, 
210  m.  S.  of  Teheran.  At  one  time  it  had 
a  pop.  of  600,000,  but  with  the  transfer  of 
the  seat  of  government  to  Teheran  it  be 
gan  to  decline ;  present  pop.  abt.  65,000. 

Israelite,  iz'ra-el-it.  A  descendant  of 
Israel  or  Jacob  ;  a  Jew. 

Isthmian,  ist'mi-an.  Games  celebrated 
at  the  Isthmus  of  Corinth,  forming  one  of 
the  four  great  national  festivals  of  Greece, 
and  celebrated  in  April  and  May  in  the 
first  and  third  year  of  each  olympiad. 
The  contests  embraced  all  varieties  of 
athletic  performances  and  racing. 

Itacolumite,  it-a-koFii-mit.  A.  laminated 
talcose  sandstone,  in  connection  Avith 
which  the  diamond  is  generally  found.  In 
thin  slabs  it  is  flexible. 

Italy,  it'ah-le.    A  peninsular  kingdom  of 

'  S.  Europe,  bounded  N.  by  8nitzerland 
and  Austria,  E.  by  Austria  and  the  Adri- 
atic, S.  by  the  Mediterranean,  i.  id  W.  by 
Prance,  theLigurian  and  Tyrrhenian  seas, 
arms  of  the  Mediterranean  ;  area  112,766 
sq.  m.,  pop.  abt.  80,000,000.  It  is  divided 
into  09  provinces,  and  the  principal  cities 
are  Rome,  cap.,  Florence,  Naples,  Venice, 
Turin,  Milan,  Mantua,  Leghorn,  Padua, 
Pisa,  Bologna,  Cagliari,  Parma,  Ancona, 
Perugia,  Potenza,  Chieti,  Bari  and  Co- 
senza.  Its  gulfs  are  Venice,  Manfredonia, 

Taranto,      Squillace,     Policastro,  Gaeta, 


Genoa  and  Spezzia ;  rivers,  the  Po,  Tiber, 
Adige,  Brenta,  Piave,  Arno,  Tagliamento 
and  Volturno ;  lakes,  Como,  ISIaggiore, 
Guarda,  Bolseno  and  Bracciano ;  moun- 
tains, Alps  and  Apennines. 

Italic,  -tal'ik.  A  printing  type  sloping 
towards  the  right,  and  usually  employed 
to  distinguish  words  or  sentences,  or  to 
render  them  emphatic.  They  were  in- 
vented about  the  j'ear  1500  by  Aldus 
JNIanutius,  a  Venetian  printer,  who  dedi- 
cated them  to  the  States  of  Italy  (whence 
the  name). 

Itzibu,  it'zi-bii.  A  Japanese  money  of 
account,  constituting  the  monetar}^  unit. 
In  silver  it  is  a  coin  of  the  value  of  about 
83  cents. 

lulus,  i-Q'lus.     A  gen.  of  Myriapoda,  ord. 


Millepede. 
Chilognatha  or  Diplopoda.     The  common 
galley  worm  is  the  type  of  the  genus. 

Ivory,  i'vo-ri.  The  substance  composing 
the  tusks  of  the  elephant,  extensively  used 
in  the  arts.  The  name  is  also  given  to  the 
tusks  of  the  walrus,  hippopotamus,  nar- 
Avhal,  &c. 

Ivory-black,  -blak.  A  fine  soft  black 
pigment,  prepared  from  ivory -duet  by  caU 
cination,  in  the  same  way  as  bone-black, 
extensively  used  in  the  filtering  beds  of 
sugar  refiners  for  purifying  the  syrup  of  ■ 
raw  sugar. 

Ivory-nut,  -nut.  The  seed  of  Phytele. 
phas  macrocarpa,  a  low-growing  palm  as 
large  as  a  hen's  egg ;  the  albumen  is  close^ 
grained  and  very  hard,  resembling  ivory. 
It  is  often  wrought  into  ornamental  work, 
and  is  ealled  Vegetable  Ivory.  The  seeds 
are  also  known  as  Corozo-nuts. 

Ixion,  iks-T'on.  In  Greek  Myth,  a  king 
ofThessaly,  father  of  the  Centaurs,  who 
for  his  wickedness  was  tied  to  a  perpet- 
ually revolving  wheel  in  the  infernal 
regions. 

Ixodes,  -o'dez.  The  ticks,  a  section  of 
the  family  Acarida  or  mites,  and  class 
Arachnida.     They  are  parasitic. 

Ixoljrte,  iks'o-llt.  A  mineral  resin  found 
in  bituminous  coal.  It  becomes  soft  and 
tenacious  when  heated,  whence  the  name. 

Izard,  iz'iird.  The  wild  goat  of  the  Py- 
renees ;  the  ibex. 

Izzard,  'erd.  The  former  name  of  tha 
letter  Z.  , 


441 


JACK-STRAW 


J  IS  the  10th  letter  1ft  the  English  alpha- 
bet, and  the  7th  consonant.  The  sound 
of  this  letter  coincides  exactly  -vvith  that 
of  gin  genius;  it  is  therefore  classed  as  a 
palatal,  it  was  formerly  used  interchange- 
ably Avith  i,  both  letters  having  originally 
the  same  sound ;  and  after  the  j  sound 
came  to  be  common  in  Enghsh  i  was  often 
■written  where  this  sound  must  have  been 
pronounced.  Separation  of  these  two  let- 
ters in  English  dictionaries  is  of  compar- 
atively recent  date,  being  brought  about 
through  the  influence  of  the  Dutch  print- 
ers. In  medical  i>rescriptions,  at  the  end 
of  a  series  of  numerals,  j  Is  generally  put 
fori;  as,  vj  (six);  viij  (eight).  J. P.  is 
an  abbreviation  for  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Jaal-groat,  ja'al-got.  A  species  of  goat 
found  in  the  mountains  of  Abyssinia, 
U])per  Egj'pt  and  Mount  Sinai. 

Jabberingr-crow,  jab'ber-ing-kro.  Cor- 
vus  Jamaicensi8,a  conirostral  bird  found  in 
the  Blue  Mountains  of  Jamaica,  remark- 
able for  the  resemblance  of  its  voice  to 
human  speech. 

Jabiru,  'i-ro.  A  wading  bird  of  the  crane 
kind,  the  Mycteria  americana  or  Senegal- 
ensis. 

Jacamar,  jak'a-mar.  The  name  given 
to  climbing  birds  gen.  Galbula,  sub-fam. 
Galbuliuas,  ord.  Scansores,  nearly  allied  to 
the  kingfishers, 

Jacana,  -na.  The  common  name  of  gen. 
Parra,  grallatorial  or  wading  birds,  vul- 
garly called  surgeons  from  a  prominent 
spur  on  the  wing. 

Jacare,  -ra.  A  species  of  Brazihan  alli- 
gator. 

Jaca-tree,  ja'ka-tre.  Artocarpus  integri- 
folia,  a  species  of  bread-fruit  tree  foimd  in 
the  Indian  Archi- 
pelago. The  fruit  is 
called  jack-frult,and 
the  wood  jack- 
wood. 

Jacclius,  jak'kus. 
A  gen.  of  small  S. 
AmericaTi  monkeys 
with  thumbs  on  the 
hind  feet  only,  and 
flat  nails  only  on 
the  thumbs.  They 
are  squirrel-like  in 
their  habits, omniv- 
orous, and  are 
known  by  the  jiame 
of  marmosets. 

Jackass,  'as.  The  male  of  the  ass. 
Laughing  jackass,  a  species  of  kingfisher. 


Jacchus. 


Jackal,  jak'al. 
An  animal,  gen. 
Canis,  the  C.  (Sa- 
cahus)  aureus,  re- 
sembling a  dog 
and  a  fos ;  a  na- 
tive of  Asia  and 
Africa.  It  inter-l 
breeds  with   the:  _^ 

common  dog  and*"-*^-^'<^^^So.~tl^ 
may  be  domestl-  Jackal, 

cated. 

Jack-back,  'bak.  In  brewing,  a  vessel 
below  the  copper  which  receives  the  infu- 
sion of  malt  and  hops,  and  has  a  per- 
forated bottom  to  strain  oft"  the  hops. 

Jack-boot,  'bot.  A  kind  of 
large  boot  reaching  up  over 
the  knee  and  used  as  a  sort 
of  defensive  armor  for  the 
leg,  introduced  in  the  17th 
century ;  also  a  similar  boot 
reaching  above  the  knee, 
worn  by  fishermen. 

Jackdaw,  'da.      An  inses- 
sorial  bird,  gen.  Corvus  (C.     ^_^ 
monedula),  the  smallest  of  the    '  ~^ 
crows.  Jack-boot. 

Jack-flagr,  'flag.  A  flag  hoisted  at  the 
si)ritsail  topmast-head. 

Jack-hare,  'har.    A  male  hare. 

Jack-Ketch.,  'kech.  In  England,  a  pub- 
he  executioner  or  hangman, 

Jack-rib,  'rib.  In  Arch,  any  rib  in  an 
arch  or  dome  shorter  than  the  rest. 

Jack-saw,  'sa,  A  natatorial  bird,  gen. 
Merganser. 

Jackson,  Andrew.  The  7th  President 
of  the  U.  S. ;  b.  in  S.  Carohna,  1767  ;  d, 
1845.  He  commanded  the  American 
troops  in  the  victory  over  the  British  at 
New  Orleans,  1815,  and  also  carried  the 
Indian  war  in  Florida  to  a  successful 
close;  elected  President,  1828,  and  re- 
elected 1832. 

Jackson,  Thomas  Jonathan 
(Stonewall).  One  of  the  most  distin- 
guished Confederate  generals  ;  b.  in  Ya., 
1824 ;  mortally  wounded  by  his  own 
troops.  May  2, 1S63,  dying  on  the  10th. 

Jack-straw,  'stra.  One  of  a  set  of 
straws  or  strips  of  ivory,  whalebone  or  the 
hke,  used  in  a  child's  game,  the  jack- 
straws  being  thrown  confusedly  together 
on  a  table,  to  be  gathered  uj)  singly  by 
a  hooked  instrument  without  disturbing 
the  rest  of  the  pile. 


JACOBEAN 


44S 


JAMES 


Jacobean,  ja-kO'bG-an.  In  Arch,  the 
term  sometimes  applied  to  the  style 
of  Elizabethan  architecture  prevailing 
in  the  aj^e  of  James  I.  It  differed  from 
pure  Elizabethan  chiefly  in  having-  a 
proater  admixture  of  debased  Italian 
forms. 

Jacobin,  jak'o-bin.  A  Gray  or  Domini- 
can Friar,  from  these  friars  having  lirst 
established  themselves  in  Paris  in  the 
Eue  St.  Jacques.  A  member  of  a  club  of 
violent  republicans  in  France  during  the 
revolution  of  17S9,  who  held  secret  meet- 
ings in  the  monastery  of  the  Jacobin 
monks. 

Jacobite,  -bit.  In  Eng.  Hist,  a  partisan 
of  James  II.  after  he  abdicated  the  throne, 
and  of  his  descendants ;  an  opposer  of 
WiUiam  and  Mary.  Eccles.  one  of  a  sect 
of  Christians  in  Syria  and  Mesopotamia 
vi^ho  hold  that  Jesus  Christ  had  but  one 
nature,  having  its  name  from  Jacobus 
Baradffius,  a  Syrian  disciple  of  Eutyches. 

Jacob's-staflf,  ju'kobz-staf.  A  surveyor's 
instrument  for  taking  heights  and  dis- 
tances where  great  accuracy  is  not  re- 
quired. 

Jacob's-stone,  -ston.  The  stone  brought 
from  Scone,  in  Perthshire,  by  Edward  I. 
and  inclosed  within  the  chair  on  which 
the  kings  of  England  sit  at  their  corona- 
tion; so  named  from  being  reputed  to 
have  been  the  stone  which  supported 
Jacob's  head  at  Luz. 

Jacobus,  ja-ko'bus.  An  English  gold 
coin,  value  25s.  sterling,  struck  in  the 
reign  of  James  I. 

Jacquerie,  zhiik-re.  An  insurrection  of 
peasants ;  originally,  the  name  given  to  a 
revolt  of  the  peasants  against  the  nobles 
of  Picardy,  France,  in  1358. 

Jagrannatha,  jeg-gen-nii'tha.  Lit.  "Lord 
of  the  World,"  the  name  given  to  Krish- 
na, the  eighth  incarnation  of  Vishnu,  and 
to  a  very  celebrated  idol  of  this  deity.  The 
temple  specially  dedicated  to  Jagannatha 
is  situated  at  Puri  in  Orissa.  Great  num- 
bers of  pilgrims,  at  the  time  of  the  festi- 
vals of  Jagannatha,  assemble  from  all 
quarters  of  India  to  pay  their  devotions 
at  his  shrine.  On  these  occasions  the 
idol,  along  with  those  of  his  brother  and 
sister,  is  mounted  on  a  monstrous  car 
resting  on  sixteen  wheels,  Avhich  is  drawn 
by  the  pilgi-ims  ;  and  formerly  great  num- 
bers of  people  were  wont  to  "throw  them- 
selves under  the  wheels,  and  Avere  thus 
crushed  to  death,  the  victims  believing 
that  by  suffering  this  sort  of  death  they 
shouldbe  immediately  conveyed  to  heaven. 
This  horrid  practice,  liowevex-,  is  now  of 


Jaguar. 


rare  occurrence.  Written  also  Jugger- 
naut. 

Jag-ataic,  jag-a-ta-ik.    A  term  applied  to 
the  easternmost  dialects  of  the  Turkish 
group  of  tongues,  spoken  by  the  people  of 
Turkestan. 
Jagruar,  ]a'- 
g  w  ti  r  .      Felis 
onca,  the  Amer- 
ican    tiger     or 
ounce  of  Brazil, 
the  largest  and' 
most  formidable 
feline     quadru- 
ped of  the  New 
World. 
Jab,  ja.    Jehovah. 

Jain,  Jan.  One  of  a  Hindu  religious  sect 
which,  from  the  wealth  and  influence  of 
its  members,  forms  an  important  division 
of  the  Indian  population.  The  name  sig- 
nifies a  follower  of  Jina,  one  of  the  de- 
nominations of  their  deified  saints.  They 
deny  the  divine  origin  and  authority  of  the 
Vedas,  but  reverence  certain  holy  mortals, 
who  have  acquired  by  self-denial  and  mor- 
tification a  station  superior  to  that  of  the 
gods  :  and  they  manifest  extreme  tender- 
ness for  animal  life.  They  affirm  that  the 
Avorld  has  existed  from  all  eternity,  not 
having  been  created,  and  that  it  will  exist 
forever. 

JacQuard,  Joseph  Marie,  zhah-kahr. 
A  French  mechanic  and  inventor,  b.  1T52, 
D.  1S34.  His  invention  of  the  J.  loom 
revolutionized  the  art  of  weaving. 
Jaffa  (Joppa),  A  seacoast  town  of 
Syria,  abt.  83  m.  N.  W.  of  Jerusalem, 
formerly  the  chief  port  of  Judea.  During 
the  Crusades  it  was  the  principal  landing 
place  of  the  European  invaders.  Pop. 
abt.  5,000. 

Jalousie,  zhiil'o-ze.  A  wooden  frame  or 
blind  for  shading  from  the  sunshine, 
much  used  in  tropical  or  hot  countries  ;  a 
Venetian  blind. 

Jamaica.  The  chief  English  W.  India 
island  ;  area  6.400  sq.  m.,  pop.  abt.  500,- 
000.  Spanish  Town  is  the  cap.  but  King- 
ston is  the  chief  port.  It  is  traversed 
from  E.  to  W.  by  the  Blue  Mountains. 
James,  St.  One  of  Christ's  favorite 
apostles,  son  of  Zebedee  and  brother  of 
St.  John.  We  was  martyred  abt.  44  by 
order  of  Herod  Agrippa. 
James.  The  name  of  a  number  of  sover- 
eigns of  European  States,  the  most  noted 
of  whom  were  J.  I.  (VI.  of  Scotland)  of 
England;  b.  1566,  crowned  King  of 
Scotland  while  an  infant  <»  the  abdica- 


JAMES  EIVEE 


44S 


JAVA 


tion  of  his  mother,  Mary  Queen  of  Scots, 
Elizabetli  of  ]^]ngland  having  declared  In 
his  favor.  He  s.  to  her  throne  1603,  d. 
1625.  J.  II.,  B.  1633,  8,  his  brother  Charles 
II.  16S5,  driven  from  his  kingdom  by 
William  Prince  of  Orange  16S8,  utterly  de- 
feated in  Ireland,  and  d.  an  exile  in  France 
ITOl.  J.  IV.  of  Scotland,  "the  hand- 
somest and  most  chivalrous  prince  of  his 
age,"  B.  1468,  s.  his  father  J.  III.,  who 
was  murdered  after  the  disastrous  defeat 
near  Bannockburn,  1488;  killed  in  the  san- 
guinarj-  battle  at  Flodden  Field,  1513,  in 
which  nearly  the  entire  Scotch  peerage  of 
mature  age  perished  with  their  king. 

James  River.  The  largest  river  of  Vir- 
ginia, 500  m.  in  length,  formed  bj''  the 
junction  of  the  Jackson  and  Cowpasture 
rivers.  It  empties  into  Chesapeake  Bay 
at  Norfolk,  and  Kichmond,  the  State  cap. 
is  at  the  head  of  tide- water. 

Jam-nut,  jam'nut.  In  Mech.  a  nut 
placed  in  contact  with  the  main  nut  on 
the  same  bolt  to  keep  it  from  turning. 

Jampan,  'pan.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a 
solid  sedan-chair  supported  between  two 
thick  bamboo  poles,  and  borne  by  4  men. 

Jan,  Jan.  In  Mohammedan  Myth,  an  in- 
ferior kind  of  demon. 

Janizary,  'i-za-ri.  A  soldier  of  the  Turk- 
ish foot-guards,  the  Grand  Seignor's 
guards.  They  became  turbulent,  and 
rising  in  arms  against  the  sultan,  were  de- 
feated and  destroyed  in  Constantinople, 
1826. 

Jansenist,  'sen-ist,  A  follower  of 
Jan  sen,  bishop  of  Ypres  In  Flanders, 
who  leaned  to  the  doctrine  of  irresistible 
grace  as  maintained  by  Calvin.  The  Jan- 
senists  formed  a  powerful  party  in  the 
E.  C.  Church. 

Jantu,  jfin'to.  A  machine  for  raising 
water  to  irrigate  land,  used  in  Hindustan. 

January,  .ian'u-a-ri.  The  first  month  of 
the  year  according  to  the  present  compu- 
tation. 

Janus,  ja'nus.  A  Latin  deity  represented 
with  two  faces  looking  opposite  ways, 
holding  a  key  in  one  hand  and  a  staff  in  the 
other.  He  presided  over  the  commence- 
ment of  all  undertakings.  His  temple  at 
Eome  was  kept  open  in  time  of  war,  and 
shut  in  time  of  peace. 
Japan,  jah-pahn'.  An  Asiatic  empire, 
consisting  of  nearly  4,000  islands,  otf  the 
Chinese  coast,  bet.  lat.  23-50°  N.  and  Ion. 
12^153°  E.;  area  179,000  sq.  m.,  esti- 
mated pop.  86,000,000.  It  is  divided  into 
upward  of  200  provinces,  governed  by 
daimios,  subordinate  to  the   Mikado,  or 


emperor.  The  chief  cities  are  Teddo, 
cap.,  Nagasaki,  Yokohama,  Hiogo.  Osaka- 
Niigata,  Hakodadi,  Miako  and  Matsumai. 
Japan  is  rapidly  adapting  herself  to  the 
highest  forms  of  civiHzation. 

Japan.  Work  varnished  and  figured 
in  a  manner  practiced  by  the  natives  ol 
Japan.  The  varnish  employed  in  japan- 
ning articles. 

Japan-eartll,  'erth.  A  name  of  terra 
japonica,  catechu  or  cutch,  procured  frou 
Acacia  Catechu. 

Japan-lacquer,  'lak-er.  A  valuably 
black  hard  yarnish  used  in  japanaing. 
It  is  obtained  '  from  Ehus  vernlx,  a  tree, 
ord.  Anacardiaceaj. 

Japetidae,  -pet'i-de.  One  of  the  three 
great  divisions  into  which  Dr.  Latham  di- 
vides the  family  of  man,  the  other  two  be- 
ing Mongolidae  and  Atlantidse.  It  com- 
prises the  chief  nations  of  Europe  belong- 
ing to  the  ftunily  generally  known  as  the 
Indo-European. 

Japheth.  In  Scrip,  the  third  son  of 
Noah,  and  reputed  progenitor  of  the  Cau- 
casian race. 

Jararaca,ja-ra-ra'ka.  A  species  of  small 
serpent,  a  native  of  Brazil,  and  very  poi- 
sonous. 

Jardiniere,  zhiir-den-yar.  An  ornamen- 
tal stand  for  plants  and  flowers,  used  as  a 
decoration  of  an  apartment. 

Jarl,  yarl.  The  name  given  in  the  early 
history  of  the  Scandinavian  kingdoms  to 
the  lieutenant  or  governor  of  a  province ; 
an  earl. 

Jasper,  j^is'per.  An  impure  opaque  col- 
ored quartz,  less  hard  than  flint  or  com- 
mon quartz,  but  which  gives  fire  Avith 
steel.  It  admits  of  an  elegant  polish,  and 
is  used  for  vases,  seals,  snufl'-boxes,  «fec. 

Jasponyx,  'pu-niks.  The  purest  horn- 
colored  onyx,  with  beautiful  green  zones, 
composed  of  genuine  matter  of  the  finest 
jaspers. 

Jassy,  yas'se.  A  Eoumanian  city,  162  m. 
N.  E.  of  Odessa.  Its  strategic  importance 
is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  it  has  been  in 
the  hands  of  the  Turks,  Tartars,  Poles,; 
Austrians  and  Eussians ;  pop.  93,620. 
Jaunting-car,  jiin'ting-kar.  A  light 
car  used  in  Ireland  in  which  the  passen- 
gers ride  back  to  back. 
Java,  jah'vah.  The  principal  island  of 
the  Dutch  E.  Indies,  in  lat.  6-1°  S.,  long. 
105-115°  E.,  separated  from  Borneo  on 
the  N.  by  the  Sea  of  Java  ;  area  (including 
Madura)",  51,386  sq.  m.;  pop.  .ibt.  17,000,- 
000.  Batavia,  the  cap.,  is  the  residence  of 
the  viceroy  of  the  Dutch  E.  Indies. 


JATELIN 


444 


JEESEY  CITY 


Javelin,  'lin.  A  light  spear  thrown  from 
the  hand,  In  use  in  ancient  warfare  both 
by  horse  and  foot. 

Jay,  ja.  A  bird,  gen.  Garrulus,  fam.  Cor- 
vidfe  or  crows. 

Jay,  Jolm.  A  distinguished  American 
efcitesman  and  jui-ist,  n.  in  N.  Y.,  1745,  u. 
1829.  He  was  a  member  of  the  flrst  Con- 
tinental Congress,  chief  justice  and  gov- 
ernor of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  spe- 
cial commissioner  in  negotiating  a  treaty 
with  England,  1T94. 

Jazerant,  ja'zer-ant.  One  of  the  contri- 
vances of  the  Middle  Ages  to  supply  the 
place  of  the  heavier  armo'r  of  chain  and 
plate,  composed  of  overlapping  pieces  of 
steel,  fastened  by  one  edge  upon  canvas, 
which  was  covered  with  cloth,  silk  or  vel- 
vet, the  gilt  heads  of  the  rivets  that  se- 
cured the  plates  forming  an  ornament  on 
the  outside. 

Jefferson,  Thomas.  The  3d  President 
of  the  U.  S.;  b.  in  Va.,  1743,  c.  1826.  He 
took  an  active  part  In  the  proceedings  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  was  chairman 
of  the  committee  which  reported  and  the 
reputed  author  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence ;  was  afterward  Governor  of 
Va.,  Minister  to  France,  Secretary  of 
State  in  President  Washington's  Cabinet, 
Vice-President  with  President  John  Ad- 
ams, and  was  elected  President  in  1801  and 
1805. 

JeffreyB,  Q-eorgre,  Lord.  An  English 
judge  and  Vice-chancellor,  notorious  for 
cruelty  and  injustice  ;  b.  1689,  d.  in  the 
Tower  1689. 

Jehovah.,  je-ho'va.  A  Scripture  name 
of  the  Supreme  Being,  the  proper  form  of 
which,  according  to  most  scholars,  should 
be  Yahveh  or  Yahweh. 

Jelerangr,  jel'er-ang.  A  species  of  E.  In- 
dian squirrel  (Sciurus  javanensis). 

Jelly-fish,  'li-flsh.  The  popular  name 
of  the  Medusida),  Acalephaa  or  sea-nettles. 

Jemidar,  jem-i-dar'.  A  native  officer  in 
the  Anglo-Indian  army  having  the  rank  of 
lieutenant. 

Jena,  ya'nah.  A  city  of  Saxe-Weimar, 
Germany,  on  the  Saale,  noted  for  its  prox- 
imity to  the  great  battle,  Oct.  14, 1806,  in 
which  Napoleon  I.  defeated  the  Prussian 
army  with  immense  loss ;  also  as  the  seat 
of  a  venerable  university  founded  1558. 

Jengis  Khan  (G-enghis),  jain'gis.  A 
Tartar  chief  who  was  raised  to  the  Khan- 
to  and  carried  on  almost  continuous  wars 
in  China,  Persia,  Bokhara  and  Samarcand  ; 
B.  1164,  D.  1227.  It  is  estimated  that  his 
wars  caused  the  slaughter    of  5,000,000 

'souls. 


Egyptian  Jerboa. 


Jenner,  Edward.  An  English  phy- 
sician ;  B.  1749,  p.  1823.  He  Avas  the  dis- 
coverer of  vaccination,  as  a  remedy  for 
small-pox,  for  which  Parliament  rewarded 
him  by  a  present  of  $150,000. 

Jennet,  jen'net.    A  small  Spanish  horse. 

Jenny,  'ni.  A  machine  for  si)inning, 
moved  by  water  or  steam. 

Jenny-ass,  -as.    The  female  ass. 

Jentlingr,  jent'ling.  A  fish,  gen.  Leu- 
ciscus,  the  blue  chub. 

Jerboa,  jer-bo'a.  A 
name  common  to . 
all  the  members  of 
the  family  of  rodents 
DipodidjB,  but  fre- 
quently appropria- 
ted to  the  members 
of  the  typical  gen. 
Dipus. 

Jereed,  je-rSd'.  A  wooden  javelin,  used 
in  Persia  and  Turkey,  especially  in  mock 
fights. 

Jeremiah.  In  Scrip,  one  of  the  greatest 
of  Hebrew  prophets,  and  author  of  the 
book  which  bears  his  name,  and  of  "  La- 
mentations." He  flourished  in  the  6th 
century  n.  c. 

Jerkin,  jer'kin.  A  hawk,  the  male  ol 
the  gyrfalcon. 

Jerkin-head,-hed. 

In  Arch,  the  end  of 
a  roof  when  it  Is 
formed  into  a  shape 
intermediate  be- 
tween a  gable  and  a 
hip. 

Jerome,   St.     An 

eminent  father  of 
the  Latin  Church,  R. 
abt.  838,  D.  420.  He 
translated  the  Scrip- 
tures into  Latin  (the  f 
Vulgate),  wrote  the 
"Lives  and  writings  '  Jerkin-head  Roof, 
of  the  Elder  Chris- 

tian  Fathers,"  and  other  valuable  theolog- 
ical works. 

Jerome  of  Pragne.  A  distingui,shed 
reformer,  b.  at  Prague,  1364 ;  martyred, 
1416.  He  was  an  earnest  supporter  of 
Huss. 

Jersey.  The  largest  of  the  Channel  Is- 
lands, a  gi-oup  belonging  to  Gt.  Britain  ; 
length  12  m.,  width  7m.;  pop.  58,624. 
Cap.  St.  Heller's. 

Jersey  City.  Cap.  of  Hudson  Co.,  N. 
J.,  opposite  New  York  ;  pop.  120,722. 


JEEUSALEM 


445 


JOHN 


JerusalexQ..  The  ancient  cap.  of  Judoa' 
now  tlio  Turkish  province 
El  Kuds,  Syria,  37  m.  E. 
of  the  Mediterranean,  and  24 
m.  W.  of  the  river  Jordan; 
present  pop.  abt.  25,000. 

Jester,  jest'er,  A  buffoon  ; 
a  merry -andrew  ;  a  person 
formerly  retained  by  per- 
sons of  rank  to  make  sport 
for  them.  They  were  usu- 
ally dressed  'in  fantastic 
style.  : 

Jesuit,  jez'u-it-  One  of  a 
religious  order  founded  by  Jester. 
Ignatius  Loyola  in  the  16th 
ceuturj'-,  and  forming  the  most  celebrated 
of  all  the  R.  0.  religious  orders.  They 
have  often  been  expelled  even  from  Cath- 
olic countries,  owing  to  their  interference 
in  secular  affairs. 

Jesuitess,  -es.    One  of  an  order  of  nuns 
established  on  the  principles  of  the  Jesuits, 
,  but  suppressed  by  Urban  VIII.  in  1630. 
Jesus,  jG'zus.     The  Son    of  God;   the 
Saviour  of  men.    In  the  New  Testament 
the  name  lesous,  Jesus,    is  frequently 
conjoined  with    Christos,  the  Anointed, 
Christ. 
Jet,  jet.    A  black,  inflammable  fossil  sub- 
stance, harder  than  asphalt,  susceptible 
of  a  good  polish,  and  glossy  in  its  fracture, 
found  in  beds  of  lignite  and  cannel  coal, 
being  a  highly  compact  form  of  either.    It 
is  \vrought  into  toys,  buttons  and  orna- 
ments. 

Jew,  ju.  A  Hebrew ;  a  descendant  of 
Arphaxad,  son  of  Shem,  eldest  son  of 
Noah. 

Jewess,  'es.  A  Hebrew  woman. 
Jezid,  je'zid.  One  of  a  sect  dwelling  in 
the  mountainous  country  near  Mosul, 
Asiatic  Turkey,  who  are  said  to  unite  the 
ancient  Manichean  belief  of  that  district 
■with  the  doctrines  of  Mohammedanism 
and  Zcndism. 

Jiboya,  ji-boi'a.  An  American  serpent 
of  the  largest  kind. 

Jigrger,  jig'er.  The  common  name  of  the 
chigoe  or  chigre,  a  flea  wliich  penetrates 
the  feet  of  persons  in  the  W.  Indies  and  S. 
America. 
Jinnee,  jin'nG.  In  Mohammedan  Myth, 
one  of  a  race  descended  from  Jan,  and 
created  thousands  of  years  before  Adam. 
They  are  governed  by  a  race  of  kings 
named  Suleyman,  one  of  whom  built  the 
pyramids,  and  their  chief  residence  is  the 
mountain  Kdf.    Arabic  writers  state  that 


the  jinn  are  aerial  animals,  wth  transpar- 
ent bodies,  which  can  assume  various 
forms. 

Joan  of  Arc  (La  Pucelle  d'Or- 
leans.)  A  French  peasant  maid,  b.  1411; 
burned  at  the  stake,  14:31.  She  claimed 
to  be  inspired  with  a  mission  to  free  her 
native  country  from  the  English  who  oc- 
cupied a  large  portion  of  it,  and  restore 
internal  peace,  and  in  1429,  when  but  18, 
visited  Charles  VII.  at  Chinon,  and  prom- 
ised to  raise  the  siege  of  Orleans  and  con- 
duct him  to  Rheims  to  receive  coronation. 
The  King  commissioned  her,  and  attho 
head  of  an  army  largely  inspired  by  her 
own  enthusiasm  she  accomplished  what 
she  had  promised,  the  King  being  crowned 
at  Rheims  within  three  months.  She  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Burgundian  allies  of 
the  English,  1431,  and  burned  as  a  sor- 
ceress. 

Job.  In  Scrip,  a  patriarch  of  TJz,  the  ex- 
emplar of  religious  patience,  whose  his- 
tory in  the  book  bearing  his  name  is  fa- 
miliar, although  it  is  a  matter  of  doubt 
whether  he  was  a  real  or  mythical  person- 
age. 

Jockey,  jok'i.  A  man  whose  profession 
it  is  to  ride  horses  in  horse-races.  A 
dealer  in  horses  ;  one  who  trades  in  horses. 

Jockey-club,  -klub.  A  club  or  associa- 
tion of  persons  interested  in  horse-racing, 

&G. 

Jogi,  jog'i.  In  the  E.  Indies,  the  name 
given  to  a  Hindu  devotee ;  a  mendicant. 

Jobannes,  jo-han'ez.  A  Portuguese 
gold  coin  of  the  value  of  $9  ;  contracted 
often  into  Joe ;  as,  a  joe  or  half-joe.  It  is 
named  from  the  figure  of  King  John, 
which  it  bears. 

Jobannisbergr,  'is-berg;  The  finest 
and  most  expensive  of  the  Rhenish  wines. 

John.  The  name  of  a  large  number  of 
European  sovereigns,  the  most  noted  of 
whom  are  Don  John  of  Austria,  natural 
son  of  the  Emperor  Charles  V. ;  B.  1546, 
D.  1578.  He  was  one  of  the  ablest  gen-- 
erals  of  his  age,  defeating  the  Moors  in 
Spain,  and  as  commander  of  the  com- 
bined fleets  of  Spain  and  Italy  gaining 
the  important  naval  victory  over  tho 
Turks  at  Lepanto.  Declining  the  Grecian 
throne,  he  became  viceroy  of  the  Nether- 
lands, 1576,  and  it  is  believed  was  poisoned. 
J.  of  Burgundy,  surnamed  by  the  Sultan 
Bajazet,  "Sans  Peur — the  Fearless;"  b. 
13t4,  s.  his  father  PhUip  the  Bold  on 
the  Burgundian  throne.  He  was  made 
prisoner  in  a  campaign  against  the  Turka 
but  released;  fought  against  the  English, 
and  as  guardian  of  the  Dauphin  attained 


JOHN 


446 


JOSEPHINE 


ahnost  regal  power  in  France,  but  was 
murdered,  1419,  at  the  instigation  of  the 
latter.  J.  (surnamed  "Lackland")  of 
England,  b.  1166,  d.  1216.  He  was  the 
youngest  son  of  Henrj^  II.,  and  brother 
and  s.  of  Eichard  Coeur  de  Lion,  of  wliom 
he  was  the  most  opposite  in  character.  He 
attempted  to  deprive  the  people  of  the 
charter  of  liberties  granted  by  Henry  I., 
but  the  barons  flew  to  arms  and  compelled 
him  to  sign  Magna  Charta,  1215.  He  died 
the  object  of  universal  execration.  J.  I. 
(The  Great)  of  Portugal,  b.  1357,  d.  1438. 
He  carried  on  successful  wars  against 
Spain  and  the  Moors,  and  stimulated  mar- 
itime discoveries  and  colonization.  J.  II. 
(The  Perfect),  b.  1432,  s.  his  father  Alfon- 
so v.,  1481,  D.  1495.  J.  III.,  B.  1488,  s. 
his  father  Emmanuel  the  Great,  1521,  d. 
1557,  He  established  the  Inquisition  and 
colonized  Brazil,  and  Japan  was  discovered 
during  his  reign.  J.  IV.  (Braganza),  b. 
1598,  D.  1656.  He  completely  freed  his 
country  from  Spanish  rule.  J.  VI.,  b.  1769, 
appointed  regent  1793,  left  his  country 

1807,  on  its  occupation  by  the  French,  and 
retiring  to  Brazil  became  its  first  emperor. 
J.  I.,  of  Sweden,  b.  1172,  d.  1222.  He  es- 
tablished Christianity  in  his  native  coun- 
try. Of  the  popes  23  bore  the  name  of  John 
between  the  years  523  and  1415. 

John,  St.  (The  Evangelist).  One  of  the 
twelve  apostles,  son  of  Zebedee,  and  the 
favorite  of  Christ.  He  is  credited  with  be- 
ing the  author  of  three  epistles,  the  gospel 
which  bears  his  name,  and  the  Revelation. 
He  ».  at  Ephesus,  99. 

Johnson,  Andrew.  The  17th  presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S.,  through  the  assassina- 
tion of  Abraham  Lincoln ;  b.  in  N.  C, 

1808,  D.  1875.  Originally  a  tailor,  Mr.  J. 
entered  politics  in  Tennessee  in  early  man- 
hood, and  was  in  turn  elected  a  member 
of  the  Legislature,  of  the  National  House 
of  Eepresentatives,  Governor  of  the  State 
two  terms,  and  to  the  U.  S.  Senate.  Ad- 
hering to  tlie  Union  when  his  State  se- 
ceded, he  Avas  appointed  military  govern- 
or, and  in  1864  was  elected  Vice-President, 
being  sworn  in  as  President  on  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's death.  Differing  with  his  party  re- 
Bpecting  reconstruction, he  Avas  impeached, 
but  acquitted  by  a  very  close  vote.  He 
was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  after  his 
term  as  President  expii-ed. 

Johnson,  Reverdy.  An  eminent 
American  statesman  and  jurist ;  b.  in  Md., 
1796,  D.  1876. 

Johnson,  SaxnueL  A  distinguished 
Enghsh  author  and  lexicographer,  b.  1709, 
n.  1784.  His  dictionary  is  still  the  author- 
ity in  Great  Britain. 


Johnston,    Albert    Sidney.       An 

American  general,  believed  to  be  the  ablest 
in  the  Confederate  service;  b.  in  Ky., 
1803,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  1862. 
Johnston,  Joseph  Eccleston.  An 
American  general  who  distinguished  him- 
self in  the  Confederate  service  ;  b.  in  Va., 
1809.  He  commanded  the  southern  wing 
of  the  Confederate  army  at  the  time  of 
Gen.  Lee's  surrender  to  Gen.  Grant,  and 
surrendered  to  Gen.  Sherman. 
Joint-worm,  joint'werm.  A  jointed 
worm  ;  an  intestinal  worm,  gen.  Taenia ; 
tape-worm. 

Jolly-boat,  jol'U-bot.  A  small  clincher- 
built  boat  belonging  to  a  ship,  smaller 
than  a  cutter. 

Jonathan,  jon'a-than.  A  sportive  col- 
lective name  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  U. 
S.,  as  John  Bull  is  for  Englishmen  ;  some- 
times applied  to  an  individual  as  a  speci- 
men of  the  class ;  as,  he  is  a  regular  Jon- 
athan. ' 
Jones,  Paul.  (Peal  name  John  Paul), 
A  briUiant  American  naval  commander  iir 
the  Revolution ;  b.  in  Scotland,  1747,  v. 
in  Paris  1792.  After  the  conclusion  of 
peace  with  Gt.  Britain  he  became  rear-ad- 
miral in  the  Russian  service,  but  was  dis- 
missed on  account  of  a  private  quarrel  and 
died  in  Paris  in  poverty. 
Jonson,  Ben.  An  English  poet  and 
dramatist,  the  contemporary  and  friend 
of  Shakespeare  ;  b.  1574,  d.  1687. 
Jordan.  The  chief  river  of  Palestine, 
200  m.  in  length,  emptying  into  the  Dead 
Sea. 
Joseph,  jo'zef.  A  riding  coat  or  habit 
for  women,  with  buttons  down  to  the 
skirts,  formerly  much  in  use. 
Joseph.  In  Scrip,  one  of  the  12  patri- 
archs, the  favorite  son  of  Jacob,  b.  in 
Mesopotamia  abt.  1525  b.  c,  was  sold  by 
his  envious  brothers  and  taken  to  Egypt 
as  a  slave,  but  rose  to  be  prime  minister. 
Also  the  name  of  the  husband  of  Mary, 
mother  of  the  Saviour.  Two  German  em- 
perors bore  tliis  name.  J.  I.,  b.  1676,  was 
made  king  of  Hungary  and  of  the  Romans, 
and  s.  his  father  Leopold  I.  as  emperor 
1705,  D.  1711.  J.  II.,  B.  1741,  s.  his  father 
Francis  I.  1764,  t>.  1790. 
Josephine,  Marie  Joseph  !Rose 
Tascher  de  la  Pag-erie.  First  wife 
of  Napoleon  I.,  b.  in  Martinique,  1763,  d. 
1814.  She  Avas  the  Avidow  of  the  Viconite 
de  Beauharnais,  by  Avhom  she  had  two 
children,  Eugene  and  Hortense  (mother 
of  Napoleon  III).  Napoleon  divorced  her 
because  she  bore  him  no  children.  She 
Avas  universally  loved  and  pitied. 


JOSEPHUS 


447 


JUGGEE:PrAUT 


Josephus,  Flavius.  An  eminent  lie- 
brew  historiun  ;  b.  at  Jerusalem  a.  d.  37, 
D.  at  Eome  95. 

Joso,  'so.  A  small  fish  of  the  gudgeon 
kind. 

Joss-stick,  jos'stik.  In  China,  a  small 
reed  covered  with  the  dust  of  odoriferous 
wood'<,  and  burned  before  an  idol. 

Jougrs,  jngz.  An  instrument  of  punish- 
ment formerly  used  in  Scotland,  consist- 
ing of  an  iron  collar  which  surrounded 
the  neck  of  the  criminal,  and  was  fastened 
to  a  Avail  or  tree  by  an  iron  chain. 

Jourdan,  Jean  Baptiste.  A  distin- 
guished French  Marshal ;  b.  1762,  b.  1833. 

Journeyman,  jer'ni-man.  Any  me- 
chanic or  workman  who  has  served  his 
apprenticeship,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
learned  his  special  occupation. 

Joust,  jost.  A  mock  encounter  on  horse- 
back, in  which  the  combatants  pushed 
with  lances  and  struck  with  swords,  man 
to  man,  in  mock  fight ;  a  tilt;  one  of  the 
exercises  at  tournaments.  It  has  recently 
been  revived  in  some  of  the  Southern 
States. 

Joustingr-lielmet,  'ing-hekn-et.  A 
wide,  large  helmet  made  to  cover  the 
head  and  neck,  and  rest  upon  the  shoul- 
ders of  the  knight,  used  in  jousts  and 
tournaments.  It  was  decorated  with  the 
orle  displajdng  his  colors,  and  his  crest 
above  that. 

Jove,  jov.  Thechiefdivinity  of  the  Ko- 
mans  ;  Jupiter.    The  planet  Jupiter. 

Jovinianist,  j6-vin'i-an-ist.  A  follower 
of  Jovinian,  a  monk  of  the  5th  century, 
who  denied  the  virginity  of  Mary. 

Juan  Fernandez.  An  island  in  the  Pa- 
cific, abt.  100  m.  W.  of  Valparaiso,  noted 
as  the  residence  for  four  years  of  Alexan- 
der Selkirk,  an  adventurous  Scotch  sailor, 
whose  life  on  this  island  is  supposed 
to  have  suggested  Defoe's  "Kobinson 
Crusoe." 

Juarez,  Benito.  President  of  Mexico 
when  that  country  was  invaded  by  France, 
and  also  after  the  death  of  MaximiUan  ;  b. 
1807,  V.  1872.  He  was  of  native  Indian 
descent. 

Juba,  ju'ba.  The  long,  thick-set  hairs 
which  adorn  the  neck,  chest  or  spine  of 
certain  quadrupeds. 

Jubilate,  -bi-la'te.  The  third  Sunday 
after  Easter  ;  so  called  because  in  the 
primitive  church  divine  ser\ice  was  com- 
menced Avith  the  Avords  of  the  si.tty-sixth 
Psalm:  "Jubilate  Deo,  omnes  terraei" — 
"  Sing  to  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands." 


Jubilee,  -le.  Among  the  Jews,  every 
50th  year,  being  the  year  following  the 
revolution  of  seven  weeks  of  years,  at 
AA'hich  time  all  the  slaves  were  liberated 
and  all  lands  Avhich  had  been  alienated 
during  the  Avhole  period  reverted  to  their 
former  oAvners.  A  church  ceremony  cel- 
ebrated at  Rome  at  stated  intervals,  orig- 
inally of  a  hundred  years,  but  n«Av  of 
tAventy-flve,  in  Avhich  the  Pope  grants 
plenary  indulgence  to  sinners. 

Judah..  One  of  the  12  IlebrcAv  patriarchs, 
the  4th  son  of  Jacob,  b.  1755  b.  c,  and 
progenitor  of  the  principal  JcAvish  tribe, 
from  Avhichall  Jcavs  derived  their  name. 

Judas  Iscariot.  One  of  the  12  apos- 
tles, and  the  betrayer  of  Christ  for  thirty 
pieces  of  silver,     lie  committed  suicide. 

Judaism,  'da-izm.  The  rehgious  doc- 
trines and  rites  of  the  Jcavs,  as  enjoined 
in  the  laws  of  Moses. 

Judas-tree,  'das-tre.  A  plant  of  the 
gen.  Cercis,  ord.  Leguminosae,  sub-ord. 
Ca?salpinea3, 

Judg'e,  juj.  In  Jewish  Hist,  a  chief  mag- 
istrate Avith  civil  and  military  powers. 
The  Israelites  Avere  governed  by  judges 
more  than  300  years,  and  their  history  is 
called  the  Book  of  Judges. 

Judgrment-day,  'ment-day.  In  Theol. 
thedayAvhen  the  final  judgment  AA-ill  be 
pronounced  on  the  stibjects  of  God's 
moral  government. 

Judica,  jii'di-ka.  The  5th  Sunday  of 
Lent :  so  named  because  in  the  primitive 
church  the  services  of  the  day  were  begun 
with  the  opening  Avords  of  the  forty -third 
Psalm:  "Judica  me,  Domine"— "Judge 
me,  O  Lord." 

Judiciary,  -di'shi-a-ri.  That  branch  ol 
the  government  Avhichis  concerned  in  tho 
trial  and  determination  of  controversies 
between  parties  and  of  criminal  prosecu- 
tions ;  the  system  of  courts  of  justice  in  a 
government;  the  judges  taken  collec- 
tively. 

Jugrata,  -gu'ta.  In  Numis.  tAvo  heads 
represented  upon  a  medal  side  by  side  or 
joining  each  other. 

jugrg-ernaut,  jug'ger-nat.  The  popular 
form  of  Jagannatha,  the"  famous  Hindu 
idol.  A  city  in  Bengal,  India,  260  m.  S. 
W.  of  Calcutta,  sacred  to  Hindu  pil- 
gi-ims,  containing  a  temple  dedicated  to 
Vishnu,  to  which  hundreds  of  thousands 
annually  repair.  The  god  is  borne  on  a 
huge  car  from  the  temple  to  a  pavihon 
about  a  mile  distant,  and  formerly  many 
devotees  cast  themselves  before  the  Avheela 
and  Avere  crushed  to  death,  it  being  esti^ 


JULIAN 


448 


JUPITEE 


mated  that  millions  have  thus  sacrificed 
themselves. 

Julian,  ju'li-an.  The  calendar  as  adjusted 
by  Julius  Caesar,  46  b.  r!.,in  which  the 
year  was  made  to  consist  of  365  days, 
6  hours,  instead  of  365  days,  which  re- 
mained in  use  until  superseded  by  the 
Grregorian  year. 

Julian,  Flavins  Claudius  (The 
Apostate).  Emperor  of  Kome,  nephew 
of  Constantine  the  Great ;  b.  in  Constan- 
tinople, 331,  crowned  361,  i).  363.  He  at- 
tempted to  restore  the  ancient  paganism. 

Julianist,  -ist.  One  of  a  section  of  the 
early  Coptic  Church,  who  held  the  Sav- 
iour's body  to  be  incorruptible  :  so  called 
from  Julian  of  Halicarnassus,  their  leader: 
opposed  to  Severian, 

Julius.  The  name  of  three  popes,  of 
whom  J.  II.,  who  s.  Pius  III.  1503,  was 
distinguished  for  his  success  in  form- 
ing an  alliance  with  the  Spanish,  Swiss 
and  Venetians  and  the  expulsion  of  the 
French  from  Italy,  by  his  patronage  of 
Michael  Angelo,  and  as  being  the  original 
founder  of  the  magnificent  St.  Peter's 
cathedral ;  d.  1513. 

July,  -II'.  The  7th  month  of  the  year, 
during  which  the  sun  enters  the  sign  Leo: 
so  called  from  Julius,  the  surname  of 
Caius  Csesar,  who  was  born  in  this  month. 

Jumart,  'mart.  The  supposed  off- 
spring of  a  bull  and  mare. 

Jumna.  A  river  of  Hindustan,  chief 
branch  of  the  Ganges,  860  m.  in  length. 

Jungly-g-au,  'gli-gou.  Bos  sylhetanus, 
a  species  of  ox  inhabiting  mountainous 
parts  of  the  northeast  of  India.  It  has 
more  the 
ui)p  e  a  r  - 
ance  of 
the  do  - 
m  e  8  t  i  c 
breeds  of 
oxen  than 
any  of the 
other  wild 
oxen  of 
Asia. 

Junk.  A 
flat-b  o  t  - 
t  o  m  e  d 
ship  used 
in    China 


and     Ja- 


Chinese  Junk. 


pan,  often  of  large  dimensions.    It  has  a 
high  forecastle  and  poop,  and  ordinarily 
three  masts. 
Jungfrau,    yoong'frow.      (The  Virgin). 


A  Swiss  Alpine  peak,  18,T18  ft.  above  the 
sea  level, 

Jumping-deer.  The  black-tailed  deer, 
found  in  the  U.  8.  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

June,  jun.  The  6th  month  of  the  year, 
when  the  sun  enters  the  sign   of  Cancer. 

Jung-le-fowl,  jung'gl-foul.  A  name 
given  to  two  birds,  natives  of  Australia 
and  India.  The  jungle-fowl  of  Australia 
is  Megapodius  tumulus.  The  Indian 
jungle-fowl  is  Gallus  Sonneratii,  the  first 
species  of  the  gen.  Gallus  known  in  its 
wild  state  to  naturalists. 

Junker,  jungk'er.  A  member  of  the 
aristocratic  party  in  Prussia  which  came 
into  power  under  Otho  von  Bismarck- 
Schonhausen  (Prince  Bismarck),  when  he 
was  appointed  prime  minister,  9th  of 
Oct.,  1S62. 

Juno,  jii'no.  InEom. 
Myth,  the  highest 
and  most  powerful 
divinity  next  to  Ju- 
piter, of  whom  she 
was  the  sister  and 
wife,  the  equivalent 
of  the  Greek  Hera. 
She  was  the  queen 
of  heaven, and  under 
the  name  of  Kegina 
(queen)  was  wor- 
shipped in  Italy  at  an 
early  period. '  She 
bore  the  same  rela- 
tion to  women  that 
Jupiter  did  to  men. 
She  was  also  the  guardian  of  the  national 
finances,  and  a  temple,  which  contained 
the  mint,  was  erected  to  her  on  the  Cap- 
itoline.  In  Astron.  one  of  the  small  plan- 
ets between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Ju- 
piter. 

Junta,  jun'ta.  A  meeting ;  a  council ; 
specifically,  a  grand  council  of  state  in 
Spain. 

Junto,  'to.  A  select  council  or  assembly, 
which  deliberates  in  secret  on  any  affair  of 
government ;  a  meeting  of  men  for  secret 
intrigue  for  party  purposes ;  a  faction  ;  a 
cabal. 

Jupiter,  iu'pl-ter.  In  Eom.  Myth,  the 
supreme  ^eity,  the  equivalent  of  the  Greek 
Zeus.  He  received  from  the  Romans, 
whose  tutelary  deity  he  was,  the  titles  of 
Optimus  Maximus  (Best  Greatest).  He 
was  regarded  as  supreme  in  human 
aflEairs ;  Jie  foresaw  and  directed  the 
future,  and  sacrifices  were  offered  up 
to  him  at  the  beginning  of  every  under- 


Juno. 


JUPOIT 


KAFILAH 


taking.  White  was  sacred  to  him  ;  hence, 

white  animals  were  oltered 

up1n  sacrifice  to  him,  his 

priests  wore  white  caps. 

his  chai-iot  was  represen  - 

ted  .as  drawn  by  four  white 

horses,   and    the   consuls 

were     dressed    in    white 

upon  the  occasion  of  their 

sacrificing  to  him    when 

they  entered  upon  office. 

He  is  often    represented 

with  thunderbolts  in  his 

hand,  and  the  eagle,   his 

favorite  bird,  is  generally 

placed  by  the  side  of  his 

throne.     One  of  the  su- 

Serior    planets,   remarka- 
le    for    its    brightness, '  . 

having    four   moons.   Its       Jupiter, 
mean  diameter  is  about  85,000  miles ;  its 
distjmce  from  the  sun  490,000,000  miles, 
and  its  period  of  revolution 
round  the  sun  a  little  less 
than  twelve  years. 

Jupon,  ju-pon'.  A  tight- 
fitting  military  garment 
without  sleeves,  worn 
over  the  armor,  and  de- 
scending just  below  the 
hips,  frequently  richly  em- 
blazoned and  highly  orna- 
mented. I 

Jure  "^ivino,  ju're  di-vi'- 
no.    By  divine  right. 

Juryman,  -man.  One  who 
serves  as  a  juror.  Jupon, 


Justin,  St.  (The  Martyr).  Oneofth* 
Christian  fathers,  b.  in  Palestine  abt.  103, 
martyred  165. 

Justinian.  The  name  of  two  emperors  of 
Constantinople.  J.  I.,  «.  4S3,  s.  his 
nephew  Justin  I.  52T ;  n.  565.  He 
was  wise  and  warlike;  the  celebrated 
"Justinian  Code"  was  compiled  under 
his  patronage,  and  the  empire  was  re- 
stored to  nearly  its  largest  former  di- 
mensions. J.  II.  8.  his  father  Constan- 
tino III.  685 ;  deposed  and  exiled,  696 ; 
killed  by  Philippicus  Bardanus,  who  s. 
him  711. 

Jute,  jut.  A  fibrous  substance  resem- 
_  bling  hemp,  prepared  by  maceration  from 
the  inner  bark  of  Corchorus  capsularis, 
and  C.  olitorius  or  Jews'-mallow.  In 
India  it  is  made  into  cloth  for  bags,jind 
in  this  country  it  is  used  in  carpets,  bag- 
ging and  other  fabrics.  It  is  also  used  to 
mix  with  silk  in  cloth  for  ladies'  dresses 
and  the  like. 

Jutland.  A  Danish  prov.  covering  the 
peninsular  mainland  ;  pop.  abt.  800,000. 

Juvenal,  Decimus  Junius  Juve- 
nalis.  An  eminent  Roman  satirist :  b. 
40,  ».  107. 

Juvenescence,  ja-ve-nes'ens.  The  state 
of  being  juvenescent ;  a  growing  young. 

Juvia,  Ma.  The  fruit  of  the  BerthoUetia 
excelsa,  commonly  called  Brazil-nut. 

Juzail,  -zal.  A  heavy  rifle  used  by  the 
Affghans. 


K 


KIS  the  11th  letter  and  the  8th  consonant 
of  the  English  alphabet,  and  represents 
one  of  the  sounds  of  the  original  Indo- 
European  alphabet.  In  Anglo-Saxon  k 
was  occasionally  used,  but  c  wfis  regu- 
larly employed  for  the  same  sound,  and 
previous  to  the  13th  century  this  letter  was 
seldom  used.  K  has  always  the  same 
sound,  being  classed  as  a  guttural  mute, 
explosive,  or  momentary  consonant,  and 
represents  a  hard  or  surd  articulation. 
Formerly,  k  was  added  to  c  in  musick, 

Sublick,  &c.,  but  is  now  omitted  as  super- 
nous.  Kn  forms  a  common  initial  com- 
bination in  English  words,  but  in  this 
position  the  k  is  now  silent,  as  in  know, 
knife,  knee.  Before  r  or  1  as  an  initial 
combination  this  sound  is  represented  by 
c,  as  in  cream,  clean.  As  a  contraction  K 
stands  for  Knight,  as  K.  B.,  Knight  of  the 
Bath  ;  K.  G.,  Knight  of  the  Garter  ;  K.  C. 
B.,  Knight  Commander  of  the  Bath. 


Kaalingr,  'Ung.  A  bird,  a  species  of 
starling,  fonnd  in  China. 

SLaama,  'ma.  A  S.  African  antelope 
(Bubalis  caama),  the  baarte-beest  of  tie 
Dutch  colonists. 

Kabani,  ka-ba'ni.  A  person  who,  in 
Oriental  states,  supplies  the  place  of  a 
notary  public ;  a  kind  of  attorney  in  the 
Levant. 

Kabin,  ka'bin.  A  species  of  marriage 
among  Mohammedans,  which  is  not  bind- 
ing for  life,  but  is  solemnized  on  condi- 
tion that  the  husband  allows  the  wife 
a  certain  sum  of  money  in  case  of  separa- 
tion. 

Sadarite,  kad'a-rlt.  One  of  a  eect 
among  the  Mohammedans  who  deny  the 
doctrine  of  predestination  and  maintain 
that  of  free-will. 

Kafilah,  kaTI-la.  A  party  traveling  with ' 


KAFIR 


450 


KANT 


camels.  Early  navigators  applied  the 
term  to  convoys  of  merchant  ships. 
Kafir,  'er.  One  of  a  race  spread  over 
Southeastern  Africa,  from  Cape  Colony  to 
Delagoa  Bay,  so  called  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Eastern  Africa  on  account  of  their  re- 
fusal to  accept  the  faith  of  Mohammed. 
Kaftan,  'tan.  A  garment  worn  in  East- 
ern countries,  consisting  of  a  kind  of  long 
vest  tied  at  the  waist  with  a  girdle,  Avith 
sleeves  extending  beyond  the  points  of 
the  lingers.  A  long  cloth  coat  is  worn 
above  it. 

Kalxau,  ka'ha.  The  proboscis-monkey 
(Nasalis  larvatus),  remarkable  for  the 
length  of  its  nose. 

Kakapo,  kak'a-po.  The  owl-parrot,  the 
Strigops  habroptilus,  resembUng  an  owl. 
Kalazxd,  ktl'land.  A  lay  fraternity  which 
originated  in  Germany  in  the  13th  cen- 
tury. The  members  assembled  on  the 
first  of  each  month  to  pray  for  their  de- 
ceased friends,  after  which  they  took  a 
repast  in  common.  The  ceremonies  gradu- 
ally degenerated  into  excesses,  and  the 
fraternity  was  abolished. 
Kaleidoscope,  ka-li'do-skop.  An  opti- 
cal instrument  which  exhibits,  by  reifec- 
tion,  a  variety  of  beautiful  colors  and  sym- 
metrical forms,  and  enables  the  observer 
to  render  permanent  such  as  may  appear 
appropriate  for  any  branch  of  the  oma- 
Biental  arts. 

Kaliyuga,  kal-i-yii'ga.  The  last  of  the 
four  Hindu  periods  contained  in  the  great 
Tuga,  equal  to  the  iron  age  of  classic 
mythology.  It  consisted  of  432,000  solar- 
sidereal  years,  and  began  some  thousands 
of  years  before  the  Christian  era. 
Kalki,  'ke.  An  avatar  or  incarnation  of 
Vishnu,  which  it  is  considered  Avill  take 
place  about  the  close  of  the  Kaliyuga  age, 
when  all  whose  minds  are  given  up  to 
Avickedness  shall  be  annihilated,  and 
righteousness  established  on  earth;  and 
the  minds  of  those  who  live  at  the  close 
of  that  age  shall  be  awakened  and  be  as 
pellucid  as  crystal. 

Kalong:,  ka'long.  A  name  given  to  sev- 
I  eral  species  of  fox-bats,  specifically  to  the 
groat  frugivorous  fox-bat  of  India. 
Kalpa,  kal'pa.  In  Hindu  Chron.  a  day, 
or  according  to  others  a  day  and  night  of 
Brahma,  or  a  period  of  4,320,000.000  or 
8,640,000,000  solai--sidereal  years  Ac- 
cording to  some  the  number  of  kalpas  is 
infinite ;  others  hmit  them  to  thirty.  A 
great  kalpa,  instead  of  a  day,  comprises 
ttio  life  of  Brahma. 
Kalpsu-Sutra,  -pa-sfl'tra.    In  Vedic  Lit, 


those  Sanskrit  works  which  treat  of  th» 
ceremonial  attending  the  performance  of 
a  Vedic  sacrifice. 

Kalseepee,  -se'pe.    The  Mahratta  name 
for  an  elegant  species  of  antelope,  and 
signifying  literally  black-tail. 
Kama,  kti'ma.    The  Hindu  god  of  love. 
Kami,  kam'e.    A  Japanese  title  belong- 
ing primarily  to  the  celestial  gods  who 
formed    the  first  mythological  dynasty, 
then  extended  to  the  terrestrial  gods  of 
the  second  dynasty,  and  then  to  the  long 
line  of  spiritual  princes  who  are  still  rep- 
resented by  the  mikado. 
Kamptulicon,  kamp-tu'li-kon.    A  kind 
of  floor-cloth  composed  of  india-rubber, 
'  gutta  percha  and  ground  cork. 
Kamsin,  kam'sin.    A  hot  southerly  wind 
in  Egypt ;  the  simoon. 
Kamtschatka.  A  large  peninsula  on  the 
E.  coast  of  Siberia,  belonging  to  Eussia. 
Kanaka,    ka-nak'a.      A  native   of  the 
Sandwich  Islands. 

Kancliil,  kan'chil.  A  very  small  deer 
(Tragulus  pygma3us)  inhabiting  the 
Asiatic  islands.  Called  also  the  Pigmy 
Musk-deer. 

ISjSLJie,  Elisha  Kent,  An  American 
Arctic  explorer,  b.  in  Penn.  1820,  v.  1857. 
Kangrar  oo, 
kang'ga-ro.  The 
native  name  of 
the  animals  gen. 
Macropus,  a  gen. 
of  marsupial 
mammalia  pecu- 
liar to  Austral- 
asia. They  ai-e  the 
largest  animals 
having  a  double 
uterus  or  womb. 
An  external 
pouch  or  append- 
age to  the  abdo- 
men exists,  and  in 
this  the  young  are 
carried  for  months  after  birth. 
Kansas,  kan'sas.  A  State  of  the  Amer- 
ican Union,  admitted  1861,  bounded  N. 
by  Nebraska,  E.  by  Missouri,  S.  by  Indian 
Ter.,  W.  by  Colorado  ;  area 81 ,31 8  sq.  m.; 
pop.  996,096.  Chief  towns,  Topeka,  cap., 
Leavenworth,  Lawrence,  Atchison  and 
Fort  Scott;  rivers,  Missouri,  Arkansas 
and  Kansas  ;  its  surface  is  mainly  i)rairie. 
Kant,  Immanuel,  kahnt.  A  German 
author  and  philosopher,  founder  of  the 
Critical  or  Transcendental  School ;  b. 
1724,  D.  1804.  Ho  was  of  Scottish  de- 
scent. 


Aroe  Kangaroo. 


KARAGAIT 


451 


KETTLE-DRUM 


Karagran,  kar'a-gan.  Vulpes  K.,  a 
species  of  gray  fox  found  in  the  Russian 
empire. 

Karaite,  ka'ra-it.  A  member  of  a  Jew- 
ish sect  which  adheres  to  the  letter  of 
Scripture,  rejecting  all  oral  traditions,  and 
denying  the  authority  of  the  Talmud ;  op- 
posed to  Kabbinists. 

Karamsin,  Nikolai  Mikhaelo- 
vitch..  An  eminent  Russian  historian  ; 
B.  1765,  D.  1826, 

Earaskier,  ka-ras'ki-er.  One  of  the 
chief  otficcrs  of  justice  in  Turkey,  residing 
at  Constantinople,  and  a  member  of  the 
XJlema. 

Kamac.  An  Egyptian  village  occupjing 
the  site  of  ancient  Thebes ;  chiefly  noted 
for  its  extensive  ruins. 

Kartikeya,  kar-ti-ka'ya.  In  Hindu 
Myth,  the  god  of  war,  corresponding  to  the 
Latin  Mars.  He  is  commander-in-chief  of 
the  celestial  armies. 

Kattimundoo,  kat-ti-mun'do.  The 
milky  juice  of  the  E.  Indian  plant  Eu- 
phorbia Cattimundoo,  resembling  caout- 
chouc. It  is  used  as  a  cement  for  metal, 
knife-handles,  &c. 

Katydid,  ka'ti-did.  An  orthopterous 
insect,  Platyphyllum  concavum,  a  species 
of  grasshopper. 

Kava,  'va.  A  species  of  pepper  (Macro- 
piper  methysticum),  from  whose  root  an 
intoxicating  beverage  is  made  by  the 
South  Sea  Islanders, 

Kayak,  ka'ak.  A  light  fishing-boat  in 
Greenland,  made  of  seal-skins. 

Keblah.,  keb'la.  The  point  toward  which 
Mohammedans  turn  their  faces  in  prayer, 
being  the  direction  of  the  temple  at 
Mecca. 

Kedgre,  kej.    A  small  anchor. 

Keel,  kel.  In  brewing,  a  broad  flat  vessel 
used  for  cooling  Hquids. 

Keen,  ken.  In  Ireland,  the  piercing  lam- 
entation made  over  a  corpse. 

Keeve,  kev.  A  large  tub  or  vessel  used 
in  brewing ;  a  mashing-tub.  In  mining, 
a  large  vat  used  in  dressing  ores. 

Keitloa,  kit-16'a.  A  species  of  rhinoce- 
ros having  two  horns,  the  front  one  curved 
backward,  the  back  one  forwai-d. 

Kelaenonesian,  ke-le'no-ne"si-an.  In 
Ethn.  one  of  the  dark-colored  inhabitants 
of  the  Pacific  Islands. 

Kelliadsa,  -I'a-de.  A  family  of  lamelli- 
branchiate  moUusca,  embracing    several 

genera. 

Kelp,  kelp.    The  produce  of  sea-weeds 


when  burned,  from  which    carbonate  ol 
soda  is  obtained. 

Kelpie,  kel'pi.  In  Scotland,  an  imagin- 
ary spirit  of  the  waters  in  th«  form  of  a 
horse,  believed  to  give  previous  warning 
when  a  person  was  about  to  be  drowned, 
and  sometimes  maliciously  to  assist  in 
drowning  persons. 

Kent-bug-le, 
kent'bu-gl.  A 
curved  six- 
keyed  bugle, 
on  which  ev- 
ery tone  in  the 

musical   scale  Kent-bugle, 

can  bo  sound-  *" 

ed.    Also  called  the  key-bugle. 

Kentucky.  One  of  the  States  of  the 
American  Union,  admitted  1792,  bounded 
N.  by  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  E.  by 
Virginia  and  W.  Virginia,  S.  by  Tennes- 
see, W.  by  Missouri;  area,  87,680  sq.  m.; 
pop.  1,648,690 ;  principal  towns,  Frankfort, 
cap.,  Louisville,  Lexington,  Covington, 
Paducah,  Henderson,  Columbus  and 
Hickman ;  chief  rivers,  the  Mississippi, 
Ohio,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Cumber-' 
land.  Green  and  Licking. 

Kepler's  IJaws,  kep'lerz  laz.  The  laws 
of  the  courses  of  the  planets  established  by 
Kepler. 

Kerana,  ke-ra'na,  A  long  wind  instru- 
ment like  a  trumpet,  much  used  in  Persia, 
being  sounded  evening  and  morning. 

Kermes,  'mez,  A  dye-stuff  consisting  of 
the  dried  bodies  of  the  females  of  one  or 
two  species  of  Coccus,  more  permanent 
but  less  brilliant  than  cochuieal. 

Kern,  kern.  A  light-armed  foot-soldier  of 
the  ancient  Irish  militia  and  the  Highlands 
of  Scotland,  armed  with  a  dart  or  skean ; 
opposed  to  gallowglass,  who  was  heavy- 
armed. 

Kettle-drum,  ket'1-drum.  A  copper 
vessel,    usually    Iiemispherical,    covered 


Kettle-drum, 
with  parchment,  formerly  used  in  pairs  In 
martial  muvsic  for  cavahy,  but  now  chiefly 
confined  to  orchestras. 


KEEODOH 


KILLARNET 


Kestrel. 


Kerodon,  ker'o-don.  A  S.  American 
gen.  of  rodents,  allied  to  thocaTies,  about 
the  size  of  a  guinea-pig. 

Keroselene,  'o-se-lon.  An  extremely 
light,  volatile,  liquid  hydrocarbon,  which 
iirst  passes  over  when  petroleum,  coal- 
tar,  &c.,  are  distilled. 

Kerosene,  -sen.  A  liquid  hydrocarbon 
distilled  from  coals,  bitumen,  petroleum, 
&c..  extensively  used  as  a  lamp-oil. 

Kersey,  'zi.  A  coarse,  woolen  cloth 
usually  ribbed. 

Kerseymere, 
-mer.  A  thin 
twilled  stuff  wov- 
en from  the  tin  est 
wools ;  cassimere. 

Keslop,  kes'lop. 
The  stomach  of  a 
calf  prepared  for 
rennet. 

Kestrel,      'trel. 
The    Falco  Tln- 
nunculus,  a  common  British  species  of 
falcon,  called 
also    Stannel 
and      "Wind- 
hover. 

Ketch,  kech. 
A  strongly- 
built  vessel, 
of  the  galiot 
order,  usually 
two-masted , 
and  from  100 
to  250  tons 
burden,  for- 
merly much  Ketch, 
used  as  bomb  vessels. 

Kettle-hat, 
-hat.  The  iron 
hat  of  a  knight 
in  the  middle 
ages ;  also  the 
leather  bur- 
gonet. 

Kevel,  kev'el. 
Antilope  Dor- 
cas, a  species  of  "^.^  , 
antelope  simi-  *y2?^ 
lar  to  the  gazelle 
in  its  manners 
and  habits. 

Key,  ke.  One  of  the  twenty-four  com- 
moners who  represent  the  people  in  the 
Parliament  or  Court  of  Tynwald  of  the 
Isle  of  Man,  forming  one  of  the  branches 
of  the  legislative  body  of  the  island,  the 
other  branch  consisting  of  the  governor 
and  Ms  council. 


Kevel. 


The  jurisdiction  of  a 


Keystone,  -ston.  The  stone  of  an  arch 
which,  being  the  last  put  in,  keys  or  locks 
the  whole  together. 

Khan,  kan.  In  Asia,  a  governor ;  a 
king  ;  a  prince  ;  a  chief.  An  Eastern  inn  ; 
a  caravansary.  The  khans  in  towns  are 
of  two  kinds — those  for  travelers  and  pil- 
grims where  a  lodging  is  furnished  gratis, 
and  those  for  traders,  usually  handsomer 
and  more  convenient.  A  small  sum  is 
charged  for  lodgment,  but  a  duty  is 
charged  on  all  goods  sold  within.  These 
may  belong  to  government  or  to  private 
individuals. 

Khanate,  'at. 
khan. 

Khartoum.  A  city  of  upper  Nubia, 
Egj'pt,  on  the  Blue  Nile,  just  above  its 
junction  with  the  White  Nile.  It  has  a 
large  caravan  trade ;  pop.  36,4T0. 

Khedive,  ke-dov'.  A  Turkish  title  ap- 
plied to  the  Pasha  or  Governor  of  Egypt, 
implying  a  rank  or  authority  superior  to 
a  prince  or  viceroy,  but  inferior  to  an  in- 
dependent sovereign.  The  title  is  an  old 
one  revived  by  Ismael  I. 

Kholsun,  koFsun.  The  native  dog  of 
India ;  the  dhole. 

Elhotbah,  kot'ba.  A  Mohammedan  form 
of  prayer,  repeated  at  the  commencement 
of  public  worship  in  the  mosques  every 
Friday  morning.  It  is  regarded  as  the 
most  sacred  portion  of  the  service,  and 
the  insertion  of  his  name  in  this  prayer  is 
regarded  as  the  chief  prerogative  of  the 
sultan. 

Kibitka,  ki-bit'ka.  A  tent  of  the  nomad 
tribes  of  the  Kirghiz-Tartars.  A  Eussian 
vehicle  consisting  of  a  frame  of  wood  cov- 
ered with  felt  or  leather,  and  placed  on 
wheels,  serving  as  a  movable  habitation. 

Kiblingr,  kib'ling.  A  part  of  a  small  fish 
used  by  fishermen  for  bait  on  the  banks 
of  Newfoundland. 

Kid,  kid.  A  young  goat.  Leather  made 
from  the  skin  of  a  kid,  or  from  other  hides 
in  imitation  of  it. 

Kidderminster,  'er-min-ster.  An  En- 
glish carpeting  composed  of  two  webs, 
each  consisting  of  a  separate  warped 
woof,  interwoven  at  intervals  to  produce 
the  figures. 

Kid-fox,  'foks.    A  young  fox. 

Kikekunemalo,  kik'e-ku-nem"a-lo.  A 
pure  resiu  similar  to  copal,  but  of  a  more 
beautiful  whiteness  and  transparency, 
forming  the  most  beautiful  of  all  the  var- 
nishes. 

Killamey.  A  town  in  Co.  Kerry,  Ire- 
land, noted  for  the  three  beautiful  lakes  in 


KILODYNE  4 

the  vicinity,  also  for  the  Island  of  Inuis- 
fallen,  and  foi-  its  proximity  to  the  highest 
mountains  and  most  romantic  scenery  in 
the  island. 

Kilodyne,  kiro-dln.  In  dynamics,  a 
thousand  dynes. 

Zkilogram.,  -gram.  A  French  measure 
of  weight,  being  1,000  grams,  equal  to 
2.204S5  lbs.  avoirdupois. 

Kilogrraixuueter,  -6-gram 'et-er.  The 
French  unit  employed  in  estimating  the 
mechanical  work  performed  by  a  machine. 
It  represents  the  work  performed  in 
raising  a  kilogram  through  a  meter  of 
space,  and  corresponds  to  7.233  foot- 
pounds. 

Kiloliter,  ki-lol'it-er.  In  French  deci- 
mal measures  1,000  liters,  35.8166  cubic 
feet,  or  220.0967  imperial  gallons. 

Kilometer,  -lom' et-er.  In  French  deci- 
mal system  of  measures  1,000  meters,  the 
meter  being  the  u^^it  of  linear  measure 
and  equivalent  to  3.280S992  English  feet. 

Kilostere,  kil'o-star.  A  French  solid 
measm-e,  consisting  of  1,000  steres  or  cubic 
meters,  and  equal  to  35317.41  cubic  feet. 

Kilt,  kilt.  A  short  petticoat,  worn  by 
men  as  an  article  of  dress  in  lieu  of  trous- 
ers :  the  national  dress  of  the  Highlanders 
of  Scotland. 

Kinetics,  -net'iks.  That  branch  of 
dynamics  which  treats  of  forces  causing  or 
changing  motion  in  bodies. 

King,  king.  A  Chinese  musical  instru- 
ment consisting  of  sixteen  resonant  stones 
or  metal  plates,  so  arranged  in  a  frame  of 
wood  as  to  sound  as  many  musical  notes. 

King.  The  chief  magistrate  or  sovereign 
of  a  nation  ;  a  monarch  ;  a  prince ;  a  ruler. 

King-at-arms,  'at-armz.  In  Her.  an 
otticer  of  great  antiquity,  and  formerly  of 
great  authority.  In  England  there  are 
now  three  kings-at-arms, 
vb...  Garter,  Olarencieux 
and  Norroy.  There  is  fi, 
Lyon-king-at-arms  for  Scot! 
land  and  an  Ulster-ktng-at- 
arms  for  Ireland. 

King-bird,  'berd.  The 
popular  name  of  two  birds, 
the  one  belonging  to  the  gen. 
Paradisea,  the  other  to  the 
gen.  Tyrannus. 

King-crab, 'krab.  A  name 
given  to  the  species  of  Lim- 
ulus,  a  gen.  of  crustaceans, 
ord.  Xiphosura. 

King-crow,  'kro.  A  bird  -k-._„  ^^„y^ 
(Dicrurus  macrocercus),  ^^"o-craD 
fam.    Ampelidae    or    chatterers. 


^\»ISB 


ISfi 

King,  Rufus.  An  eminent  American 
orator  and  statesman ;  b.  in  Me.,  1755  ;  D. 
1827. 

Kingfisher, 
-fish'er.  The  gen- 
eral name  of  the 
birds  fam.  Hal- 
cyonidse,sub-ord. 
Fissirostres,  ord. 
Insessores.  It  i- 
probable  thai| 
this  bird  is  tht 
halcyon  of  tht 
ancients,  of 
which  so  many 
wonderful  stories 
were  told. 

King-vulture,  'vul-tiir.  The  Sarcor- 
hampus  Papa  of  the  intertropical  regions 
of  America,  fam.  Vulturidae. 

Kinkajou,  'ka-jo.  A  plantigrade  carniv- 
orous mammal  of  northern  S.  America 
belonging  to  the  group  Cercoleptidse,  and 
allied  to  the  family  Ursidae. 

Kinnikinic,  kin'i-kin-ik".  A  compo- 
sition for  smoking,  consisting  of  the  dried 
leaves  and  bark  of  red  sumac  or  red  wil- 
low.   Spelled  also  Killikijiick. 

Kiosk,  ki-osk'.  A  Turkish  pavilion  or 
summer  house.     It  has  been  iutroduoed 


Spotted  Xiugfisher. 


Kio&k. 

from  Turkey  and  Persia  into  gardens, 
parks,  «fec.,  of  Europe  and  America. 

Kip-skin,  kip'skin.  Leather  prepared 
from  the  skin  of  young  cattle,  inter- 
mediate between  calfskin  and  cowhide. 

Kirk,  kirk.  The  Established  Church  of 
Scotland  ;  a  church. 

Kirsch-wasser,  kersh'vas-ser.  An  al- 
coholic Hquor  distilled  from  the  fermented 
juice  of  the  small  black  cherry.  It  is 
called  the  brandy  of  Switzerland. 

Kish,  kish.  A  substance  resembling 
plumbago  found  in  iron-smelting  fUr* 
naces.  It  consists  of  cai'bon  and  manga< 
nese. 


KISSMISS 


4M 


KOB 


Kite. 


Kissmiss,  kis'mis.  A  small  Persian 
grai)e  from  which  Shiraz  wine  is  made. 

Kitchen-midden,  kich'en-mid-n.  The 
name  given  to  certain  mounds,  from  3  to 
10  feet  in  height  and  100  to  1,000  feet  in 
length,  found  in  the  U.  S.,  Denmark, 
Scotland,  &c.,  consisting  chiefly  of  the 
shells  of  edible  shell- 
fish.  They  are  the 
refuse  heaps  of  a 
pre-historic  people, 
unacquainted  with 
the  use  of  metals,  all 
the  Implements 
found  in  them  being 
of  stone,  bone,  horn 
or  wood.  Fragments 
of  rude  pottery  oc- 
cur. 

Kite,   kit.      A  rap- 
torial bird  of  the  fal- 
con fam  ,  gen.  Milvus,  the  least  formidable 
of  the  birds  of  prey. 

Kittiwake,  kit'ti-wak.  A  natatorial  bird, 
gen.  Larus  or  gulls. 

Kleber,  Jean  Baptiste.  A  gallant 
French  general ;  n.  1751,  assassinated  by 
an  Arab  in  Egypt,  1800. 

Kleptomania,  klep-to-mri'ni-a.  A  sup- 
posed species  of  moral  insanity,  exhibit- 
ing itself  in  an  irresistible  desire  to  pilfer. 

Klipspring-er,  klip'spring-er.  A  beauti- 
ful little  S.  African  antelope,  gen.  Oreotra- 
gus,as  sure-footed  and  agile  as  the  chamois, 
which  it  somewhat  resembles  in  its  habits. 

Knapsack,  nap'sak.  A  bag  of  leather 
or  strong  cloth  for  carrying  a  soldier's  or 
tourist's  necessities. 

Knave,  nfiv.  A  playing  card  with  a  sol- 
dier or  servant  painted  on  it ;  a  jack. 

Knighthood,  'hud. 
The  character  or  dig- 
nity of  a  knight.  Order 
of  Knighthood,  an  or-, 
ganizod  and  duly  con- 
8 1  i  t  u  t  e  d  body  of 
knights.  These  are  of 
two  classes — associa- 
tions or  fraternities, 
possessing  property  and 
rights  of  their  own  as 
independent  bodies,  or 
merely  honorary  associ- 
ations. To  the  former 
belonged  the  three  cele- 
brated religious  orders 
founded  during  the  Cru- 
sades—Templars, IIos- 
Eitallers  and  Teutonic  der  of  St.  Patrick. 
:»ights.  The  other 
embraces  most  of  the  existing  European 


Star,  Jewel  and 
Collar  of  the  Or- 


orders,  such  as  the  order  of  the  Golden 
Fleece,  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of  St.  >Ii- 
chael.  The  British  orders  are  the  order 
of  the  Garter,  the  Thistle,  St.  Patrick,  the 
Bath,  St.  Michael  and  St.  George,  and  the 
Star  of  India.  The  various  orders  have 
each  their  appropriate  insignia. 

Knigrht,  nit.  In  feudal  times,  a  man  ad- 
mitted to  a  certain  military  rank,  with  spe- 
cial ceremonies.  In  modern  times,  one 
who  holds  a  certain  dignity  conferred  by 
the  sovereign  and  entitling  the  possessor 
to  have  the  title  of  Sir  prefixed  to  his 
Christian  name,  but  not  hereditary  like 
the  dignity  of  baronet. 

Knight-errant,  -er'rant.  A  wandering 
knight ;  a  knight  who  traveled  in  search 
of  adventures. 

Knobber,  nob'er.  A  hart  in  its  second 
year ;  a  brocket. 

Knobstick,  stik.  An  English  term  of 
disparagement  applied  to  a  workman  who 
reftises  to  join  a  trade's  union  or  who 
works  when  the  members  of  the  union 
are  on  strike. 

Knot,  not.  A  grallatorial  bird,  fam. 
Scolopacidae,  gen.  Tringa  (T.  canutus), 
closely  allied  to  the  snipe. 

Knout,  n out.  An  instrument  of  punish- 
ment, consisting  of  thongs  of  leather  at- 
tached to  a  short  handle  of  wood,  used  in 
Russia. 

Know-nothing",  n«>'nuth-ing.  A  mem- 
ber of  a  secret  political  organization  in  the 
IT.  S.,  the  main  objects  of  which  were  the 
repeal  of  the  naturalization  law  and  of  the 
law  which  permitted  others  than  native- 
born  Ameiicans  to  hold  office.  It  w^as 
formed  in  1853,  and  lasted  2  or  3  years. 

Knoz,  John.  An  eminent  Scotch  di- 
vine and  reformer  ;  b.  1505,  n.  1572. 

Blnubs,  nubz.  Waste  silk  formed  in 
winding  off  the  threads  from  a  cocoon. 

Knuckle-duster,  nuk'1-dust-er.  An 
iron  instrument  contrived  to  cover  the 
knuckles  so  as  to  protect  them  from  inju- 
ry when  striking  a  blow,  adding  force  to 
it  at  the  same  time,  and  with  knobs  or 
points  projecting  so  as  to  render  the  blow 
still  more  severe.  It  is  used  by  garroters 
and  similar  ruffians  ;  also  called  brass- 
knuckles. 

Koala,  ko-a'la.  A  marsupial  animal  of 
Australia,  commonly  referred  to  the  fam. 
Phalangistidae,  somewhat  resembling  a 
small  bear. 

Kob,  kob.  A  name  given  to  many  spe- 
cies of  African  antelopes  of  the  gen.  Ko- 
bus,  but  more  commonly  applied  to  K. 
Sing-sing. 


KOBOLD 


455 


KUTUSOFF 


Kobold,  ko'bold.  A  domestic  spirit  or  elf 
in  Gennan  Myth.,  coiTesponding  to  the 
English  pobliri  and  Scotch  brownie.  The 
metal  cobalt  has  its  name  fi-om  this  spirit. 

Koodoo,  kO'do.  The  striped  antelope 
(Antilope  strepsiceros,  or  Strepsiceros 
koodoo),  the  male  of  -which  has  horns 
nearly  4  feet  long,  and  beautifully  t\visted 
in  >\ide  spirals. 

Konig'Sbergr.  Cap.  of  E.  Prussia,  on 
the  Pregel,  near  its  mouth.  It  is  built  on 
piles ;  pop.  112,746. 

Konigsgratz.  A  town  of  Bohemia, 
Austria,  at  the  junction  of  the  AUer  and 
Elbe,  noted  as  near  the  scene  of  the  great 
battle,  1866,  of  Sadowa,  in  which  the 
Prussians  defeated  the  Austrians ;  pop. 
6,390. 

Koran,  ko'ran.  The  Mohammedan  book 
of  faith. 

Kosciusko,  Thaddeus.  A  distin- 
guished Polish  patriot,  b.  1749,  d.  in  ex- 
ile iu  Switzerland,  1817.  He  served  un- 
der Washington  in  the  American  Jlevolu- 
tion,  and  was  afterward  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  Polish  army  in  the  unsuccess- 
ful revolution  of  1794. 

Kossuth,  Liouis.  An  eminent  Hunga- 
rian statesman  and  orator,  b.  1802.  He 
was  the  principal  promoter  of  the  unsuc- 
cessful revolt  against  Austria,  1S4S-49. 

Koster,  kos'ter.    A  species  of  sturgeon. 

Koth.,  koth.  A  shiny  earthy  substance 
ejected  by  some  S.  American  volcanos. 

Kow-tow,  kou-tou'.  The  mode  of  sa- 
luting the  Emperor  of  China  by  prostrat- 
ing one's  self  before  him  on  all  fours,  and 
touching  the  ground  with  the  forehead 
nine  times. 

ELraal,  kral.  In  S.  Africa,  among  the 
native  tribes,  a  village  ;  a  collection  of 
huts ;  sometimes  a  single  hut. 

Elremlin,  krem'lin.  In  Russia,  the  cita- 
del of  a  town  or  city.  The  term  is  spe- 
cifically applied  to  the  ancient  citadel  of 
Moscow,  containing  an  imperial  palace, 
several  churches,  among  which  is  the 
Church  of  the  Annunciation,  in  which  the 
coronation  of  the  Eussian  emperors  is 
performed,  convents,  an  arsenal,  &c.  It 
was  partly  destroyed  by  the  French  in 
1S12,  but  has  been  repaired. 

Kreutzer,  kroit'ser.  An  old  S.  German 
copper  coin,  equal  to  the  60th  part  of  the 
gulden  or  florin.  The  Austrian  current 
coin  bearing  this  name  is  the  100th  part  of 
a  florin,  equivalent  to  one-fifth  of  an  En- 
glish penny. 

Kriegspiel,  kreg'spel.  A  game  of  Ger- 
man origin,  in  which,  by  means  of  pieces 


Krishna. 


representing  troops  moved  by  two  gene- 
rals, on  a  map,  the  manoeuvres  of  actual 
warfare  are  represented. 

Bjrishna,  krish'- 
na.  In  Hind.  M,vth. 
the  <?ighth  incarna- 
tion of  the  god  Vish- 
nu, formed  from 
one  of  two  hairs 
plucked  by  him 
from  his  head  in 
order  to  revenge 
the  wTongs  inflict- 
ed on  Brahma  by 
Kansa^  the  demon- 
king.  Lit.  the 
Dark  or  Black  One. 

Krone,  kro'na.  A 
Danish,  Norwegian  and  Swedish  money 
equal  to  25  cents.  There  are  krone,  two- 
krone  and  half-krone  pieces. 

Kronos,  'nos.  In  Greek  Myth,  the 
ruler  of  heaven  and  earth  before  Zeus,  a 
son  of  Uranus  and  Ge,  and  father  by 
Rhea  of  Hestia,  Demeter,  Hera,  Hades, 
Poseidon  and  Zeus.  He  was  driven  by 
his  sons  from  the  throne,  Zeus  being 
put  in  his  stead.  He  was  identified  by 
the  Romans  with  Saturn, 

Kshatriya,  ksha-tre'a.  The  second  or 
military  caste  in  the  social  system  of  the 
Brahmanical  Hindus,  the  sp'ecial  duties  of 
the  members  of  which  are  bravery,  gene- 
rosity, rectitude  and  noble  conduct  gene- 
rally. 

Kuichua,  kwich'wa.  A  pretty  tiger- 
cat  of  Brazil  (Leopardus  macrurus). 

Kukang:,  ko-kang'.  The  native  name  of 
the  slow-paced  loria  of  Java  (Nycticebus 
javanicuft),  one  of  the  nocturnal  quad- 
rumana. 

Kukupa,  ku'kn-pa.  A  beautiful  species 
of  New  Zealand  wood-pigeon. 

Kumiss,  ko'mis.  A  liquer  or  drink 
matle  from  mare's  milk  fermented  and 
distilled;  milk-spirit,  used  by  the  Tar- 
tars.    Written  also  Koumiss. 

Kunkur,  kon'ker.  The  Hindu  name  for 
a  peculiar  deposit  spread  over  the  surface 
of  India,  and  apparently  corresponding  to 
the  bowlder  drift  of  Europe. 

Kupferschiefer,  kup'fer-shijf-er.  A 
term  applied  by  German  geologists  to 
certain  dark  shales  of  the  perroian  series 
of  Thuringia.  They  are  impregnated 
with  argentiferous  copper,  and  abound  in 
fossil  remains  of  fishes. 

Kutusoff,  Michael.  A  Eussian  gene- 
ral, B.  1745,  D.  1S13.  He  defeated  Napo- 
leon's ablest  marshals,  and  received  from 
the  Czar  the  title  of  Bmolenskoi. 


KUVERJL 


456 


LACERTILIA 


Kuvera,  k^-va'ra.  In  Hind.  Myth,  the 
god  of  riches,  represented  as  riding  in  a 
car  drawn  by  hobgoblins. 

Kyley,  kl'le.  The  native  Australian 
name  for  a  boomerang. 

Kyloe,  'lo.  One  of  the  cattle  of  the  Heb- 
rides, 


Kyrie,  'ri-e.  A  word  used  at  the  begin- 
ning of  all  masses,  sometimes  used  to  de- 
note the  movement  itself.  It  is  the  voc- 
ative case  of  Gr.  Kyrios,  Lord. 

Kyrie  eleison,  'ri-e  G-lT'son.  Lit.  Lord 
have  mercy.  A  form  of  invocation  in  an- 
cient Gre  ik  liturgies  and  still  used  in  the 
E.  C.  service  of  the  mass. 


LIS  the  12th  letter  of  the  English  alpha- 
bet and  is  a  semi-vowel  or  a  liquid. 
It  has  only  one  sound  in  English,  as  in  like, 
canal.  At  the  end  of  monosyllables  it  is 
often  doubled,  as  in  fall,  bell,  but  not  af- 
ter dipthongs  and  digraphs,  as  foul, 
growl,  foal,  &c.  In  English  words  the 
terminating  syllable  le  is  unaccented,  the 
e  is  silent,  and  1  forms  a  syllable,  as  in 
able,  eagle,  pronounced  abl,  eagl.  In  some 
words  1  is  mute,  as  in  half,  walk,  yolk, 
calm  ;  from  others  it  has  disappeared  alto- 
gether, as  from  each,  such ;  in  hauberk, 
auburn,  it  has  become  u  ;  in  could,  sylla- 
ble, participle,  it  has  intruded.  As  a  nu- 
meral L  stands  for  50 ;  as  an  abbreviation 
in  Latin  it  stands  for  Lucius  ;  L.L.S.  for 
a  sesterce,  or  two  librae  and  a  half.  LL.D. 
stands  for  Legum  Doctor,  Doctor  of 
Laws.  L  is  also  used  for  liber,  book,  as 
applied  to  a  division  in  a  work. 

Liabadist,  lab'a-dist.  A  follower  of  Jean 
de  Labadie,  who  lived  in  the  17th  centu- 
ry. They  held  that  God  can  and  does  de- 
ceive men,  that  the  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath is  a  matter  of  indifference,  and  other 
peculiar  opinions. 

Labarri,  la-bar'rc.  Elaps  lemniscatus,  a 
deadly  snake  of  Guiana.  It  Is  beautifully 
colored  when  alive,  but  fades  when  dead. 

Xtabarum,  lab'a-rum.  The 
imperial  staydard  adopted 
by  Constantino  the  Great 
after  his  conversion  toQpi^ii:^^:^ 
Christianity,  generally  rep- 
resented as  a  pole  having  a 
cross-bar  with  the  banner 
depending  from  it  and  bear- 
ing the  Greek  letters  X  P 
(that  is,  Chr),  conjoined  so 
as  to  form  a  monogram  of 
the  name  of  Christ. 

Liabial,  la'bi-al.  A  letter 
or  character  representing  a 
sound  or  articulation 
formed  or  uttered  chiefly 
by  the  lips ;  b,  f,  m,  p,  v,  are  called  la- 
bials. 

Labiodental,  -6-den-tal.    A  letter  rep- 


resenting a  sound  pronounced  by  the  co- 
operation of  the  lips  and  teeth. 
Labi-palpi,  -pal-pv.    The    labial  feelers 

in  insects. 
Labor,  la-bor'.  A  Mexican  land  measure, 

equal  to  177  acres. 
Labor-pains,     lu'ber-panz.      Pains   of 

childbirth. 
Labrax,  'braks.     A  gen.   of  acanthop- 

terygian  fishes,  perch  fara.,  which  includes 

the  rock-fish  or  striped  bass. 
Labridee,  lab'ri-de.     The  A%Tasse  tribe,  a 

fam.   of  acanthopterygious  fishes  having 

the  gen.  Labrus  as  the  type. 
L  a  b  y 


Labarum. 


Labyrinthodon  Salamun- 
droides. 
ons,  permian 

and  trias  formations,  allied  to  the  croco- 
dile and  to  the  frog,  and  10  or  12  feet  long. 
The  cheirotherium  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  same  animal. 

Lac,  lak.  A  resinous  substance  produced 
by  exudations  from  the  body  of  the  fe- 
male of  the  Coccus  ficus  or  Coccus  lacca. 
It  is  composed  of  five  varieties  of  resin, 
with  a  small  quantity  of  several  other  sub- 
stances, particularly  a  red  coloring  mat- 
ter. It  is  analogous  to  cochineal,  and  is 
used  for  dyeing. 

Lac.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a  word  used  to 
denote  100,000  ;  as  a  lac  of  rupees. 

Lace,  las.  A  delicate  nejt-work  of  silk, 
ilax  or  cotton  thread,  used  for  ornament- 
ing female  dresses,  «fec.,  made  either  by 
hand  on  a  pillow  or  by  machine. 

Lacerta,  la-ser'ta.  The  lizard,  a  gen.  of 
saurian  reptiles.  A  northern  constella- 
tion consisting  of  16  stars. 

Lacertilia,  las'er-til-i-a.  An  ord.  of  rep- 
tiles   including   the    slow-worm,    lizards 


LA0HESI3 


45T 


LA&ER-BEER 


proper,  monitors,  iguana,  chameleons  and 
geckos. 

Liachesis,  lak'e-sis.  In  Class.  Myth,  the 
one  of  the  three  Fates  whose  duty  it  was 
to  spin  the  thread  of  hfe.  An  American 
gen.  of  serpents,  fam.  Crotalidre  or  rattle- 
Bnakes,  among  the  most  venomous  of  ser- 
pents. 

LachiTrinatory,  'rim- 
a-to-ri.  A  slender  glass 
vessel  found  in  the  sep- 
ulchers  of  the  ancients, 
in  which  it  has  been  sup- 
posed the  tears  of  a  de- 
ceased person's  friends 
were  collected  and  pre- 
served with  the  ashes 
and  urn . 

Liac-lunse,    'Ki-ne.     A   Lachrymatories, 
snowy-wliite    substance 
resembling  chalk.    It  consists  of  alumina, 
saturated  with  carbonic  acid. 

liOcquer,  'er.  A  solution  of  shell-lac 
in  alcohol,  colored  by  arnotto,  or  other 
coloring  matter,  use<l  for  varnishing  brass 
and  some  other  metals. 

liO-crosse,  la-kros'.  A  game  at  ball,  orig- 
inating with  the  Indians  of  Canada,  the 
ball  being  carried  on  an  implement  called 
a  crosse,  the  player  in  possession  running 
with  it  toward  the  enemy's  goal,  and 
■when  on  the  point  of  being  caught,  pass- 
ing it  by  tossing  to  one  of  his  own  side, 
or  throwing  it  over  his  head  as  far  in  the 
direction  of  the  goal  as  possible. 

IjOCS  d' Amour,  lak  da-mor.  In  Her.  a 
cord  of  running  knots  surrounding  the 
arms  of  unmarried  women  and  widows. 

Lactantius,  Lucius  Coelius  Firmi- 
anus.  The  most  eloquent  and  learned 
of  the  Christian  fatners :  B.  in  Africa,  290, 
B.  abt.  325. 

Iiactarene,  'ta-ren.  A  preparation  of 
the  caseine  of  milk,  extensively  used  by 
caUco-printers. 

liactine,  'tin.  Sugar  of  milk,  a  substance 
obtained  by  evaporating  whey,  iiltering 
through  animal  charcoal  and  crystallizing 

liacto-butyrometer,  't6-bu-ti-rom"et- 
er.  A  lactometer  for  ascertaining  the  quan- 
tity of  buttery  matter  any  particular  milk 
contains. 

Lacto-densimeter,  -den-sim'et-er.  A 
hydrometer  for  finding  the  density  of 
milk,  and  discovei-ing  whether  it  has  been 
mixed  with  water. 

Lactometer,  -tom'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  ascertaining  the  differeat  qualities  of 
milk. 


Lactoscope,  'to-skop.  An  instrument 
for  estimating  the  quantity  of  cream  in 
milk  by  ascertaining  its  opacity. 

Liacunar,  la-kun'er.  In  Arch,  any  ceil- 
ing having  sunk  or  hollowed  compart- 
ments without  spaces  or  bands  between 
the  panels  ;  a  laquear  having  bands  be- 
tween the  panels.  One  of  the  coffers  or 
sunk  compartments  in  ceiUngs  or  the 
soffits  of  cornices. 

Ladislaus.  The  name  of  several  kings 
of  Hungary  and  Poland,  the  most  noted 
of  whom  was  L.  V.  (Jagellon) ;  b.  1400  ; 
became  King  of  Poland,  1434,  and  was 
elected  King  of  Hungary,  1440.  He  de- 
feated the  Turks  in  several  battles,  but  fell 
at  Varna,  1444. 

Liady,  la'di.  A  British  title  extended  to 
the  daughters  of  all  peers  above  the  rank 
of  viscount  ;  any  well-bred  female. 

liady-bird,  -herd.  A  small  coleopterous 
insect,  fam.  Aphidiphagi,  gen,  Coccinella. 

Lady  Chapel.  A  chapel  dedicated  to 
the  Virgin  Mary,  frequently  attached  to 
large  churches. 

Lady-day.  The  day  of  the  annunciation 
of  the  Virgin  Mary,  March  25.  It  is  one 
of  the  immovable  festivals  of  the  English 
Church. 

Lady's-m.aid,  'diz-mad.  A  female  at- 
tendant upon  a  lady. 

LiSemodipoda,  le-mo-dip'o-da.  An  order 
of  marine  sessile-eyed  crustaceans.  The 
whale-louse  (Cyamus)  and  Caprella  are 
examples. 

Lsetare,  -ta're.  The  fourth  Sunday  after 
Lent ;  so  called  because  the  ancient  Chris- 
tian Church  began  its  service  on  that  day 
with  I^a^tare,  sterilis,  or  Laatare,  Jerusa- 
lem (Rejoice,  barren  one,  Eejoice,  Jerusa- 
lem). 

Laetitia.  -tish'i-a,  A  small  planet  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 

LiSevigrate,  'vi-gat.  In  Bot.  having  a 
smooth  polish  ;  applied  to  seeds. 

La  Fayette  Marie  Jean  Paul  Booh 
Yves  Guilbert  Motier,  Marquis 
de.  A  distinguished  French  general  and 
statesman  ;  b.  1757,  d.  1834.  He  served 
as  a  volunteer  in  the  American  revolution. 

Lafitte,  la-fct.  One  of  the  four  famous 
red  Bordeaux  wines,  known  aa  clarets. 

Lafontaine,  Jeande.  A  distinguished 
French  poet  and  fabulist  ;  b.  1621,  d. 
1695. 

Lag:enorh3mclius,  -ic'no-ring"kus.  A 
gen.  of  Cetacea,  fern.  Delphinidse  ©r  dol- 
phins. 

Lager-beer,  la'ger-ber.    AGwmaabee/, 


LAGERWINE 


458 


LAMPPwEY 


so  called  from  its  being  stored  for  some 
months  before  use.  An  imitation  is 
largely  manufactured  in  the  U.  S. 

Lagrerwine,  -win.  Bottled  mne  that  has 
been  kept  for  some  time  in  the  cellar. 

Lag-omys,  la'go-mis.  A  gen.  of  rodent 
animals,  fam.  Leporidse,  forming  a  link 
between  the  hare  and  the  rat. 

liagropus,  la-go'pus.  The  ptarmigan,  a 
gen.  of  birds. 

Iiagrothrix,  hVgo-thriks.  A  gen.  of  8. 
American  monkeys. 

liagrotis,  la-gd'tis.  A  gen.  of  rodent 
mammals,  fam.  Chinchillid{«. 

Lag-riidee,  -gri'i-de.  A  fam.  of  small 
coleopterous  insects,  sec.  Heteromera. 

Xialrd,  lurd.  In  Scotland,  a  land-owner 
or  house-proprietor.  Anciently,  the  title 
was  given  only  to  those  proprietors  who 
held  immediately  of  the  crown. 

Lake,  lak,  A  large  body  of  water, 
wholly  surrounded  by  land,  and  having 
communication  with  the  ocean  or  with 
any  seas  only  by  means  of  rivers. 

"Lakshnii,  laksh'me.  In  Hind.  Myth. 
the  consort  of  the  god  Vishnu,  regarded 
as  his  female  or  creative  energy. 

Xiama,  lii'mii.  A  priest  or  ecclesiastic 
belonging  to  that  variety  of  Buddhism 
known  as  Lamaism,  prevailing  in  Thibet 
and  Mongolia.  The  highest  object  of  wor- 
ship is  Buddha,  who  is  regarded  as  the 
founder  of  the  religion.  The  other  saints 
comprise  all  those  recognized  in  Budd- 
hism, besides  hosts  of  religious  teachers 
and  pious  men  canonized  after  their  death. 
The  clergy  are  the  representatives  of  these 
saints  and  receive  tha  homage  due  to  them. 
Besides  these  saints  a  number  of  inferior 
gods  or  spirits  receive  a  certain  worship. 
They  have  a  hierarchy  in  some  respects 
resembling  that  of  the  E.  C.  Church, 
and  they  have  also  monasteries  and  nun- 
neries, auricular  confessions,  litanies,  &c., 
and  believe  in  the  intercession  oi  the 
saints  and  in  the  saying  of  masses  for  the 
dead.     In  the  hierarchy  there  are  two  su- 

{)reme  heads,  the  dalai-lama  and  the  tesho- 
ama. 

Lamantin,  la-man'tin.  The  popular 
name  of  animals  gen.  Manatus,  an  herbiv- 
orous gen.,  ord.  Sirenia. 

Lamartine,  Alphonse  de.  An  em- 
inent French  historian,  poet,  orator  and 
statesman  ;  b.  1792,  d.  1869. 

Lamasery,  la'ma-ser-i.  A  Buddhist  re- 
ligious society,  presided  over  by  its  lama. 
Every  such  society  has  its  lama,  in  the 
same  way  as  abbeys  and  priories  had  their 
abbots  and  priors.   The  lama  is  migratory. 


Lamboys. 


Lamb,  Charles.  A  brilliant  English  es- 
sayist; B.  1775,  D.  1884. 

LamlDoys,  'boiz.  In  Anc.  armor,  the 
imitation  in  steel 
of  the  plaited 
skirts  or  bases 
one  time  worn, ' 
and  which  hung 
over  the  thighs. 

Lame,  lam.  In 
armor,  a  plate  of 
metal. 

Lam.ellibrancliiata,  la-mel'li-brang'- 
ki-a"ta.  The  name  given  by  De  Blain- 
ville  to  the  fifth  order  of  moUusks,  of  which 
mussels,  cockles  and  oysters  are  familiar 
examples. 

Lamellicornes,  la-mel'li-kor"n(5z.  In 
the  system  of  Latreille,  the  sixth  and  last 
section  of  pentamerous  coleoptera,  includ- 
ing the  dung-beetles,  stag-beetles,  cock- 
chafers, &c. 

Lamellirostres,  -ros'''trez.  A  family 
of  natatorial  birds,  comprising  the  ducks, 
geese,  swans,  flamingoes,  «fec, 

Lamietta,  -met'ta.  Brass,  silver,  or  gold 
foil  or  wu-e. 

Lam.mergr  e  i  e  r ,  "*%;  ■/•S7. 
'mer-gi-  e  r  .     The 
bearded    vulture,  a 
bird  of   prey  gen. 
Gypaetos  (G.    bar- 
batus),    fam.    Vul- 
turida?,   forming    a  ,  : 
link   between     the  V, 
vulture     and     the  ■^^, 
eagles. 

Lamnidae,  'ni-de. 
The  porbeagles,  a 
family  of  sharks. 

Lampadrome, 
'pa-drdm.  In  Greek  Antiq.  a  race  run  by 
young  men  carrying  lamps  or  torches, 
the  victor  being  the  one  who  arrived  at  the 
goal  first  with  his  lamp  or  torch  unex- 
tinguished. 

Lam.petian,  lam-pe^shan.  A  follower 
of  Lampetius,  a  Syrian  monk  of  the  5th 
century,  who  denied  the  divinity  of  Christ 
and  the  cre- 
ation of  the , 
world  by 
God. 

Lamprey, 
'pri.  The 
popular  Lamprey, 

name      o  f 

several  species  of  Petromyzon,  a  gen.  of 
marsipobranchiate,  eel-like,  scaleless 
fishes. 


Bearded  Vulture. 


LAMPTEID^ 


469 


LANIID^ 


liampyridae,  -pir'i-dO.  A  fam.  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  sec.  Malacodermi.  The 
type  of  the  fam.  is  the  gen,  Lampyria  or 
glow-worm. 

Lancaster-grxin,  lan'kas-ter-gun.  A 
species  of  rifled  cannon  having  an  elliptical 
bore.  The  projectile  is  also  elliptical,  so 
that  it  follows  the  twst  of  the  bore,  ac- 
quiring a  rotary  motion. 

liancaster-rifle,  -ri-fl.  A  rifle  construct- 
ed on  the  principle  of  the  Lancaster-gun. 

liancaster.  The  name  of  a  royal  English 
line  consisting  of  three  kings,  Henry  IV., 
V.  and  VI.  In  the  reign  of  the  latter  the 
bloody  feud  between  the  rival  houses  of 
York  and  Lancaster  broke  out  into  open 
rebellion,  which  ended  in  the  union  of  the 
two  houses  in  the  person  of  Henry  VII. 

liancaster  (Lancaslure).  A  co.  of  W. 
England,  noted  for  its  vast  manufacturing 
and  commercial  interests  ;  it  includes  the 
cities  of  Liverpool,  Manchester,  Preston, 
Blackburn  and  Lancaster,  cap.;  pop.  abt. 
8,000,000. 

Lance,  lans.  An  offensive  weapon  con- 
sisting of  a  long  wooden  shaft  with  a  sharp 
pointed  head  of  metal,  used  by  both  an- 
cient and  modern  nations ;  a  spear. 

Liancet,  'et.  A  small 
surgical  instrument  of 
various  patterns,  sharp- 
pointed  and  generally 
two-edged,  used  in  ven- 
esection and  in  opening 
tnmors,  abscesses,  &c. 
Lancets  of  copper  have 
been  found  at  Pompeii 
with  other  surgical  in- 
struments. A  high  and 
narrow  window  pointed 
like  a  lancet,  a  marked 

characteristic     of      the 

early    English    style  of  Lanoet-windo 
Gothic  architectm-e. 

Xiandamman,  land'am-man.  A  chief 
magistrate  in  some  S\^iss  cantons. 

Landau,  lan-da'.  A  can-iage  whose  top 
may  be  opened  and  thrown  back. 
Land-blink,  land'blingk.  A  peculiar 
atmospheric  brightness  perceived  in  the 
arctic  regions  on  approaching  land  covered 
with  snow.  It  is  more  yellow  than  ice- 
bhuk. 

Lander,  Richard.  An  English  explor- 
er, who  discovered  the  sources  of  the  river 
Niger  in  ^Y.  Africa ;  b.  1814 ;  killed  by 
the  Yumari  savages,  1835. 
Landgrave,  'grav.  In  Germany,  orig- 
inally the  title  of  district  governors  depu- 
ted by  the  emperor,  and  given  to  distin- 


guish them  from  the  inferior  counts  under 
their  jurisdiction.  Later,  the  title  of  three 
princes  of  the  empire,  whose  territories 
were  called  landgraviates. 
Landgravine,  'gra-ven.  The  wife  of  a 
landgrave  ;  a  lady  of  the  rank  of  a  land- 
grave. 

Landseer,  Edwin,  Sir.  A  distin- 
guished English  animal  painter ;  b.  1803, 
D.  1873. 

Landsturm,  lant'storm.  A  local  militia 
of  Germany,  never  called  from  its  own 
district  but  in  case  of  actual  invasion. 
It  comprises  that  portion  of  the  reserve 
too  old  for  the  landwehr.  Other  conti- 
nental nations  have  a  force  of  the  same 
nature. 

Land-tortoise,  'tor-tois.  A  gen.  of  tor- 
toises or  turtles  (Testudo)  inhabiting  the 
land. 

Land-urchin,  'er-chin.  A  hedge-hog. 
Land-warrant,  'wo -rant.  A  govern- 
ment security  or  title  authorizing  a  person 
to  enter  on  a  tract  of  public  land. 
Landwehr,  lant'var.  That  portion  of 
the  military  force  of  some  continental  na- 
tions which  in  time  of  peace  follow  their 
ordinary  occupations,  excepting  when 
called  out  for  occasional  training.  The 
landwehr  resembles  our  militia,  Mith  this 
important  difference,  that  all  the  soldiers 
Lave  served  in  the  regular  army. 
Langruage,  lang'gwaj.  Human  speech  ; 
the  expression  of  thoughts  by  words  or 
articulate  sounds.  When  classified  gen- 
ealogically languages  are  di\ided  into 
families  or  groups  in  which  a  community 
of  origin  is  distinctly  traceable.  Such  are 
the  Aryan  or  Indo-European  family  (com- 
prising Sanskrit,  Persian,  Sclavonic,  Greek, 
Latin,  Gothic,  &c.),  and  the  Semitic  (com- 
prising Hebrew,  Arabic,  Aramaic,  &c.). 
Langue  d'oc,  lan-gu-dok.  The  name 
given  to  the  independent  Romance  dia- 
lect spoken  in  Provence,  France,  in  the 
Middle  Ages,  from  its  word  for  yes  being 
oc,  a  form  of  the  Latin  hoc.  It  was  thus  dis- 
tinguished from  the  language  spoken  In 
the  North,  which  was  called  Langue  d'oul 
or  Langue  d'oil.  The  langue  d'oc  was  the 
language  of  the  Troubadours.  Called  also 
Provencal. 

Langue  d'oui,-dw€.  The  language  of 
the  North  of  France,  so  named  from  its 
word  for  res  (oil,  ouil.  oui,  being  contract- 
ed from  the  Latin  hocillud).  It  was  the 
language  of  the  Trouveres  and  developed 
into  modern  French. 

Laniidse,  la-nl'i-dG.  The  shrikes,  a  fam. 
of  insessorial  or  perching  bii-ds. 


LA.10E3 


460 


LARK 


Lantern-fly. 


Xiannes,  Jean,  lahn.  (Duke  of  Monte- 
bello).  A  French  marshal,  styled  by  Na- 
poleon the  "Koland"  of  his  army;  b. 
1769,  killed  at  Aspern,  1809.  He  rose 
from  the  ranks. 

Liansquenet,  lans'ke-net.  A  German 
common  soldier  belonging-  to  the  infantry 
first  raised  by  the  Emperor  Maximilian  in 
the  end  of  the  15th  century.  A  soldier 
who  hired  to  whoever  offered  highest  for 
his  services;  a  soldier  of  fortune.  A 
game  at  cards. 

Liantern,  lan'tem.  A  case  inclosing  a 
light  and  protecting  it  from  %\ind  and  rain, 
sometimes  portable  and  sometimes  fixed. 
A  tower  which  has  the  whole  or  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  the  interior  open  to  view 
from  the  ground,  and  is  lighted  by  an  up- 
per tier  of  windows. 

Ijantem-fly,  -fli. 
Fulgora  lanternaria,  a 
hemipterous  insect  of 
S.  America  which  is 
said  to  emit  a  strong 
light  in  the  dark. 

Xiaocoon,  la-ok'o-on. 
In  Greek  Myth,   the 

Sriest    of   Apollo    or 
feptune  during  the 
Trojan  war,  who  A^ith 
his  two  sons  was  crushed  to  death  in  the 
folds     of     two 
enormous      ser- 
pents, a  subject 
represented     by 
a  beautiful  group 
of  sculpture,  dis- 
covered at  Rome 
among  the  ruins 
of  the  palace  of 
Titus  in  the  16th 
century,and  now 
in  the  Vatican. 

liaophis,  'o-fis. 
A  fossil  serpent 
allied  to  the  rat- 
tlesnake, about 
10  feet  long. 

Lapidary,  lap'- 
i-da-ri.  An  arti- 
ficer who  cuts,  polishes  and  engraves 
gems  or  precious  stones.  A  dealer  in 
precious  stones.  A  \irtuoso  skilled  in  the 
nature  and  kinds  of  gems  or  precious 
stones. 

Lapidation,  -i-dii'shon.  The  act  of 
stoning  a  person  to  death. 

Liapidescent,  id-es'ent.  Any  substance 
Avhich  has  the  quality  of  petrifying  a  body 
or  converting  it  to  stone. 

liapilli,  la-pil'll.    Volcanic  ashes. 


The  Group  of  the  La- 
ocoon. 


Lapis,  la'pis.  A  stone.  L.  causticus 
caustic  potash.  L.  infernalis,  fused  ni 
trateof  silver,  or  lunar  caustic.  L.  lazuli 
azure  stone,  an  aluminous  mineral  of  a  rich 
blue  color.  L.  Lydius,  touchstone  ;  basan 
ite.  L.ollaris,soapstone  orpotstoneor  talc 

Laplace,  Pierre  Simon.    An  eminent 
French  astronomer  and  mathematician 
B.  1749,  D.  1827. 

Lapland.  The  most  northerly  coimtry 
of  Europe,  lying  jtartly  in  Russia  and  part- 
ly in  Sweden,  bounded  N.  by  the  Arctic 
Ocean,  E.  by  the  White  Sea,  W.  by  the 
Scandinavian  Mountains,  and  S.  by  Fin- 
land; area  abt.  150,000  sq.  m  ,  pop.  (esti- 
mated) 60,000.  Hammerfest,  the  cap.,  is  an 
insignificant  village. 

La  Plata,  Rio  de.  One  of  the  largest 
S.  American  wivers,  formed  by  the  union 
of  the  Uruguay  and  Parana,  emptying 
into  the  Atlantic ;  length  200  m,  ;  width 
at  mouth,  125  m. 

Lapwing-,  lap'-     .^' 
wing.    The  pop-      '  " 
ular  name  of   a 
gen.      of     birds, 
(Vanellus),  fam.c<5j:j 
Chiiradriadr      ' 
(plovers),      ord.'i::;^^ 
Grallatores,  often  Z"?^^ 
called  the  pee-wit  '' 
from  its  particu- 
lar cry. 

Lar,  lar.  A  household  deity  among  the 
ancient  Romans,  regarded  as  the  spirit  of 
a  deceased  ancestor;  hence,  a  most 
cred  posses- 
sion. 

Lard-oil, 
lard-oil.  A  val- 
uable oil,  the 
olein  separated 
from  the  great- 
er part  of  the 
stearin  of  lard. 

Lard-sto  n  e , 
'ston.  A  soft 
stone  found  in  China. 

Larid8e,lar'i-de. 
The  family  of 
natatorial  birds, 
known  as  Sea- 
mews  or  Gulls,  <s^ 
The  gen.  LarusK^^^ 
is  the  type.  gi^l;; 

Lark,  iark.    An  ''^^ 
insessorial  bird,  *  „,     ,    , 

gen.        Alauda,  Sky-lark, 

fam.  Alaudid*.  Birds  of  other  genera 
have  also  the  name  of  lark,  as  the  tit-lark 
and  the  tree  Mt-lark. 


Lapwiug. 


Lark. 


AP.IAT 


461 


LAUD 


Liaiiat,  liir'i-at.  The  lasso  ;  a  long  cord 
or  thong  of  leather  with  a  noose,  used  in 
catching  wild  horses,  &c. 

liark-buutiug:,  'bunting.  The  snow- 
bunting  or  snow-bird. 

La  Rochefoucauld,  Francois,  Due 
de.  An  eminent  French  philosopher  and 
writer  ;  b.  1613,  d.  16S0. 

Larus,  la'rus.  A  gen.  of  web- footed 
marine  birds  of  several  species,  the  com- 
mon black-backed  and  ivory  gulls. 

Larva,  liir'va.  The  early  form  of  any 
animal  which  during  its  development  is 
unlike  its  parent.  It  is  most  familiar  as 
the  term  for  an  insect  in  the  caterpillar  or 
grub  state. 

Larvipara,  -vip'a-ra.  Insects  which 
bring  forth  larvas  instead  of  eggs,  the  latter 
being  hatched  in  the  oviduct. 

Larjrngroscope,  la-ring'go-skop.  A  mir- 
ror for  examining  the  larynx  and  com- 
mencement of  the  trachea. 

liascar,  las'kar.  In  the  E.  Indies,  proper- 
ly, a  camp  follower  ;  but  by  Europeans 
a'pplied  to  a  native  sailor. 

Lasso,  'so.  In  S.  America,  a  rope  or 
cord,  with  a  noose,  used  for  catching  ^^ild 
horses  and  other  animals. 

Lat,  lat.  A  name  given  to  pillars  common 
to  all  styles  of  Indian  architecture. 

Latakia,  -a-ke'a.  A  fine  variety  of  Turk- 
ish tobacco. 

Latebricolae,  la-te-brik'o-le.  A  group 
of  spiders  fam.  Venantes  or  hunting-spi- 
ders, of  which  the  gen.  Mygale  is  the  type. 
Some  are 
6  or  7 
inches  in 
diameter. 

Lateen, 
-ten.  A 
triangular 
sail  ex- 
tended by 
a  lateen 
Vard,used 
in  xebecs, 
felucc  a  s , 
&c.,  in 
the  Medi- 
terranean. 

Lateran,  lat'er-an.   The  principal  church 

at  Kome,  built  by  Constantine  the  Great, 
and  dedicated  to  St.  John  of  Lateran.  It 
is  the  episcopal  church  of  the  pope,  and 
has  a  palace  and  other  buildings  annexed 
to  it.  Eleven  councils,  called  Lateran 
councils,  have  been  held  in  the  palace. 
Every  newly-elected  pope  takes  solemn 
possession  of  the  church,  and  from  its 


Felucca  with  Lateen  Sails. 


balcony  bestows  his  blessing  on  the  peo- 
ple. 
Laterigrada,  la'ter-i-gra"da.    A  family 
of  spiders  which  stitch  leaves  together  and 
make  no  web. 

Lates,  'tez.   The  Nile  perch,  which  groAvs 
to  the  length  of  8  feet. 
Lath-brick,  lath'brik.  A  brick  22  inches 
long  and  6  inches  broad,  used  in  kilns  to 
dry  malt  on. 

Laticlave,  la'ti-klav.  A  broad  stripe  of 
purple  on  the  fore  part  of  the  tunic  worn 
by  Koman  senators,  and  serving  as  a  mark 
of  their  rank. 
Latin,  la'tin.  A  native  or  inhabitant  of 
Latium,  an  ancient  division  of  Italy.  The 
language  of , the  ancient  Romans. 
Latimer,  Hugrh.  An  English  reformer 
and  martyr ;  b.  1472 ;  made  Bishop  of 
Worcester  1535 ;  burned  at  the  stake  -with 
Bishop  Eidley  1555. 

Latitude,  lat'i-tiid.  In  Astron.  the  dis- 
tance of  a  6tar  north  or  south  of  the 
ecliptic,  measured  on  that  secondary  to 
the  ecliptic  which  passes  through  the 
body.  Secondaries  to  the  ecliptic  are 
called  circles  of  celestial  latitude,  and  par- 
rallels  to  the  ecliptic  are  called  parallels 
of  celestial  latitude.  In  Geog.  the  distance 
ofany  place  on  the  globe  north  or  south 
of  the  equator,  measured  on  its  meridian. 
The  highest  latitude  is  90«,  that  is,  at  the 
poles. 
Latria,  -tri'a.  The  highest  worship,  or 
that  paid  to  God  ;  distinguished  from  dulia, 
or  the  inferior  worship  paid  to  saints. 
Latten,  lat'en.  A  fine  kind  of  brass  or 
bronze  anciently  used  for  crosses  and 
candlesticks,  brasses  of  sepulchral  monu- 
ments, &c.  As  a  modern  commercial 
term,  sheet  or  plate  brass  or  thin  plates  of 
mixed  metal.  Black  latten,  brass  com- 
posed of  copper  and  zinc  in  milled  sheets, 
used  by  bi-aziers,  and  for  drawing  into 
^\•\ro. 

Lattice,  'is.  Any 
work  of  wood  or  iron 
forming  open  check- 
ered or  recticula- 
ted  work.  A  win- 
dow made  of  laths 
or  strii>s  of  iron 
which  cross  one  an- 
other like  net-work, 
so  as  to  leave  open 
interstices,  only  used 
when  air  rather  6ian 
light  is  to  be  ad- 
mitted. 

Laud,  lad.  That 
part  of  diVino  worship  which  consists  in 


Lattice-window. 


LAUD 


LEAD 


praise.  In  the  R.  C.  Oh.  the  second  ser- 
vice of  the  day  said  after  nocturns,  and 
usually  includ'3d  in  the  term  matins. 

liaud,  "William.  An  English  divine 
and  statesman ;  b.  157-3 ;  made  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury  1638  ;  beheaded  for 
high  treason  1641. 

Liaudanuzu,  'a-num.  Opium  prepared 
in  spirit  of  wine  ;  tincture  of  opium. 

liaugrher,  laf'er.  A  variety  of  Arabian 
pigeons,  so  named  from  its  cry. 

Liaug'h.ing'-gras,  'ing-gas.  Nitrous  oxide, 
or  protoxide  of  nitrogen. 

liaunce,  lans.  A  name  common  to  two 
specifts  of  Ammodytes  or  sand-eels. 

Laura,  la'ra.  Formerly  a  collection  of  cells 
or  hermitages  separated  from  each  other, 
where  the  monks  did  not  live  in  com- 
munity, but  each  provided  for  himself,  all 
being  under  one  superior. 

Liaureate,  're-at.  One  crowned  -with 
laurel ;  a  poet  laureate. 

liaureiis,  Henry.  An  American  states- 
man ;  B.  in  S.  C.  1724,  ».  1792.  He  was 
sent  on  a  mission  to  the  Hague,  1780,  and 
en  route  was  captured  by  the  English  and 
kept  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower  of  London 
for  1-4  months. 

Liaurentian,  -ren'shi-an.  In  Geol.  a 
term  applied  to  a  vast  series  of  stratified 
and  crystalline  rocks  of  gneiss,  mica-schist, 
quartzite,  serpentines  and  limestones, 
about  40,000  feet  in  thickness,  northward 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  in  Canada.  It  is  the 
lowest  fossiliferous  system  of  rocks. 

liautu,  'tu.  A  cotton  band  worn  on  the 
head  of  the  inca  of  Peru  as  a  badge  of 
royalty. 

Xiava.  la'va.  The  general  term  for  all 
rock  matter  that  flows  in  a  molten  state 
from  volcanoes,  and  which  when  cool 
forms  varieties  of  tufa,  trachyte,  trachytic 
greenstone  and  basalt.  L.  ware,  a  coarse 
ware  resembling  lava,  made  from  iron 
slag  cast  into  urns,  tiles,  table  tops,  &c, 

Ijaveiider-"water,  'ven-der-wa-ter.  A 
perfume  composed  of  spirits  of  wine,  es- 
sential oil  of  lavender  and  ambergris. 

Laver,  la'ver.  In  Scrip,  a  basin  placed 
in  the  court  of  the  Jewish  tabernacle,  where 
the  officiating  priests  washed  their  hands 
•and  feet  and  the  entrails  of  victims. 
Ijavvoisier,  Antoine  Laurent.  An 
eminent  French  natural  philosopher  and 
chemist ;  b.  1743,  n.  by  the  guillotine 
during  the  "  reign  of  terror, "  1 794.  He 
was  the  founder  of  the  antiphlogistic  or 
modern  school  of  chemistry. 
Law,  John  (of  Lauriston).  A  Scotch 


gambler  and  adventurer ;  b.  1671,  n.  in 
Venice,  1729.  He  gained  the  confidence 
of  PhiUp,  Eegcnt  of  France,  and  became 
the  financial  director  of  the  kingdom.  He 
formed  the  Mississippi  Company  and  orig- 
inated the  "  South  Sea  Bubble,"  the  ob- 
ject being  to  monopolize  trade  with  the  E. 
and  W.  Indies,  Louisiana,  etc.  It  failed 
and  bankrupted  thousands.  L.  died  in 
poverty. 

Law,  la.  A  rule  of  action  or  condT;ict 
laid  down  or  prescribed  by  authority  ;  an 
edict  of  a  ruler  or  a  government. 
Lawn-sleeve,  lan'slev.  A  sleeve  made 
of  lawn  ;  a  part  ofa  bishop's  dress. 
Lawn-tennis,  'ten-nis.  An  out-door 
game  in  which  the  players  are  separated 
from  each  other  by  a  low  netting,  and 
strike  a  tennis  ball  toward  each  other  by 
means  of  bats. 

Lawrence,  James.  An  American  na- 
val oQicer ;  b.  in  N.  J.,  1781  ;  mortally 
wounded  in  the  battle  between  the  Chesa- 
peake and  Shannon,  1813. 
Lawrence,  St.  A  large  river,  for  some 
distance,  in  connection  with  the  lakes 
through  which  it  runs,  the  boundary  bet. 
the  U.  S.  and  Canada.  As  the  St.  Louis, 
it  is  an  affluent  of  Lake  Superior,  and  is 
given  different  names  between  the 
several  lakes,  it  being  known  as  the  St.  L. 
only  from  Montreal  to  the  sea ;  its  total 
length  is  about  2,000  m.,  and  at  Anticostl 
it  is  350  m.  wide.  It  empties  into  the  Guli 
of  St.  L.,  a  great  arm  of  the  Atlantic. 
Layard,  Austen  Henry.  An  English 
archajologist ;  b.  at 
Paris,  1817.  His  dis- 
coveries in  Nineveh  and 
elsewhere  in  Asia  have 
given  him  ^vlde  distinc- 
tion. 

Lay-figrure,  la'fig-ur. 
A  figure  used  by  paint- 
ers, made  of  wood  or 
cork,  in  imitation  "^f  the 
human  body,  which  serves,  when  clothed, 
as  a  model  for  draperies,  &c. 
Lazzaroni,  Kits-ii-ro'ne.  A  name  given 
to  the  poorer  classes  at  Naples  who  have 
no  fixed  habitation,  and  spend  most  of 
their  time  in  idling. 
Lea,  16.  A  measure  of  yarn,  containing 
in  cotton  and  worsted  80  threads,  in  linen, 
120. 

Lead,  led.  A  soft,  flexible  and  inelastic 
metal,  both  malleable  and  ductile.  The 
lead  of  commerce,  which  commonly  con- 
tains silver,  iron  and  copper,  is  extractt?d 
from  the  native  sulphide,  the  galena  of 
mineralogists. 


Lay-figure. 


LEAD-AEMING 


463 


LEGATE 


Xiead-ariuing:,  'arm-ing.  A  lump  of 
tallow  pressed  into  the  lower  end  of  the 
sounding  lead,  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining the  nature  of  the  bottom. 
Ijeaf-cutter,  lef'kut-er.  A  name  given 
to  certain  species  of  solitary  bees,  from 
their  lining  their  nests  with  fragments  of 
leaves  and  petals  of  plants  cut  out  by  their 
mandibles. 

Iieaf -hopper,  'hop-er.  A  name  common 
to  the  hemipterous  insects,  gen.  Tcttigo- 
nia.  T.  vitus  is  very  destructive  to  vines. 
Iieaf -louse,  'lous.  A  name  common  to 
various  insects  of  the  fam.  Aphides ;  a 
plant-louse. 

Iieaf-metal,  'met-al.  Bronze  in  the 
form  of  thin  leaves,  used  for  giving  a  cheap 
and  brilliant  sui-face  to  metal  and  other 
substances. 

Lieander.  In  Heroic  Hist  the  lover  of 
Hero,  who  nightly. swam  the  Hellespont  to 
visit  her,  but  was  eventually  drowned. 
lieaping'-fish,  lep'ing-fish.  Salarias  tri- 
daetylus,  a  small  fish,  blcnny  fam.,  having 
the  power  of  leaving  the  water  for  a  time. 
It  displays  great  agility  in  moving  on  the 
damp  shore. 

Lieap-year,  'yer.  Bissextile ;  a  year  con- 
taining 366  days  ;  every  fourth  year,  which 
leaps  over  a  day  more  than  a  common 
vear. 

iieather-back,  bak.  A  marine  tortoise, 
gen.  Sphargis. 

I^eather-head,  -bed.  An  Australian 
bird,  the  Tropidorhynchus  corniculatus,  a 
species  of  honey-eater.  Called  also  Triar- 
bird. 

Xieban,  leb'an.  A  common  Arabic  beve- 
rage consisting  of  coagulated  sour  milk 
diluted  with  water.  • 

Liebanoil,  -on.  An  extensive  mountain 
range  in  W.  Asia. 

Ijectern,  lek'tern.  The  desk  or  stand  on 
which  the  larger  books  used  in  the  services 
of  the  K.  C.  and  similar  churches  are 
placed. 

iectica,  -tl'ka.  In  ancient  Eome,  a 
couch  or  litter  in  which  persons  were  car- 
ried. They  were  used  for  the  living  and 
for  conveying  the  dead  to  the  grave.  They 
were  used  also  by  the  Greeks  for  the 
latter  purpose. 

liectionary,  'shon-a-ri.  A  book  con- 
taining portions  of  Scripture  to  be  read  in 
worship  on  particular  days. 
Liectistemiuni,  -ti-ster'ni-um.  In 
Class.  Antiq.  a  sacrifice  in  the  nature  of  a 
feast,  in  which  the  Greeks  and  Eomans 
placed  the  images  of  their  gods  recUning 
on  couches  round  tables  furnished  with 


viands,  as  if  they  were  about  to  partake 
of  them. 

Lector,  'ter.  In  the  early  church  a  per- 
son set  apart  for  the  purpose  of  reading 
parts  of  the  Bible  and  other  religious 
writings  to  the  people. 
Leda,  Ic'da.  In  Classical  Myth,  the 
mother,  by  Jupiter,  of  Helen,  Castor  and 
Pollu.Y.  A  small  planet  between  the 
orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 
Led-horse,  led'hors.  A  spare  horse  to 
be  used  in  case  of  emergency  ;  a  sumpter- 
horse  ;  a  pack-horse. 

Ledru-Rollin,  Alexandre 
Augruste.  A  distinguished  French 
lawyer,  radical  politician  and  orator ;  B. 
180S,  B.  in  exile  in  England,  1874. 
Lieech.,  lech.  The  common  name  of  sev- 
eral genera  of  discophorous  hermaphrodite 
blood-sucking  worms,  ord.  Suotoria,  fam. 
Hirudinidaj. 

liee.  The  patronymic  of  an  illustrious 
American  family,  of  whom  the  following 
are  the  most  notable  members  :  Richard 
Henry  L.,  b.  in  Va.,  1732 ;  v.  1794.  He 
was  a  warm  promoter  of  the  War  of  Inde- 
pendence and  as  a  member  of  Congress 
active  and  prominent  as  a  patriot  and 
statesman.  Arthur  L.,  brother  of  the 
foregoing ;  b.  1740,  d.  1792.  He  was 
prominent  in  Congress  and  was  sent,  1776, 
as  one  of  the  commissioners  to  France. 
Henry  L.,  cousin  of  the  above  ;  b.  1756, 
D.  1818.  He  commanded  the  famous  Vir- 
ginian Light  Horse  during  the  Revolution, 
was  Governor  of  Virginia  after  the  war 
and  later  a  member  of  Congress.  Robert 
Edward  Lee,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Confederate  forces  during  the  Rebellion, 
was  the  son  of  Gen.  H.  Lee ;  b.  1808,  d. 
1870. 

Leeds.  An  English  borough,  "W.  Riding, 
Co.  York,  noted  for  its  woolen  manufac- 
tures ;  pop.  263,426. 

Lee-tide,  le'tld.      A  tide  running  in  the 
direction  that  the  wind  blows. 
Leg',  leg.    The  limb  of  an  animal,  used  in 
supporting  the  body  and  in  walking  and 
running. 

Xiegracy,  'a-si.  A  bequest ;  a  particular 
thing  or  sum  of  money  given  by  last  will 
or  testament. 

Legalist,  le'gal-ist.  A  stickler  for  adhe- 
rence to  law  or  prescription  ;  specifically, 
in  Theol.  one  who  relies  for  salvation  upon 
the  works  of  the  law  or  on  good  works. 
Leg'ate,  leg'at.  An  ambassador.  The 
pope's  ambassador  to  a  foreign  prince  or 
state ;  a  cardinal  or  bishop  sent  as  the 


LEGEND 


464 


LEMMING 


pope's  representative  or  commissioner  to 
a  sovereign  prince. 

Liegrend,  lej'end.  A  chronicle  or  register 
of  the  lives  of  saints,  formerly  read  at 
matins  and  at  the  refectories  of  religious 
houses.  A  story  generally  of  a  marvel- 
ous character  told  respecting  a  saint; 
hence,  any  remarkable  story  handed  down 
from  early  times;  a  tradition.  An  in- 
scription or  motto  on  a  shield  or  coat  of 
arms  ;  specifically,  in  Numis.  the  words 
round  the  field  of  a  medal  or  coin,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  inscription  which  is 
across  it. 

Zjegrerdeniain,  'er-dC-man".  Sleight  of 
hand ;  a  deceptive  performance  which 
depends  on  dexterity  of  hand. 

Liegrlioni,  leg'horn.  A  plait  for  bonnets 
and  hats  made  from  the  straw  of  bearded 
wheat  cut  green  and  bleached.  A  hat 
made  of  that  material. 

Xieg'h.orn.  An  Italian  seaport,  prov. 
Pisa,  on  the  Mediterranean,  82  m.  8.  W. 
of  Florence;  pop.  91,648. 

Ijegrion,  le'jon.  In  Eom.  Milit.  Antiq.  a 
body  of  infantry  conslstitig'  of  ditferent 
numbers  of  men  at  different  periods,  from 
3,000  to  above  6,000,  often  with  a  comple- 
ment of  cavalry.  Each  legion  was  divided 
into  ten  cohorts,  each  cohort  into  three 
maniples  and  each  maniple  into  two  cen- 
turies. Any  military  force.  L.  of  Honor, 
an  order  instituted  in  France  by  Napoleon 
when  first  consul,  as  a  reward  for  merit, 
both  civil  and  military.  The  order  origi  - 
nally  consisted  of  grand  crosses,  grand 
officers,  commanders,  oflicers  and  legion- 
aries, but  has  since  lost  much  of  its  origi- 
nal character.  Also  the  name  of  an  Ameri- 
can beneficial  society. 

lieg-islature,  lej'is-lat-ur.  The  body  in  a 
state  or  kingdom  invested  with  power  to 
make  and  repeal  laws. 

Legitimist,  lc-jit'1-mist.  One  who  be- 
lieves in  the  sacredness  of  hereditary 
monarchical  government.  In  France,  an 
adherent  of  the  elder  branch  of  the  Bour- 
bon family,  which  was  driven  from  the 
throne  in  1880. 

Legruminosae,  le-gri'mi-no"se.  .  One  of 
the  largest  and  most  important  natural 
orders  of  i)]ants,  including  about  7,000 
species  dispersed  throughout  the  world. 
Four  sub-orders  are  recognized  :  Papilion- 
aceaj,  Swartziea?,  Ca^salpinieJE  and  Mimo- 
seae.  It  contains  peas,  beans,  lentils, 
clover,  hicern,  sainfoin,  vetches,  indigo, 
logwood  and  many  other  dyeing  plants, 
acacias,  senna,  tamarinds,  &c. 

Legruxuliiosite,  ^luiu-os-It.     Ono  of  a 


gen.  of  fossil  plants  apparently  pod-bear- 
ing.   They  occur  in  tertiary  strata. 

Leibnitz,  Gottfried  Wilhelm, 
Baron  von.  An  eminent  German 
philosopher  ;  u.  1646,  t».  1716. 

Leicester,  Robert  Dudley,  Earl  of. 
An  English  statesman,  one  of  Queen 
Elizabeth's  favorites;  b.  1531,  n.  15SS.  lie 
was  appointed  lieutenant-general  the  year 
of  his  death. 

Leiotlirix,  K-o-thriks.  A  gen.  of  birds 
known  as  silky  chatterers,  fam.  Ampelli- 
dae. 

Leiotrichi,  -ot'ri-ki.  One  of  the  two  di- 
visions into  which  Huxley  has  classified 
man,  characterized  by  the  smoothness  of 
the  hair,  the  other  division  being  Ulotrichi, 
crisp  or  woolly  haired  people.  The  Leiot- 
richi comprise  the  Australioid,  Mongoloid, 
Xanthochroic  and  Melanochroic  groups. 

Xieipoa,  -po'a.  A  gen.  of  gallinaceous 
birds.  L.  ocellata,  the  only  known  spe- 
cies, is  the  native  pheasant  of  W.  Aus- 
tralia, which  in  its  habits  is  very  like  the 
domestic  fowl.  It  leaves  its  eggs  to  be 
hatched  by  the  heat  of  the  sun. 

Leipzig-  (Leipsic).  An  important  city 
of  Saxony,  Germany,  20  m.  8.  E.  of  Halle, 
on  the  White  Elster.  It  is  an  extensive 
manufacturing  and  educational  center,  and 
is  noted  as  the  scene  of  one  of  the  most 
sanguinary  battles  (Oct.  16-19,  1813)  of 
modern  times,  in  which  Napoleon  I.  was 
defeated  by  the  allied  armies ;  pop.  92,674. 

Leman,  le'man.  A  sweetheart  of  either 
sex ;  a  gallant  of  a  mistress ;  usually  in  a 
bad  sense. 

Lemniscus,  lem-nis' 
kus.  In  Anc.  costume, 
a  various-colored  wool- 
en fillet  or  ribbon  pen 
dant  at  the  back  pari 
of  the  head,  from  dia- 
dems, crowns,  &c. 

Lemon,  on.  The 
fi-uit  of  Citrus  Limo- 
num.  The  tree  that 
produces  lemons,  the 
Citrus  Limonum,  ord.  Aurantiacofe. 

Lemming:, 
1  o  m '  i  n  g .     A 
gi-oup  of  rodent" 
mammals,  allied 
to    the    mouse-w^ 
and  rat,  consti-  l-jw^ 
tuting  the  gen.J^fe^ 
Myodesof  some*J 
naturalists, 
Lemmus  of 
others;  found  in 
Norway,  Laplaxid,  Siberia  and  the  north- 


Lcmniscus 


i^C's 


Lemming. 


LEMUEES 


465 


LEPANTO 


em  parts  of  America.  The  most  noted 
species  is  the  common  or  European  lem- 
ming (M.  Lemmus),  vast  hordes  of  which 
periodically  migrate  toward  the  Atlantic 
and  the  Gulf  of  Bothnia,  destroying  all 
vegetation  in  their  path.  Numbers  of 
bears,  wolves  and  foxes  follow  them  in 
their  march,  making  them  their  prey, 

li  e  m  u  r  e  s, 
lem'u-roz. 
Spirits  of  the 
departed; 
ghosts  ;  spec- 
ters. 

Ijemuridae, 
le-mu'ri-de.  A 
family  of  quad- 
rumanous  ani- 
mals distinct 
from  the  mon-  Ked  Lemur, 

keys    and    ap- 
proaching the  insectivores  and  rodenU; 
the  lemurs. 

Xiena.  A  large  Siberian  river  emptjoag 
into  the  Arctic  Ocean ;  length  2,550  m. 

Xieno,  le'no.  A  cotton  gauze  thinner  and 
clearer  than  book-muslin,  used  for  win- 
dow-blinds. 

Liens,    lenz.      A   trans* 

Karent  substance,  usual- 
j  glass,  so  formed  that, 
rays  of  light  passing 
through  it  are  made  to 
change  their  direction, 
and  magnify  or  diminish 
objects  at  a  certain  dis- 
tance. 

lient,  lent.    A  religious 
fast  of  forty  days,  begin-, 
ning  at  Ash  Wednesday  -«j^^^^^^sbs«--    ( 
and  continuing  till  East- 1^^^*******^^^ 
er,    observed    in    com- 
memoration of  the  forty 
days'  fast  of  Christ. 
liCO,    le'o.      The 
Lion,     the    fifth 
sign  of  the  zodi 
ac,  containing  95 
stars.    L.  Minor, 
the  Little  Lion,  a 
constellation      of 
the        northern 
hemisphere  con- 
taining 53  stars. 


made  remarkable  by  the  Iconoclastic 
schism.  Also  the  name  of  13  popes,  of 
whom  those  deserving  special  mention 
are  L.  I.  (The  Great),  who  a.  Sixtus  IxL, 
440.  During  his  pontificate  Kome  was 
sacked  by  the  Vandals,  455,  under  Gen- 
seric.  He  condemned  the  Eutychian  here- 
sy, D.  461.  L.  X.  (Giovanni  de  Medici),  b. 
14T5,  s.  Julius  IL  1513  ;  d.  1521.  He  was 
a  munificent  patron  of  learning  and  the 
arts,  and  shrewd  and  successful  as  a  states- 
man, but  the  church  was  scandalized  by 
the  wholesale  traffic  in  indulgences,  which 
finally  led  to  the  Keformation. 

Leonidas.  A  Spartan  king  who  s.  his 
brother  Cleopienes  I.,  402  b.  c.  In  480  he 
with  a  few  soldiers  defended  the  Pass  of 
Thermopylse  against  Xerxes  and  his  Per- 
sian army,  nearly  a  million  strong,  the 
Greeks  perishing  to  a  man  after  killing 
five  times  their  number. 

Leonides,  -on'i-dez.  A  name  given  to 
the  group  of  meteors  observed  in  Novem- 
ber each  year,  but  occurring  with  profusion 
about      three 


Lenses. 


Leo, 


Leo.  The  name  of  4  Byzantine  emperors 
of  whom  the  most  noted  was  L.  Ill  (the 
Isaurian),  who  rose  from  humble  birth  to 
high  military  rank,  and  s.  Anastasius  II. 
717.  He  defeated  the  Saracens  before 
Constantinople ;  d,  741.     His  reign  was 


Leopard, 

lep'ard.        A 
carnivorous    digitigrade 
Feiis. 

Leopold.    The  name  of  several  Europe- 
an sovereigns,  of  whom  the  most  distin- 
guished are:  L.   I.   (the  Great),  of  Ger- 
many, B.  1640,  D.  1705.     During  his  reign 
successful  wars  were  waged  against  the 
Turks,  French  and  Hungarian  rebels.    L. 
I.  of  Belgium,  a  son  of  the  Duke  of  Saxe- 
Coburg-Saalfeld,    b.    1790;    refused     the 
crown  of  Greece,   1S80,  and  was  elected 
King  of  the  Belgians  after^he  separation 
of  B.  and  Holland,  1S31 ;  d.  1865.    L.  Ill 
of  Austria,  b.  1350 ;  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Sempach  by  the  Swiss,  1386. 
Lepadidae,  le-pad'i-de.     The  barnacles 
or  goose-mussels,  a  fam  of  clrriped  crus- 
taceans, free-swimming  when  in  the  larva 
state,  but  when  adult  attached  by  the  an. 
tennaa  to  submarine  bodies. 
Lepanto.     Principal  town  of  the  Greek 
eparchy  of  L.  on  the  bay  of  same  name, 
noted  for  the  great  naval  victory,  1570, 
over  the  Turks  by  the  combined  fleets  of 
Pojlip  II- >  the  Pope  and  tlie  Venetians, 
the  Turks  losing  26,000  kiHed  and  10,000 
prisoners. 


LEPIDOFTERA 


466 


LEVI 


Lepidoptera,  lep-id-op'ter-a.  Tlie  most 
beautiful  of  all  the  orders  of  insects,  com- 
prising the  butterflies  and  moths. 

licpidosi- 


ren,  -o- 
6i"ren.  A 
gen.  of  fish- 
es, ord. 
Dipnoi;  the  -^ 
mud-fish.       -  LepidosireiTaDuectens. 

Lepidosteus,  -os'tu-us.  A  gen.  of 
fishes  with  bony  polished  or  ganoid  scales, 
and  hence  known  as  bony-pikes.  Tliey 
belong  to  the  fum.  Lepidosteidae,  ord. 
Ganoidei,  and  resemble  many  of  the  mes- 
ozoic  fossil  genera  more  than  any  other 
living  fishes. 

Lepidus.  Marcus  iEmilius.  The 
Great  Triumvir.  The  adherent  of  Caesar 
in  his  conflict  with  Pompey,  and  his  as- 
sociate Consul,  46  ;  in  43  he  with  Antony 
and  Octavius  formed  the  celebrated  trium- 
virate. L.  receiving  Spain  and  Narbonnese 
Gaul  as  his  share  of  the  supreme  power. 
Deprived  of  his  command,  47,  he  was 
given  a  position  in  Africa,  but  failing  In  an 
attempt  to  regain  his  former  position,  he 
D.  in  exile,  13  b.  c. 

Ijeptodactyl,  lep-to-dak'til.  A  bird  or 
other  animal  having  slender  toes. 

Lepus,  iG'pus.  A  gen.  of  rodents,  com- 
prising the  hare  and  rabbit.  In  Astron. 
the  Hare,  a  southern  constellation  contain- 
ing 19  stars. 

Lerneeadae,  ler-ne'a-de.  A  group  of  par- 
asitic suctorial  crustaceans,  ord.  Ichthy- 
ophthira  or  fish-lice. 

Iierot,  le'rot.  The  garden  dormouse 
(Mj^oxus  nitela),  a  little  rodent  which 
makes  great  havoc  among  fruit. 

liesseps,  Ferdinand  de.  A  cele- 
brated French  engineer  and  diplomat,  b. 
1S05.  He  conceived  and  directed  the 
work  on  the  Suez  Canal,  and  is  at  present 
engaged  in  uniting  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific 
by  a  canal  across  the  Central  American 
isthmus. 

Lestris,  les'tris.  A  gen.  of  palmiped 
birds.  The  L.  parasiticus  is  the  arctic  gull, 
and  the  L.  catarrhactes  the  skua  gull,  the 
most  formidable  of  all  the  gull  kind. 

Liethe,  iG'the.  In  Greek  Myth,  the  river 
of  oblivion  ;  one  of  the  streams  of  the  in- 
fernal regions.  Its  waters  possessed  the 
quality  of  causing  those  who  drank  them 
to  forget  their  former  existence. 

Lettish.,  let'ish.  The  language  spoken 
by  the  people  of  Livonia,  originally  a 
Sclav onian  branch  of  the  Aryan  family  of 
tongues. 


Leuciseus,  Ifi-sis'kus.  A  gen.  of  fishes, 
fam.  Cyprinidie;  the  roixch,  dace  and 
bleak  afford  familiar  examples. 
LeucCBthiops,  lu-ke'thi-ops.  A-n  albino 
or  individual  affected  with  a  want  of  color- 
ing matter  in  the  skin  and  cuticular  ap- 
pendages. 

Leucophasia,  -ko-fa'si-a.  A  gen.  of 
white  butterflies. 

Lieucopterian,  'kop-te'ri-an,  InEccles. 
Hist,  one  of  a  sect  of  the  Greek  Church 
charged  with  the  errors  of  the  Origenists, 
and  \vith  corrupting  the  text  of  the  Gospel. 
Lieucosiadse,  -ko-sl'a-de.  A  family  of 
short- tailed  decapodous  crustaceans,  con- 
taining many  pretty,  round,  porcellane, 
exotic  crabs. 

Ijevant,  le-vant'.  A  name  given  to  the 
maritime  parts  of  the  countries  lying  on 
the  eastern  portion  of  the  Mediterranean 
and  its  contiguous  waters,  as  Turkey, 
Syria,  Asia  Minor,  Greece,  Egypt,  &c.  An 
easterly  wind  blowing  up  the  Mediterra- 
nean ;  a  levanter. 

Level,  lev'el.  Any  instrument  by  which 
to  find  or  draw  a  straight  line  parallel  to 
the  plane  of  the  horizon,  and  by  this  means 
to  determine  the  true  level  or  the  differ- 
ence of  ascent  or  descent  between  several 
places,  for  various  purposes  In  architec- 
ture, agriculture,  engineering,  hydraufics, 
surveying,  &c. 

Levelingr-staff,  -ing-staf.  An  instru- 
ment used  in  leveling  in  conjunction 
with  ?  spirit-level  and  telescope. 
Lever,  le'ver.  In  Mech.  one  of  the  me- 
chanical powers,  which  is  of  three  kinds. 
When  the  fulcrum  is  between  the  weight 
and  the  power,  as  in  the  handspike.  When 
the  weight  is  between  the  power  and  the 
fulcrum,  as  in  rowing  a  boat,  where  the 
fulcrum  is  the  water.  When  the  power  is 
between  the  weight  and  the  fulcrum,  as  in 
raising  a  ladder  from  the  ground  by  one  of 
the  lower  rounds,  the  fulcrum  being  the 
foot  of  the  ladder.  The  bones  of  animals 
are  levers  of  the  third  kind. 
Leveret,  lev'er-et.  A  hare  in  the  first 
year  of  its  age. 

Lever-valve,  le'ver-valv.  A  safety- 
valve  kept  down  by  the  pressure  of  an  ad- 
justable weight  or  si)ring. 
Leverrier,  Urban  Jean  Joseph.  An 
eminent  French  astronomer,  b.  ISll,  d. 
1877.  He  discovered  the  planet  Neptune, 
1846. 

Levi.  In  Scrip,  one  of  the  Hebrew  pa- 
triarchs, son  of  Jacob,  and  i)rogenitor  of 
the  Levites;  b.  abt.  1750  b.  c,  d,  in  Egypt, 
aged  137. 


LEVIATHAN 


46T 


LICTOR 


lieviathan,  -vi'a-than.  An  aquatic  ani- 
mal described  in  the  book  of  Job,  ch.  xli., 
and  mentioned  in  other  passages  of  Scrip- 
ture. It  is  not  known  whether  it  was 
a  crocodile,  the  whale,  or  a  species  of  ser- 
pent. 

Le viration,  -vl-ra'shon .  The  act  or  cus- 
tom among  the  Jews  of  a  man's  marrying 
the  widow  of  a  brother  who  died  without 
issue.  The  same  custom  or  law  prevails 
in  some  parts  of  India. 
Levitation,  lev-i-ta'shon.  Among  Spir- 
itualists, the  alleged  phenomenon  ofbodies 
heavier  than  air  being  rendered  buoyant 
in  the  atmosphere. 

Lievite,  le'vit.  In  Jewish  Hist,  one  of  the 
tribe  or  family  of  Levi ;  more  particulai-ly, 
one  employed  in  various  menial  duties 
connected  A\1th  the  tabernacle  or  temple. 
They  were  subordinate  to  the  priests,  the 
descendants  of  Aaron,  who  was  also  of 
the  family  of  Levi. 

Leviticus,  -vit'i-kus.  A  canonical  book 
of  the  Old  Testament,  the  third  book  of 
Moses,  containing  the  ceremonial  laws. 
Levogrlucose,  'vd-glu-k6s.  In  Chem.  a 
sugar  isomeric  with  dextroglucose,  but 
distinguished  from  it  by  turning  the  plane 
of  polarization  to  the  left.  The  equal  mix- 
ture of  the  two  constitutes  fruit  or  inverted 
sugar,  which  turns  the  plane  of  polariza- 
tion to  the  left,  the  rotatory  power  of  levo- 
glucose  being  greater  than  that  of  dextro- 
glucose. 

Lex,  leks.    Law. 

Liexicon,  'i-kon,  A  dictionary  ;  a  vocab- 
ulary or  book  containing  an  alphabetical 
arrangement  of  the  words  in  a  language, 
with  their  definition. 
Leyden-jar,  li-dn- 
jar.  A  glass  jar 
coated  inside  and 
outside,  usuallv 
with  tin-foil,  to 
Avithin  a  third  of  the 
top.  that  it  may  be 
readily  charged  with 
electi-icity,  and  thus 
employed  in  a  vari- 
ety of  interesting  and  useful  experiments. 
Lewis,  Meriwether.  An  American 
explorer  ;  B.  in  Va.  1774,  d.  1809.  L.  in 
company  with  Clarke  explored  the  then 
unknown  region  in  which  the  Missouri 
rises,  and  traced  the  Columbia  to  its 
month.  L.  river,  the  largest  tributary  of 
the  Columbia,  900  m.  long. 
Leyden,  John  of  ( Johann  Beccold). 
A  religious  enthusiast,  b.  at  Leyden,  Hol- 
land, 1510,  executed  153Q.  With  Matthv-s 
he  incited  the  Anabaptists  to  armed  rervolt, 


Leyden-jar. 


seized  Munster,  which  he  held  for  some 
time,  and  with  his  followers  was  guilty  of 
numerous  excesses.  L.,  a  city  of  S.  Hol- 
land, 2-2  m.  S.  W.  of  Amsterdam,  formerly 
noted  for  its  university  founded  by 
William  Prince  of  Orange,  1575,  and  for 
its  obstinate  resistance  to  the  Spaniards, 
1574,  during  which  6,000  citizens  died  of 
famine  and  pestilence. 
Li,  le.  A  Chinese  copper  coin,  otherAvise 
called  a  cash.  It  is  worth  about  one-tenth 
of  a  cent.  A  Chinese  measure  of  length, 
equal  to  .486  inch. 

Lia-fail.  Lit.  Stone  of  destiny.  The 
stone  on  which  the  ancient  Irish  kings  are 
said  to  have  been  crowned,  brought  by 
Fergus  to  Scotland,  and  ultimately  de- 
posited at  Scone,  where  the  Scottish  kings 
sat  on  it  at  their  coronation.  It  was  re- 
moved by  Edward  I.  to  England  and 
placed  in  Westminster  Abbey,  where  it 
still  forms  part  of  the  coronation  chair. 
liias,  li'as.  In  Geol.  that  series  of  strata 
lying  at  the  basis  of  the  oolitic  or  Jurassic 
series,  and  above  the  triassic  or  new  red 
sandstone. 

Libellulidae,  -bel-u'li-de.  The  dragon - 
flies,  a  fam.  of  neuropterons,  or,  accord- 
ing to  some,  orthopterous  insects. 
Liberal,  lib'er-al.  An  advocate  of  free- 
dom from  restraint,  especially  in  politics 
and  religion ;  a  member  of  an  English 
part}^  which  advocates  confennng  more 
power  on  the  people. 

Liberia.  A  small  republic  of  W.  Africa, 
a  refuge  for  the  manumitted  slaves  from 
the  U.  S.  Length,  600  m.;  average  breadth, 
50  m.;  Monrovia  is  the  cap.  Total  pop. 
abt.  650,000,  of  whom600,000  are  natives. 
Libra,  li'bra. 
In  Astron.  the 
Balance.  the 
seventh  sign  in 
the  zodiac, 
which  the  sun 
enters  at  the 
autumnal 
equinox  in  September. 
Libya.  In  Anc.  Geog.  the  name  given  to 
Africa,  especially  N.  Africa. 
Libyan,  lib'yan.  A  name  given  to  a  group 
of  tongues,  other^vise  called  Berber. 
Lictor, 'ter.  An  officer  among  theEo- 
mans  who  bore  an  ax  and  fasces  or  rods  as 
ensigns  of  his  office.  His  duty  was  to  at- 
tend the  chief  magistrates  when  thev  ap- 
peared in  public,  to  clear  the  way  for 
them  and  cause  due  respect  to  be  paid 
them ;  also  to  apprehend  and  punish 
OTiminals. 


i^ 


._J?i 


Libra. 


LICHEN 


468 


LILLIBULLERO 


Lich-gate. 


i^iclieix,  li'ken.  In  Eot.  ono  of  an  order 
of  cellular  cryptogainic  plants  without 
stem  and  leaves,  and  coneisttng  mainly  of 
a  th  alius. 
Thoy  include 
Iccland-moss , 
roindeer- 
moss,rock  and 
tree  moss;  but 
are  entirely 
distinct  from 
the  true  moss- 
es (Musoi). 

Lich-g-ate, 
licli'gat.  A 
church-yard 
gate,  -with  a 
porch  under 
which  a  bier 
inij,'ht  stand 
while  the  intro- 
ductory part  of  the  funeral  service  was 
road. 

Liebig",  Justus,  Baron  von.  An 
eminent  German  chemist;  b.  1S03,  u.  1S73. 
Liegre,  Icj.  A  vassal  holding  a  fee  by 
which  lie  is  bound  to  perform  certain 
services  and  duties  to  his  lord.  A  lord  or 
superior ;  a  sovereign. 
Lieutenant,  lu-tcn'ant.  A  commis- 
sioned ohicer  in  the  army  next  in  rank  be- 
low a  captain  ;  L.  general,  an  officer  next 
in  rank  to  the  general ;  L.  colonel,  an  offi- 
cer next  below  the  colonel  in  rank.  A 
commissioned  officer  in  the  navy  ranking 
with  a  captain  in  the  arm}'. 
Lieutenant-governor,  -gu-vern-cr. 
An  officer  performing  the  duties  of  a  gov- 
ernor. In  some  British  possessions  and 
colonies  under  a  governor-general,  the 
chief  magistrate  of  a  separate  district  is 
called  a  lieutenant-governor. 
liife-annuity,  llf'an-nu-i-ti.  A  sum  of 
money  paid  yearly  during  a  person's  life. 
Life-belt, 'belt.  An  inflated  belt  of  in- 
dia-rubber or  cork,  used  to  support  the 
bod  y  in  the  water. 
Life-preserver,  'pre- 
zerv-er.  An  air-tight  jack- 
et or  belt  or  a  complete 
dress  designed  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  the  lives  of, 
persons  compelled  to  trust 
themselves  to  the  water. 
Life-rocket,  'rok-et.  A 
rocket  discharged  from  a 
life-mortar,  and  which  con- 
veys a  rope  to  a  ship  in  dis- 
tress, so  as  to  establish 
communication  Avith  those  Life-preserver, 
on  board. 


Liffey.  A  river  in  Ireland,  60  ra.  long, 
emptying  into  Dublin  Bay. 
Lig-an,  ll'gan.  Goods  sunk  in  the  sea, 
but  having  a  cork  or  buoy  attached  in  or- 
der that  they  may  be  found  again.  Also 
written  Lagan. 
Ligrht,  lit.  That  aj^ent  or  force  In  nature 
by  the  action  of  which  upon  the  organs  of 
sight  objects  from  which  it  proceeds  are 
rendered  visible. 

Ligh.tllOUse,  'hous.  A  tower  or  other 
lofty  structure  with  a  powerful  light  at 
top,  serving  as  a  guide  or  warning  of 
danger  to  navigators  at  night ;  a  pharos. 
Light-infantry,  'in-fant-ri.  A  body  of 
soldiers  selected  and  trained  for  rapid  evo- 
lutions. 

Lightning",  'ning.  A  flash  of  light  the 
result  of  a  discharge  of  atmospheric  elec- 
tricity from  one  cloud  to  another,  or  from 
a  cloud  to  the  earth. 

Lightning-rod,  -rod.  A  pointed  insu- 
lated metallic  rod  erected  to  protect 
buildings  or  vessels  from  lightning;  a 
lightning-conductor. 

Lights,  lits.  The  lungs;  the  organs  of 
breathing,  particularly  in  brute  animals. 
Light- 
Ship,  1  j  t' 
ship.  A  ship 
a  n  c  li  o  red  \ 
and  serving! 
as  a  light- 
house. 

Lie:  ht-_^ 
weig'htj^W 
'wat.  In""^' 
sporting,   a  Light-ship."  ~ 

man  or  an-  ^ 

imal  below  a  fixed  weight ;  a  boxer,  jock- 
ey or  horse  under  a  standard  weight. 
Lignite,  'nit.  Fossil-wood,  wood-coal 
or  brown  coal,  a  combustible  substance 
mineralized  to  a  certain  degree,  between 
peat  and  coal. 

Lignum,  'num.  Wood  ;  that  portion  of 
arborescent  plants  which  comprises  the  al- 
burnum and  the  duramen. 
Ligny.  A  Belgian  tillage,  10  m.  N.  E.  of 
Gharleroi,  noted  as  the  scene  of  the  open- 
ing battle  of  the  series  which  ended  at 
Waterloo,  June  16-18,  1816,  in  which  Na- 
poleon I.  defeated  the  Prussians  under 
Blucher. 

Liliputian,  lil-i-pu'shan.     One  belong- 
ing to  a  diminutive  race,  described  in 
Swift's  imaginarj'  kingdom  of  Lihput.  Any 
person  of  a  very  small  size. 
LillibuUero,  -bul-le"ro.      Oiiginally,  a 


LILT-BEETLE 


LTNGAM 


■watchword  of  the  Irish  Koman  Catholics 
in  their  massacre  of  the  Protestants  in 
1641 ;  afterward,  the  refrain  and  name  of 
a  jjoUtical  song  popular  during  the  reign  of 
James  II. 

Lily-beetle,  -be-tl.  A  small  tetram- 
erous  beetle  (Crioceris  merdigera),  fam. 
Crioceridae. 

liima,  ll'ma.  A  gen.  of  conchiferous 
moUusca,  scallop  family  (Pectinidfe). 

XJ-iQia^iiiiSS,  -ma-s!'ne.  A  sub-fam.  of 
pulmoniferous  gasteropodous  mollusks, 
of  which  the  gen.  Limax  is  the  type ;  the 
slugs. 

Liinia.  Cap.  of  Peru,  S.  America,  on  the 
Rimac,  7  m.  from  the  Pacific ;  pop.  abt. 
125,000. 

liinxber,  lim'ber. 
The  forepart  of  the 
carriage  of  a  field  gun, 
consisting  of  two 
■wheels  and  an  axle 
■with  a  framework  and 
shafts  tor  the  horses. 
On    the   top    of   the  Limber, 

frame  are  two  ammunition  boxes  Avhich 
serve  also  as  seats.  The  limber  is  con- 
nected with  the  gun-carriage,  properly  so 
called,  by  an  iron  hook,  called  the  pintail, 
fastened'into  an  eye  in  the  trail  or  wooden 
block  which  supports  the  cannon.  When 
the  gun  is  brought  into  action  it  is  un- 
limbered. 

liimbo,  'bd.  In  Scholastic  Theol.  a  re- 
gion beyond  this  world  in  which  the 
souls  of  those  who  have  not  offended  by 
personal  acts  are  detained  till  the  final 
judgment.  Two  or  more  such  regions  are 
sometimes  mentioned. 

lame,  lim.  A  viscous 
substance, sometimes  laid 
on    twigs    for    catching 

;  birds ;  bird-lime.  A  use- 
ful caustic  earth,  obtained 
by  exposing  limestone  or 
carbonates  of  lime  to  a 
rod  boat  in  kilns,  by 
■which  the  carbonic  acid  is 
expelled,  in  which  state  it 
is  called  quicklime.  The 
metallic  base  of  lime  is 
calcium.  A  small  fruit  re- 
sembling a  lemon. 

Limekiln,  'kil.  A  furnace  in  which 
limestone  or  shells  are  exposed  to  a  strong 
heat  and  reduced  to  lime. 

Lime-lig'h.t,  'lit.  A  very  powerful  light 
jiroduced  by  turniiig  two  jets  of  gas,  one 
of  hydrogen  and  one  of  oxygen,  in  a  state 
of  ignition  on  a  ball  of  lime. 


Lime. 


Limitarian,  lim-it-a'ri-an.  One  who 
holds  the  doctrine  that  a  part  of  the  hu- 
man race  only  are  to  be  saved ;  opposed 
to  universaUst. 

Limneeadee,  -ne'a-de.  The  pond-snails, 
a  fam.  of  fresh-water,  univalve,  inopercu- 
late,  gasteropodous  mollusks,  having  f\ 
lung  sac  instead  of  gills. 

Limnite,  'nit.  Yellow  ochre  or  brown 
iron  ore,  containing  more  water  than  11- 
monite.  Composition  :  oxide  of  iron  74.8, 
water  25.2. 

Limnoria,  -no'ri-a,  A  gen.  of  isopodoua 
crustaceans  which  are  most  destructive  to 
wood-work  immersed  in  water. 

Limonite,  ll'mon-It.  An  iron  ore  which 
is  found  earthj^,  concretionary,  or  mamil- 
lary, and  fibrous.  It  consists  of  sesquiox- 
ide  of  iron  85.6,  water  14.4. 

Liimosa,  -mo'sa.  A  gen.  of  wading 
birds,  the  godwits. 

Lim.pet,  lim'pet.  A  cyclobranchiate 
gasteropodous  mollusk,  gen.  Patella,  ad- 
hering to  rocks. 

Xiimulus,  'Q-lus.  A  gen.  of  large  crus- 
taceans; the  king-crabs. 

Lincoln,  Abraham.  The  16th  Presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S.,  B.  in  Ky.,  1809  ; 
elected  President  1860,  and  re-elected 
1864;  assassinated  by  John  Wilkes 
Booth  while  witnessing  a  performance  at 
Ford's  Theater,  Washington,  April  15, 
1865,  less  than  a  week  after  the  surrender 
of  Gen.  Lee,  and  the  collapse  of  the  Ee- 
bellion. 

Lind,  Jenny.  A  distinguished  vocal- 
ist, 11.  1821.  She  retired  from  the  stage 
on  her  marriage  to  Otto  Goldschmidt, 
1851,  and  resides  in  London. 

Lineagre,  lin'e-aj.  Eace ;  progeny ;  de- 
scendants in  a  line  from  a  common  pro- 
genitor. 

Linen,  'en.  Thread  or  cloth  made  of 
flax  or  hemp.  Fossil  linen,  a  kind  of 
amianth,  with  soft,  parallel,  flexible 
fibers. 

Linen-scroll,  -skrol.  In  Arch,  an  or- 
nament employed  to  fill  panels  ;  so  called 
from  its  resemblance  to  the  convolutions  of 
a  folded  napkin. 

Liner,  lln'er  A  ship  of  the  line  ;  man- 
of-war.  A  vessel  regularly  trading  to 
and  from  certain  ports. 

Ling:,  ling.  A 
fish  of  the  gen. 
Lota  (L. 
molva). 

Lingr  a  m  , 
'gam.      In  Hind. 


Ling. 
Myth,   the    male    or- 


gan of  generation,  worshipped  as  being 


LINGARD 


470 


LIRA 


I 


representative  of  God  or  of  the  fertility  of 
nature. 
Ling-ard,  John,  'ard.  An  English  his- 
torian, 15.  1771,  D,  1S51. 
liinguist,  'g\vist.  A  person  skilled  in 
languages  ;  one  who  knows  several  lan- 
guages.    A  ready  conversationalist. 

liingTila,  'gii-la.  A  gen.  of  mollusks, 
class  Brachiopoda,  fern.  Lingulidse,  a  fam- 
ily that  has  survived  with  but  little 
change  since  the  early  Silurian  period. 

Liinkboy,  lingk'boi.  A  boy  or  man  that 
carries  a  link  or  torch  to  light  passengers. 

Link-mo  t  i  o  n, 
'mo-shon.  Motion 
communicated  by 
links,  applied  es- 
pecially to  a  sys- 
tem of  gearing  for  Link-motion, 
working  the  valves 
of  a  locomotive-engine. 

liinnsean,  lin-ne'an.  Pertaining  to  Lin- 
njeus,  the  celebrated  botanist.  L.  sys- 
tem, in  Bot.  the  system  of  classification 
Introduced  by  Linneeus,  in  which  the 
classes  are  founded  upon  tlio  stamens, 
and  the  orders  upon  the  pistils. 

Linneeus  (Carl  von  Linne).  An 
eminent  Swedish  botanist  and  naturalist, 
B.  1707,  ».  1778. 

Linnet,  'net.  A 
small  sin  g  1  n  g 
bird,  gen.  Frin- 
gilla. 

Li  noleum, 
-6'  1  e  -  u  m  .  A 
preparatio  n  of 
linseed-oil  with 
chloride  of  sul- 
phur, by  which  it  is  rendered  solid. 
When  rolled  into  sheets  it  is  used  as  a 
substitute  for  india-rubber  or  gutta- 
percha ;  dissolved  it  is  used  as  a  varnish. 
As  a  paint  it  is  useful  both  for  iron  and 
w  ood,  and  for  ships'  bottoms  ;  as  a  cem- 
ent it  possesses  some  of  the  qualities 
of  glue  ;  vulcanized  or  rendered  hard  by 
heat,  it  may  be  carved  and  polished  like 
wood,  and  mixed  with  ground  cork  and 
pressed  upon  canvas  it  forms  floor-cloth. 
The  floor-cloth  thus  produced. 

Linsangr,  'sang.  A  pretty  animal  allied 
to  the  civets. 

Linsee4-cake,  'sed-kak.  The  solid 
mass  whicli  remains  when  oil  is  expressed 
from  flax-seed,  used  as  food  for  cattle  and 
sheep ;  oil  cake. 

Linseed-oil,  -oil.  A  yellow  ofl  pro- 
cured by  pressure  from  the  seed  of  lint  or 


Linnet. 


flax,  used  as  a  venicle  for  colors  by 
painters,  in  the  manufacture  of  linoleum, 
&c. 

Linsey-woolsey,  'si-wul-si.  Dress 
goods  made  of  hnen  and  wool. 

Linstock,  'stok.  A  pointed  staff  with  a 
fork  at  one  end  to  hold  a  lighted  match, 
used  in  firing  a  cannon. 

Lint,  lint.  Flax.  Linen  scraped  into  a 
soft  substance  used  for  dressing  wounds 
and  sores. 

Lintel,  lin-tel.  In  Arch,  a  horizontal 
piece  of  timber  or  stone  o  v  er  a  door,  win- 
dow or  other  opening. 

Liion,  li'on.  A 
quadruped, 
gen.  Felis.  F. 
leo,  the    larg- 
est  and  most 
majestic  of  alii 
carniv  orousf 
animals.       Off 
the      African 
lion  there  are 
several     vari- 
eties,   as    the 
Barbaiy,€tem- 

bian     Senegal    Head  of  Gambian  Lion, 
and  Cape  lion. 

The  Asiatic  varieties  are  generally  dis- 
guished  as  the  Bengal,  Persian  or  Arabian 
'ion  and  the  maneless  lion  of  Gujerat.  The 
American  lion  is  the  puma.  A  sign  in  the 
zodiac ;  Leo, 

Lioness,  -es.  The  female  of  the  lion 
kind. 

Lionet,  -et.    A  young  or  small  lion. 

Lipogram,  li'po-gram.  A  writing  in 
which  a  particular  letter  is  wholly  omit- 
ted, as  in  the  Odyssey  of  Tryphiodorus, 
in  which  there  was  no  A  in  the  first  book, 
no  B  in  the  second,  and  so  on. 

liip-reading",  'reding.  Reading  or  un- 
derstanding what  one  says  by  the  move- 
ment of  the  lips  ;  used  in  regard  to  the 
deaf  and  dumb. 

Lippi,  Pra  Filippo.  One  of  the  most 
eminent  of  Italian  painters ;  b.  1412,  d. 
1469.  His  natural  son,  Filippino,  was 
even  more  renowned  as  an  artist ;  b.  1460, 
D.  1505. 

Liqueur,  li-kar'.  A  spirituous  compound 
of  water,  alcohol,  sugar  and  some  infusion 
or  extract  from  fruits,  spices  and  various 
aromatic  substances. 

Liquor,  lik'er.  A  liquid  or  fluid  sub- 
stance, as  water,  milk,  blood,  sap,  juice 
and  the  like.  Alcoholic  or  spirituous  liuid, 
either  distilled  or  fermenti^d. 

liira,  le'ra.    An  Italian  silver  coin  con- 


LISBON 


471 


LITOEN 


taining  100  ccntesimi  or  centimes,  and  in 
value  equivalent  to  a  franc,  or  about  20 
cents.     " 

Ijisbon.  Cap.  of  Portugal,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Tagus  ;  pop.  228,749.  In 
1755  L.  was  nearly  destroyed  by  an  earth- 
quake. 

lasp,  lisp.  The  habit  or  act  of  lisping,  as 
in  uttering  an  aspirated  th  for  s,  dh  for  z. 
liissa.  An  island  oflf  the  Dalmatian  coast, 
noted  for  the  great  naval  battle,  July  20, 
1866,  in  which  the  Austrian  fleet  under 
Tegethoff  defeated  the  Italians  under  Per- 
sano. 

liissencephala,  lis-en-sef'a-la.    A  pri- 
mary division  of  mammaha,  according  to 
Owen,   comprising  the  Cheiroptera,   In- 
sectivora,  Kodentia  and  Edentata. 
Xiiszt,  Fl'anz,  list.    An  emment   Hun- 
garian pianist  and  musician  ;  B.  1811.     He 
entered  a  convent  and  took  orders,  1865. 
liitany,    lit'an-i.    A  collection  of  short 
prayers  or  supplications  in  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer,  which  are  said  or  chant- 
ed, the  priest  uttering  one  and  the  people 
responding  with  another  alternately. 
lathanthrax,    li-than'thraks.      Stone- 
coal.     In  distinction  from  xylanthrax,  or 
wood -coal. 

liitharire,  lith'arj.    The  yellow  or  red- 
dish protoxide  of  lead  partially  fused.     It 
is  used  in  assaying  as  a  flux,  and  enters 
largely  into  the  composition  of  the  glaze 
of  common  earthenware. 
liithochromatics,  'o-krd-mat"iks.  The 
art  of  painting  in  oil  upon  stone,  and  of 
taking  impressions  on  canvas. 
Liithodoinus,  li-thod'o-mus.    A  gen.  of 
Lamellibranchiata,    mussel  fam.,    which 
perforate  stones,  shells,  &c. 
lliithoglypll,  hth'o-glif.     The  art  of  en- 
graving on  precious  stones,  &c. 
Lithog-lypllite,    li-thog'li-flt.      A  fossil 
that  presents  the  appeai-ance  of  being  en- 
graved or  shaped  by  art. 
Lithogrraphy,  li-thog'ra-fi.    The  art  of 
writing  or  drawing  on  stone,  and  of  pro- 
ducing impressions  from  it  on  paper  ;  in- 
vented by  A.   Sennefelder,  at  Munich,  in 
1T93. 

liitholatry,  -thol'a-tri.  The  worship  of 
stones  of  particular  shapes. 
Liithologry,  'o-ji.  The  science  of  stones  ; 
the  study  of  the  mineral  structure  of 
rocks.  In  Med.  a  treatise  on  stones  found 
in  the  body. 

liithophagri,  li-thof'a-jT.  A  name  ap- 
plied to  all  bivalve  and  univalve  moUusca, 
radiata,  &<•,.,  that  penetrate  stones  and 
other  hard  substances. 


Lithophytes. 


Litliophaiie,  lith'o-fan.  A  style  of  or- 
namentation produced  by  impressing  thin 
sheets  of  porcelain  into  figures,  which  be- 
come visible  when  viewed  by  transmitted 
light. 

Lithopliosphor,  -fos-for.  A  stone  that 
becomes  phosphorescent  by  heat. 
Iiithophotograpliy,  -fo-tog"ra-fi.  The 
art  of  producing  prints  from  lithographic 
stones  by  means  of  photogi-aphic  pictures 
developed  on  their  surface. 
Iiith.opliyl,  -fil.  A  fossil  leaf  or  im- 
pression of  a  leaf,  or  a  stone  containing 
such. 

Liithopliyte,  fit.  A  name  given  to  those 
species  of  polypes 
whose  substance  is 
stony  or  horny,  as 
the  corals  and  s 
fans.  Formerly 
classed  with  plants, 
hence  the  name. 
Liithosiidse,  -o-sl'i- 
dc.  A  family  of 
Lepidoptera,  section 
Heterocera. 
liithotint,  'o-tint. 
The  art  or  process  of 
producing  pictures  in  colors  from  a  litho- 
graphic stone.  The  picture  so  produced. 
Liitliotoixxe,  -tom.  A  stone  so  formed 
naturally  as  to  appear  as  if  Cut  artificially. 
Lithotomy,  li-thot'o-mi.  The  operation 
of  cutting  for  the  stone  in  the  bladder. 
liitliotrity,  'ri-ti.  The  operation  of  trit- 
urating the  stone  in  the  bladder  by  means 
of  an  instrument  called  a  lithotriptor. 
Liitliotypy,  'i-pi.  A  peculiar  process  of 
stereotyping  ^vith  a  mixture  of  gum  shellac, 
fine  sand,  tar  and  linseed-oil  in  a  heated 
state,  which  when  cold  becomes  as  hard 
as  a  stone. 

Ldtlioxyle,  li-thoks'il.  A  variety  of 
opal,  in  which  the  form  and  texture  of  the 
wood  Avhich  lias  been  petrified  is  distinctly 
visible. 

liithuanian,  lith-u-a'ni-an.  The  lan- 
guage of  Lithuania,  a  member  of  the 
Slavonic  family  of  Aryan  tongues  gradu- 
ally becoming  extinct. 
liitmus,  ht'mus.  A  blue  coloring  matter 
procured  from  Roccellattnctoria  and  other 
lichens.  Paper  tinged  blue  by  litmus  is 
reddened  by  the  feeblest  acids,  and  hence 
is  used  as  a  test  for  the  presence  of  acids  ; 
and  litmus  paper  which  has  been  reddened 
by  an  acid  has  its  blue  color  restored  by 
an  alkali. 

liitorn.  'orn.  A  European  bkd;  a  spocies 
of  thrush. 


LITRAMETER 


472 


LOCH 


Litrameter,  li-tram'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  ascertaining  tlie  specific  gravitv 
of  liquids.  ^ 

Liter,  iG'tr.  The  French  standard  meas- 
ure of  capacity  in  the  decimal  system, 
I  he  Lnfrhsh  imperial  gailon  is  equal  to 
4.54345797  liters. 

Litterateur,  lit'ter-a-ter.  One  engaged 
m  literary  work  ;  one  who  adopts  litera- 
ture as  a  profession. 

Little  Rock.  Cap.  of  Arkansas,  in 
Pulaski  Co.,  on  Arkansas  River,  300  m. 
from  its  .iunction  with  the  MississioDi: 
pop.  abt.  25,000. 

Littleton,  Thomas.  An  eminent  En- 
ghsh jurist;  b.  1418,  ».  1481. 

Littorina,  -to-rl'na.  A  gen.  of  pectini- 
branchiate  mollusks,  of  which  the  common 
periwinkle  is  a  specimen. 

Liturgy,  'er-ji.  Th«  entire  ritual  for  pub- 
lic worship,  in  churches  which  use  pre- 
scribed forms  ;  in  the  E.  C.  Ch.  the  mass. 

Lituus,  li'tu-us.  In  Rom.  Antiq.  a  curved 
staff  used  by  the  augurs  in  quartering  the 
heavens.  An  instrument  of  martial 
music ;  a  kind  of  trumpet. 

Liver,  liv'er.  The  glandular  structure 
which  in  animals  secretes  the  bile.  In 
man  it  forms  the  largest  gland  of  the 
body. 

Liverpool.  A  fortified  seaport,  and  one 
of  the  chief  commercial  cities  of  England, 
on  the  Mersey,  32  m.  S.  W.  of  Manchester; 
pop.  843,729. 

Liverstone,  -ston.  A  stone  or  species 
of  earth  which,  when  rubbed  or  heated  to 
redness,  emits  the  smell  of  liver  of  sul- 
phur, or  alkaline  sulphuret. 

Livingrston,  Edward.  An  eminent 
American  statesman  and  iurist ;  b.  in  N. 
Y.,  1764,  D.  1836. 

Livingstone,  David.  A  distinguished 
Scotch  explorer,  b.  1815,  b.  at  Itaca 
Africa,  1873. 

Livre,  iG-vr.  An  old  French  money  of 
account,  having  been  superseded  by 
the  franc.  The  livre  tournois  was  worth 
about  20  cents,  the  livre  parisis,  25  cents. 

Livy,    Titus    Livius.      An  eminent 
Ivoman    historian, 
B.  at  Padua,  59   b. 
c,  D.  abt.  3  A.  D. 

Lizard,  liz'erd 
The  popular  naoK 
of  all  the  lacertilian 
reptiles,  but    spo 


Lizard. 


dfically  restricted  to  the  fam.  Lacertidao. 


Uama. 


Llama,  lii^mii. 
An  ungulate 
rumi  n  a  t  i  n  g 
quadr  u  p  c  d  , 
gen.  Auchenia 
(A.  lama), 
closely  allied  to 
the  camel.  It 
was  the  only 
beast  of  burden 
in  America  be- 
fore the  arrival 
of  the  Span' 
iards,  and  is  still  used  as  such  in  the  An- 
des. 

IJandeilo  Beds,  lan-di'16  bedz.  In 
(jeol.  the  name  of  one  of  the  lower  Silurian 
rock  groups.  It  is  5,000  feet  thick  in 
North  Wales. 

Llanero,  iyan-er'O.  An  inhabitant  of  the 
lianos  of  S.  America.  They  are  principally 
converted  Indians  or  descendants  of  In- 
dians and  whites,  and  are  distinguished 
lor  ferocity  and  semi-barbarous  habit?. 

Llanos,  lan'oz.  Vast  and  almost  en- 
tirely level  steppes  or  plains  in  the 
northern  part  of  S.  America. 

Lloyd's,  loidz.  A  society  of  under- 
writers and  others  in  London  for 
the  collection  and  diffusion  of  marine 
intelligence,  the  insurance,  classification 
and  certification  of  vessels,  and  the  trans- 
action of  business  of  various  kinds  con- 
nected with  shipping.  "Lloyd's List,"  a 
London  daily  publication,  containing  full 
and  early  information  as  to  shipping  mat- 
ters. "Lloyd's  Register,"  a  register  of 
shipping,  published  yearly. 

Loach,  loch.  A  small  fish  gen.  Cobitis 
(C.  barbatula),  inhabiting  small  clear 
streams  in  England.  A  name  given  also 
to  the  eel-pout  (Lota  vulgaris)  and  the 
three-bearded  rockling  (Motella  vulgaris). 

Load-line,  lod'lin.  A  line  drawn  on  the 
side  of  a  vessel  to  show  the  depth  to 
which  she  sinks  in  the  water  when  prop- 
erly loaded. 

Loadstar,  'stiir.  A  star  that  serves  to 
guide  ;  especially  the  polestar. 

Loadstone,  'ston.  An  ore,  consisting  of 
the  protoxide  and  peroxide  of  iron,  fre- 
quently called  the  magnetic  oxide  of  iron. 
It  was  known  to  the  ancients,  and  they 
were  acquainted  with  its  singular  proper- 
ty of  attracting  iron.  It  communicates 
its  properties  to  iron  and  steel,  wliich 
then  become  what  are  called  artificial 
magnets. 

Loch,  loch.  A  narrow  arm  of  the  sea 
running  into  the  land. 


LOB ATE 


LOG-BOOK 


l^uuale.  Foot  of 
Grebe. 


Lobster. 


liObate,     lob'at. 

A  term  api)lied  to 

the  feet  of  birds 

Avhich,      as      the 

grebe,    are     fur- 

nished     witlt 

broad-lobedmeui 

braues. 
liObipe  d  i  d  ae , 

-i-iicd'i-do.  Afam- 

ily  of  aquatic  gral- 

latorial  birds,  near- 
ly allied  to  the  rails,  and  also  connected 

■with  the  ])almipeds  or  Aveb-footed  birds. 

The  family  includes  the  coots  and  phala- 

ropos. 

Lobster,  'ster. 
The  common 
name  of  the  mac- 
riirous,  decapod - 
ous,  stalk-eyed 
crustaceans,  jjen. 
Homanis.  They 
are  esteemed  ii 
very  rich  and 
nourishing  ali- 
ment, but  dangerous  unless  fresh  and  in 
good  condition.  The  sea  crayfish  or 
spring-  lobster  is  the  Palinurus  vulgaris 
of  zoologists.  The  fresh-water  lobster 
(Astacus  fluviatilis)  is  called  crawfish  or 
crayfish. 

ILochaber-ax,    -ab'er-aks.      A    warlike 

weapon  cousisting  of  a  pole  bearing  an  ax 

at  its  upper  end,  formerly  used  by  the 

Highlanders  of  Scotland. 
liOchag-e,  lok'aj.     In  Greek  Antiq.  an 

ofiiccr  who  commanded  a  cohort. 
Lock,  lok.    Anything 

that  fastens;    specifi-j 

cally,     an    appliance 

used     for     fastening 

doors, chests,  drawers, 

«fec.     In  fire-arms,  the 

mechanism  by  which 

the  piece  is  discharged.    An  inclosure  in 

a  canal,  with  gates  at  each   end,  used  in 

raising  or  lowering  boats    as  they  pass 

from  one  level  to  another. 
Locke,   John.      An    eminent    English 

philosopher  ;  b.  1G32,  d.  1704. 
Loco,  lo'ko.      In  Music,  a  direction  that 

the  notes  are  to  be  played  exactly  as  thev 

are  written. 

Locomotive,  -ko-mo'tiv.  Any  steam- 
engme  which  travels  with  the  load  which 
It  draws. 

Loculose 

Into  cells. 


Lock. 


Locust. 


lok'u-Ios.      In  Bot,  divided 


Lo  c  u  s  t , 

'kust.  Tht 
common 
name  of  sev- 
eral insects 
belonging  to 
the  sec.  Sal- 
tatoria,  ord.  Orthoptera,  of  which  the 
gen.  Locusta  is  a  type  They  are  allied 
to  the  grasshoppers  and  crickets.  Their 
ravages  are  well  known.  Locusts  are 
eaten  in  many  countries  roasted  or  fried, 
and  are  often  preserved  in  lime  or  dried 
in  the  sun.  The  most  celebrated  species 
is  the  migratory  locust.  The  harvest-fly 
(Cicada)  of  the  U.  S.  is  called  a  locust. 

XiOde,  I6d.  In  Mining,  any  regular  vein 
or  course.  The  lodes  containing  metallic 
ores  are  said  to  be  alive  ;  others,  which 
merel}-  contain  lapideous  matters  are  called 
dead  lodes. 

Lodi.  A  city  of  Milan,  Italy,  noted  for 
the  decisive  victory  gained  by  2^apoleon 
I.,  May  10,  1796,  over  the  Austrians  :  pop 
abt.  20,000. 

Log-,  log.  Naut.  an 
apparatus  for  measur- 
ing the  rate  of  a  ship's  1 
velocity  through  the 
water.  The  record  of 
a  ship's  progress  ;  a 
log-book. 

Log".  A  Hebrew 
measure  of  liquids, 
containing  about  three 
quarters  of  a  pint ;  it 
Avas  the  seventy-sec- 
ond part  of  the  bath 
or  ephah  and  the 
twelfth  part  of  a  hin. 

L  o  gr  a  n,  log'an. 
rocking-stone ;  a  large 
stone  or  rock  so  balanced  as  to  be  easily 
moved.    Written  also  Loggan-stone. 

Logan.  A  chief  of  the  Cayugas  ;  n.  1725, 
killed  in  battle  17S0.  His  fannlv  were 
murdered  by  Ohio  frontiersmen  1774,  and 
he  swore  to  maint-jin  continuous  warfare 
against  the  whites,  an  oath  which  he 
kept. 

Logr-board,  log'bdrd.  Naut.,  two  boards 
or  slates  shutting  li.  e  a  book,  on  which 
the  ship's  log  is  kept  for  24  hours,  and 
then  transferred  to  the  log-book. 

Log-book,  'buk.  Naut.,  a  book  into 
which  are  transcribed  the  contents  of  the 
log- board  or  log-slate,  Avith  anv  other  par- 
ticulars relating  to  the  vessel's  voyage 
that  are  considered  worthy  of  being  regis- 
tered. 


A     Log  of  a  Ship. 


LOG-CABIN 


474 


LONGIEOSTEES 


Log-cabin. 

loj-ii.  In  Italian  Arch,  a  gallery  or  arcade 
affording  an  airy  and  sheltered  resting- 
place  or  outlook.  Among  famous  loggie 
are  those  of  the  Vatican,  decorated  by 
Eaphael  and  his  scholars. 

liOg--line,  log'lTn.  Naut.,  a  line  about 
150  fathoms  in  length,  fastened  to  the  log 
or  float  and  wound  on  the  log-reel. 

LogOgrram,  log'o-gram.  In  Phonog- 
raphy, a  word-letter ;  a  phonogram  that, 
for  the  sake  of  brevity,  represents  a 
word.    A  set  of  verses  forming  a  puzzle. 

Log-OS,  log'os.  The  Word  ;  the  Divine 
Word  ;  Christ. 

Logrotype,  'o-tip.  A  name  given  to  two 
or  more  letters  cast  in  one  piece,  as  ff,  ffl, 
&c.  h-       ,         ,     , 

liOgthingr,  'ting.  The  legislative  por- 
tion of  the  Norwegian  storthing,  consist- 
ing of  one-fourth  of  the  members,  the 
other  three-fourths  constituting  the 
odelsthing  or  representatives  of  landed 
property.  The  members  of  the  logthing 
form,  'vvith  the  judicial  authorities,  the  su- 
preme court. 

Loire.  The  largest  river  of  France,  600 
m.  long,  emptying  into  the  Bay  of  Biscay. 

liOk,  lok.  In  Scan.  Myth,  the  CAil 
diety,  the  author  of  all  calamities.  He  is 
the  father  of  Ilela,  goddess  of  the  lower 
regions. 

Lollard,  lol'ard.  One  of  the  semi-mo- 
nastic society  for  the  care  of  the  sick  and 
burial  of  the  dead,  originating  at  Antwerp 
about  1300,  and  not  extinct.  One  of  the 
followers  of  Wicklifte  in  England,  who 
were  persecuted  in  the  reigns  of  Henry 
IV.  and  V.  o  .y 

Lombard,  lom'bard.  A  public  institu- 
tion in  France  and  Italy  for  lending  monev 
to  the  poor  upon  articles  deposited,  called 
also  Mont-de-plete.  In  Arch,  the  form 
which  the  Eomanesque  style  assumed  un- 
der the  hands  of  the  Gothic  invaders  and 
colonists  of  the  north  of  Italy,  from  the 
beginning  of  the  9th  to  the  l&th  century. 

Lombardy.  An  ancient  kingdom  of  if. 
Italy,  named  from  the  Longobardi,  an 


ancient  tribe  who  occupied  it  in  OGS,  com- 
prising the  provinces  of  Milan,  Mantua, 
Pavia,  Bergamo,  Como,  Brescia,  Cremona 
and  Sondrio.  It  was  an  independent  king- 
dom from  843  till  961,  when  it  was  annexed 
to  the  German  Empire ;  several  republics 
succeeded  until  reduced  br  Austria,  1748; 
in  1796  formed  by  Napoleon  into  the 
Transpadine  Kepublic,  and  incorporated 
with  the  Kingdom  of  Italy  1805,  in  1815 
the  great  powers  created  the  Kingdom  of 
Lombardo-Venetia,  and  transfen-ed  it  to 
Austria  in  exchange  for  her  ])ortion  of  the 
Netherlands,  and  in  1859  this  became  a 
part  of  Sardinia,  being  merged  into  the 
Kingdom  of  Italy  1866. 

Londinium,  lon-din'i-um.  Eomanname 
for  London. 

London.  The  cap,  of  England  and  of 
the  British  Empire,  on  the  Thames,  abt. 
40  ra.  from  the  sea.  It  is  the  largest  city 
in  the  world ;  area,  687  so.  m.  ;  pop. 
4,782,546.  ^ 

Longr-bow,  long'bo.  The  favorite  na- 
tional weapon  of  the  English  from  the 
time  of  Edward  II.  down  to  tiie  i)eriod 
when  fire-arms  were  introduced. 

Longrfellow,  Henry  Wadsworth. 
An  eminent  American  poet,  u.  in  Me. 
1807. 

Longr-flleld-ofif,  long'feld-of.  A  fielder 
at  cricket,  standing  behind  and  to  the 
left  of  the  bowler. 

Long--field-on,  -on.  A  fielder  at  crick- 
et, standing  behind  and  to  the  right  of  the 
bowler. 

Long  i  c  o  r - 
nes,  lon-ji- 
kor'nez.  A 
fam.  belong- 
ing to  the  te- 
tramerous 
sec.  of  the , 
coleoptera  or 
beetles,  in- 
cluding avast  -  - 
number  o  f 
large  and 
beautiful  species. 

Longimetry,  -iim'e-tri.  The  art  or 
practice  of  measuring  distances  or  lengths, 
Avhether  accessible  or  inaccessible. 

Longinus.  A  distinguished  Greek  phi- 
losopher, «.  abt.  210;  put  to  death  by 
Aurelian,  for  aiding  Zenobia,  the  cele- 
brated queen  of  Palmyra,  273. 

Longripennatae,  lon'ji-pen-na"te.  A 
family  of  aquatic  birds,  including  the  al- 
batross, gulls  and  terns,  and  petrels. 

Longirostres,  -ji-ros'trCz.    A  group  of 


Longicorn  Beetle. 


LOl^G  ISLAND 


475 


LOKETTE 


wading  birds,  comprising  the  gnipes,  sand- 
pipers, curlews,  rutfs,  godwits,  turn- 
stones,  avosets,  &c. 

liOng  Island.  An  island  belonging  to 
New  York,  and  separated  from  that  State 
by  the  East  Eiver,  and  from  Connecticut 
by  L.  I.  Sound  ;  length  115  ui. ;  maximum 
breadth,  20  m.  It  is  divided  into  three 
counties,  Kings,  Queens  and  Suffolk. 
Brooklyn,  its  chief  city,  has  a  pop.  of 
5C6,G68,  and  is  connected  with  N.  Y.  city 
by  a  magnificent  suspension  bridge,  one 
of  the  grandest  engineering  triumphs  of 
the  ages.  L.  I.  Sound  is  a  large  strait, 
connecting  with  the  Atlantic  on  the  W. 
through  East  Kiver,  and  on  the  E.  by  the 
Eace  ;  it  is  the  highway  for  vessels  trad- 
ing between  New  York  and  N.   England. 

liOngritude,  lon'ji-tud.  In  Geog.  a  dis- 
tance on  the  surface  of  the  globe  measured 
on  an  arc  of  the  equator  or  a  parallel  of 
latitude,  expi-essed  in  degrees,  minutes 
and  seconds,  or  in  time,  for  since  any 
point  of  the  earth's  surface  passes  through 
860°  of  longitude  in  twenty-four  hours, 
15°  are  equivalent  to  one  hour. 

Liongrlegr,  long'leg.    A  fielder  at  cricket. 

LiOiig'-slip,  'sHp.  A  fielder  in  cricket, 
standing  behind  and  to  the  left  of  the  bat- 
ter's wicket. 

liOngr-stop,  'stop.  A  fielder  at  cricket, 
who  stands  behind  the  \vicket-keeper  and 
stops  l>alls  which  escape  him. 

Long-street,  James.  An  American 
general  who  won  distinction  in  the  Con- 
federate service  ;  u.  in  S.  Carolina,  1S21 ; 
he  served  with  gallantry  in  the  Mexican 
War.  Has  been  in  the  customs  service 
since  the  restoration  of  the  Union. 

LiOngr-tom,  'tom.  A  long  gun  on  vessels, 
used  for  throwing  a  ball  a  great  distance. 

XiOO,  lo.  A  game  at  cards,  played  with 
three  cards.  A  full  pack  is  used,  and  as 
many  as  seventeen  persons  may  play. 

Lookout  Mountain.  A  height  on  the 
Tennessee  Kiver  near  Chattanooga,  noted 
for  the  defeat  of  the  Confederates  under 
Gen.  Bragg  by  the  Federals  under  Gen. 
Hooker,  Nov.  21,  1SG3. 

Loon,  lun.  A  name  given  to  the  great 
northern  diver  or  ember  goose  from  its 
awkwardness  in  walking. 

Loop,  lop.  A  mass  of  half-melted  iron 
taken  from  the  furnace  in  a  pasty  state 
for  the  forge  or  hammer. 
Loop-line,  'lln.  A  line  of  railway  run- 
ning out  of  the  main  line  and  returning  to 
it  again,  forming  a  loop. 
Lope  de  Vega  (Felix  Lope  de 
Vega  Carpio).    A  distinguished  Span- 


ish poet  and  dramatist ;  u.  1562,  d.  1635, 

He  is  called  the  Spanish  "  Shakespeare." 

Lopllilis,  lo'fl-us.     A  gen.  of  acanthop- 


Fishing-frog  (L.  piscatorius). 

terygious  fishes,  fam.  Lophiidfe. 
Lophobrancbii,    lo-fo-brang'ki-l. 
fam.    of 


*==22^ 


liOphobranchii. 


fishes  cov- < 
ered  with 
s  mall 
plates  for 
scales. 
It  com-' 
prehends 
the  pipe- 
fishes. 

Lophoph.- 
orinae,  -fofo-rr'ne.  The  monauls,  asub- 
fam.  of  gallinaceous  birds  of  the  pheasant 
family. 

Lorciia,  lor'cha.  A  Chinese  sailing  ves- 
sel, carrying  guns,  built  after  the  Euro- 
pean model,  but  rigged  like  a  junk. 

Lord,  lord .  A  person  possessing  supreme 
power  and  authority  ;  a  monarch.  The 
Supreme  Being ;  Jehovah ;  also  applied 
to  Christ,  especially  in  the  expression, 
our  Lord.  Lord's  Supper  in  the  Christian 
Church,  the  sacrament  of  the  eucharist, 
so  named  because  it  was  instituted  by  our 
Saviour  when  he  took  his  last  meal  with 
his  disciples,  on  the  occasion  of  celebrating 
the  Passover.  Lords  temporal,  lay  peers 
who  have  seats  in  the  British  House  of 
Lords.  Lords  spiritual,  the  archbishops 
and  bishops  who  have  seats  in  the  House 
of  Lords.  House  of  Lords,  the  second 
branch  of  the  English  Legislature  or  Parlia-1 
ment. 

Lord-lieutenant,  lord'lu-ten-ant.  A 
British  official  of  high  rank,  representing 
the  sovereign. 

LiOrd's-day,  lordz'da.  The  first  day  of 
the  week ;  Sunday. 

Lorette,  lo-ret.  A  French  term  desig- 
nating a  class  of  women  of  light  character  ; 
a  member  of  the  demi-monde,  differing 
from  a  grisette  in  assuming  a  more  showy 
appearance,  living  va  higher  stylo  and  in 
doing  no  work. 


LORETTINE 


476 


LOWELL 


Xiorettine,  ret'In.  One  of  an  order  of 
nuns  founded  in  Kentucky  1812.  Called 
also  Sisters  of  Loretto,  or  iYiends  of  Mary 
at  the  Foot  of  the  Cross.  They  occupy 
themselves  with  education  and  the  care  of 
destitute!  orphans. 

liOrgrnette,  lor-nyet.    An  opera-glass. 

Lorikeet,  'i-ket.  The  general  name  of 
certain  small  Australian  parrots,  forming 
the  gen.  Trichoglossus,  remarkable  for 
their  extensible  tongue. 

Ijoris.  16'ris.  A 
gen.  of  quadru- 
m  a  n  o  u  s  mam- 
mals, allied  to  the 
lemurs. 

liOrraine.  For- 
merly an  indepen- 
dent duchy  on  the 
Rhine,  afterward 
absorbed    by  Loris. 

France  and  Ger- 
many, and  a  large  section  of  "which  now 
forms  a  part  of  the  united  province  of 
Alsace-Lorraine,  ceded  by  France  to  Ger- 
many after  the  war  of  1870-71. 

IiOry,  'ri.    An  oriental 
group      of      scansorial 
birds,   fam.    Psittacidse    s. 
or  parrots.      The  col 
lared    lory    is     easily^; 
taught  to  speak. 

liOthaire.  The  name 
of  two  German  emper- 
ors and  one  king  of  the 
Franks.      L.  I.,  b.  795, '^r,; 


».  855.     L.  II.,  B.  1075,  •  ,,ry^j 

son  of  Gebhard,  Count 

of    Arnsberg,     elected     Purple-capped 

over  Conrad  of  Franco-  Lory. 

nia,  1125;  D.  1137.    L., 

king  of  the  Franks ;  b.  941,  s.  his  father, 

Louis  d'Outremer,  954 ;  d.  986. 

liOtopliagi,  -tof'a-ji.  In  ancient  Greek 
legends,  the  name  of  the  people  who  lived 
on  the  fruit  of  the  lotus-tree.  They  re- 
ceived Ulysses  and  his  followers  hospit- 
ably, but  the  fruit  induced  such  happy 
languor  that  they  forgot  their  native  land, 
their  sole  object  being  to  live  in  delicious 
dreajny  idleness  in  Lotus-land. 

liOuis,  lo'e.  The  baptismal  name  of  a 
number  of  European  sovereigns,  of  whom 
5  were  emperors  of  Germany,  and  18 
kings  of  France. 

liOUisiana.  A  S.  State  of  the  American 
Union,  bounded  N.  by  Mississippi  and 
Arkansas,  E.  by  Mississippi,  S.  by  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  W.  by  Texas  ;  .admitted  1812  ; 
area  41.346  sq.  m.,  pop.  989,946.  Chief 
cities,  New  Orleans,  cap.,  Baton  Kouge, 


former  cap.,  Bayou  Sara,  Skreveport, 
Nachitoches  and  Algiers ;  principal ' 
rivers,  Mississippi,  Sabine,  Grand,  Red, 
Bayous  Teche  and  Calcasieu.  L.  se- 
ceded Jan.  25,  1861 ;  was  i-eadmitt^d  to 
the  Union  June  25,  1868. 

liOuis  Pllilippe.  The  last  king  of 
France,  son  of  L.  P.,  Due  d'Orleans,  b. 
1773,  elected  by  the  popular  vote  1830, 
driven  from  the  throne  and  country  1848, 
D.  in  England  1850. 

Louis-Q,uatorze,  -ka-torz.  A  style  of 
architecture  prevalent  in  France  in  the 
reign  of  Louis  XIV.  The  palace  oi  Ver- 
sailles and  the  east  front  of  the  Louvre 
are  prominent  examples  of  the  st3'le. 

Louse,  lous.  The  common  name  of  a 
gen.  (Pediculus),  of  apterous  insects,  par- 
asitic on  man  and  other  animals. 

Louisville.  The  chief  commercial  city 
of  Kentucky,  on  the  Ohio  River  at  the 
head  of  the  falls  ;  pop.  123,758. 

Lout,  lout.  An  awkward  fellow;  a 
bumpkin  ;  a  clown. 

Louvre,  1  o '  v  e  r . 
A  dome  or  turret. 

.  L.  window  in  a 
church  t  o  w  e  r , 
partially  closed  by 
sloping  bars  to  ex- 
clude the  rain, 
while  allowing  the 
sound  of  the  bell  to 
pass. 

Lover,  SamueL 
An  Irish  novelist 
and  poet,  b.  1797, 
D.  1868. 

Love-bird,  luv'- 
berd,  A  member 
of  a  gen.  (Psitta- 
cula)  belonging  to 
the  Psittacidse. 
They  are  a  beauti- 
ful group,  consist- 
ing of  very  diminutive  species. 

Love-child,  'child.  An  illegitimate  child. 

Love-day,  'da.  A  day  in  old  times  ap- 
pointed for  the  amicable  adjustment  of 
disputes  between  neighbors. 

Love-feast,  'fC-st.  A  feast  or  banquet 
(in  Gr.  agape)  in  the  primitive  ohin-ch,  at 
which  rich  and  poor  feasted  together,  and 
the  former  made  a  contribution  for  the  lat- 
ter. A  species  of  religious  ordinance  held 
by  the  Moravians  and  Methodists,  to 
which  members  alone  are  admitted ;  an 
imitation  of  the  agapa3. 

Lowell,  James  Russell.  A  dis- 
tinguished American  p^et  and  litterateur, 


Louvre. 


LOW-GEEMAiq- 


477 


LIIMBEICIDJE3 


B.  in  Mass.  1S19.  Appointed  Minister  to 
Spain  1877,  and  at  present  Minister  to 
Great  Britain. 

liOW-German,  16-jer'man.  The  lan- 
guage spoken  by  the  dwellers  in  the 
northern  and  Hatter  part  of  Germany,  in 
many  respects  nearer  to  Dutch  or  Fricsic 
than  to  lligh  German. 

Lioxiadae,  loks-T'a-de.  The  cross-bills,  a 
fam.  of  conirostral  birds,  of  Avhich  tie 
gen.  Loxia  is  the  type. 

Loxodon,  'o-don.  A  sub-gen.  of  ele- 
phants, living  and  fossil,  so  called  from 
the  rhomb- shaped  disks  of  the  worn  mo- 
lars. 

Loxodronxics,  -o-drom'iks.  The  art  of 
oblique  sailing  by  the  loxodromic  or 
rhumb,  which  always  makes  an  equal  an- 
gle with  every  meridian. 

IjOXOSOma,  -so'ma.  A  marine  polyzoon- 
like  animal,  a  connecting  form  between 
the  worms,  the  Polyzoa,  and  the  Brachio- 
poda. 

Loyola,  Igmatius  de,  St.  (Don  Inigo 
Lopez  de  liecalde).  The  distinguished 
flounder  of  the  order  of  Jesuits,  u.  in 
Spain  1491,  d.  1566,  canonized  1622. 

liozengre,  loz'enj 


In  Geom.  a  figure 
with  four  equal 
sides,  having  two 
acute  and  two  ob- 
tuse angles,  called 
popularly  a  dia- 
mond :  a  rhomb. 


Lozenge  Molding. 


L.  molding,  a  kind 
used  in  Norman  architecture,  of  different 
forms. 

liUCanidse,  lu-ku'ni-de.  The  stag-beetles, 
a  fam.  of  lamellicorn  coleopterous  insects, 
distinguished  by  the  very  large  and  pow- 
erful mandibles  with  which  the  males  are 
furnished. 

Liucan,  Marcus  AnneeusLucanus. 
An  eminent  Eoman  poet ;  b.  in  Spaiu  3S, 
put  to  death  by  the  emperor  Nero  65. 

Luce,  lus.  A  pike  fuU  grown ;  a  fish  used 
as  a  heraldic  bearing. 

Liuceme.  A  canton  of  Switzerland  ;  also 
,  the  name  of  its  capital,  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant manufacturing  centers  of  the  re- 
public, and  of  a  beautiful  lake  occupying 
almost  the  exact  center  of  Switzerland. 

Lucifer,  lu'si-fer.  The  morning  star; 
the  planet  Venus  when  she  appears  in  the 
morning  before  sunrise  ;  when  Venus  ap- 
pears in  the  evening,  she  is  called  Hesper- 
us, or  the  evening  star.  The  prince  of 
darkness ;  Satan.  A  match  ignitible  by 
friction. 

Lucif  erian,  -fc'ri-an.    One  of  a  sect  that 


followed  Lucifer,  bishop  of  Cagliari,  in  the 
4th  century,  opposed  to  the  Arians. 

Lucimeter,  -sim'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  the  intensity  of  the  light 
which  proceeds  from  ditterent  bodies  ;  a 
photometer. 

Lucina,  -si'na.  In  Eom.  Myth,  the  god- 
dess who  presided  over  tne  birth  of  chil- 
dren, said  to  have  been  the  daughter  of 
Jupiter  and  Juno,  but  frequently  con- 
founded with  Diana  and  Juno. 

Lucius.    The  name  of  three  popes. 

Lucknow.  A  city  of  Hindustan,  on  the 
Goomtee,  150  m.  N.  W.  of  Benares,  noted 
for  its  magnificent  architecture,  and  also 
for  the  famous  defense,  1S57,  of  4  months 
by  its  garrison  of  300  British  soldiers,  the 
besieging  sepoys  numbering  30,000  ;  pop. 
307,000. 

Lucule,  'kill.  In  Astron.  a  luminous  spot 
on  the  sun. 

LucTlllite,  -kul'lit.  A  sub-species  of 
hmestone,  often  polished  for  ornamental 
purposes. 

Ludlow  Kocks,  lud'16  roks.  In  Geol. 
a  portion  of  the  upper  Silurian  rocks,  200O 
feet  in  thickness. 

Lugrgrer , 

lug'er.  A  ves- 
sel carrying 
either  two  or 
three  masts 
with  a  run- 
ning bow- 
sprit and  lug- 
sails. 

Lu^worin, 
'werm.  A  n 
annelid,  ord. 
Errantia,  gen. 
Are  n  i  c  o  1  a , 
sometimes  &? 
foot  long.         '  ^ 

Luke,      St.  ^^^»^^- 

The  associate  of  St.  Paul,  and  author  of 
the  gospel  bearing  his  name,  also  of  the 
"Acts  of  the  Apostles."  Tradition  fixes 
his  birth-place  as  Antioch,  of  Gentile  par- 
entage, and  his  death  by  martyrdom  abt. 
90. 

Lumacliel,  lu'ma-kel.  A  calcareous 
stone  composed  of  shells  and  coral  con- 
glutinated.  When  red  colors  predominate 
it  is  called  fire-marble. 

Lumbrical,  lum'brik-al.  A  muscle  of 
the  fingers  and  toes,  resembling  a  worm. 

Luzabricidae,  -bris'i-de.  The  earth- 
worms, a  fam.  of  annehds,  ord.  Oligochae- 
ta,  comprising  only  the  gen.  Lumbricus. 


LUMPFISH 


478 


LTCUEGUS 


XiUxap£Lsh.,  lump'fish.  An  acanthop- 
terygijus  fish,  gen.  Cyclopterus,  fara. 
Discoboli,  so  named  from  the  cliuasiness 
of  its  form. 

liUna,  1  u'na.    The  moon. 

liunarian,  -na'ri-an.  An  inhabitant  of 
the  moon. 

liunation,  'shon.  The  period  of  a  syn- 
odic revolution  of  the  moon,  or  the  time 
from  one  new  moon  to  the  following. 

Lunette,  lii-net'.  In  Fort,  a  work  in  the 
form  of  a  redan  with  flanks.  In  Farriery, 
a  half  horseshoe.  In  Arch,  an  aperture 
for  the  admission  of  light  in  a  concave 
ceiling.  A  watch-glass,  flattened  in  the 
center ;  also,  a  convexo-concave  lens  for 
spectacles. 

Iiung",  lung.  In  Anat.  one  of  the  two 
organs  of  respiration  in  air-breathing  ani- 
mals, situated  one  on  each  side  of  the 
chest,  and  separated  by  the  heart  and 
larger  blood-vessels. 

Iiupercal,  lu-per'kal.  One  of  the  most 
ancient  of  Roman  feasts,  celebrated  in  the 
middle  of  February  in  honor  of  Lupercus. 

liUpulin,  'pii-lin.  The  peculiar  bitter 
aromatic  principle  of  the  hop.  Called  also 
Lupulite.  T^ie  fine  yellow  powder  of 
hops,  which  contains  the  bitter  principle. 

Liupus,  'pus.  A  southern  constellation : 
the  Wolf. 

Lusiad,  'si-ad.  The  celebrated  Portu- 
guese epic  poem,  written  by  Camoens,  on 
the  establishment  of  the  Portuguese  gov- 
ernment in  India,  pubhshed  1571. 

Lustration,  lus-tra'shon.  In  Class. 
Antiq.  the  sacrifices  or  ceremonies  by 
which  cities,  armies  or  people  defiled  by 
crimes  were  purified. 

Lustrum,  lus'tcum.  A  lus- 
tration or  purification ;  partic- 
ularly, the  purification  of  the 
Avhole  Eoman  people  per- 
formed at  the  end  of  every 
fivej^ears.  Hence,  the  space  of 
five  years,  or  fifty  completed 
months,  among  the  ancient 
liomans. 

Lusus  naturae,  lii'sus  na- 
tu'ro.  A  monster,  or  any- 
thing unnatural  in  the  phys- 
ical world. 

Lute,  lut.  A  stringed  mu- 
sical instrument  of  the  guitar 
kind,  formerly  very  popular 
in  Europe.  The  strings  are 
struck  by  the  fingers  of  the  right  hand 
and  stopped  oa  the  frets  by  those  of  the 
left. 


Lute. 


Lutetia,  iQ-te'shi-a.  A  small  planet  be- 
tween  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 

Luther,  Martin.  The  great  German 
reformer;   b.  at  Eisleben  1488,  d.  1546. 

Lutheranism,  'ther-an-izm.  The  doc- 
trine of  religion  taught  by  Martin  Luther, 
the  chief  characteristic  of  which  is  con- 
substantiation,  or  the  doctrine  that  the 
body  of  Christ  is  present  in  the  eucharist. 

Luth.em,  'thern.  In  Arch,  a  dormer  or 
garret  window. 

Lutzen.  A  small  town  of  Saxony,  Prus- 
sia, 12  m.  8.  W.  of  Leipzig,  noted  for  its 
proximity  to  the  scene  of  the  great  vic- 
tory, 1632,  of  the  Swedes  under  Gustavus 
Adolphus  over  the  Imperialists,  under 
Wallen stein;  also,  1813,  of  the  defeat  of 
the  Eusso-Prussians  by  Napoleon. 

Luxembourg",  Francois  Henri  de 
Montmorenci.  One  of  the  greatest 
of  French  generals  ;  b.  1628,  d.  1696.  He 
successively  defeated  the  Spanish  in  the 
Low  Countries,  the  combined  forces  of 
Austria,  Holland  and  Spain,  and  the  En- 
glish. 

Luxemburg:.  A  grand  duchy,  a  de- 
pendency of  Holland  governed  by  a 
butch  viceroy;  area  990  sq.  m.,  pop. 
208,736.  Also,  a  Belgian  province, 
formerly  attached  to  the  ^rand  duchy, 
area  1,695  sq.  m.,  pop.  223,800.  L.,  cap. 
of  grand  duchy,  on  the  Akette,  22  m. 
S.  W.  of  Treves,  anciently  of  considera- 
ble importance  in  a  military  sense,  but 
now  dismantled  ;  pop.  15,370. 

Luzon  (Lucon).  The  priLcipal  island 
of  the  Philippine  group,  belonging  to 
Spain  ;  area  56,000  sq.  m.;  pop.  2,317,000. 
Manilla  is  the  cap, 

Lyceum,  lI-sG'um.  In  Greece,  a  place 
near  the  river  Ilissus,  where  Aristotle 
taught  philosophy.  A  house  or  apart- 
ment appropriated  to  instruction  by  lec- 
tures or  disquisitions.  An  association  for 
literary  improvement.  A  school  for  the 
higher  education  preparatory  to  the  uni- 
versity. 

Lycbnobite,  lik'no-bit.  One  who  la- 
bors or  transacts  business  by  night,  and 
sleeps  by  day. 

Lycodon,  ll'ko-don.  A  gen.  of  slow- 
moving  innocuous  serpents  found  in  S. 
Africa. 

LycurgTls.  A  distinguished  Spartan 
statesman,  known  as  the  "Lawgiver,"  re- 
puted son  of  King  Eunomus  ;  b.  abt.  800 
B.  0.,  but  no  record  of  his  death  has  been 
found.  He  refused  the  crown,  ti-aveled 
extensively,  and  on  returning  to  Spax-ta 
framed  his  famous  code  of  laws. 


LYE 


4T9 


MAC 


liye.  Water  impregnated  with  alkaline 
&ult  imbibed  from  the  ashes  of  wood  ;  any 
solntiou  of  un  alkali. 

Lyell.  Charles,  Sir.  An  eminent 
S.'otti>h  pcolotrist,  B.  1797,  ».  1S78. 

Lyencephala,  -en-sef'a-la.  A  primary 
divisioii  of  mammals,  according  to  Owcii, 
compri.'-ing  the  Monotremata  and  Mar- 
snpialla. 

Lymnsea,  lim-ne'a.  A  ^en.  of  pulmonif- 
eroiis  gusteropodous  mollusca,  the  pond- 
snails. 

Lymnite,  'nit.  A  fossil  fresh-water  snail. 

liympliad,  'fad.  An  ancient  ship  with 
one  mast.  The  feudal  ensign  of  the  lord- 
ship of  Lome,  and  borne  by  the  family  of 
Argyll  and  others  of  the  clan  Campbell. 

Lynch-law,  linsh'la.  Tlie  practice  of 
piinisliing  men  for  "crimes  or  olTensea 
by  private  unauthorized  persons  \Wthout 
a  legal  trial,  said  to  have  been  so  called 
from  a  Virginian  farmer  named  Lynch, 
who  took  the  law  into  his  own  hands  by 
capturing  a  thief,  tying  him  to  a  tree  and 
flogging  him. 


European  Lynx, 
tamed  and  trained  for  hnnting.    A  north- 
ern constellation  directly  in  front  of  Ursa 
Major. 


Lyon.  Cap.  of  dept.  of  EhOne,  France,  and 
an  important  manufacturing  center,  at  the 
junction  of  the  lihone  and  Saone,  17i5  m. 
N.  ^Y.  of  Marseilles  ;  pop.  abt.  852.000. 

Lyra,  iT'ra.  The  Lyre,  a  constellation  ol 
the  northern  hem- 
isphere, surround- 
ed by  Cygnus, 
Aquila,  Hercules 
and  the  head  of 
Dracx). 

Lyre,  llr.  One  of 
the  most  ancient  1 
stringed  instru- 
ments, used  by  the 
Egyptians,  Asfjt- 
ians  and  Greeks.      Egyptian,  Assyrian 

Lyre-bird.    A     and  Greek  Lyres, 
bird    not^d    for     having 
sixteen  tail  feathers    ar- 
ranged in  the  form  of  a 
lyre. 

Lysander.  A  distin-  ' 
guished  Spartan  states- 
man and  general ;  b.  abt. 
446  B.  c,  killed  in  battle 
against  the  Thebans  395. 
He  conquered  Athens, 
and  founded  the  oligar- 
chy known  as  the  reign 
of  the  Thirty  Tyrants. 

Lytton,  Lord.  (Edward 
George  Earle  Lytton  Bui-      Lyre-bird. 
wer-Lvtton.)     A   distinguished   English 
novelist;  b.  1805,  d.  1874. 

Lyssa,  lis'sa.  The  madness  of  a  dog; 
hydrophobia. 

Lythe,  ITth.  The  coal-fish  or  whiting 
pollack  at  its  4th  year. 


M 


MIS  the  13th  letter  and  10th  consonant 
of  the  alphabet,  a^d  one  of  the  origin- 
al Indo-European  consonants.  It  repre- 
sents a  labial  and  nasal  articulation,  and 
the  sound  is  quite  uniform,  being  always 
that  heard  in  man,  time,  rim.  It  is  never 
silent  in  English  words  proper,  though  in  a 
few  words  from  foreign  sources  it  is  not 
80unded,mncmonic  (from  the  Greek)being 
one  of  the  tew  examples.  M  as  anumcral 
stands  for  1000,  with  a  dash  or  stroke  over 
it,  for  1,000,000.  It  stands  in  abbrevia- 
tions for  various  Avords ;  as  A.  M.  or  M. 
A.  for  Artium  Magister,  Master  of  Arts ; 
M.  D.  for  MedicinsD  Doctor,  Doctor  of 
Medicine;  A.  M.  for  Anno  Mundi,  the 
year  of  the  world  ;  MS.  for  manuscript, 
MSS.  for  manuscripts ;  M.  P.,  Member  of 


Parliament,  &c.  M  was  formerly  a  brand 
or  stigma  impressed  on  one  convicted  of 
manslaughter  and  admitted  to  the  benefit 
of  clcrg)% 

Maash.a,  ma-ash'a.  An  E.  Indian  coin, 
a  little  more  than  the  10th  part  of  a  rupee 
in  weight. 

Mab,  mab.  A  mjrthical  personage,  often 
represented  as  the  queen  of  the  fairies, 
though  otherwise  Tltania  holds  that  posi> 
tion. 

Mabby,  'bi.  A  spirituous  liquor  distilled 
from  potatoes  in  Barbadoes. 

Mac,  mak.  A  Gaelic  word  signifying  son, 
jind  prefixed  to  many  surnames,  as  Mao 
Donald,  Mac  Gregor,  &c.  It  is  also  syn- 
onymous >vith  Fitz  in  names  of  Norman 


MACACU8 


480 


MACMAHOIf 


origin,  with  O  in  Irish,  and  with  Ab  or 
Ap  in  Welsh  names. 
Macacus,  ma-ka'kus.    A  gen.   of  mon- 
keys, j.rioup  Cercopithecina,  characterized 
by  short  tails  and   prominent  eyebrows. 
M.  limus  is  the  Barbary  ape  or  magot,  the 
only  monkey  found  in  Europe. 
Macao.     A  Portuguese  seaport,  on  the 
Chinese  island  of  Kwang-tung,  W.  of  the 
estuary  of  the  Canton  Elver,  84  m.  S.  W. 
of  Canton;  [lop.  88,726. 
Macaroni,   mak-a-rr>'ni.      A  dough  of 
iine  wheaten  Hour  made  into  tubular  or 
pipe  form,  a  favorite  food  among  the  Ital- 
ians.    A  fop  ;  an  exquisite  ;  a  dandy.  The 
8hoi-t  period  that  the  macaronies  led  the 
fashion  dates  from  1770  to  about  1775. 
Macaroon,  -run'.    A  small  sweetcake. 
Macaiilay,  Thomas     Babington, 
Lord.     An  eminent  English  historian, 
jurist  and  essayist,  b.  ISOO,  d.  1 
Macaw,  ma-ka'.    One 
of  a  gen.  (Macrocercus) 
of    the    parrot    tribe. 
They  are  magnificent 
birds,  of  different  col-: 
ors.  ! 

Macbeth.  A  Scottish 
Thane  who  assassinat- 
ed King  Duncan,  1049, 
and  usurped  the 
throne ;  b.  1002  :  killed 
in  battle  by  Macduff, 
1057.  Macaw. 

Maccabees,  mak'ka-bcz.  In  Scrip, 
name  of  two  books  treating  of  Jewish  his- 
torv  under  the  Maccabeean  princes, 
Included  in  the  Apocrypha,  and  accounted 
canonical  by  the  It.  C.  Church. 
Maccabees.  A  line  of  Hebrew  priests 
and  kings,  who  after  driving  the  Syrians 
from  Judea,  157  b.  c,  ruled  abt.  126j^ears. 
The  founder  was  Mattathias,  who  was  s. 
by  his  three  sons,  Judas  (surnamed  Mac- 
cabeus), from  whom  the  line  was  named, 
Jonathan  and  Simon ;  Hyrcanus,  son  of 
Bimon,  and  Aristobulus,  his  son  and 
successor,  assumed  the  title  of  king  ;  he 
was  s.  by  his  brother  Alexander  Jannaeus. 
The  latter's  sons,  Hyrcanus  and  Aristobu- 
lus, involved  the  country  in  civil  war,  and 
the  dynasty  ended  with  Antigonus,  son 
of  Aristobulus  II.,  with  the  Eoman  con- 
quest. He  left  two  children,  Aristobulus 
and  Mariamne,  but  the  family  became  ex- 
tinct on  the  death  of  the  lattei-. 
Maccouba,  'ko-ba.  A  snuff  flavored 
with  attar  of  roses.  Spelled  also  Macco- 
boy. 
Macchiavelli,  Niccolo.     An  Italian 


the 


statesman  noted  for  political  cunning  and 
artifice  ;  k.  1469,  v.  1527. 

MacClellan,  George  Brinton.  An 
American  general,  b.  in  Penn.  1826.  He 
was  madecommandcr-in-chief  of  the  Fed- 
eral army,  June  21,  1861,  and  relieved 
Nov.  6,  1862.  In  1864  ho  was  the  unsuc- 
cessful candidate  of  the  Democrats  for  the 
Presidency,  but  was  elected  Governor  of 
N.  J.,  1877. 

MacDowell.  Irwin.  An  American 
general,  b.  in  O.  1818,  d.  1882.  lie  com- 
manded the  Federal  troops  at  the  first  bat- 
tle of  Bull  Ilun. 


Ancient  War-maces. 


It  was  a  favorite  weapon  with  knights, 
with  the  cavalry  immediately  succeeding 
them,  and  at  all  times  with  fighting 
priests,  whom  a  canon  of  the  Church  for- 
bade to  wield  the  sword.  An  ornamented 
stafl^^of  copper,  silver  or  other  metal,  re- 
sembling the  warlike  instrument,  borne 
before  magistrates  and  other  persons  in 
authority.  The  heavier  rod  used  in  bil- 
liards. A  currier's  mallet. 
Mace-bearer,  'bar-er.  A  person  who 
carries  a  mace  before  public  functionaries. 
Macedonian,  mas-e-do'ni-an.  A  fol- 
lower of  Macedonius,  bishop  of  Constan- 
tinople, who,  in  the  4th  century,  denied 
the  distinct  existence  and  godhead  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  which  he  conceived  to  be 
merely  a  divine  energy  diffused  through 
the  universe. 

Machete,  ma-cha'ta.  A  Spanish  imple- 
ment, resembling  a  large  chopping  knife 
or  cutlass,  used  for  cutting  canes,  corn, 
vines,  &c. 

Mackenzie  River.  A  large  stream  in 
British  N.  America,  emptying  into  M. 
Gulf,  an  arm  of  the  Arctic  Ocean :  total 
length  2,500  m. 

Mackerel-midgre,  -mij.  Motella  or 
Couchia  glauca,  a  minute  fish  little  more 
than  1  inch  in  length. 
Mackintosh,  'in-tosh.  An  overcoat, 
rendei-ed  waterproof  by  a  solution  of 
india-rubber. 

Mackintosh,  James,  Sir.    A  British 
statesman  and  litterateur  :  b.  in  Scotland, 
1766 ;  D.  1832. 
MacMahon,  Marie  Edme  Patrice 


MACMILLANITE 


431 


MAELSTROM 


Maurice.  A  Frenck  marshal  of  Irish 
descent;  r..  ISOS,  d.  1SS3.  He  won  dis- 
tinction in  Ali^iers,  the  Crimea  and  the 
vrar  with  Germany,  ISTO-Tl,  but  was  de- 
feated at  Worth;'  made  commander-in- 
chief  on  the  establishment  of  the  republic, 
and  elected  president  to  s.  M.  Thiers, 
1873,  resigning  ISTU. 

Xffacmillanite,  -mil'an-Tt.  One  of  a 
body  also  known  as  the  Keformed  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Scotland. 

Macon,  mii-con'.     A  red  French  wine. 

MacPherson,  James  Birdseye. 
An  American  general;  a.  in  O.,  1828; 
killed  in  a  reconnoissance  near  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  July  22,  1864. 

Macrobiotidee,  'ro-bI-ot"i-de.  A  family 
of  minute  vermiform  Arachnida,  without 
respiratory  organs,  known  to  microsco- 
pists  as  sloth  or  bear  animalcules,  or  water- 
bears.  The  most  singular  circumstance 
connected  with  them  is  their  power  of 
returning  to  life,  like  rotifers,  when  moist- 
ened, after  having  been  for  a  considerable 
time  in  a  dry  and  apparently  lifeless  state. 

Macrocercus,  -ro-ser'kus.  A  gen.  of 
birds,  Psittacidse  or  parrot  fam. ;  the 
macaws. 

Macrocosm,  'ro-kozm.  The  great 
world  ;  the  universe,  or  the  visible  system 
ofAvorlds;  opposed  to  microcosm,  or  the 
little  world  constituted  by  man. 

Macrodactyli,  -ro-dak'ti-lT.  A  fam.  of 
birds,  ord.  Grallatores,  comprising  the 
coot,  rail,  water-hen,  the  jacana,  «fcc. 

Macrometer,  -rom'et-er.  A  mathemat- 
ical instrument  to  measure  inaccessible 
heights  and  objects. 

Macropus.  'ro-pus.  A  gen.  of  marsupial 
mammals,  the  t}'peof  the  fam.  Macropod- 
idai ;  the  kangaroos. 

Macrotone,  -ton.  In  Gram,  a  horizontal 
line  placed  over  vowels  to  show  that  they 
have  their  long  or  name  sound  ;  as,  a  in 
name,  c  in  me,  i  in  line,  6  in  home,  ii  in 
t&be. 

Macrura,  -r^'ra.  A  fam.  of  stalk -eyed 
decapod  crustaceans,  including  the  lob- 
ster, prawn,  shi-imp. 

Mactation,  -ta'shon.  The  act  of  killing 
a  victim  for  sacrifice. 

Madagascar.  A  large  island  off  the 
8.  E.  coast  of  Africa,  in  the  Indian  Ocean ; 
area,  234,400  sq.  m. ;  pop.  abt.  6,000,000. 
Cap.  Tantanarivo. 

Madeira,  ma-de'ra.  A  rich  wine  made 
on  the  isle  of  Madeira. 

Madeira.  A  Portuguese  island  off  the 
N.  W.  coast  of  Africa ;  pop.  123,760.    Cap. 


Funchal.  M.  (or  Gayari),  a  large  river  of 
S.  America,  emotying  into  the  Amazon  ; 
length  2,000  m.  * 

Madeira-nut,  -nut.  A  species  of  wal- 
nut  with  a  thin  shell,  from  the  island  of 
Madeira. 

Mademoiselle,  mad-mwa-zel.  The  title 
given  to  a  yoimg  unmarried  lady  in  France^ 
miss. 

Madison,  James.  Fourth  President 
of  the  U.  S.  ;  u.  in  Va.,  1751;  d.  1836. 
He  was  president  two  terms,  1808-16. 

Madjoun,  'jun.  An  intoxicating  drug, 
made  by  the  Turks  from  the  pistils  of  the 
flowers  of  the  hemp  plant,  ground  and 
mixed  in  honey,  with  powdered  cloves, 
nutmegs  and  saffron. 

Madonna,  ma-don'a.  An  Italian  term 
of  address  equivalent  to  Madam.  It  is 
given  specifically  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  and 
hence  pictures  representing  the  Virgin 
are  generally  called  madonnas. 

Madoqua,  mad'o-kwa.  A  very  tiny  an- 
telope of  Abyssinia,  about  as  large  as  a 
rabbit,  Avith  legs  the  thickness  of  a  lady's 
finger. 

Madras.  One  of  the  three  presidencies 
of  British  India,  comprising  most  of  the 
great  peninsula  of  Hindustan  and  di\ided 
into  21  districts;  it  has  over  1,700  m.  of  sea- 
coast,  but  not  a  single  good  harbor ;  pop. 
abt.  26,000,000.  M.,  cap.  and  principal 
city,  is  on  the  Coromandel  coast,  870  m. 
S.  W.  of  Calcutta  ;  pop.  740,528. 

Madrepore,  're-pore.  A  coral-bnildlng 
I)olype,  gen.  ^;  "I; cpora,  the  type  of  the 
fam.  Madreporid«.  The  tertn,  however, 
is  more  generally  applied  to  the  polypidom 
itself  than  to  the  polype,  and  in  this  sense 
is  equivalent  to  coral.  Madrepores  raise 
up  walls  and  reefs  of  coral  rocks  with 
astonishing  rapidity  in  tropical  climates. 
The  term  is  often  applied  to  other  branch- 
ing corals  than  those  of  the  gen.  Madre- 
pora. 

Madrid.  Cap.  of  Spain,  on  the  Manza- 
nares  River,  40  m.  N.  E.  of  Toledo  :  pop. 
439,720. 

Madrig-al,  'ri-gal.  A  little  amorous 
poem.  Also  an  elaborate  vocal  composi- 
tion now  commonly  of  two  or  more  move- 
ments, and  in  five  or  six  parts. 

Madrilenian,  ri-le'ni-an.  A  native  or 
inhabitant  of  Madrid,  Spain. 

Maelstrom,  mal'strom.  A  celebrated 
Avhirlpool  on  the  coast  of  Norway,  near 
the  island  of  Moskoe.  It  is  very  dangftr- 
OU8  in  winter,  and  at  times  rages  violent- 
ly, so  as  to  be  heard  several  miles,  and  to 
ingulf  small  vessels  -which  approach  it. 


MAGDALEN 


482 


MAHABHARATA 


Mag'daleil,  mag'da-len.  A  reformed 
prostitute  ;  an  inmate  of  a  female  peniten- 
tiiiry.  M.  hospital  or  asylum,  an  estab- 
lishment into  which  prostitutes  are  re- 
ceived with  a  view  to  their  reformation. 

Mag-deburg:.  A  strongly  fortified  and 
important  commercial  city  of  W.  Prus- 
sia ;  poj).  S3,fcKJ0. 

Ma,g:eilan,  Fernando.  A  Portuguese 
navigator,  Avho,  1520,  discovered  and 
pa-ssed  through  the  Straits  of  M.  into  the 
Pacific  ;  b.  1470,  killed  by  the  natives  of 
the  Philippine  Islands  1521.  Straits  ofM., 
the  channel  dividing  S.  America  from 
Tierra  del  Fuego,  connecting  the  Atlantic 
and  Pacific  oceans ;  800  m.  long  ;  the  tide 
rises  50  feet  in  the  straits. 

Mag-griore,  Lake  (liocarna).  A  lake, 
40  by  8  m.,  in  X.  Italy  ami  S.  Switzer- 
land.' Its  islands  and  coast  scenery  are 
most  romantic. 

Mag-enta,  ma-jen'ta.  A  brilliant  blue- 
red  color  derived  from  coal  tar.  Called 
also  Fuchsine. 

Mag-grot,  mag'ot.  The  larva  of  a  fly  or 
other  insect ;  a  grub  ;  a  worm. 

Magi,  ma'ji.  The  caste  of  priests  among 
the  ancient  Medes  and  Persians ;  hence, 
holy  men  or  sages  of  the  East. 

Magic  Lantern. 
An  optical  instrument 
which  exhibits  images 
considerably  magni- 
fied. 

Magilp,  ma-gilp'.  A 
gelatinous    compound  _ 

used  by  artists  as  a  ve-   ^^^  Lantern, 
hide    for  colors,  pro- 
duced by  mixing  linseed-oil  and  mastic 
varnish. 

Magister,  -jis'ter.  Master  ;  sir  ;  an  ap- 
pellation given  in  the  middle  ages  to  per- 
sons of  scientific  or  literary  distinction, 
equivalent  to  the  modern  title  of  Doctor. 

Magna  Charta,  mag'na  kar'ta.  The 
great  charter  of  tbe  liberties  (Magna  Char- 
ta  Libertatum)  of  England,  signed  and 
sealed  by  King  John  in  a  conference  be- 
tween him  and  his  barons  at  Kunnymede, 
June  19, 1215.  Any  fundamental  consti- 
tution which  guarantees  rights  and  priv- 
ileges. 

Magnate,  'nat.  One  of  the  nobility  or 
persons  of  rank  forming  the  House  of 
Magnates  in  the  National  representation 
of  Hungary,  A  person  of  rank  or  distinc- 
tion. 

Magnesium,  -ng'ehi-um.  The  metallic 
base  of  magnesia.    It  maybe  obtained  bv 


decomposing  chloride  of  magnesium  by 
means  of  potassium.  The  chief  salts  are 
the  carbonate,  the  chloride,  the  sulphate 
(Epsom-salt),  the  phosphates  and  tha 
siHcates,  among  ivhich  are  such  minerals 
as  chrysolite,  meerschaum,  soapstone 
and  serpentine. 

Magnet,  'net.  Loadstone; 
an  ore  of  iron  which  has 
the  peculiar  properties  of 
attracting  metallic  iron,  of 
pointing  to  the  magnetic 
poles  of  the  earth  when  freely- 
suspended,  and  of  dipping  or 
inclining  in  a  perpendicular 
Ijlane  on  being  removed  from 
the  equator.  These  it  com- 
municates to  iron  or  steel  by 
contact.  A  bar  or  mass  of  iron 
or  steel  to  which  the  peculiar 
properties  of  the  loadstone  have  been  im- 
parted, an  artificial  magnet. 

Magnetite,  -it.  A  black  oxide  of  iron, 
which  sometimes  possesses  polarity,  ana 
is  highly  magnetic  ;  magnetic  iron  ore. 

Magnificat,  -nifi-kat.  The  song  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  Luke  i.,  46 — so  cail«d  be- 
cause it  conimences  Avith  this  word  in  the 
Latin  A^ulgate. 

Magnifico,  -ko.  A  grandee  of  Yenice. 
A  rector  of  a  German  university. 

Magpie,  'pi.  A 
well-known  Brit- 
ish bird,  the  Pica 
caudata,  type  of 
the  gen.  Pica,  be- 
longing to  tho 
Corvidf©  or  crow 
fam.  Celebrated 
for      crafty      in-  Maenie 

stincts,   power  of  -magpie, 

imitating  words,  and  the  propensity  to 
purloin  and  secrete  glittejing  articles. 

Magpie-moth,  -moth.  Lorene  prossu-  / 
lariata,  fam.  Geometridse,  otten  called  the' 
gooseberry -moth. 

Magus,  ma'gus.  A  Magian  ;  one  of  the 
Magi  or  ancient  Oriental  philosophers. 

"^SLgySLT,  magVar.  One  of  an  Asiatic  race 
which  invaded  Hungary  about  the  end  of 
the  9tli  century,  and  fettled  there,  where 
it  still  forms  the  predominant  race.  The 
native  tongue  of  Hungary.  It  belongs  to 
the  Ugrian  family  of  the  Turanian  or 
agglutinate  class  of  tongues. 

Mahabh.arata,    ma-ha-bha'ra-ta.    The 
name  of  one  of  the  two  great  epic  poems 
of  ancient    India,    the    other   being  the    ., 
Ramayana.    It  is  founded  on,  and  con- 
tains a  history  of,  the  contest  for  suprem- 


MAHADEVA 


MAKI 


acy  between  the  two  great  regal  families 
of" North  India — the  Pandavas  and  Kurus 
or  Kauravas — ending  in  the  victory  of  the 
former.  In  realit}',  however,  this  narra- 
tive occupies  but  a  fourth  of  the  poem, 
the  remainder  being  episodical  and  added 
at  various  times.  The  Mahabharata  thus 
becomes  a  sort  of  encyclopaedia,  embrac- 
ing everything  which  it  concerned  a  culti- 
vated Ilindu  to  know. 
Jffahadeva,  -de'va.  A  name  of  Siva, 
one  of  the  Indian  deities,  from  which  the 
sacred  Ganges  is  fabled  to  have  sprung. 
Maharajah,  -ha-ra'ja.  The  title  as- 
sumed by  some  E.  Indian  princes. 
Maharmah,  -hiir'ma.  A  muslin  wrap- 
per worn  over  the  head  and  across  the 
mouth  and  chin  by  Tm-kish  and  Arme- 
nian ladies  when  they  appear  abroad, 
Mahmoud.  The  name  of  two  Turkish 
Sultans.  M.  II.,  B.  17S5,  s.  his  brother 
Mustapha  IV.,  ISOS,  d.  1S39.  During  his 
reign  the  Janissaries  revolted  and  were 
exterminated,  1S26,  and  the  independence 
of  Greece  was  secured  through  the  alli- 
ance of  Russia,  France  and  England,  the 
principal  battle  being  the  naval  engage- 
ment at  Navarino,  1S27. 
Mahout,  -hot.  In  the  E.  Indies,  an  ele- 
phant driver  or  keejjer. 
Mahratta.  rat'ta.  One  of  a  race  of  Hin- 
dus inhabiting  Central  India,  suj)pose.d  to 
have  migrated  or  to  have  been  pushed 
thither  from  the  north. 
Maiden,  mad'n.  An 
ancient  English  instru- 
ment of  capital  punish- 
ment, somewhat  re- 
sembling the  guillotine. 
Maigrre-food,  mu'gr- 
fod.  Food  permitted 
to  lioman  Catholics  on 
fast-days. 

Mail,    mal.      Armor ; 
a    defensive    covering' 
forwaiTiors,  and  some- 
times  their 
steeds.  A  suit 
of  armor  com- 
prehended   a 
coat  of  mail, 

Ma  i  1  e  d  -    Chain-mail.       King-mail. 
cheeks,  mald'chcks.     The  Sclerogenida* 
or  Triglida^  a  fam.  of  acauthopteryjrious 
fishes,   having  large  bones  in  the  head. 
Bull-heads  are  members  of  this  family. 

Main.  (Maine  or  Mayn).  A  considerable 
river  of  Central  Germany,  emptying  into 
the  Ehine  opposite  Mentz ;  length  300  m. 


Maine.  A  state  of  the  American  Union, 
bounded  N.  by  the  Dominion,  E.  by  the 
Atlantic,  W.  by  Vermont,  S.  by  Massa- 
chusetts and  the  Atlantic,  admitted  1820: 
area,  31,766  sq.  m. ;  pop.  eiS,98G.  Chief 
cities,  Augusta,  cap.,  Portland,  Bath,  Ban- 
gor, Saco,  Eockland  and  Belfast.  Princi- 
pal rivers,  Kennebec,  Penobscot,  St. 
Croix,  Sebasticook,  Saco  and  Androscog- 
gin. Lakes,  Moosehead,  Grand,  Schoodic, 
Umbagog  and  Chesuncook. 
The  Green  Mountains  ex- 
tend along  the  W.  and  H. 
boundaries. 

Maistree,  mfis'tre.  In 
the  E.  Indies,  a  native  do- 
mestic carpenter. 

Maize,  maz.  Indian  corn, 
the  Zea  Mays  of  botanists, 
a  monoecious  grass. 

Maizena,  -G'na.  The 
starch  prepared  f  r  o  m 
maize  ;  corn-flour. 

Majesty,  maj'es-ti.  A  title  Maize, 
of  emperors,  kings  and  queens.  Most 
Catholic  M.,  the  title  of  the  kings  of  Spain. 
Most  Christian  M.,  a  title  borne  by  the 
former  kings  of  France.  Most  Faithful  M., 
the  title  of  the  kings  of  Portugal, 

Majolica,  ma-jol'i-ka.  A  kind  of  earth 
used  for  making  dishes,  vases,  &c. ;  also 
the  ware  itself,  resembling  porcelain. 
Called  also  faience. 

Major,  ma'jer.  Milit.,  an  officer  next  in 
rank  above  a  captaui  and  below  a  lieuten- 
ant-colonel ;  the  lowest  field  officer. 

Major-domo,  -jer-dO'mo.  A  man  who 
takes  charge  of  the  management  of  a 
household  ;  a  steward ;  also,  a  chief  minis- 
ter or  great  officer  of  a  palace. 

Major-greneral,  -jen'er-al.  A  military 
officer  next  in  rank  below  a  lieutenant- 
general. 

Majuscule,  ma-jus'kul.  In  Diplomatics, 
a  capital  letter  ;  opposed  to  minuscule.  M. 
writing, writing  composed  entirely  of  capi- 
tal letters,  as  In  old  Latin  manuscripts. 

Maki,  ma'- 
ki.  A  sub- 
division of 
the  Linnsean 
gen.  Lemur, , 
including  the  i 
macaco,  the 
mongoozand 
thovari.  The 
ring -tailed 
maki(L.Cat- 
ta)  is  of  the 
size  of  a  cat.  Eing-taUed  Maki, 


MALACCA 


4S4 


MAMELUKES 


Malacca.  A  British  settlement  and 
military  station  on  tho  W.  coast  of  the 
Malay  peninsula ;  pop.  abt.  60,000.  Straits 
of  M.,  the  channel  between  Sumatra  and 

.  tho  Malay  peninsula. 

Malaclai.  In  Scrip,  a  prophet  supposed 
to  have  lived  abt.  425  u.  c,  tho  book  which 
bears  his  name  being-  tho  last  of  tho  pro- 
]ihetic  utterances  before  the  appearance 
of  John  the  Baptist,  the  immediate  fore- 
runner and  contemporary  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Malachite,  mal'a-kit.  A  carbonate  of 
coi)])er  found  in  solid  masses  of  a  beauti- 
ful green  color.  It  takes  a  good  polish 
and  is  manufactured  into  toys.  Blue 
malachite  or  azurite  contains  a  larger  pro- 
portion of  carbonic  acid. 

Malacolog-y,  mal-a-kol'o-ji.  The  science 
of  molluscous  or  soft-bodied  animals, 
including  the  knowledge  of  such  animals, 
whether  i>rotected  by  shells  or  entirely 
naked,  and  their  distribution  into  classes, 
sub-classes,  orders,  families,  genera  and 
.species. 

Malacostraca,  -kos'tra-ka.  The  higher 
division  of  the  Crustacea,  including  the 
shrimps,  lobsters,  crabs,  &.C.,  together 
with  the  wood-lice  and  sand-hoppers. 

Malagra.  A  Spanish  seaport  on  the  Medi- 
terranean, cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name, 
noted  for  its  fruits  and  wine;  pop.  43,000. 

Malapterurus,  ma-lap'te-ru-rus.  A 
gen.  of  small  malacopterygious  fishes, 
sec.  Abdominales,  fam.  Siluridoe,  pos- 
sessed of  a  high  degree  of  electrical  power. 

Malay,  ma-la'.  One  of  the  five  principal 
divisions  of  mankind  according  to  Blu- 
menbach.  They  occupy  the  countries  and 
islands  between  China  and  Hindustan. 

Malay  Archipelago  (Eastern  or 
Indian).  A  great  number  of  islands  in 
the  China  Sea,  Indian  and  Pacific  Oceans, 
divided  into  5  sections,  and  including 
Java,  Sumatra,  Borneo,  the  Phihppines, 
with  hundreds  of  less  size  and  importance; 
total  pop.  estimated  at  8,000,000. 

Malay  Peninsula.  A  long  and  narrow 
section  of  Farther  India,  S.  E.  Asia, 
bounded  E.  by  the  Gulf  of  Siam  and  China 
Sea  and  "W.  by  the  Bay  of  Bengal  and 
Strait  of  Malacca;  pop.  228,400. 

Malibran,  Maria  Felicia.  An  emi- 
nent French  vocalist ;  b.  1808,  t>.  1836. 

Malignant,  -lig'nant.  In  English  Hist, 
one  of  the  adherents  of  Charles  I.  and  his 
son  in  their  struggle  against  Parliament; 
a  Cavalier  ;  so  called  by  tho  Boundheads, 
or  opposite  party. 

Malingerer,  -ling'ger-er.  MiUt.,  a 
soldier  who  feigns  hunself  sick. 


Mall,  mal.  A  public  work ;  a  level 
shaded  walk. 

Mallard,  'lard.    The  common  wild  duck. 

Malleaceae,  -iG-a'se-G.  A  fam.  of  lamel-« 
libranchiate  mollusks,  of  which  the  gen. 
Malleus  is  the  type,  regarded  by  some  as 
a  sub-fam.  of  the  Aviculidai  or  pearl-oys- 
ters. 

Malleation,  -le-a'shon .  The  .act  of  beat- 
ing into  a  plate  or  leaf,  as  a  metal ;  exten- 
sion by  beating. 

Mallet,  'let.    A  wooden  hammer. 

Mallophaga.  -of'a-ga.  An  ord.  of  mi- 
nute apterous  insects,  parasitic  on  birds; 
bird-lice. 

Malmsey,  mam'zi.  A  kind  of  gr.apo  ; 
.also,  a  sweet  white  wine  made  in  Madeira 
of  grapes  which  have  been  allowed  to 
shrivel  upon  tho  vine 

Malt,  malt.  Grain,  usually  b.arlcy, 
steeped  in  water  and  made  to  germinate, 
after  which  it  is  dried  in  a  kiln,  and  then 
used  in  the  brewing  of  porter,  ale  or  beer, 
and  in  whisky  distilling.  Liquor  pro- 
duced from  m.alt ;  beer. 

Malta.  An  English  island  in  tho  Medi- 
terranean, which  with  Gozo  adjacent 
covers  an  area  of  115  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  abt. 
170,000.  M.  is  tho  chief  British  station  in 
S.  Europe,  and  is  both  naturally  and  arti- 
ficially one  of  the  strongest  places  in  the 
world.  It  is  noted  for  its  numerous 
sieges,  that  by  the  Turks,  1565,  when 
held  by  the  Knights  of  St.  John  of  Jeru- 
salem, costing  the  besiegers  tho  lives  of 
50,000  men, 

Malte-Brun,  Conrad.  An  eminent 
geographer ;  b.  in  Jutland  1775,  d.  a  citi- 
zen of  France,  1826. 

Maltha,  mal'tha.  A  variety  of  bitumen, 
intermediate  betvfeen  Uquid  petroleum 
and  solid  asphalt. 

Malthus,  Thomas  Robert.  An 
Enghsh  clergyman  and  political  econo- 
mist ;  B.  1766,  n.  1834.  He  held  that  pop- 
ulation increased  faster  than  the  necessa- 
ries of  life,  and  opposed  early  marriages. 

Malt-kiln,  malt'kil.  A  heated  chambet 
in  which  malt  i's  dried  to  check  the  ger 
mination  after  steeping. 

Maltose,  '6s.  Sugar  produced  from 
starch  paste  by  the  action  of  malt  or 
diastase,  having  the  same  composition  as 
glucose. 

Malurinse,  mal-ii-rl'ne.  A  sub-fam.  at 
dentirostral  insessorial  birds,  of  which  tlw» 
gen.  Malurus  is  the  type  ;  the  soft-tailea 
warblers. 

Mamelukes,  The.    Male  slaves  orlg- 


MAMMALIA 


MANCnOO 


Inally  brought  from  Circassia  by  Egyp- 
tiau  Sultans,  who  rose  in  125S,  assas- 
sinated Turan  Shah,  thfl  Sultan,  and 
ruled  the  country  for  a  period  of  263 
years.  Their  power  was  broken  by  Selini 
I.  Mfthemet  All  completely  destroyed 
their  power,  ISll,  by  treacherously 
slaughtering  470  of  their  leaders. 

Maxnraalia,  mam-ma'li-a.  The  highest 
class  in  the  animal  kingdom,  whose  dis- 
tinctive characteristic  is  that  the  female 
buckles  her  young  on  a  secretion,  pecu- 
liar to  the  class,  fiu-nished  by  the  mam- 
mary glands  of  the  mother,  and  kno\vii  as 
milk.    ' 

Mammeliere,  -mel-yar.  In 
Anc.  Armor,  one  of  two  cir- 
cular plates  fastened  to  the 
surcoat  right  above  the  breasts . 
To  these  the  helmet,  sword,  or 
dagger  w!is  secured  by  a  chain. 

JSIammifer,  'mi-fer.    An  an  ' 
imal   which  has    breapte    for 
nourishing  its  young ;  a  mam-   Mammel- 
"^al-  i6res. 

Maminillary,  'mil-arri.  In  Geol. 
ground  btudded  with  roiMidsd  breast 
shaped  projections. 

Mammon,  'in on,  Tho  Syrisu  god  of 
riches,  mentioned  in  the  New  Testament 
as  a  person  iHcation  of  worldlinesa. 

MamLm.oth.,  'moth.  An  extinct  spe- 
cies of  elephant,  Elephas  primigeniu?.  Ft 
was  covered  with  hair  of  three  sorts,  one 
of  these  stiff  like  bristles,  a  foot  in  length, 
another  coarse  and  flexible,  and  the  third 
a  kind  of  wool.  An  entire  carcass  which 
had  been  preserved  in  the  ice  was  discov- 
ered near  the  close  of  the  last  century  on 
the  banks  of  the  Lena,  Siberia,  in  such  a 
perfect  state  that  its  flesh  was  eaten  by 
dogs,  wolves  and  bears.  If  was  9  feet 
high,  about  16  feet  in  length,  the  tusks 
were  9  feet  long.  This  is  the  only  in- 
stance of  a  fossil  animal  preserved  onture. 

Mammoth  Cave.  The  largest  natural 
excavation  known,  in  Edmonson  Co.,  Ky., 
130  m.  S.  W.  of  Le.xington.  It  has  been 
explored  for  a  distance  of  10  tc  12  m. 

Man,  man.  An  individual  of  the  human 
race ;  a  human  being.  Pai-ticularly,  a 
male  adult  of  the  human  race,  as  distin- 
guished from  a  woman  or  a  boy,  Blumen- 
bach  divides  mankind  into  five  varieties  : 
Caucasian,  skin  white  ;  Mongolian,  olive ; 
Ethiopian,  skin  and  eyes  black ;  American, 
skin  of  a  red  tint :  Malay,  varying  from  a 
light  tawny  to  a  deep  brown,  Huxley  di- 
vides man"^into  five  groups— Australioid, 
Negroid,  Mongoloid  and  the  Xanthoclu:oio 


and  Melanochroic  (fair  and  dark  whites), 

but  omits  several  races. 
Man,  Isle  of.     A  British  Island  oflF  the 

W.  coast,  and  almost  directly  opposite  the 

boundary  between  Wales  and  Scotland ; 

area,  2S0  sq,  m. ;  pop,   abt.   150,000,  cap. 

Castletown,      It  is  governed  by  its  own 

legislature,  called  the  House  of  Keys. 
Manacle,  'a-kl.  An  instrument  of  iron  for 

fastening  the  hands;  handcuft's  ;  shackles. 
Manakin,  -kin.    The  name  given  to  tha 

deutirostral  insessorial  birds  forming  the 

subfam.  PipriniC.      They  are  generally 

small  and  of  brilliant  plumage. 
Man-ape,  Tip.    An  anthropoid  ape,  as 

the  gorilla,  chimpanzee,  orang-outang  and 

gibbon. 
Manatee, 

-a-tc.      The- 

sea-cow,     a 

gregar  ions 

aquatic 

mammal 

gen,    Mana- 

tus,  ord.  Si-  Manatew. 

renia,  allied  to  the  Cetacea. 
Manby's  Apparatus,  'biz  ap-pa-ra" 

tus.    An  apparatus  by  which  a  shot,  with 

a  line  or  chain  attached  to  it,  is  thrown  by 

a  mortar  over  a  stranded  vessel. 
Manche,  -sha'.    An  E.  Indi.nn  boat  with 


Manche. 


masts  raking  forward,  flat  bottom  an* 
light  draft. 

Manchester.  One  of  tho  L'\q?t  impor 
tan t  manufacturing  cities  o'  r.npland,ip 
Lancaster  Co.,  on  the  Irwpll,  lo3  m.  N. 
W.  of  London  ;  pop.  842,680. 

Manchoo, -chii'  A  nativeofManchoo- 
ria.  China  ;  on'  cf  tW  reigning  dyna«t>  i» 
Chiiia.    The  coui  i  lsLn<juage  of  China 


MANGO  CAPAC 


486 


ALOTLIUS 


^MEanco  Capac.  The  first  Peruvian  inca» 
'believed  to  have  lived  abt.  1,000.  He 
established  the  worship  of  the  siui.  A 
second  inca  of  same  name  was  cruelly  put 
to  death  by  Pizarro,  1544. 
Mandarin,  da-ren-.  The  name  given 
by  Europeans  to  any  Chinese  magistrate 
or  official,  ci\il  or  military.  The  Chinese 
equivalent  is  kvvan,  which  means  literally 
public  servant.  M.  duck,  a  beautiful  spe- 
cies, native  of  China,  and  regai-ded  as  an 
emblem  of  conjugal  affection. 
Mandibulate,  -dib'u-liit.  One  of  a  sec. 
of  insects,  including  all  which  retain  the 
organs  of  mastication  in  their  last  or  pei*- 
fect  stage  of  metamorphosis. 
Mandlestone,  'dl-ston.  Amygdaloid ; 
stones  or  rocks  which  have  kernels  envel- 
oped in  a  matrix. 

Mandoline,  'do-lin.  A  musical  instru- 
ment of  the  guitar  kind.  A  plectrum  is 
used  in  the  right  hand,  the  fingers  of  the 
left  stopping  the  strings  on  the  fretted 
finger-board. 

Mandrel,  drel.  In  Mach.  a  straight  bar 
of  iron  on  which  an  article  having  a  hole 
through  it  is  fitted  to  bo  turned.  The 
name  is  also  given  to  any  straight  bar  upon 
which  a  tube  or  ring  Is  welded,  and  to  a  plug 
around  which  metal  and  glass  are  cast. 

Mandrill,  dril.  A  species  of  monkey ; 
the  great  blue-faced  or  rib-nosed  baboon, 
the  Cynocephalus  Maimon  or  Mormon, 
the  largest,  most  formidable,  ferocious 
and  hideous  of  baboons.  They  are  na 
tives  of  the  W.  coast  of  Africa,  where  they 
associate  in  large  troops,  and  plunder  vil- 
lages and  cultivated  fields  ^vith  impunity. 

Manducus,  -du'kus.  In  Greek  and 
Itom.  Antiq.  a  ludicrous  masked  figure 
representing  a  person  chewing,  used  in 
processions,  and  in  comedies  to  create 
merriment. 

Manegre,  ma-nazh'.  A  school  for  train- 
ing horses  and  teaching  horsemanship ; 
also  the  art  of  breaking,  training  and  rid- 
ing horses. 

Manes,  'nez.  The  gods  of  the  lower 
world ;  the  benevolent  infernal  deities ; 
the  ghosts,  shades  or  souls  of  deceased 
persons ;  the  deified  shades  of  the  dead. 

Mangraby,  man  ga-bi.  A  monkey  (Cer- 
copithecus  fuliginosus),  with  naked  white 
eyelids,  belonging  to  the  group  of  guen 
ons  ,  the  white-eyed  monkey. 

Mang'anese.  gan-ez.  A  metal  of  a 
dusky  white  or  whitish-gray  color,  very 
hard  and  difficult  to  fuse.  Oneof  its  ores, 
black  wadd,  is  remarkable  for  spontaneous 
inflammation  Avhen  mixed  with  oil. 


Mang-anite, -It.  Oneof  the  ores  of  man. 
ganesc,  the  hydrated  sesquioxide,  used  in 
the  manufacture  of  glass. 
Manhattan  Island.  The  island  on 
which  New  York  Citj'  is  principally  locat- 
ed, at  the  junction  of  the  Hudson  and  East 
Rivers  Avith  Now  York  Bay,  and  cut  off 
from  the  mainland  by  Harlem  Iliver  and 
Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek ;  abt  8  m.  in 
length,  with  a  maximum  breadth  of  abt. 
2  m. 

Manichean,  -i-ke'an.  One  of  a  sect  in 
Persia,  founded  in  the  Sd  century  by 
Manes  or  Manichaeus,  who  maintained 
that  there  are  two  supreme  j)rinciples,  the 
one  good,  the  other  evil,  which  produce 
all  the  happiness  and  calamities  of  the 
world. 

Manichord,  'i-kord.  A  musical  instru- 
ment in  the  foi-m  of  a  spinet,  whose 
strings,  like  those  of  the  clarichord,  are 
covered  with  cloth  to  soften  their  sounds; 
also  called  the  dumb  spinet. 

Manidae,  -dG.  A  family  of  edentate 
mammals,  including  only  the  scaly  ant- 
eaters  or  pangoluis. 

Manikin,  'i-kin.  A  little  man  ;  a  dwarf. 
An  artificial  anatomical  preparation,  made 
with  pasteboard,  plastei%  &c.,  exhibiting 
all  parts  of  the  bod}',  upon  which  surgeons 
practice  ;  called  also  a  Phantom. 

Manilio,  ma-nil'i-6.  A  ring  or  bracelet 
worn  in  Africa  as  an  ornament  for  the  arm 
or  leg.  A  piece  of  copper  shaped  like  a 
horseshoe,  passing  as  money  on  the  W. 
coast  of  AJrica. 

Manilla.  Cap.  of  the  Phihppine  islands, 
on  the  island  of  Luzon  ;  pop.  116,8T0. 

Manin,  Daniele.  A  distinguished  Ital- 
ian  patriot ;  b.  in  Venice,  1804 ;  d.  in  ex- 
ile at  Paris,  1859. 

Maniple,  man'i-pl.  In  Roman  Antiq.  a 
company  consisting  of  sixty  common  sol- 
diers, two  centurions  and  a  standard- 
bearer.  In  the  R.  C.  and  some  other 
Episcopal  churches,  one  of  the  sacred 
vestments  assumed  by  the  bishop  after  the 
Confiteor  in  the  mass,  and  by  a  priest 
after  the  stole  and  before  the  chasuble. 

Manitou,  man'i-to.  Among  certain  of 
the  American  Indians,  a  name  given  to 
whatever  is  an  object  of  religious  awe  or 
reverence,  whether  a  good  or  evil  spirit  or 
a  fetish.  Two  manitous  or  spirits  are 
spoken  of  by  pre-eminence — the  one  tho 
spirit  of  good,  the  other  the  spirit  of  evil. 

Manlius.  The  name  of  three  distin- 
guished Romans.  Marcus  M.  Capitolinus, 
consul  in  892  b.  c,  successfslly  defended 
the  city  against  the  Gauls  under  Brennua, 


MA'NIS 


4S7 


MAEANATHA 


African  Manis. 


but  was  afterward  charged  with  treason 
by  tho  ])atricians  and  executed,  331.  Titus 
M.  Capitolinus  Torquatus,  tribune  in  859, 
dictator  in  353  and  again  in  34:9  r..  c. 
While  consul,  840,  he  defeated  the  Latins, 
and  condemned  his  own  son  to  death  for 
disobedience  of  orders ;  d.  334.  Titus  M. 
Q'orquatus,  consul  235  b.  c,  andagain  224; 
signally  defeated  the  Carthaginians  215, 
and  was  made  dictator  208  ^D.  202- 

Manis,  ma'nis. 
A  gen.  of  eden- 
tiite    mammals 

covered      with 

triangular  •  i^; 
scales    -with  ^-^/ 
sharp  edges,  U^! 
ov  erlapping  ^'"^ 
each  other; 
also  called  Scaly 
Lizards,     Scaly 
Ant-eaters,     or 
Pangolins. 

Mann,  Horace.  An  eminent  American 
statesman  and  philanthropist ;  b.  in  Mass., 
1796 ;  D.  1859. 

Manna.  In  Scrip,  a  substance  miracu- 
lously furnished  as  food  for  the  Israelites 
in  their  journey  through  the  wilderness 
of  Arabia.  "What  the  substance  was  is 
unknown.  In  Phar.  the  sweet  concrete 
juice  obtained  from  a  species  of  ash, 
Fraxinus  Ornus. 

Mannheim.  Gold,  'him  gold.  A  brass 
containing  80  parts  copper  and  20  zinc, 
used  by  jewelers  to  imitate  gold. 

Mannite,  'it.  A  variety  of  sugar  ob- 
tained from  manna.  It  is  also  found  in 
the  juices  of  several  species  of  cherry  and 
apple,  in  various  mushrooms,  in  some 
roots,  such  as  that  of  celery,  in  the  fer- 
mented juice  of  beet-root,  carrots,  onions, 
&c.,  and  in  some  sea-weeds. 

Manometer,  ma-nom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment to  measure  the  alterations  in  the 
rarity  or  density  of  the  air  or  of  any  gas. 

Manta,  man'ta.  A  flat  fish,  very  trouble- 
some to  pearl-fishers. 

Manticor,  'ti-kor.  In  Her.  a  monster 
with  the  face  of  a  man,  the  body  of  a  lion 
or  tiger,  long  spiral  horns  and  the  tail  of  a 
scorpion.     A  large  monkey  or  baboon. 

Mantilla,  -til'la.  A  woman's  head-cov- 
ering, which  may  be  used  as  a  veil,  worn 
in  Spain  and  the  Spanish  colonies.  Alight 
cloak  or  covering  thrown  over  the  dress 
of  a  lady. 

Mantis-crab,  -krab.  A  name  given  to 
Crustacea,  gen.  Squilla. 

Manton,  'ton.    The  name  given  to  fowl- 


Praving-mantis. 


ing- pieces  made  by  the  late  Joseph  Mantoa 
of  London,  a  renowned  maker. 
M  antis, . 
'tis.  A' 
gen .  of 
o  r  t  h  o  p- 
terous  in- 
sects, re- 
m  arkable 
for    their 

grotesque  forms.  M.  religiosa,  or  praying- 
mantis,  has  received  its  name  froni  the 
peculiar  position  of  the  anterior  pair  of 
legs,  resembling  that  of  a  person's  hands 
at  prayer. 

Mantra,  'tra.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a  charm, 
incantation,  prayer,  invocation. 

Mantua.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name, 
>s.  Italy,  strongly  fortified,  and  noted  as 
a  strategic  center  ;  pop.  abt.  80,000. 

Manumission,  -u-mi'shon.  The  act  of 
liberating  a  slave  from  bondage  ;  eman- 
cipation. 

Manumotor,  'u-mo-ter.  A  small  wheel- 
carriage  so  constructed  that  a  person  sit- 
ting in  it  may  move  it  in  any  direction  ;  a 
carriage  for  exercise. 

Manx,  mangks.  Tho  native  language  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Isle  of  Man.  It 
belongs  to  the  Gadhelic  branch  of  the 
Celtic  tongues,  allied  to  the  Irish  and 
Gaehc. 

Maori,  ma'o-ri.  One  of  the  native  in- 
habitants of  New  Zealand. 

Map,  map.  A  representation  of  the  sur- 
face of  the  enrth  or  any  part  of  it,  or  of 
the  whole  or  any  part  of  the  celestial 
sphere,  usually  drawn  on  paper  or  other 
material. 

Map-mounter,  'mount-er.  A  work- 
man who  backs  maps  with  canvas,  var- 
nishes them,  fixes  them  on  rollers,  &c. 

Mara,  mii'ra.  In  Norse  Myth,  a  demon 
who  torments  men  with  frightful  visions. 
A  Pategonian  rodent,  the  cavj'. 

Marabou-stork,  -ra-bo'stork.  The 
name  given  to  two  species  of  storks,  the 
delicate  white  feathers  beneath  the  wing 
and  tail  of  which  form  the  marabou- 
feathers. 

Marabout,  -bot'.  In  N.  Africa,  among 
the  Berbers,  one  of  a  body  of  saints  or 
sorcerers  held  in  high  estimation. 

Maracaibo.  A  seaport  of  Venezuela, 
800  m.  W.  of  Caracas  ;  pop.  24,876. 

Marai,  ma-nl'.  A  sacred  Inclosure  or 
temple  among  the  islanders  of  the  Pacific 
Ocean. 

Maranatba,   mar-a-nii'tha.    The  Lord 


MAEASCHIKO 


488 


MAEGRAVE 


comes  or  has  come  :  a  word  used  by  the 
apostle  Paul  in  expressing  a  curse. 

Maraschino,  -as-ke'no.  A  delicate 
spirit  distilled  from  cherries. 

Marat,  Jean  Paul.  A  notorious 
Trench  demagogue  and  Jacobin  leader ; 
ti.  1744,  assassinated  by  Charlotte  Corday 
July,  1793. 

Marathon.  Avillage  of  Greece  on  the 
E.  coast  of  Attica,  20  m.  N.  E.  of  Athens, 
famous  for  the  signal  victory  of  Miltiades 
over  the  Persians  under  Xerxes,  400  b.  o. 

Marble,  mfir'bl.  The  popular  name  for 
any  species  of  calcareous  stone  or  mine- 
ral, of  a  compact  textm-e,  and  of  a  beauti- 
ful appearance,  susceptible  of  a  good  pol- 
ish. It  is  really  hmestone,  or  a  stone 
which  may  be  calcined  to  lime,  a  carbon- 
ate of  lime;  but  limestone  is  a  more  gen- 
eral name,  comprehending  calcareous 
stones  of  an  inferior  texture.  Arun- 
del or  Arundelian  marbles,  a  collection  of 
ancient  sculptured  marbles,  purchased  by 
Sir  William  Petty  at  Smyrna  in  1624  for 
the  Earl  of  Arundel,  whose  grandson  pre- 
sented it  to  the  University  of  Oxford. 
The  most  curious  and  interesting  portion 
is  called  the  Parian  Chronicle,  from  having 
been  kept  in  the  islands  of  Paros.  In  its 
perfect  state  the  inscription  contained  a 
chronicle  of  the  principal  events  in  Gre- 
cian history  from  the  tune  of  the  mythical 
or  semi-mythical  Cecrops  (1582  b.  c.)  to  the 
archonship  of  Diognetus  (264  b.  c),  but 
part  of  it  is  lost,  and  what  remains  is 
much  corroded  and  defaced.  Elgin  mar- 
bles, a  splendid  collection  of  92  basso-ri- 
lievos  and  fragments  of  statuary  brought 
from  the  Parthenon  at  Athens  to  Eng- 
land by  Lord  Elgin  in  1814,  afterward 
purchased  by  the  government,  and  now 
in  the  British  Museum. 

Marble-cutter,  -kut-er.  One  who 
works  in  marble ;  an  instrument  or  ma- 
chine for  cutting  marble. 

Marc,  mark.  The  refuse  matter  which 
remains  after  the  pressure  of  fruit,  as  of 
grapes,  olives,  &e. 

Marcellus,  Marcus  Claudius.  A 
distinguished  Eoman  ;  b.  257  B,  c,  d. 
194.  Elected  Consul  222,  and  praetor  216. 
He  checked  the  victorious  march  of  Hanni- 
bal, captured  Syi-acuse  212,  and  defeated 
Hannibal  at  Canusium  209. 

March,  march.  The  third  month  of  the 
year.  A  frontier  or  boundary  of  a  terri- 
tory ;  a  border  ;  especially  applied  to  the 
boundaries  between  England  and  Scot- 
land and  England  and  Wales,  with  the 
country  adjacent. 


Marcher,  march'er.  The  lord  or  officer 
who  defended  the  marches  or  borders  of 
a  territory.  The  lords  marchers  of  Eng- 
land were  noblemen  who  lived  on  the 
marches  of  Wales  and  Scotland. 

Marchioness,  mar'shun-es.  The  Tvife 
or  widow  of  a  marquis  ;  a  female  having 
the  rank  and  dignity  of  a  marquis. 

Marcionite,  ''shi-on-lt.  A  folio \ver  of 
Marcion,  a  Gnostic  of  the  2d  century,  Avho 
adopted  the  Oriental  notion  of  the  two 
conflicting  principles  of  good  and  evil,  and 
imagined  that  between  these  there  existed 
a  third  i)ower,  neither  wholly  good  nor 
wholly  evil,  the  creator  of  the  Avorld  and 
the  God  of  the  Jewish  dispensation. 

Marcobrunner,  -ko-brun'er.  A  cele- 
brated Ehine  wine 

Marcosian,  'zi-an.  A  disciple  of  Mar- 
cus, an  Egyptian,  a  judaizing  Christian, 
about  the  2d  century.' 

Marcus  Aurelius  Antoninus.  On  e 
of  the  ablest  Roman  emperors ;  b.  121,  s. 
Antoninus  Pise,  161,  his  associate  being 
Lucius  Yerus.  He  was  given  the  title 
"Germanicus"  Ibr  his  successes  over 
the  barbarians  beyond  the  Danube;  d. 
ISO.  The  Christians  were  greatly  perse- 
cuted during  his  reign,  but  it  is  claimed 
that  he  was  not  responsible  for  this. 

Marcy,  "William  L.  A  distinguished 
American  statesman  ;  B.  in  Mass.,  1786  ; 
I).  1857.  His  mature  life  was  spent  In 
New  York,  of  which  State  he  was  gov- 
ernor 8  times,  and  was  also  Secretary  of 
War  in  President  Polk's  Cabinet,  1845, 
and  Secretary  of  State  in  President 
Pierc.(v',s  Cnbinet,  1858-57. 

Mare,  mar.  The  female  of  the  horse  or 
of  other  species  of  the  gen.  Equus. 

Mareca,  mar'c-ka.  A  gen.  of  palmiped 
birds,  containing  the  widgeon. 

Mareng-o.  A  village  of  N.  Italy,  3  m. 
S.  E.  of  the  city  of  Alessandria,  noted  as 
the  scene  of  the  memorable  victory,  June 
14,  1800,  by  Napoleon  over  the  Austrians 
under  General  Milas. 

Margrarin,  mar'ga-rin.  A  peculiar  pearl- 
like t.ibstanco  extracted  from  hog's  lard 
and  certain  vegetable  oils. 

Marg-aritaceae,  -ri-ta"sc-e.  A  fam.  of 
lameUibranchiate  mollusca  containing 
many  genera  of  much  interest ;  the  pearl- 
-oysters. 

Margray,  'ga.  A  Brazilian  animal  of  the 
cat  kind,  the  Felis  M.  or  F.  tigi-ina. 

Margrave,  'grav.  Originally,  hke  mar- 
quis, a  lord  or  keeper  of  the' marches  or 
borders ;  now  a  title  of  nobility  in  Ger- 
mans.  &c. 


MARGEATINE 


MARQTTI3 


Margraviiie,  'gra-vln.  The  -wife  of  a 
margrave. 

Mariana.  Juan  da.  An  eminent 
Spanish  historian  ;  b.  1536,  D.  1623. 

Marid,  ma'rid.  In  Mohammedan  Myth. 
an  evil  jinnee  or  demon  of  tho  most 
powerful  class. 

ISffarigTaph.,  marl-graf.  A  machine,  of 
French  invention,  for  registering  the 
height  of  tides,  &c. 

Marikin,  -kin.  The  Jacchus  rosalia,  a 
small  S.  American  monkey,  with  fine 
silky  hair,  and  furnished  with  a  mane. 
Also  called  the  Silky  Tamarui. 

Mario.  G-tdseppe  (Marquis  of 
Candia).  An  eminent  Italian  vocalist ; 
B.  lc?08, 1).  1SS2. 

Mariolatry,  ma-ri-ol'a-tri.  Tho  adora- 
tion of  the  Virgin  Mary. 

Marion,  Francis.  An  American  par- 
tisan general  in  the  Revolutionary  War ;  b. 
in  S.  C,  1732,  d.  1795. 

Marionette,  mar'i-on-et".  A  pnppet 
moved  by  strings. 

Mariput,  -put.  The  zoril,  an  animal  of 
tho  gen.  Yiverra,  a  species  of  civet. 

Mark,  St.  (MarcusV  One  of  the  four 
Evangelist.5,  son  of  Marv,  a  devout  Chris- 
tian woman  of  Jerusalem.  He  accom- 
panied Paul  and  Barnabas  on  their  mis- 
sionary tour,  and  according  to  tradition 
visited  Egypt  and  W.  Africa,  sultering 
martyrdom  abt.  60  or  62. 

Markab,  mar'kab.  A  star  of  the  sec- 
ond magnitude  in  the  northern  constella- 
tion Pegasus. 

Market-cross,  'ket-kros.  A  cross  set 
up  where  a  market  is  held.  Most  market 
towns  in  England  and  Scotland  had,  in 
early  times,  one  of  these,  sometimes  of 
elaborate  construction. 

Marlborong-h,  John  Churchill, 
Duke  of.  The  ablest  general  of  his  age; 
B.  in  England  1650,  d.  1722, 

Marl-stone,  marl'ston.  Sandy,  calcare- 
ous and  ferruginous  strata  which  divide 
the  upper  from  the  lower  lias  clays. 

Marmora,  Sea  of.  A  small  body  of 
water  between  Europe  and  Asia,  con- 
nected with  the  Black  Sea  by  the  Bos- 
phorus,  and  with  the  -^Cgean  Sea  by  the 
Dardanelles  ;  length  185  m.,  width  45  m. 

Marmoratum,  mar-mo-ra'tum.  A  ce- 
ment formed  of  pounded  marble  and  lime 
mortar,  used  by  the  ancients. 

Mazmortinto,  'mor-tin-to.  A  process 
employed  to  decorate  walls,  ceilings,  &c., 
la  UuitatioQ  of  marble. 


Marmot. 


MarmosG, 
miir'mos.     A 
marsupial 
quadruped  re- 
sembling   tho 
opossum,  but 
smaller,  being  ^ 
only  about  six    -»i^ 
inches     in    -^5^3?«S|'^*«:^ 
length    exclu- 
sive  of  tho  tail.  Marmose. 

Marmoset,  'mo-zct.  A  small  American' 
monkey,  gen.  Jacchus, 

Marraot,  'mot. 
A  rodent  quad- 
rup  e  d,  gen. 
A  r  c  t  o  m  y  s  , 
classed  with  the , 
Muridae  or  with , 
the  Sciuridffl.  A. 
monax  is  the 
groundhog  or 
woodchuck. 

Maronite,  mu'ron-It.  A  follower  of 
Maron,  an  inhabitant  of  Lebanon  in  Syria. 
The  sect  originated  in  the  6th  century, 
and  held  at  first  the  opinions  of  the  Mo- 
nothelites,  though  they  now  deny  holding 
them.  Since  the  12th  century  they  have 
several  times  submitted  to  tlie  popo  and 
joined  tho  K.  C.  Church,  without,  how- 
ever, giving  tip  their  peculiarities. 

Maroon,  ma-r<'n.  A  name  given  to  fu- 
gitive slaves  in  the  W.  Indian  Islands 
and  Guiana.  A  bright  white  light  used 
for  signals  in  the  £.  Indies,  A  brownish- 
crimson  or  claret  color.  A  rocket  having 
the  case  bound  ^v-ith  tarred  twine,  so  that 
it  explodes  wth  a  great  noise. 

Marque,  mark.  A  license  or  commis- 
sion to  make  reprisals  on  the  belongings 
of  a  public  enemy,  usually  in  the  phrase 
letters  of  marque  and  reprisal.  European 
nations  agreed  to  abohsh  them  in  1856, 
but  the  U.  8.  refused  to  do  so.  Called 
also  Letters  of  Mark,  Letters  of  Mart. 

Marquee,  mar-ko.  An  officer's  field  tent. 
Any  large  tent  or  wooden  structure 
erected  for  a  temporary  purpose. 

Marquis,  'kwis. 
Originally,  an  oflacer 
whose  duty  was  to 
guard  tho  marches  or  i 
frontiers  f  the  king- 
dom ;  now  a  title  of 
dignit}'  in  Bribiin  next 
in  rank  to  that  of  duke, 
the  second  of  the  five  Coronet  of  a  Mar* 
orders  of  nobility.  Cor-  quia, 

rt^sjjonding  titles  exist 
in  Trance,  lULy  and  Germany.    The  wife 


MARQUETET 


MARTINI-HENRY  RIFLE 


of  a  marquis  is  styled  marchioness.  The 
coronet  of  a  marquis  consists  of  a  circle  of 
gold,  with  four  strawberry  leaves  and  four 
balls  or  pearls  on  its  edge ;  the  cap  crimson 
velvet,  with  a  gold  tassel  on  the  top, 
turned  up  with  ermine. 

Marquetry,  'ket-ri.  Inlaid  work,  con- 
sistinjiT  of  tiiin  pieces  of  fine  woods  of  dif- 
ferent colors,  or  colored  marbles,  precious 
stones,  shells,  ivory,  &c.,  arranged  so  a^ 
to  form  various  figures. 

Marquisate,  -at.  The  seigniory,  dig- 
nity or  lordship  of  a  marquis. 

Marrow,  mar'o.  The  fat  contained  in 
the  osseous  tubes  and  cells  of  the  bones. 
M.  controversy,  a  famous  controversy  in 
the  Church  of  Scotland  the  remote  cause 
of  the  formation  of  the  Secession  Church. 
It  was  so  called  from  a  book  called  "  The 
Marrow  of  Modern  Divinity,"  condemned 
by  the  General  Assembly  (1720)  as  being 
tainted  with  antinomianism. 

Mars,  miirz 
A  Latin  dei- 
ty, identified 
at    an    early 

Eeriod  by  the 
latins  them- 
selves with 
the  Greek 
Ares.  He  was 
the  god  of 
war,  and  as 
such  bore  the 
epithet  Gradi- 
vus ;  he  was 
also  the  pa- 
tron of  agri- 
culture,which 
procured  him 
the  title  of  Sil- 
vanus  ;  and  as  the  patron  of  the  state  he 
was  called  Quirinus.  Mars  is  generally 
represented  as  of  youthful  but  powerful 
figure,  armed  with  the  helmet,  shield  and 
spear.  At  other  times  he  is  bearded  and 
heavily  armed.  The  planet  which  comes 
next  to  the  earth  in  order  of  distance  from 
the  sun. 

Marseilles.  A  S.  French  seaport,  the 
most  important  commercial  city  on  the 
Mediterranean,  on  the  Gulf  of  Lyons,  60  m. 
N.  W.  of  Toulon  ;  pop.  325,780. 

Marseillaise,  mar-sa-yaz.  The  national 
song  of  the  French  Republic,  written  in 
1792  by  Rouget  de  I'Isle,  an  officer  in  the 
garrison  atStrasburg, 

Marshal,  'shal.  Originally,  an  officer 
who  had  the  care  of  horses  ;  a  groom.  La 
ter,  the  chief  officer  of  arms,  whose  duty 
was  to  regukte  combats  in  the  lists.    One 


who  regulates  rank  and  order  at  a  feast  or 
any  other  assembly,  directs  the  order  of 

Erocession  and  the  like.  In  France,  the 
ighest  military  officer.  In  other  coun- 
tries of  Europe  a  military  officer  of  high 
rank,  and  called  field-marshal.  In  the 
U.  8.  a  federal  civil  officer  in  each  judicial 
district,  answering  to  the  sherift'of  a  coun- 
ty. Earl  M.  of  England,  the  eighth  officer 
of  state,  made  hereditary  by  Charles  II.  in 
the  family  of  Howard,  duke  of  Norfolk. 
Provost  M.,  a  military  officer,  exercising 
civil  authority. 

Marshall,  John.  An  eminent  Ameri- 
can jurist,  15.  in  Va.  1755,  d.  1885.  He 
was  for  34  years  Chief  Justice  of  the  U. 
8.  Supreme  Court. 

Marsh-harrier,     m  arsh'ha-ri-er , 
Bi'itish  bird  of  prey,  gen.  Circus. 

Marsipotaranchii,  mar-sip'6-brang"- 
ki-I.  The  order  comprising  the  hag-fishes 
and  sea-lampreys. 

Marsupialia,  -sii'- 
pi-a"U-a.      A   group      ly^  i^^^mi^z:^,^^ 
of  mammalia,  differ-     -f*'<-'^^«ii»>.-:t»«ss 

ing  from  all  others  in 

their      organization. 

The    kangaroo    and 

opossum  are  familiar 

examples. 
Marsupiuna,  -um. 

The  poucii  in  which 

marsupial  mammals 

and  the  pipe-fish  and 

sea-horses       carry  Virginian  Opossum. 

their  young. 
Mai-tagron.  'ta-gon.     A  lily,  Lilium  Mar- 

tagon,  the  bulbs  of  which  are  eaten  by  the 

Cossacks. 
Martello  Tower,  -tel'lo    tou-er.      A 

small  circular-shaped  fort,  with  very  thick 

walls,   chiefly 

built  to  defend 

the  English  sea- 

board.      The 

armament   is  a 

single  heavy 

traversing  gun. 
Marten,     ten. 

A  digit igrade 

carnivorous 

quadruped,  gen. 

Mustek  or  Mar- 

tes,  fam.  Mustelidae,  the  fur  of  which 

great  demand. 
Uffartini-Henry    Rifle,    -tc'ne-hen'ri 

ri'fi.      A  breecb -loading  rifle,  the  breech 

of  which  is  the  invention  of  Martini  and 

the  barrel  that  of  Alex.  Henry  of  Edin- 
burgh.   It  will  fire  35  shots  a  minute. 


4 


Pine-marten. 


in 


MARTIN 


401 


MASTER 


Martin. 


Martin.    The  name  of  5  popes. 

Martin,  'tin.    A 
general  name  ap- 
plied   to  various  j^^ 
species  of  birds,  "^ 
gen.  Hirundo  or 
swallows. 

Martinet,  'ti- 
net.      A  military 
or  naval  ofScerwho  is  an  excessively  strict 
disciplinarian. 

Martinmas,  'tin-mas.  The  feast  of  St. 
Martin,  the  11th  of  November. 

Mart3rr,  'ter.  One  who  suffers  persecution 
or  death  rather  than  renounce  his  opin- 
ions. 

Martyrology,  -ter-ol'o-ji.  A  history  or 
register  of  martyrs. 

Marut,  ma-rut.  In  Hind.  Myth,  a  god 
of  the  vdnd. 

Marver,  mar'ver.  In  glass-making,  a 
plate  of  marble  or  cast-iron,  with  hollows 
in  it  for  shaping  work  when  blown. 

Maryl&ud.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  one  of  the  original  13,  bounded  N. 
by  Pennsylvania,  E.  bj'  Delaware,  S.  by 
ttie  Atlantic,  District  of  Columbia  and 
Tirgiuia,  W.  by  the  Virginias  ;  area, 
11,1-^  sq.  m. ;  pop.  934.1}43.  Principal 
cities,  Annapolis,  cap.,  Baltimore,  l>ed- 
erick,  Havre-de-Grace,  Chesterto\vn,  Elk- 
ton  and  Easton.  Chief  rivers,  the  Susque- 
hanna, Patapsco,  Patuxent,  Ifanticoke, 
Choptank  and  Chester.  Mountains,  Al- 
leghanies  and  South  Mountain,  an  offshoot 
of  the  Blue  Ridge  range. 

Mascled,  'kid.  Armor 
such  as  worn  by  the  Nor- 
man soldiers  represented 
in  Bayeux  Tapestry,  com- 
posed of  small  lozenge- 
shaped  metallic  plates 
fastened  on  a  leathern  or 
quilted  undercoat. 

Masculine,  'ku-lin. 
Gram.,  the  masculine  or 
male  gender. 

Mashallah,  mash-al'la.  A  Turkish  and 
Persian  interjection :  "  Praised  be  Allah  ! 
or  God." 

iffask,  mask.  A  visor ;  a  dis 
guise;  a  masquerade;  a  dra- 
matic performance. 

Maslach,  mas'lak.  A  Turkish' 
stim  ulunt  prepared  from  opium 

Mason,  ma'sn.  A  builder  in 
stone  or  brick.  A  member  of 
the  fraternity  of  Fi-ee  Masons. 

Mason-bee,  -be.      a  name  given  to  hy 


Mask. 


menopterous  insects,  genera  Osmia  and 
Chalcidoma,  which  consti-uct  their  nests 
with  sand  or  gravel. 

Mason-"wasp,  -wosp.  A  name  given  to 
hymenopterous  insects,  gen.  Odynerus, 
from  their  ingenuity  in  excavating  their 
habitation  in  the  sand. 

Masoola-tooat,  ma-so'la-bot.  A  large 
E.  Indian  boat  used  on  the  Coromandel 
coast  for  conveying  passengers  and  goods 
between  ships  and  the  shore. 

Masora,  -so'ra.  A  Hebrew  work  on  the 
Hebrew  Scriptures,  by  several  rabbins, 
between  the  6th  and  9th  centuries.  It  sup- 
plies the  vowel  points,  besides  critical, 
grammatical  and  exegetical  remarks. 

Mass.  mas.  A  8er^ice  which  forms  an 
essential  part  of  both  the  R.  C.  and 
Greek  Churches,  and  in  which  the  conse- 
cration of  the  slicramental  bread  and  wne 
and  communion  take  place. 

Massachusetts.  One  of  the  13  original 
States  of  the  American  Union,  bounded 
N.  by  Maine.  New  Hampshire  and  Ver- 
mont, E.  by  the  Atlantic.  S.  by  the 
Atlantic,  Connecticut  and  Rhode 
Island,  W.  by  New  York;  area,  7,800 
sq.  m.  ;  pop.  1,783,085.  Principal 
cities,  Boston,  cap.,  Lynn,  Lowell,  Wor- 
cester, Newburyport,  Salem,  Beverly, 
New  Bedford  and  Fall  River.  Chief  rivers 
the  Connecticut,  Merrimack,  Housatonic, 
Taunton,  Nashua,  Charles,  Blackstone, 
Chicopee,  Westfieid  and  Deerfield.  Moun- 
tains, the  Hoosac  and  Taconic  ranges.  M. 
inaugurated  the  movement  against  "taxa- 
tion without  representation,"  which  re- 
sulted in  the  independence  of  the  colonies. 
M.  Bay,  a  large  arm  of  the  Atlantic  extend- 
ing along  the  E.  coast  of  the  State,  between 
Capes  Ann  and  Cod. 

Massena,  Andre.  (Prince  d'Essling 
and  Due  de  RivoliV  One  of  Napoleon's 
most  successful  marshals,  b.  1758,  d.  1817. 
He  resigned  his  command  in  Portugal, 
after  the  sanguinary  but  indecisive  battle 
of  Fuentes  Onoro. 

Masseter,  'se-ter.  One  of  a  pair  of  mus- 
cles which  raises  the  under  jaw. 

Massilia,  -sil'i-a.  A  small  planet  revolv- 
ing between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupi- 
ter. 

Mast,  mast.  The  fruit  of  the  oak,  beech 
or  forest  trees  ;  nuts. 

Master,  'ter.  One  who  is  placed  in  au- 
thority ;  one  who  has  others  under  his  im- 
mediate control :  correlative  to  slave,  ser- 
vant, «fcc.  In  the  merchant  service,  the 
captain  of  a  ship.  In  the  navj',  the  oflicOT 
who  navigates  the  ship  imder  the  durec* 


MASTEE-SINGEE 


492 


MAUMLETDAE 


tion  of  the  captain.  He  ranks  with  lieu- 
tenants. The  liead  of  or  a  teacher  in  a 
school.  Formerly  a  respectful  title  of  ad- 
dress, but  now  applied  to  a  boy.  A  degree 
in  colleges  and  universities,  as  M.  of  Arts. 
The  title  of  the  head  of  some  societies  or 
corporations,  as  the  Grand  M.  of  the 
Knights  of  St.  John  ;  the  Master  of  a  lodge 
of  Free  Masons,  &c.  The  old  masters,  an- 
cient painters  of  eminence.  The  little 
masters,  certain  German  engravers  of  the 
16th  century,  so  called  from  the  smallness 
of  their  prints. 

Master-singer,  -sing-er.  One  of  a  so- 
ciety of  German  poets  of  the  15th  and  16th 
centuries,  who  submitted  their  produc- 
tions to  judges,  who  marked  the  feults  in 
them,  he  who  had  the  fewest  faults  receiv- 
ing the  prize. 
Mastiff,  'tif. 
A  noble  va- 
riety of  dog 
of  a  very  old 
English 
breed,  valu- 
a  b 1 e  as  » 
watch-dog. 
Mastiff- 
bat,  -bat.  A 
name  given  to  a  bat,  gen.  Molossus.  fi-om 
its  head  resembhng  that  of  the  mastilf- 
dog. 

Mastodon,  'td-don.  A  gen.  of  extinct 
fossil  proboscidian  quadrupeds  resembling 
the  elephant,  but  larger,  found  associated 
with  those  of  the  mammoth.    One  speci- 


Masuu. 


Mastodon  restored. 

men,  nearly  perfect,  was  found  in  Missouri 
in  1840.  It  is  now  in  the  British  Museum  ; 
its  dimensions  are — extreme  length  20  ft. 
2  in.,  height  9  ft.  6f  in.,  tusks  7  ft.  2  in. 

Mastology,  -toFo-ii.  The  natural  his- 
tory of  animals  which  suckle  their  young. 

Mat,  mat.  In  copper-smelting,  the  alloy 
of  copper,  tin,  Iron,  &c.,  otherwise  called 
White-metal. 

Mataco,  'a-ko.  The  three-banded  arma- 
dillo ;  an  edentate  mammal,  gen.  Dasypus, 
remarkable  for  its  power  of  rolling  itself 
into  a  ball. 


Matador,  -dor.  The  man  appointed  to 
kill  the  bull  in  Spanish  bull-fights.  "When 
the  bull  is  excited  to  furv  by  the  attacks 
of  the  picadores  and  banderilleros,  the 
matador  steps  forward  and  plunges  his 
sword  into  the  animal  near  the  left 
shoulder-blade. 
Matamata,  ma-ta-ma'ta.  A  curious  S. 
American  tortoise,  \v-ith  a  small  carapace 
and  exposed  head  and  feet ;  the  Chelvs 
fimbriata. 

Matamoras.  The  principal  Mexican 
city  on  the  Eio  Grande.  40  m.  from  its 
mouth  ;  pop.  abt.  52,000. 
Materialism,  ma-te'ri-alizm.  The  doc- 
trine which  denies  the  existence  of  any 
Bpuitual  substance,  and  holds  that  the 
mind  is  mere  matter ;  opposed  to  spiritual- 
ism. 

Materia  Medica,  -a  med'i-ka.  The 
brand!  of  medical  science  which  treats  of 
the  various  substances  employed  in  the 
practice  of  medicine,  and  their  operation. 
A  general  term  for  all  the  substances  em- 
ployed in  medicine. 

Mathemeg",  math'e-meg.  A  fish  of  the 
cod  kind,  inhabiting  Hudson's  Bay. 
Mather,  Cotton.  An  eminent  American 
theologian  of  the  Puritan  school :  b.  in 
Mass.,  1663  ;  d.  1723. 
Matin,  mat'ln.  Time  of  morning  ser- 
vice ;  the  first  canonical  hour  in  the  E.  C. 
Church. 

Matin-dog:,  -dog.  A  large  dog,  allied  to 
the  Danish  dog,  but  now  scarcely  seen 
except  in  France. 

Matinee,  -in-a.    An  entertainment  or  re- 
ception held  early  in  the  day. 
Matricide,  'ri-sid.      The  kUling  or  mur- 
der of  one's  mother. 

Matriculate,  ma-trik'u-lat.  One  who  is 
matriculated  or  enrolled  in  a  register,  and 
thus  admitted  to  membership  in  a  society. 
Matron,  ma'tron.  A  married  woman, 
especially  an  elderly  married  woman.  A 
head  nurse  in  a  hospital.  The  female  su- 
perintendent of  any  institution. 
Matthew,  St.  (Levi).  One  of  the  12 
Apostles,  sou  of  Alpheus,  and  auth»r  of 
the  first  gospel ;  he  was  a  revenue  ofificer 
at  Capernaum  when  called  by  Christ. 
Tradition  says  he  lived  at  Jerusalem  15 
years  after  the  ascension,  and  suifered 
martyrdom  in  Persia. 
Maty,  mat'i.  A  native  servant  of  all 
work  in  India. 

Maud,  mad.    A  gray  woolen  plaid  worn 
by  shepherds  in  Scotland. 
Maumletdar,  mam'Iet-dar.     In  the  E. 


MAUND 


MAZEPPA 


Indies,  a  person  who  superintends  the 
collection  of  the  revenue,  the  police,  &c. 
Maund,   mand.       In  the  E.   liidies,  a 
measure  of  weight  varying  from  25  to  82 
lbs. 

Maundy-Thursday.  The  Thursday 
in  Passion-week,  or  next  before  Good 
Fi-iday,  on  which  the  sovereign  of  Eng- 
land distributes  alms  to  a  certain  number 
of  poor  persons  at  Whitehall. 

Maxirice  of  Nassau,  Prince.  Second 
son  of  William  "the  Silent,"  Prince  of 
Orange  ;  b.  1567,  d.  1625.  He  s.  his  brother 
as  Prince  of  Orange.  1621,  after  a  most 
successful  military  career,  which  he  began 
at  the  age  of  20  as  Captain-General  of  the 
United  Provinces. 

Mauritius  (Isle  of  France).   A  Brit- 

■  ish  island  in  the  Indian  Ocean.  Cap.  Port 
Louis ;  pop.  350,000. 

Maury,  Matthew  Fontaine.  An 
American  commodore  ;  b,  in  Va.,  1806 ; 
r>.  1S73.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  hy- 
drographer  and  publicist.  His  war  record 
was  made  in  the  Confederate  service. 

Mausoleum,  ma-so-le'um.  A  magnifi- 
cent tomb  or  stately  sepulchral  monu- 
ment. A  sepulchral  edifice  erected  for 
the  reception  of  a  monimaent,  or  to  con- 
tain tombs. 

Maut,  rjjat.  An  Egyptian  goddess,  the 
personification  of  Mother  Nature,  and  the 
second  person  of  the  Theban  trinity,  cor- 
responding to  the  Greek  Demeter. 

Mauve,  mav.  A  beautiful  purple  dye 
obtained  from  aniline,  the  sulphate  of  a 
base  called  mauveine ;  also  the  color. 

Mavis,     ma'vis, 
The  Turdus  mu-  ^ 
sicus,  throstle  or*v 
s  ong-thrush  of*^ 
Europe.    Its  song ' 
is  sweet  and  has 
considerable  com- 
pass ;    it   can    be 
taught       musical 
airs,  and  rarely  to 
articulate  words. 

Maw  worm,  ma- 
werm.  The  As'caiis  vermicularis,  which 
infests  the  rectum  of  mankind,  and  pcca- 
slonally  visits  the  maw  or  stomach. 

Maximilian,  maks-i-mil'i-an.  A  Bava- 
rian gold  coin  worth  about  $2.12. 

Maximilian.  The  name  of  two  Ger- 
man emperors.  M.  I.,  son  of  Frederick 
III.,  became  king  of  the  Netherlands  14TT, 
through  his  marriage  with  Mary  of  Bur- 
gundy, and  emperor  1494  ;  n.  1519.  Swit- 
rerland  Beoured  her  independence  during 


Mavis. 


his  reign.  M.  II.  s.  his  father  Ferdinand 
I.,  1564;  D.  15T6.  He  relieved  Hungary 
from  Turkish  domination. 

Maximilian,  Ferdinand  Joseph. 
(Archduke  of  Austria.)  \  ounger  brother 
of  Emperor  Francis  Joseph,  b.  1832,  exe- 
cuted in  Mexico,  June  17,  1867,  having 
been  persuaded  by  Napoleon  III.  to  ac- 
cept the  sovereignty  of  that  country,  then 
occupied  by  the  French  troops.  These 
being  recalled  the  Mexicans  rose  under 
Juarez,  and  defeated  and  captured  M.,  who 
was  shot  with  two  of  his  generals.  His 
vvife  Carlotta,  daughter  of  Leopold  I.,  king 
of  Belgium,  lost  her  reason  over  the  cruel 
fate  of  her  husband,  and  is  still  living  a 
hopeless  but  quiet  maniac. 

May,  ma.    The  fifth  month  of  the  year. 

Maya,  'a.  In  Hindu.  Myth,  the  will  or 
energy  of  the  supreme  being,  personified 
as  a  female,  by  whom  he  created  the  uni- 
verse. 

May-bird,  'herd.  The  name  ^iven  in 
Jamaica  to  a  fine  song-bird,  the  Turdus 
mustelinus.  A  name  given  to  the  bobo- 
link or  rice-bird. 

May-day,  'da.  The  first  day  of  May,  so 
called  in  England,  in  commemoration  of 
the  festivities  Avhich  from  a  very  early  pe- 
riod were  observed  on  that  day.  The  chief 
features  of  the  celebration  are' the  gather- 
ing of  flowers,  crowning  the  May-queen, 
dancing  round  the  May-pole,  &c. 

Mayence  (Mentz).  An  important 
commercial  city  of  the  grand  duchy  of 
Hesse  Darmstadt,  S.  Germany,  strongly 
fortified ;  pop.  54.362. 

May-fly, 'fli.  The  popular  name  of  the 
Sialis  lutaria,  a  neuropterous  insect.  The 
name  is  also  applied  to  various  insects  of 
the  gen.  Ephemera. 

Mayor,  'er.  The  chief  officer  of  a  muni- 
cipal corporation.  M.  of  the  palace,  in 
France,  originally  the  first  officer  of  the 
royal  household,  then  the  first  officer  of 
state,  under  the  Merovingian  kings.  Ul- 
timately, in  the  year  752,  Pepin  the  Short, 
mayor  of  the  palace  to  Childeric  IV.,  pro- 
cured the  deposition  of  that  king,  and  him- 
self ascended  the  throne,  founding  the  Car- 
lo vingian  dynasty. 

Mayoress,  -es.    The  Avife  of  a  mayor. 

Mazarin.  Jules,  Cardinal.  A  French 
statesman,  b.  in  Italy  1602,  d.  1661.  He 
8.  Eichelieu  as  Prime  minister  of  Anne  of 
Austria,  queen  regent,  and  is  believed  to 
have  been  privately  married  to  her. 

Mazeppa,  Ivan  Stepanovitch.  A 
PoUsh  adventm-er,  B.  1644.  He  wUs  de- 
tected in  an  amour  with  the  wife  of  a  Po- 


MAZOLOGT 


494 


MEDINE 


llsh  noble,  and  bound  to  the  back  of  a  wild 
horse  which  was  turned  loose  and  carried 
him  to  the  country  of  the  Cossacks,  in 
which  he  rose  to  be  "their  hetman  or  chief 
1687.  Discovered  in  a  plot  against  Russian 
rule,  he  fled  to  Turkey,  where  he  died  in 
obscurity,  1709. 

Mazologry,  -zol'o-ji.  That  department 
of  zoology  which  treats  of  mammiferous 
animals. 

Mazurka,  ma-zijr'ka.  A  lively  Polish 
round  dance  in  f  or  f  time. 
Mazzini,  Guiseppe.  A  distinfruished 
Italian  patriot  andrevolutionist,  n.at  Genoa 
1807,  D.  1872.  Most  of  his  mature  life  was 
spent  in  exile  in  England. 
Meade,  Georg-e  Gordon.  An  Amer- 
ican general ;  b.  at  Cadiz,  Spain,  1816,  d. 
in  Penn.  1372.  He  commanded  the  Fed- 
eral forces  at  the  important  battle  of  Get- 
tysburg, Penn.,  and  was  second  in  com- 
mand to  Gen.  Grant  in  the  Kichmond 
campaign. 

Meadow-lark,    me'do-lark.    A    song- 
bird, oriole  fam.;  Sturnella  magna. 
Meadow-ore,  -or.     In  Min.  conchoidal 
bog-iron  ore. 
Meat-offering",  met'of-er-ing.  In  Scrip, 
a  sacrifice  consisting  of  meat  or  food,  or 
more  strictly  of  flour  and  oil. 
Mecca.    The  holy  city  of  the  Mohamme- 
dans, in  Arabia,  270  m.  S.  E.  of  Medina, 
noted    for   the    famous  mosque    of     El 
Haram,  350  ft.  long  by  800  ft.  wide,  con- 
taining the  venerated  Caaba.     M.  was  the 
birth-place  of  Mohammed.     It  formerly 
contained  a  pop.  of  over  100,000,  but  now 
has  only  abt.  25,000. 

Mechanic,  me-kan'ik.  One  skilled  in 
shaping  and  uniting  materials,  as  wood, 
metal,  &c.,  into  any  kind  of  structure, 
machine  or  other  object ;  one  who  fol- 
lows a  mechanical  occupation  for  a  living. 
Mechanics'  institute,  an  institution  for  the 
instruction  and  recreation  of  persons  of 
the  artisan  classes. 

Mechanics,  'iks.  A  common  name  for 
the  science  which  treats  of  motion  and 
force.  Practical  mechanics,  the  applica- 
tion of  the  principles  of  mechanics  to 
practical  purposes,  as  the  construction  of 
machines,  buildings,  &c.  Eational  me- 
chanics, that  branch  which  treats  of  the 
theory  of  motion  ;  kinematics. 
Mechanog-raphy,  mek-an-og'ra-fi. 
The  art  of  multiplying  copies  of  a  writing 
or  any  Avork  of  art  by  the  use  of  a  ma- 
chine. 

Mechitarist,  -it'ar-ist.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Armenians  acknowledging  the  authority 


of  the  pope,  but  retaining  their  own  ritual, 
They  have  printed  the  best  editions  oi 
Armenian  classics. 

Mech]in,  'lin.    A  fine  lace  made  at  Mech- 
lin or  Malines  in  Belgium. 
Medal,  med'al.  A  coin,  a  piece  of  metal  in 
the  form  of  a  coin,  stamped  Avith  some 
figure  or  device  to  preserve  the  portrait  of 
some  distinguished  person,  or  the  memo- 
ry of  an  illustrious  action  or  event,  or  as  a 
reward  of  merit. 
Medalet,  -et.    A  small  medal. 
Medallion,  me-dal'yun.     A   large  an- 
tique Eoman  medal  struck  to  commem- 
rate  persons  or  events.    In  Arch,  any  tab- 
let, bearing  on  it  objects  in  relief,  as  fig- 
ures, heads,  animals,  flowers,  &c. 
Medallurgy,  -er-ji.    The  art  of  making 
and  striking  medals  and  coins. 
Medea.     In  Myth,   the  Avife  of   Jason, 
daughter  of  uEtes,  King  of  Colchis,  and 
niece  of  Cira,    noted  for   her    works  of 
magic.    She  assisted  Jason  in  his  search 
for  the  Golden  Fleece  and  accompanied 
him  to  Greece,  where,  being  deserted  by 
him,  she  killed  her  two  sons. 
Media.    An  ancient  division  of  W.  Asia 
N.  of  Persia,  whose  kings  for  abt.  100  yeai-s 
were  sovereigns  of  the  known  world.    It 
was  conquered  by  Cyrus  560  b.  c,  and  in- 
corporated with  Persia.  « 
Medici.      A    noble    Florentine   family, 
founded  by  Giovanni  de  M.  in  the  14th 
century,   and     became    extinct     in    the 
male  line,  1787.     Several  of  its  members 
were  distinguished  as  soldiers,  others  as 
statesmen  and  patrons  of  the  arts. 
Medicine,    med'sin.      Any     substance 
used  as  a  remedy  for  disease.  The  science 
and  art  of  preventing,  curing  or  alleviat- 
ing diseases  of  the  human  body.  M.  seal  or 
stamp,  small,     greenish,    square    stones 
found  near  old  lioman  towns  and  stations 
engraved  with  inscriptions  used  as  seals 
by  ancient  physici.ins. 
Medieval,   -i-e'val.      One  belonging  to 
the  middle  ages. 

Medievalist,  -ist.  One  versed  in  the 
history  of  the  middle  ages  ;  one  who  sym- 
pathizes with  the  spirit  and  principles  of 
the  n»iddle  ages. 

Medina.  A  city  of  Arabia,  the 
"  Town  of  the  Prophet,"  in  the  Hejaz,  100 
m.  N.  E.  of  Yembo,  its  port  on  the  Eed 
Sea,  ranking  after  Mecca  in  sacredness  to 
the  Mohammedans,  its  mosque  contain- 
ing Mohammed's  tomb  ;  pop.  17,860. 
Medine,  me-den'.  A  small  coin  and 
money  of  account  in  Egypt,  the  40th  part 
of  a  piastre. 


MEDITEKRANEAN  SEA 


495 


MELBOURNE 


Hediterranean  Sea.  Tho  large 
body  of  water  separating  Europe 
from  Africa  and  W.  Asia:  length  2,300 
m.  maximum  breadtli  1,200  m.  It  con- 
nects with  the  Atlantic  at  its  west  ex- 
trem'ty  bv  the  Strait  of  Gibraltar,  and  on 
the  li.  with  the  Sea  of  Marmora  by  the 
Dardanelles. 

Medjidie.  mej'i-di.  A  Turkish  order  of 
knighthood,  instituted  in  1852,  and  con- 
ferred on  many  British  and  other  officers 
of  the  Crimean  War.  A  Turkish  gold  coin 
worth  about  $4.50. 

Medrissa,  me-dris'sa.  A  high  school  or 
gymnasium  in  Mohammedan  countries 
for  the  education  of  youth. 

Medusa,  me-dii'sa.  In  Myth,  one  of  the 
three  Gorgons,  wlio  is  represented  as 
originally  a  beautiful  maiden,  but  as  hav- 
ing her  hair  changed  into  serpents  by 
Athene,  which  made  her  head  so  horrible 
that  all  who  looked  at  it  were  turned  to 
stone. 

Medusidse,  'si-do. 
The  jelly-tishes  or  sea- 
nettles;  an  ord.  ot  Hy- 
drozoa,  co-extensive 
with  the  sub-class  Dis- 
cophora. 

Meerschaum,  mer'- 
shum.  A  hydrated 
silicate  of  magnesium, 
consisting  of  60.9  parts 
siHca,  26.1  magnesium, 
and  12.0  water,  occur- 
ring as  a  fine  white  clay, 
sea-shore  in  places  in  rounded  lumps,  it 
was  supposed  to  be  petrified  sea- foam, 
lience  its  German  name.  It  is  manufac- 
tured into  tobacco-pipes. 

Megaceros,  me-gas'e-ros.  An  extinct 
genua  of  deer,  whose  remains  occur  in 
the  bogs  of  Scotland  and  shell  marl  of 
Ireland  below  the  peat  or  bog  earth. 
Specimensof  the  horns  have  been  found 
measuring  10  feet  4  inches,  and  from  10 
to  12  feet  between  the  tip?. 

Megacosm,  meg'a-kozm.  The  great 
world  ;  macrocosm. 

Megalanea,  -a-la'ne-a.  A  gigantic  extinct 
land-lizard,  of  Australia.  Its  length 
was  about  20  feet. 

Megalesian,  -le'si-an.  In  Roman 
Antiq.  a  magnificent  festival,  with  games, 
celebrated  at  Rome  in  April,  lasting  six 
days,  in  honor  of  Cybele,  the  mother  of 
the  gods.  The  games  were  scenic  and 
not  circensian. 

Megralotis,  meg-a-16'tis.  A  gen.  of  Afri- 
can   digitigrade     carnivorous   mammals, 


Medusa. 
Found   on  the 


CanidaB  or  dog  family,  characterized  by 
the  large  size  of  their  cars ;  the  fennecs. 

M  e  g-alo- 
saurus,  'a- 

16-sa"rus.  A  ' 

gen." of  fossil 

deinosaurian  <^;! 

reptiles,     40' 

to    50  ft.  in 

length,  com-     Megaiosaurus  iiesioxcu. 

bining      the 

characters  of  the  monitors  and  crocodiles. 

Megrapodius, -pO'di-us.  A  gen.  of  raso- 
rial  birds,  the  most  remarkable  species 
being  the  Australian  jungle-fowl,  remark- 
able for  erecting  mounds  of  earth,  stones, 
leaves,  &c.,  15  ft.  high  and  150  in  circum- 
ference, in  which,  at  a  depth  of  2  or  3  ft., 
it  deposits  eggs,  leaving  them  to  be 
hatched  by  the  heat  of  the  fermenting 
vegetable  mass. 

Meg-aptera,  me-gap'ter-a.  A  gen.  of 
Avhales,  fam.  Balaenidse,  including  the 
hump-backed  whales. 

Megrarian,  -ga'ri-an.  A  school  of  phi- 
losophy founded  at  Megara,  in  Greece,  by 
Euclid,  a  disciple  of  Socrates.  It  was  re- 
markable for  the  subtlety  of  its  logic. 

Megatherium,  mf  -r-a-the'ri-um.  A  fos- 
sil gen.  of  edentate  i.iammals,  allied  to  the 
sloths,  about  8  ft.  high,  and  12  to  18  ft. 
long. 

Mehemet  Ali.  Pasha  of  Egypt,  b.  1769, 
I).  1S49.  He  was  warlike  and  energetic, 
breaking  the  power  of  the  Mamelukes  by 
the  massacre  of  their  leaders,  and  con- 
quered Syria.  The  viceroyalty  was  made 
hereditary  in  his  family. 

Meissonier,  Jean  Louis  Ernest.  A 
distinguished  French  painter,  n.  ISll. 

Mekong,  (Cambodia).  A  large  river 
of  S.  E.  Asia,  emptying  into  the  China 
Sea:  length  1,300  m. 

Melada,  me-la'da.  Crude  or  impura 
sugar  as  it  comes  from  the  jians  ;  a  mix- 
ture of  eugar  and  molasses. 

Melanesian.  me-la-nG'si-an.  A  family 
of  languages  spoken  by  the  inhabitants  of 
numerous  islands  in  the  Pacific  and  Indian 
Oceans. 

Melanism,  mel'an-izm.  In  Physiol,  an 
undue  development  of  coloring  'material 
in  the  skin  and  its  appendages  ;  the  oppo- 
site of  albinism. 

Melbourne.  Cap.  of  Victoria,  Australia, 
on  Bay  of  Port  Philip,  the  most  important 
commercial  city  of  the  island  continent  ; 
pop.  225,480. 


MELANIAIT 


MENELAtrs 


Melanian. 


Melanian.  One 
of  a  family  of  mol- 
luska  having  a 
turret  or  spire- 
shaped  shell. 

Melancthon, 
PMlip.  (Real 
nameP.  Schwarz- 
erdt.)  An  emi- 
nent German  the- 
ologian and  re- 
former; B.  1497, 
D.  1550.  Ho  was 
the  contemporary,  friend  and  successor  of 
Luther  as  the  head  of  the  German  Refor- 
mation. 

UlelchisGdician,  -kiz'e-di'''shan.  One 
of  a  sect  in  the  3d  century  who  aflirmed 
Melchisedec  to  be  Christ,  or  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  paid  him  divine  adoration. 

Melcllite,  melk'It.  One  of  an  Eastern  sect 
of  Christians  who,  while  adhering  to  the 
Greek  Church,  acknowledge  the  authority 
ofthei)ope.  The  name  is  also  given  to 
such  members  of  the  Greek  community 
as  are  lloman  Catholics. 

M  e  1  e  a  grri- 
nse,  mel'-e-a- 
gri"nc.  A  sub- 
fam.  of  the 
Phasianidfe,or 
pheasant  fam- 
ily, compris- 
ing the  tur- 
keys and  gui- 
nea-fowl. 

Meles,  me'- 
les.  A  gen.  of 
plantigrade  mammals,  the  badgers. 

Iffieliplxag-idee,  mel-i-faj'i-de.  A  fam. 
of  teuuirostral  insessores,  the  honey-eaters 
or  honey-suckers. 

Melisuginse,  -su'ji-no.  A  sub-fam.  of 
tenuirostral,  passerine  birds,  fam.  Tro- 
chilidai,  the  straight-billed  humming-birds. 

MelitaBa,-te'a.  A  gen.  of  butterflies, 
fam.  Nymphalida^. 

Mellivora.  me-liv'«)-ra.  A  gen.  of  the 
Melidas  or  badger  family. 

Melodeon,  IG'de-on.  A  wind-instru- 
ment furnished  with  metallic  free  reeds 
and  a  key-board  ;  a  variety  of  the  harmo- 
nium.    Called  also  Eeed-organ. 

Meloe,  mel'O-G.  Agon,  of  coleopterous 
insects,  fam.  Cantharidae ;  the  oil-beetles. 

Melolontha,  -o-l')n'tha.  A  gen.  of  la- 
mellicorn  beetles,  of  which  the  common 
cock-chafer  is  an  example. 

Melopiano,  'pi-a-no.    An  invention  by 


Meleagris. 


Melpomene. 


which  sustained  sounds  can  be  produoel 
on  a  piano-forte. 

Melotsrpe, -tip.    A  photographic  process 
in  which  the  dark  chamber 
is  dispensed  with. 

Melpomene,  -pom'e-ne. 
In  Class.  Myth,  the  muse 
who  presides  over  tragedy, 
daughter  of  Zeus  and  Mne- 
mosyne. She  is  generally 
represented  as  a  young 
woman,  with  vine  leaves 
surrounding  her  head,  and  j 
holding  a  tragic  mask.  A 
small  planet  revolving  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Mars 
and  Jupiter. 

Melrose,  'roz.    Honey  of 
roses. 

Memnon.  In  Heroic  Hist,  son  of  Tith- 
onos  and  Eos,  and  King  of  Egypt,  killed 
by  Achilles  at  the  siege  of  Troy.  Some 
writers  consider  M.  identical  with  Ameno- 
phis  II.  of  Egypt,  in  whose  honor  the 
colossal  statue  near  Thebes  was  erected, 
which  was  long  believed  to  emit  a  musi- 
cal sound  when  touched  by  the  iirst  beam 
of  the  rising  sun. 

Memphis  (Moph  of  Scrip.)  A  fa- 
mous city  of  ancient  Egypt,  on  W.  bank 
of  the  Nile,  10  m.  S.  of  modern  Cairo ; 
now  in  ruins.  M.,  a  city  of  Shelby  Co., 
Tennessee,  on  the  Mississippi,  209  m.  S. 
W.  of  Nashville  ;  pop.  33,592. 

Menagerie,  me-nafer-i.  A  yard  or 
place  in  which  wild  animals  are  kept.  A 
collection  of  wild  or  foreign  animals  kept 
for  exhibition. 

Menai  Straits.  A  channel  of  the  Irish 
Sea,  bet.  N.  Wales  and  the  Island  of 
Anglesea.  It  is  crossed  b}^  a  suspension 
bridge  and  by  the  Britannia  tubular  bridge; 
length  14  m. 

Mendelssohn,  Moses.  An  eminent 
German  jthilosopher  of  Jewish  descent;  b. 
1729,  D.  1786. 

Mendelssohn  -  Bartholdy,  Felix. 
A  distinguished  German  composer;  b. 
1809,  1).  iS47.  His  first  successful  opera 
was  written  when  he  was  but  18  years  of 
age. 

Mendicant,  men'di-kant.  A  beggar  ; 
especially,  a  member  of  a  begging  order 
or  fraternity  ;  a  begging  friar. 

Mene,  me'ne.  A  Chaldaic  word  signify- 
ing numeration. 

Menelaus.  In  Heroic  Hist.  Kingof  Spar- 
ta and  husband  of  Helen,  whose  abduction 
by  Paris  led  to  the  Trojan  war.  After  the 
Ml  of  Troy  the  pair  were  rewedded. 


mengketia;^ 


497 


MEELANGUS 


Hengretian,  men-jn-e'shi-an.  One  of  a 
sect  in  the  Greek  Church. 

Menhaden,  -ha'den.  A  salt-water  fish, 
fam.  Chipeid;!?,  or  herrings. 

Meniscus.  A  moon-shaped 
body. 

Mennonite,  'non-lt.  Onp  of  a 
sect  of  Anabaptists  named  after 
Simon  Menno,  a  Friesland  priest 
of  the  17th  century,  who  did  not 
believe  in  original  sin,  and  ob- 
jected to  taking  oaths  or  making^ 
war. 

Meno pome,  men 'd-pora.  A 
tailed  amphibian  vertebrate,  ord. 
IJrodela,  peculiar  to  the  fresh 
waters  of  N.  America,  which 
seems  to  form  a  connecting  link  between 
the  pennibrauchiate  amphibians  and  the 
salamander.  It  is  variously  called  hell- 
bender, mud-de\il,  ground  puppy,  young 
alligator  and  tweea. 

Menura,  me-nu'ra.  A  singular  gen.  of 
birds  forming  the  insessorial  fam.  Menu- 
ridaj.  The  only  species  known  is  the  Ivre- 
bird. 

Mephitis,  -f  I'tis.  A  gen  of  carnivorous 
animals,  remarkable  for  the  disagreeable 
odor  which  they  emit ;  the  skunk. 

Merchant-bar,  mer'chant-bar.  A  bar 
of  iron  in  a  finished  state  for  the  merchant; 
iron  after  the  puddled  bars  have  been  piled 
and  reheated  and  rolled. 

Merchant-captain,  -kap-tan.  The 
master  of  a  merchantman. 

Merchantman,  -man.  A  ship  employed 
in  the  transportation  of  goods,  as  distin- 
guished from  a  ship  of  war. 

Merchant-tailor,  -ta-ler.  A  tailor  who 
furnishes  materials  for  the  garments 
which  he  makes. 

Mercury, 'kii-ri.  In 
Myth,  the  name  of  a 
Roman  divinity-, 
Identified  later  witli 
the  Greek  Hermes. 
As  repres  enting 
Hermes  he  was  re- 
garded as  the  son  of 
Jupiter  and  Mai'a, 
and  was  looked  upon 
as  the  god  of  elo- 
quence, of  commerce 
and  of  robbers.  He 
was  also  the  messen- 
ger, herald  and  am- 
bassador of  Jupiter. 
As  a  Roman  divinity 
he  was  merolv  tho 


Mercury. 


patron  of  commerce  and  gain. 


Mercury.  Quicksilver,  a  metal  whose 
specific  gravity  is  greater  than  that  of  any 
other,  except  the  platinum  metals,  gold 
and  tungsten,  being  13.56,  or  thirteen 
times  and  a  half  heavier  than  water.  It 
is  the  only  metal  which  is  liquid  at  com- 
mon temperatures.  Mercury  is  used  in 
barometers  to  ascertain  the  weight  of  the 
atmosphere,  and  in  thermometers  to  de- 
termine the  temperature  of  the  air.  In 
Astron.  the  planet  that  revolves  round  the 
sun  Avlthin  the  orbit  of  the  planet  Venus 
and  next  to  it. 

Mere.    A  pool  or  lake. 

Meregoutte,  mar-gut.  The  first  run- 
ning of  wine,  oil,  &c.,  before  any  pressure 
has  been  used. 

Merg-anser,  mer- 
gan'ser.  A  migra- 
tory arctic  water- 
fowl, gen.  Mergus. 

Meridian,  me- 
rid'i-an.  Mid-day; 
noon.  In  Geog. 
an  imaginarv  circle  ,, 

on  the  surface  of  Merganser, 

the  earth  passing  through  both  poles,  and 
through  any  other  given  place,  the  plane 
of  it  thus  di\iding  the  globe  into  two 
hemispheres.  Every  place  on  the  globe 
has  its  meridian,  and  when  tlie  sun  arrives 
above  this  circle  it  is  mid-day  or  noon. 
Longitude  is  measured  between  the  me- 
ridians. In  Astron.  a  similar  imaginary 
cu-cle  of  the  celestial  sphere,  passing 
through  the  poles  of  the  heavens  and  the 
zenith  of  any  iilace.  Magnetic  Meridian, 
one  of  the  great  circles  which  pass  through 
the  assumed  magnetic  poles. 

Meridian-mark,  -mark.  A  mark 
placed  at  a  convenient  spot  several  miles 
from  an  observatory,  and  due  south  of  the 
place  of  the  transit  instrument,  to  serve 
as  a  means  of  marking  the  direction  of  the 
true  south  point  of  the  horizon. 
Merino,  -rc'no.  A  dress  stufl',  twilled  on 
both  sides,  manufactured  from  merino 
wool. 

Meriones,  -ri-o' 
nt'Z.     A  gen. 
N.  American  ro- 
dent mouse-Uke 
mammals,    fam. 
Dipodidse.       M. 
hudsonicusisthe; 
iumiting-mouse. 
Merlang-us, 
mer-lang'gus.   A 
gen.  of  fishes,  fam.  Gadidae,  rncludingr  the 
whiting  and  pollack. 


-o'    // 

of//; 


Meriones. 


MEELIN 


METAGENESIS 


Merlin,  'lin.  A 
hawk,  gen.  Falco, 
about  the  size  of  a 
■blackbird,  but  very- 
bold. 

Merlin,  Ambro- 
sius.  A  noted  An- 
glo-Saxon prophet 
and  sooth-s  a  y  e  r , 
whose  nam  e  a  p  - 
pears  freque  n  1 1  y 
in  the  legendary  his- 
tory of  the  5th  cen- 
tiuy,  associated  with 
that  of  King  Arthur. 

Merlv.cius,  -lii'shi-us.  A  gen.  of  teleos- 
tean  fishes,  cod  fam. 

Mermaid,  'mad.  A  fabled  marine  crea- 
tiu-e,  having  the  upper  part  like  that  of  a 
woman,  and  the  lower  like  a  fish. 

Merman,  'man.  Thu  male  correspond- 
ing to  mermaid  ;  a  man  of  the  sea,  with 
the  tail  of  a  fish  instead  of  legs. 

Meropidae ,  m  o  - 
rop'i-d(3.  A  fam  of  in- 
sessorial  birds,  of 
which  the  bee-eater 
(Merops)  is  the  type. 

Merostomata,  -ro- 
stom'a-ta.  An  ord 
of  Crustacea;,  includ- 
ing forms  often  of  gi- 
gantic size,  compris- 
ing the  king-crabs  or 
Limuli,  and  the  ex- 
tinct Pterygoti  and 
Eurypteri. 

Merovingian,  -vin'ji-an.  A  term  ap- 
phed  to  the  earhest  dynasty  of  Erankish 
kings  of  Gaul.  The  dynasty  gave  place  to 
the  Carjovingians  in  752.     A   term  ap- 

Slied  to  the  written  characters  of  certain 
[SS.  in  French  libraries,  of  the  Merovin- 
gian period. 

Merry-thoug-ht,  mer'i-that.  The  fur- 
cula,  or  forlved  bone  of  a  fowl's  breast, 
which  is  sportively  broken  by  two  unmar- 
ried persons,  one  pulling  at  each  end,  the 
longest  part  being  taken  as  an  omen  that 
the  one  who  gets  it  will  be  married  first ; 
the  wish-bone. 

Mersey.  A  river  of  England,  which 
forms  a  broad  estuary  at  Euncorn,  12  in. 
above  Liverpool ;  it  is  navigable  to  Man- 
chester, SI  m.  from  Euncorn. 

Merycotherium,  me'ri-ko-the"ri-um. 
A  gen.  of  huge  fossil  mammals,  akin  to 
the  Bactrian  camel,  occoi-ring  in  the  drift 
of  Siberia. 

Mesartin,  mes-ar'tin.      The  well-known 


Merops. 


double  star  of  the  constellation  Aries,  said 
to  have  been  the  first  recognized  star  ol 
tiiat  kind. 

Mesched.  An  impoi-tant  commercial 
city  of  Persia,  455  m.  N.  E.  of  Teheran, 
noted  for  containing  the  splendid  tomb  of 
the  Sultan  Haroun-al-Easchid :  pop.  78,- 
000. 

Mesmer,  Friedrich  Anton.  A  Ger- 
man physician  and  philosopher ;  n.  1718, 
D.  1815.  M.  was  the  author  of  the  system 
of  Animal  Magnetism  or  Mesmerism. 

Mesmerism,  mez'mer-izm.  The  doc- 
trine that  one  person  can  exercise  in- 
fluence over  the  -will  and  nervous  system 
of  another,  and  produce  certain  phenom- 
ena by  virtue  of  a  supposed  emanation, 
called  Animal  Magnetism,  proceeding 
from  him,  or  simply  by  the  domination 
of  his  will  over  that  of  the  person  operated 
on. 

Messalian,  mes-sa'li-an.  One  of  a  sect 
of  heretics  of  the  4th  century  who  pro- 
fessed to  adhere  to  the  strict  letter  of  the. 
gospel,  specifically  refusing  to  work,  and 
quoting  this  passage :  "  Labor  not  for  the 
food  that  perisheth." 

Messiad,  -si'ad.  A  poem  with  the  Mes- 
siah for  its  hero ;  specifically,  a  modern 
German  epic  poem  written  by  Klopstock, 
relating  to  the  sufferings  and  triumphs  of 
the  Messiah. 

Messiah,  -si'a.  Christ,  the  Anointed; 
tlie  Saviour  of  the  Avorld. 

Messidor,  -si-dor.  The  10th  month  of 
the  year  in  the  calendar  of  the  first  French 
Eepublic,  commencing  June  19  and  ending 
July  18. 

Messieurs,  -yerz.  Sirs  ;  gentlemen  ; 
used  in  English  as  the  plural  of  Mr.,  and 
generally  contracted  into  Messrs. 

Mestee,  mes-te.  The  offspring  of  a 
white  and  a  quadroon.  Written  also  Mus- 
tee. 

Mestizo,  -zo.  The  ofi'spring  of  a  Spaniard 
or  Creole  and  an  American  Indian. 

Metabola,  me-tab'o-la.  In  Entom.  in- 
sects that  undergo  metamorphosis. 

Metacarpus,  met-a-kar'pus.  The  hand 
between  the  wrist  and  fingers. 

Metagrelatine,  -jel'a-tin.  In  Photog. 
a  substance  used  as  a  preservative  in  the 
collodion  process. 

Metagenesis,  -jen'e-sis.  In  Zool.  the 
changes  of  form  which  the  representa- 
tive of  a  species  undergoes  in  passing,  by 
a  series  of  successively  generated  indi- 
viduals, from  the  egg  to  "the  perfect  state ; 
alternation  of  generation. 


METAL 


METE0P0LITA1!T 


S£etal,  'al.  An  elementary  opaque  body 
or  substance,  having  a  peculiar  luster  con- 
nected with  its  opacity  called  metallic ; 
Insoluble  in  water ;  solid  (except  mercury) 
at  ordinary  temperatures,  generally  fusible 
by  heat ;  a  good  conductor  of  heat  and 
electricity  ;  capable,  when  in  the  state  of 
an  oxide,  of  uniting  with  acids  and  form- 
ing salts :  and  having  the  property  when 
its  compounds  are  submitted  to  electroly- 
sis, of  invariably  appearing  at  the  nega- 
tive pole  of  the  battery.  There  are  51  sub- 
stances classed  as  metals. 

Metallocliroiny,  -lok'ro-mi.  The  art 
or  process  of  coloring  metals. 

Metallography,  -og'ra-fi.  An  acconnt 
of  metals,  or  a  treatise  on  metallic  sub- 
stances ;  the  science  of  metals. 

Metalloid.,  -old.  In  Chem.  a  term  ap- 
plied to  all  the  non-metallic  elementary 
substances,  13  in  number :  oxygen,  hydro- 
gen, nitrogen,  carbon,  chlorine,  bromine, 
iodine,  fluorine,  sulphur,  selenium,  phos- 
phorus, boron  and  silicon. 

Metallurgry,  -er-ji.  The  art  of  working 
metals. 

Metamorphist,  -a-mor'fist.  One  of  a 
sect  of  sacramentarians  of  the  15th  cen- 
tury, who  affirm  that  the  body  with  which 
Christ  rose  to  heaven  Avas  wholly  deified, 
ha\ing  lost  all  its  humanity. 

Metaplirast,  'a-frast.  A  person  who 
translates  from  one  language  into  another, 
word  for  word. 

Metastasio,  Pietro  Bonaventura. 
An  eminent  Itahan  poet,  b.  1698,  d.  1782. 

Metazoa,  -a-zo'a.  One  of  the  two  great 
sections  into  which  Huxley  divides  the 
animal  kingdom,  the  other  being  the  Pro- 
tozoa. 

Metempsychosis,  me-tem'si-ko"sis. 
Transmigi-ation  ;  the  passing  of  the  soul 
of  a  man  after  death  into  some  other  ani- 
mal body,  a  doctrine  held  by  Pythagoras 
and  his  followers,  and  still  prevailing  in 
India. 

Metemptosis,  met-em-to'sis.  In  Chron. 
the  solar  equation  necessary  to  prevent 
the  new  moon  from  happening  a  day  too 
late,  or  the  suppression  of  the  bissextile 
once  in  134  years.  The  opposite  to  this 
is  the  proemptosis,  or  the  addition  of  a 
dav  every  300  years  and  another  eveiy 
2400  years. 

Meteor,  me'te-er.  A  transient  fiery  or 
luminous  body  seen  in  the  atmospiiere  or 
in  a  more  elevated  region  ;  an  aerolite ;  a 
shooting-star. 

Meteorolite,  -ol-it.  A  meteoric  stone ; 
a  stone  or  solid  compoimd  of  earthy  and 


metalhc  matter  which  falls  to  the  earth 
from  space.     Called  also  aerolite. 

Meteorologist,  'o-jist.  A  person  who 
studies  the  phenomena  of  meteors  or 
keeps  a  register  of  them. 

Metheg-lin,  -theg'lin.  A  liquor  made  of 
honey  and  water  boiled  and  fermented, 
often  enriched  Avith  spices. 

Methodist,  meth'od-ist.  One  of  a  sect 
of  Christians  founded  in  England  in  the 
ISth  century  by  John  AVesley,  so  called 
from  the  fact  that  the  name  was  applied 
to  Wesley  and  his  companions  by  their 
fellow-students  at  Oxford,  on  account  of 
the  exact  regularity  of  their  lives,  and  the 
strictness  of  their  observance  of  religious 
duties. 

Methuselah.  In  Scrip,  son  of  Enoch, 
who  lived  before  the  Deluge,  reaching  the 
age  of  969  years. 

Metic,  me'tik.  In  ancient  Greece,  a  so- 
journer ;  a  resident  stranger  in  a  Grecian 
city  or  place. 

Metif,  'tif.  A  half-breed  between  a  white 
and  a  quadroon. 

Metis,  'tis.  One  of  the  asteroids  between 
the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 

Metra,  met'ra.  An  ingenious  pocket  in- 
strument, combining  a  thermometer,  clin- 
ometer, goniometer,  level,  magnifying 
lens,  measure  for  Mire  gauze,  plummet, 
platina  scales,  anemometer,  &c.,  by  which 
the  temperature,  direction  and  dip  of 
rocks,  the  angles  of  cleavage  and  crystalli- 
zation, the  level  of  workings,  the  latitude, 
&c.,  can  be  determined. 

Meter,  me'ter.  A  French  measure  of 
length,  equal  to  89.37  English  inches,  the 
standard  of  linear  measure,  being  the  ten 
milhonth  part  of  the  distance  from  the 
equator  to  the  N.  pole,  as  ascertained  by 
actual  measurement  of  an  arc  of  the  me- 
ridian. 

Metrochrome,  met'ro-krom.  An  in- 
strument for  measuring  colors. 

Metrograph,  -graf.  An  apparatus  on  a 
railway  engine  which  measures  and 
records  the  rate  of  speed  at  any  moment, 
and  the  time  of  arrival  and  departure  at 
each  station. 

Metrouozne,  -nom.  An  instrument  con- 
sisting of  a  pendulum,  set  in  motion  by 
clockwork,  for  the  purpose  of  determin- 
ing, by  its  vibrations,  the  movement  of 
musical  compositions. 

Metronymic,  -ro-nim'ik.  A  name  de- 
rived fi-om  a  mother  or  other  female  an- 
cestor, as  opposed  to  patronymic. 

Metropolitan, -pol'i-tan.  A  bishop  har* 


METTEEmCH 


500 


MICEOPHOTOGEAPHY 


ing  authoritj'  over  the  other  bishops  of  a 
province ;  an  archbishop.  In  the  Greek 
Ch.  the  title  of  a  dignitary  intermediate 
between  patriarchs  and  archbishops. 

Metternicli,  Clemens  Wenzel, 
Prince  von.  An  eminent  Austrian 
statesman  and  diplomat ;  n.  1773,  d.  1S59. 

IVCetz.  A  city  of  prov.  of  Alsace-Lor- 
raine, at  the  junction  of  the  Moselle  and 
Seille,  80  m.  8.  W.  of  Strasburg.  It  is 
strongly  fortified,  and  was  sunendered 
to  the  Germans,  1871,  by  Marshal  Ba- 
zaine  ;  pop.  60,000. 

]!lleum,  me'um.  Mine ;  that  which  is 
mine;  commonly  used  in  the  'phrase 
"meumand  teum,"  meaning  what  be- 
longs to  one's  self  and  what  belongs  to 
any  one  else. 

tJIexioo.  An  extensive  republic  (former 
empire)  of  N.  America,  bounded  JST.  by 
the  U.  8.,  E.  by  the  U.  8.  and  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  8.  by  Central  America,  and  W. 
by  the  Pacific  ;  area  773,144  sq.  m.  ;  pop. 
abt.  11,000,000.  Principal  cities,  Mexico, 
cap..  Vera  Cruz,  Tampico,  Matamoras, 
Mazatlan,  Acapulco,  8an  Bias,  La  Puebla 
and  Jalapa ;  of  these  Vera  Cruz  and  Tam- 
pico are  considerable  seaports.  Chief 
rivers,  the  Eio  Grande  del  Norte,  on  the 
E.  boundary  ;  Colorado,  Bravo  del  Noi-te, 
Grande  de  8aptiago  and  Conchas.  Lakes, 
Mexico,  Parras  and  Chapula.  Mountain 
ranges,  the  Cordilleras  and  Sierra  Madre. 
The  volcanic  mtn.  Popocatapetl  is  17,783 
ft.  above  sea  level,  M.,  the  cap.,  is  the 
oldest  city  of  America;  pop.  260,000. 
Mexico,  Gulf  of.  A  large  body  of 
Avater  bet.  N.  and  8.  America,  connecting 
with  the  Atlantic  by  the  Florida  channel, 
and  with  the  Caribbean  Sea  by  the  chan- 
nel of  Yucatan  ;  length  1,200  m.;  average 
width  650  m. 

Meyerbeer,  Giacomo.  (Jacob  Meyer 
Beer).  An  eminent  German  musician 
and  composer,  of  Jewish  extraction ;  b. 
1794,  u.  1863.  At  the  age  of  9  he  was 
one  of  the  first  pianists  of  Berlin. 

Mezzotinto,  met-zo-tin'to.      A  partic- 
ular manner  of  engraving  on  copper 
steel  in  imitation  of  painting  in  Indii 
ink. 

Miako  (Meaco).  A  city  on  the  island  of 
Niphon,  Japan,  240  m.  W.  of  Jeddo,  the 
residence  of  the  Mikado ;  pop.  abt.  410,000. 

Mica,  ml'ka.  A  mineral  of  a  foliated  struc- 
ture, consisting  of  thin  flexible  laminse  or 
scales  having  a  shining  and  almost  metal- 
lic luster.  The  laminai  are  easily  separated, 
and  are  sometimes  not  more  than  the  300,- 
000th  part  of  an  inch  ia  thickness.    They 


are  employed  in  Eussia  for  window  panes, 
and  in  coal-burning  stoves  as  reflectors. 

Micah..  In  Scrip,  a  canonized  book  of 
the  Ola  Testament,  written  by  M.,  a  minor 
prophet  in  the  reigns  of  Jotham,  Ahaz 
and  Ilezekiah. 

Michael.  In  Scrip,  the  archangel  men- 
tioned as  having  the  Hebrews  under  his 
special  guardianship.  A  name  borne  by 
8  emperors  of  the  East. 

Michael-Angelo  Buonarotti.  Italy's 
greatest  and  most  versatile  artist,  excel- 
ing  as  an  architect,  painter  and  sculptor  ; 
B.  in  Tuscany  1474,  d.  1563.  He  designed 
St.  Peter's  at  Eome  1505,  and  superintend- 
ed its  completion  1546. 

Michaelmas,  mik'el-mas.  The  feast  of 
St.  Michael,  the  archangel,  Sept.  29. 

Michelet,  Jules.  A  distinguished 
French  historian;  b.  1798^^d.  1874. 

Michig-an.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  1837,  boimded  N.  by 
Lake  Superior,  E.  by  Lakes  Huron  and  St. 
Clair,  Canada,  8.  by  Ohio  and  Indiana,  "W. 
by  Lake  Michigan  and  Wisconsin  ;  area, 
56,243  sq.  m.;  pop.  1,636,937.  Pi-incipal 
cities,  Lansing,  cap.,  Detroit,  chief  com- 
mercial metropolis,  Bay  City,  Iviles,  Mar- 
quette, Ann  Arbor,  Ypsilanti,  Kalamazoo, 
and  Grand  Haven.  Chief  rivers,  Au  Sa- 
ble, Huron,  Saginaw,  Eaisin,  Kalamazoo, 
Grand,  Manistee,  Muskegon,  Menominee, 
and  St.  Joseph.  It  borders  on  Lakes 
Erie,  St.  Clair,  Huron,  Michigan  and  Su- 
perior. The  Porcupine  Mountains  are  in 
the  extreme  N.  end  of  the  State.  M.  Lake, 
the  second  in  size  of  the  great  chain  of  5 
Inland  lakes  ;  length  360  m.  ;  width  from 
80  to  100  m.  It  is  600  ft.  above  sea  level. 

Microlestes,  mi'kro-les-tez.  A  gen.  of 
extinct  marsupials,  containing  the  earliest 
known  mammahan  inhabitant  of  our  plan- 
et. It  occurs  at  the  upper  part  of  the  up- 
per trias,  and  appears  to  have  been  most 
nearly  related  to  the  banded  ant-eater  of 
New  South  "Wales. 

Micropantogrraph,  -pan'to-graf.  An 
instrument  for  executing  extremely  mi- 
nute writing  and  engraving.  Called  also 
Micrograph. 

Microphone,  -fon.  An  instrument  to 
augment  small  sounds.  By  some  arrange- 
ments the  sounds  of  the  human  voice  con- 
veyed to  a  distance  by  the  telephone  can 
be  made  audible  in  every  part  of  a  hall. 

Microphotography,  -f6-tog"ra-fi.  A 
photographic  process  by  which  an  object 
is  diminished  in  size,  and  yet  its  exact  form 
retained. 


MICROSCOPE 


501 


MILLEI^IUM 


Microscope. 


Microscope,  -skop. 
An  optical  instrument 
consisting  of  a  lens  or 
combination  of  lenses 
(in  some  cases  mir- 
rors also)  which  mag- 
nifies objects,  and 
thus  renders  visible 
minute  objects  that 
cannot  be  seen  by  the 
naked  eye. 

Micro  s  c  o  p  i  u  m , 
-sko'pi-um.  The  Mi- 
croscope, a  southern 
constellation,  situated 
above  Grus  and  In- 
dus, at  the  junction  of  Capricornus  and 
Sagittarius.    It  contains  10  stars. 

Microsthene,  'kros-then.  A  member 
of  one  of  the  four  groups  into  which  Dana 
divides  mammals.  The  Microsthenes  in- 
clude the  bats,  insectivora,  rodents,  &c. 

Midas.  In  Myth,  a  Phrygian  King  who 
was  endowed  by  Bacchus  wth  the  power 
of  changing  anything  he  touched  into 
gold.  This  affecting  his  food,  on  appeal 
to  Bacchus  he  rid  himself  of  his  won- 
derful power  by  bathing  in  the  Pactolus, 
the  sands  of  which  Ivere  turned   to  gold. 

Middle  Ag-es,  The.  A  period  in  Eu- 
ropean history  generally  considered  as  be- 
ginning about  the  date  of  the  destruction 
of  the  Koman  empire  and  extending  to  the 
Eeformation,  or  opening  with  the  invasion 
of  France  by  Clovis,  486,  and  ending  with 
the  capture  of  Naples  by  Charles  VIII., 
1496 — or  about  10  centuries.  The  first 
half  of  the  period  is  known  as  the  Dark 
Ages. 

Midg'ard,  mii'gard.  In  Scand.  Myth, 
the  abode  of  the  human  race,  formed  'out 
of  the  eyebrows  of  Ymir,  one  of  the  first 
giants,  and  joined  to  Asgard,  or  the  abode 
of  the  gods,  by  the  rainbow-bridge. 

Midire,  mij.  The  ordinary  English  name 
given  to  numerous  minute  species  of 
Tipulidfe,  resembling  the  common  gnat. 

Midgret,  mij'et.  Canadian  name  for  the 
sand-fly. 

Midsummer,  mid'sum-er.    The  middle 
of  summer,  the   summer  solstice,  about 
the  21st  of  June.    M.  day  is  the  feast  of 
the  nativity  of  St.  John  the  Baptist ;  com 
monlj'  reckoned  June  '24. 

Mid-Txricket,  'wik-et.  In  cricket,  one  of 
the  fielders  standing  about  half-way  be- 
tween the  batsmen.  Mid-wicket  on  stands 
to  the  right  of  the  batsman  who  is  strik- 
ing, mid-wicket  off  to  his  left. 

Midwife,  'wif.    A  woman  tiiat  assists 


other   women   in  child  birth ;    a  female 

practitioner  of  the  obstetric  art. 

MifBin,  Thomas.  An  American 
statesman  and  general ;  b.  in  Penn.,  1744, 
D.  1800.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  and  governor  of  his  na- 
tive  State  9  years. 

Mihrab,  meh'rab.  An  ornamented  re- 
cess in  the  exterior  wall  of  a  mosque,  hav 
ing  the  mimbar  or  pulpit  to  the  right. 
The  people  pray  in  front  of  the  mihrab, 
which  always  marks  the  direction  of  Mec- 
ca ;  and  in  it  a  copy  of  the  Koran  is  kept. 
A  similar  praying  place  is  found  in  the 
Jewish  synagogue,  containing  a  copy  of 
the  law,  and  pointing  out  the  direction  of 
Jerusalem. 

Mikado,  mi-ka'do.  The  emperor  o! 
Japan,  the  spiritual  as  well  as  the  tempo- 
ral head  of  the  empire. 

Milan.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name,  N. 
Italy,  formerly  cap.  of  Lombardy,  79  m, 
N.  E.  of  Turin;  pop.  abt.  200,000. 

Mile,  mil.  A  measure  of  distance.  The 
English  statute  mile  contains  8  furlongs, 
1760  yards,  or  52S0  feet.  The  square  mile 
is  640  acres.  The  ancient  Scottish  mile  was 
1.127  English  miles;  the  Irish  mile, 
1.273  EngUsh  miles ;  the  German  short 
mile  is  3.897  English  miles,  the  German 
long  mile  5.753.  Geo.graphical  or  nautical 
mile,  the  60th  part  of  a  degree  of  latitude, 
or  6,079  feet  nearly, 

Milesian,  mi-le'zhi-an.  A  native  of  Ire- 
land, whose  inhabitants,  according  to 
Ii-ish  tradition  or  legend,  are  descended 
from  Milesius,  a  King  of  Spain,  whose 
two  sons  conquered  the  island  1,300  years 
before  Christ,  establishing  a  new  nobility. 

Mill,  mil.  A  money  of  account  of  the  U. 
S.  of  the  value  of  a  tenth  of  a  cent. 

Mill-bar,  'bar.  Eough  bar-iron  as  dis 
tinguished  from  merchant-bar,  which  is 
finished  ready  for  sale. 

Mill-cake,  kak.  A  cake  of  gunpowder 
before  it  is  subiected  to  granulation. 

Milleflore  Glass,  'le-fi-o"re  glas.  Or- 
namentid  glasswork  made  by  fusing  to  • 
gether  tubes  of  elass  enamel,  usually  im 
bedded  in  flint-glass. 

Millenarian,  le-na'ri-an.  One  who 
beUeves  in  the  millennium,  and  that 
Chi-ist  will  reign  on  earth  with  his  saints  a 
thousand  years  before  the  end  of  the 
world  ;  a  chiliast. 

Millennium.,  len'i-nm.  A  word  used  to 
denote  the  thousand  years  mentioned  in 
Rev.  XX.  ]  -5.  when  Satan  will  be  power- 
less, and  millenarians  believe,  Christ wiU 
reign  on  earth  with  his  saints. 


MILLEPED 


502 


MmEEALOGIST 


Millepora. 


IKCilleped,  'le-ped.  A  name  common  to 
the  fam  lulidse,  ord.  Myriapoda,  from  the 
number  of  their  feet.  The  most  common 
is  the  lulus  sabulosus,  the  young  of  which 
when  hatched  have  only  three  pairs  of 
legs,  the  remainder  being  gi-adually  ac- 
quired till  they  number  about  120  pairs. 

Millepora,  -lep'o- 
ra.  A  gen.  and 
family  of  reef-build- 
ing branching  cor- 
als, so  named  from 
their  numerous 
minute  distinct 
cells  or  pores  per- 
pendicular to  the 
surface. 

Miller,  Hugh 
An  eminent  Scottish  geologist  and  author; 
B.  1802,  suicided  1856.  He  began  life  as  a 
stone  mason. 

Millerite,  'er-It.  A  disciple  of  William 
Miller,  who  taught  that  the  end  of  the 
world  and  the  coming  of  Christ's  reign 
on  earth  were  soon  to  take  place. 

Mill-furnace,  'fer-nas.  In  iron-works, 
a  furnace  in  Avhich  the  puddled  metal  is 
reheated  before  being  again  rolled. 

Milliard,  -li-ard.    A  thousand  millions. 

Millig-ram,  i-gram.  In  French  weights 
and  measures,  the  thousandth  part  of  a 
gram,  equal  to  a  cubic  millimeter  of  water, 
or  to  .0151  of  a  grain. 

Milliliter,  -h  ter.  A  French  measure  of 
capacity  containing  the  thousandth  part 
of  a  liter,  equal  to  ,06103  decimals  of  a  cu- 
bic inch. 

Millimeter,  -me-ter.  A  French  lineal 
measure  containing  the  thousandth  part 
of  a  meter  ;  equal  to  .03937  of  an  inch. 

Milling'-tool,  'ing-tol.  A  small  indent- 
ed roller  used  to  mill  or  nurl  the  edges  of 
the  heads  of  screws,  &c. 

Million, 'yon.  The  number  of  ten  hun- 
dred thousand,  or  a  thousand  thousand, 
represented  by  the  figures  1,000,000. 

Millionaire,  -ar.  A  man  worth  a  mil- 
lion of  money  ;  a  man  of  great  wealth. 

Mill, James.  An  eminentBritish  political 
economist  and  historian;  b.  1773,  d.  1836. 
M.,  eJohn  Stuart,  his  son,  was  also  an  origi- 
inal  thinker  and  prolific  Avri ter  on  econom- 
ic and  social  subjects ;  b.  1806,  d.  1873. 

Mill  Springs.  A  locality  in  Wayne  Co., 
Ky  ,  noted  for  the  defeat,  Jan.  19, 1862, 
of  the  Confederates  under  Gen,  Critten- 
den, by  the  Federals  under  Gen.  G.  H. 
Thomas,  Gen.  ZollicoflFer  of  the  Confeder- 
ate army  being  among  the  killed. 


Millstone,  'ston.  A  stone  used  for  grind- 
ing grain.  The  stone  best  suited  for  this 
purpose  is  called  buhrstone,  or  burr-stone. 
Milne-Edwards,  Henri.  An  illus- 
trious French  naturahst;  b.  1800,  d.  1879. 
Miltiades.  The  distinguished  Athenian 
general  who  defeated  the  Persians  at 
Marathon,  and  saved  his  country  ;  later  he 
was  tried  for  misconducting  the  war,  con- 
victed and  died  in  confinement ;  b.  abt 
560,  B.  489  B.  c. 

Milton,  Jolm.  An  eminent  English 
poet;  B.  1608,  d.  1674. 
Milwaukee.  Cap.  of  co.  of  same  name, 
on  Lake  Michigan,  and  the  commercial 
metropolis  of  Wisconsin  ;  pop.  115,587. 
Mill- Wright,  'rit.  A  mechanic  or  wrigbt 
whose  occupation  it  is  to  construct  tho 
machinery  of  mills, 

Milreis,  'res.    A  Portuguese  coin  worth 
a  thousand  reis,  or  about  57  cents. 
Milvns, 'vus.    A  gen.  of  raptorial  birds, 
fara.  Falconid£e;  the  kites. 
Minaret,  min'a-ret.  A 
slender  lofty  turret  ris- 
ing by  stories,  surround- 
ed by  balconies,  com- 
mon in    MohammedSn 
mosques,  used  by  the 
priests  for  summoning 
from  the  balconies  the 
peoi)le  to  prayers,   an- 
swering the  purpose  of  s^ 
belfries     in     Christian  ^v 
churches.  PrtT] 

Mincio.  A  river  of  N. !  '' ''  " 
Italy,  only  38  m.  long 
emptying  into  the  Po' 
12  m.  S.  E.  of  Mantua,  1  I 
but  noted  for  the  nu-|J 
merous  battles  along  its '^, 
banks,  both  in  ancient  f"' 
and  modern  wars.  Bona- • 
parte,  1796,  and  Charles 
Beauharnais,  1814,  de- 
feated the  Austrians  on 
the  M.;  1S48,  Charies  Albert  Albert,  king 
of  Sardinia,  forced  Eadetzky  to  cross  the 
M.,  and  in  the  Franko-Italian  war  against 
Austria,  1859,  it  was  the  principal  sti-ategio 
base  of  operations. 

Minden.  A  fortified  town  of  Westpha- 
lia, Prussia,  on  the  Weser,  noted  for  the 
defeat  in  its  vicinity,  Aug.  1, 1759,  of  the 
French  under  Marshal  Contad6s,  by  the 
allied  German-EngUsh  army  under  Prince 
Ferdinand  of  Brunswick ;  pop.  18,462. 
Mineralogrist,  -er-al'o-jist.  One  who  is 
versed  in  the  science  of  minerals,  or  who 
treats  of  the  propei-ties  of  mineral  bodies. 


Minarets. 


MTNEETA 


MIRAGE 


KLinerva,  rai-ner'va.  In  Rom.  Myth, 
one  of  the  three  chief  divinities  to  whom 
a  common  temple  was  dedicated  on  the 
Capitoline  hill,  Jupiter  and  Juno  bein^ 
the  other  two.  She  was  a  virgin,  daughter 
of  Jui>iter,  and  Avas  identified  by  the  Ro- 
mans with  the  Greek  goddess  Athene,  the 
goddess  of  Avisdom,  of  war  and  of  the  lib- 
eral arts,  and  was  represented,  like  her, 
with  a  grave  and  noble  countenance,  armed 
with  helmet,  shield  and  spear,  wearing 
long  full  drapery,  and  on  her  breast  the 
aegis,  with  a  border  of  serpents,  and  the 
head  of  Medusa  in  the  center. 

Mingrelian,  ming-gre'li-an.  One  of  a 
sect  of  Greek  Christians  inhabiting  Min- 
grelia,  who,  among  other  pecuharities, 
refrain  from  baptizing  their  children  till 
their  eighth  year.  They  ai-e  followers  of 
Gyrillus  and 'Methodius. 

Iflinie-ball.  A  rifle-bullet 
invented  by  Capt.  Minie,  of 
Trance. 

Minim,  'im.  One  of  a  re- 
formed order  of  Franciscans, 
founded  by  St.  Francis  of 
Paula  in  Calabria  in  1473.  The 
smallest  liquid  measure,  about  Mtnie-ball. 
equal  to  one  drop.  The  fluid 
drachm  is  divided  into  60  minims. 

Miniver,  'i-ver.  The  Siberian  squirrel, 
which  has  fine  white  fur ;  also  the  fur  it- 
self. 

Mink,  mingk.  A  semi-aquatic  quadru- 
ped allied  to  the  polecat  and  weasel.  It 
exhales  a  strong  odor  of  musk,  and  its 
fur  is  in  considerable  request. 

Minnesingrer,  min'ne-sing-er.  One  of 
a  classjif  Gorman  lyric  poets  and  singers 
of  the  l2th  and  13th  centiuies,  composed 
chiefly  of  knights,  nobles,  princes  and 
even  emperors.  They  often  engaged  in 
poetical  contests  for  the  gratification  of 
princes  and  ladies  of  the  court.  Their 
songs  are  mostly  in  the  Swabian  dialect, 
which  was  the  court  language.  Thev 
gave  way  to  the  mastersingers  of  the  IStii 
and  16th  centuries. 

Minnesota.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  185T,  bounded  N.  by 
Manitoba,  E.  by  Lake  Superior  and  Wis- 
consin, S.  by  Iowa,  "W.  by  Dakota  Ter- 
ritory;  area,  83,581  sq.  m.,  pop.  780,778. 
Principal  cities,  St.  Paul,  cap.,  St. 
Anthony,  Stillwater,  Red  "Wing,  Minne- 
apolls,Fort  Snelling  and  Mankato  Chief 
rivers,  the  Mississippi,  Minnesota,  Red 
River  of  the  North,  St.  Croix  and  St. 
Louis.  Lakes,  Red,  Cass,  Leech,  Mille 
Iiaefl,  YemiiUoa  and  Wioibigosk. 


Minniwakan,  Lake  (Devil  Lake). 

A  sheet  of  brackish  water  in  Dakota  Ter- 
ritor}',  without  visible  outlet ;  area,  750 
sq.  m. 

Minnow,  -6  A  spe- 
cies of  cyprin  old  fish, 
the  Leuciscus  phox- 
inus,  the  smallest 
British  species.    In  Minnow 

America  the  name  is 
given  to  the  Phoxinus  Isevis. 
Minos.    In  Myth,  king  and  lawgiver  of 
Crete,  afterwards  made  a  judge  in  Hades. 
Also  a  King  of  Crete  who  compelled  the 
Athenians  to  send  him  yearly  9  boys  and 
7  girls  to  be  devoured  by  the  Minotaur. 
Minotaur,   min'6-tar.     In  Greek  Myth, 
a  monster  fabled  to  liave  had  the  body  of 
a  man  with  the  head  of  a  bull,   and  to 
have  fed  on  human  flesh,  on  which  ac- 
count Minos  shut  him  iip  in  the  labjrrinth 
of  Daedalus,  and  at  first  exposed  to  him 
criminals,    but   afterwards    youths    and 
madens  yearly  sent  from  Athens  as  a  trib- 
ute.    He  was  slain  by  Theseus. 
Mint-mark,  mint'mark.      A    private 
mark  put  upon  coins  in  the  mint,  for  the 
purpose  of  identification. 
Minute-grun,  min'it-gun.     A  gun  dis- 
charged at  intervals  of  a  minute  in  token 
of  mourning  or  as  a  signal  from  a  vessel 
in  distress. 

Minute-man,  -man.  A  soldier  enlisted 
for  service  wherever  required,  and  ready 
to  start  at  a  minute's  notice. 
Miocene,  mi'o-sen.  In  Geol.  the  second 
of  the  four  subdivisions  of  the  tertiary 
strata,  the  oldest  being  the  eocene. 
MiohippuB,  -o-hip'pus.  A  fossil  genua 
of  pachyderms,  Fam.  Eqnldse,  about  the 
size  of  a  sheep. 

Mir,  mer.  A  communal  division  in  Russia. 
Mira,  mi'ra.  A  singular  star  of  the  third 
magnitude,  in  the  neck  of  Cetus.  It  ap- 
pears and  disappears  periodically  seven 
times  in  six  years. 
Mirage,  mi-razh'. 
The  name  given  to  an 
optical  illusion,  occa- 
sioned by  the  refrac- 
tion of  light  through 
contiguous  masses  ofg 
air  of  different  density. 
The  mirage  is  com- 
monly vertical,  that 
is,  presenting  an  ap- 
pearance of  one  object 
over  another,  like  a 
ship  above  its  shadow 
ia  the  vrater,  Mlrago, 


MIEABEAU 


504 


MOABITE 


Mirabeau,  Honore  Q-abriel  de 
Riquetti,  Comte  de.  A  distinguished 
Trench  orator  and  statesman  ;  u.  1749,  d. 
1T91. 

Mirza,  mer'za.  The  common  title  of 
honor  in  Persia,  when  it  precedes  the  sur- 
name of  an  individual.  When  appended 
to  the  sui-iiame  it  signifies  prince. 

M  i  s  c  e  g"  e  nation,  mis'su-je-na^shon. 
Mixtiu-e  or  amalgamation  of  races. 

Miserere,  mi-zu-re're.  The  name  of  a 
psalrn  in  the  K.  C.  Church  service.  A 
projecting  bracket  on  the  under  side  of  a 
hinged  seat  in  a  stall  ot  a  church ;  the  seat 
and  bracket  together. 

Misericordia,  miz'e-ri-kor"di-a.  A 
narrow-bladed  dagger  used  by  a  knight  in 
the  middle  ages  against  a  wounded  adver- 
sary, when  giving  him  the  mercy  or 
finishing  stroke. 

Mishna,  mish'na.  A  collection  or  digest 
of  Jewish  traditions  and  explanations  of 
Scripture,  divided  into  six  parts. 

Misog-amist,  mi-sog'am-ist.  Abater  of 
marriage. 

Misogynist,  'i-nist.    A  woman-hater. 

Missal,  mis'al.    The  E.  0.  mass-book.   • 

Missionary  Ridge.  An  elevation  bet. 
Lookout  Mountain  and  W.  Chickamauga 
Creek,  Ga.,  noted  for  the  defeat  of  the 
Confederates  under  Gen.  Bragg,  Nov.  25, 
1863,  by  the  Federals  under  Gen.  Grant. 

Mississippi.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  1817;  seceded  1861; 
re-admitted  1869  ;  bounded  N.  by  Tennes- 
see, E.  by  Alabama,  S.  by  Louisiana  and 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  W.  by  Louisiana  and  Ar- 
kansas ;  area,  47,156  sq.  m. ;  pop.  1,181,- 
597.  Principal  cities,  Jackson,  cap., 
Vicksburg,  Natchez,  Columbus,  Port  Gib- 
son, Holly  Springs,  Bayou  Sara  and  Gren- 
ada. Chief  rivers,  the  Mississippi,  Ten- 
nessee, Yazoo,  Big  Black.  Pearl  and  Tom- 
bigbee.  M.  Kiver  (Father  of  Waters),  a 
river  of  the  U.  S.,  abt.  midway  between 
the  Atlantic  and  Rocky  Mountains ; 
second  to  the  Amazon,  the  largest  of  the 
world;  rising  in  N.  Minnesota  and  flowing 
through  or  between  10  states  to  the  Gulf ; 
length  4,400  m. 

Mister,  'ter.  Sir ;  master  ;  the  common 
title  of  address  to  an  adult  male,  now 
always  written  in  the  abbreviated  form 
Mr. 

Missolonghi.  A  Greek  seaport  in 
yf]tolia.  on  the  Gnlf  of  Patrr.s.  24  ra.  W. 
of  Lepanto,  noted  for  its  long  siege  by  the 
Turks  during  the  Greek  war  of  independ- 
ence, and  as  the  place  where  Lord  Byron 
died,  1S24 ;  pop.  about  &,200. 


Mistletoe. 


Missouri.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  1822;  seceded  1861,- 
readmitted  1S6S  ;  bounded  N.  by  Iowa, 
E.  by  Illinois  and  Kentucky,  S.  by  Ar- 
kansas, W.  by  Kansas,  Nebraska  and  In- 
dian Territory ;  area,  65,850  sq.  m  ;  pop. 
2,168,380.  Principal  cities,  Jefferson 
City,  cap.,  St.  Louis,  Springfield,  St.  Jo- 
seph and  Kansas  City.  Chief  rivers.  Mis- 
sissippi, Missouri,  Kansas,  Grand,  Charl- 
ton, Osage  and  Salt.  Mountains,  the 
Ozark  range.  M.  Eiver,  the  most  im- 
portant feeder  of  the  Mississippi,  which  it 
joins  bet.  Alton,  111.,  and  St.  Louis ; 
length,  8,130  m. 

Mistletoe,  miz'l-to. 
The  Yiscum  album,  or- 
der Loranthacese,  a 
plant  growing  parasiti- 
cally  on  various  trees, 
celebrated  on  account 
of  the  religious  pui*- 
poses  to  which  it  was 
consecrated  bj^the  an- 
cient Celtic  nations  of 
Europe.  Traces  of  the 
superstitious  regard  for 
the  mistletoe  still  re- 
main in  Germany  and 
England,  as  kissing  un- 
der it  at  Christmas. 

Mistral,  mis'tral.  A  violent  cold  north- 
west wind  experienced  in  districts  bor- 
dering on  the  Mediterranean,  destroying 
crops,  fruit,  &c.,  and  a  terror  to  sailors. 

Mitchel,  Ormsby  MacKnight.  An 
eminent  American  astronomer  and  Gen- 
eral;  B.in  Ky.,  1810;  d.  Avhile  in  com- 
mand of  the  Dept.  of  the  South,  in  the 
Federal  service,  1862.  •• 

Mite,  mit.  A  name  common  to  numer- 
ous small,  in  some  cases  microscopic,  an- 
imals, class  Arachnidu,  division  Acarida, 
including  the  cheese,  fxour,  itch,  garden, 
wood,  spider  and  water  mites. 

Mithras,  mith'ras.  The  principal  deity 
of  the  ancient  Persians,  the  god  or  genius 
of  the  sun. 

Mithridates  the  Great.  King  of 
Pontus,  who  overrun  all  xisia  Minor,  but 
was  defeated  by  Pompey  and  suicided ; 
reigned  from  120  to  63  n.  c. 

Mnemonics,  ut-mon'iks.  The  art  of 
improving  the  memory. 

Mnemosyne,  -mos'i-ne.  In  Greek  Myth, 
the  goddess  of  memory,  and  mother  of 
the  Muses  by  Jupiter. 

Moabite,  mo'ab-It.  One  of  a  tribe  ol 
pastoral  people  inhabiting  the  mountain- 
ous region  east  of  the  Dead  Sea,  whose 


MOAPwIA 


606 


MOHUE 


worship  was  polluted  by  many  abomi- 
nable rites,  including  that  of  human  sacri- 
fice. Tlieir  name  is  extinct,  and  they  are 
not  now  distinguished  from  other  Arabs. 

Moaria,  mo-a'ri-a.  The  hypothetical  B. 
Pacific  continent,  of  which  Australia  and 
New  Zealand  are  the  largest  fragments. 
Its  assumed  existence  is  used  to  account 
for  peculiarities  in  the  present  distribution 
of  man  and  other  animals  and  plants. 

Mobby,  mob'i.  The  juice  expressed  from 
apples  and  peaches,  and  distilled  to  make 
brandy. 

Mobee,  mo-be'.  A  fermented  liquor  in 
the  W.  Indies,  made  from  sugar,  ginger 
and  snake-root. 

Mobile.  The  principal  commercial  city 
of  Alabama,  cap.  of  county  bf  same  name, 
on  M.  Bay,  an  arm  of  the  "Gulf  of  Mexico, 
at  the  mouth  of  M.  Elver ;  pop.  29,132. 
M.  River,  formed  by  the  junction  of  the 
Alabama  and  Tombigbee,  50  m.  N.  of  the 
city  of  M. 

Mobsman,  mobz'man.  A  member  of 
the  swell  mob  ;  a  dressy  thief  or  swindler 
who  affects  the  airs  of  a  gentleman. 

Moccasin,  mok'a-sin.  A  shoe  made  of 
deer  skin  without  a  stiff  sole  ;  the  custom- 
ary shoe  worn  by  the  N.  American  In- 
dians. A  very  venomous  N.  American 
serpent.    Called  also  Water-viper, 

M  o  c  k  i  n  g- -bird,^^^ 
mok'ing-berd.      An  .  p^^  ^...- •  ,      , 
American  bird,  type    l^'«*'.^^~-^--~^'«' 
of  the  gen.  Mimua,  v^^*" 
thi-ush  family  (Tur-^;|\ 
didie  or   Merulidse).  ^ " 
It  imitates  the  cries 
or  notes  of  almost 
every  species  of  ani- 
mal.   Its  own  notes 
form  a  beautiful  and 
varied  strain. 

Medalist,    mod'al- 
ist.  One  who  regards 
the  three  persons  of  the  Trinity  as  diflFerent 
modes  of  being,  not  as  distinct  persons. 

Moderate,  mo'der-at.  A  member  of  a 
party  in  the  Church  of  Scotland  which  arose 
early  in  the  ISth  century,  and  claimed 
moderation  in  doctrine,  discipline  and 
church  government.  The  difference  of 
opinion  led  to  the  disruption.  May  IS,  l.S4^3, 

Modiste,  -dest.  A  female  who  deals  in 
articles  of  fashion,  particularly  in  ladies' 
apparel ;  a  milliner  or  dressmaker. 

Moeso-Groth.,  me'sd-goth.  One  of  that 
section  of  the  Goths  who  settled  in  Mcesia 
on  the  lower  Danube,  and  devoted  them- 
selves to  agricultural  pursuits. 


Mocking-bird. 


Modillion, 

mo-dil'yon.  In 
Arch,  a  carved  g 
bracket  used  in 
the  cornice  of 
the  Corinthian, 
Composite  and 
Koman  Ionic 
orders. 


Modillion. 


Moeso-Q-otMc,  'ik.  The  language  of  the 
Mojso-Goths.  In  it  we  have  the  earliest 
written  example  of  a  Teutonic  dialect, 
part  of  the  Scriptures  having  been  trans- 
lated by  Ulfilas,  bishop  of  the  Mceso- 
Goths,  in  the  4th  century. 

Mognl,  mo-gul'.  Lit.  a  Mongolian.  The 
Great  M.,  the  popular  name  for  the  sover- 
eign of  the  empire  founded  :n  Hindustan 
by  the  Mongols  under  Babir  in  the  16th 
century,  which  terminated  in  1S06. 

Mohair,  'bar.  The  hair  of  the  Angora 
goat.  Cloth  made  of  the  hair  of  the  same 
animal;  camlet.  A  wool  and  cotton 
cloth,  an  imitation  of  mohair. 

Mohammed  (Mahomet).  The  Arab 
founder  of  Islamism  ;  b.  at  Mecca,  569  ;  i>. 
at  Medina,  6-32.  He  belonged  to  the 
Koreish  tribe,  and  was  40  years  old  when 
he  professed  to  have  received  a  divine 
command  to  introduce  a  reformed  religion, 
in  which  the  Unity  of  God  and  the  renun- 
ciation of  false  gods  were  the  fundamental 
points.  The  name  was  also  borne  by  four 
Turkish  Sultans,  M.  II.  (the  Great)  being 
the  conqueror  of  Constantinople  and  a 
large  portion  of  Central  Europe. 

Mohammedan,  -ham'med-an.  A  fol- 
lower of  Mohammed,  the  founder  of  the 
Moslem  religion ;  one  who  professes  Mo- 
hammedanism. 

Mohawk.  A  river  of  Central  N.  Y., 
emptying  into  the  Hudson  10  m.  N".  ol 
Albany ;  length,  135  m. 

Mohawks.  A  tribe  of  N.  American  In- 
dians, one  of  the  confederated  Iroquois, 
living  along  the  Mohawk  liiver,  in  New 
York.  They  now  live  in  W,  Canada  and 
are  fairly  ci  vilized. 

Mohr,  mor.  A  W. 
African  species  of  an- 
telope, gen.  Gazella, 
much  prized  on  ac- 
count of  producing 
the  bezoar-stones  so 
highly  valued  in  East- 
ern i/iedicine. 

Mohur,   mo'her.    A^ 
British    Indian    gold 
coin,    value     fulfteen 
rupees.  Mohr. 


M0HEGAN8 


506 


MONACO 


IMolieg-ans  (Mohicans).  A  once  pros- 
perous trloii  of  the  Algouquins,  occupying 
W. New  England 
and  E.  New 
York  at  the  time 
of  the  first  Euro- 
pean settlement. 
They  were  al- 
most destroyed 
by  the  Iroquois, 
the  small  rem- 
nant becoming 
identified  -with 
other  tribes. 

Moholi,  mo-ho' 
1  i .  A  quadru- 
manous      mam- 


Moholi. 


mal,  lemur  fam.  and  gen.  Galago. 

Mohurrum,  mo-hur'rum.  The  first 
month  of  the  Mohammedan  year,  during 
which  a  festival  is  celebrated  in  memory 
of  Hossein  and  Houssein,  sons  of  Ali,  and 
nephews  of  the  Prophet. 

Moidore,  moi'dor.  A  gold  coin  of  Por- 
tugal, valued  at  about  $6.50. 

Mokah,  mo'ka.  The  title  of  a  doctor  of 
laws  in  Turkey. 

Molar,  'ler.  A  grinding  tooth ;  a  double 
tooth. 

Molasses,  mo-las'ez.  The  uncrystal- 
lized  syrup  produced  in  the  manufacture 
of  sugar. 

Mole,  mol.  A  small  insectivorous  ani- 
mal, gen.  Talpa,  fam.  Talpidae,  which 
forms  a  readjust  under  the  surface  of  the 
ground.  The  Cape  mole,  or  changeable 
mole,  is  remarkable  as  being  the  Only 
mammal  that  exhibits  the  splendid  metal- 
lic reflection  which  is  thrown  from  the 
feathers  of  many  birds. 

Molecule,  mol'e-kul.  The  smallest  quan- 
tity of  any  elementary  substance  or  com- 
pound which  is  capable  of  existing  in  a 
separate  form.  It  differs  from  atom,  which 
is  not  perceived,  but  conceived. 

Mole-rat,  mol'rat.  A  name  given  to  ro- 
dents, gen.  Spalax,  which  live  in  the  earth 
and  burrow  in  it  like  moles,  the  S.  typh- 
lus  has  only  the  traces  of  eyes. 

Moliere.  Jean  Baptiste  Poquelin. 
An  eminent  French  wit  and  dramatist ;  b. 
1622,  D.  1673. 

Moline,  mo'lin.  The  crossed  iron  sunk 
in  the  center  of  the  upper  millstone,  for 
receiving  the  spindle  fixed  in  the  lower 
stone ;  a  mill-rynd. 

MoUah.,  mol'a.  An  honorary  title  ac- 
corded to  anyone  in  Turkey  who  has  ac- 
quired respect  from  purity  of  life,  or  who 
exercises  functions  relating  to  religion  or 


Mollusks. 


the  sacred  or  canon  law.  It  is  not  con- 
ferred by  authorit}',  but  from  pubhc  re* 
epect,  and  is  nearly  equivalent  to  master', 
excellency.    Ulemas  are  mollahs. 

Mollusca,-lus'. 
ka.  An  aniiiial 
sub-ki]igdoia, 
comprising 
those  soft-bodied 
animal  s  whi  ch  are 
usually  provided/ 
with  an  exo- 
skeleton  or  shell. 

MoUuscoida, -koi'da.  A  group  of  ani- 
mals comprising  the  Polyzoa,  Tunicata, 
and  Brachiopoda. 

Molly  Magruire,  'li  ma-gwlr".  The 
name  assumed  by  inembt-rs  of  a  secret  il- 
legal association  in  Ireland,  reorganized  in 
America. 

Moloch,  mo'lok.  The  chief  god  of  the 
Ph«nicians,frequently  mentioned  in  Scni>- 
ture  as  the  god  of  the  Ammonites,  whose 
worship  consisted  chiefly  of  human  sacri- 
fices, ordeals  by  fire,  mutilation,  &c.    A 


Moloch-lizard, 
gen.  of  Australian  lizards.    M.  horridns  is 
one  of  the  most  ferocious-looking,  though 
one  of  the  most  harmless,  of  reptiles. 

Molokan,  -lo'kan.  Milk-drinkers ;  a 
Eussian  sect  which  forbid  making  the 
sign  of  the  cross  or  the  use  of  images,  con- 
sider all  wars  unlawful,  and  observe  the 
laws  of  Moses  respecting  meat. 

Molossus,  -los'us.  A  gen.  of  bats  ;  the 
bull-dog  or  mastiff  bat. 

Moluccas,  The.  (Spice  Islands.) 
A  group  belonging  to  Holland  in  the  Ma- 
lay Archipelago. 

Momotinse,  'mot-I-ne.  The  motmots, 
asub-fam.  of  fissirostral  birds,  fam.  Cora- 
ciadte,  allied  to  the  jays  and  crows. 

Momus,  'mus.  In  Greek  Myth,  the  god 
of  raillery  and  ridicule. 

Mona,  'na.  A  monkey,  gen.  Cercopithe- 
cus,  sometimes  called  the  variegated  mon- 
key, because  its  fur  is  varied  with  gray, 
red,  brown  and  green. 

Monaco.  A  principality  and  city  imder 
French  protection  in  S.  France,  noted  for 
its  gambhng  facilities,  the  Prince  obtain- 
ing his  revenue  from  the  license  or  per- 
centage of  the  gaming  tables.  It  was 
founded  in  the  10th  century  by  the  family 


MONAD 


507 


MONKEY-WEENCH 


Monadelph. 


of  Grimaldi,  who  still  retain  the  sover- 
eigntj'. 

Monad,  mon'ad.  An  ultimate  atom  or 
simple  substance  -without  parts.  An  imag- 
inary entity  in  the  philosophy  of  Leib- 
nitz, according  to  whom  every  monad  is  a 
soul,  and  a  human  soul  is  only  a  monad  of 
elevated  rank. 

Monadelphia,  -a- 
del'li-a.  The  16th 
class  in  Linnaius' 
sexual  system  of 
plants.  In  Zool.  that 
division  of  the  mam- 
malia in  which  the 
uterus  is  single.  It 
comprises  all  mam- 
mals with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  marsupi- 
als and  monotremes. 

Monandria,    -an'- 
dri-a.    The  1st  class  in  Linnseus'  sexual 
system  of  plants. 

Monarcliian,  -ark'i-an.  One  of  a  sect 
of  early  heretics  who  held  that  the  Father, 
Son  and  H^/ly  Ghost  were  the  same  person; 
a  Patripassian.  They  assumed  this  name 
in  the  2d  century. 

Monastery,  'as-ter-L  A  house  of  relig- 
ious retirement  or  of  seclusion  from  or- 
dinary temporal  concerns,  usually  applied 
to  houses  for  monks.  Among  Christians 
monasteries  for  men  were  founded  in  Up- 
per Egypt  about  the  year  305  by  St.  An- 
tony. About  the  middle  of  the  same  cen- 
tury female  monasteries  were  instituted. 
Monastic  vows  were  not,  however  intro- 
duced till  the  Cth  century,  by  St.  Benedict. 
The  monastic  life  is  pi-acticed  among  the 
Brahmaus  and  Buddhists,  and  has  been  so 
from  pre-Cliristian  times. 

Monasticon,  'ti-kon.  A  book  giving  an 
account  of  monasteries,  convents  and  re- 
ligious houses. 

Monday,  mun'da.  The  second  day  of 
the  week. 

Mondjourou,  mond-jo-ro'.  The  Indian 
shrew,  called  also  Soudeli  or  Indian  Musk- 
rat,  a  native  of  Hindustan.  It  emits  a 
powerful  scent  of  musk. 

Monera,  mo-ne'ra.  A  name  proposed 
by  Haeckel  for  certain  minute  murine  or- 
ganisms, the  lowest  group  of  the  Ehizo- 
poda.  They  are  at  the  very  base  of  the 
animal  kingdom,  or  form  a  kingdom. 
Kegnum  Protisticum,  between  animals 
and  vegetables. 

Money,  mun'i.  Coin  ;  stamped  metal 
that  may  be  given  in  exchange  for  com- 
modities.   Bank  notes,  notes  of  hand,  leU 


ters  of  credit,  accepted  bills  on  mercantila 
firms,  (fcc,  all  representing  coin,  are  called 
money,  or  paper  money,  and  are  used  as 
a  substitute  for  it. 

Monge,  Gaspard,  Comte  de  Peluse. 

The  most  eminent  geometer  and  natural 
philosopher  of  modern  times;  b.  at 
Beaune,  France,  1740,  d.  1818. 

Mongolia.  A  large  country  of  N.  E. 
China,  in  the  center  of  which  is  the  im- 
mense sand  desert  Ta-Gobi ;  1200  m.  by 
GOO. 

Mongolidee,  mon-gol'i-de.  One  of  the 
three  great  divisions  into  which  Dr.  La- 
tham divides  the  family  of  man,  the  other 
two  being  the  Atlantidaj  and  Japetidaj.  It 
is  the  largest,  and  takes  its  name  from  the 
Mongols,  who  are  considered  the  t>'pe. 

Monitor,  'i-ter.  The  popular  name  for 
a  class  of  shallow,  semi-submerged,  heav- 
ily-armed iron-clad  steam-vessels,  invent- 
ed by  Ericsson,  carrying  either  one  or 
two  revohing  turrets,  each  containing  one 
or  more  enormous  guns. 

Monitoridae,  -i-tor'i-de.  The  monitors, 
a  fam.  of  saurian  reptiles,  allied  to  the 
true  lizards. 

Monk,  mungk.  One  of  a  community  of 
males  inhabiting  a  monaster}',  and  bound 
by  vows  to  celibac}^  and  religious  exercises. 

Monk,  Georg-e,  Duke  of  A  be- 
marle.  A  distinguished  Enghsh  general ; 
B.  1608,  D.  1670.  He  fought  on  both  sides 
in  the  war  with  Charles  1.,  and  finally  re- 
stored the  crown  to  Charles  11. 

Monk-bat,  'bat.  Molossus  fumarius,  a 
species  of  bat  in  Jamaica,  the  males  of 
which  are  often  found  in  great  numbers 
together. 

M  p  n  k  e  y , 
mung'ki.  A 
name  used  in 
its  wider  sense 
for  all  the 
quadruma  n  a  , 
except  the  le- 
murs and  al- 
lies, including 
monkeys  prop- 
er, apes  and 
baboons.  In 
its  more  re- 
stricted sense  it  designates  the  long-tailed 
members  of  the  order. 

Monkey-jacket,  -jak-et.  A  sailor's 
close-fitting-jacket,  generally  made  of  pi- 
lot cloth. 

Monkey-wrench,  -rensh.  In  Mech.  a 
screw-key  with  a  movable  iaw,  which  caa 
be  adjusted  to  the  size  of  the  nut. 


Diana  Monkey. 


MONK-SEAL 


508 


MONSIEUR 


Monk-seal,  mungk'sGl.  A  species  of 
seal  in  the  Mediterranean,  tj^je  of  the 
gen.  Pelagius  or  Monachus.  It  seems  to 
have  been  the  seal  best  known  to  the  an- 
cients. 

Monmouth,  James  Fitzroy, 
Duke  of.  The  natural  son  of  Charles 
II.,  B.  1649.  He  claimed  the  throne  on 
the  death  of  his  father,  but  was  defeated, 
made  prisoner  and  executed  hy  order  of 
King  James  II.,  1685. 

Monocarp,  mon'o-karp.  A  plant  that 
perishes  after  having  once  borne  fi-uit ;  an 
annual  plant. 

Monoceros,  -os'e-ros.  A  one-horned 
creature  ;  a  unicorn  ;  a  sea-monster  with 
one  horn,  probably  the  sword-fish.  The 
Unicorn,  a  constellation  containing  38 
stars. 

Monoch.rome,  'o-krom.  A  painting 
with  one  color,  relieved  by  light  and 
shade. 

Monodon,  'o-don.  The  sea-unicorn  or 
narwhal,  fam.  Delphinidae,  a  cetaceous 
mammal  which  has  a  horn-like  tusk  pro- 
jecting from  its  head. 

Monog'amist,  mo-nog'a-mist.  One  who 
upholds  monogamy  or  the  practice  of 
marrying  only  once.  One  who  has  a 
single  wife,  as  opposed  to  a  bigamist  or 
polygamist. 

Monogeny,  noi'e-ni.  The  doctrine  that 
the  human  race  has  sprung  from  a  single 
species  ;  the  essential  specific  unity  of  the 
human  species. 

Monogram,  mon'6-gram.  A  character 
or  cipher  composed  of  one,  two,  or  more 
letters  interwoven,  being  an  abbreviation 
of  a  name. 

Monolitll,  -lith. '  A  pillar  or  column 
formed  of  a  single  stone,  as  the  obelisks 
and  columns  of  Egypt. 

Monomania,  -o-ma'ni-a.  That  form  of 
mania  in  which  the  mind  of  the  patient  is 
absorbed  by  one  idea,  or  is  ii-rational  on 
one  subject  only. 

Monometallism,  -met'al-izm.   The  fact 
of  having  only  one  metal  as  a  standard  in 
the  coinage  of  a  country  ;  theory  or  belief 
in  the    advantages  of  a  single  metallic 
standard. 
Monorayaria,  -m!-a"ri-a.      A  group  of 
mollusca,  consisting   of  bivalves  whose 
shell  is  closed  by  a  single  adductor  muscle, 
as  the  oyster  and  pecten. 
Monongahela.     A  river  of  8.  W.  Penn. , 
which  unites  with  the  xiUeghany  at  Pitts- 
burgh and  forms  the  Ohio. 
Monophyodont,    -6-fro-dont.      Mam- 


mals in  which  only  a  single  set  of  teeth  Is 
ever  developed.  The  sloths,  armadillos, 
orycteropus,  ornithorhynchus,  and  the 
true  cetacea  are  examples.  All  other  mam- 
mals generate  two  sets,  the  first  deciduous, 
the  second  permanent. 

Monophysite,  mo-nof  i-sTt.  One  of  the 
adherents  of  Dioscorus,  bishop  of  Alexan- 
dria, who  was  condemned  for  the  same 
heresy  Avith  Eutyches, 
A.  D.  451.  They  main- 
tained, that  In  Jesus 
Christ  the  human  and 
divine  natures  were  so 
united  as  to  form  one 
nature  only. 

Monopteron,  mo- 
uop'ter-on.  In  Arch, 
a  temple  without  walls, 
composed  of  columns 


Monopteron. 


arranged  in  a  circle  and  supporting  a  con- 
ical roof. 

M  o  n  o  s  epalous.  Having 
only  one  sepal. 

Monosperm,  mon'o-sperm. 
A  plant  of  one  seed  only. 

Monostich,  -stik.  A  poem 
consisting  of  one  verse  only. 

Monosyllable,  -sil-a-bl.  A 
word  of  one  syllable. 

Monotessaron,  -o-tes'sa- 
ron.  A  Scriptural  narrative 
prepared  from  a  collation  of 
the  four  evangelists ;  a  har- 
mony of  the  four  evangels. 

Monotheism,  '6-the-lzm.  Mono8ei>- 
The  doctrine  of  the  existence      alous. 
of  one  God  onl3\ 

Monroe,  James.  The  fifth  President 
of  the  U.  S.;  a.  in  Va.,  1758  ;  d.  in  N.  Y., 
1831.  He  was  President  two  terms— 181T 
-25. 

Monroe-doctrine,  'ro-dok-trin.  The 
doctrine  first  propounded  by  President 
Monroe,  that  America  should  abstain  from 
intermeddling  Avith  the  broils  of  the  Old 
World,  Avhile  it  Avould  not  suffer  the  latter 
to  interfere  Avith  the  aff'airs  of  the  New. 

Monseigrneur,  -son-j'er .  A  French  title 
of  honor  given  to  princes,  bishops  and 
other  high  dignitaries.  Before  the  Eevo- 
lution  the  Dauphin  of  France  Avaa  styled 
Monseigneur,  Avithout  any  addition. 
Monsieur,  mu-see-ver.  A  title  given  to 
the  eldest  brother  of  the  King  of  France. 
The  common  title  of  courtesy  in  France, 
answering  to  the  Enghsh  Sir  and  Mr.; 
abbreviated  Mons.,  M.;  plural  Messrs., 
MM. 


MONSTRANCE 


609 


MOON 


Monstrance, 

mon'strans.  In  K. 
C,  Church  the 
glass- faced  shrme 
in  which  the  con- 
secrated host  is 
presented  for  the 
adoration  of  the 
people. 

Montaigrn  e, 
Michel  Ey- 
quem  de.  A  dis- 
tinguished French 
essayist;  b.  1533, 
».  1592. 

Montana.  A  ter- 
ritory of  the  Amer- 
ican Union,  bound- 
ed N.  by  British  N, 
America,  E.  by  Da 
kota,  S.  by  Wyo- 
ming, W.  by  Idaho; 
area,  143,77*6  sq.  m.;  pop, 


Monstrance. 
,  39,159.     Princi- 


pal cities,  Virginia  City,  cap.,  Helena, 
Bannock  and  Benton  City.  Chief  rivers, 
the  Missouri  and  Yellowstone.  Moun- 
tains, N.  Kocky  range. 
Montanist,  'tan-ist.  A  follower  of  the 
heresiarch  Montanus,  a  Phrygian  of  the  2d 
century,  who  pretended  he  was  inspired 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  and  instructed  in  sev- 
eral points  not  revealed  to  the  apostles. 
Mont  Blanc.  A  peak  of  the  Savoy 
Alps,  the  highest  in  Europe,  15,777  ft. 
above  sea  level. 

Montcalm  de  St.  Veran,  Iiouis  Jo- 
seph, Marquis  de.   A  French  general ; 
B.   1712;  killed,  simultaneouslv  with  his 
gallant  antagonist.  Gen.  Wolfe, "on  Quebec 
Heights.  1759. 
Mont  Cenis.    A  summit  of  the  Graian 
Alps,  celebrated  for  the  passage  of  Bona- 
parte's army,  ISll,  and  more  recently  for 
the  railway  tunnel  through  the  heai't  of 
the  mountain,  S  m.  in  length. 
Mont-de-piete,  -de-pe-a-ta.    The  name 
given  to   a  class     of  establishments   for 
advancing  money  to  the  poor  at    a  rea- 
sonable rate  of  interest.    They  originated 
in  Italy  under  the  patronage  of  the  papal 
government  in  the  15th  century,  to  coun- 
tervail the  exorbitantly  usurious  practices 
of  the  Jews.    They  have  spread  to  other 
countries,  as  France  and  Spain. 
Monte,  'ta.    A  Spanish  gambling  game 
played  with  dice  or  cards. 
Monte-bank,  -bangk.    A  gaming-table 
or  establishment  where  monte  is  played. 
Mortem,  'tem.    The  name  given  to  an 
ancient  English  custom,  till  l&i7  prev-alent 


among  the  scholars  of  Eton,  whieh  con- 
sisted  in  their  proceeding  every  third  year 
on  Whit-Tuesday  to  a  tumulus  (L.  ad 
montam,  whence  the  name)  near  the  Bath 
road,  and  exacting  money  for  salt,  as  it 
was  called,  from  all  persons  present,  or 
passers-by.  The  sum  was  given  to  the 
captain,  or  senior  scholar,  and  used  in  de- 
fraying his  expenses  at  the  university.  It 
has  been  known  to  approach  nearly  £1,000. 
Montenegro.  (Kara-Dagh,  the  "  Black 
Mountiiins,")  One  of  Turkey's  semi-inde- 
pendent provinces,  bounded  N.  by  Bosnia 
and  Herzegovina,  E.  by  Bosnia,  S.  by 
Albania,  W.  by  Dalmatia;  area,  1,700  sq. 
m.;  pop.  abt.  230,000  ;  cap.  Cettigne. 
Montesquieu,  Charles  de  Second- 
at.  Baron  de,  A  distinguished  French 
author  :  b.  16S9  ;  d.  1755. 
Montevideo.  Cap.  of  Uruguay,  S.  Amer- 
ica, on  the  estuary  of  the  La  Plata,  125  m. 
N.E.  of  Buenos  Ayres  ;  pop.  144,726. 
Montezuma  II.  Emperor  of  Mexico, 
and  last  of  the  Aztec  dynasty  ;  b.  1470, 
crowned  1502  ;  killed  while  a  prisoner  to 
Cortez,  1520. 

Montgrolfier,  -gol-fya.  A  balloon  filled 
with  atmospheric  air  dilated  by  heat.  M. 
ram,  a  hydraulic  ram  by  which  the  fall 
of  a  coluam  of  water  is  caused  to  elevate 
a  portion  of  itself  to  a  height  greater  than 
that  of  its  source. 

Montg-omery,  Bichard.  An  Ameri- 
can general  of  the  lievolution,  b.  in  Ire- 
land, 1736 ;  killed  at  the  assault  on  Quebec, 
1775. 

Month,  munth.  One  of  the  twelve  parts 
of  the  calendar  year;  a  period  of  time 
nearly  corresponding  to  one  revolution  ol 
the  moon  round  the  earth ;  called  distinc- 
tively a  calendar  month.  The  i)eriod  be- 
tween change  and  change  of  the  moon, 
reckoned  as  twenty -eight  days  ;  a  lunar 
month. 

Montmorenci.  One  of  the  oldest  and 
and  most  celebrated  families  of  France, 
the  head  of  which  was  long  known  as  the 
premier  baron  of  Christendom ;  it  gave 
France  6  constables  and  11  marshals. 
Montreal.  A  city  of  Quebec,  Dominion 
of  Canada,  on  an  island  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence, ISO  m.  S.  W.  of  Quebec ;  pop. 
138,264. 

Moodir,  mo'der.  The  Turkish  governor 
of  ii  city  or  district. 

Moon,  mcin.  The  orb, which  revolves 
round  the  earth ;  a  secondary  planet  or 
satellite  of  the  earth,  whose  boiTOwed 
light  is  reflected  to  the  earth  and  serves 
to  dispel  the  darkness  oi  night,    its  mean 


MOON-BLINK 


510 


M0EIBI7ND 


distance  from  the  earth  is  about  237,000 
miles ;  its  diameter  is  2,160  miles  and  its 
magnitude  about  l-49th  of  that  of  the 
earth.  It  completes  its  revolution  round 
the  earth  in  a  mean  or  average  pei-iod  of 
27  days,  7  hours,  43  minutes,  11. o  seconds, 
whicia  constitutes  the  sidereal  month. 
The  satelhte  of  any  planet. 
Moon-blink,  'blingk.  A  temporary 
evening  blindness  occasioned  by  sleeping 
in  the  moonshine  in  tropical  climates. 

Moonstone,  'ston.  A  variety  of  adularia 
worked  by  lapidaries.  By  reflected  light 
it  presents  a  pearly  play  of  color  not  un- 
like that  of  the  moon. 

Moon-year,  'yer.  A  lunar  year ;  the 
time  requu-ed  for  twelve  revolutions  of 
the  moon,  854  days,  8  hours,  48  minutes, 
87  seconds. 

Moor,  mor.  A  native  of  the  coast  of 
Africa,  called  by  the  Eomans  Mauretania; 
the  country  of  dark-complexioned  people ; 
Morocco,  Tunis,  Algiers,  &c. 

Moorcock,  'kok. 
The  male  of  the  red- 
grouse.  The  female 
is  called  the  moor- 
hen. 

Moor  hen,  'hen. 
The  g  a  1 1  i  n  ule  or 
water  hen  ;  the  f* 
male  of  the  red^ 
grouse. 

Mo  o  r  i  n  g--block, 
'ing-blok.     A  pecu- 
liar anchor  used   in 
some  ports  for  ridin 
ships  by. 

Moorish,   'ish,     A 
style  of  architecture 
which  the  Moors   of 
Spain  and  other  Mo- 
hammedan    nations 
have    employed     in 
mosques  and    other 
public    e  d  1  fl  c  e  8  . 
Called     also      Mor- 
esque,  Sai-acenic  or 
Arabian  architecture. 
Many  interesting  ex-     Mooring-block. 
amplcs  of  this  style  of  architecture  re- 
main at  various  places  in  Spain,  the  finest 
of  all  being  the  Alhambra  at  Granada. 

Moore.  Thomas.  An  eminent  Irish 
poet,  the  "Bard  of  Erin;"  b.  1779,  D. 
1S52. 

More,  Thomas,  Sir.  An  eminent  En- 
glish statesman  and  philosopher,  b.  1480, 
beheaded  on  a  false  charge  of  treason  by 
order  of  Henry  VIII . ,  1535, 


Moose. 
A  high-priest   or 


Moreau,  Jean  Victor.  A  French  gen- 
eral, B.  1763,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Drea- 
deii,  on  the  side  of  the  allied  forces,  181J 

Moose,  mos.  An 
animal,  gen.  Cer- 
vus,  C.  Alces,  the 
largest  of  the  deer 
kind,  growing 
sometimes  to  the 
height  of  17  hands, 
and  weighing  1,200 
lbs. ;  the  Europe- 1 
an  variety  i  s 
known  as  the  elk. 

Moostahid,  'ta-bid. 
chief  mollah  in  Persia, 

Moot-court,  mot'kort.  In  Law  schools, 
a  meeting  or  court  held  for  the  purpose  of 
discussing  points  of  law  or  arguing  and 
deciding  fictitious  cases. 

Moot-hill,  'hil.  A  hill  of  meeting  on 
which  the  ancient  Saxons  held  their  great 
courts. 

Moplah,  mop'la.  A  Mohammedan  in- 
habitant of  Malabar,  descended  from 
Arabs  or  Moors  and  native  women. 

Moravian,  mo-ra'vi-an.  A  native  or 
inhabitant  of  Moravia.  One  of  a  rehgious 
sect,  called  the  United  Brethren,  tracing 
its  origin  to  John  Huss.  Called  in  Ger- 
many Herrnhuter,  from  Heri'uhut,  their 
first  settlement. 

Morelschiki,  -rel-shik'i.  A  sect  of  Eus- 
sian  fanatics  whose  leading  idea  is  to  mor- 
tify the  flesh  for  the  sake  of  saving  the 
soul  and  have  recourse  to  self-mutilation, 
torture  and  death.  Called  In  Enghsh  Im- 
molators. 

Moresque,  mo-resk'.  A  style  of  orna- 
mentation for  flat  surfaces  named  after  the 
Moors,  but  really  developed  by  the  Byzan- 
tine Greeks.     Called  also  Arabesque. 

Morg-anatic,  mor-gan-afik.  A  term  ap- 
phed  to  a  semi-matrimonial  alliance  be- 
tween a  monarch,  or  one  of  the  highest 
nobility,  and  a  lady  of  inferior  rank.  In 
Germany  such  unions  are  called  left-hand- 
ed marriages,  because  in  the  ceremony 
the  left  hand  is  given.  If  the  male  be  of 
sovereign  rank,  the  children  of  the  female 
do  not  inherit  the  lather's  sovereignty, 
but  they  are  considered  legitimate  in  most 
otlier  respects. 

Morgray,  'ga.  The  small-spotted  dog-fish, 
or  bounce,  a  species  of  shark. 

Morgne,  morg.  A  place  where  the  bodies 
of  persons  found  dead  are  exposed,  that 
they  may  be  claimed  by  their  friends ;  a 
dead-house. 

Moribund,  mor'i-bimd.  A  dying  person. 


MOEIN'S-APPAEATUS 


MOSAIC 


Morion. 


Morin's-apparatus,  'inz-ap-pa-ra"tus. 
A  simple  apparatus  designed  to  illustrate 
the  laws  of  falling  bodies.  It  shows  that 
the  velocity  increases  as  the  square  of  the 
time,  or  as'l,  4,  8, 16,  &c. 

M-Orion,  'ion.  A  met- 
al helmet,  somewhat 
like  a  hat  in  shape,  of- 
ten with  a  crest  or 
comb  over  the  top,  and 
without  beaver  or  ^ 
visor. 

Mormon,  'mon.  A 
member  of  a  sect 
founded  in  the  U.  S. 
in  1830  by  Joseph 
Smith.  The  distinguishing  peculiarities 
of  the  sect  are — the  belief  in  a  continual 
divine  revelation  through  the  inspired  me- 
dium of  the  prophet  at  the  head  of  their 
church,  the  practice  of  polygamy,  and  a 
complete  hierarchical  organization.  They 
occupy  the  Territory  of  Utah,  with  Salt 
Lake  City  as  their  capital,  and  are  largely 
scattered  throughout  adjoining  Territories. 
They  call  themselves  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints.  The  govern- 
ment and  leading  statesmen  are  consider- 
ing ways  and  means  by  which  their  polyg- 
amous practices  may  be  suppressed. 

Morning'-star,  morn'ing-star.  The 
planet  Venus  when  it  rises  before  the  sun. 
In  Milit.  Antiq.  a  weapon  of  offense  used 
from  the  Conquest  till  the  time  of  Henry 
VII.  It  consisted  of  a  wooden  ball  con- 
taining iron  spikes  at  the  end  of  a  polo,  to 
which  it  Avas  sometimes  suspended  by  a 
chain.  It  was  also  termed  a  Holy-water 
Sprinkler. 

Morocco,  mo-rok'6.  A  fine  leather  made 
from  the  skins  of  goats,  tanned  with  su- 
mach, dyed  and  grained,  the  last  process 
being  that  which  gives  it  its  well-known 
wrinkled  appearance.  The  art  of  prepar- 
ing it  is  said  to  have  been  derived  from 
the  Moors. 

Morocco.  An  empire  of  N.  Africa, 
bounded  N"  by  the  Sti-aits  of  Gibraltar  and 
the  Mediterranean,  E.  by  Algeria,  S.  by 
the  Desert  of  Sahara,  "W".  bv  the  Atlantic ; 
area  219,390  sq.  m. ;  pop,  abt.  9,000,000. 
It  has  three  capitals.  Fez,  Morocco  and 
Mequinez,  the  Snltim  residing  at  Fez ; 
other  principal  cities,  Tangier  and  Moga- 
dor.  The  Sebu  is  the  only  considerable 
river,  and  the  Atlas  the  sole  mountain 
range. 

Morpheus,  mor'fiis.  In  Greek  Myth. 
the  god  of  sleep  and  dreams. 

Morphia,  'fi-a.  The  narcotic  principle 
of  opium,  a  vegetable  alkaloid.    In  small 


doses  it  is  powerfully  anodyne  ;  in  large 
doses  it  causes  death,  with  narcotic  symp- 
toms. 

Morphologry,  -fol'o-ji.  That  department 
of  science  which  treats  of  the  laws,  form 
and  arrangement  of  the  structures  of  plants 
and  animals. 

Morris,  'is.  A  dance  borrowed  from  the 
Moors,  usually  jierformed  with  castanets, 
by  a  single  person  ;  a  morisco.  A  fantas- 
tic dance,  supposed  to  be  of  Moorish  ori- 
gin, and  for  long  an  important  element  of 
holiday  amusement  in  England. 

Morris.  A  curious  fish,  allied  to  the  eels, 
gen  Leptocephalus.  Its  body  is  so  com- 
pressed as  to  resemble  tape. 

Morris,  George  P.  An  American  poet 
and  iournalist ;  b.  in  Penn.  1802,  d.  in  N. 
Y.  1864. 

Morse-alphabet,  mors'al-fa-bet.  In 
Teleg.  a  system  of  symbols  used  in  mes- 
sages where  Morse's  self-recording  instru- 
ment, called  the  indicator,  is  employed. 

Mortar,  mor'- 
ter.  A  vessel  of 
metal,  stone  or 
glass,  in  which 
substances     are 

Sulverized,  or 
i  s  8  o  Ived  by 
beating  or  tritu--; 
ration  Avith  a  pes- 
tle, much    used 


Mortar. 


by  apothecaries  and  chemists.  A  short 
piece  of  ordnance,  thick  and  wide,  used 
for  throwing  bombs,  carcasses,  shells,  &c. 
A  mixture  of  hme  and  sand  with  water, 
used  as  a  cement  for  uniting  stones  and 
bricks  in  walls. 

Mortar-vessel,  -ves-el.  A  strongly- 
built  gun-boat,  the  armament  of  which  is 
usually  a  single  mortar ;  a  bomb- vessel ;  a 
bomb-ketch. 

Mosaic,  mo-za'ik. 
A  kind  of  inlaid 
work  formed  by  an 
assemblage  of  little 
pieces  of  enamel, 
glass,  marble,  pre- 
cious stones,  «fec., 
of  various  colors, 
cut  and  disposed 
on  a  ground  of  ce- 
ment in  such  a 
manner  as  to  form 
designs,  and  to  im- 
itate the  colors  and  gradations  of  painting. 
M.  gold,  an  alloy  of  copper  and  zinc,  called 
also  ormolu  ;  also  a  sulphide  of  tin.  the  au- 
rum  musivum  of  the  ancients.  M.  ■wool- 
work, rugs,  «fec.,  made  of  variously  ool« 


Mosaic. 


MOSCHUS 


513 


MOUNTAIN 


ored  threads,  arranged  so  that  the  ends 
show  a  pattern. 

Moschus,  mos'kus.  The  musk-deer,  a 
gen.  of  ruminating'  animals,  allied  to  the 
antelopes.  The  M.  moschiferus  jields  the 
perfume  called  musk. 

Moscow  (Moskwa).  Cap.ofaEussian 
government  of  same  name,  on  the  M. 
river,  400  m.  S.  E.  of  St.  Petersburg ; 
pop.  about  420,000.  It  was  the  ancient 
cap.  of  Muscovy  (Russia). 

Moselle,  mO-zel'.    A  white  French  wine. 

Moses.  In  Scrip,  the  Hebrew  law-giver 
and  leader  of  the  Israelites  from  Egypt ; 
B.  in  Egypt  abt.  15G8  B.  c. ;  d.  on  Mount 
Pisgah,  at  the  age  of  120  years. 

Moskwa.  A  river  of  Moscow,  PLUSsia, 
emptying  into  the  Aka;  length  200  m. 
The  bloodj'  battle  of  Borodino,  from  a 
village  in  the  vicinity,  was  fought  on  its 
banks,  1812,  bet.  the  French  and  Russians, 
in  which  the  total  loss  was  upward  of 
80,000  men  ;  the  Russians  were  defeated. 

Moslem,  moz'lem.  A  Mussulman  ;  an 
orthodox  Mohammedan. 

Mosque,  mosk.  A  Mohammedan  temple 
or  place  of  religious  worship.  A  class  of 
mosques  are  set  ai)art  for  the  instruction 
of  young  men,  and  with  many  there  are 
hospitals  and  public  kitchens  ibr  the  bene- 
fit of  the  poor. 

Mosquito,  mos-ke'to.  A  name  applied 
to  several  species  of  the  gen.  Culex  and 
allied  genera  of  insects,  extremely  annoy- 
ing to  both  man  and  beast. 

Mosto,  'to.  Must ;  a  preparation  used  for 
''  doctoring  "  wines  of  inferior  qualities. 

Motazilite,  mo-taz'il-Tt.  One  of  a  nu- 
mei'ous  and  powerful  sect  of  Mohamme- 
dan heretics,  who  denied  predestination. 
They  appeared  a  few  generations  after 
Mohammed. 

Moth.,  moth.  The  popular  name  of  a 
numerous  and  beautiful  division  of  lepi- 
dopterous  insects,  the  best  known  species 
being  the  silkworm  moths  and  the  clothes- 
moths,  gen.  Tinea. 

Mother-of-pearl.  The  hard  silveiy 
brilliant  internal  or  nacreous  layer  of 
shells,  particularly  the  oyster  family,  often 
variegated  with  changing  purple  and  azure 
colors,  extensively  used  In  the  arts  and  in 
the  manufacture"  of  handles  for  knives, 
buttons,  toys,  snuff-boxes,  &c. 
Motley,  John  Lothrop.  An  eminent 
American  histori;in  ;  b.  in  Mass.,  1814  ;  i). 
in  England,  1877.  He  was  Minister  to 
Austria,  1861-67,  and  to  Great  Britain, 
1869-71. 


Mot-Mot,  mot'mot.  A  beautiful  S. 
American  fissirostral  bird,  gen.  Moraotus 
or  Prionites. 

Moton,  mo'ton.  A  small  plate  covering 
the  armpits  of  a  knight,  used  when  plate- 
armor  was  worn. 

Motor,  'ter.  A  source  or  originator  of 
mechanical  power  ;  a  moving  power,  as 
water,  steam,  &c. 

Moucharaby,  mo- 
shiir-a-bi.  In  Arch,  a 
balcony  with  a  parapet 
and  machicolations, 
projected  over  a  gate, 
originally  to  defend 
the  entrance. 

Mou£9.on,  moflon. 
The  Ovis  or  Caprovis 
Musimon,  an  animal 
of  the  sheep  kind, 
habiting  Corsica,  Sar- 
dinia and  Greece. 

is  about  the  size  of  a      ,,      •■       , 
small  fallow-deer  and       Moucharaby. 
bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  ram. 

Moulin,  mo-lin.  A  deep  round  hole  in  a 
glacier,  into  which  the  water  accumulated 
in  the  rills  is  precipitated. 

Moultrie,  "William.  An  American  gen- 
eral ;  B.  in  S.  C.  1731 ;  d.  1805.  He  waa 
governor  of  his  native  State,  1785. 

Mound,  mound.  In  Her.  a 
ball  or  globe,  part  of  the 
regalia  of  an  emperor  or 
king,  and  the  sign  of  sov- 
ereign authority,  enriched 
with  i)recious  stones,  and 
surmounted  by  a  cross. 

Mount.  An  isolated  moun- 
tain, or  one  of  unusual 
height ;  abbreviated  Mt. 
Mt.  Aconcagua,  the  highest  Mound, 
peak  of  the  Andes,  S.  America,  23,910  ft. 
Mt.  Blanc,  highest  of  the  Alps,  Europe, 
15,777  ft.  Mt.  Kilimandjaro,  highest  of 
the  Moon,  Africa,  21,000  ft.  Mt.  Marcy, 
highest  of  the  Adirondacks,  Essex  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  6,467  ft.  Mt.  Mitchell,  highest  of  the 
Black,  N.  C,  6.732  ft.  Mt.  Rainer.  highest 
of  the  Cascade,  Washington  Ter.,  12,134ft. 
Mt.  St.  Ellas,  Alaska,  17,000  ft.  Mt. 
Shasta,  an  isolated  peak,  highest  in  Cali- 
fornia, 17.500  ft.  Mt.  Tvndall,  highest  of 
the  Sierra  Nevada,  California,  14.200  ft. 
Mt.  Washington,  highest  of  the  White,  in 
N.  II.,  6,226  ft. 

Mountain,  moun'tin.  A  mass  of  earth 
and  rock  rising  above  the  common  level  of 
the  adjacent  land  ;  an  elevated  mass  higher 
than  a  bill.  The  highest  peak  in  the  worM 


MOUNTAIN-BAEOMETEE 


518 


MULLAGATAWNT 


^8  Mt.  Everest,  in  the  Himalayas,  29,002 
ft.  above  sea  level.  The  M.,  the  extreme 
democratic  party  in  the  first  French  revo- 
lution. 

Mountain-barometer,  -ba-rom  '-et-er . 
A  barometer  adajjted  for  measuring  the 
height  of  mountains. 

Mountain-cat.    The  wild-cat. 

Mountain-cock.  The  male  of  the  cap- 
ercailzie. 

Mountain-green,  -gren.  A  carbonate 
of  coi)per  ;  malachite. 

Mountain-soap,  -sop.  A  mineral  of  a 
pale  brown  color,  so  named  from  its  soapy 
feel.     It  is  used  in  crayon  painting. 

Mountebank,  'ti-bangk.  Any  boastful 
and  talse  pretender ;  a  charlatan  ;  a  quack. 

Mount  Vernon.  A  locality  in  Fairfax 
Co.,  Va.,  the  seat  of  Gen.  Washington's 
ancestral  home  and  where  his  remains  are 
entombed.  This  is  now  public  property, 
purchased  by  subscription  in  1858. 

Mouse,  mous,  A  small  rodent  quadru- 
ped, the  Mus  musculus ;  also  other  rodents 
of  the  same  gen. 

Mouzah,  mouz'a.  In  the  E.  Indies  a 
village  with  its  ancient  township. 

Mowing'-niachine,  mo'ing-ma-shen. 
An  agricultural  machine,  resembling  in 
its  main  features  a  reaping-machine,  em- 
I>loyed  to  cut  grass,  clover,  &c. 

Moxa,  moks'a.  A  soft  downy  substance 
prepared  in  China  and  Japan  from  the 
young  leaves  of  certain  species  of  Artemi- 
sia, used  for  the  gout,  <fec.,  by  burning  it 
on  the  skin. 

Mozambique.  A  territory  in  S.  E.  Af- 
rica, belonging  to  Portugal ;  area  283,500 
sq.  m. ;  pop.  815.000.  Cap.  M.;  pop.  6,000. 
M.  Channel,  a  wide  strait  in  the  Indian 
Ocean ,  bet.  the  Island  of  Madagascar  and 
Mozambique;  length  1,000  m.,  mean 
breadth,  450  m. 

Mozart,  Johann  Clirsrsostom. 
"Wolfg-ang:  Amadeus.  An  eminent 
German  composer,  n.  1756,  d.  1791.  He 
gave  musical  exhibitions  before  the  courts 
of  Vienna  and  Munich  at  the  age  of  6. 

Mucivora,  mii-siv'o-ra.  A  family  of 
dipterous  insects,  comprehending  those 
which  feed  on  the  juices  of  plants. 

Mucus,  'kus.  A  viscid  fluid  secreted  by 
the  mucous  membrane  of  animals,  which 
it  serves  to  moisten  and  defend.  It  covers 
the  lining  membranes  of  the  mouth,  nose, 
lungs,  intestinal  canal,  urinary  passages, 
1  «fec. 
']  Mud-bath,  mud'bath.    A  kind  of  bath 

t  connected  with   some   mineral   springs, 


consisting  of  mud,  transfused  with  saline 
or  other  ingredients,  recommended  for 
rheumatism,  &c. 

Mud-burrower,  'bu-ro-er.  The  popular 
name  for  crustaceans  of  the  gen.  CalUa- 
nassa,  from  their  burrowing  habits. 

Mud-eel,  'el.  The  siren,  a  species  of  am^ 
phibian,  so  called  on  account  of  its  elon- 
gated form  and  mud-lo\ing  habits. 

Mud-fish,  'fish.  A  fish,  ord.  Dipnoi, 
gen.  Lepidosiren. 

Mud-hen,  'hen.  The  common  name  of 
the  American  coot,  and  also  of  the  Virgt.i- 
ian  rail. 

Mud-sill,  'sil.  The  base  or  lowest  sill  of 
a  structure,  as  of  a  bridge,  laid  at  the  bot- 
tom of  a  river,  «fec. 

Mud-turtle,  'ter-tl.  A  name  given  to 
the  soft  tortoises  and  terrapins. 

Mud-valve,  'valv.  In  steam-engines, 
an  orifice  >vith  steam-tight  covering  in  the 
bottom  of  a  boiler  through  which  the  sed- 
iment is  removed. 

Mud-worm,  'werm.  An  Invertebrate 
animal,  group  Limicote,  ord.  Oligochjeta, 
class  Annelida. 

Muezzin,  mij-ed'zin.  A  Mohammedan 
crier  attached  to  a  mosque,  whose  duty  it 
is  to  proclaim  the  ezam  or  summons  to 
praj'ers  five  times  a  day — at  dawn,  ut 
noon,  4  p.  m.,  sunset  and  nightfall,  from 
the  balcony  of  a  minaret. 

Muffle,  muf  1.  The  tumid  and  naked 
portion  of  the  upper  lip  and  nose  of  ru- 
minants and  rodents. 

Mufflon,  'Ion.  The  wild  sheep  or  mua- 
mon. 

Mufti,  'ti.  The  high-priest  or  chief  of  the 
ecclesiastical  order  among  the  Mohamme- 
dans ;  a  doctor  of  Mohammedan  law. 

Mugrg^nt,  mug'ent.  A  species  of  wild 
fresh-water  duck. 

Mugrg'letonian,  -l-to'ni-an.  One  of  an 
English  sect  that  arose  in  the  17th  century, 
the  founders  being  John  Ke««ve  and  Lu- 
dovic  Muggleton,  who  claimed  to  have  the 
spirit  of  prophecy. 

Mug-ilidse,  mu-jil'i-de.  Fishes  of  the 
mullet  tribe,  ord.  Acanthopterygii. 

Mulatto,  -lat'to.  The  offspring  of  pa- 
rents of  whom  one  Is  white  and  the  other 
a  negro. 

Muliebrity,  mu-li-e'bri-ti.  Woman- 
h<»od ;  the  state  of  puberty  in  a  female. 
Womanishness ;  effeminacy. 

MuUa,  mul'a.  In  Hindustan,  a  Moham- 
dan  learned  in  the  law ;  a  schoolmaster . 

Mullagratawny,  -ga-ta"ni.  An  E.  In- 
dian curry-soup. 


MULBERRY 


514 


MUNGER 


Mulberry. 


Mulberry,  -ber-re. 
The  fruit  of  the  ge- 
nus Moms. 

Mule,  mul.  A  quad- 
ruped of  a  mongrel 
breed,  usually  gener- 
ated between  an  ass 
and  a  mare,  some- 
times between  a 
horse  and  a  she-ass. 
But  the  name  is  ap- 
plied to  any  animal 
produced  by  a  mix- 
tare  of  different  spe- 
cies. A  spinning 
machine. 

Muller,  'er.  A  flflt-bottomed  pestle, 
with  a  rounded  edge,  used  for  grinding 
pigments  and  other  substances  upon  a 
slab. 

MuUer,  Friedrich.  Max.  A  distin- 
guished German  philologist ;  b.  1823,  d, 
ISSl. 

Mullet,  'et.  A  name  common  to  two 
groups  of  acanthopterygian  fishes,  viz.,  the 
fam.  MugilidtB  or  gray  mullets,  and  the 
fam.  Miillidje  or  red  mullets.  In  Her.  a 
figure  resembling  the  rowel  of  a  spur, 
with  five  points  in  English  and  six  in 
French,  tho  fllial  distinction  of  a  third  son. 

Mullion,    'yon.      In 

,  Arch,  a  vertical  divi- 
sion between  the  lights 
of  windows,  screens, 
&c.    One  of  thedivi- 

'  sions  between  tho  pan- 
els in  wainscoting. 

Mulquf,  'kuf.  A 
very  ancient  ventilat- 
ing device,  which  has 
been  in  use  in  Egypt 
3000  years. 

Mulse,  muls.  "Wine 
boiled  and  thickly 
sweetened  with  lioney. 

Multipede,  'ti-ped.  An  animal  that  has 
many  feet,  such  as  a  centipede. 

Multiplication,  -pll-kfi'^shon.  A  com- 
pendious method  of  performing  addition, 
called  simple  when  the  terms  are  abstract 
numbers,  and  compound  when  the  mul- 
tiplicand is  a  concrete  number.  M.  table, 
a  table  containing  the  product  of  all  the 
simple  digits,  and  ouwai-d  to  some  as- 
sumed limit,  as  to  12  times  12. 

Multiplyiug---wlieel,  -pli-ing-whel.  A 
wheel  which  increases  the  number  of 
movements  in  machinery. 

Multoca,  -t5'ka.  The  Turkish  code  of 
law,  consisting  of  precepts  from  the  Ko- 


Mullion. 


ran,  traditional  injunctions  of  Mohammed, 
and  decisions  of  early  caliphs. 

Multura,  'turn.  In  brewing,  an  extract 
of  quassia  and  licorice,  used  for  tho  pur- 
pose of  economizing  malt  and  hops. 

Multuxxgula,  -tung'gu-la.  The  divis- 
ion of  Perissodactyle  Ungulate  quadru- 
peds, in  which  each  foot  has  more  than  a 
single  hoof,  as  the  rhinoceros,  each  of 
■whose  feet  has  three  toes,  each  in  a  sepa- 
rate hoof. 

Mum,  mum.  A  species  of  German  malt 
liquor,  made  of  the  malt  of  wheat,  with 
the  addition  of  a  Uttle  oat  and  bean  meaL 

Mumbo-Jumbo, 'bo-jum'bo.  A  god  of 
certain  negro  tribes  whoso  image  is  clad 
in  fantastic  clothing. 

Mummer,  'er.  One  who  mumms  or 
masks  himself  and  makes  diversion  in 
disguise;  a  masker  ;  a  masked  buffoon. 

Mummy,  'i.  A  dead  body  embalmed 
and  dried.  An  immense  number  have 
been  found  in  Egypt,  consisting  not  only 
of  human  bodies,  but  of  buUs,  apt^, 
ibises,  crocodiles,  fish,  &c.  The  term  is 
likewise  given  to  human  bodies  preserved 
in  other  ways,  either  by  artificial  prepara- 
tion or  by  accident. 

Mumimycliog,  -chog.  A  small  fish  of 
tho  carp  kind. 

Mu^umy-clotll,  -kloth.  The  cloth  in 
which  mummies  are  swathed. 

Mundil,  'dil.  A  turban  richly  embroid- 
ered with  gold  and  silver. 

Mung'O,  mung'go.  Artificial  short-sta- 
ple wool,  formed  by  tearing  to  pieces  and 
disintegrating  old  woolen  fabrics.  Shod- 
dy is  a  similar  material  obtained  from 
coarser  fabrics. 

Mungroose,  mun'gos.  The  E.  Indian 
name  for  a  species  of  quadruped,  one  of 
the  ichneumons  kept  in  many  houses  to 
rid  them  of  reptiles,  rats,  mice,  &c. 

Muxxlch..  Cap.  of  Bavaria,  S.  Ger- 
many, on  the  Isar ;  pop.  214,600. 

Mxinster.  A  prov.  of  Ireland,  originally 
a  Milesian  kingdom,  containing  cos. 
Clare,  Cork,  Kerry,  Limerick,  Tipperary 
and  Waterford;  bounded  N.  by  Con- 
naught,  E.  by  Leinster,  S.  and  TV.  by  the 
Atlantic. 

Muntin,  'tin.  The  central  vertical  picco 
that  divides  the  panels  of  a  door. 

Muntjac,  munt'jak.  A  small  species  of 
deer,  a  native  of  Java.  The  male  has 
short  horns,  tlio  female  none. 

Mrmger,  Thomas.  A  German  fanatic  ; 
B.  1478,  executed  1526.  In  1525  he  joined 
the  Anabaptists,  collected  a  body  of  40,00d 


ivfUNTZ'S  METAL 


515 


MUSCULITE 


followers  and  committed  numerouB 
excesses  before  being'  defeated  and  cap- 
tm-ed  by  the  Landgrave  of  Hesse. 

Muntz's  Metal,  munts'ez  met-al.  An 
alloy  of  6<)  parts  copper  and  40  parts  zinc, 
used  for  sheathing  ships  and  other  pur- 
poses. 

Mureena,  mu-re'na.  A  gen.  of  apodal, 
malacopterygious  fishes,  fam.  Mursenidae, 
resembling  the  eel. 

Mural,  miir'al. 
Pertaining  to  a 
wall.  M.  circle, 
an  Instrument 
which  has  su- 
perseded the 
mural  quadrant, 
susceptible  of 
much  more  ac- 
curate divisions 
and  less  liable  to 
derangemen  t 
than  quadrants, 

the       principal  Mural  Ch'cle, 

fixed  instrument  in  all  great  public  ob- 
servatories. Its  chief  use  is  to  measure 
aagular  distances  in  the 
meridian.  M.  crown,  a 
golden    crown,    bestowed 

amongthe  ancient  Romans         

on  him  who  first  mounted  Mural  Crown 
the  wall  of  a  besieged  place 
and  lodged  a  standard.    M.    painting,  a 
painting  executed  in  distemper  colors. 

Murat,  Joachim.  A  marshal  of  France, 
and  for  four  years  King  of  Naples,  consid- 
ered by  Napoleon  I.,  his  brother-in-law, 
the  finest  cavalrj'  soldier  in  Europe  ;  b. 
1771,  shot  by  his  NeapoUtan  subjects  after 
trial  by  court-martial,  1S15. 

Murchisonia,  mer-chi-so'ni-a.  A  genus 
of  fossil  gasteropodous  raoUusks,  fam. 
Pleuroto  marii  die . 

Murchison,  Roderick  Impey,  Sir. 
An  eminent  British  geologist ;  b.  1792,  d. 
1S72. 

Murex,  mu-rex.  A  genus  of  gasteropod 
mollusks  resembling  the  whelk.  They 
were  in  high  esteem  from  the  earliest  ages 
©n  account  of  the  purple  dye  that  some  of 
them  yielded. 

Murfreesboro'.  Cap.  of  Rutherford  Co., 
Tenn.,  SO  m.  S.  E.  of  Nashville,  noted  for 
the  sanguinary  battles  Dec.  31, 1862,  and 
Jan.  2,  1863,  between  the  Federals  under 
Gen.  Rosecrans  and  Confederates  under 
Gen.  Bragg;  the  latter  being  defeated, 
with  a  loss  of  11,000  ;  Federal  loss,  12,000. 

Muriate,  'ri-at.  The  old  name  for  chlo- 
ride. 


Muricite,  -sit.  Fossil  remains  of  the 
Murex. 

Muridae,  mu'-ri-de.  A  sub-order  of  ro- 
dents, including  the  difi'erent  species  of 
rats  and  mice,  the  jerboas,  mole-rats, 
lemmings,  hamsters,  &c. 

Murina,  -ri'-na.  A  fam.  of  rodent  quad- 
rupeds, of  which  the  gen.  Mus  is  the  type, 
sub-ord.  Mm-idfe,  including  the  hamsters, 
mice,  voles,  mole-rats,  &c.  ' 

Murillo,  Bartolome  Esteban.  An 
eminent  Spanish  painter  ;  b.  1618,  d.  16S2. 

Murk,  raerk.  Refuse  or  husks  of  fruit 
after  the  juice  has  been  expressed ;  marc. 

Muroe.    A  bird;  the  razor-bill. 

Murray,  James  Stuart,  Earl  of.  A 
natural  son  of  King  James  V.  of  Scotland, 
B.  15;33.  He  was  chief  Minister  of  his  half 
Bister,  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  and  became 
regent  on  her  deposition;  assassinated, 
1570. 

Murrliine,  'In.  A  delicate  ware,  made  of 
fluor-spar  or  fluoride  of  calcium,  brought 
from  the  East.  Vases  of  tiiis  ware  were 
used  in  Rome  as  wne-cups,  and  were  be- 
lieved to  have  the  quality  of  breaking  if 
poison  were  mixed  with  the  liquor  they 
contained. 

Murza,  mer'za.  The  hereditary  nobility 
among  the  Tartars. 

Mus,  mus.  A  gen.  of  rodents,  including 
rats  and  mice. 

Musaph,  -&{'.  The  book  containing  the 
Turkish  laws. 

Musca,  'ka.  A  southern  constellation, 
situated  between  the  Southern  Cross  and 
the  south  pole,  consisting  of  6  stars. 

Muscadel,  -del.  The  name  given  to  sev- 
eral kinds  of  sweet  and  strong  Italian  and 
French  wines.  The  grapes  which  produce 
these  wines.    Called  also  Muscat. 

Muscat.  The  principal  seaport  of  E. 
Arabia,  held  by  the  Portuguese  from  150T 
till  1648,  when  it  reverted  to  the  Arabs  ; 
pop.  74,000. 

Muscology,  -kol'o-ji.  That  part  of  bot- 
any which  investigates  mosses ;  a  dis- 
course or  treatise  on  mosses. 

Muscovado,  -kO-vil'do.  Unrefined 
sugar  ;  the  raw  material  from  which  loaf 
and  lump  sugar  are  procured  by  refining. 

Muscovite,  'ko-vlt.  A  natire  of  Mus- 
covy or  ancient  Russia. 

Muscovy-glass,  -vi-glas.     Muscovite, 

a  variety  of  mica  brought  from  eastern 
Russia. 

Musculite,  'ku-llt  A  petrified  mussel 
or  shell. 


MFSE 


516 


MUSTELID^ 


Muse,  muz.  In  Greek  Myth,  one  of  the 
daughters  of  Zeus  and  Mnemosyne,  the 

•  inspiring  goddesses  of  song,  and  according 
to  later  ideas  divinities  presiding  over  the 
different  kinds  of  poetry,  the  sciences  and 
arts.  Their  original  number  was  three, 
but  afterward  they  are  always  spoken  of 
as  nine  in  number  :  Clio,  the  muse  of  his- 
tory ;  Euterpe,  of  lyric  poetiy  :  Thalia,  of 
comedy,  and  of  merry  or  idylhc  poetry  ; 

,  Melpomene,  of  tragedy;  Terpsichore,  of 
choral  dance  and  song ;  Erato,  of  erotic 
poetry  and  mimicry  ;  Polymnia  or  Poly- 
hymnia, of  the  subhme  hymn  ;  Urania,  of 
astronomy,  and  Calliope,  of  epic  poetry. 

Museum,  mii-ze'um.  A  repository  of 
things  that  have  an  immediate  relation 
to  literature,  art  or  science ;  a  cabinet  of 
curiosities ;  a  collection  of  objects  ta  nat- 
ural history. 

Music-box,  'rik-boks.  A  small  instru- 
ment, having  a  toothed  barrel  operating 
on  vibrating  tongues,  which  plays  one  or 
more  tunes  on  being  wound  up. 

Music-recorder,  -re-kord-er.  The  name 
given  to  several  devices  for  recording  mu- 
sic as  it  is  played  on  any  sort  of  keyed  in- 
strument, as  the  organ  or  piano-forte ;  a 
phonograph  or  phonautograph. 

Music-s  mitll,  -smith.  A  workman  who 
makes  the  metal  parts  of  piano-fortes,  &c. 

Musk,  musk.  A  substance  obtained  from 
a  cyst  or  bag  near  the  navel  of  a  musk- 
deer  (Moschus  moschiferus).  It  is  origi- 
nally a  viscid  fluid,  but  dries  into  a  brown 
pulverulent  substance.  Its  chief  use  is  as 
a  perfume.  An  artificial  musk  is  obtained 
by  the  action  of  nitric  acid  upon  the  oil  of 
«mber. 

Muskallongre,  mus'kal-lonj.  A  large 
variety  of  pike. 

Musk-cavy,  musk'ka-vi.  A  W.  Indian 
rodent  mammal,  gen.  Capromys,  fam. 
Muridse;  its  feet  emit  a  strong  smell  of 
musk. 

Musk-deer,       ^ 
'dGr.      The  male  '•«N. 
of    the    Moschus  -v.ll^i! 
moschiferus,     an 
animal    that    in- 
habits       Central 
Asia,    and     pro- 
duces   the    well- 
known  perfume; 
it  is  about  three 
feet     in     length. 
The  gland  or  bag 
which       contains 
the  musk  is  about 
the  sizt*  of  a  hen's  egg.    The  pigmy  musk- 
deer,  also  called  kanchil  and  chevrotain, 


Musk-deer. 


Musk-ox. 


inhabits  some  of  the  Asiatic  islands,  and 
is  considerably  smaller. 

Musk-duck,  'duk.  A  species  of  duck, 
oilvu  erroneously  called  the  Muscovy- 
duck  (Cairina  moschata).  It  has  a  musky 
smeLl. 

Mus  k  -  o  z , 
'oks.  The 
Ovibos  mos- 
chatus,  a  ru- 
minant mam- 
mal of  the  bo- 
vine tribe  of 
N.  America. 
The  flesh  is 
pleasant  t  o 
the  taste,  but 
smells  strong- 
ly of  musk,  the  odor  of  which  is  also  dif- 
fused from  the  living  animal. 

Musk-rat,  'rat.  An  American  rodent 
quadruped  allied  to  the  beaver,  the  Fiber 
zibethicus,  the  only  known  species  of  the 
genus.  It  has  the  smell  of  musk  in  sum- 
mer, but  loses  it  in  winter.  The  fur  is 
used  by  hatters.  Its  popular  name  in 
America  is  musquash,  the  Indian  name  ; 
called  also  musk-beaver.  An  aquatic  in- 
sectivorous animal,  secreting  a  substance 
of  a  strong  musky  smell,  found  in  S.  Rus- 
sia and  the  Pyi-enees ;  the  desman.  Sorex 
murinus,  an  Indian  species  of  shrew  which 
secretes  a  powerful  musky  odor. 

Musnud,  mus'nud.  In  Persia  and  India 
a  throne  or  chair  of  state. 

Musophag-idee,  mu-so-faj'i-de.  The 
plantain-eaters,  a  fam.  of  insessorial  birds. 

Muspelheim,  mRs'pel-hlm.  In  Scand, 
Myth,  the  abode  of  fire,  which  at  the  be- 
ginning of  time  existed  in  the  south. 
Sparks  were  collected  from  it  to  make  the 
stars. 

Musquaw,  mus'kwa.  A  name  for  the 
common  black  bear  of  America. 

Mussel,  'el.  A  lameUibranchiate  mol- 
lusk,  gen.  Mytilus,  fam.  Mytilidje.  The 
name  is  also  given  to  mollusks,  gen.  Lith- 
odomus,  date-shells  or  stone-borers. 

Musset,  Louis  Charles  Alfred  de. 
An  eminent  French  poet;  u.  1810,  d.  1S57. 

Mussulman,  'ul-man.  A  Mohammedan; 
a  true  believer  in  Mohammed  ;  a  Mosloui. 

Mustang-,  mus'tang.  The  wild  horse  of 
the  pampas  and  prairies  of  America,  a 
d'^scendant  of  horses  of  Spanish  importa. 
tiox:. 

MustelidSB,  mus-te'li-de.  A  fam.  oi 
quadrupeds,  comprehending  the  otters,  or. 
mines  or  stoats,  sables,  martens,  ft-rrets, 
minks,  skxmks,  polecats  and  weasels. 


MUSTAPHA 


BIT 


MYEMECOPHAGID^ 


Mustapha.  The  name  of  four  Tm-kisli 
sultana;  M.  I.  s.  his brotlur  Ahmed  I.,  1617; 
strangled  by  oi-der  of  Amurath  IV.,  1639. 
M.  II.  s.  Achmet  II.,  1695;  deposed  and 
D.  1703.  M.  III.  s.  Osnian  III.,  1757 ;  d. 
1774.  M.  IV.  s.  Selim  III.,  1S07  ;  deposed 
and  assassinated  by  his  brother  Mahmoud, 
1808. 

Mutagre,  mu'taj.  A.  process  for  checking 
the  fermentation  of  the  must  of  grapes. 

Mutchkin,  much'kin.  A  liquid  measure 
in  Scotland,  the  fourth  part  of  a  Scotch 
pint. 

Muttra  (Mathura).  A  city  of  Bengal, 
British  India,  on  the  Jumna.  It  is  the 
reputed  birthplace  of  the  god  Krishna; 
pop.  65,000. 

Muzarab,  mn'za-rab.  One  of  the  Chris- 
tians formerly  living  under  the  sway  of 
the  Moors  in  Spain. 

Myadee,  mi'a-de.  A  fam.  of  lamellibran- 
chiate  mollusks.  Including  the  genera 
Mya,  Corbula,  Neaera,  Thetis,  &c.,  many 
species  of  which  are  fossil  as  well  as  recent; 
gaping  bivalves. 

Mycelium,  -se'li-um.  The  cellular  fila- 
mentous spawn  of  fungi,  the  equivalent  of 
the  root  of  flowering  plants. 

Mycetes.  'tez.  A  gen.  of  jilatyrhine 
American  apes  ;  the  howling  monkeys, 

Mycologry,  -kol'o-ji.  That  department 
of  botany  which  Investigates  fungi ;  a 
treatise  on  the  fungi. 

Mygrale,  'ga-le.  A  gen.  of  aquatic  in- 
sectivorous animals,  of  which  the  Russian 
muskrat  is  the  best  known  species  ;  the 
desman.  A  gen.  of  hairy  spiders  of  which 
the  bird-catching  spider  is  the  type. 

Mylabris,  ml-la'bris.  A  gen.  of  vesica- 
tory beetles,  fam.  Cantharidae. 

Hylodon,  'lo-don.  An  extinct  edentate 
animal,  allied  to  the  megatherium.    Its 


Skeleton  of  a  Mylodon. 
remains  have  been  found  in  the  upper 


tertiaries  of  S.  America.  It  was  a  clumsy 
animal  as  large  as  a  hippopotamus. 

Myliobatidee,  'li-6-bat"i-dG.  A  fam. 
of  cartilaginous  fishes,  ord.  Selachii,  in- 
cluding the  eagle-rays. 

Mylitta,  -lit'a.  A  Babylonian  goddess, 
the  impersonation  of  procreation.  Her 
worship  spread  over  Assyria  and  Persia. 

Mynbeer,  min-her'.  The  ordinary  title 
of  address  among  Dutchmen,  correspond- 
ing to  our  sir,  Mr. 

Myodes,  mi'6-dez.  A  gen.  of  rodent 
mammals,  fam.  Muridae,  containing  the 
lemmings. 

Myodynamiometer,  -di-na'mi-om"et- 
er.  An  instrument  for  measuring  the 
comparative  muscular  strength  of  man  or 
other  animals. 

Myopia,  -6'pi-a.  Short-sightedness;  near, 
sightedness. 

Myoxidae,  -oks'i-de.  Dormice,  a  fam. 
of  rodent  mammals. 

Myriagrram,  mir'i-a-gram.  In  the 
French  system,  a  weight  of  10,000 
grams,  or'22.04S5  lbs.  avoirdupois. 

Myrialiter,  -liter.  A  French  measure 
of  capacity,  containing  10,000  liters,  or 
610,280  cubic  inches. 

Myriameter,  -me-ter.  A  French  meas- 
ure of  length,  equal  to  10  kilometers,  or 
6.218S257  English  miles. 

Myriapo- 
da,  -i-ap'o- 
da.  The  low- 
est class  of 
articulate 
animals,  in- 
cluding cen- 
tipeds  and 
raillipeds. 

Myriarc  h. ,  Myriapoda. 

'i-ark.  A  Greek  commander  of  10,000 
men. 

Myriare,  -ar.  A  French  land  measure  of 
10,000  ares,  or  1,000,000  square  meters, 
equal  to  247.1143  acres. 

Myriologrue,  -6-log.  In  modern  Greece, 
an  extemporary  funeral  song,  composed 
and  sung  by  females. 

Myrioscope,  -skop.  An  ingenious  vari- 
ation of  the  kaleidoscope. 

M3mnecobiTis,  mer-me-ko'bi-us.  A 
gen.  of  Australian  marsupials.  M.  fas- 
cialis  is  the  banded  ant-eater,  having  64 
teeth. 

Myrmecophagridae, -faj'i-de.  The  hairy 
or  true  ant-eater,  a  fam.  of  edentate 
mammals  coniined  to  S.  America ;  they- 
have  no  teeth. 


MTEMIDONS 


518 


NAIAD 


Mimuidons.  In  Greek  Myth,  a  people 
of  Phthiotis,  originally  ants,  but  trans- 
formed into  men  by  Jupiter  ;  Peleus  and 
Achilles  were  among  their  notable  kings. 

Myrrh.  The  gum- 
my resinous  exuda- 
tion ot  Balsamoden- 
dron  Myrrha,  ord. 
Amyridacefe,  a  heal- 
ing stimulant.  A 
common  name  for  a 

Slant  of  the    genus 
lyrrhis. 
Mysis,  mi'sis.    The 

opossum -shrimps,    a 

gen.    of  crustaceans, 

ord.  Stomapoda. 
Mystagogy,     mis'- 

ta-go-ji.     The  princi- 
ples, practice,  or  doc-  Myrrh. 

trines    of    a    mysta- 

gogue;  the  interpretation  of  mysteries. 


Mystery,  'ter-i.  Something  hidden  from 
human  knowledge  and  fitted  to  inspire  a 
sense  of  awe.  A  species  of  dramatic 
composition  much  in  vogue  in  the  middle 
ages,  tbe  characters  and  events  of  which 
were  drawn  from  sacred  history.  A  term 
applied  to  certain  rites  and  ceremonies  in 
ancient  Greek  and  Roman  religions,  onlj'- 
known  to  and  practiced  by  those  initiated 
by  certain  preparatory  ceremonies. 

Mythology,  mith-ol'o-ji.  The  science 
which  investigates  myths  Avith  a  view  to 
their  interpretation  and  to  discover  the 
degree  of  relationship  existing  between 
the  different  myths  of  different  people;  a 
treatise  on  myths.  A  system  in  Avhich  is 
embodied  the  convictions  of  a  people  in 
regard  to  their  origin,  divinities,  heroes, 
foundei-s,  &c. 

Myxine,  miks'in-e.  The  hags,  a  gen.  of 
cyclostomous  fishes,  remarkable  for  their 
slippery  integument. 


K 


•Vr  IS  the  14th  letter  and  the  11th  conso- 

iN  nant  of  the  alphabet.  Its  ordinary 
sound  as  in  not,  sun,  is  formed  by  placing 
the  tip  of  the  tongue  against  the  palate  at 
or  close  behind  the  root  of  the  upper  teeth, 
and  sending  a  voiced  sound  through  the 
nose.  It  differs  from  m  in  the  fact  that  the 
tongue  and  roots  of  the  teeth  ai-e  brought 
together  instead  of  the  lips,  that  is,  it  is  a 
dental  nasal  instead  of  being  a  labial  nasal. 
As  a  numeral  N  signifies  900,  and  with  a 
stroke  over  it,  9,000.  As  an  abbrcAiation, 
JT,  stands  for  north  ;  N.  B.  for  nota  bene, 
note  well ;  N.  P.  for  notary  public,  &c. 

ITabob,  nfi'bob.  The  title  of  the  governor 
of  a  province  or  commander  of  an  army  In 
India  under  the  Mogul  empire ;  a  subordi- 
nate provincial  governor,  who  acted  un- 
der the  soubahs  or  viceroys. 

Nacarat,  nak'a-rat.  A  pale  red  color 
with  an  orange  cast.  A  crape  or  fine  linen 
fabric  dyed  fugitively  of  this  tint,  and  used 
by  ladies  to  give  their  countenance  a  rose- 
ate hue. 

Nacodar,  na-ko-dar'.  The  captain  of  an 
Arab  vessel. 

Nacre,  na'ker.    Mother-of-pearl. 

Nadab,  dab.  The  high-priest  of  the 
Persians. 

Nadir,  'der.  That  point  of  the  heavens 
directly  opposite  to  the  zenith ;  the  point 
directly  under  the  place  where  we  stand. 
The  zenith  and  nsdir  are  the  two  poles  of 
the  horiion. 


Nadir  Shah.  A  Turkish  chief,  B.  1688; 
given  command  of  the  Persian  army,  1T29; 
he  defeated  the  Turks,  and  in  1739  usurped 
the  Persian  throne.  Overrunning  Afghan- 
istan and  capturing  Delhi,  1T38-9,  he  mas- 
sacred 120,000  of  the  inhabitants  of  that 
city ;  assassinated,  1T47. 

Naevus,  nG'vus.  A  natural  mark,  spot, 
or  blemish  on  the  skin  of  a  person ;  a 
birth-mark.  N.  maternus,  a  mother's 
mark  ;  a  mark  on  the  skin  of  a  child. 

Naga,  na'ga.  An  ancient  race  who  ap- 
pear to  have  invaded  India  about  six  cen- 
turies before  the  Christian  era.  A  term  ap- 
plied to  a  number  of  tribes  hving  on  the 
borders  of  Assam,Munnipoor  and  Burmah. 
A  class  of  mendicants  in  Hindustan  going 
naked  and  carrying  arms.  In  Hind.  Myth, 
a  deified  serpent. 

Nagasaki.  A  seaport  city  of  Japan,  on 
the  island  of  Kiou-Siou,  600  m.  S.  W.  oi 
Yeddo ;  pop.  75,000. 

Nagor,  na'gor.  A  species  of  antelope, 
the  gazelle  of  Senegal. 

Nagpoor.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name, 
Hindustan ;  pop.  121,000.  •» 

Nahum.  In  Scrip,  one  of  the  12  minor 
prophets,  who  lived  about  718  b.  o.  The 
book  bearing  his  name  predicts  the  de- 
struction of  Nineveh. 

Naiad,  na'yad.  In  Greek  and  Eom. 
Myth,  a  water  nymph;  a  female  deity 
that  presides  over  rivers  and  springs,  rep- 
resented as  beautiful. 


KAIDID^ 


519 


NAPOLEOBT 


Naididae,  -id'i-de.  The  family  or  group 
of  water- worms,  ord.  Oligocha-ta. 

Naik,  'ik.  In  India,  a  sepoy  corporal, 
ranking  below  a  havildar  or  sergeant. 

Naja,  'ja.  A  gen.  of  serpents,  fam.  Elap- 
idiB,  Colubrine  section  of  the  Ophidte, 
among  the  most  dangerous  of  all  the  ven- 
omous snakes.  The  best  known  examples 
are  the  cobra  de  capello  of  India  and  the 
N.  hajo  of  Egypt,  which  is  identified  by 
many  writers  with  the  asp  employed  by 
Cleopatra  to  bring  about  her  death. 

"NsunSiZ,  na-maz'.  The  common  prayer 
of  a  Turk. 

Namtir.  Cap.  of  a  province  of  same 
name,  Belgium,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Meuse  and  Sambre,  33  m.  S.  E.  of  Brus- 
sels. It  is  strongly  fortified,  but  was  cap- 
tured by  the  Trench,  1692,  1101,  1746; 
pop.  25,000. 

Nandu,  nan'du.  The  S.  American  os- 
trich, gen.  IJhea. 

Nankin.  A  large  inland  city  of  China, 
formerly  cap.  of  the  empire,  on  the  Yang- 
tse-Kiang,  noted  for  the  famous  porcelain 
tower,  built  1431,  and  costing  400,000 
taels  ($1,800,000) ;  pop.  abt.  425,000. 

Nantes.  A  seaport  of  W.  Trance,  on 
the  Loire,  210  m.  S.  W.  of  Paris  ;  it  has 
an  extensive  foreign  commerce,  and  is 
noted  as  the  place  from  which  Henry  IV., 
1598,  issued  the  "Edict  of  Nantes,"  grant- 
ing full  religious  rights  to  his  Protestant 
subjects.  The  edict  was  revoked,  16S5,  by 
Louis  XIV.     Pop.  129,347. 

Nape-crest,  nfip'krest.  A  gen.  of  TV. 
Afiican  birds,  allied  to  the  plantain-eaters. 

Napha-water,  na'fa-wa-ter.  A  fragrant 
perlumo  distilled  from  orange  flowers. 

Naphtha,  nap'tha.  A  variety  of  bitu- 
men, thin,  volatile,  fluid  and  inflammable, 
unctuous  to  the  touch,  and  constantly 
emitting  a  strong  odor.  Springs  of  na- 
tive naphtha  (called  also  petroleum  or 
rock-oil)  exist  in  many  parts  of  the  world, 
and  it  is  largely  employed  as  a  source  of 
artificial  light. 

Nap  i  e  r '  s 
Eones,  na- 
perz'    bonz. 
A       contri- 
vance      de- 
vised    by 
John       Na- 
pier, for  fa- 
cilitatingil 
large   calcu-lZ 
lations       in!. 9 
multiplica- 
tion or  divia-    Napier's  Bones  or  Bods. 


ion.  It  consists  of  a  number  of  rods  mada 
of  bone  or  other  convenient  material,  the 
face  of  each  of  which  is  divided  into  nine 
equal  parts  in  the  form  of  little  squares, 
and  each  part,  with  the  exception  of  the 
top  compartment,  subdivided  by  a 
diagonal  line  into  two  triangles. 

Naples.  Cap.  of  province  of  same  name, 
8.  Italy,  formerly  cap.  of  the  kingdom  of 
the  Two  Sicilies,  on  Bay  of  N.,  at  foot  of 
Mt.  Vesuvius,  118  m.  SliE.  of  Kome  :  pop. 
423,600. 

Napoleon,  -po'le-on.  A  French  gold 
coin,  worth  20  francs,  or  about  $3.75.  A 
game  played  with  cards. 

Napoleon.  The  name  of  three  French 
emperors,  only  tw(.  of  whom  enjoyed 
royal  honors.  N.  I.  (Napoleon  Bonaparte) 
B.  in  Ajaccio,  1769,  and  rose  from  a  lieu- 
tenant of  artillery,  1785,  to  brigadier-gen- 
eral, 1793;  to  command  of  tho  army,  1795; 
created  First  Consul  for  10  years,  1799; 
assumed  the  title  of  emperor.  May  18, 
1802,  and  was  crowned  King  of  Italy,  in 
Milan,  May  26,  1805.  Under  a  coalition 
of  Russia,  Prussia,  Austria  and  Great 
Britain,  he  was  forced  to  abdicate  April 
11,  1814,  retu-ing  to  the  Island  of  Elba; 
escaping  Feb.  26,  1815,  he  repaired  to 
Paris,  welcomed  by  the  people,  and  joined 
by  the  eoldiers;  defeated  at  Waterloo, 
June  18,  he  abdicated  in  favor  of  his  son, 
N.  It.,  a  child  of  four  j'ears  of  age,  and 
surrendered  to  the  English,  who  banished 
him  to  the  isolated  island  of  St.  Helena, 
where  he  d.  May  5,  1821,  his  remains  be- 
ing transferred  to  Paris,  1840.  N.  mar- 
ried Josephine,  widow  of  Alexandre  de 
Beauharnais,  1796,  but  divorced  her,  1809, 
because  she  bore  him  no  children,  and 
married  Marie-Louise,  Archduchess  of 
Austria,  1810 ;  she  bore  him  a  son,  March 
19,  1811,  who  was  called  King  of  Eome. 
N.  II.  (Franfois  Bonaparte)  son  of  the 
former,  never  reigned,  but  on  the  abdica- 
tion of  his  father,  returned  wth  his  mother 
to  the  court  of  his  grandfather,  Francis, 
Emperor  of  Austria,  who  bestowed  upon 
him  the  title  of  Duke  of  Reichstadt ;  ». 
1882.  N.  III.  (Charies  Louis  Napoleoa 
Bonaparte),  8d  son  of  Louis  Bonaparte, 
brother  of  N.  I.,  and  for  a  time  King  oi 
Holland,  and  Hortense  de  Beauharnais, 
daughter  of  Josephine  by  her  first  hus- 
band ;  B.  1808.  Assuming  to  be  the  suc- 
cessor of  N.  II.,  he  made  two  unsuccessful 
attempts  at  inciting  a  popular  revolution, 
the  last,  1840,  being  punished  by  a  sen- 
tence of  life  imprisonment  in  the  fortress 
of  Ham  ;  escaping  1846,  under  the  repub- 
lican amnesty  of  1848  he  returned  to 
France,  and  was  elected  to  the  Assembly 


17APU 


620 


NAVAERE 


ami  sliortly  after  President ;  in  1851  he 
usurped  supreme  power  as  Dictator,  and 
by  a  plebiscite,  1852,  was  elected  emperor, 
assuming  the  title  N.  III.  Beclai-ing  war 
against  Germany,  1870,  he  was  defeated 
and  made  a  prisoner,  1871,  retiring  to 
England  on  his  release,  where  he  d.  Jan. 
9,  1878.  He  married  Eugenie  Maria  de 
Guzman,  Comtesse  de  Teba,  a  Spanish 
lady,  1853,  and  left  an  only  child,  Napo- 
leon Eusreue  Louis  Jean  Joseph,  b.  1856  ; 
killed  in  S.  Africa,  where  he  was  serving 
as  a  British  officer,  1882. 

Napu,  na-po.  A  very  small,  but  elegant 
musk-deer,  inhabiting  Java  and  Sumatra, 
remarkable  for  having  the  smallest  blood- 
corpuscles  of  anyanimal  yet  known. 

Naraka,  nar'a-ka.  In  Hind.  Myth,  a 
name  corresponding  to 
our  hell.  It  consists  of 
twenty -eight  divisions, 
each  inhabited  by  a  pecu- 
liar class  of  sinners,  and 
each  the  scene  of  a  dif-' 
ferent  kind  of  torture. 

Narcissus,  nar-sis'sus. 
A  genus  of  bulbous- 
rooted  plants. 

Narg-Mle,  'gi-le.  A 
kind  of  smoking  appara- 
tus used  by  the  Turks 
and  others,  in  which  the 
smoke  is  passed  through 
water. 

Narwla  a  1 , 
'whal.  The 
Mo  n  o  d  on 
monoce  r  o  s , 
a  cetaceous 
m  a  m  m  a  1  Narwhal, 

found  in  the  northern  seas,  averag- 
ing from  12  to  20  feet  in  length ;  also 
called  Sea-unicorn,  Unicorn-iish,  or  Uni- 
corn-whale.   It  yields  valuable  oil. 

ITasalis,  na-za'lis.  A  gen.  of  monkeys, 
containing  the  curious  Bornean  long- 
nosed  kahau :  called  also  Proboscis  Mon- 
key. 

Naseberry,  naz'ber-i.  The  fruit  of  Achras 
Sapota,  ord.  Sapotaceae.    It  is  as  large  as 
;,  a  quince,  and  one  of  the  richest  and  most 
agreeable  of  W.  Indian  fruits. 

Nashville.  Cap.  of  Tenn.,  on  the  Cum- 
berland, 230  m.  N.  E.  of  Memphis ;  pop. 
43,350. 

Nasicoruia,  na-zi-kor'ni-a.  The  fam.  of 
perissodactyle  mammals  to  which  the 
rhinoceros  belongs. 

Nasua,  'sii-a.  A  gen.  of  S.  American 
plantigrade  Mammalia,  ord.  Ursidffl.    The 


coati  or  coatimondi  is  the  best-know* 
epecies. 

Natautes,  -tan'tez.  A  fam.  of  Arane- 
id.'e  or  spiders,  which  live  entirely  upon 
or  beneath  the  water. 

Natation,  na-ta'shon.  The  art  or  act  of 
swimming. 

Natatores,  na-ta-to'rez.  An  order  of 
swimming  Wds,  divided  into  four  fami- 
lies—Brevipennatse,  including  tiie  pen- 
guins, auks,  guillemots,  divers  and 
grebes ;  Longipennutie,  comprising  the 
(fulls,  terns  and  petrels  ;  'i'otipalmat^e  dr 
Steganopodes,  the  pelicans,  cormorants, 
gannets  frigate-birds,  darters,  and  others  ; 
Lamellirostres,  the  ducks,  geese,  swans 
and  flamingoes. 

Natal.  An  English  colony  in  S.  E.  Af- 
rica ;  area  16,150  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  350,000. 
Cap.  D' Urban  ;  pop.  19,500. 

Nathan.  In  Scrip,  a  prophet  who  con- 
veyed the  divine  rebuke  to  King  David 
after  his  adulterous  intrigue  with  Bath- 
fiheba. 

Nattes,  nat'tez.  A  name  given  to  an  or- 
nament used  in  the  decoration  of  surfaces 
in  the  architecture  of  the  12th  century, 
from  its  resemblance  to  the  interlaced 
withs  of  matting. 

Nature-printing-,  na'tiir-print-ing.  A 
process  by  which  objects,  such  as  plants, 
ferns,  lace,  «fec.,  are  impressed  on  a  lead 
plate  so  as  to  engrave  themselves,  copies 
or  casts  being  then  taken  for  printing. 

Nauplius-form,  na'pli-us-form.  In 
Physiol,  the  earliest  stage  in  the  develop- 
ment of  many  Crustacea. 

Nauropometer, -ro-pom'e-ter.  An  in- 
strument for  measuring  the  amount  of  a 
ship's  heel  or  inchnation  at  sea. 

Nautch-grirl,  nach'gerl.  In  the  E.  In- 
dies, a  native  dancing-girl. 

Nautilidae,  na-til'i-dC.  A  family  of 
cephalopodous  "mollusks,  constituting 
with  the  Ammonitidse  or  ammonite  fam. 
the  ord.  Tetrabranchiata. 

Navarch,  na'vark.  In  Greek  Antiq.  the 
commander  of  a  fleet. 

Navarino.  A  city  of  Greece,  on  the 
Ionian  Sea,  6  m.  N.  of  Modon,  in  the 
vicinity  of  which,  Oct.  20,  1827,  the 
Turco-Egvptian  fleet  of  70  sail,  under 
Ibrahim  Pacha,  was  defeated  and  de- 
stroj'ed  by  the  combined  fleets  of  Russia, 
France  and  England,  under  Admiral  Cod- 
rington. 

Navarre.  Formerly  an  independent 
Kingdom  of  Spain,  now  one  of  the  Basque 

provinces,  bounded    N.   by  France,  the 


ITAZAEENE 


621 


NEGRITO 


Pyrenees  constituting  the  line,  E.  by  Ara- 
gon,  S.  by  Old  Castile,  W,  by  the  Atlantic ; 
pop.  843,700.    Cap.  Pampliina. 

Ifazarene,  naz-a-ren'.  An  inhabitant  of 
Naziirelh.  A  name  given  to  Christ,  and 
to  the  early  converts  to  Christianity,  in 
contempt. 

Nazareth.  In  Anc.  Geo.  a  town  of  Gal- 
ilee, Palestine,  6  m.  N.  W.  of  Mt.  Tabor, 
historically  famous  as  the  birthplace  of 
Christ;  it  is  now  called  Nasirah:  pop. 
3,200. 

Nazarite,  Vrlt.  A  Jew  who  by  certain 
vows  and  acts  devoted  himself  to  the  pe- 
culiar service  of  Jehovah  for  a  certain 
time  or  for  life. 

Neagh,  IiOUgrh..  The  largest  lake  in 
Ireland,  in  Ulster  ;  area  150  sq.  m. 

Neander,  Joliann  August  Wil- 
lielm.  An  eminent  German  ecclesiasti- 
cal historian  and  essayist ;  B.  17S9,  d.  1850. 
He  was  of  Jewish  descent. 

Neap-tide,  nep'tid.    Low  tide. 

Nearctic,  ne-ark'tik.  One  of  the  six  re- 
gions into  which  zoologists  divide  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth,  based  on  their  character- 
istic fauna  or  collection  of  animal  life. 
The  Nearctic  region  extends  throughout 
America  down  to  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuan- 
tepec. 

Neat,  net.  Cattle  of  the  bovine  gen.,  as 
bulls,  oxen  and  cows.  N.'s-foot  oil,  an 
oil  obtained  from  the  feet  of  neat. 

Nebalia,  ne-ba'ii-a.  A  gen.  of  entomos- 
tracous  Crustacea,  ord.  Phyllopoda. 

Nebo,  Mt.  In  Scrip,  the  mountain  in 
Moab,  from  which  Moses  saw  the  Prom- 
ised Land,  and  where  he  died  ;  identified 
as  Mt.  Attarus,  10  m.  N.  of  theArnon. 

Nebraska.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  1S67,  bounded  N.  by 
Dakota  Ter.,  E.  by  Iowa  and  Missouri,  S. 
by  Kansas  and  Colorado,  "W.  by  Wyo- 
ming; area  75,905  sq.  m.;  pop.  452,402. 
Principal  cities,  Lincoln,  cap.,  Omaha, 
Nebraska  City,  Columbus  and  Grand 
Island.  Chief  rivers,  Missouri,  Nebraska 
(Platte),  Niobrara,  Eepublican  Fork  of 
Kansas,  Elkhorn  and  Loup  Fork  of  Platte. 

Nebris,  neb'ris.  A  fawn's  skin  worn  bv 
hunters  and  others.  In  works  of  art  it  is 
the  characteristic  covering  of  Bacchus, 
bacchanals,  fauns  and  satyrs. 

Nebuchadnezzar.  King  of  Babylon ; 
B.  abt.  626  B.  c,  s.  his  father  Nabopolas- 
sar  609,  captured  Jesusalem  606  and  car- 
ried aw^  many  captives,  including  the 
prophet  Daniel ;  afterward  took  Tyre  and 
reduced  Egypt ;  p.  562  b.  c. 

Necker,  Jacques.   An  eminent  French 


financier  and  statesman ;  b.  in  Switzer- 
land  17:JJ,  D.  1S04.  He  was  father  of  the 
celebrated  Madame  de  SUel. 

Necrology,  nek-rol'o-ji.  A  register  of 
ptnsons  who  die  within  a  certain  time  ;  an 
obituary  or  collection  of  obituary  notices. 

Necromaiicy,  'ro-man-si.  The  art  of 
revealing  future  events  by  means  of  a  pre- 
tended communication  vnth  the  dead. 
The  art  of  magic. 

Necrophaga,  -rofa-ga.  A  group  of 
clavicoru  beetles,  comprehending  those 
which  feed  on  dead  and  decomiwstng  ani- 
mal substances. 

Necrophilism,  'il-izm.  An  unnatural 
and  revolting  love  or  appetite  for  th© 
dead,  manifested  in  various  ways,  as  liv- 
ing beside  dead  bodies,  exhuming 
corpses  to  see  them,  kiss  them,  or  mutilate 
them  ;  some  times  developing  into  canni- 
balism. 

Necrophobia,  -ro-fo'bi-a.  A  horror  of 
dead  bodies.  Exaggerated  fear  of  death, 
a  symptom  occurring  in  persons  8a&ei*ing 
from  certain  diseases. 

Necrophorus,  -rof'o-rus.  A  gen.  of 
coleopterous  insects,  called  burying-bee- 
tles,  from  the  peculiar  instinct  which  they 
exhibit  of  burying  the  dead  bodies  of 
small  animals,  such  as  moles,  mice,  frogs, 
&c.,  as  a  receptacle  for  their  eggs  and 
larvae. 

Necropolis,  -rop'o-lis.  Ancient  ceme- 
teries, which  in  the  neighborhood  of  some 
cities  are  very  extensive,  and  filled  with 
magnificent  remains.  The  name  has  also 
been  given  to  modem  cemeteries  in  or 
near  towns. 

Nectar,  'tar.  In  Greek  Myth,  the  drink 
of  the  gods,  which  was  ima^ned  to  con- 
tribute much  toward  their  eternal  exis- 
tence. Any  very  sweet  and  pleasant 
drink. 

NectariniadSB,  'ta-rin-i"a-de.  A  fam. 
ofinsessorial  birds,  comprising  the  honey- 
suckers. 

Nee,  na.  Born :  a  term  sometimta 
placed  before  a  married  woman's  maiden 
name  to  Indicate  the  family  to  which  she 
belongs. 

Needle-gTin,  ne'dl-gun.  A  breech-load- 
ing rifle  whose  cartridge  is  exploded  by 
the  stroke  of  a  needle  or  small  spiko. 
This  fire-arm  is  now  superseded. 

Negrito,  ne-grl'to.  A  name  given  by 
Spaniards  to  the  Alfourous,  diminutive, 
negro- like  tribes,  inhabiting  the  Philippine 
Islos  and  contiguous  islands,  not  exceed- 
ing 4  feet  8  inches  in  height.  Negrito  in 
modem  ethnology  includes  all  peoples  re- 


KEGRO 


NEREIDS 


sembling  the  negro  more  than  the  Malayo- 
Polynesians. 
2^"egTO,  ne'f^ro.  One  of  that  division  of 
mankind  characterized  by  their  black  skin, 
and  liair  of  a  woolly  or  crisp  nature,  na- 
tive of  a  limited  area  in  the  African  con- 
tinent. The  term  negro  is  loosely  applied 
to  other  colored  races  and  to  mixed 
breeds. 

Keg-ro-cacliexy,  -ka-keks-i.  A  pro- 
pensity for  eating  dirt,  peculiar  to  the  na- 
tives of  the  W.  Indies  and  Africa. 

NegTO-fly,  -fli.  The  Psila  rosje,  a  dip- 
terous insect,  so  named  from  its  shining 
black  color ;  also  called  the  Carrot-fly. 

HfegViS,  'gns.  A  liquor  made  of  wine, 
Avater,  sugar,  nutmeg  and  lemon-juice. 

l^ehemiah.  In  Scrip,  a  patriotic  He- 
brew, B.  at  Babylon  during  the  captivity, 
but  gaining  the  favor  of  Artaxerxes  Lon- 
ginianus,  King  of  Persia,  and  of  Esther 
iis  queen,  obtained  the  privilege  abt.  444, 
B.  c,  of  restoring  Jerusalem  to  its  condi- 
tion before  being  captured  by  Nebuchad- 
nezzar. He  8.  Ezra  in  the  government  of 
Judea,  and  was  the  author  of  the  book 
called  after  him. 

Heith,  na'ith.  An  ancient  Egyptian  god- 
dess, worshipped  especially  at  Sais,  and 
having  some  of  the  characteristics  of  the 
Oreek  Athene. 

Nelson,  Horatio,  Viscount.  The 
most  famous  of  English  admirals,  b.  1758, 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Trafalgar,  1805,  in 
the  moment  of  victory  over  the  French. 

Nenxatelmia,  nem-a-tel'mi-a.  The  divis- 
ion of  Scolecida  comprising  the  round- 
worms, thread-worms,  &c. 

Nematoda,  -to'da.  An  ord.  of  entozoa, 
comprising  the  parasitic  Ascai-is  lumbri- 
coides,  the  Oxyuris  and  the  trichina ;  the 
last  gives  rise  to  a  dangerous  disease 
known  as  trichiniasis.  The  non-parasitic 
comprise  200  known  species. 

Nemansa,  ne-ma'sa.  A  small  planet  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter. 

Nemea,  ne'me-a.  An  ancient  city  in  Ar- 
golis,  Greece.  In  Myth,  the  Nemean  lion 
ravaged  Greece  till  slain  by  Hercules. 
Nemean  games  or  festivals,  the  same  in 
character  as  those  of  Olympia,  celebrated 
at  Nemea  every  second  year. 

Nemertida,  ne-mer'ti-da.  The  ribbon- 
worms,  a  division  of  the  ord.  Turbellaria, 
sub-kingdom  Annuloida,  some  of  the 
species  of  which  attain  a  length  of  30  or  40 
feet,  which  they  can  suddenly  contract  to 
3  or  4  feet. 

Nemesis,  nem'e-sis.    In  Myth,  a  female 


Greek  divinity,  regarded  as  a  personifica- 
tion of  the  righteous  anger  of  the  gods, 
inflexibly  severe  to  the  proud  and  insolent. 
According  to  Hesiod  she  was  the  daughter 
of  night. 

Nemocera,  ne-mos'er-a.  A  group  of 
dipterous  insects,  comprising  the  gnats  or 
mosquitoes  and  crane-flies. 

Nemogrlossata,  'm6-glo-sa"ta.  a  tribe 
of  hymenopierous  insects,  including  those 
which  have  a  long  filiform  tongue,  as  the 
bee  tribe. 

Neocomian,  -o-ko'mi-an.  In  Geol.  the 
lowest  of  the  cretaceous  deposits,  the  low- 
er green-sand  and  wealden. 

Neo-Latin,  'o-la-tin.  New  Latin,  a  term 
applied  to  the  Romance  languages  as  hav- 
ing grown  immediately  out  of  the  Latin. 
Latin  as  written  by  modern  authors. 

Neolog-ist,  -ol'o-jist.  One  who  intro- 
duces new  words  or  phrases  into  a  lan- 
guage. An  innovator  in  any  doctrine  or 
system  of  belief,  especially  in  theology. 

Neopliron,  '6-fron.  A  gen.  of  birds  of 
the  vulture  family,  known  as  the  Alpine 
or  Egyptian  vulture,  Pharaoh's  chicken 
and  white  crow. 

Neopliyte,  -fit.  A  new  convert  or  pros- 
elyte. A  novice  ;  one  newly  admitted  to 
the  order  of  priest.  A  tjro';  a  beginner 
in  learning. 

Neoplatonist,  -o-pla^ton-ist.  A  mysti- 
cal philosopher  of  the  school  of  Ammoni- 
us  Saccas  and  Plotinus  in  the  3d  to  5th 
centuiy,  who  mixed  some  of  the  tenets  of 
ancient  Platonists  with  other  principles, 
drawn  from  various  sources,  particularly 
from  the  theosophy  of  the  East. 

Neotropical,  -trop'ik-al.  A  term  ap- 
plied to  one  of  the  six  regions  into  which 
zoologists  divide  the  earth,  based  on  their 
characteristic  fauna  or  collection  of  animal 
life.  It  includes  C.  America  south  of  the 
isthmus  of  Tehuantepec  and  S.  America. 

Neph,,  nef.  In  Egypt.  Myth,  an  ancient 
divinity  worshiped  in  Ethiopia  and  the. 
Thebais,  represented  as  having  a  ram's' 
head  with  curved  horns.  Written  also 
Nouf. 

Nepides,  nep'i-de.  One  of  the  families 
into  which  Hydrocorisse  are  divided ;  the 
water-scorpions. 

Nepotism,  ne'pot-izm.  FavoritiBm 
shown  to  nephews  and  other  relations ; 
patronage  bestowed  in  consideration  of 
family  relationship  and  not  of  merit. 

Nereidse,  -re'i-de.  A  fam.  of  dorsibran- 
chiate  annelids  of  which  Nereis  is  the  type 
gen.;  thesea-centipeds. 


NEPTUNE 


528 


NEW  BEUNSTVICK 


The   chief  murine 


Neptune. 


Neptune,  nep'tun. 
divinity  of  the  Ro- 
mans, hence  iden- 
tified by  the  Ro- 
mans themselves 
with  the  Greek  Po- 
seidon, whoso  at- 
tributes they  trans- 
ferred to  their  own 
god.  In  works  of 
art    he   is    usually 

, represent ed  as 
armed  with  a  tri- 
dent, and  the  horse 
and  the  dolphin  are 
his  symbols.  A 
planet  beyond  the 
orbit  of  Uranus, 
and  the  remotest  from  the  sun  yet  known 
in  the  solar  system. 

Nereid,  nc're- 
id.  In  Myth,  a 
sea  nymph. 
They  are  repre- 
sented as  riding 
o  n  sea-horses, 
sometimes  with 
the  tail  of  a  fish. 
They  numbered^ 
50,     were      the    -  -^-r     ,-, 

daughters  of  Ne-  Nereid, 

reus,  and  constantly  attended  Neptune. 

Nero,  Claudius  Caesar  Drusus 
Germanicus.  An  infamous  emperor 
of  Kome  from  abt.  54  to  68.  He  Avas  the 
adopted  sou  and  s.  of  the  Emperor  Claudi- 
us, and  amonw  his  crimes  was  the  murder 
of  his  wife  and  mother. 

Neroll.  ne-ro-li.  The  essential  oil  ob- 
tained from  the  flowers  of  the  bitter  or- 
ange by  distillation. 

Nescience,  ne'shi-ens.  The  state  of  not 
knowing-;  want  of  knowledge;  ignorance. 

Nesselr6de,  Charles  Bobert,  Count 
von.  A  distinguished  Russian  states- 
man, B.  in  Spain,  of  German  descent,  1780, 
D. 1862. 

Nestor,  nes'tor.  A  gen.  of  the  parrot 
family,  connecting  the  parrots  and  cocka- 
toos. 

Nestor.  In  Heroic  Hist,  a  Greek  hero  of 
the  Trojan  war,  son  of  Neleus,  grandson 
of  Neptune,  and  king  of  Pylos  and  Mes- 
senia.  His  wise  and  able  reign  extended 
over  three  generations. 

Nestorian,  nes-td'ri-an.  An  adherent 
of  Nestorius,  patriarch  of  Constantinople 
in  the  5th  century,  who  was  deposed  and 
condemned  as  a'  heretic  for  maintaining 
that  the  two  natures  in  Christ  were  not  so 


Nottle. 


blended  and  united  as  tobcundistinguisb' 
able.  The  term  is  still  applied  to  Chris- 
tians of  Persia  and  India,  the  remains  ol 
the  Nestorian  sect. 

Nethinim,  neth'in-im.  Among  the  Jews, 
servants  of  the  priests  and  Levites,  em- 
ployed in  the  meanest  offices  about  the 
temple. 

Nettapus,  net'a-pus.  A  gen.  of  web- 
footed  birds,  allied  to  the  barnacle-geese, 
of  small  size,  containing  the  pigmy  and 
the  Madagascar  goose. 

Nettle,  net'tl.  A 
stinging  plant  of  the 
gen.  Urtica. 

Neufchatel.  A 
canton  of  Switzer- 
land, bounded  N. 
and  E.  by  Berne,  S. 
by  Yaud  and  W.  by 
France ;  area  281  sq. 
m.  ;  pop.  abt.  100,- 
000  The  name  is 
also  given  to  a  iovm  ; 
(pop.  abt.  11,000) 
cap.  of  the  canton, 
and  to  a  lake  (Yver- 

dun)  surrounded  bv  the  cantons  of  N., 
Berne,  Fribourgand  Yaud  ;  area,  90  sq.  m. 

Neurologry,  nu-rol'o-ji.  That  part  of 
anatomy  which  treats  of  the  nerves. 

Neuroptera,  -rop'ter-a.  An  order  of 
r.apacious  insects,  including  the  dragon- 
Ihes,  caddis-flies,  may-flies,  white  ants, 
ant-lion,  &c. 

Neuvaines,  'viinz.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch, 
prayers  offered  up  for  nine  successive 
days  to  obtain  the  favor  of  Heaven. 

Neva.  A  Russian  river,  40  m.  long,  con- 
stituting the  chief  means  of  communica- 
tion between  Central  Russia  and  the  Gulf 
of  Finland. 

Nevada.  A  State  of  the  American  Union, 
admitted  1864  ;  bounded  N.  by  Oregon 
and  Idaho  Ter.,  E.  by  Utah,  S,  by  Ari- 
zona and  W.  by  California,  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vada Mountains  being  the  line  ;  area, 
112,900  sq.  m. ;  pop.  62,266.  Principal 
cities,  Carson  City,  cap.,  Virginia  City, 
Humboldt  City,  Aurora  and  Lander  City. 
Chief  rivers,  Humboldt,  Truckee,  Walker 
and  Carson.  Mountains,  Sierra  Nevada, 
Augusta,  Mammoth  and  Humboldt 
ranges.  Lakes,  Tahoe,  Humboldt, Walker 
and  Pyramid. 

Newark.  Cap.  of  Essex  Co.,  N.  J.,  and 
one  of  its  chief  manufacturing  cities,  on 
the  Passaic,  41  m.  N.  E.  of  Trenton  ;  pop. 
186,508. 

New  Brunswick.    A  division  of  the 


NEW  CALEDONIA 


-^TEW  YORK 


Dominion  of  Canada ;  bounded  N.  by  the 
provinces  of  Bonaventure  and  Remouski, 
E.  by  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Prince 
Edward's  Island,  S.  by  Ray  of  Fundy,  W. 
by  Maine,  connected  with  Nova  Scotia  on 
the  S.  E.  by  an  isthmus ;  area,  27,030  sq. 
m.  ;  pop.  321,233.  Principal  cities,  Fred- 
ericton,  cap.,  and  St.  John,  the  commer- 
cial emporium.  Chief  rivers,  Miramichi, 
Eestigoucheand  St,  John.  Bays,  Chaleur, 
Miramichi,  Chignecto  and  Passama- 
quoddy. 

H'ew  Caledonia.  A  French  Island  and 
penal  colony  in  Australia;  area,  6,054  sq. 
m.  ;  pop.  68,000.  Cliief  cities,  Port 
Balade  and  Port  St.  Vincent. 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  A  thriving 
seaport  of  ('o.  Northumberland,  England, 
on  the  Tyne,  6i  tn.  E.  of  Carlisle  :  poo. 
151,673.  ^ 

Newel,  'el.  In 
Arch,  the  up- 
right cylinder 
or  pillar  round 
which  in  a  wind- 
ing staiz-case  the 
steps  turn,  and 
are  supported 
from  the  bottom 
to  the  top. 
New  E  n- 
grland.  The 
N.  E.  section  of 
the  IT.  S.,  com- 
prlsing  the  6 
States  of  Maine, 
NewHampshire, 
Vermont,  Mas- 
sachusetts, 
Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut. 
Newfoundland.  A  British  island  in 
the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  separated  from 
Labrador  by  the  Straits  of  Belle  Isle; 
area  40,200  sq.  m.\  pop.  173,856.  Cap. 
St.  John's.  Rivers,  Exploit  and  Ilumber. 
Newfoundland  Dog-.  A  well-known 
and  fine  variety  of  the  water  dog,  native  to 
Newfoundland,  where  theyare  emploved  in 
drawing  sledges  and  little  carriages  "laden 
with  wood,  fish,  &c.  It  is  remarkable  for 
sagacity,  patience  and  good  nature. 
New  Hampshire.  A  State  of  the 
American  Union,  one  of  the  original  13  ; 
bounded  N.  by  the  Dominion,  E.  by 
Maine,  8.  by  Massachusetts,  W.  by  Ver- 
mont, a  small  section  in  the  S.  E.  touch- 
ing the  Atlantic  ;  area,  9,280  sq.  m. ;  pop. 
846,991.  Chief  cities,  Concord,  c^ip., 
Portsmouth,  Manchester,  Bristol,  Nashua, 
Haverhill  and  Gorham.  Principal  rivers, 
Connecticut,  Merrimacand  Androscoggin. 


Ancient  Stair  and 

Newel. 


Lakes,  Winnipiseogee,  Ossipoe  and  Um- 
bagog.  Mountains,  White,  with  outlying 
ranges  called  Grand  Monadnock,  Kear- 
sarge  and  Moosehillock. 
New  Haven,  Cap.  of  county  of  same 
name,  and  formerly  one  of  the  capitals  of 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  a  thriving  T)ort, 
76  m.  N.  E.  of  N.  Y,  City  ;  pop.  62,882. 
New  Hebrides.  A  group  of  7  islands 
in  Polynesia,  Pacific  Ocean  ;  area,  2,500 
sq.  m.  ;  pop.  abt.  200,000. 
New  Jersey.  One  of  the  original  13 
States  of  the  American  Union  ;  bounded 
N.  by  New  York,  E,  by  the  Atlantic,  S. 
by  Delaware  Bay,  W.  by  Pennsylvania ; 
area,  8,320  sq.  m. ;  pop.  1,  81,116.  Prin- 
cipal cities,  Trenton,  cap.,  Jersey  City, 
Newark,  Camden,  Paterson,  Elizabeth, 
New  Brunswick,  Burlington,  Orange  and 
Beverly,  with  the  popular  seaside  resorts 
Long  Branch,  Cape  May  and  Atlantic 
City.  Chief  rivers,  Delaware,  Passaic, 
Hackensack,  Raritan,  Rahway,  Navesink, 
Great  and  Little  Egg  Harbor.  Mountains, 
Kittatinny  and  Highland  ranges. 
Newport.  A  city  and  watering-place  in 
Rhode  Island,  on  Narragansett  Bay,  28  m. 
S.  E.  of  Providence  ;  also  a  semi-capital  of 
the  State;  its  harbor  is  well  fortified: 
pop.  15,693. 

News-letter,  nuz'let-er.  The  name 
given  to  small  printed  sheets,  issued 
weekly  in  London  about  the  time  of 
Charles  II.,  the  news  for  which  was  col- 
lected from  cofi'ee-house  gossip,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  the  "  London  Gazette," 
then  the  only  authorized  newspaper, 
which  contained  little  besides  proclama- 
tions and  advertisements.  It  was  the 
predecessor  or  original  of  the  modern 
newspaper. 

New T&outh  Wales.  A  S.  E.  Colony 
of  Australia,  formerly  a  British  penal  col- 
ony ;  area  323,437  sq.  m,:  pop.  764,620. 
Principal  cities,  Sydney,  cap.,  and  Ade- 
laide. Chief  rivers,  Lachlan,  Macquarie, 
Peel,  Hunter,  Clarence  and  Murrum- 
bidgee.    Bays,  Botany  and  Moreton. 

Newton,  Isaac,  Sir.  An  illustrious 
English  astronomer  and  philosopher ;  u, 
1642,  D.  1727. 

New  York.  One  of  the  original  13 
States  of  the  American  Union,  bounded 
N.  by  Canada  and  Lake  Ontario,  E.  by 
Conn.,  Mass.  and  Vt.,  S.  by  the  Atlantic, 
N,  J.  and  Penn.,  W.  by  Lake  Erie  and 
Canada  ;  area47,000  sq.  m.;  pop.  6  082,871. 
Principal  cities,  Albany,  cap.,  New  York, 
Brooklyn,  Buffalo,  Troy,  Rochester,  Utica 
and  Syracuse,  Chief  rivers,  Hudson,  East, 


NEWT 


525 


NIOTITATIOir 


Mohawk,  Niagara,  Delaware,  Susquehan- 
na, Genesee  and  Oswego.  Lakes,  Erie,  On- 
tario, Cliamplain,  on  the  borders,  Oneida, 
Canandaigua,   Cayuga,  Seneca,  Chautau- 

aua  and  George.  Mountains,  Adiron- 
acks  and  Highlands  (Catskills)  of  the 
Hudson,  and  N.  range  of  the  Alleghanies. 
K.  Y.  City,  the  commercial  metropolis  of 
N.  America,  covering  the  island  of  Man- 
hattan, and  extending  across  Harlem 
Eiver,  at  the  junction  of  the  Hudson  and 
East  rivers,  and  head  of  N.  Y.  Bay; 
pop.  1,210,S99. 

Newt,  J':>v'^>f;^x-^A.v    ^v 

nut.  One  ^w— ^^^?5^^?3SS?^.a<i-^' 
of  a  gen.  y^^ 
of  small 
tailed  ba- 
trachians, 
fam.  Sal- 
am  andri  - 
dae.     The  Smooth  Newt, 

warty 
newt  grows  to  the  length  of  6  inches,  the 


Warty  Newt. 

they  lose  one  of  their  members — a  leg, 
the  tail,  or  even  an  eye — a  new  one  is  soon 
produced. 

New  Zealand.  A  group  of  3  British 
islands  in  the  S.  Pacific,  with  a  number  of 
islets  ;  area  106,260  eq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  300,- 
000.  Cap.  Wellington.  Principal  ports, 
Mongonui,  Wangarei,  Auckland,  Bay  Of 
Islands  and  Wellington. 

Ney,  Micliel.  (Prince  de  la  Moskowa  and 
Due  de  Elchingen.)  One  of  Napoleon's 
bravest  and  most  successful  generals,  who 
fought  his  way  up  from  the  ranks ;  b. 
1769,  shot  for  treason,  in  havingioined  the 
emperor  on  his  return  from  Elba,  1815. 
He  commanded  the  Old  Guard  at  Water- 
loo, and  had  three  horses  killed  under 
him. 

Niag-ara.  A  river  dividing  W.  New 
York  and  Canada,  and  connecting  lakes 
Erie  and  Ontario,  a  section  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  12  m.  long,  celebrated  for  its 
magnificent  falls,  164  feet  in  height. 

Niare,  ni-ar'.  The  native  name  of  the 
wild  o.x  or  buffalo  ofW.  Ah-ica;  the  Cape 
buftalo. 

Nicsea.  (Anciently  Helicore.)  A  city  of 
Bithyuia,  Asia  Minor,  noted  as  the  seat  of 


two  church  councils  (325-378),  at  the 
former  of  which  the  "  Nicene  Creed"  was 
promulgated. 

Nicaragrua.  A  republic  of  C.  America* 
bounded  N.  by  Honduras,  E.  by  the  Ca- 
ribbean Sea,  S.  by  Costa  Eica,  W.  by  the 
Pacific;  area  67,000  sq.  m.;  pop.  560,700. 
Principal  cities,  Mana^ia,  cap.,  Grey  town 
and  St.  Leon.  Chief  rivers,  San  Juan, 
Bluefields  and  Segovia.  Two  ranges  of 
the  Andes  extend  along  the  Pacific  coast 
line. 

Nice.  A  Mediterranean  seaport  of 
France,  formerly  belonging  to  Sardinia ; 
pop.  54,720. 

Nicephorus.  The  name  of  8  Byzantine 
emperors. 

Niche,  nich.  A  recess  in  a  wall  for  the 
reception  of  a  statue,  a  vase,  or  some 
other  ornament. 

Niclxolas.  The  pontifical  name  assumed 
by  5  popes.  Also  the  name  of  the  em- 
pci-or  of  Russia,  8d  son  of  Paul  L,  b.  1796, 
s.  his  brother  Alexander  I.,  1825,  i>.  1855, 
during  the  Crimean  war. 

Nick,  nik.  Originally,  a  goblin  or  spirit 
of  the  waters,  but  in  modern  usage  ap- 
plied only  to  the  Evil  One,  generally  ^vith 
the  addition  of  Old. 

Nickel,  'el.  A  white  metal  of  great  hard- 
ness, difficult  to  be  purified,  always  mag- 
netic, and  when  pure  malleable  and  duo- 
tile.  It  unites  in  alloys  with  gold,  cop- 
per, tin  and  arsenic,  which  it  renders  brit- 
tle. With  silver  and  iron  its  alloys  are 
ductile. 

Nickel-plating-,  -plat-ing.  The  surfac- 
ing of  metals  with  nickel  by  means  of  a 
heated  solution  or  the  electro-bath,  for  the 
purpose  of  rendering  them  less  liable  to 
oxidation  by  heat  or  moisture. 

Nickel-silver,  -sil-ver.  An  alloy  com- 
posed of  copper  60,  zinc  17i,  and  nickel 
22i. 

Nicolaitan,  -G-la'l-tan.  One  of  a  sect  in 
the  early  Christian  Church,  so  named  from 
Nicolas,  a  deacon  of  Jerusalem.  They  in- 
clined to  licentious  and  pagan  practices. 

Nicotiana,  ni-ko'shi-a"na.  The  tobacco 
gen.  of  plants.  The  species  generally 
grown  as  tobacco  are  N.  tabacum  and  N. 
macrophylla.  N.  persica,  a  native  of  Per- 
sia, is  much  more  fragrant  and  agreeable 
than  the  common  tobacco. 

Nicotianin,  -a-nin.  A  concrete  oil  ex- 
tracted from  the  leaves  of  tobacco.  It  af- 
fords nicotine. 

Nictitation,  nik-ti-ta'shon.  The  act  of 
winking,  a  natural  and  instinctive  action 


NIELLO 


NINE 


for  the  purpose  of  moistening  and  clean- 
ing the  eyes. 

Niello,  ni-el'lo.  A  method  of  ornamenting 
metal  plates  practiced  in  the  middle  ages, 
which  gave  rise  to  copper-plato  engraving. 

Niflheim,  nefl'him.  In  Scand.  Myth, 
the  region  of  endless  cold  and  everlasting 
night,  ruled  over  by  Hela. 

iSTiger.  A  large  river  of  W.  Africa ;  length 
2,300  ra. 

"J^igger,  nig'er,  A  negro  ;  in  deprecia- 
tion or  vlerision.  A  vulgar  term  often  ap- 
plied toother  colored  races,  more  particu- 
larly to  the  natives  of  the  E.  Indies. 

Nigrht-glass,  nit'glas.  A  telescope  so 
constructed  as  to  concentrate  light,  so  as 
to  enable  objects  to  be  seen  at  night. 

Nigrht-hawk,  'hak.  A  species  of  goat- 
sucker, fam.  Caprimulgidae. 

Nig-ht-heron,  'he-run.  A  species  of 
Nycticorax,  a  gen.  of  Grallatores  or  wad- 
ing bii'ds,  fam,  Ardeidae  (herons  and 
cranes). 

Nig-htingrale,  'in-gal.    A  small  dentiros- 

ti-al       passerine 

bird,   gen.   Lus- 

cinia,  fam.  Lus- 

cinidse    or   Tur- 

didaj,  and  nearly 

allied     to      the 

water  -ouzels; 

often    called    in 

poetrv  Philomela 

or  Philomel.  The 

nightingale  sings 

at  night,  audits  AT,-„T,«r,„oi„ 

famed    chant  is  Nightmgale. 

the  love-song  of  the  male,  which  ceases 

Avhen  the  female  has  hatched  her  brood. 

Nig-htsliade,  nit'shad 
The  English  name  of 
various  species  of  plants, 
chiefly  of  the  gen.  Sola- 
num,  a  berry -bearing 
poisonous  herb. 

HiMlist,  ni'hil-ist.  A 
member  of  aEussian  se- 
cret society,  the  adher- 
ents of  which  mostly 
acknowledge  material- 
ism as  their  philosophi- 
cal creed,  but  are  chiefly 
characterized  by  their 
social  and  political  aims 
idea  is  that  no  considerable  advance  can 
be  made  by  mankind  without  an  entire 
reconstruction  of  society,  the  cnief  features 
of  which  are  the  principle  of  common  prop- 
erty in  land,  and  of  communistic  principles 
generally.     They  hesitate  at  no  crime  to 


Nightshade, 
Their  leading 


further  their  cause,  and  assassination  is 
one  of  their  approved  weapons. 

Nile.  A  large  and  celebrated  river  of 
Africa,  the  fertilizer  of  Egypt;  length 
4,500  m. 

Nilometer,  -lom'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  the  rise  of  water  in  the  Nile 
during  its  periodical  floods.  When  the 
inundation  reaches  the  height  of  21  cubits 
it  is  considered  adequate,  at  24  cubits  it  is 
destructive. 

Nimbus,  nlm'bus,  A  term  applied  in 
art,  especially  in  sacred  art,  to  a  halo  or 
disk  surrounding  the  head  in  representa- 


The  Nimbus. 

tions  of  divine  or  sacred  personages  ;  as 
also  to  a  disk  or  circle  sometimes  depicted 
round  the  heads  of  emperors  and  other 
great  men.  The  nimbus  of  God  the 
Father  is  represented  as  of  a  triangular 
form,  with  rays  diverging  from  it  all 
round  ;  the  nimbus  of  Christ  contains  a 
cross  more  or  less  enriched  ;  that  of  the 
Virgin  Mary  consists  of  a  circlet  of  small 
stars,  and  that  of  angels  and  saints  is  a 
circle  of  small  rays.  When  the  nimbus 
is  depicted  of  a  square  form  it  indicates 
that  the  person  was  alive  at  the  time  of 
delineation 

Nine,  nln.  One  more  than  eight  or  one 
less  than  ten.  The  nine  worthies,  famous 
persons  often  alluded  to  by  old  writers 
and  classed  together,  like  the  seven  won- 
ders of  the  world,  &c.  They  included 
three  Gentiles  (Hector,  Alexander,  Julins 
Cajsar);  three  Jews  (Joshua,  David,  Judas 
Maccabaeus) ;  and  three  Christians  ( Arthar 
of  Britain,  Charlemagne,  Godfrey  of 
Bouillon).  t 

Nine.  The  number  comnosed  of  eight 
and  one ;  or  the  number  less  by  a  unit 
than  ten  ;  three  times  three.     Tlie  Nine, 


NINE-KILLER 


527 


NOCTOGRAPH 


a  name  given  to  the  Muses  on  account  of 
their  number. 

Xine-killer,  nln'kil-er.  The  popular 
name  of  the  red-backed  shrike  or  butcher- 
bird of  Britain  and  the  northern  butcher- 
Mrd  of  America,  from  the  belief  that  the 
lird  catches  and  impales  nine  of  the  ani- 
mals on  which  it  feeds  before  it  begins  its 
neal. 

Nineteen,  'ten.  The  sum  of  nine  and 
ten,  or  one  less  than  twenty. 

Ninety,  'ti.    Nine  times  ten. 

Ning-po.  A  Chinese  seaport  at  junction 
of  rivers  Taon  and  Kin  ;  pop.  283,000. 

Niobe,  nI-6-be.  In 
Greek  Myth,  the 
daughter  of  Tantalus, 
and  one  of  the  Plei- 
ades, married  to  Am- 
phion,  King  of  The- 
bes. Proud  of  her 
numerous  progeny, 
she  provoked  the  an- 
ger of  Apollo  and 
Diana  by  boasting 
over  their  mother 
Leto,  who  had  no 
children  but  those 
two.  She  was  pun- 
ished by  having  all 
her  children  put 
to  death,  and  she  her- 
self was  metamorphosed  by  Jupiter  into 
a  stone  which  shed  tears  during  the  sum- 
mer. 

Niobite,  'o-bit.  One  of  a  sect  of  Mono- 
physite  heretics  founded  by  8tephanus, 
surnamed  Niobes,  an  Alexandrian  rhetori- 
cian or  sophist. 

Nipter,  nip'ter.  The  ceremony  of  wash- 
ing the  feet  practiced  in  the  Greek  and 
some  other  churches  on  Good  Friday,  in 
imitation  of  the  act  of  our  Saviour.  In 
monasteries  the  abbot  and  twelve  monks 
took  part  in  the  ceremony. 

Nirvana,  nir-va'na.  According  to  the 
teaching  of  Buddhism,  the  condition  of 
one  who  has  attained  to  the  highest  state 
to  which  a  sentient  being  can  reach.  One 
•who  has  attained  this  condition  %\ill  at 
death  pass  entirely  out  of  existence. 

Nisan,  ni'zan.  The  first  month  of  the 
sacred  and  seventh  of  the  Jewish  civil 
year,  answering  nearly  to  our  March.  It 
was  originally  called  Abib. 

Niter,  'ter.  A  salt,  called  also  saltpeter, 
and  in  the  nomenclature  of  chemistry  ni- 
trate of  potassium  or  potassic  nitrate.  It 
is  chiefly  employed  in  chemistry  as  an  ox- 
idizing agent  and  in  the  formation  of  ni- 


Niobe. 


trie  acid.  Its  chief  use  in  the  arts  is  in 
the  making  of  gunpowder. 

Nitrogen,  'trG-jen.  That  element  which 
is  the  basis  of  nitric  acid,  and  the  princi- 
pal ingi-edient  of  atmosphei-ic  air,  consti- 
tuting about  four-fifths  of  common  air,  the 
rest  being  principally  oxygen.  It  is  nei- 
ther combustible  nor  a  supporter  of  com- 
bustion, neither  acid  nor  alkaline,  and 
possesses  n  either  taste  nor  smell. 

Nitro-grlucose,  -tro-glu'kos.  An  organ- 
ic substance  produced  by  acting  upon 
finely  powdered  cane-sugar  with  nitro- 
sulphuric  acid. 

Nitro-Glycerine,  -glis'er-in.  A  com- 
pound produced  by  the  action  of  nitric 
and  sulphuric  acids  on  glycerine.  It  is  a 
light  yellow,  oily  liquid,  and  a  most  pow- 
erful "explosive  agent. 

Nivose,  ne-v5z.  Snow  month:  tho 
name  given  in  the  French  revolutionary 
calendar  to  a  Avinter  month,  beginning 
December  21  and  ending  January  19. 

Nix,  niks.  In  Teut.  Myth,  the  common 
name  of  all  water-spirits  good  and  bad. 
The  Scotch  water-kelpie  is  a  wicked  nix. 

Nizam.  A  state  of  S.  India,  under  Brit- 
ish protectoi-ate  ;  area,  95,000  sq.  m. ;  pop. 
abt.  12,000,000.    Cap.  Hyderabad. 

Noah..  In  Scrip,  a  patriarch,  9th  in  de- 
scent from  Adam,  b.  abt.  2950  b.  c.  He 
was  600  years  old  when  the  deluge  des- 
troyed all  the  race  except  his  family,  who 
were  saved  in  the  ark  by  following  the  di- 
\ine  direction  ;  d.  at  the  age  of  950. 

Noachidse,  no-ak'i-de.  The  immediate 
families  or  tribes  descended  from  Noah, 
or  from  Shem,  Ham  or  Japheth. 

Noble,  no'bl.  A  person  of  rank  above  a 
commoner.  In  Numis.  an  English  gold 
coin,  value  6s.  8d.,  struck  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  III.  The  noble  having  increased 
in  value  to  10s.,  a  coin  of  the  former  value 
or  a  noble  was  ivssued  bv  Henry  VI.  and 
Edward  lY.,  and  called  an  angeL 

Noctilionidse,  nok-til'i-on"i-de.  A  fam. 
of  insectivorous  cheiroptera  (bats),  desti- 
tute of  nasal  appendages. 

Noctiluca,  -ti-lu'ka.  A  minute  gen.  of 
phosphorescent  animals,  the  luminosity 
which  appears  at  the  surface  of  the  sea 
during  the  night  being  chiefly  due  to  them. 

Noctilucin.  'sin.  The  semi-fluid  sub- 
stance in  phosphorescent  animals  which 
causes  light. 

Noctograph,  'to-graf.  A  writing  frame 
for  the  blind.  An  instrument  which  re- 
cords the  presence  of  watchmen  on  theif 
beats. 


NOCTUAET 


623 


NORNA 


Noctuary,  'tii-a-ri.  An  account  of  wliat 
passes  iu  the  niglit ;  tho  converse  of  a 
diary. 

Noctule,  'tul.  The  largest  British  species 
of  but. 

Nocturn,  'tern.  An  office  of  devotion, 
formerly  used  in  the  E.  C.  Ch.  at  mid- 
night. It  now  forms  part  of  the  matins, 
which  service  is  divided  into  three  noc- 
turns,  each  of  which  consists  of  three  (or 
more)  psalms  and  three  lessons. 

Nocturnae,  -ter'ne.  A  sec.  of  raptorial 
birds,  including  but  one  family,  the  Strig- 
idas  or  owls. 

Nocturne,  'tern.  A  painting  exhibiting 
some  of  the  characteristic  effects  of  night 
light. 

Noetian,  no-G'shi-an.  A  follower  of  No- 
etus  in  the  3d  ceutury,  condemned  at  the 
Council  of  Ephesus  for  denying  the  dis- 
tinct personality  of  the  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Ghost. 

IToxu,  non.  Name.  N.  de  guerre  (lit. 
war-name),  a  fictitious  name  assumed  for 
a  time.  N.  do  plume  (lit.  pen-name),  a 
signature  assumed  by  an  author. 

Nomad,  no'mad.  One  of  a  race  or  tribe 
of  people  whose  chief  property  is  in  their 
flocks,  and  who  have  no  fixed  place  Of 
abode. 

Nomarch.,  nom'ark.  The  governor  or 
chief  nuigistrate  of  a  nome  or  province,  as 
in  modern  Greece. 

Nome,  nom.  A  province  or  other  polit- 
ical division  of  modern  Greece  and  ancient 
Egypt. 

Nomen,  no'men.  One  of  the  three  names 
generally  given  to  an  ancient  Eoaaan.  It 
distinguished  tho  gens  or  clan. 

Nonag-enarian,  non'a-ien-a"ri-an.  A 
person  between  ninety  and  a  hundred 
years  old. 

Non  compos  mentis,  kom'pos  men'- 
trs.  Not  of  sound  mind  ;  not  having  xhe 
regular  use  of  reason. 

Nones,  nOnz.  In  the  Eom.  calendar,  the 
r)th  day  of  the  months  January,  February, 
April,  Juno,  August,  September,  Novem- 
ber and  December,  and  the  seventh  day 
of  March,  May,  July  and  October,  so  called 
as  falling  on  the  ninth  day  before  the  ides. 
The  otlice  for  the  ninth  hour ;  one  of  the 
breviary  oflices  of  the  E.  C.  Ch. 

Nonillion,  no-nil'li-on.  The  number 
produced  by  involving  a  million  to  the 
ninth  power  ;  a  unit  with  fifty-four  ciphers 
annexed ;  or  according  to  the  French  sys- 
tem of  numeration,  a  imit  with  thirty 
ciphers. 


Nonpareil,  -pa-rel'.  A  size  of  printiijg 
tyi»e,  a  little  larger  than  ruby  and  smalllr 
than  minion  ;  the  type  in  which  this  bodk 
is  printed.  1 

Noologry,  no-ol'o-ii.  The  science  of  ^^ 
tell ectual  facts  or  phenomena.  / 

Noon,  non.  The  middle  of  the  day ;  l|ie 
time  when  the  sun  is  in  the  meridian ; 
twelve  o'clock.  T 

Nootka-dog-,  not'ka-dog.    A  large  Va- 
riety of  dog  domesticated  by  the  natif as ' 
of  Nootka  Sound,  remarkable  for  its  wool- 
like  hair,  which    holds  together  like  a 
fleece,  and  is  made  into  garments. 

Nopalry,  no'pal-ri.  A  plantation  of  no- 
pals for  rearing  cochineal  insects,  contain- 
ing 50,000  plants. 

Noragrhe,  -ra'ga.  One  of  a  class  of  an- 
cient monuments,  probably  sepulchral, 
very  numerous  in  the  island  of  Sardinia. 

Noria,  'ri-a.  A  hydraulic  machine  used 
in  Spain,  Syria,  Palestine  and  other  coun- 
tries for  raising  water. 

Norimon,  nor'i-mon.  A  Japanese 
palanquin. 

Norma,  'ma,  A  square  for  measuring 
right  angles,  used  by  carpenters,  mason.^ 
and  other  artificers  to  make  their  work 
rectangular.  A  pattern ;  a  gauge ;  a 
templet ;  a  model.  The  Eule,  a  southern 
constellation,  containing  12  stai-s. 

Norman,  'man.  A  name  given  primari- 
ly to  a  Scandinavian,  but  noAv  applied  to 
a  native  or  inhabitant  of  Normandy, 
which  takes  its  name  from  a  body  of 
Scandinavians  who  settled  here  in  tho 
10th  century.  N.  architecture,  the  round- 
arched  style,  a  variety  of  tho  Eoman- 
esques,  introduced  at 'the  Norman  Con- 
quest from  France  into  Britain.  N. 
French,  the  language  spoken  by  the  Nor- 
mans at  the  Conquest,  the  language  of 
English  legal  procedure  till  the  reign  of 
Edward  III. 

Normandy.  An  ancient  province  of  N. 
France,  now  the  depts.  of  Manche,  Orne, 
Calvados.  Eure  and  Seine  Inferieurc.  In 
1066  Wifliam  I.,  Duke  of  N.,  invaded  En- 
gland, and  established  a  Norman  dynasty, 
uniting  the  two  counti-ies,  a  union  which 
was  finally  dissolved  by  Charles  VII.  of 
France,  who  expelled  the  English  1450. 

Noma,  'na.  In  Scand.  Myth,  one  of  the 
three  Fates,  past,  present  and  future, 
whose  decrees  were  irrevocable.  They 
were  represented  as  three  young  women, 
named  respectively  Urd,"Verdaiidi  and 
Skuld.  There  were  numerous  infei-ior 
Norns,  each  individual  having  one  whe 
determined  his  fate. 


NOREOT 


529 


NOVA  SCOTIA 


Norroy,  'oi.  The  title  of  the  third  of 
the  three  English  kings-at-arms,  whose 
jurisdiction  lies  to  the  north  of  the  Trent. 

Norse,  nors.  A  name  for  the  language 
of  Norway.  Old  N.,  the  ancient  language 
of  Scandinavia,  represented  by  the  classi- 
cal Icelandic  and  still  with  wonderful  pur- 
itj'  by  modern  Icelandic. 

Norseman,  'man.  A  native  of  ancient 
Scamlinavia ;  a  Northman. 

North,  north.  One  of  the  cardinal  points, 
boing  that  point  of  the  horizon  directly 
oijposito  to  the  sun  in  the  meridian,  at  the 
left  hand  when  one  faces  the  east. 

North.  Carolina.  One  of  the  original 
States  of  the  American  Union,  bounded  N. 
by  Ya.,  E.  by  the  Atlantic,  S.  by  S.  C, 
W.  byTenn.;  area  50,704  sq.  m.;  pop.  1,- 
399,750.  Principal  cities,  Ealeigh,  cap.,  Wil- 
mington, Newbern,  Edenton,  Beaufort, 
Charlotte  and  Ehzabeth.  Chief  rivers, 
Neuse,  Pamlico,  Chowan,  Roanoke,  Tar, 
Cape  Fear,  Yadkin  and  Catawba.  Moun- 
tains, Blue  Eidge  and  Alleghanies. 

North  Pole,  north'  pol.  That  point  of 
the  heavens  toward  the  north  which  is 
90  degrees  every  way  distant  from  the 
equinoctial,  or  the  upper  extremity  of 
the  imaginary  axis  on  which  the  celestial 
sphere  is  supposed  to  revolve.  The 
northern  extremity  of  the  earth's  axis. 

North  Sea  (German  Ocean).  A  large 
section  of  the  Atlantic,  N.  of  Continental 
Europe,  extending  from  the  Straits  of  Do- 
ver to  the  Shetland  Islands,  and  inclosed 
by  Norway,  Denmark,  Germanv,  Holland, 
Belgium,  France  and  Great  Britain; 
length,  700  m.,  maximum  width,  420  m. 
It  connects  with  the  Atlantic  by  the  En- 
glish Channel  and  Pentland  I?'rith,  and 
with  the  Baltic  by  the  Skager-rack, 
NTorth-star,  'star.  The  north  polar 
star,  the  star  alpha  of  the  constellation  Ur- 
sa Minor.  It  is  close  to  the  true  pole, 
consequently  never  sets,  and  is  therefore 
of  great  importance  to  navigators  In 
the  northern  hemisphere. 

Northwest,  -west'.  The  point  in  the 
horizon  equally  distant  between  the  north 
an<l  west.  Northwest  passage,  a  north- 
ern ])assage  for  ships  from  the  Atlantic 
Ocean  into  the  Pacific,  discovered  in  1850-1 
by  Sir  K.  M'Clure. 

Norway.  A  country  of  N.  Europe,  in 
the  W.  section  of  Scandinavia,  forming 
with  Sweden  a  kingdom  ;  bounded  N.  by 
the  Arctic  Ocean,  E.  by  Sweden,  S.  by  the 
N.  Sea  and  Skager-rack,,  W.  by  the  Atlan- 
tic; area  121,779  sq.  m.;  pop.  2,814,000. 
Principal  cities,  Ckristiania,  cap,,  Bergen, 


Drontheim,  Drammen  and  Stavanger. 
Chief  rivers,  Glommen  and  Tana.  Moun- 
tains, Kiolen  (Great  Scandinavian)  chain, 
dividing  N,  from  Sweden. 

Nosolo&y,  no-sol'o-ji.  That  branch  of 
medical  science  which  treats  of  the  classi- 
fication of  diseases. 

Nostalgia,  no.i-tal'ji-a.  A  vehement  de- 
sire to  revisit  one's  native  country  ;  home- 
sickness. 

Notation,  no-ta'shon.  The  act  or  prac- 
tice of  recording  anything  by  marks,  fig- 
ures, or  characters  A  system  of  signs  or 
characters  used  in  any  art  or  science  for 
expressing  briefly  facts  connected  with 
that  art  or  science,  as  in  arithmetic  and 
algebra,  for  expressing  numbers  and 
quantities. 

Notidanus,  -tid'a-nus.  A  gen.  of  sharks 
closely  akin  to  the  Lamnidte. 

Notoiaranchiata,  -to-brang'ki-a"ta.  A 
division  of  Annelida  which  carry  their  gills 
on  the  back.  A  division  of  gasteropods, 
including  part  of  the  nudibranchs. 

Notodontidee,  -don'ti-de.  The  tooth- 
backs,  a  fam.  of  moths  belonging  to  Lepi- 
doptera. 

NotonectidBB,  -nek'ti-de.  A  fam  of  Hy- 
drocorisaj  or  water-bugs,  containing  the 
gen.  Notonecta,  which  swim  on  their 
backs,  and  from  their  peculiar  aspect  are 
called  boat-flies. 

Notomis,  -tor'nis.  A  gen.  ofgrallatoriai 
or  wading  birds,  nearly  allied  to  the  coots. 

Nototherium,  -the'ri-um.  A  gigantic 
fossil  gen.  of  herbivorous  kangaroo-like 
marsupials  which  existed  during  the 
pliocene  period  in  Austraha, 

Nottumo,  no-ter'no.  In  Music,  origi- 
nally a  synonym  of  serenade ;  now  ap- 
plied to  a  piece  of  music  in  which  the 
emotions,  particularly  those  of  love  and 
tenderness,  are  developed. 

Noun,  noun.  In  Gram,  a  name ;  a  word 
that  denotes  any  object  whether  animate 
or  inanimate,  material  or  immaterial. 

Novaculite.  no-vak'u-llt.  A  variety  of 
argillaceous  slate,  of  which  hones  are 
made  for  sharpening  edge-tools  ;  razor- 
stone  ;  Turkey -hone. 

Novargent,  nov-ar'jent.  A  substance 
used  for  re-silvering  plated  articles,  and 
prepared  by  moistening  chalk  with  a  solu- 
tion of  oxide  of  silver  in  a  solution  of 
cyanide  of  potassium. 

Nova  Scotia.  A  peninsular  division  of 
the  Dominion  of  Canada,  bounded  N.  by 
Northumberland  Strait,  separating  it  from 
Prince  Edward's  Island,  and  E.  and  S.  by 


NOVATIAN 


530 


NUN 


the  Atlantic,  W.  by  New  Brunswick  and 
the  Bay  of  Fundy;  area,  18,670  sq.  m.; 
pop.  abt.  500,000.  Principal  cities,  llali- 
i'lix,  cap.,  Liverpool,  Annapolis,  Sher- 
brooke,  Windsor  and  Pictou.  It  has  nu- 
merous siaall  rivers  and  fine  bays. 
Mountains,  North  and  Cobquid  ranges. 

Novatian,  no-vii'shi-an.  In  Church 
Hist,  one  of  the  sect  founded  in  the  8d 
century  by  Novatianus  of  Eome  and  No- 
vatus  of  Carthage,  who  held  that  the 
lapsed  might  not  be  received  again  into 
communion  with  the  chm-ch,  and  that 
second  marriages  are  unlawful. 

November,  -vem'ber.  The  eleventh 
month  of  the  year,  containing  80  days. 

Nowel,  nou'el.  In  founding,  the  inner 
portion  of  the  mold  &)r  castings  of  large 
nolbvv  articles,  answering  to  the  core  of 
smaller  castings. 

Noyade,  nwa-yad.  The  act  of  putting  to 
death  by  drowning  ;  specifically,  a  mode 
of  executing  victims  during  the  reign  of 
terror  in  France,  pra«5ticed  by  Carrier  at 
Nantes  in  1789.  The  prisoners  were  em- 
barked in  a  vessel  with  a  movable  bottom, 
which  was  suddenly  opened  when  the  ves- 
sel reached  the  middle  of  the  Loire,  precipi- 
tating the  condemned  into  the  water. 

Nuance,  nu-iins.  Each  of  the  different 
gradations  by  which  a  color  passes  from 
its  lightest  to  its  darkest  shade ;  shade. 
A  delicate  degree  of  difference  perceived 
by  any  of  the  senses,  or  by  the  Intellect ; 
as,  nuances  of  sound,  of  expression,  &c. 

Nubecula,  nu-bek'u-la.  In  Astron.  one 
of  two  remarkable  clusters  of  nebulse  in 
the  southern  hemisphere,  known  also  as 
the  Magellanic  clouds. 

Nubia.  A  country  of  N.  E.  Africa,  now 
a  province  of  Egypt,  bounded  N.  by  Egypt, 
E.  by  the  Eed  Sea,  S.  by  Abj^ssinia  and 
Kordofan,  W.  by  the  Libyan  Desert; 
area  est.,  360,000  sq.m.;  pop.  abt.  500,000. 

Nucifragra,  -sif  ra-ga.  A  gen.  of  inses- 
sorial  birds ;  the  nut-crackers. 

N  u  d  i  b  ranchiata,  -di-brang'ki-a'''ta. 
An  ord.  of  mollusks,  class  Gasteropoda, 
having  no  shell  in  their  adult  state. 

Null,  nul.  One  of  a  series  of  decorative 
beads  much  used  for  spindles  and  rolls  for 
articles  of  furniture. 

Nullah,  'la.  In  Hindustan,  a  bed  of  a 
rivulet,  or  the  rivulet  itself. 

Nuggret,  nug'et.  A  lump  ;  amass  ;  espe- 
cially a  large  lump  of  native  gold. 

Numbering'-inachiiie,  num'ber-ing- 
ma-shen'.  A  machine  for  impressing  con- 
secutive numbers  on  account-books,  cou- 
pons, railway  tickets,  bank-notes,  &>c. 


Numbers,  'berz.  The  title  of  the  4th 
book  of  the  Pentateuch  ;  so  called  because 
it  begins  with  an  account  of  the  number- 
ing of  the  Israelites. 

Numb-fish,  'fish.  The  torpedo,  a  fish 
of  the  ray  family,  popularly  so  called  from 
the  numbing  effects  of  its  electric  shocks. 

Numenius,  nu-me-ni-us.  The  gen.  to 
which  the  curlevrs  are  referred,  longiros- 
tral  fam. 

Numeral,  nii'mer-al.  A  figure  or  char- 
acter used  to  express  a  number ;  as,  the 
Arabic  numerals,  1,  2,  3,  &c.,  or  the  Eo- 
man  numerals,  I,  V,  X,  L,  C,  &c.  In 
Gram,  a  word  expressing  a  number,  as 
one,  two,  three,  &c. 

Numero,  -oi  Number.  The  figure  or 
mark  by  which  any  number  of  things  is 
distinguished  ;  abbreviated  to  No. 

Numida,  'mi-da.  A  gen.  of  gallinaceous 
birds,  including  the  guinea-fowls. 

Num.iBmatics,  -mis-mat'iks.  The 
science  of  coins  and  medals.  The  word 
coin  is  now  applied  to  pieces  of  metal 
struck  for  the  purpose  of  circulation  as 
money ;  while  medal  signifies  pieces  of 
similar  metal  not  intended  for  circulation 
as  money,  but  struck  and  distributed  in 
commemoration  of  some  person  or  event. 
Ancient  coins,  however,  are  often  termed 
medals.  The  parts  of  a  coin  or  medal  are, 
the  obverse  or  face,  containing  generallya 
figure,  and  the  reverse,  contaiaing  various 
figures  or  words.  The  words  around  the 
border  form  the  legend,  those  in  the 
middle  or  field  the  inscription  ;  the  lower 
part  is  the  basis  or  exergue,  and  contains 
the  date,  &c. 

Nummulite, 
n  u  m '  u  - 1  i  t.  A 
name  common  to 
m  e  m  b  e  rs  of  a 
class  of  fossil 
poly  thalamouf^ 
foraminifera,  hav- 1 
i  n  g  e  X  t  ernally 
somewhat  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  piece 
of  money.  They 
occur  so  abun- 
dantly in  some 
parts  of  the  mio- 

cene  formation  that  the  name  of  nummu- 
litic  limestone  is  given  to  the  strata.  The 
pyramids  of  I-^pypt  are  constructed  of 
stone  composed  of  nummulites. 

Nun,  nun.  A  woman  devoted  to  a  relig- 
ious life,  and  who  lives  in  a  cloister  or 
nunnery,  secluded  from  the  world,  under 
a  vow  of  perpetual  chastity. 


Nummulite. 


NUNNEEY 


531 


OBADIAII 


Nunnery,  'er-i.  A  house  or  cloister  in 
which  females,  under  a  vow  of  chastity 
and  devoted  to  religion,  reside  during 
life. 

Nut-cracker,  nut'krak-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  cracking  hard-shelled  nuts.  The 
name  of  an  insessorial  bird,  generally  re- 
ferred to  the  crow  family,  and  so  placed 
as  to  approximate  either  to  the  woodpeck- 
;ta 


ers  or  starlings, 
Nut-hatch,  'bach 
of  birds,  gen.  Sitta. 
Nutmeg:,  'meg.      The 
the    fruit  of 
moschata   or 


The  common  name 


Nutmeg. 


kernel  of 
Myristica 
fragrans. 

Nut-oil,  'oil.  An  oil 
obtained  from  Avalnuts, 
superior  to  the  best  lin- 
seed oil  for  delicate  pig- 
njents. 

Nutpe,  'pe.  An  Egyp- 
tian divinity,  sister  and 
wife  of  Seb,  and  mother 
of  Osiris  and  Isis,  and  as  such  called  the 
mother  of  the  gods.  She  con-esponds  to 
the  Greek  Khea. 

Nyassi  (Maravi).  A  large  lake  in  S. 
Central  Africa,  discovered,  1861,  by  Dr. 
Livingstone,  and  since  traversed  by  Stan- 
ley ;  length  abt.  300  m.  ;  width  from  20  to 
60  m. 

Nyaya,  nya'ya.  A  system  of  Hindu 
philosophy,  which,  amidst  a  mass  of 
wholly  unintelligible  doctrines,  embodies 
that  of  the  transmigiation  of  souls,  and 
which  makes  the  highest  attainable  good  of 
man  consist  in  the  emancipation  from  the 
destiny  of  being  born  again  after  death. 

Nycthemeron,  nik-them'e-ron.  The 
natural  day  of  24  hours. 


Nycticebus,  -ti-se'bus.  The  kukang  or 
slow-paced  loris,  the  typical  animal  of 
Nycticebid£E.  # 

Nyctipithecus,  'ti-pl-the"kus.  A  gen. 
of  American  monkeys,  fam.  OebidflB,  oi 
which  one  species  is  the  well-known 
douroucouli.  They  represent  the  lemur 
tribe. 

Nyctophilus,  -tofil-us.  A  gen.  of  bats, 
fam.  Vespertilionidse,  sub-fam.  Ehinolo- 
phinfe. 

Nylgrau,  nil'ga.  The  Portax  picta  or 
tragocamelus,  a  large  species  of  Central 
Asiatic  antelope.  Spelled  also  Neelghau, 
Nilghau. 

Nymph,  nlmf.  In  Myth,  one  of  a  nu- 
merous class  of  inferior  divinities,  imag- 
ined as  beautiful  maidens,  not  immortal, 
but  always  young,  considered  as  tutelary 
spirits  of  localities,  and  also  of  races  an'd 
families.  Those  who  presided  over  rivers, 
brooks  and  springs  were  called  Naiads ; 
those  over  mountains.  Oreads  ;  those 
over  woods  and  trees,  Diyads  and  Hama- 
dryads ;  those  over  the  sea,  Nereids. 

Nympha,  nim'fa.  The  pupa,  chrysalis, 
or  aurelia  of  an  insect ;  the  second  state  oi 
an  insect  passing  to  its  perfect  form. 

Nymphalidae,  -fal'l-dC-.  A  fam.  of  but- 
ter-Hies, among  which  are  included  those 
bearing  the  English  names  of  the  peacock^ 
painted  lady,  Camberwell  beauty,  red  ad- 
miral, &c. 

Nymphomany,  -fo-ma-ni.  Morbid  and 
uncontrollable  sexual  desire  in  females. 

Nymphotomy,  -fot'o-mi.  In  Surg,  the 
e.xoision  of  the  nymphse  ;  the  cii'cumcision 
of  the  female. 

Njrroca,  ni-ro'ka.  A  gen.  of  ducks,  con- 
taining the  pochard. 


o 


OIS  the  15th  letter  and  the  4th  vowel  in 
the  alphabet.  The  sound  originally 
represented  by  this  letter  was  no  doubt 
a  pure  vowel  sound,  such  as  that  in  mor- 
tal, but  in  English  it  has  seven  distinct 
sounds  and  shades  of  sound,  as  in  note, 
tobacco,  not,  mortal,  move,  wolf,  comfort, 
and  the  several  words  in  which  the  O  is 
sounded  as  in  these.  O  is  the  usual  char- 
acter for  a  cipher  or  nought ;  it  was  also 
sometimes  used  by  the  ancients  for  11, 
and  Avith  a  dash  over  it  for  11,000.  In  Old 
Music,  O  was  a  mark  of  triple  time  from 
the  notion  that  the  tenary,  or  number  8, 
is  the  most  perfect  of  numbers,  and  prop- 
erly expressed  by  a  circle,  the  most  per- 
fect figure. 


O.  An  exclaonation  used  in  earnest  or  sol- 
emn address,  appeal  or  invocation,  and 
prefixed  to  the  noun  of  address. 

O.  A  common  prefix  in  Irish  surnames, 
and  equivalent  to  Mac,  son  of,  in  Gaelic 
and  many  Irish  names. 

Cannes,  r)-an't3z.  The  Chaldean  sea-god, 
described  as  having  the  head  and  body  of  a 
fish,  and  also  a  human  head  and  feet.  In  the 
daytime  he  lived  with  men  to  instruct 
thera  in  the  arts  and  sciences,  but  at  night 
retired  to  the  ocean. 

Oast,  ost.     A  kiln  to  dry  hops  or  malt. 

Ohadiah.  In  Scrip,  a  book  of  a  single 
chapter  of  21  verses,  credited  to  the  prophet 
0.,  of  whom,  however,  nothing  is  known. 


OBAN 


OCEAN 


Oban,  ('/ban.  The  principal  g'old  coin  of 
J;ip;iu,  worth  a  little  more  than  $20. 
•  Obeah.,  o-bO'a.  A  species  of  magical  art 
or  wi  tell  craft  practiced  among  the  African 
ne.irroes.  The  practicer  ja  called  an  obeah- 
inan  or  obeah-womau.  Written  also  Obi. 
Obelisk,  ob'e-llsk.  A  column  of  a  rec- 
tangular form,  diminishing  toward  the 
top,  generally  finishing  with  a  low  pyra- 
mid. The  proportion  of  the  thickness  to 
the  height  is  nearly  the  same  in  all  obe- 
lisks, that  is,  between  one-ninth  and  one- 
tentli ;  and  the  thickness  at  the  top  is 
never  less  than  half,  nor  greater  than 
three-fourths  of  the  thickness  at  the  bot- 
tom. Egypt  abounded  with  obelisks, 
which  were  of  a  single  block  of  stone ;  and 
many  have  been  removed  thence  to  Eome, 
Paris,  London  and  one  to  Central  Park, 
N.  Y.  City.  They  seem  to  have  been 
erected  to  record  the  honors  or  triumphs 
of  mouarchs. 

Oberon,  'enon.  In  mediffival  myth,  the 
king  of  the  fairies.  The  name  is  identical 
with  Auberon  or  Alberon,  the  first  syllable 
of  which  is  the  old  German  word  alb,  Icel. 
alfr,  elf  or  fairy.  His  consort  was  Titania 
or  Mab.  A  satellite  of  Uranus. 
Obi  (Oby).  A  river  of  Siberia,  emptying 
into  the  Arctic  Ocean  ;  length,  2,700  m. 
Obit,  'it.  Funeral  solemnities.  The  an- 
niversary of  a  person's  death,  or  a  service 
or  observance  held  on  the  anniversary  of 
his  death. 

Obituary,  o-bit'u-a-ri.  A  list  of  the 
dead,  or  a  register  of  obitual  anniversary 
days,  when  service  is  performed  for  the 
dead.  An  account  of  persons  deceasetl, 
often  accompanied  with  a  brief  biograph- 
ical sketch. 

Object-g-lass,  ob'jekt-glas.  In  a  tele- 
scope or  microscope,  the  lens  which  first 
receives  the  rays  of  light  coming  directly 
from  the  object,  and  collects  them  into  a 
focus,  where  they  form  an  image  which  is 
viewed  through  the  eye-piece. 
Oblate,  'lat.  Eccles.  A  secular  person, 
who,  in  the  middle  ages,  devoted  himself, 
his  dependants  and  estates,  to  some  mon- 
astery, into  which  he  was  admitted  as  a 
lay  brother.  A  member  of  a  congregation 
of  secular  priests  who  live  in  community, 
devoting  themselves  to  the  cure  of  souls 
under  a  bishop.  Oblates  were  first  intro- 
duced into  the  diocese  of  Milan  by  St. 
Charles  Borromeo  in  the  16th  century, 
and  the  congregation,  as  thus  instituted, 
was  introduced  into  England  by  Arch- 
bishop Manning. 
Oblation,  -la'shon.    Anything  offered  or 


presented  in  worship  or  sacred  service ;  an 
oftspriug ;  a  sacrifice. 

Oboist,  ob'o-ist.    A  player  on  the  oboe  ; 
a  hautboyist. 
O  b  o  1  u  s, 
ob'o-lus.   A 
small     coin  > 
of    ancient  j 
G  r  e  e  c  e,  \ 
latterly     of 
silver,     the 
sixth  part  of  Brass  Obelus  ofMetapontum. 
an        Attic 

drachma,  equal  to  2i  cents ;  multiples  of 
this  coin  were  also  used,  including  pieces 
of  the  value  of  5, 4,  3,  2,  U  oboU,  and  i,  i, 
i  of  an  obelus  A  small  ancient  weight, 
the  sixth  part  of  an  Attic  drachm. 
Obsequy,  se-kwi.  A  funeral  rite,  cere» 
mony,  or  solemnity. 

Obsidian,   -sid'i-an.    Vitreous  lava,  or 
volcanic  glass,   a  glassy  mineral,    either 
impure  orthoclase  or  lava  which  has  be- 
come glassy  by  rapid  cooling  ;  generally 
placed  among  the  felspars.    Obsidian  con- 
sists of  sihcate  of  alumina  with  iron,  and 
lime  or  potash  or  soda  according  to  the 
species  of  felspar  involved.    In  Mexico 
and  Peru  cutting  weapons  and  rings  were 
manufactured  out  of  it. 
Obstetrician,  -stet-ri'shan.    One  skilled 
in  obstetrics  ;  an  accoucheur  ;  a  mid-wife. 
Obverse,   ob'vers.     In  Numis.  that  side 
of  a  coin  or  medal  which  has  the  face  or 
head  on  it,  as  distinguished  from  the  other 
side,  called  the  reverse. 
Oc,  ok.    An  arrow  used  by  the  Turks. 
Occident,  'si-dent.    The  western  quarter 
of  the  hemisphere,  so  called  from  the  de- 
cline or  setting  of  the  sun ;  the  west ; 
used  in  contradistinction  to  orient. 
Occiput,  -put.     The  hinder  part  of  the 
head,  or  that  part  of  the  skull  which  forma 
the  hind  part  of  the  head. 
Occultation,  -kul-ta'shon.    In  Astron. 
the  hiding  of  a  star  or  planet  from  sight, 
by  passing  behind  some  other  heavenly 
body ;  applied  to  th   eclipse  of  a  fixed  star 
by  the  moon.  The  time  of  a  planet  or  star 
being  so  hidden.    Circle  of  perpetual  oc- 
cultation,  a  small  circle  of  the  celestial 
sphere  parallel  to  the  equator,  as  far  dis- 
tant from   the  depressed  pole  as  the  ele- 
vated pole  is  from  the  horizon,  containing 
stars  which  never  appear  in  our  hemi- 
sphere.    It  is  opposed  to  the  circle  of  per- 
petual apparition. 

Ocean,  o'shan.  The  vast  body  of  salt 
water  which  covers  more  than  three-fifths 
of  the  surface  of  the  globe ;  the  sea.    It  ia 


OCEANICA 


ODDFELLOW 


Ocelot. 


divided  into  five  great  basins,  the  Pacific, 
Atlantic,  Indian,  Arctic  and  Antarctic 
Oceans. 

Oceanica.  Tlie  fifth  division  of  the 
globe,  comprising  Australasia,  Polynesia 
and  the  Malay  Archipelago  ;  the  island 
continent. 
Oceanides,  6-se-an'i-dez.  In  *  Greek 
Myth,  nymphs  of  the  ocean,  daughters  of 
Oceaius  and  Tethys. 

C)ceanus,  'an-us.  In  Greek  and  Eoman 
Myth,  the  god  of  the  ocean,  that  is,  of  the 
rivers  surrounding  the  earth,  the  source  of 
all  the  rivers  and  other  waters  of  the 
■svorld.  Ho  is  represented  as  a  mightv 
god,  who  yielded  to  none  save  Zeus  (Ju- 
piter). 

Ocelot,  o'se- 
lot.  A  digiti- 
grade  carniv- 
orous mam 
mal  of  the 
cat  kind,  the 
Pells  pordalis. 
The  name  is 
also  given  to 
several  other 
nearly  allied  species  of  Felis. 

Ochlocracy,  ok-lok'ra-si.  The  rule  or 
ascendency  of  the  multitude  or  common 
people  ;  a  mobocracy. 

O'Connell,  Daniel.  An  eminent  Irish 
orator  and  patriot;  n.  1775;  D.  1847. 

Octach.ord,  'ta-kord.  A  musical  in- 
strument having  eight  strings.  A  system 
of  eight  sounds. 

Octaeteris,  -e-te'ris.  In  the  ancient 
Greek  calendar,  a  cycle  or  period  of  eight 
years,  during  which  three  months,  of 
thirty  days  each,  were  intercalated,  mak- 
ing the  average  length  of  the  year  865J  days, 

Octag-on,    gon.      In   Geom 
figure  of  eight  sides  and   eight 
angles.     When  these  are  equal 
it  is  a  regular  octagon. 

Octahedral,  -ta-hc'dral 
ing  eight  equal  surfaces. 

Octahedron,  dron. 
In  Geom.  a  solid  con- 
tained by  eight  equal 
and  equilateral  tri- 
angles. It  la  one  of 
the  five  re  g  u  1  a  r 
bodies. 

Octans,  'tans.  In  Astron.  Octans  Had- 
leianus,  a  constellation  situated  at  the 
south  pole,  which  it  indicates. 

Octapla,  'ta-pla.  A  polyglot  Bible  in 
eight  languages. 

Octavo,  -ta'vo.    The  size  of  one  leaf  of  a 


jual  I 


Hav- 


Octagon. 


Octahedron. 


sheet  of  paper  folded  so  as  to  make  the 
eight  leaves  :  usually  written  8vo  ;  hence, 
a  book  having  eight  leaves  to  the  sheet. 
There  are  difterent  sizes  of  octavo. 

Octillion,  -til'yon.  The  number  pro- 
duced by  involving  a  million  to  the  eighth 
power ;  1  followed  by  48  ciphers.  Ac- 
cording to  foreign  usage  what  is  called  an 
octillion  is  represented  by  1  followed  by 
27  ciphers. 

Octo-bass,  'to-bas.  A  musical  instru- 
ment,  the  low  octave  of  the  violoncello. 

October,  -to'ber.  The  tenth  month  of  the 
year. 

Octodecimal,  -de'si-mal.  A  crystal  whose 
prism,  or  middle  part,  has  eight  faces  and 
the  two  summits  together  ten  faces. 

Octodecimo,  -mo.  The  size  of  one  leaf 
of  a  sheet  of  paper  folded  so  as  to  make 
eighteen  leaves.  A  book  m  which  each 
sheet  is  folded  into  eighteen  leaves ;  usual- 
ly written  18mo. 

Octogenarian,  'to-ie-na"ri-an.  A  per- 
son eighty  years  of  age  ;  one  whose  ago  is 
between  eighty  and  ninety. 

Octopede,  -pGd.   An  eight-footed  animal. 

Octopus,  -pus. 
A  gen.  of  dibran- 
chiate  Cephalo-  i 
poda,  the  type  of 
Octopoda,  and)' 
familiarly  known 
as  cuttle-fishes 
and  p  o  u  1  p  e  8. 
They  have  eight 
arms. 

Ocuba-wax,  o- 
ku'ba-waks.  A 
vegetable  wax 
obtained  from  the 
fruit  of  Myristica 
ocuba,  olficinalis  or  sebifera,  used  exten- 
sivelv  in  Brazil  for  the  manufacture  of 
candles. 

Ocular,  ok'u-ler.  The  eyepiece  of  any 
optical  instrument.  O.  cone,  the  cone 
formed  within  the  eye  by  a  pencil  of  ravs 
proceeding  from  an  object,  the  base  of  the 
cone  being  on  the  cornea,  the  apex  on  the 
retina. 

Ocypodidse,  6-si-pod'i-de.  A  fam.  of 
brachyurous  crustaceans,  of  which  th« 
gen.  Ocypoda  is  the  type ;  sand-crabs ; 
racing  crabs. 

Odalisk,  da-lisk.  A  female  slave  or  con- 
cubine in  a  Turkish  harem. 

Oddfellow,  od'fcl-lo.  A  member  of  an 
extensively  ramified  friendly  society,  orig- 
inally an  association  of  a  convivial  kind, 


Common  Cuttle. 


ODEON 


584 


OGYGIAJr 


modeled  on  Freemasonry,  and  still  retain- 
ing binding  oaths,  watch  words,  secret 
signs,  &c.  It  assumed  its  present  form 
in  1812. 

Odeon,  o-de'on.  A  kind  of  theater  in 
Greece  in  which  poets  and  musicians  sub- 
mitted their  works  to  the  approval  of  the 
public,  and  contended  for  prizes.  The 
name  is  now  sometimes  applied  to  a  hall 
for  musical  or  dramatic  performances. 

Odessa.  A  fortified  seaport  of  8.  Eussia, 
on  the  Black  Sea;  pop.  133,700. 

Odin,  r»  din.  The  chief  god  of  Northern 
Myth.,  the  omniscient  ruler  of  heaven  and 
earth,  having  his  seat  in  Valaskjalf,  where 
he  receive9,through  his  two  ravens,  tidings 
of  all  that  takes  place  in  the  world.  As 
war-god  he  holds  his  court  in  Valhalla, 
where  all  brave  warriors  arrive  after 
death,  and  enioy  the  tumultuous  plea- 
sures they  delighted  in  while  on  earth. 
The  fourth  day  of  the  week,  "Wednesday, 
derived  its  name  from  this  deity. 

Odillon  Barrot,  Camille  Hya- 
cinthe.  A  distinguished  French  lawyer 
and  statesmen;  is.  1791,  t>.  1874. 

O'Donnell,  Leopoldo  (Count  of 
Iiucena  and  Duke  of  Tetuan).  An 
eminent  Spanish  general  and  statesman,  of 
Irish  descent ;  b.  1 3U9,  d.  in  exile,  1867. 

Odontalg'ia,  6-don-tal'ji-a.  Pain  in  the 
teeth;  toothache. 

Odontiasis,  -tl'a-sis.  The  cutting  of 
the  teeth ;  dentition. 

Odonto,  o-don'to.  A  powder  used  for 
cleansing  the  teeth  ;  a  dentifrice. 

Odontoceti,  -sG-tl.  The  toothed  whales, 
in  opposition  to  the  whalebone  whales. 
The  group  consists  of  four  famihes — the 
dolphins  and  porpoises,  the  sperm-whales, 
the  ziphioid  whales,  and  the  Zeuglodonti- 
das. 

Odontog-raph,  -graf.  A  scale  used  in 
laying  off  the  teeth  of  gearing  wheels. 

Odontolog^r,  -tol'o-gi.  That  branch  of 
anatomical  science  which  treats  of  the 
teeth. 

Odontophorinee,  'to-fo-rK'ne.  A  sub- 
ftxm.  of  gallinaceous  birds,  fam.  Tetraoni- 
dcT,  embracing  the  partridges  or  quails. 

Odynerus,  od-i-ne'rus.  A  gen.  of  hj^- 
menopterous  insects,  fam.  Eumenidaj;  the 
burrowing  wasps. 

Odyssey,  o'di-sG.  An  epic  poem  attrib- 
uted to  Homer,  in  which  the  adventures 
of  Odysseus  (Ulysses)  are  celebrated. 

CEdicnemus,  C-dik-ne'mus.  A  gen.  of 
grallatorial  birds,  intermediate  between 
the  bustards  and'plovera  ;  thick-knees. 


CEdipus.  In  Heroic  Hist.,  King  ol 
Thebes,  son  ',  f  Laius  and  Jacasta ;  he 
killed  his  father,  and  married  his  own 
mother,  in  ignorance  of  the  relationship. 
When  this  was  discovered,  Jacasta  com- 
mitted suicide,  and  (E.  put  out  his  eyes 
and  disappeared. 

CEnology,  e-nol'o-ji.  That  branch  of 
knowledge  which  investigates  the  nature, 
qualities  and  varieties  of  wine. 

(Enonxeter,  nom'et-er.  A  hydrometer 
specially  adapted  for  determining  the 
alcoholic  strength  of  wines. 

OflF-color,  of'kul-er.  A  defective  color  : 
used  especially  in  regard  to  diamonds  or 
other  gems. 

Offenbacla,  Isaac.  A  popular  German 
composer  of  opera  bouffe ;  b.  at  Cologne, 
1822. 

Offertory,  'fer-to-ri.  Eccles.  In  the  E.  C. 
Ch.,  that  part  of  the  mass  in  which  the 
priest  prepares  the  elements  for  consecra- 
tion. The  sentences  in  the  communion 
service  of  the  Church  of  England  read 
while  the  alms  are  being  collected.  The 
alms  collected.  The  music  appropriated 
to  the  service  above  designated. 

Officinal,  -fis'in-al.  A  drug  or  medicine 
sold  in  an  apothecary's  shop. 

Officina  Sculptoris,  -fi-sT'naskulp-tO"- 
ris.  The  Sculptor's  Shop,  a  southern  con- 
stellation consisting  of  12  stars,  south  of 
Cetus. 

Ogrdoad,  og'do-ad.  A  thing  made  up  of 
eight  parts,  as  a  poem  of  eight  lines,  a 
body  of  eight  persons,  and  the  like. 

Ogree,  o-jO'.  In  Arch,  a  molding  consist- 
ing of  two  members,  the  one  concave,  the 
other  convex,  or  of  a  round  and  a  hollow  ; 
cyma.  An  ornamental  molding  in  the 
shape  of  an  S,  used  on  guns,  mortars  and 
howitzers. 

Oghati,  og'ham.  A  particular  kind  of 
writing  practiced  by  the  ancient  Irish  and 
some  other  Celtic  nations.  Its  characters 
(also  called  oghams)  consist  principally 
of  lines  or  groups  of  lines  deriving  their 
significance  from  their  position  on  a  single 
stem  or  chief  line,  under,  over,  or  tlirough 
which  they  are  drawn  either  perpendicu* 
lar  or  oblique  ,  curves  rarely  occur. 

Ogre,  6  ger.  An  imaginary  monster  or 
hideous  malignant  giant  of  popular  le- 
gends, who  lived  on  human  flesh. 

Og'resS.   gres.     A  female  ogi-e. 

Ogyg-ian,  -jij'i-an.  Pertaining  to  Og3^ge8, 
a  legendary  monarch  in  Greece,  about 
whom  little  is  certainly  known  ;  and  to  a 
great  deluge  in  Attica,  said  t<»  have  taken 


OHIO 


OMAR 


place  in  his  reign.  Of  great  and  dark  an- 
tiquity. 

Ohio.  A  State  of  the  American  Union, 
admitted  1802  ;  bounded  N.  by  Michigan 
and  Lake  Erie,  E.  by  Pennsylvania  and 
W.  Vu-ginia,  g.  by  W.  Virginia  and  Ken- 
tucky, W.  by  Indiana ;  area,  89,962  sq. 
m. ;  pop.  8,198,062.  Principal  cities, 
Columbus,  cap.,  Cincinnati,  Cleveland, 
Springfield,  Toledo.  Chillicothe,  Dayton, 
Akron,  Zanesville.  Steubenville  and  Mari- 
etta. Chief  rivers,  Ohio,  Huron,  Sandusky, 
Maumee  and  Cuyahoga.  O.  Itiver,  a  large 
stream  formed  by  the  junction  at  Pitts- 
burgh of  the  Alleghany  and  Monongahela, 
and  emptying  into  the  Mississippi  at 
Cairo ;  length  950  m. 

Ohm,  om.  In  Elect,  a  technical  name  for 
a  certain  amount  of  electric  resistance. 
Thus,  electricians  talk  of  a  piece  of  cable 
having  10  ohmads,  or  more  frequently  10 
ohms,  of  resistance,  meaning  thereby  that 
its  resistance  is  equal  to  that  of  10  British 
Association  units. 

Ohm's  Liaw,  omz  la.  In  Elect,  an  im- 
portant law  propounded  by  Ohm,  referring 
to  the  causes  that  tend  to  impede  the 
action  of  a  voltaic  battery. 

Oil-bag,  oil'bag.  A  bag,  cyst,  or  gland 
in  animals  containing  oil. 

Oil-beetle,  'bc-tl.  The  name  given  to 
coleopterous  insects,  gen.  Meloe,  fam. 
Canthiirida',  from  the  oily-like  matter 
which  they  exude. 

Oil-coal,  'kol.  A  coal  or  shale  -vvtiich 
yields  a  high  proportion  of  oil  in  distilla- 
tion. They  yield  from  25  up  to  100  gal- 
lons of  oil  per  ton. 

Oil-color,  'kul-er.  A  pigment  made  by 
grinding  a  coloring  substance  in  oil. 

Oil-stone,  ston.  A  slab  of  fine-grained 
stone  u(5ed  for  imparting  a  keen  edge  to 
tools,  oil  being  used  for  lubricating  its 
rubbing  surface. 

Oil-well,  'wel.  A  well  sunk  into  an  oil- 
bearing  mineral  bed  for  the  reception  of 
petroleum  or  mineral  oil  which  flows  or 
filters  into  it. 

Oke,  ok.  An  Egj'ptian  and  Turkish 
weiirht,  equal  to  about  2|  lbs.  In  Hun- 
gary and  Walachia,  a  measure  of  about  2A 
pints. 

Olaf  (Olave).  The  name  of  several  Scan 
dinavian  kings,  the  most  distinguished 
being  O.  II.  (the  Saint)  ;  b.  986,  became 
King  of  Norway,  1018;  i>.  1030. 
Oleograph,  o'ie-o-graf.  A  picture  pro- 
duced ill  oils  by  a  process  analogous  to 
that  of  lithographic  printing. 
Oleomargarine,  mar"ga-rin.  A  substi- 


tute for  butter  prepared  by  chopping  clean 
animal  fat  fine  and  boiling  it ;  when  cool 
it  is  churned  with  pure  fresh  milk,  washed, 
worked  over  and  salted. 

Oleometer,  -iG-om'et-er.  An  instrument 
to  ascertain  the  weight  and  purity  of  oil ; 
an  elieometer. 

Olga,  St.  A  Russian  lady,  wife  of  Igor, 
son  of  Prince  Rurik,  who  became  regent, 
903,  on  the  death  of  her  husband.  She 
embraced  Christianity  and  was  canonized 
by  the  Greek  Ch. 

Oligarchy,  ol'i-gar-ki.  A  form  of  gov- 
ernment in  which  the  supreme  power  is 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  small  exclusive 
class  ;  members  of  such  a  class  or  body. 

Oligodon,  -lig'o-don.  A  gen.  of  small 
serpents,  fam.  Colubridae ;  the  spotted 
adder. 

0 1  i  V  e-oil, 
ol'iv-oil.  A, 
fixed  oil  ob- 
tained by  ex- 
pression from 
the  ripe  fruit 
or  pericarp  of 
the  olive. 

Olives, 
Mount  of. 
A  ridge  on  E. 
side  of  Jeru- 
salem, from 
which  it  is 
separated  by 
the  narrow 
valley  of  Je- 
h  o  saphat . 
On  the  central 
peak  stands 
the  Church  of  the  Ascension. 

Olivetan,  O-liv'e-tan.  A  member  of  a 
religious  order  of  the  R.  C.  Ch.,  an  off- 
shoot of  the  Benedictines,  founded  in  1318 
bv  Tolomei  of  Siena.  Called  also  Monks 
of  the  Order  of  Mount  Olivet. 

OUa,  ol'la.  A  palm  leaf  prepared  for 
writing  on  in  the  E.  Indies.  The  pen  is  a 
sharpened  j)iece  of  wood  or  metal. 

Olympiad,  o-lim'pi-ad.  A  period  of  four 
years  reckoned  from  one  celebration  of  the 
Olympic  games  to  another,  by  which  the 
Greeks  computed  the  time  from  770  n.  c, 
the  first  year  of  the  first  Olj-mpiad,  till 
394  A.  D.,  the  second  year  of  the  293d 
Olympiad. 

Olympus,  Mt.  The  sacred  mountain  of 
the  Greeks  in  Thessaly,  9,745  ft.  above  sea 
level. 

Omar.  Second  caliph  of  the  Arabian 
dynasty,  s.   Aboo-Bekr,   6S4.       He  cap- 


OHve. 


OMASUM 


OPAH 


tured  Damascus  and  Jerusalem  and  built 
the  splendid  mosque  occupyiuj?  the  site  of 
the  ancient  temple,  defeated  the  Greeks, 
and  conquered  Persia,  Syria  and  Egypt, 
destroying  tlie  fnnious  Alexandrian  library; 
assassinated  at  Medina,  644. 

Omasum,  o-iu:.'sunj.  The  third  stomach 
of  nuninating  animals  ;  the  manypUes. 
Called  also  Psalterium. 

Ombrometer,  om-brom'et-er,  A  ma- 
chine or  instrument  to  measure  the  quan- 
tity of  rain  that  falls  ;  a  rain  gauge. 

Omegra,  6-me-ga.  The  name  of  the  last 
letter  of  the  Greek  alphabet,  as  Alpha,  A, 
is  the  first.  Hence  in  Scrip.  Alpha  and  O. 
denotes  the  first  and  the  last,  the  begin- 
ning and  the  ending. 

Omer,  o'mer.  A  Hebrew  measure,  the 
10th  of  an  ephah. 

Omer,  Pasha  (Michael  Lattas).  A 
Turkish  general ;  n.  in  Croatia,  1S05,  be- 
came a  Turkish  subject  1828,  defeated 
the  Russians  in  several  battles,  command- 
ed the  Turkish  army  in  the  Crimean  cam- 
paign, and  suppressed  the  Cretan  insur- 
rection, 1SG8  ;  D.  1871. 

Omneity,  om-ne'i-ti.  That  which  com- 
prehends all ;  the  Deity. 

Om.nibus,  'ni-bus.  A  four-wheeled  ve- 
hicle for  carrying  passengers.  In  glass- 
making,  a  sheet-iron  cover  for  articles  in  an 
annealing  arch,  to  protect  them  from  air. 

Om.nipotence,  -nip'o-tens.  The  state  of 
being  omnipotent;  unlimited  or  infinite 
power  ;  an  attribute  of  God. 

Omnipresence,  -ni-prez'ens.  The  qual- 
ity of  being  omnipresent ;  i)re8ence  in 
every  place  at  the  same  time  ;  ubiquity ; 
an  attribute  peculiar  to  God. 

Omniscience,  'shi-ens.  The  quality  of 
being  omniscient ;  knowledge  unbounded 
or  infinite  ;  an  attribute  peculiar  to  God. 

Omnivorous,  -niv'o-rus.  All-devouring; 
eating  food  of  every  kind  indiscriminately. 

Omphale.     In  Myth.    Queen  of  Lydia, 
whom  Herculos  fell  in  love  ^vith,  and  for 
'  IVhose  sake  he  dressed  in  woman's  garb. 

Onagrer,  on'a-jer.  The  wild  ass  of  Cen- 
tral Asia.  An  f^ncient  war-engine  used 
for  thro-sving  stones. 

Onanism,  o'nan-izm.  The  crime  of  self- 
pollution  ;  masturbation. 

One,  wun.  The  first  v/hole  number,  con- 
sisting of  a  single  unit.  The  symbol  rep- 
resenting one,  1  or  1. 

Oneirocritics,  o-ni'ro-krit"iks.  The 
art  of  interpreting  dreams 

Oneirodynia,  -din"i-a.  Disturbed  im 
agination  during  sleep ;  nightmare. 


OneirologTJT,  -rol'o-ji.  The  branch  of 
science  which  treats  of  dreams ;  a  discourse 
or  treatise  on  dreams. 

Onicolo,  -nik'o-16.    A  variety   of   onyx 

having  a  ground  of  deep  brown,  m  which  la 

a  band  of  bluish-white.  It  is  used  for 
cameos,  and  ditfers  from  the  ordinary  onyx 

in  a  certain  blending  of  the  two  colors. 

Onocentaur,  o'no-sen-tar.  A  fabulous 
being,  with  a  body  part  human  and  part 
asinine,  depicted  on  ancient  sculpture. 

Onom.atopoeia,  on'o-ma-to-pe"a.  The 
formation  of  words  by  imitation  of  sounds. 
Some  philologists  hold  that  all  language 
had  its  origin  in  this  principle  ;  but  though 
some  words  are  directly  and  consciously 
onomatopoetic,  such  as  ding-dong,  bow- 
wow, quack-quack,  it  is  impossible  to 
prove  that  a  great  majority  are  of  this 
character. 

Ontario,  Lake.  The  easterly  and 
smallest  of  the  great  N.  American  chain 
of  6  lakes ;  area,  5,400  sq.  m.;  length,  1T2 
m.,  maximum  breadth,  60  m.  It  receives 
the  water  of  Lake  Erie  by  the  Niagara 
River,  and  its  outlet  is  the  St.  Lawrence. 

Ontogrenesis,  -to-jen'e-sis.  In  Biol,  the 
history  of  the  individual  development  of 
an  organized  being,  as  distinguished 
from  phylogenesis,  the  history  of  genea- 
logical development,  and  from  biogenesis, 
life  development  generally. 

Onyx.  A  semi-pellucid  gem  with  vari- 
ously-colored zones  or  veins.  Any  stone 
exhibiting  layers  of  two  or  more  colors 
strongly  contrasted  is  called  an  onyx,  as 
banded  jasper,  chalcedony,  &c.  O.  mar- 
ble, a  beautiful  translucent  limestone, 
from  Oran,  Algeria,  used  for  the  manu- 
facture of  ornamental  articles. 

Oolithe,  6'o-lith.  The  fossil  egg  of  any 
oviparous  animal,  as  a  bird,  reptile,  &c. 

Oology,  o-ol'o-ji.  The  branch  of  knowl- 
edge that  deals  with  birds'  eggs,  enabling 
the  vai'ious  kinds  to  be  discriminated. 

Oolong*,  6'long.  A  variety  of  black  tea 
with  the  flavor  of  green  tea. 

Oomiac,  'mi-ak.  A  large  boat  used  by 
the  Esquimaux. 

Oopak,  'pak.    A  variety  of  black  tea. 

Ootheca,  o-o-the'ka.  An  egg-case,  as 
that  of  the  cockn>£>ch,  containing  eggs, 
like  peas  in  a  pod. 

Ooticoid,  -ot'i-koid.  A  mammal  of  the 
lowest  group,  including  the  marsupials, 
&c. 

Opah,  o'pa.  A  large  and  beautiful  sea- 
fish  of  the  dory  £am.    It  is  4  to  5  ft.  long, 


OPAL 


5ST 


OPOSSUM 


and  weighs  140  to  150  lbs.  The  flesh  is 
much  esteemed. 

Opal,  'pal.  A  precious  stone  of  various 
coloi-s,  whicli  comes  under  the  class  of 
pellucid  gems.  It  consists  of  silica  -with 
about  10  per  cent,  of  water,  is  very  brittle, 
and  charactei-ized  by  its  iridescent  reflec- 
tion of  light. 

Opaline,  -in.  A  semi-translucent  glass, 
whitened  by  the  addition  of  phosphate  of 
lime,  i)eroxide  of  tin  or  other  ingredients  ; 
called  also  milk-glass. 

Opaqueness,  o-pak'nes.  The  quality  of 
being  oi>aque  or  impervious  to  light; 
opacit}\ 

Opera,  op'e-ra.  A  dramatic  composition 
set  to  music  and  sung  on  the  stage,  ac- 
companied with  musical  instruments  and 
enriched  by  the  accessories  of  costumes, 
scenery,  dancing,  &c.  O.  glass,  a  short 
telescope  used  at  operas  and  places  of 
public  amusement  to  behold  objects  dis- 
tinctly. 

Operameter,  -e-ram'et-er.  An  apparatus 
attached  to  a  machine  to  indicate  the  rev- 
olutions of  a  shaft,  axle  or  wheel,  the 
strokes  of  a  piston,  the  copies  from  a 
printing-press,  &c. 

Ophicleide,  of'i-klld.  A  brass 
wind  instrument  invented  to  su- 
persede the  serpent.  It  consists 
of  a  wide  conical  tube,  terminat- 
ing in  a  bell  like  that  of  a  horn, 
with  a  mouthpiece  similar  to  that 
of  the  serpent,  and  ten  holes  or 
ventages  which  are  stopped  by 
keys.  Ophicleides  are  of  two 
kinds,  the  bass  and  the  alto. 

Ophidia,  o-fid'i-a.  An  ord,  of 
reptiles,  comprising  snakes  and 
serpents,  covered  with  horny 
scales.  Gray  divides  them  into 
two  sub-orders,  Viperina  and  Colubrina, 
the  former  having  only  two  poison  fangs 
in  the  upper  jaw,  the  latter  having  solid 
teeth,  besides  grooved  fangs. 

Ophidium,  o-fid'i-um.  A  gen.  of  mala- 
copterygious  fishes  aUied  to  the  cod  fam- 
ily. 

Ophiocephalus,  ofi-o-sef'al-us.  A 
gen.  of  acanthopterygious  fishes,  allied  to 
the  Anabasidse,  or  climbing  perches,  able 
to  live  a  long  time  out  of  water,  often 
traveling  from  one  pool  to  another. 

Ophiolatry,  -i-ol'a-tri.  Serpent- worship. 

Ophiologry,  'o-ji.  That  branch  of  zool- 
ogy which  treats  of  serpents. 

Ophiosaurus,  -o-sa"rus.  A  gen.  of  rep- 
tiles occurring  in  the'S.  States ;  the  glass- 
snakes.    So  fragile  is  this  reptile  that  a 


slight  blow  will  cause  the  body  to  separate 
into  several  parts. 

Ophite,  'it.  A  member  of  a  Gnostic  sect 
of  the  2d  century  ;  so  called  because  they 
held  that  the  serpent  by  which  Eve  was 
tempted  was  Christ,  and  hence  regarded 
the  seri)ent  as  sacred. 

Ophiuridae,  -i-u'ri-dc.  A  fam.  of  echin- 
oderms  known  as  the  lizard-taiU  d  star- 
fishes, having  five  arms.  If  they  lose 
their  arms  they  renew  them  in  a  few  days. 

Ophthalmologry,  -thal-mol'o-ji.  That 
branch  of  science  which  deals  ^vlth  the 
eye. 

Ophthalmoscope,  'mo-skop.  An  in- 
strument for  viewing  the  interior  of  the 
eye. 

Opinions,  o-pT'ni-kus.  A  beast  of  herald- 
ic creation,  having  the  body  of  a  lion,  head 
and  wings  of  an  eagle,  and  a  tail  resem- 
bling that  of  the  camel.  It  Is  sometime* 
borne  without  wings. 

Opinionist,  -pin'yun-ist.  Eccles.  Hist., 
one  of  a  sect  who  practiced  poverty,  and 
held  that  there  could  be  no  vicar  of  Chi'ist 
on  earth  who  did  not  act  likewise. 

Opium,  o'pi-um.  The  inspissated  juice 
of  the  white  poppy  which  flows  from  in- 
cisions made  in  the  heads  of  the  plant.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  energetic  of  narcotics, 
and  extensively  employed  as  a  medicine,but 
its  habitual  use  is  attended  with  similar 
if  not  worse  eft'ects  than  the  intemperate 
use  of  ardent  spirits,  and  it  is  fatally  poi- 
sonous in  large  doses.  The  chief  active 
principle  of  opium  is  morphia,  in  combi- 
nation with  meconic  acid,  but  it  also  con- 
tains  narcotine,  narceine,  codeine,  gum- 
resin,  extractive  matter  and  small  por- 
tions of  other  proximate  pi-inciples. 

Opodeldoc,  op-o-del'dok.  A  solution  of 
soap  in  alcohol,  with  the  addition  of  cam- 
phor and  essential  oils. 

Oporto.  A  Portuguese  seaport  on  the 
Douro,  174  m.  N.  E.  of  Lisbon,  noted  for 
its  trade  in  port  wine ;  pop.  92,740. 

Opossum,  6- 
pos'sum.  The 
popular  name  of 
several  species 
of  Didelphys, 
gen.  of  marsupi- 
al omnivorous  r 
mammals.  The 
best  known  spa-  -^ 
cies  is  the  Didel- 
phys virginiana. 
The  flesh  is  nutritious  and  pleasant  to  the 
taste,  and  the  fur  is  employed  in  theman- 
ufaoture  of  various  articles.    The  females 


Virginia  Opossum. 


0P0SSUM-8HEIMP 


OEBIOULA 


of  some  species  have  au  abdominal  pouch 
in  which  they  carry  their  young.  When 
cauglit  or  threatened  with  danger  the 
opossum  simulates  death. 

Opossum-slirirap,  -shrimp.  The  pop- 
ular name  of  several  species  of  Mvsis,  a 
gen.  of  stomapod  crustaceans.  They  re- 
ceive their  name  from  the  females  carry- 
ing their  eggs  and  j^oung  in  a  i)ouch  be- 
tween the  thoracic  legs. 

Ops,  ops.  In  Class.  Myth,  the  Eoman 
female  divinity  of  plenty  and  fertihty. 
She  was  the  wife  of  Saturnus,  and  the  pro- 
tectress of  everything  connected  with 
agriculture. 

Opsomania,  op-so-ma'ni-a.  The  mor- 
bid love  of  some  particular  aliment. 

Optic,  'tik.    An  organ  of  sight ;  an  eye. 

Optician,  op-ti'shan.  A  person  skilled 
in  the  science  of  optics.  One  who  makes 
or  sells  optical  instruments. 

Optics,  'tiks.  The  branch  of  physical 
science  which  treats  of  the  nature  and 
properties  of  light,  of  the  structure  of  the 
eye,  the  laws  of  vision,  and  of  the  con- 
struction of  those  instruments  in  which 
light  is  the  chief  agent,  as  telescopes,  mi- 
croscopes, &c. 

OptigTaph.,  'ti-graf.  A  telescope  con- 
structed for  the  purpose  of  copying  land- 
scapes, &G. 

Optimates,  -ti-ma'tez.  The  Eoman  aris- 
tocracy ;  aristocracy  or  nobility  in  general. 

Optimism,  -mizm.  The  opinion  or  doc- 
tx-ine  that  everything  in  natm-e  is  ordered 
for  the  best.  The  tendency  to  take  the 
most  hopeful  view  of  matters  social  or 
political ;  belief  in  the  world's  improve- 
ment. 

Option,  'shon.  The  power  or  liberty  of 
choosing.  On  the  stock  exchange,  a  right 
to  effect  a  certain  dealing  or  not  at  a  cer- 
tain date,  at  the  option  of  the  person  bar- 
gaining, who  pays  a  premium  for  the 
right.  Local  option,  the  principle  by 
which  the  voters  or  the  inhabitants  of  a 
certain  locality  may  decide  as  to  whether 
places  for  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors 
shall  exist  in  the  locality. 

Optometer,  -tom'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  the  limit  of  distinct  vision, 
determining  the  focal  lengths  of  lenses 
necessary  to  correct  imperfections  of  the 
eye. 

Opus,  6'pus.  A  musical  composition, 
often  abbreviated  to  Op.  0.  Alexandrin- 
um,  a  mosaic  pavement  consisting  of 
geometric  figures,  in  black  and  red  tessera 
on  a  white  ground.  O.  incertum,  mason- 
ry formed  of  small  stones,  occasionally 


traversed  by  bricks  or  tiles.  0.  operatum, 
in  Theol.  the  mere  outward  administration 
of  a  sacrament  or  rite,  which  is  supposed 
to  be  attended  with  a  spiritual  effect.  O. 
recticulatura,  a  net-work  arrangement  ol 
stones  or  bricks. 

Or,  or.  In  Her.  gold.  It  is  expressed  by 
small  points  or  dots. 

Ora,  o'ra.  A  money  of  account  among 
the  Anglo-Saxons,  valued  in  Doomsday 
Book  at  20d. 

Oracle,  or'a-kl.  In  Class.  Antiq.  th« 
answer  of  a  god,  or  the  priest  or  priestes* 
of  a  god,  to  an  inquiry  made  respecting 
some  future  event.  The  deity  who  was 
supposed  to  give  answers  to  inquiries. 
The  sacred  spot  whence  supernatural  re- 
sponses proceeded.  The  Greeks  surpassed 
all  nations  in  the  number  and  celebrity  of 
their  oracles,  but  those  of  Jupiter  at  Do- 
dona,  of  Apollo  at  Delphi  and  of  Trophon  ■ 
ius  near  Lebadeia,  enjoyed  the  highest 
reputation.  The  communications,  revela- 
tions or  messages  delivered  by  God  to 
prophets.  The  sanctuary  or  most  holy 
place  in  the  Jewish  temple.  One  who 
communicates  a  divine  command.  Any 
person  whose  determinations  are  not  dis- 
puted or  whose  opinions  are  of  great 
authority. 

Orangre-blossom,  'anj-blos-som.  The 
flower  of  the  orange-tree,  a  wreath  ot 
which  is  generally  worn  by  a  bride  at  her 
marriage  as  an  emblem  of  purity. 

Orang:em.an,  -man.  a  member  of  a 
secret  society  instituted  in  Ireland  in  1795 
to  uphold  the  Protestant  religion  and 
ascendency  and  to  oppose  the  Catholic 
religion  and  influence ;  named  from  Wil- 
liam III.,  Prince  of  Orange. 

Orangre-pekoe,  pG-ko,  A  black  tea  of 
which  there  is  a  scented  variety. 

Orangr-Outangr,  o- 
rang'6-tang.  A  quadru- 
manous  mammal,  the 
Pith  ecus  satyr  us  or  Sim- 
ia  satyrus,  which  ap- 
proaches most  nearly  to 
man,  being  in  this  respect 
only  inferior  to  the  chim- 
panzee and  gorilla. 

Oratorio,  or-a-to'ri-6. 
A  sacred  musical  compo-  ? 
sition,  consisting  of  au-s, 
recitatives,  duets,  trios, 
choruses,  «fec.,  the  sub- 
ject of  which  is  taken  rk„o«f,  niw^r.r»" 
irom  Scripture ;  a  small  Orang-Outang. 
place  of  worship ;  a  chapel. 

Orbicula,  bik'ii-la.    A  gen.  of  brachiopod 


ORBIT 


OEGAN-COUPLEE 


si.ells,  found  in  larg'e  masses  on  the  coasts 
of  Peru  and  Chili,  and  also  in  the  northern 
seas. 

Orbit,  'bit.  In  Astron.  the  path  of  & 
jjlaiiet  or  comet ;  the  curve-line  which  a 
planet  describes  in  its  periodical  revolu- 
tion round  its  central  body  or  sun. 

Orchesog-raphy,  -ke-sog'ra-fl.  A  treat- 
ise upon  dancing. 

Orchestra,  'kes-tra.  The  part  of  a 
theater  or  other  public  place  appropriated 
to  the  musicians.  The  instrumental  band 
in  con  cert -halls,  theaters,  &c. 

Orchestrion,  kes'tri-on.  A  mechanical 
musical  instrument  resembling  a  portable 
orjran. 

Orchis.  A  plant  having 
the  stamens  and  pistils 
united  in  a  single  col- 
umn, around  which  the 
petals  are  arranged. 

Ordeal,  'dG-al.    An 
ancient  form  of  trial  to 
determine  guilt  or  inno- 
cence, still  practiced  in 
the  East  and  by  various' 
savage  tribes.  '  In  En- 
gland   there  were    two 
principal  kinds  of  ordeal, 
fire -ordeal     and    water-         Orchis, 
ordeal  ;  the  former  being 
confined  to  persons  of  higher  rank,  the 
latter  to  the  common  people.   Both  might 
be  performed  by  deputy,  but  the  principal 
was  to  answer  for  the  success  of  the  trial. 

Order,  'der.  /v^i^T^^-yvBi 

A  body  of  men  iS^^'x- i//5 

of  the  same 
rank  or  pro- 
fession consti- 
tuting a  sepa- 
rate class  in 
the  commu- 
nity ;  often  a 
religious  fra- 
t  e  r  n  i  t  y.  A 
body  of  men 
associated  to- 
gether by  hav- 
ing had  a  com- 
mon honorary 
distin  ction 
conferred  on 
them  by  asov-  Insigniaof  theOrderofSt. 
ereign  prince  Michael  and  St.  George, 
or  other  source 

of  honor.  The  various  orders  of  knight- 
hood have  their  appropriate  insignia.  A 
division  of  natural  objects,  as  plants  or 
animals,  intermediate  between  class  or 
sab-class  and  genus.    Eccles.  a  book  con- 


tiinlng  a  collection  of  certain  forms,  or  a 
certain  service  to  be  followed  on  certain 
occasions.  In  Class.  Arch,  a  column  en- 
tire (including  base,  shaft  and  capital), 
with  a  superincumbent  entablature, 
viewed  as  forming  an  architectural  whole. 
There  are  five  kinds  of  orders,  viz.,  Doric, 
Ionic,  Tuscan,  Corinthian  and  Composite. 

Order-book,  -buk.  In  Com.  a  book  in 
which  orders  are  entered.  In  the  House 
of  Commons,  a  book  in  which  a  member 
must  enter  any  motion  he  intends  to  pro- 
pose previous  to  moving  it. 

Ordinal,  'din-al.  A  number  denoting 
order.  A  book  containing  forms  for  or- 
daining and  consecrating  bishops,  priests 
and  deacons. 

Ordnance,  ord'nans.  Cannon  or  great 
guns,  mortars  and  howitzers  ;  artillery. 

Ore,  or.  The  compound  of  a  metal  and 
some  other  substance,  as  oxygen,  sul- 
phur, or  carbon,  by  which  its  properties 
are  disguised  or  lost.  Metals  found  free 
from  such  combination  are  called  native 
metals. 

Oread,  o're-ad.    A  mountain  nymph. 

Oreas,  o-re'as.  The  eland,  or  Cape  elk  of 
S.  Africa. 

Oregon.  A  State  of  the  American  Union, 
admitted  1S59  ;  bounded  N.  by  Washing- 
ton Ter.,  E.  by  Idaho,  S.  by  CaUfornia 
and  Nevada,  W.  by  the  Pacific  ;  area, 
95,274  sq.  m.;  pop.  174,768.  Principal 
cities,  Salem,  Cap.,  Portland,  Oregon 
City,  Astoria,  Koseburg,  Corvallis  and 
Umatilla.  Chief  rivers,  Oregon  (Colum- 
bia), Willamette,  Umatilla,  Owyhee  and 
Rogue.  Mountains,  Cascade  and  Blue 
Mountain  ranges.  O.  (Columbia)  River, 
the  largest  N.  American  river  emptying 
into  the  Pacific,  navigable  abt.  100  m. 
from  its  mouth,  which  is  6  m,  wide. 

Oreillet,  o'ra-yet.  An  ear-piece  ;  one  of 
two  pieces  fixed  on  the  side  of  an  open 
coursing  or  tilting  helmet,  -with  a  hinge 
to  admit  of  being  lifted  up. 

Oreog-raphy,  o-re-og'ra-fi.  The  science 
of  mountains. 

Organ,  or'gan.  The  largest  and  most  har- 
monious of  wind  instruments  of  music,con- 
sisting  of  agreat  number  of  pipes  of  differ- 
ent sizes,  of  wood  and  metal,  some  of  which 
are  flute  or  mouth  pipes,  and  other  reed- 
pipes,  all  being  in;!de  to  sound  by  means 
of  compressed  air  applied  by  bellows. 

Organ-coupler,  -kup-ler.  A  device  for 
connecting  two  sets  of  keys  in  an  organ, 
so  that  by  operating  a  lever  or  pedal  each 
key  when  struck  sounds  the  octaves  as 
well  as  its  own  note. 


OK  GAN-HAEMONIUM 


640 


ORNITHOLOGY 


Organ-harmonium.,  -har-mo-ni-um . 
A  harmonium  of  great  compass  and 
power,  used  as  a  substitute  for  an  organ. 

Orgranista,  -gan-is'ta.  The  common 
name  of  a  number  of  small  birds  allied  to 
the  wrens,  remarkable  for  the  sweetness 
of  their  song. 

Orgranog'en,  'o-jen.  In  Chem.  a  term 
applied  to  four  substances,  hydrogen, 
oxygen,  nitrogen  and  carbon. 

Orgranologry,  -ol'o-ji.  A  branch  of 
physiology  which  treats  of  the  organs  of 
animals,  especially  of  the  human  species ; 
anatomy.  The  doctrine  that  particular 
parts  of  the  brain  are  fitted  to  serve  as 
Instruments  for  particular  faculties  of  the 
mind  ;  phrenology. 

Orgeat,  'zhat.  A  preparation  extracted 
from  barley  and  almonds,  iised  as  a  sirup 
in  certain  drinks,  or  medicinally  as  a  mild 
demulcent. 

Orgy,  'ji.  Secret  rites  or  ceremonies 
connected  with  the  worship  of  some  of  the 
pagan  deities,  as  the  worship  of  Ceres  ; 
but  particularly  applied  to  the  revels  at 
the  feast  in  honor  of  Bionysius  or  Bacchus, 
or  the  feast  itself.  Any  wild  or  frantic 
revel ;  a  drunken  revelry. 

Oribatidse,  -i-bat'i-de.  The  wood- 
mites,  a  family  of  Acarida, 

Orichalc,  'i-kalk.  Mountain  brass,  a 
metallic  substance  resembling  gold ;  the 
brass  of  the  ancients. 

Oriel,  o'ri-el.  A  large 
bay  or  recessed  win- 
dow, often  called  oriel 
or  bay  window.  It  pro- 
jects from  the  outer 
face  of  the  wall. 

Orient,  ent.  The 
East ;  the  part  of  the 
horizon  where  the  sun 
first  appears  in  the 
morning. 

Oriental,    -ri-en'tal.      ^     ,  .^    , 
A  native  or  inhabitant     Oriel  Wmdow. 
of  some  eastern  part  of  the  world;  an 
Asiatic. 

Orientalism, -izm.  An  eastern  mode  of 
thought,  expression,  or  speech  ;  doctrines 
or  idioms  of  the  Asiatic  nations.  Knowl- 
edge of  Oriental  languages  or  literature. 

Oriflamme,  i-flam.  An  ancient  royal 
standard  of  France,  originally  tl'C  banner  of 
the  abbey  of  St.  Denis.  It  was  a  piece  of 
red  silk  fixed  on  a  gilt  spear,  Avith  the  an- 
terior edge  cut  into  points. 

Origen.  An  eminent  Father  of  the  Church ; 
B.  in  Egypt,  186 ;  d.  at  Tyre,  258.      Some 


Oriole. 


of  his  Arlan  teachings  were  condemned  by 
the  Council  of  Constantinople,  553. 
Orinoco.  A  large  river  of  8.  America, 
emptying  into  the  Atlantic;  length  1960  m. 
Oriole,  :/ri-ol 
The  popular  name 
of  insesso rial 
birds,  gen.  Orio- 
lus,  fam.Corvidae. 
In  old  systems 
many  American  < 
species  were  in- 
eluded  in  this 
gen.,  but  as  they 
have  little  in  common  with  the  true  orioles 
except  color,  and  have  a  real  affinity  to  tho 
starlings,  they  are  now  included  in  the 
starling  family  under  the  gen.  Icterus. 
Orion,  o-ri'on.  A  constellation  situated 
in  the  southern  hemisphere  with  respect  to 
the  ecliptic,  but  the  equinoctial  passes 
nearly  across  its  middle.  Oi'ion  contains 
a  remarkable  nebula,  and  80  stars,  accord- 
ing to  the  British  catalogue,  but  there  are 
thousands  of  others  visible  through  pow- 
erful telescopes. 

Orleans.  The  titular  ducal  name  of  two 
branches  of  the  French  royal  family.  The 
first  began  with  Louis,  2d  son  of  Charles 
v.,  B.  Ibtl,  assassinated  1407.  The  second 
began  with  Philippe  I.,  2d  son  of  Louis 
XIII.,  B.  1660,  D.  1701.  It  ended  with 
Louis  Philippe  I.,  crowned  1830 ;  abdi- 
cated, 1848  ;  D.  1850. 

Orloff.  The  patronymic  of  an  ancient  and 
noble  llussian  house,  several  members  of 
which  have  figured  with  distinction  in 
war  and  diplomacy. 

Ormolu,  or'mo-lu.  A  variety  of  brass 
which  contains  25  per  cent,  zinc,  75  per 
cent,  copper,  a  close  imitation  of  gold, 
used  in  cheap  jewelry,  time-pieces,  lamps, 
girandoles,  &c.  Called  also  Mosaic  Gold. 
Ormuzd,  'muzd.  The  cheif  deity  of  the 
ancient  Persians,  or  followers  of  Zoroaster, 
now  represented  by  the  Parsees.  He  is 
the  creator  of  all  things,  lord  of  the  uni- 
verse, the  light,  and  source  of  light,  wis- 
dom and  the  rewarder  and  jmnisher  of  all 
men  ;  opposed  to  Ahriman,  the  spirit  or 
I»rince  of  evil. 

Ornithichnology,  -nith'ik-nol"o-ji. 
That  branch  ofgeologj^  which  treats  of  or- 
nitliichnites  or  the  footmarks  of  extinct 
bn-ds. 

Omitholite,  'o-llt.  The  general  name 
for  the  remains  of  birds  occurring  in  a  fos- 
sil state. 

Ornithology,  -ni-thoFo-ji.  That  branch, 
of  zoology  which  treats  of  birds. 


OENITHOEHYNCHUS 


641 


OSSIAN 


Omithorhynclius,  -thu-iing"ku8.  A 
burrowing'  monotrematous  mammal,  pe- 
culiar to  the  fresh  waters  of  Australia,  and 
known  as  the  duck-bill  or  duck-billed 
platypus,  duck-mole  and  water-mole. 

Ornithosaur,  -nith'o-sar.  A  fossil  rep- 
tile with  bird-like  characters. 

Orography,  -o-rog'ra-fi.  The  science 
which  treats  of  the  mountains  and  moun- 
tain systems ;  orolo^. 

Orohipus,  or-o-hip'pus,  A  fossil  gen.  of 
pachyderms,  fam.  Equidae,  about  the  size 
of  a  fox. 

Oroide,  o'roid.  An  alloy  resembling 
gold,  used  in  the  manufacture  of  cheap 
watch-cases,  jewelry,  &c.  One  formula  is 
copper,  100  parts  ;  zinc  or  tin,  17  ;  magne- 
sia, 6  ;  sal-ammonia,  3.6  ;  quicklime,  ,12 ; 
tartar  of  commerce,  9. 

Orphrey,  or'fra.  In  Anc. 
Costume,  gold  embroid- 
ered work ;  cloth  of  gold. 

Orrery,  'e-ri.  A  machine 
so  constructed  as  to  rep- 
resent, by  the  movements 
of  its  parts,  the  motions 
and  phases  of  the  planets 
in  their  orbits.  Similar 
machines  are  called  also 
Planetariums, 

Orris,  'is.  A  particular 
pattern  in  which  gold  and 
silver  lace  is  worked. 

Orthoepy,  'tho-e-pi.  The 
art  of  uttering  words  %vith 
propriety  ;  a  correct  pro- 
nunciation. 

Orthographer,    -thog'-  „    ^  ^      ^    . 
ra-fer.    One  skilled  in  or-  Eochet  erabroi- 
thography  ;      one      that  dered  with  Or- 
spells    correctly,    accord-        phreys. 
ing  to  common  usage. 

Orthopaedia,  -tho-pe'di-a.  The  act  of 
curing  or  remedying  deformities  in  the 
human  body. 

Orthoptera,  -thop'ter-a.  An  ord,  of  in- 
sects, sub-class  Heraimetabola,  or  insects 
in  which  the  metamorphosis  is  incom- 
plete, including  the  locusts,  crickets, 
grasshoppers,  cockroaches,  Mantidfe,  &c. 

Orthorh3mchus,-tho-ring'kus,  A  gen. 
of  birds  belonging  to  Trochilidse  ;  the  giant 
humming-bird. 

Ortolan,  'tO-lan.  A  species  of  bird,  fam. 
Pringillidse,  the  Emberizahortulana,  much 
esteemed  by  epicures.  The  name  given 
in  the  W.  Indies  to  the  rice-bird,  and  in 
America  to  the  rail. 

Ortyx,  'tikfl.     A  gen.    of   gallinaceous 


.'>.- 


birds,  the  partridges  and  quails  of  Am«;n 
ica,  but  ditt'ering  from  those  of  the  eastern 
hemisphere. 
Orycter- 

OPUS,  O-     .r.:,^^,. 

rik-ter'o-  ,-Cit^'' 
pus, 

gen.      of  yl:[M] 
edenta  t  e 
insecti  v- 
orous  ani- 
mals, re- 

semblin  g  x.  _xv  v 

both    the  Earth-hog. 

ant-eater  and  the  armadillo.  The  O,  ca- 
pen sis  has  received  the  name  of  the  aard- 
vark,  or  earth-hog,  from  the  Dutch  colon- 
ists at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
Osbome-series,  os'born-se-rez.  In 
Geol.  a  series  of  strata  of  the  middle  eocene 

feriod,  occurring  near  Osborne    in    the 
sle  of  Wight, 

Oscan,  'kan.  An  ancient  ItaUan  lan- 
guage, of  which  a  few  fragments  remain, 
spoken  by  the  Samnites,  who  lived  on  the 
south  of  llome.  It  had  not  entirely  dis- 
appeared as  a  spoken  tongue  in  the  time  of 
the  earlier  emperors. 

Osiris,  o-sl'ris.  The  great  Egyptian 
deity,  eldest  son  of  Seb  or  Saturn  and  Nut 
or  Khea,  and  husband  of  Isis.  He  was 
the  personation  of  all  physicjil  and  moral 
good,  and  was  styled  Manifestor  of  Good, 
Lord  of  Lords,  King  of  the  Gods,  &c.  He 
fell  a  prey  to  the  intrigues  of  his  brother 
Set,  the  Typhon  of  the  Greeks,  who  rep- 
resented the  sum  of  evil  agencies,  and 
then  became  judge  of  the  dead.  His  soul 
was  supposed  to  animate  a  sacred  bull 
called  Apis.  The  worship  of  Osiris  ex- 
tended over  Asia  Minor,  Greece  and 
Rome,  but  the  rise  of  Christianity  over- 
threw it. 

Osmanli,  os'man-li.  In  Turkey,  an 
official  functionary ;  a  placeman.  The 
term  osmanlis  is  often,  but  erroneously, 
applied  to  all  Turks, 

Osprey,  'pra.  A 
rapacious  bird,  of  .^. 
which  only  one 
species  is  known, 
Pandion  Haliaetus, 
called  also  the  Fish- 
ing Hawk  or  Fish- 
■,  and 
sometimes  the  Bald 
Buzzard,  from  the 
white  upon  its 
head.  i 

Ossian.      A  semi- 
mythical  Gaelic  hero  Osprey. 


OSTENSOET 


542 


OUTCEOP 


and  bard  of  the  8d  century,  reputed  son  of 

Fingal,  King  of  Morven. 
Ostensory,  'so-ri.     In  the  E.  C.  Ch.  a 

monstrance  or  transparent  shrine  for  the 

exposition  of  the  host. 
Osteolog-ist,  -tc-ol'o-iist.    One  versed  in 

osteology ;  one  who  aescribes  the  bones 

of  animals. 
Ostracion 

-tra'shi-on. 

A  sen.    of 


closed  in  J\rge  ganoid  plates ;  trunk  fishes. 
Ostrich.,  'trich.  A  large  cursorial  bird, 
gen.  Struthio,  fam.  Struthionidaj,  the 
largest  of  all  existing  birds,  attaining  a 
height  of  fi-om  6  to  8  feet.     The  white 


African  Ostrich. 

quill-feathers  of  the  wings  and  tail  are 
highly  esteemed  as  articles  of  dress  and 
decoration.  It  is  incapable  of  flight,  but 
runs  with  great  speed. 

Ostrogroth,  'tro-goth.  One  of  the  eastern 
Goths,  as  distinguished  from  the  Visi- 
goths or  western  Goths. 

Otacoustic,  6-ta-kous'tik.  An  instru- 
ment to  facilitate  hearing ;  an  ear-trum- 
pet. 

Otaria,  -ta'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  seals,  includ- 
ing O.  jubata,  or  the  sea-lion.  The  seal- 
skin of  commerce  is  obtained  from  mem- 
bers of  this  genus. 

Othman  I.  (Osman).  Founder  of  the 
Ottoman  empire;  a.  in  Asia  Minor,  1240, 
son  of  Ortogrul,  a  Turcoman  chief. 
He  became  chief,  12S0,  and  conquered 
Greece  and  Bithynia,  1299  ;  d.  1326.  Two 
other  Sultans  have  borne  the  name. 


OtllO.  A  name  borne  by  one  emperor  of 
Rome  (Marcus  Salvius)  ;  b.  32  ;  assassin- 
ated Nero  and  usurped  the  throne,  68 ; 
suicided,  69.  Also  by  4  emperors  of  Ger- 
many. 

Otidse,  'ti-de.  A  fam.  of  grallatorial 
birds ;  the  bustards.  With  the  i)lovers, 
lapwings,  &c.,  they  constitute  the  sec. 
Pressirostres,  ord.  Grallatores. 

Otocyon,  -tr/si-on.  A  pretty  little  species 
of  fox  in  S.  Africa,  remarkable  for  its 
enormous  ears. 

Otography,  -tog'ra-fi.  That  branch  of 
anatomy  which  describes  the  ear. 

Otoscope,  ot'6-skop.  An  instrument 
for  examining  the  interior  of  the  ear. 

Otozoum,  ot-o-zd'um.  The  name  given 
to  gigantic  footsteps  of  an  unknown  ani- 
mal, probably  batrachian,  in  the  new  red 
sandstone  of  Connecticut. 

Ottawa  (Grand).  A  large  river  of 
Canada,  emptying  into  the  St.  Lawrence, 
near  Montreal ;  length,  800  m.  Cap.  of 
the  Dominion  of  Canada,  in  Ontario,  on 
the  O.  Eiver,  95  m.  N.  E.  of  Kingston  ; 
pop.  88,644. 

Otter,  ot'er.  A  digitigrade  carnivorous 
mammal,  gen.  Lutra,  of  which  there  are 
several  species  ;  the  fur  is  highly  prized. 

Ottoman,  'to-mau.  A  Turk.  A  kind  of 
couch  or  sofa  introduced  from  Turkey. 

Oubliette,  o-bli-et.  An  ancient  dungeon 
with  an  opening  only  at  the  top,  for  per- 
sons condemned  to* perpetual  imprison- 
ment or  to  perish  secretly. 

Oudinot,  Nicolas  Charles  (Due  de 
Hegrgio).  A  French  marshal  who  com- 
manded the  armv  which  overran  Spain 
and  captured  Madrid,  1823 ;  b.  176T,  ». 
1847. 

Ounce,  ouns.  A 
weight,  the  12th 
part  of  a  pound 
troy,  and  the 
16th  of  a  pound 
avoirdupois.  A  \h,,.. 
money  of  ac-  ^iii'" 
count  in  Moroc- 
co, worth  about 
7i  cents.  An 
animal  of  the  gen.  Felis  (F.  uncia).  It  is 
spotted  like  the  panther,  to  which  it  bears 
resemblance,  but  is  less  in  size  and  not  so 
fierce,  in  parts  of  Asia  being  trained  for 
hunting.  The  same  name  has  been  given 
to  the  American  jaguar. 

Ourebi,  ou're-bl.  A  pretty  S.  African 
antelope  about  2  feet  high. 

Outcrop,  out'krop.  In  Geol.  the  expo- 
sure of  an  inclined  stratum  at  the  surfaco 


Ounce. 


OVER 


54S 


OYSTER 


of  the  ground  ;  loassetiBg.  The  part  so 
exposed  ;  the  basset-edge ;  the  crop. 
Over,  6'ver.  In  cricket,  a  certain  number 
of  bo\vl3  pitched  from  one  end  in  succes- 
sion, at  the  end  of  which  the  fielders  pass 
over  to  ditTerent  sides. 

Overliand.,  -hand.  In  cricket  or  base- 
ball, with  the  hand  above  the  elbow  or 
over  the  ball ;  round-arm. 

Overshot,  -shot'.     A 

•  wheel  that  receives  the 
water  shot  over  the  top 
on  the  descent.  The 
buckets  are  so  fash- 
ioned and  disposed  as 
to  retain  the  water  un- 
til they  reach  the  lowest 
point.  The  water  acts 
principally  by  its  grav- 
ity. ^  Overshot  Wheel. 

Ovibos,  o'vi-bos.     A 
gen.  of  ruminants,  classed  both  with  the 
ox  tribe  and  sheep.      The  only  known 
species  is  the  musk-ox. 

Ovidee,  -de.  A  sub-fam.  of  cavicorn  ru- 
minants comprising  the  sheep  and  goats. 

Ovid,  Publius  Ovidius  Naso.  An 
eminent  Roman  poet  and  statesman  ;  b. 
43  ».  c. ;  D.  in  banishment,  IS  a.  d, 

Ovipara,  -vip'a-ra.  That  division  of  ani- 
mals which  bring  forth  eggs  ;  opposed  to 
Vivipara,  or  animals  which  produce  their 
young  alive. 

Ovolo,  'vo-16.  In  Arch,  a  round  molding, 
the  quarter  of  a  circle ;  called  also  the 
Quarter  Round. 

O  V  o  v  i  viparous,  -vT-vip"a-rus.  A 
term  applie<l  to  an  animal  in  which  the 
eggs  are  hatched  within  the  body,  as 
sharks  and  vipers. 

Ovulite,  -vu-lit.    A  fossil  egg. 

Owen,  Richard.  A  distinguished  En- 
glish palaeontologist  and  comparative  an- 
atomist; B.  1S04,  D.  1877. 

Ox,  oks.  The  general  name  for  the  diflFer- 
ent  species  of  animals  of  the  gen.  Bos. 
The  common  ox  (which  includes  the  fe- 
male) is  the  most  valuable  of  domestic 
animals.  The  name  is  used  in  a  more 
restricted  sense  to  signify  the  male  of  the 
bovine  genus  castrated,  and  full-grown, 
the  young  being  called  a  steer.  The 
same  animal  not  castrated  is  called  a 
bull.  Besides  the  common  ox  there  are 
several  other  varieties,  as  the  Indian  or 
zebu,  with  a  hump  on  its  back,  the  Abys- 
sinian, Madagascar  and  S.  African. 

Oxford.  One  of  England's  oldest  cities, 
famed  as  the  seat  of  O.  University, 
founded    by  Alfred    the  Great,  872 ;  at 


the  confluence  of  the  Isis  and  Cherwell, 
52  m,  iST,  W.  of  London  ;  pop.  35,690. 
Owen,  Robert.  A  distinguished  "Welsh 
philanthropist  and  social  theorist ;  b,  1771, 
».  1S5S.  He  founded  a  socialistic  com- 
munity called  New  Harmony,  in  Indiana, 
1828.  Robert  Dale,  his  eldest  son,  b. 
1S04,  D.  1877,  was  a  well-known  statesman 
and  a  u  t  hor, 
David  Dale,  his 

2d  son,  B.  1S08,  ffi^KS??-^«aL^iiSr*^:- 
was  a  brave  and,* 
successful  vol- 
unteer briga-1 
dier-general  inj 
the  Federal] 
army  during j 
the  rebeUion. 

Owl,  oul.    One'l 

of  a  group   of         

birds     forming    "   ~      t)„^  „„i 

the  fam.  Strigi-  Bam-owL 

dae,  representing  the  noctnmai  sec.  of  the 

oi-d.  Raptores  or  birds  of  prey. 

Ox-gall,  oks'gal.  The  bitter  fluid  se- 
creted by  the  liver  of  the  ox.  much  used 
in  the  arts. 

Oxide,  'id.  In  Chem.  a  compound  of 
oxygen  with  a  more  electro-positive  ele- 
ment. The  first,  second,  third,  Ac,  ox- 
ides of  one  element  are  designated  by  the 
terms  protoxide,  dioxide,  trioxide,  «tc.; 
the  highest  oxide  is  termed  a  peroxide. 

Oxygen,  'i-jen.  In  Chem,  a  gaseous  ele- 
ment constituting  about  one-fifth  of  the 
total  volume  of  the  atmosphere,  and  the 
supporter  of  ordinary  combustion.  O. 
gas  is  necessary  to  respiration,  and  no 
animal  can  live  in  an  atmosphere  which 
does  not  contain  a  certain  portion  of  un- 
combined  oxygen. 

Oxygon,  -gon.  In  Geom.  a  triangle  hav- 
ing three  acute  angles. 

Oxyrhynchus,  -ringk'us.  A  celebrated 
Egyptian  fish,  said  to  have  been  sacred  to 
the  goddess  Athor.  It  is  represented  both 
in  sculptures  and  on  coins,  and  was  an- 
ciently embalmed. 

Oxyuris,  -u'ris.  A  gen.  of  internal  par- 
asitic worms  allied  to  the  common  Ascaris. 

Oyez,  o'yes.  The  introduction  to  any 
proclamation  made  by  the  officer  of  a  law 
court,  or  other  public  crier,  in  order  to  se- 
cure silence  and  attention. 

Oyster,  ois'ter.  A  well-known  edible 
mollusk  belonging  to  Jhelamellibrancliiate 
gen.  Ostrea,  fem.  Ostreidfe.  The  name 
has  also  been  popularly  given  to  mol- 
Insks  not  of  the  fam.  'Ostreidaj,  as  the 
pearl-oyster,  fam.  Aviculidse. 


OYSTER-CATCHER 


544 


P^DOTROPHY 


Oyster-catcher,  kach-er.  The  popular 
namo  of  birds,  gen.  Hajinatopus,  ord. 
Grallatores,  whicli  feed  on  marine  animals. 
II.  ostralegus,  the  common  oyster-catcher 
or  sea-pie,  is  the  best  known. 

Oyster-dredg-e,  -drej.  A  small  drag- 
not  for  bringing  up  oysters  from  the  bot- 
tom of  the  sea. 

Ozone,  'zun.  An  allotropic  modification 
of  oxygen,  existing  in  the  atmosphere, 
produced  when  an  electric  machine  is 
worked,  when    a  stick  of  phosphorus  is 


allowed  to  oxidize  slowly,  and  in  various 
other  ways.  It  has  great  power  in  de- 
stroying'offensive  odors,  is  a  powerful 
bleacher,  and  an  intense  o.xidizer. 

Ozocerite,  -zo-sc'rlt.  A  fossil  resin  exist- 
ing in  the  bituminous  sandstones  of  the 
coal-measures,  of  a  pleasantly  aromatic 
odor.  In  Moldavia  it  occurs  in  sufficient 
quantities  to  be  made  into  candles. 

Ozonometer,  -zon-om'et-er.  An  appa- 
ratus for  ascertaining  the  i)resence  and 
amount  of  ozone  in  the  atmosphere. 


PIS  the  16th  letter  of  the  alphabet,  the 
surd  mute  to  which  the  sonant  b  corre- 
sponds. It  always  has  the  same  sound, 
unless  when  it  forms  with  h  the  digraph 
ph,  which  has  the  sound  off.  It  is  some- 
times silent  in  the  middle  of  a  word,  and 
often  when  it  is  initial  and  followed  by  n, 
s  or  t,  as  in  pneumatics,  psalm,  pteropod. 
In  abbreviations  P.  M.  stands  for  post 
meridiem  (afternoon);  P.  S.  for  postscript; 
J.  P.,  justice  of  the  peace  ;  p  in  mu.sic, 
piano,  softly  :  pp,  piu  piano,  more  softly. 

Faas,  pas.    The  Easter  festival. 

Paca,  pa'ka.  A  gen.  of  rodents  (Cosloge- 
nys)  allied  to  the  agoutis,  cavies  and  capy- 
bara.  The  common  paca  is  one  of  the 
largest  of  the  rodents,  being  about  2  feet 
long  and  about  1  foot  in  height. 

Pachacamac,  pach'a-kam-ak.  The  name 
given  by  the  ancient  Peruvians  to  the  be- 
ing whom  they  worshiped  as  the  creator 
of  the  universe,  and  who  was  held  by 
them  in  the  highest  veneration. 

Pachometer,  pa-kom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  the  thickness  of  the 
glass  of  mirrors. 

Pachydactyl,  pak-i-dak'til.  A  bird  or 
other  animal  having  thick  toes. 

Pachyderm,  'i-derm.  A  non-ruminant 
hoofed  animal ;  a  member  of  the  ord.  Pa- 
chydermata. 

Pachyglossae,  -i-glos'se.  A  sec.  of  sau- 
rian reptiles,  formerly  embracing  the  fam- 
ihes  of  the  chameleons,  geckos,  Iguanas 
and  agamas,  but  now  restricted  to  the  two 
latter. 

Pacific  Ocean.  The  largest  expanse  of 
water  on  the  globe,  extending  between 
Asia,  America  and  Australia,  and  from 
the  Arctic  to  the  Antarctic  circle  ;  maxi- 
mum breadth,  10,0db  m. 

Packfongr,  pak'fong.  A  Chinese  alloy, 
known  as  white  copper ;  copper  40.4, 
zinc  25.4,  nickel  31.6  and  iron  2.6. 


Pack-ice,  'is.  An  assemblage  of  large 
floating  pieces  of  ice  of  great  magnitude. 
A  pack  is  said  to  be  open  when  the  pieces 
of  ice  do  not  genei-ally  tduch;  and  close, 
when  they  are  in  contact. 

Packing-press,  'ing-pres.  A  powerful 
press,  generally  hydraulic,  employed  to 
compress  cotton,  linen,  hay,  straw,  &c., 
into  small  bulk  for  convenience  of  trans- 
port. 

Packing-sheet,  -shet.  A  large  sheet 
for  packing  or  covering  goods.  In  hydro- 
pathy, a  wet  sheet  used  for  packing  pa- 
tients at  water-cure  establishments. 

Padalon,  pad'a-lon.  In  Hind.  Myth. 
the  abode  of  departed  spirits. 

Paddle-beam,  '1-bem.  One  of  the  two 
large  beams  projecting  over  the  sides  of  a 
steamer,  between  which  the  paddle-wheels 
revolve. 

Paddle-wheel,  -whel.  One  of  the 
wheels  provided  ^vith  floats  on  their  cir- 
cumferences, and  driven  by  steam,  for  the 
purpose  of  propelling  steam-ships. 

Padishah,  pa'di-sha.  The  title  of  the 
Turkish  sultan  and  Persian  shah. 

Padra,  'dra.    A  superior  black  tea, 

Padua.  An  ancient  N.  Italian  city,  at 
the  confluence  of  the  Brenta  and  Bacchig- 
lione  rivers,  24  m.  W.  of  Venice,  noted 
for  its  university  founded  in  the  18th  cen- 
tury ;  pop.  56,703. 

Psean,  pc'an.  A  Greek  hymn  in  honor  of 
Apollo,  also  called  Paean.  Also,  a  war 
song  before  or  after  a  battle ;  in  the  first 
case,  in  honor  of  Mars ;  in  the  second  as  .■< 
thanksgiving  to  ApoUo.  Hence,  a  song 
of  triumph  generally. 

Psedobaptist,  -do-bap'tist.  One  who 
holds  to  infant  baptism. 

Psedotrophy,  -dot'ro-fi.  That  branch  of 
hygiene  which  treats  of  the  nourishment 
of  infiants  and  childreo. 


PAGACK 


545 


PALERMO 


Pagack,  pa-gak'.  A  Russian  ^vine  meas- 
ure containing  10  gallons. 

Pagrah,  'ga.  In  India,  a  body-guard  ;  the 
elite  of  a  native  army. 

Pagran,  pa'gan.  One  who  is  neither  a 
Christian,  a  Jew,  nor  a  Mohammedan  ;  a 
heathen;  anidolator. 

Pagrauini,  Nicolo.  A  phenomenal 
Italian  violinist;  b.  17S4,  d.  1840.  He 
was  extremely  profligate. 

Pag-ellus,  pa-jel'lus.  A  gen.  of  acan- 
thopterygian  fishes,  fam.  Sparidse,  in- 
cluding the  Spanish  bream  and  sea- 
bream. 

Pagroda,  -go'da.  A  Hindu  temple,  gene- 
rally of  three  subdivisions,  an  apartment 
open  to  all  persons,  a  second  forbidden  to 
all  but  Brahmins,  and  the  cell  of  the  deity 
or  idol  inclosed  with  a  massive  gate. 
The  name  is  also  given  to  Buddhist  tem- 
ples in  Siam,  Burmah  and  China. 

Fagrrus,  pag'rus.  A  gen.  of  acanthop- 
torygian  fishes,  sparoid  or  bream  fam., 
containing  the  braise  or  becker  and 
Couch's  sesrbream. 

Pagruma,  pa-gu'ma.  A  name  of  several 
mammals,  gen.  Paradoxurus,  fam.  Yiver- 
ridffl  (civets  and  genets). 

Pagurus,  'rus 
A  gen.  of  ano- 
murous  crusta- 
ceans, known 
by  the  name  of 
soldier  and  her- 
mit-crabs. 

Pah,  pa.  In 
New  Zealand,  a 
fortified  native 
camp. 

Painter,  panth- 
er. A  rope  used 

to  fasten  a  boat   _^.  tt       -^      u 

to   some  other    Diogenes  Hermit-crab, 
object.    The  popular  name  of  the  cougar 
or  panther. 

Paixhan  Chin,  paks'han  gun.  A  how- 
itzer for  the  horizontal  firing  of  heavy 
shells,  invented  by  the  French  general 
Paixhan  about  1880. 

Paladin,  pal'a-din.  A  knight-errant; 
a  heroic  champion ;  an  eminent  hero. 

Paleearctic,  pa-le-ar'tik.  One  of  the 
six  regions  into  which  zoologists  divide 
the  surface  of  the  earth,  based  on  their 
eharacteristic  fauna  or  collection  of  animal 
life,  embracing  Europe,  N.  Asia  and  Af- 
rica. 

Pal88oetlinologry,  '16-6-eth-nol""  ir 
The  ethnology  of  the  earliest  times. 


Palseogrraphy,  -iG-og'ra-fi.  An  ancient 
manner  of  writing;  ancient  writings  col- 
lectively. The  science  or  art  of  decipher- 
ing ancient  documents  or  inscriptions. 

Palaeontologry.  'le-on-tol"o-ji.  The 
science  of  the  ancient  life  of  the  earth ; 
that  branch  of  biology  which  treats  of  fos- 
sil organic  i-emains. 

Palaeornis,  -iG-or'riis.  An  extensive 
gen.  of  parrakeets. 

Paleeotheri- 
um,  'le-o-the"- 
ri-um.    A   gen. 
of  extinct  pach- 
yderms found  in' 
the  eocene  strata ; 
of  Europe    and  ^w^^? 
America,    inter-  "'^f^';,     .        r>    *      ^ 
mediate  between  Palaeothenum  Restored, 
the  rhinoceros,  the  horse  and  the  tapir. 

Palamede  i  - 
dae,  pal'a-rae- 
de"i-de.  The 
screamers,  a 
fam.  of  which 
the  gen.  Pal- 
amedea  is  the  • 
type. 

Palanqui  n , 
-an -ken  .        A, 
covered     con-  ' 
veyance    used        ,^         .   „ 
in  Asia,  borne       nomed  Soroamer. 
by  poles  on  the  shoulders  of  men,  in 


Palanquin.  ' 

which  a  single  person  is  carried  from 
place  to  place. 

Palatine,  'a-tln.  One  invested  with  roy- 
al privileges  and  rights ;  a  count  palatine. 
In  media'val  France  and  Germany  pala- 
tines attached  to  the  court  were  for  the 
purpose  of  assisting  the  sovereign  in  his 
judicial  duties.  Later  they  were  detached 
from  the  court  and  placed  in  charge  of 
pro^^nces,  where  they  maintained  a  court 
and  palace  in  the  sovereign's  name. 

Palermo.  Cap.  of  the  island  of  Sicily, 
Italy,  noted  as  the  scene  of  the  religious 


PALESTINE 


546 


PALM-SUNDAY 


massacre  known  as  "the  Sicilian  Vespers," 
1282 ;  pop.  173,526. 

Palestine.  (The  Holy  Land.)  A 
country  of  Syria,  Asia,  the  home  of  the 
Hebrews  after  their  deliverance  from 
Egyptian  slavery  ;  also  known  as  Canaan 
and  Judea,  now  under  Turkish  dominion, 
bounded  8.  by  the  Arabian  desert  and  W. 
by  the  Mediterranean  ;  area  11,000  sq.  m. 
Jerusalem,  cap.,  is  the  only  city  of  import- 
ance. The  Lake  of  Tiberias,  Dead  Sea 
and  River  Jordan  are  its  chief  waters,  and 
it  is  intersected  by  the  Lebanon  Moun- 
tains. 

Palestra,  pa-les'tra.  In  ancient  Greece 
a  place  appropriated  to  wrestling  or  other 
athletic  exercises.    A  wrestling  contest. 

Paletot,  pal'e-to.  A  loose  sort  of  man's 
coat  or  woman's  long  jacket;  an  over- 
coat. 

Palette,  'et.  A  thin  oval  board  or  tablet 
with  a  thumb-hole  on  which  a  painter  lays 
the  pigments  Avith  which  he  paints ;  a 
pallet.  In  Milit.  Antiq.  one  of  the  pro- 
tective plates  for  covering  the  junction  of 
the  armor  at  the  armpits,  the  bend  of  the 
shoulder  and  elbows. 

Palfrey,  pal'fri.  An  ordinary  riding- 
horse,  or  a  horse  used  by  noblemen  and 
others  for  state,  distinguished  from  a  wax- 
horse.  A  small  gentle  riding-horse  fit  for 
ladies. 

Pali,  pii'li.  The  sacred  language  of  the 
Buddhists,  not  now  spoken,  but  used  only 
in  religious  works.  It  is  one  of  the  Prakrit 
dialects. 

Palimpsest,  'limp-sest.  Parchment  or 
other  writing  material,  from  which  writ- 
ing had  been  removed  for  the  purpose  of 
the  page  being  written  upon  a  second  time. 
A  monumental  brass  which  has  been  en- 
graved on  the  reverse  side. 

Palissy-ware,  pal'is-i-war.  A  peculiar 
pottery,  remarkable  for  its  beautiful 
glaze,  the  ornamentation  being  in  very 
high  relief,  and  consisting  frequently  of 
models  offish,  reptiles,  shells,  or  leaves. 
Bernard  Palissy,  a  French  potter  of  the 
15th  century,  was  the  designer,  and  the 
art  of  manufacturing  it  died  with  him,  all 
attempts  to  imitate  it  having  failed. 

Palla,  'la.  A  largo  upper  robe  worn  by 
Eoman  ladies. 

Palladiura,  -la'di-ura.  A  statue  or 
imago  of  the  goddess  Pallas,  on  the  preser- 
vation of  which  was  said  to  have  depended 
the  safety  of  Tioy.  Hence,  something 
that  affords  effectual  defense  and  safety. 

Palm-cat,  pam'kat.  An  animal  of  the 
gen.  Paradoxm-us,  the  common  paradox- 


ure,  fam.  Viverridai  (civets  and  genets). 
It  can  curl  its  tail  into  a  tight  spiral. 

Pallas,  'las.  The 
goddess  of  wisdom 
among  the  Greeks,  '• 
subsequently  iden- 
tified vdth  the 
Iioman  Minerva. 
One  of  four  small 
planets  revolving 
between  the  orbits 
of  Mars  and  Jupi- 
ter. 

Pallium,  'li-um. 
A  large  square 
woolen  cloak  worn 
by  the  Greeks,  en- 
velopi  n  g  the 
whole  person,  cor- 
responding to  the 
toga  of  the  Eom-  Pallas, 

ans.    An  ecclesiastical  pall. 

Palmer,  'er.  A  pilgrim  who  carried  a 
staff  of  palm-tree,  or  one  that  returned 
from  the  Holy  Land  bearing  branches  of 
palm  ;  a  crusader.  Distinguished  from 
other  pilgrims  by  being  a  constant  traveler 
to  holy  places,  and  living  on  alms  under  a 
vow  of  poverty. 

Palmerston,  Henry  John  Temple, 
Viscount.  A  distinguished  English 
statesman  ;  b.  1184,  d.  18(55. 

Palmetto  Ranch..  A  locality  near  Palo 
Alto,  Cameron  Co.,  Texas,  historically 
noted  as  the  scene  of  the  last  conflict  in 
the  civil  war.  May  13,  1865,  in  which  the 
Federals,  459  strong,  under  Col.  Barrett, 
were  defeated  by  the  Confederates,  600 
strong,  under  Gen.  Slaughter. 

Palmiped,  pal'mi-ped.  A  bird  that  has 
webbed  feet.  The  goose  and  duck  are  fa- 
miliar examples. 

Palmistry,  'mis-tri.  The  art  or  prac- 
tice of  telling  fortunes  by  the  lines  and 
marks  in  the  palm  of  the  hand  ;  a  species 
of  imposition  practiced  by  gypsies.  Also, 
tho  art  of  judging  character  from  the 
shape  of  the  hand. 

Palm-oil,  pam'oil.  A  fatty  substance 
obtained  from  several  specimens  of  palms, 
but  chiefly  ft-om  the  fruit  of  the  oil-palm. 
In  cold  countries  it  acquires  the  consis- 
tence of  butter.  It  is  employed  in  the 
manufacture  of  soaj)  and  candles,  and  for 
lubricating  purposes.  The  natives  of  the 
Gold  Coast  use'  it  for  butter;  and  when 
eaten  fresh,  it  is  wholesome  and  delicate. 
Called  also  Palm-butter. 

Palm-Sunday,  'sun-da.  The  Sunday 
next  before  Easter ;  so  called  in  commem- 


PALMYRA 


547 


PANDERE3S 


oration  of  our  Saviour's  triumphal  entry 
into  Jerusalem,  when  the  multitude 
strewed  palm  branches  in  the  way. 

Pal2ri3n*a  (Tadmor).  In  Auc.  Geog. 
a  mag^niflcent  Asiatic  city  on  a  fertile 
oasis  in  the  Syrian  desert,  which  attained 
its  highest  power  in  the  3d  century  under 
the  celebrated  Queen  Zenobia ;  destroyed 
by  Aurelian,  274,  and  restored  by  Justin- 
ian I.  527,  it  is  now  in  ruins,  those  of  the 
temple  of  Baal  being  magnificent. 

Palo  Alto.  Alocahty  of  Cameron  Co., 
W.  Texas,  bet.  Brownsville  and  Point 
Isabel,  famous  for  the  crushing  defeat. 
May  8,  1846,  of  the  Mexican  army,  6,000 
strong,  under  Santa  Anna,  by  the  Amer- 
icans, 2,100  strong,  under  Gen.  Z.  Taylor. 

Palsgrave,  palz'grav.  A  count  pala- 
tine ;  a  count  or  earl  who  has  the  super- 
intendence of  the  king's  palace. 

Palsgrravine,  'gra-vin.  The  consort  or 
widow  of  a  palsgrave. 

Paludamentiixu,  pa-lii'da-men"tum. 
The  cloak  worn  by  an  ancient  Roman 
general  commanding  an  army,  his  pi-inci- 
pal  officers  and  personal  attendants,  in 
contradistinction  to  the  sagum  of  the 
common  soldier,  and  the  toga  or  garb  of 
peace.  It  was  open  in  front,  reached  to 
the  knees,  and  was  fastened  across  the 
chest  with  a  clasp. 

Paludinidse,  pal-ii-din'i-d5.  The  river- 
snails,  a  fam.  of  fresh-water  gasteropodous 
mollusks,  ord.  Prosobranchiata. 

Pampas,  pam'pas.  Immense  plains  in 
the  southern  portion  of  S.  America  east 
of  the  Andes,  and  mainly  in  the  Argen- 
tine Confederation. 

Pampas-cat,  -kat.  A  species  of  leopard 
found  on  the  pampas.  Itmight  easily  be 
mistaken  for  a  large  domestic  cat  which 
has  run  wild. 

Pam.pero,  -per'6.  A  violent  wind  from 
Avest  or  southwest  which  sweeps  over  the 
pampas  and  is  often  felc  far  out  at  sea. 

Pan,  pan.  lu 
Greek  Myth,  the 
chief  god  of  pas- 
tures, forests  and 
flocks,  represented 
vrith  the  head  and 
breast  of  an  elder- 
ly man,  while  his 

lower  parts   were    >^>-r -« ^=<.^  >  y»/ •    a 
like  the  hind  quar-  -ff  'l^-r^^.-'^fjf-il^,^^ 
ters     of  a     goat  V.;:."^;|g^;.iAat^^- 
whose    horns    he' 

likewise  bore,    lie  ^If^'fl'^^V^^^'vi^" 
is  represented   as    "    ' ""' 
fond  of  music,  and  Pan 


of  danciag-svith  the  forest  nymphs,  and  as 
the  inventor  of  the  sj'i-inx  or  shepherd's 
flute,  hence  termed  Pan's-pipes  or  Pan- 
dean pipes.  The  Romans  identified  Pan 
with  their  god  Inuus,  and  sometimes  with 
Faimus. 

Pan.  The  Indian  name  of  the  famous 
eastern  narcotic  masticatory,  consisting 
of  areca-nut  sliced  and  wrapped  up  in 
leaves  of  the  betel-pepper  vine,  along  -with 
a  small  quantity  of  quickhme.  It  is 
chewed  by  all  classes  in  many  Asiatic 
countries,  taking  the  place  of  opium  a»d 
tobacco. 

Panama.  A  seaport  of  Colombia,  C. 
America,  on  the  Pacific,  37  m.  S.  E.  of 
Chagres;  pop.  abt.  10,000.  Isthmus  of 
P.,  a  narrow  neck  of  land  connecting  N. 
and  S.  America,  a  prov.  of  New  Grenada. 

Panatlieneea,  'ath-e-ne"a.  The  most 
celebrated  festival  of  ancient  Athens,  in 
honor  of  Athene,  the  patroness  of  the  city, 
and  designed  to  remind  the  people  of 
Attica  of  their  imion  into  one  people  by 
Theseus.  Gymnastic  ganaes  and  musical 
competitions,  &c.,  took  j)lace.  These 
festivals  were  held  annually,  but  every 
fourth  year  they  were  of  greater  solemnity 
and  magnificence. 

Pancratium,  -kra'shi-um.  One  of  the 
games  or  gymnastic  contests  exhibited  in 
all  the 
great  festi- 
vals of  an- 
c  I  e  n  f 
Gr  e  e  c  e  ,  " 
consisting!L;^»(v-i 
of  bo.xing;^^ 
and  A\Test-  ' 
ling. 

Pa  n  d  a , 
'da.  An 
ursine 
quadruped, 
gen.  Ailnrus,  the  A.  fulgens.  It  is  about 
the  size  of  a  large  cat 

Pandect,  'dekt.  A  treatise  which  con- 
taios  the  whole  of  any  science.  The  digest 
or  collection  of  Roman  civil  law,  made  by 
order  of  the  emperor  Justinian,  consistiner 
of  fij'tj' books. 

Pandemoninm,  -de-mo'ni-um.      The 

f)]ace  of  abode  of  demons  or  evil  spirits; 
lell.  Any  lawless,  disorderly  place  or 
assemblage. 

Pander,  'der.    A  pimp  ;   a  procurer ;    a 

male  bawd.    One  who  ministers  to  the 

gratification  of  any  of  the  baser  passions. 

Panderess,  -es.     A  female  pander ;  a 

procuress. 


Panda 


PANDOEA 


648 


PAPACY 


Pandora,  do'ra.  In  Class.  Myth,  the 
naino  of  the  first  woman  on  earth,  on 
whom  all  the  gods  and  goddesses  bestowed 
gifts.  Pandora's  box,  a  box  which  she 
brought  from  heaven,  containing  all  hu 
man  ills,  which  escaped  and  spread  over 
the  earth,  hope  alone  remaining.  At  a 
later  period  the  box  is  said  to  have  con- 
tained all  the  blessings  of  the  [:  'xls,  Avhich 
would  have  been  preserved  for  the  human 
race  had  not  Pandora  opened  it,  so  that 
the  blessings,  with  the  exception  of  hope, 
escaped. 

Pandura,  'da-ra.  A  Neapolitan  musical 
instrument,  larger  than  the  mandoline, 
strung  with  eight  metal  ^vires  and  played 
Avith  a  quill. 

Pandy,  'di.    A  Hindu  ;  a  sepoy. 

Panegyrist,  pa-ne-ji'rist.  One  who  be- 
stows praise  ;  a  eulogist :  an  encomiast 
either  by  writing  or  spi;akiu;^. 

Pangolin.  An 
animal  covered 
with  hard  scales, 
inhabiting  Asia 
and  Africa. 

Panhellenism, 
hel'len-izm.  A] 
scheme  to  unite' 
the  Grreeks  into' 
one  pohtical  body. 

Panhellenium, 

-16'ni-um.  The  national  council  or  con- 
gress of  Greece. 

Pannonia.  The  ancient  name  of  Hun 
gary,  originally  peopled  by  a  Celtic  race. 

Panorama,  6-ra'ma.  A  complete  or 
entire  view.  A  picture  in  which  the  ob- 
jects of  nature  visible  from  a  single  point 
are  represented  on  the  interior  surface  of 
a  cyhndrical  wall,  the  point  of  view  being 
in  the  axis  of  the  cylinder. 

Panorpidae,  pa-nor'pi-de.  A  fam.  of 
neuropterous  insects,  the  type  of  which  is 
the  scorpion-fly. 

Pan-presbyterian,    pan'pres-bi-te"ri- 
an.    Relating  to  an  assembly  of  represen- 
tatives of  those  who  hold  Presbyterian 
views  from  all  parts  of  the  world. 
Panslavism,   sla'vizm.     A   scheme   or 
movement  for  the  amalgamation  of  all  the 
Blavic  races  into  one  confederacv. 
Panspermy,  'sper-mi.  The  doctrine  that 
living  organisms  can  spring  only  from  liv- 
ing parents ;  biogenesis. 
Pantagamy,  -tag'a-mi.     That  peculiar 
domestic  relation  existing  between  the 
sexes  in  certain  quasi-religious  and  social- 
ist communities,  by  which  every  man  is 
at  once  the  husband  and  brother  of  every 


Pangolin 


Panther. 


woman,  and  every  Moman  the  wife  and 
sister  of  every  man.  Called  also  Complex 
Marriage. 

Pantamorph.,  'ta-morf.  That  which 
assumes  or  exists  in  all  shapes. 

Pantheism,  'the-izm.  The  doctrine  or 
system  of  theology  which  maintains  that 
the  universe,  man  included,  is  God,  or 
modes  or  manifestations  of  God, 

Pantheology,  -the-ol'o-ji.  A  system  of 
theolog>-  comprehending  all  rehgions  and 
a  knowledge  of  all  deities  ;  a  complete 
system  of  divinity. 

Pantlaeon,  'on.  A  magnificent  edifice 
dedicated  to  all  the  gods,  especially  the 
building  so  called  at  Itome.  It  is  now  a 
church,  dedicated  to  the  Virgin  Mary  and 
martyrs.  It  is  of  cyhndrical  form,  188  ft. 
in  diameter.  A  work  treating  of  the 
whole  body  of  divinities  of  a  people. 

Panther,  'ther.  A 
ferocious  digitigrade 
carnivore,  native  of 
Asia  and  Africa,  the 
Felis  pardus,  sup- 
posed to  be  identical  \ 
with  or  a  variety  of 
the  leopard.  The 
name  is  given  to  the 
puma  in  America. 

Pantisocracy,  -ti-sok'ra-si.  A  Utopian 
community  in  which  all  the  members  are 
equal  in  rank  and  social  position. 

Pantochronometer,  'to-kro-nom^et- 
Qx.  An  instrument,  a  combinatio  i  of  the 
compass,  sun-dial  and  universal  time-dial, 
which  performs  the  offices  of  all. 

Pantograph,  -graf. 
A  jointed  instrument 
so  constructed  that 
drawings,  maps,  plans, 
&c.,  can  be  copied  me- 
chanically on  the  orig- 
inal scale,  or  on  one  re- 
duced or  enlarged. 
Spelled  also  Panta- 
graph,  Pentegraph. 
Pantology,  -tol'o-ji. 
Universal  knowledge. 
Pantometer,  -tom'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  elevations,  angles  and  dis- 
tances. 

Pantophagist,  -tofa-jist.  An  animal 
or  person  that  eats  all  kinds  of  food. 
Papa,  pa-pa'.  Father  ;  a  word  used  by 
children.  A  Greek  parish  priest  or  pope. 
Papacy,  pa-pa-si.  The  office  and  dignity 
of  the  pope  or  bishop  of  Eome.  The  suc- 
cession of  popes ;  the  popes  collectively. 


Pantograph. 


PAPAPHOBIA 


549 


PAEAMOUE 


Papaphobia,  -pa-fo'bi-a.  Dread  or 
hatred  of  tho  ]joi)e  or  of  popery. 
Paper-coal,  'por-kol.  A  variety  of  ter- 
tiary lijrnite,  so  named  from  its  splitting 
into  films  or  leaves  not  thicker  than  paper. 
Wheji  burning-  it  emits  an  offensive  odor. 

Papeterie,  pa-pa-tre.  An  ornamented 
case  or  box  containing  paper  and  other 
materials  for  Avriting. 

Papier  znache,  pap-ya-mii-sha.  A  ma- 
terial prepared  by  pulping  paper  into  a 
mass  of  a  doughy  consistence,  v.'hich  may 
be  molded  into  various  forms. 

Papion,  jiap'i-on.  Cynocephalus  Sphinx, 
a  species  of  the  dog-headed  baboons,  akin 
to  the  mandrill,  to  which  great  reverence 
was  paid  in  ancient  Egypt.  Many  mum- 
mied forms  have  been  found  in  the  temple 
caves  in  Egj-pt. 

Papin,  Denis.  An  eminent  French 
physicist;  u.  IWT,  d.  1714.  He  was  the 
first  to  make  a  practical  application  of 
Bteam  power  as  a  motor,  and  invented  the 
safety  valve. 

Papist,  pa'pist.  A  Roman  Catholic ;  one 
that  adheres  to  the  Church  of  Home  and 
the  authority  of  the  pope. 

Papoose,  pa-pos'.  Among  the  native  In- 
dians ofN.  America  a  babe  or  young  child. 

Papua  (New  G-uinea).  An  island  in 
Au8trala»ia,  second  in  size 
to  Australia ;  area,  250,000 
eq.  m.  It  belongs  to  Great 
Britain,  but  has  never  been 
extensively  colonized. 

Parabola,  -rab'o-la.  A 
conic  section  arising  from 
cutting  a  cone  by  a  plane 

{arallel  to  one  of  its  sides, 
t  is  the  curve  in  which  any 
projectile  would  move,  were      Parabola, 
it  not  for  the  resistance  of  the  air. 
Paracelsus.    A  notorious  S\viss  empiric 
and  pretended  alchemist ;  b.  1493,  d.  1541. 
Parachute,  par'a-shot.      In  ballooning, 
an  ai)i>ar;i- 


Parachute 


drop  from  his  balloon  to  the  groand  with- 
out sustaining  injury.  While  the  balloon 
is  ascending  the  parachute  is  like  a  closed 
umbrella. 

Paraclete,  -klC-t.  An  advocate ;  one  called 
to  aid  or  support;  hence,  the  Consoler, 
Comforter  or  Intercessor,  a  term  applied 
to  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Paradise,  pa'ra-dis.  In  Scrip,  the  gar- 
den of  Eden,  in  which  Adam  and  Eve  were 
placed  inmiediately  after  their  creation. 
A  region  of  supreme  felicity  or  delight. 
Heaven,  or  the  blissful  seat  of  sanctified 
souls  after  death. 

ParafS.ne,  par'a-fin.  A  fatt)'  substance 
obtained  from  the  dry  distillation  of  wood, 
peat,  bituminous  coal,  wax,  &c.,  largely 
used  in  the  manufacture  cf  candles. 

Paraguay  Tea,  -gwu  te.  Tho  leaves  ol 
the  Ilex  Paraguay  en  sis,  used  in  S.  Ameriea 
as  a  substitute  tor  tea.      Called  also  Mate. 

Paraguay.  A  S.  American  republic, 
bounded  ISf.  by  Brazil  and  Bolivia,  E.  by 
Brazil,  S.  by  the  Argentine  Confederation, 
W.  by  the  latter  and  Bolivia  ;  area  82,000 
sq.  m  ;  pop.  abt.  850,000.  Cap.  and  prin- 
cipal city,  Asuncion.  Chief  rivers,  Para- 
guay, Pilcomayo  and  Eio  Vermejo.  Moun 
tains.  Sierra  Amambohy  and  Maracayou 
ranges. 

Paralipomena,  -li-pom"e-na.  Things 
omitted.  A  supplement  containing  things 
omitted  in  the  preceding  work.  The  books 
of  Chronicles  are  so  called. 

Parallel,  pa'ra-lel.  A  line  which  through- 
out its  whole  extent  is  equidistant  from 
another  line.  In  Geog.  a  line  oh  the  globe 
or  on  a  map  marking  the  latitude  ;  a  circle 
or  part  of  a  circle  parallel  to  the  equator. 

Parallelogram,  -ra-lel'o- 
gi-am.  In  Geom.  a  four- 
sided  figure  composed  of 
straight  lines,  and  having 
its  opposite  sides  parallel 
and  equal.  A  quadrilateral 
figure  of  more  length  than  Parallelogram, 
breadth. 

Parallelopiped,      -pi' 
ped.     In  Geom.  a  reg 
solid  comprehended  under} 
six  parallelograms,  the  op- 
posite ones  of  which  are 
similar,  parallel  and  equal  Parallelopiped. 
to  each  other  ;  or  a  prism 
whose  base  is  a  parallelogram.     A  brick 
is  a  familiar  example  of  this  figure. 

Paramaribo.  A  seaport,  cap.  of  Dutch 
Guiana,  S.  Ameriea;  pop.  2S,600. 

Paramour,  par'a-mor.     One  who  takes 


PARANA 


550 


PARRAKEET 


tlie  place  of  a  husband  or  wife  ■without 
])03sessing  the  rights. 

Parana.  A  large  river  of  S.  America, 
which  with  the  Urugiiav  forms  the  Rio 
do  la  Plata  ;  length  2,400  m. 

Paraphrast,  'a-frast.  One  who  para- 
phrases ;  one  who  explains  or  translates 
in  words  more  ample  and  clear  than  the 
author. 

Paracene,  -a-sen'.  In  Rom.  Antiq.  the 
place  beyond  the  stage  of  a  theater,  used 
by  the  actors  as  a  dressing-room 

Paraselene,  'a-SG-le"ne.  A  mock  moon; 
a  luminous  ring  or  circle  encompassing 
the  moon  in  Polar  regions  in  which  some- 
times are  other  bright  spots  bearing  re- 
semblance to  the  moon.  They  are  analo- 
gous to  the  parhelia  or  mock  suns,  and 
are  supposed  to  depend  upon  the  presence 
of  innumerable  minute  crystals  of  ice. 

Parasite,  -sit.  One  that  frequents  the 
tables  of  the  rich  and  earns  his  welcome 
by  flattery  ;  a  trencher  friend ;  a  sycophant. 
An  animal  that  lives  upon  or  in,  and  at 
the  expensj  of  other  animals,  A  plant 
which  grows  upon  another,  and  feeds  upon 
its  juices.  . 

Parchment,  ptirch'ment.  The  skin  of  a 
young  calf,  sheep  or  goat,  prepared  for 
writing  on. 

Pargeting:,  piir'jet-ing.  A  kind  of  orna- 
mental plaster,  m'uch  used  in  the  interior 
and  often  in  the  exterior  of  English  houses 
of  the  Tudor  period. 

Parhelion,  -hc'li-on.  A  mock  sun  seen 
in  Polar  regions  by  the  side  of  that  lumin- 
ary. They  sometimes  number  two  or 
more,  and  are  always  connected  by  a  white 
horizontal  circle  or  halo.  They  are  the  re- 
sult of  modifications  which  light  under- 
goes when  it  falls  on  crystals  of  ice,  rain- 
drops, &c. 

Pariah,  pa'ri-a.  A  name  loosely  applied 
to  the  lowest  class  of  Hindus,  who  have, 
properly  speaking,  no  caste ;  hence,  one 
despised  and  contemned  by  society ;  an 
outcast.  Properly,  however.  Pariah  (a 
Tamil  name)  is  applied  to  members  of  a 
widely  spread  race  in  B.  India,  generally  of 
the  Hindu  religion,  and  superior  to  some 
ten  other  castes  in  their  own  country. 

Parian,  -an.  A  iine  variety  of  porcelain 
clay,  of  which  statuettes,  &c.,  ai-e  made; 
so  named  from  its  resemblance  to  P.  mar- 
ble. P.  marble,  a  mellow-tinted  marble, 
highly  valued  by  the  ancients,  and  chosen 
for  their  choicest  woi'ks. 

Paridae,  -de.  The  titmice,  a  fam.  of 
dejitirostral  passerine  birds. 

Paris.     In   Heroic  Hist,   son   of  Priam, 


King  or  Troy,  who  abducted  Helen,  and 
caused  the  Trojan  war,  in  which  he  killed 
Achilles,  and  was  himself  mortally  wound- 
ed by  an  arrow  shot  by  Philoctetes. 

Paris.  •  Cap.  of  France,  on  both  sides  the 
Seine,  and  the  most  beautiful  city  of  Eu- 
rope ;  pop.  abt.  2,250,000. 

Park,  lytungo.  A  distinguished  Scot- 
tish African  explorer  ;  n.  1771,  perished 
while  on  his  second  expedition  in  the  Af- 
rican wilds,  1805. 

Parker,  Theodore.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican theologian  :  b.  in  Mass.  1810,  d.  at 
Rome  1860. 

Parkman,  Francis.  An  American 
historian  ;  b.  in  Mass.  1S23,  b.  18S3. 

Parliament,  'li-ment.  A  meeting  or 
assembly  of  persons  for  conference  or  de- 
liberation ;  an  assembly  of  the  people  or 
their  representatives  to  deliberate  or  legis- 
late on  national  aifairs ;  a  supreme  na- 
tional or  general  council.  The  grand  as- 
sembly of  the  three  estates  of  the  United 
Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
the  lords  spiritual,  the  lords  temporal  (the 
two  forming  one  house),  and  the  com- 
mons ;  the  general  council  of  the  nation 
constituting  the  legis/ature,  summoned 
by  the  sovereign's  authority  to  consult  on 
the  affairs  of  the  nation,  and  to  enact  and 
repeal  laws.  The  authority  of  parliament 
extends  over  the  United  Kingdom  and  all 
its  colonies  and  foreign  possessions.  It 
must  meet  at  least  once  a  year  for  the  dis- 
patch of  business.  The  word  parliament 
•was  introfhiced  into  England  under  the 
Norman  kings.  The  supreme  council  of 
the  nation  was  called  under  the  Saxon 
kings  witenagemot,  the  meeting  of  wise 
men  or  sages. 

Parliamentarian,  -men-ta"ri-an.  One 
of  those  who  adhered  to  the  pariiament  in 
the  time  of  Charles  I. 

Parnassus.  A  sacred  Greek  mountain 
in  Phocis,  Delphi,  famous  for  its  oracle, 
being  situated  on  its  W.  slope.  Its  high- 
est summit  was  dedicated  to  Bacchus,  and 
the  two  others  to  Apollo  and  the  Muses, 

Parque  try, 
'ket-ri.  A  spe- 
cies of  inlaid 
wood- work  in 
geometric  or 
oth  e  r  p  a  t  - 
terns,  and  gen- 
erally of  dif- 
ferent colors. 

Parrak  e  e  t , 
par'a-ket.  The 
namo  given,  to 
various  genera 


PAERICIDE 


551 


PASSIONAL 


of  scansorial  birds  grouped  into  a  sub-fam- 
(Pezophorinje)  of  the  Psittacidfe  or  par- 
rots. Among  the  most  familiar  are 
the  rosc-rinjred  parrakeet,  the  Alexan- 
drine orrinsjT  parrakeet,  the  ground  parra- 
keet, and  the  warbling-  parrakeet.  Writ- 
ten also  Parakeet,  Parroquet,  Perroquet. 
Parricide,  'ri-sld.  A  person  who  murders 
his  mother  or  father.  The  murder  of  a 
parent  or  of  one  to  whom  reverence  is  due. 
Parrot,  'ot.  A  name 
common  to  birds  fam. 
PsittacidcTe,  ord.  Scan- 
sores  or  climbers.  Sev- 
eral species  can  no 
only  imitate  the  vaii 
ous  tones  of  the  human  •", 
voice,  but  also  exer-  - 
cise  in  some  cases  ac-  ^,^ 
tual  conversational  ^p 
powers.  Amocg  par-  i^g^, 
rots  in  the  -widest  ^^^ 
sense  of  the  word  are 
included     the    parra-  Parrot 

keets,  macaws,  lories, 
cockatoos,  &c.    Some  live  to  th  e   age  of 
TO  and  even  90  years. 

Parrot-fish,  -fish.  A  fish,  gen.  Scarus, 
fam.  Labrida?. 

Parry,  William  Edward.  Sir.  A 
distinguished  English  xVrctic  explorer :  u. 
1790,  I).  1865. 

Parsee,  par'se.  One  of  the  adherents  of 
the  Zoroastrian  or  ancient  Persian  religion, 
descended  from  the  refugees  driven  from 
Persia  into  India  by  Mohammedan  perse- 
cution about  the  middle  of  the  Tth  cen- 
tury. 

Partheniad,   -the'ni-ad 
honor  of  a  virgin. 

Parthenon,  'the-non.  A  celebrated 
Grecian  temple  of  Athena  Parthenos,  on 
the  Acropolis  of  Athens,  of  marble,  a  per- 
ipteral octostyle,  with  17  columns  on  the 
sides ;  its  length  223  feet,  breadth  102. 

Parthenope,  -then'6-pe.  One  of  the 
small  planets  between  the  orbits  of  Mars 
and  Jupiter. 

Partridge,  'trij. 
A  rasorial  bird, 
gen.  P  e  r  d  i  X , 
grouse  fam.  (Te- 
traonidas).  The 
name  is  applied  iu 
the  IT.  S.  to  several 
species  of  the  gen. 
Ortyx  or  quails. 

Parturition,    -tu-ri 
bringing   forth    or    being    delivered    of 
young. 


poem  m 


Partridge. 

The  act  of 


Party-g-old,  'ti-gdld.  Beaten  or  leaf  sil- 
ver with  a  coating  of  gold  on  one  side. 
Parvenu,  've-nu.  An  upstart,  or  one 
newly  risen  into  notice. 
Pascal,  Blaise.  An  eminent  French 
mathematician  and  philosopher,  b.  1623. 
D.  1662. 
Pasch,  i)ask.  The  passover  ;  the  feast  of 
Easter.  Paschal  cycle,  the  cycle  which 
serves  to  ascertain  when  Easter  occurs, 
formed  by  multiplying  together  the  cycle 
of  the  sun  (twenty-eight  years)  and  that 
of  the  moon  (nineteen  years). 
Paschal.  The  name  of  three  popes,  the 
last  P.  III.  (Guido  de  Grema),  elected 
1165,  in  opposition  to  Alexander  III.,  was 
declared  an  usurper,  although  supported 
by  Emperor  Frederick!.;  n.  1168. 
Pasha,  pa-shii'.  In  Turkey,  an  honorary 
title  originally  bestowed  on  i)rinces  of  the 
blood,  but  now  conferred  upon  military 
commanders  of  high  rank  and  the  govern- 
ors of  provinces.  There  are  three  grades, 
distinguished  by  a  number  of  horse-tails 
attached  to  a  laiice.  Three  horse-tails  are 
allotted  to  the  highest  dignitaries,  who 
have  also  the  title  of  vizier.  Spelled  also 
Pacha. 
Pasht,  pasht.  In  Egypt.  Myth,  a  god- 
dess chiefly  worshiped  in  Bubastus,  iu 
Lower  Egypt,  whence  her  alternative 
name  of  Bubastes.  She  Avas  the  daughter 
of  the  groat  goddess  Isis,  and  was  repre- 
sented with  the  head  of  a  cat,  the  animal 
sacred  to  her. 

Pasigraphy.  pa-sig'ra-fi.  An  imaginary' 
system  of  writing  that  may  be  understood 
and  used  by  all  nations  ;  a  universal  lan- 
guage. 

Passant,  'ant.     In  Her.  applied  to  a  lion 
or  other  animal  which  appears  to  walk. 
Passe-garde,   -giird.     In  armor,  a  pro- 
jecting piece  on  the  paukb-ons  or  shoulder- 
pieces,  to  wai'd  olf  the  blow  of  the  lance. 

P  assenger- 

pigeon,   'en-jer- 

l)ij-on.     A  bird  of 

the  pigeon    fam., 

the  Ectopistes  mi- 

gratorius. 
Passional,    pa'- 

shon-al.      A    MS. 

of  the   four  Gos- 
pels, upon  which 

the  kings  of  Eng- 
land, from  Henry 

I.  to  Edward  VI., 

took  the    eorona* 

tion  oath. 


PASSIONARY 


PATRIARCH 


Passionary,  -a-ri.  A  book  in  which  are 
'.escribcHl  the  sufferings  of  saints  and 
martyrs. 

Passionist,  -ist.  A  member  of  a  relig- 
ious order  in  the  Church  of  Home,  found- 
e*l  in  17:^7  by  Paolo  Ei-ancisco  de  Danei, 
who  afterwards  assumed  the  name  of 
"  Delia  Croce."  It  is  also  known  as  the 
Order  of  the  Holy  Cross  and  the  Passion 
of  Christ. 

Passion-play,  -pla.  A  mystery  or  mi- 
racle-play representing  the  different  scenes 
in  the  passion  of  Christ.  One  is  periodi- 
cally repi'esented  at  Oberammcrgau,  in 
the  Bavarian  highlands,  the  only  miracle- 
I)lay  which  has  survived  to  the  present 
day. 

Passion-tide,  -tid.  The  season  at  which 
the  Church  commemorates  the  sufferings 
and  death  of  Christ. 

Passover,  pas'o-ver.  The  principal  feast 
of  the  Jews, instituted  to  commemorate  the 
escape  of  the  Hebrews  in  Egypt,  when 
God,  smiting  the  first-born  of  the  Egyp- 
tians passed  over  the  houses  of  the  Israel- 
ites, which  were  marked  with  the  blood 
of  the  paschal  lamb  ;  celebrated  on  the  first 
full  moon  of  the  spring,  from  the  14th  to  the 
21st  of  Nisan,  the  first  month  of  the  sacred 
year.  During  the  eight  days  of  the  feast 
the  Israelites  were  permitted  to  eat  only 
unleavened  bread,  hence  thepassover  was 
also  called  the  feast  of  unleavened  bread. 

Pastil,  'til.  A  roll  of  aromatic  paste, 
composed  of  gum  benzoin,  sandal-wood, 
spices,  charcoal  powder,  &c.,  for  burning 
as  a  fumigator  or  disinfectant.  An  aro- 
matic confection. 

Patala,  pat'a-la.  In  Hind.  Myth,  one  of 
the  inferior  regions,  consisting  of  seven  or 
eight  divisions,  each  10,000  miles  deep.  Itis 
an  exceed- 
ingly pleas- 
ant place, 
inhabited 
by  snake  or 
serpent 
gods,  male 
and  female, 
decorated 
with  bril- 
liant jewels, 
and  who 
feast  on  de- 
licious vi- 
ands and 
choice 
wines. 

Patamar, 
-mar.    A  peculiar  vessel  employed  in  the 
coasting  trade  of  Bombay  and  Ceylon. 


Patamar  of  Malabar. 


Pastor,  'tor.  A  minister  of  the  gospel 
having  tke  charge  of  a  church  and  congre- 
gation. A  beautiful  bird  (Pastor  roseus) 
with  a  tufted  head,  allied  to  the  starling. 

Pastorai-stalf,  -al-staf.  The  oflicial 
staff'  of  a  bishop  or  abbot,  having  the  head 
curved  in  the  form  of  a  shepherd's  crook 
as  a  symbol  of  the  pastoral  ofiice. 

Patagonia.  The  southerly  portion  of  S. 
America,  bounded  N.  by  the  Argentine 
Confederation,  E.  by  the  Atlantic,  W.  by 
the  Pacific,  S.  by  the  Straits  of  Magellan. 
It  has  never  been  fully  explored. 

Patent,  pilt'ent.  A  privilege  from  the 
government  conveying  the  solo  right 
to  make,  use  or  dispose  of  some  new  in- 
vention or  discovery  for  a  certain  period. 

Patent-rig-h.t,  -rit.  The  exclusive  priv- 
ilege granted  to  the  first  inventor  of  a  new 
manufacture  of  making  articles  according 
to  his  invention. 


Grecian  Patera. 


rifices  and  libations.  In  Arch,  the  repre- 
sentation of  a  flat  round  dish  in  bas-relief, 
used  as  an  ornament  in  friezes,  &c. 

Paterfamilias,  pa'ter-fa-mil"i-as.  The 
father  or  head  of  a  family. 

Paternoster,  pa'ter-nos-ter.  The  Lord's 

grayer.  Every  tenth  large  bead  in  the 
;.  C.  Rosary.  At  this  they  repeat  the 
Lord's  prayer,  atd  at  the  intervening 
small  ones  an  Ave  Maria.  The  rosary 
itself.  In  Arch.,  a  species  of  ornament  in 
the  shape  of  beads  used  in  baguettes, 
astragals,  &c. 

Pathology,  -thol'o-ji.  That  part  of 
medicine  which  explains  the  nature,  causes 
and  symptoms  of  diseases,  comprehending 
nosology,  etiology  and  symptomatology. 

Patina,  -te'na.  The  fine  green  rust  with 
which  ancient  bronzes  and  copper  coins 
and  medals  become  covered  by  lying  in 
particular  soils,  which,  like  varnish,  is  at 
once  i)re8ervative  and  ornamental,  con- 
sisting of  carbonate  or  oxide  of  copper. 

Patmos.  The  small  isiand  of  the  Greek 
Archipelago  on  which  St.  John  wrote  his 
Revelation  ;  it  is  20  m.  S.  of  Samos. 

Patriarch,  pa'tri-iirk.  The  father  and 
ruler  of  a  family.  It  is  usually  applied  to 
the  progenitors  of  the  IsraeUtes,  Abra- 
ham, Isaac,  Jacob  and  the  sons  of  Jacob. 


PATKIAECHISM 


PEA  EIDGE 


In  the  Greek  and  Latin  Cliurches,  a  dig- 
nitaiy  superior  to  the  order  of  archbish- 
ops ;  as  the  patriarch  of  Constantinople. 
Any  venerable  old  man. 

Patriarchism,  -izm.  Government  by 
a  j)at:riarch  or  the  head  of  a  family,  wlio 
■was  botii  ruler  and  priest,  as  Noah,  Abra- 
ham and  Jacob. 

Patrician,  pa-trish'an.  A  person  of  no- 
ble birth;  a  nobleman.  In  the  Eoman 
state,  the  patricians  wei-e  the  descendants 
of  the  first  Eoman  senators. 

Patricide,  pat'ri-sld.  The  murder  or 
murderer  of  a  father  ;  parricide. 

Patrick,  St.,  Order  of.  An  Irish  order 
of  knighthood,  instituted  17S3  by  King 
George  III. 

Patrick,  St.  The  patron  saint  of  Ireland, 
B.  in  Scotland  3T2.  March  17  is  celebrated 
in  his  honor. 

Patrico,  pat'ri-kr>.    A  gypsy  priest. 

Patrist,  pa'trist.  One  versed  in  the  lives 
or  works  of  the  fathers  of  the  Christian 
church. 

Patronymic,  pat-ro-nim'ik.  A  name 
derived  from  parents  or  ancestors. 
A  family  name  ;  a  surname ;  a  name  add- 
ed to  the  baptismal  or  Christian  name. 

Patroon,  pa-tron'.  One  who  received  a 
grant  of  a  certain  tract  of  land  and  mano- 
rial privileges,  with  the  right  to  entail, 
under  the  old  Dutch  governments  of  Xew 
York  and  New  Jersey. 

Patten,  pat'en.  In  Masonry,  the  base  of 
a  column  or  sole  for  the  foundation  of  a 
waU.    A  wooden  shoe  or  sole. 

Paul.  The  name'  of  five  popes,  also  of 
a  Czar  of  Eussia,  son  of  Peter  III.  and 
Catherine  II.;  b.  1754,  crowned  1796, 
forced  to  abdicate  and  mvu-dered  1801. 
P.  St.  (Saul),  was  the  most  eminent  oft!' 0 
apostles  ;  b.  at  Tarsus  abt.  1  a.  d.,  i.^ar- 
tyred  in  Eome  67.  P.,  St.  Vincent  de,  a 
celebrated  French  philanthropist,  founder 
of  the  order  of  Sisters  of  Charity ;  jb.  1576, 
D.  1660,  canonized  1737. 

Pauldron,  pal'dron. 
In  Armor,  a  stioulder- 
plate  of  one  piece. 

Paulian,  'i-an.  A  fol- 
lower of  Paul  of  Samos- 
ata,  a  heretic  of  the  3d 
century. 

Panlician,  -I'sh  a  n  . 
One  of  a  sect  named 
fi-om  Paulus,  an  Arme- 
nian. They  rejected  the 
worship  of  the  Virgin, 
the     saints      and    the       Pauldron, 


cross  ;  and  asserted  a  right  freely  to  search 
the  Scriptures.  Their  history  is  inter- 
woven with  that  of  the  Greek  Church  of 
the  9th  and  10th  centuries. 

Pauncll.  pansh.  The  belly  and  its  con- 
tents. The  first  and  largest  stomach  in 
ruminating  quadrupeds. 

Pavia.  Cap.  of  provinc«<of  same  name, 
N.  Italy,  famous  for  its  university,  said  to 
have  been  founded  by  Charlemagne  774  ; 
on  the  Ticino,  19  m.  S.  of  Milan  ;  pop.  abt. 
30,000. 

Pavise,  pav'is.  A  large  shield  covering 
the  whole  body,  managed  by  a  pavisor  for 
his  own  and  the  protection  of  the  archer 
before  whom  he  stationed  himself. 

Pavo,  pa'vo.  A  constellation  in  the  south- 
ern hemisi)here. 

Pavonidae,  pa-von'i-dc.  The  peacock 
family,  which  include  the  peacock,  argus- 
pheasant,  and  the  peacock -pheasant. 

Pa"WXl,  pan.  A  piece  of  the  lowest  rank 
at  chess. 

Pawnbroker,  'brok-er.  One  licensed 
to  lend  money  on  pledge  or  the  deposit  of 
goods. 

Pax,  jjaks.  An  ecclesiastical  utensil  in 
the  E.  C.  Ch.  which  is  kissed  by  the 
priests  during  the  Agnus  Dei  of  the  high 
mass.  The  decorations  ai-e  frequently 
rich. 

Payiae,  Jolin  Howard.  An  American 
author  and  poet,  composer  of  "  Home, 
Sweet  Home"  ;  b.  in  N.  Y.  1792,  d,  at 
Tunis,  while  U.  S.  Ccmsul,  1852. 

Pazend,  pfl'zend.  The  religious  dialect 
of  the  Parsers  of  India,  belonging  to  the 
Iranian  family  of  Aryan  tongues. 

Peabody,  George.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican merchant,  banker  and  philanthropist; 
b.  in  Mass.  1795,  d.  in  London  1869. 

Peacock,  •  k  o  k.  A 
large  and  beautiful  gal- 
finaceous  bird,  gen. 
Pavo,  the  male  of  the 
species,  the  female  be-, 
ing  called  a  peahen. 
The  peacock  is  said  to' 
have  been  introduced* 
into  Europe  from  Asia 
by  Alexander  the 
Great. 

Pear-gauge,  par'gaj 
An      instrument      for 


measuring  the    degree 


Peacocl 


of  exhaustion  of  an  air-pump  receiver. 
Pea  Ridge.     A  village  of  Benton   Co., 
Ark.,  noted  for  a  series  of  battles,  March 
6-8,   1862,   between   the  Federals,  11,000 
strong,  under  Gen.  Curtis,  and  the  Coa* 


PEAEL 


554 


PEDOMOTOE 


federates,  20,000  strong,  under  Gen.  Tan 
Dorn;  th©  latter  were  defeated. 

^earl,  perl.  A  silvery  or  bluish-white, 
hard,  smooth,  lustrous  su'istance,  ])ro- 
duced  by  certain  mollusks  ns  the  result  of 
some  abnormal  secretory  process.  Scien- 
tifically speaking,  pearl  consists  of  carbon- 
ate of  lime  iuterstratiiled  with  animal 
membrane. 

.Pearlash.,  ash.     Carbonate  of  potcsb. 

Pearl-barley,  'bar  li.  The  seed  of  com- 
mon barley  ground  into  small  round 
grains  like  i)earls. 

Pearl-diver,  div-er.  Oce  who  dives 
for  poarl  oysters. 

Pearl-edg-e, -ej.  A  narrow  thread  edg- 
ing to  be  sewed  on  laee  ;  a  narrow  border 
on  the  side  of  some  qualities  of  ribbon. 

Pearl-eye,  'I.  A  white  speck  or  film  on 
the  eye  ;  cataract. 

Pearl-Sshery,  fish-er-i.  A  place  where 
pearl-oysters  are  caught. 

Pearl-powder,  pou-der.  An  oxy chlo- 
ride of  bismuth,  used  as  a  cosmetic,  and 
also  as  a  fiux  for  certain  enamels  ;  pearl- 
white. 

Peasant,  pez' ant.  A  countryman  ;  one 
occupied  in  rural  labor. 

Peat,  pet..  A  kind  of  turf  used  as  fuel  in 
Scotland  and  Ireland.  It  contains  tannin, 
which  preserves  animal  and  vegetable 
matter  from  decomposition. 

Peat-bog",  'bog.  A  bog  or  marsh  con- 
taining  peat ;    a  peat 


Peba.  A  kind  of  arma- 
dillo found  in  South 
America. 

Peccary,  peka-ri.  The 
popular  name  of  a  pa- 
chydermatous      mam- 


PeUi. 


W^^sM.. 


mal,  gen. 
Dicotyle  s , 
nearly  re- 
lated to  the 
hog. 

Peck.  The 
fourth  of  a  V^-j.- v 
bushel;     a^',-^^l„_ 
dry     mea-    .V'>'«lr* 
sure   of    8     '""    ., 
quarts.  Collared  Peccary. 

Pectinibranchiata,  -ti  n'i-brang-ki- 
fi"ta.  Those  gasteropods  having  pectin- 
ated branchiae  or  gills. 

Pectoral,  'to-ral.  A  covering  or  protec- 
tion for  the  breast ;  the  extra  defense  for 
the  throat  and  chest  placed  over  the  cuir- 
ass.   Eccles,  a  sacerdotal  vestment  worn 


by  the  Jewish  high-priest.  In  R.  C.  Ch. 
the  clasp  or  fastening  of  a  cope.  The 
front  orphrey  of  a  chasuble.  The  appai-el 
on  the  breast  of  some  albs  j-.nd  tunics.  A 
medicine  for  complaints  of  vhe  breast  and 
1  lings. 

Pecten,  ten.  A 
gen.  of  marine 
bivalves,  fam. 
Ostreidae,  com- 
monly called 
clams.  P.  Jnco 
bffiusistho.scalloi 
shell  which  pi! 
grims  wereaccus 
tomed  to  wear  ir 
front  of  their  hats.  Pecten 

PedagogTie,  ped'a-gog.  A  teacher  of 
children  ;  a  school-master. 

Pedal,  'al.  Any  projecting  piece  of  met- 
al or  wood  which  is  to  be  pressed  down 
by  the  foot ;  a  treadle. 

Pedate,  'at.  Having  divisions  like  the 
toes  ;  footed. 

Pedestal,  es-tal.  In  Arch, 
an  insulated  basement  or 
support  for  a  column,  a 
statue  or  a  vase. 

Pedestrian,  pe-des'tri-an. 
One  who  journeys  on  foot. 
One  that  walks  ibr  a  wager. 

Pedetes,  pe-de'tez.  A  gen.' 
of  rodents,  fam.  Muridae.  al- 
lied to  the  jerboas. 

Pedimane,  ped'i-man.  One  of  a  family 
of  marsupials,  having  a  thumb  on  the 
hind  feet.    Tlie  opossum  is  an  example. 

Pediment,  -ment.  The 
low  triangular  mass  re- 
sembling a  gable  at  the' 
end  of  buildings  in  the 
Greek  style,  and  espe- 
cially over  porticoes  sur- 
rounded with  a  cornice. 
Also  a  similar  triangular 
finishing  over  doors  and  windows.  ' 

Pedipalp,  -palp.  One  of  an  order  of 
arachnidans  whose  feelers  are  armed  with 
a  forceps  and  are  extended  before  the 
head. 

Pedlreme,  -rem,  A  cmstaceous  animal, 
whose  feet  serve  the  purpose  of  oars. 

Pedometer,  pe-dom'et-er.  An  instru 
ment  by  which  paces  are  numbered  as 
a  person  walks,  and  the  distixnce  from 
place  to  place  ascertained.  They  are  very 
much  like  a  watch  and  worn  in  the  pocket. 

Pedomotor,  ped'o-m5-ter  A  veloci- 
pede. 


Pedestal. 


Pediment. 


PEDEO  I. 


655 


PELT 


Pedro  I..  Dom  (Antonio  Joze  d' 
Alcantara).  First  emperor  of  Brazil ; 
son  of  King  John  YI.  of  Portug-al;  b. 
1798 ;  forcea  to  leave  his  native  country  by 
the  French,  he  went  to  Brazil  1S07,  was 
made  regent  1S21  and  Emperor  1822  ;  s.  to 
the  Portuguese  crown  on  the  death  of  his 
father  1826,  he  shortly  abdicated  in  favor 
of  his  daughter,  Maria  de  Gloria;  sur- 
rendered the  Brazilian  throne  to  his  son 
1831;  he  returned  to  Portugal;  d.  188-1. 
D.  P  II.,  the  reigning  monarch  of  Brazil ; 
B.  1825  ;  became  emperor  when  6  years  of 
age  by  the  abdication  of  his  father  1831 ; 
assumed  fall  sovereignty  1840.  Four 
kings  of  Aragon  bore  this  name  ;  also  one 
king  of  Castile  and  Leon. 

Peduncle,  pG-dung'kl.  In 
Bot.  the  stem  or  stalk  that  sup- 
ports the  flower  and  the  fruit. 
In  Zodl.  the  muscular  process 
by  which  certain  brachiopods 
are  attached,  and  the  stem, 
vvhich  bears  the  body  (capitu- 
lum)  in  barnacles. 

Peel,  pel.  A  fortified  tower ;  a 
stronghold.  Originally  a  struc- 
ture of  earth  strengthened  by 
palisades,  but  later  a  small 
square  tower,  the  lower  part  forming  a 
lodging  for  cattle.  Such  strongholds  are 
frequent  on  the  Scottish  borders. 

Peel,  Robert,  Sir.  A  distinguished 
English  statesman  ;  b,  1788,  d.  1850. 

Peel.  A  wooden  shovel  used  by  bakers 
to  put  bi-ead  in  and  take  it  out  of  the  oven. 
In  Printing,  a  thin  piece  of  wood  with  a 
long  handle  affixed  to  it  in  the  shape  of 
the  letter  T,  used  for  hanging  up  sheets 
to  dry  and  taking  them  down. 

Peeler,  pel'er.  A  policeman ;  so  called 
from  Sir  Robert  Peel,  who  reformed  the 
British  police  force,  and  who  was  the  first 
to  introduce  a  poUce  costume. 

Peep-o' -day-boy,  pep-o-da'boi.  A 
member  of  a  band  of  insurgents  who  ap- 
peared in  Ireland  In  1784.  They  were  so 
named  from  their  visiting  the  houses  of 
their  antagonists,  called  defenders,  at 
break  of  day  in  search  of  arms. 

Peepul-tree.  pe'pul-tre.  A  large  spe- 
cies of  E.  Indian  fig.  The  Hindus  revere 
it  because  Vishnu  is  said  to  have  been 
born  under  its  branches. 

Peer,  per.  One  of  the  same  rank,  quali- 
ties, endowments  or  character ;  an  equal. 
A  member  3f  one  of  the  five  degrees  of 
nobility  (duke,  marquis,  earl,  viscount, 
baron).  Houseof  Peers,  the  British  House 
of  Lords. 


Peerage,  'aj.  The  rank  or  dignity  of  a 
peer  or  nobleman.     The  body  of  peers. 

Peeress,  'es.  The  consort  of  a  peer  ;  a 
woman  ennobled  by  descent,  by  creation 
or  by  marriage. 

Pegasus,  peg'a-sus.  In  Class.  Myth. 
the  winged  horse  of  the  Muses,  sprung 
from  the  blood  of  ^ledusa  when  slain  by 
Perseus.  With  a  stroke  of  his  hoof  he 
caused  to  well  forth  the  poetically  inspir- 
ing fountain  Hippocrene.  He  was  ulti- 
mately changed  into  a  constellation.  In 
Astron.  one  of  the  old  constellations  of  the 
northern  hemisphere  figured  in  the  form 
of  a  flying  horse.  A  gen.  of  acanthopter- 
ous  fishes  allied  to  the  gurnets. 

Pehlevi,  pa'le-ve.  A  later  dialect  of 
Zend,  into  which  the  Avesta  or  ancient 
sacred  books  of  the  Parsees  were  trans- 
lated for  the  use  of  priests.  It  was  a 
learned  language  which  disappeared  after 
the  Mohammedan  conquest. 

Peishwah,  pish'wa.  The  title  of  the 
prime  minister  of  the  king  of  the  Mahrat- 
tas. 

Pekan,  pe'kan.  A  species  of  marten 
nearly  allied  to  the  sable,  also  called  the 
Fisher,  valued  for  its  fur. 

Pekin.  Cap.  of  the  Chinese  Empire,  on  a 
plain,  100  m.  N.  W.  of  the  Yellow  Sea, 
bet.  the  Hoang-ho  and  Pei-ho  rivers  ;  pop. 
estimated  at  2,200,000. 

Pekoe,  pe'ko.    A  fine  black  tea. 

Pelagian,  pe-la'ji-an.  A  follower  of  Pe- 
lagius,  a  Welsh  monk  of  the  4th  centnry, 
who  denied  original  sin,  asserted  the  doc- 
trine of  free-will  and  the  merit  of  good 
works. 

Pelagius.  The  name  of  two  popes  ;  also 
of  the  founder  of  the  Pelagians. 

Pelasgians,  -las'ji-anz.  A  race  -widely 
spread  over  Greece,  Asia  Minor,  Italy  and 
the  coasts  and  islands  of  the  ^gean  Sea 
in  prehistoric  times. 

Pelerine,  pel'er-in.  A  lady's  long  cape 
or  fur  tippet,  with  ends  coming  down  to  a 
point. 

Pelican,  'i-kan.  A 
palmiped  bird,  gen. 
Pelecanus. 


Pelisse,  pe-les'. 

cloak  or  robe  worn  by« 

ladies. 
Pelissier,    Aima-  Pelican. 

b  1  e        Jean 

Jacques    (Due  de  Malakoff).     A 

marshal  of  France  ;   b.  1794,  n,  1864. 
Pelt,  pelt.    The  skin  of  a  beast  with  th» 

hair  on  it ;  a  raw  hJde. 


PEMMICAN 


556 


PENNSYLVANIA 


Pemmicaii,  pem'i-kan.  Originally  a  N. 
AuiericaH  Indian  preparation  consisting 
of  the  lean  portions  of  venison  dried  in  the 
sun,  pounded  into  a  paste  and  tightly- 
pressed  into  cakes ;  sometimes  a  few  ser- 
vice-berries being  added  to  improve  the 
flavor.  Pemmican  made  chiefly  of  beef  is 
furnished  arctic  expeditions  as  an  easily 
preserved  food,  Avhich  will  keep  for  a  long 
time,  containing  the  largest  amount  of  nu- 
triment m  the  smallest  space. 

Penance,  pen'ans.  An  ecclesiastical  cen- 
sure or  punishment  imposed  for  the  pur- 
gation or  correction  of  the  soul  of  an 
oftender  ;  or  the  sulfering  voluntarily  en- 
dured as  an  expression  of  penitence,  such 
as  fasting,  flagellation,  wearing  hair  shirts, 
&c.  In  the  K.  C.  Ch.  penance  is  one  of 
the  sacraments,  and  implies  contrition, 
confession  and  satisfaction,  and  is  followed 
by  absolution. 

Penates,  pe-na'toz.  The  household  gods 
of  the  ancient  Eomans,  whw  presided  over 
families,  and  were  worshiped  in  the  in- 
terior of  each  dwelling.  They  included 
the  lares, 

Pendrag-on,  pen-dra'gon,  A  chief  lead- 
er; a  generalissimo  ;  a  chief  king.  A  title 
anciently  conferred  on  British  chiefs  in 
times  of  danger,  when  invested  with  dic- 
tatorial power. 

Pendulum,  du-lum.  A  body  so  sus- 
pended from  a  fixed  point  as  to  move  to 
and  fro  by  the  alternate  action  of  gravity 
and  momentum.  The  time  occupied  by 
each  oscillation  or  swing  is  counted  from 
the  time  of  the  descent  of  the  pendulum 
from  the  highest  point  on  one  side  tiU  it 
attains  the  highest  point  on  the  opposite 
side.  Pendulums  receive  difterent  de- 
nominations, according  to  th,e  materials  of 
which  they  are  composed,  or  the  purposes 
they  are  intended  to  answer.  The  grid- 
iron pendulum  is  composed  of  any  odd 
number  of  rods,  so  connected  that  the  ex- 
pansion or  contraction  of  one  set  is  coun- 
teracted by  that  of  the  other.  The  mer- 
curial pendulum  consists  of  one  rod  with 
a  vessel  containing  mercury  at  the  lower 
end.  The  pendulum  is  of  great  impor- 
tance as  the  regulating  power  ®f  clocks, 
clocks  being  nothing  more  than  pendu- 
lums, with  wheelwork  and  a  weight  or 
spring  to  counteract  retarding  effects  of 
friction  and  the  resistance  of  the  air. 
Penelope,  pe-nel'o-pe.  A  gen.  of  galli- 
naceoiis  birds,  resembling  the  curassows 
both  in  appearance  and  habits. 
Penelope.  In  Hero.  Hist,  wife  of  Ulys- 
ses and  daughter  of  Icarius,  who  remained 
faithful  to  her  spouse  during  his  long  ab- 
eence  in  the  Trojau  war. 


Pen.vuiii. 


Pengruin,  'gwin.     A  com- 
mon name  for  natatorial  op 
swimming  birds,   gen.  Ap- 
teuodytes,  fam.  Aptenody- 
tidae  or  Spheniscida;,  allied  to 
the  auks  and  guillemots.    A 
species  of  W.  Indian  fruit, 
Avhoso  sharp  acid    juice  is  I 
sometimes    used    in   punchl 
and  also  converted  into  wine,  i 
Penitent,  'i-tent.      An  ap- 
pellation given  to  certain  fra- 
ternities in  Catholic  coun- 
tries, distinguished  by  their 
habits  and   employed  in  charitable  acts. 
Order  of  Penitents,  established  by  Bernard 
of  Marseilles,  about  the  year  12t2,  for  the 
reception  of  reformed  courtesans.    The 
Congregation  of  Penitents  at  Paris  was 
founded  with  a  similar  view. 
Penitentiary,    -i-ten  sha-ri.      At  the 
Court  of  Kome,  an  office  in  which  are  ex- 
amined and  dispatched  the  secret  bulls, 
graces  or  dispensations  relating  to  cases 
of  conscience,  confession,  &c.    An  officer 
in  some  E.   C.  cathedrals,   vested  with 
power  from  the  bishop  to  absolve  in  cases 
reserved  to  him.      The  pope  has  a  grand 
penitentiary,  who  is  a  cardinal  and  is  chief 
of  the  other  penitentiaries.     In  monastic 
establishments,  a  small  building  in  which 
a  penitent  confined  himself ;    also  that 
part  of  a  church  to  which  penitents  were 
admitted  during  divine  service.     An  in- 
stitution for  the  reformation  of  prostitutes. 
A  modern  house  of  correction  in  which 
offenders  are  confined  for  punishment  and 
reformation  and  compelled  to  labor. 
Penn,  William.    An  eminent  member 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  who  received  a 
grant  of  Pennsylvania  from  the  English 
Crown  ia   payment  of  a  debt  owing   his 
father,  and  led  the  colony  which  founded 
Philadelphia ;  b.  1644,  u.  m  England,  1718. 
Pennon,  'on.    A  small  pointed  flag  or 
streamer  formerly  carried  by  knights  at- 
tached to  their  spear  or  lance,  and  gener- 
ally bearing  a  badge  or  device ;  a  pennant. 
Pennsylvania.    One  of  the  original  13 
States  of  the  American  Union,  bounded 
N.  by  New  York,  E.  by  New  Jersey,  W. 
by  Ohio,  S.  by  Delaware,Maryland  and  W. 
Virginia;  area,  46,010  sq.m.';  pop.  4.2S2,- 
892.    Chief  cities,  Harrisburg,  cap.,  Phila- 
delphia,    Pittsburgh,     Eeading,   Wilkes- 
barre,  Easton,  Lancaster,  Erie,  Pottsville, 
Scran  ton  and  Bradford.     Principal  rivers, 
Susquehanna,  Delaware,  Schuylkill,  Juni- 
ata, Monongahela,  Alleghany,  Lehigh  and 
Cumberland.     Mountains,  parallel  x-angOfi 
of  th;e  AllegliaDleis  (AppaiacJuans). 


PEITNY 


557 


PERCH 


Penny,  'ni.  A  bronze  coin  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, of  which  there  are  12  in  the  shilling 
and  240  in  the  pound  sterling.  It  is  the 
radical  denomination  from  which  coins 
are  numbered,  the  halfpenny  and  farthing 
being  fractions  of  a  penny.  A  cent  in  U. 
8.  currency.  In  the  phrases  six  penny, 
eight-penny,  ten-penny  nails,  nails  of  such 
sizes  that  a'  thousand  will  weigh  six,  eight 
or  ten  pounds,  penny  retains  its  old 
meaning  of  pound  weight. 

Penny-dogr,  -dog.  A  shark  common  on 
the  south  co;ist  of  Britain ;  the  tjpe. 

Pennyweig-ht,  -wat.  A  troy  weight 
containing  24  grains,  anciently  the  weight 
of  a  silver  penny,  whence  the  name. 
Twenty  pennyweights  make  an  ounce 
troy. 

Penology,  pe-nol'o-ji.  The  science  which 
treats  of  public  punishments,  as  they  re- 
spect the  public  and  the  sufferer. 

Pensionary,  pen'shon-a-ri.  A  person 
who  receives  a  pension  from  government 
for  past  services,  or  a.  yearly  allowance 
from  any  source ;  a  pensioner.  One  of  the 
chief  magistrates  of  towns  in  Holland. 

Pensioner,  -er.  One  in  receipt  of  a 
pension  ;  one  to  whom  an  annual  sum  of 
money  is  paid  by  government  in  consider 
ation  of  past  services.  One  of  an  honor 
able  band  of  gentlemen  who  attend  on  the 
sovereign  of  England  on  state  occasions 
and  receive  an  annual  allowance  of  £150 
and  two  horses.  This  band  was  instituted 
by  Henry  VII.,  and  is  now  called  the 
Honorable  Body  of  Gentlemen-at-arms. 

Pen-slides,  'slidz.  An  instrument  used 
by  surveyors,  &c.,  for  drawing  maps  and 
plans. 

Penstock,  'stok.  A  trough,  tube  or 
conduit  for  conducting  water,  furnished 
with  a  flood-gate.  The  sluice  by  which 
the  water  supplying  a  water-wheel  is 
regulated.  The  barrel  of  a  pump  in  which 
the  piston  plays. 

Pentacle,  kl.  A  figure  consisting  of 
two  equilateral  triangles  so  an-anged  as 
to  form  a  six-pointed  star. 

Pentagrlot,  -glot.  A  work  in  five  Ian 
guages. 

Pentag'on.-gon.    In  Geom 
a  figure  of  five  sides  and  fl 
angles 

Pentarchy,  'tar-ki 
government  in  the  hands 
five  persons.  

Pentateuch,  'ta-tuk.    The  Pentagon, 
first  five  books  of  the  Old 
Testament. 

Pentecost,  'te-kost.     A  solemn  festival 


m.        >*s^ 

-\ I 


of  the  Jews,  so  called  because  celebrated 
on  the  fiftieth  day  after  the  16th  of  Nisan, 
which  was  the  second  day  of  the  passover. 
It  was  called  the  feast  of  weeks,  becausa 
celebrated  seven  weeks  after  the  passover, 
"Whitsuntide,  a  solemn  feast  of  the  EngUsh 
Church,  fifty  days  from  Easter,  in  com- 
memoration of  the  descent  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  on  the  apostles. 

Pentelic,  -tel'ik.  A  variety  of  marble 
resembling  Parian,  but  denser  and  finer 
grained.  The  Parthenon,  Propylaeum, 
Hippodrome  and  other  Athenian  monu- 
ments were  built  of  it. 

Pent-roof,  pent'rof.  In  Arch,  a  roof,  the 
slope  of  which  is  all  on  one  side  ;  a  shed- 
roof. 

Penult,  pe'nult.  The  last  syllable  of  a 
woi-d  except  one. 

Penumbra,  num'bra.  The^ 
partial  shadow  between  the  full 
light  and  the  total  shadow 
caused  by  an  opaque  body  in- 
tercepting the  light  from  a 
luminous  body.  All  points 
within  the  penumbra  are  ex- 
cluded from  the  view  of  some 
portion  of  the  luminous  body, 
and  are  thus  partially  shaded 
by  the  opaque  body ;  while  all 
points  Avithin  the  umbra,  or  to- 
tal shadow,  are  completely  ex- 
cluded from  view  cf  the  lumin- 
ous body.  In  painting,  the  boundary  of 
shade  and  light. 

Pepin.  The  name  of  several  distinguished 
members  of  the  Carlovingian  family,  of 
whom  P.  le  Bref,  son  of  Charles  Martel, 
was  the  first  king :  b.  702,  crowned  752, 
D.  768. 

Pepsin,  pep'sin.  The  active  principle  or 
digestive  ferment  of  gastric  juice.  A  prep- 
aration has  become  an  article  of  pharmacy 
under  the  name  of  pepsin,  obtained  by 
drying  the  glandular  layer  of  a  pig's  or 
caif  B  stomach  at  low  temperatures. 

Perambulator,  per-am'bu-la-ter.  An 
instrument  for  measuring  distances  trav- 
eled ;  an  odometer.  A.  small  carriage  for 
a  child,  propelled  from  behind. 

Peramelidae,  -a-mel'i-de.  The  bandi- 
coots, a  fam.  of  Australian  marsupials, 
which  appear  to  fill  the  place  of  the  hedge- 
hogs, shrew-mice  and  other  small  insec- 
tivora  of  the  Eastern  Continent. 

Perch,  perch.  The 
popular  name  of  sev- 
eral species  of  acan- 
thopter^'gious  fishes,  ^ 
gen.  Perce,  fam.  Per- 
oidae.     A  roost   for  Perch. 


PEECHANT 


558 


PERIPHEKY 


birds ;  also,  auytliing  on  which  they  light. 
A  measure  of  length  containing  5^  yards  ; 
a  pole  or  rod. 

Percliant,  perch'ant.  Among  sportmen, 
a  bird  tied  by  the  loot  for  the  purpose  of 
decoying  other  birds  by  its  fluttering. 

Percnopteris,  perk-nop'ter-is.  The  Al- 
pine or  Egyptian  vulture ;  Pharaoh's 
chicken. 

Percussion-bullet,  per-kush'on-biU- 
let,.  A  bullet  containing  an  explosive  sub- 
stance. 

Percussion-cap,  -kap.  A  small  copper 
cup  containing  fulminating  powder,  used 
In  a  percussion-lock  to  explode  gun-pow- 
der. 

Percussion-fuse,  -fuz.  A  fuse  in  a  pro- 
jectile set  in  action  by  concussion  when 
the  projectile  strikes  the  object. 

Percussion-lock,  -lok.  A  lock  for  a 
gun,  in  which  a  hammer  strikes  upon  a 
percussion -cap  placed  over  the  nipple,  and 
ignites  the  charge. 

Percussion-powder,  -pou'der.  Deto- 
nating or  fulminating  powder. 

Percussion-stop,  -stop.  A  stop  to  the 
harmonium,  which  renders  the  touch  like 
that  of  the  ]>iano-forte. 

Perdicidse,  -di'si-de.  The  name  of  a 
6ub-fam.  of  Tetraonidae,  including  the  par- 
tridges, francolins  and  quaUs. 

Perdix,  diks.  The  generic  name  of  the 
ti'ue  partridges.  The  common  partridge 
is  P.  cinereus. 

Perennial,  per-en'i-al.  A  plant  whose 
root  remains  alive  more  years  than  two, 
but  whose  stems  flower  and  perish  annu- 
ally. 

Perfectionist,  per-fek'shon-ist.  One 
of  a  small  sect  of  Christians  founded  by 
John  Hnmpnrey  Noyes  in  America  about 
the  middle  of  the  present  century  on  so- 
cialist principles.  The  principal  commu- 
nity was  established  on  a  farm  at  Oneida 
Creek,  New  York.  The  name  is  some- 
times applied  to  the  Methodists  and  Ply- 
mouth Brethren,  from  their  doctrine  that 
man  can  attain  to  perfection  in  this  life. 
Pergunnah,  per-guna.  In  Hindustan, 
a  circle  or  territory  comprising  a  limited 
number  of  villages. 
Peri,  pG'ri.  In  Per.  Myth,  an  imaginary 
being,  a  descendant  of  fallen  angels,  ex- 
cluded from  Paradise  till  their  penance  is 
accomplished.  Peris  may  be  either  male 
or  female. 

Pericardium,      per-i-ktlr'di-um.      The 
membranous  sac  that  incloses  the  heart. 
Perigee,    per'i-je.      That    point    of  the 


Pericarps. 


moon's  orbit  which  is  nearest  the  earth, 
and  when  the  moon  has  ai-rived  at  this 
point  she  is  said  to  be  in  her  perigee. 
Formerly  applied  also  to  this  point  in  the 
orbit  of  any  heavenly  body. 

Pericarp,  '  i  - 
kiirp.  The  seed- 
vessel  of  a  plant, 
or  the  shell  of  the 
seed-vessel.  When 
the  pericarp  sepa- 
rates into  distinct 
layers,  as  in  the 
plum,  the  skin  is 
called  the  epicarp, 
the  pulp  the  sarco- 
carp  and  the  stone 
the  endocarp.  The 
principal  sorts  of 
pericarps  are  the 
capsule,  silique, 
legume,  drupe, 
pome,  berry,  fol- 
licle, nat  and  stro- 
bilus  or  cone. 

Pericles.    An 
eminent  statesman 
and  orator  of  Athens;  b.  abt.  500  b.  c,  d. 
429. 

Perihelion,  -he'li-on.  That  part  of  the 
orbit  of  a  planet  or  comet  in  which  it  is  at 
its  least  distance  from  the  sun ;  opposed 
to  ajjhelion. 

Perimeter,  -im  et-er.  In  Geom.  the 
boundary  of  a  body  or  figure,  or  the  sum 
of  all  the  sides  ;  generally  applied  to  fig- 
ures bounded  by  straight  lines. 

Periodical,  pe-ri-od'ik-al.  Any  publi- 
cation which  appears  at  regular  intervals  ; 
newspapers,  reviews,  magazines,  &c. 

Periceci,  per-i-e'sl.  The  name  given  to  the 
original  Achaian  inhabitants  of  Laconia  by 
their  Dorian  conquerors.  In  Geog.  such 
inhabitants  of  the  earth  as  have  the  same 
latitudes,  but  whose  longitudes  dilfer  by 
180°,  so  that  when  it  is  noon  with  one  it 
is  midnight  with  the  other. 
Periostracum,  -os'tra-kum.  The  mem- 
brane which  covers  the  shells  of  most 
mollusks. 

Peripatetic,  'i-pa-tet"ik.  A  follower  of 
Aristotle,  so  called  because  Aristotle 
taught  his  system  of  philosophy  walking 
in  the  Lyceum  at  Athens.  One  that 
walks  about,  or  one  who  is  obliged  to 
walk.  Ironically,  an  itinerant  teacher  or 
preacher. 

Periphery,  pe-rifer-i.  The  outside  or 
superficial  portions  of  a  body ;  the  surface 
generally.      In  Geom.  the  boundary  lino 


PERIPTEET 


559 


PETAED 


of  a  closed  figure  ;  the  perimeter  ;  iu  a 
circle,  tie  circumference. 

Periptery,  -rip'ter-i.  In  Greek  Arch, 
the  range  of  insulated  coluums  round  the 
oella  of  a,  temple. 

Periscii,  -rish'i-i.  A  name  given  to  the 
inhabitants  of  the  polar  circles,  whose 
shadows  move  round,  and  at  certain  times 
of  the  year  describe,  in  the  course  of  the 
day,  an  entire  circle. 

Perissodactyla,  -ris'o-dak"til-a.  A 
section  of  the  Ungulataor  hoofed  animals, 
including  the  rhinoceros,  tne  tapirs,  the 
horse  and  its  allies,  and  some  extinct 
forms. 

Periwinkle,  per-i-\ving'kl.  A  gaster- 
opodous  moliusk,  gen.  Littorina.  The 
common  periwinkle  is  largely  used  for 
food. 

Permian,  per'mi-an.  In  Geol.  a  term 
applied  to  a  system  of  rocks  lying  beneath 
the  triassic  rocks,  and  immediately  above 
the  carboniferous  system. 

Perry,  per'i.  A  fermented  liquor  made 
from  the  juice  of  pears.  It  is  analogous 
to  cider. 

Perry,  Oliver  Hazard.  An  American 
commodore ;  u.  in  Khode  Island,  1785 ;  d. 
1819.  He  commanded  the  fleet  which  de- 
feated the  British  in  the  battle  of  Lake 
Erie,  1818. 

Perry ville.  A  ^illage  of  Bovle  Co., 
Ky.,  100  m.  N.  W.  of  Nashville,  near 
which,  Oct.  8,  1862,  Gen.  Buell,  in  com- 
mand of  100,000  Federal  troops,  defeated 
Gen.  Bragg  with  65,000  Confederates. 

Perseides,  per-se'i-dez.  A  name  given 
to  the  August  meteors,  because  they  seem 
to  radiate  from  the  constellation  Perseus. 

Perseus,  'sus.  In  Greek  Myth,  the  cele- 
brated legendary  hero,  son  of  Zeus  and 
Danae,  who  slew  the  Gorgon  Medusa.  In 
Astron.  one  of  the  forty-eight  constella- 
tions, containing  59  stars. 

Persia  (Iran).  An  important  kingdom 
of  W.  Asia,  bounded  N.  by  Asiatic  Eussia, 
Turkestan  and  the  Caspian  Sea,  E.  by 
Eeloochistan  and  Afghanistan,  W.  by  Tur- 
key, 8.  by  the  Persian  Gulf;  area,  648,000 
eq.  m.;  pop.  estimated,  11,000,000.  Prin- 
cipal cities,  Teheran,  cap.,  and  Tabreez, 
the  commercial  emporium.  Chief  rivers, 
Aras  and  Kerkhas.  Mountains,  Elborz 
and  several  isolated  ranges. 

Persian  G-ulf.  An  arm  of  the  Indian 
Ocean,  between  Persia  and  Arabia ;  length 
570  m. ;  mean  breadth,  160  m. 

Persic,  'sik.  The  Persian  language  ;  a 
member  of  the  Iranian  group  of  the  Aryan 

'family  of  tongues. 


Perspective,  per-spek 

tiv.      A  view  taken  by 

optical  rules ;    a    glaer, 

through  which    objects  | 

are  viewed. 
Peru.     A  republic  of  | 

Western   S.   Ani erica, 

bounded  N.  by  Ecuador     Perspective. 

and  Brazil,  E.  by  Bohvia, 

W.  by  the  Pacific,  S.  bv  Chili ;  area,  510,- 

107  sq.  m. ;    pop.  abt.  8,000,000,      Princi- 

fai  cities,  Lima,  cap.,  Callao,  Arica, 
quique,  Islay,  Pisco  and  Payta.  Chief 
rivers,  Ucayale,  Purus,  Tunguragua, 
Apurimac,  and  Pilcomayo,  all  tributaries 
of  the  Amazon. 

Perug-ino  (Pietro  Vanucci).  An 
eminent  Italian  painter,  instructor  of 
Raphael ;  n.  1446,  d.  1524. 

Peruke,  pe-ruk'.  An  artificial  cap  of 
hair ;  a  periwig. 

PeschitO,  pesh'i-to.  Lit.  single  or  true. 
A  term  applied  to  a  SjTian  transl<ition  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  supposed, 
to  have  been  made  in  the  2d  century,  pos- 
sessing high  authorit}^  especially  in  regard 
to  the  New  Testament,  of  which  it  waa 
probably  the  first  translation.  Four  of 
the  epistles  and  the  Revelation  are  want- 
ing. 

Peso,  pa'so.  A  dollar ;  a  term  used  in 
Spanish  S.  America. 

Pessimism,  pes'im-izm.  The  opinion 
that  maintains  the  most  unfavorable  view 
of  everything  in  nature,  and  that  the 
present  state  of  things  only  tends  to  evil ; 
opposed  to  optimism. 

Pesth..  Cap.  of  Hungary,  on  the  Danube, 
opposite  and  connected  by  a  bridge  with 
Buda ;  pop.  224,804. 

Pestle,  '1.  An  instrument  for  pulverizing 
substances  in  a  mortar. 

Pet,  pet.  A  lamb  brought  up  by  hand. 
A  fondling ;  any  animal  fondled  and  in- 
dulged. A  darling ;  a  favorite  child ;  one 
treated  vsdth  excessive  kindness. 

Petal,  'al.  A  flower 
leaf;  one  of  the  sepa- 
rate parts  of  a  corolla, 

Petalism,  -izm.  A( 
form  of  sentence,  the 
name  being  written  on ' 
a  leaf,  among  the  an- 
cient Syracusans,  by 
which  "persons  con- 
sidered dangerous  to 
the  State  were  condemned  to  banishment 
for  five  years.  Petalism  in  Syracuse  an- 
swered to  ostracism  in  Athens. 

P«tard,  pe-tard'.     An  ancient  engine  of 


Petals. 


PETEE  I. 


560 


PHACOCHERE 


war,  made  of  metal,  loaded  with  powder 
and  fixed  on  a  madrier  or  plank,  and  used 
to  force  gates,  barricades,  &c.,  by  explo- 
sion. 

Peter  I.  (The  Great).  Czar  of  Eussia ; 
B.  1C72,  s.  his  brother  Feodor,  16S2,  to  the 
exclusion  of  Ivan,  an  older  brother  .  as- 
sumed full  sovereignty  1695,  p.  1725.  Two 
other  czars  have  borne  the  name.  P.,  St., 
one  of  the  first  called  and  most  distin- 
.  guished  of  Christ's  twelve  apostles,  orig- 
inally called  Simon,  son  of  Jona,  b.  at 
Bethsaida .  crucified,  head  downward,  abt. 
66.  P.,  the  Hermit,  the  originator  of  the 
First  Crusade,  a  French  monk,  B.  abt 
1060,  D.  1115. 

Peter-pence,  pe'ter-pens.  A  tribute  orig- 
inally collected  in  several  kingdoms  of 
Europe  for  the  popes,  who  are  considered 
by  the  Roman  Catholics  as  the  successors 
of  St.  Peter.  A  voluntary  annuui  oifering 
made  by  E.  C.  in  all  countries  for  the 
pope.     Called  also  Peter' s-Penoe. 

Petersburg:.  A  city  of  Dinvdddie 
Co.,  Va.,  22  m.  8.  ofEichmond,  in  the 
vicinity  of  which  were  fought  several  of 
the  most  important  battles  of  the  civil 
war ;  pop.  21,656. 

Petersburg,  St.  Cap.  of  the  Eussian 
Empire,  on  the  Neva,  near  the  Gulf  of 
Finland  ;  pop.  715,500.  The  seat  of  gov- 
ernment was  transferred  from  Moscow, 
1712. 

Peter's-flsh,  pe'terz-fish.  A  name  given 
to  the  haddock,  from  the  spots  on  either 
side  being  supposed  to  be  the  murks  of 
St.  Peter's  fingers  when  he  caught  that 
flshfor  the  tribute.  It  is  also  sometimes 
given  to  the  sea-bream  and  the  John  Dory, 
both  having  similar  marks. 

Petersham,  'ter-sham.  The  name  of  an 
Enghsh  overcoat,  fori5ierlv  fashionable. 
The  heavy,  rough-napped  woolen  cloth  of 
which  such  coats  were  made. 

Petrarch  (Francesco  Petrarca).  An 
eminent  Italian  poet  and  diplomat;  b.  1304, 
D.  1374. 

Petrel,  pet'rel.  The 
common  name  of 
web-footed  oceanic 
birds,  fam.  Procel- 
laridiB,  closely  re-  ,^,_,^ 
sembling  the  g'ulls.     ^p;  ^.__ 

Petrine,       pe'trin.  ^^.  -^^i^ 

Eelating  to  St.  Peter;    -^— ^^as-^ 

as,  the  P.  epistles.  P.  Petrel, 

liturgy,   the    liturgy 

used  at  Eome,  which  tradition  says  was 
drawn  up  by  St.  Peter. 

Petrobrusian,  pet-ro-brH'zi-an.    A  fol- 


lower of  Pierre  de  Bruys,  a  Proven^,  who 
in  the  12th  century  preached  agginst  the 
doctrine  of  baptismal  regeneration,  the 
use  of  churches,  relics,  &c.,  pf avers  for 
the  dead,  and  the  doctrine  yf  the  real 
presence. 

Petroleum,  potro'Ie-um.  A  variety  ot 
naphtha,  called  also  rock  or  mineral  oil, 
a  Hquid  inflammable  substance,  exuding 
from  the  earth,  chiefly  from  beds  associ- 
ated with  coal  strata.  It  is  extensively 
employed  for  illuminating  purposes,  is 
sometimes  used  in  medicine  and  as  a 
lubricant. 

Petrolog-ist,  troFo-jist.  A  student  of 
petrology,  or  one  versed  in  the  mlneral- 
ogical  constitution  of  rocks. 

Pettah,  pet'ta.  In  E.  Indies,  the  sub- 
urb of  a  fortified  town  ;  the  town  outside 
a  fort. 

Pettifogrgrer,  -ti-fog'er.  An  attorney  or 
lawyer. 

Petuntse,  pe-tun'tse.  The  Chinese 
name  for  what  is  thought  by  geol- 
ogists to  be  a  partially  decomposed  gran- 
ite used  in  the  manufacture  of  porcelain. 

Peuting-erian,  pu-tin-ge'ri-an.  A  term 
applied  to  a  table  of  the  roads  of  the  an- 
cient Eoman  world,  written  on  parch- 
ment, it  Is  supposed  about  226,  and  found 
in  a  library  at  Speyer  in  the  15th  century. 
It  was  so  named  from  Conrad  Peutinger, 
a  native  of  Augsburg,  who  was  the  fii-st  to 
make  it  known. 

Pewit,  pe'viit.  The  laughing  gull  or 
mire-crow.    The  lapwing. 

Pewi;er,  pu'ter.  An  alloy  of  tin  and  lead, 
or  of  tin  with  such  proportions  of  lead, 
zinc,  bismuth,  antimony,  or  copper  as  ex- 
perience has  shown  to  be  most  conducive 
to  the  improvement  of  its  hardness  and 
color.  Britannia  metal  is  said  to  be  an 
alloy  of  equal  parts  of  tin,  brass,  antimony 
and  bismuth. 

Peyer's  G-lands,  pl'erz  glandz.  In 
Anat.  the  clustered  glands  of  the  intes- 
tines, first  discovered  by  Peyer,  a  Swiss 
anatomist. 

Pezoporinee,  pez'6-po-rT"ne.  The 
ground  parrakeets,  a  sub-fam.  of  the  Pslt- 
tacidjE. 

Pfennig",  pfen'ig.  A  small  copper  coin 
of  various  values,  current  in  various  states 
of  Germany.  Ten  pfennige  of  the  present 
German  currency  are  worth  a  little  more 
than  2  cents. 

Phacochere,  fak'o-ker.  The  wart-hog 
of  Africa,  a  pachydermatous  mammal, 
gen.  Phacochoerus,  akin  to  the  swine, 
chai-acterized  by  a  large  wart-like  excrea* 


PHAETON 


561 


PHIDIAS 


cence  on  each  side  of  the  face.  Tbey  are 
formidable  animals,  the  tusks  of  the  male 
protruding  8  to  10  Inches  and  forming  ter- 
rible \\eapon8. 

Phaeton,  fi'e-ton.  An  open,  four-wheel- 
ed carriage,  n«nally  drawn  by  two  horses. 
A  gon.  of  oceanic  birds  ;  the 'tropic  bird. 

Phalang-er,  fa-lan'jer.  A  gen.  of  mar- 
supial quadrupeds  inhabiting-  Australasia, 
also  called  phalangists.  The  hinder  feet  have 
a  large  opposable  thumb,  which  is  nailless, 


Vulpine  Phalanger. 

■with  four  toes  rrmed  with  claws,  and  the 
two  innermost  of  the  toes  are  joined  to- 
gether almost  to  the  end. 

Phalanstery,  f:il'an-ste-ri.  A  commu- 
nity of  phalansterians  living  together  ac- 
cording to  the  system  proposed  by  Fouri- 
er. The  editice  occupied  as  a  dwelling  by 
a  Fonrierito  community. 

Phallus,  'lus.  The  emblem  of  the  gen- 
erative power  in  nature,  carried  in  solemn 
g recession  in  the  Bacchic  orgies  of  ancient 
freece,  and  also  au  object  of  veneration 
among  various  Oriental  nations.  In  Bot. 
a  gen.  of  fungi,  division  Gasteromycetes. 

Phantasmagroria,  fan-tas'ma-go"ri-a. 
Any  exhibition  of  images  by  means  of 
shadows,  as  by  the  magic  lantern ;  espe- 
cially such  as  IS  produced  by  a  combina- 
tion of  two  lanterns.  Any  mixed  gather- 
ing of  figures  ;  illusive  images.  The  ap- 
paratus by  means  of  which,such  an  exhibi- 
tion is  produced .  a  magio  lantern. 

Pharaoh,  fa'ro.  A  name  given  by  the 
Hebrews  to  the  ancient  monarchs  of 
Egypt.  Pharaoh's  chicken,  the  Egyptian 
vulture.     Pharaoh's  rat,  the  ichneumon. 

Pharisee,  far'i-se.  One  ofa  sect  among 
the  Jews,  distinguished  by  their  st-ict  ob- 
servance of  rites  and  ceremonies  and  of 
the  traditions  of  the  elders,  who  consider- 
ed themselves  more  ritrhteous  than  other 
Jews.  Hence,  a  strict  observer  of  the 
outward  forms  in  religion,  without  the 
spirit  of  it ;  a  hypocrite.  ., 

Pharmaceutist,  far-ma-su'tist.  One 
who  prepares  medicines  ;  one  who  prac- 
tices pharmacy :  an  apothecary. 

Phfixmaco-dynamics,      ma-k  o  d  i  - 


nam"iks.  That  branch  of  pharmacology 
which  treats  of  the  power  or  effects  of 
medicine. 

Pharmacogmosia,  -kog-n6"si-a.  That 
branch  of  pharmacology  which  treats  of 
the  natural  and  chemical  history  of  unpre- 

fared  medicines,  or  simples  ;  also  termed 
harmacography  and  Pharmacomathy. 

Pharmacopoeia,  -ko-pG'"a.  A  dispen- 
satory, or  book  of  directions  for  the  prep- 
aration, &c.,  of  medicines. 

PharolOffy,  fa-rol  o-ji.  The  science  of 
exhibiting  light-signals  to  ships  for  their 
guidance. 

Pharos,  fa'ros.  A  light-house  or  tower 
which  anciently  stood  on  the  isle  of  Pha- 
ros, at  the  entrance  to  the  port  of  A.lexan- 
dria.  Hence,  any  light  house  for  the  du-ec 
tion  of  seamen. 

Phar3nix,  far'ingks.  The  muscular  sac 
which  intervenes  between  the  cavity  of 
the  mouth  and  the  narrow  oesophagus."  Its 
contraction  transmits  the  food  from  the 
mouth  to  the  oesophagus. 

Phasco- 
larctos,fa3- 

ko-liirk'tos. 
An    Austra- ! 
lian  marsupi-  i 
al  animal. 

Phasiani- 
d  86  ,  fu-zi- 
a  n  '  i  d  e.  A 
faniilj'  of  ra- 
sorial  or  gal- 
li  naceou  8 
birds,  of 
which      the 

gen.  Phasianus,  which  includes  the  pheas- 
ants proper,  is  the  type.     It  also  includes 
the  domestic   fowl, 
and  peacock. 

Phasmidse,  fas'mi-de.  Specter  insects 
or  walking-sticks,  a  fam.  of  orthopterous 
insects  allied  to  the  Maatidne,  remarkable 
for  their  very  close  resemblance  to  the  ob- 
jects in  the  inidst  of  which  they  live. 

Pheasant.fez'ant.  The  name  given  to 
several  beautiful  birds,  gen.  Phasianus, 
fam.  Phnsianidse.  ord.  llasores  or  Gallina3. 
The  golden  and  silver  pheasants  are  na- 
tives of  China. 

Pheon,  fe'on.  In  Her.  the  narbed  iron 
head  ofa  dart,  arrow  or  other  weapon.  A 
barbed  javelin  formerly  carried  by  the  ser- 
geant-at-arms  before  royalty.  Itis'still  used 
as  a  British  royal  mark,  and  called  "  the 
broad  arrow." 

Phidias.      A    distinguished     Athenian 


Phascolarctos  Cinereua. 


turkey,   guinea-fowl 


PHIGALIAJ?" 


PHCET<riX 


sculptor  ;  b.  in  the  4th  century  b.  c,  d. 
abt.  432. 

Phigalian,  fi-gu'h-an;  The  name  given 
to  a  series  of  2-3  sculptured  marbles  in  alto- 
rilievo,  from  Phigalia,  an  ancieut  town  of 
Peloponnesus,  now  deposited  in  the  Erit- 
tish  Museum,  where  they  form  part  of  the 
collection  known  by  the  name  of  the  El- 
gin marbles.  They  represent  the  combat 
of  the  Centaurs  and  Lapithae,  and  that  of 
the  Greeks  and  Amazons. 

Philadelphia.  The  commercial  me- 
tropolis of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  Delaware 
and  Schuylkill  rivers,  6  m.  above  their 
junction  and  87  m.  S.  "W.  of  New  York ; 
pop.  847,170. 

Philadelphia!!,  fil-a-del'fi-an.  One  of 
an  English  sect  of  the  17th  century 
founded  by  Jane  Leadby,  and  called  also 
the  Family  of  Love. 

Philanthropinism,  -an-throp'in-izm. 
A  system  of  education  on  so-called  natural 
principles,  promoted  by  Basedow  and  his 
friends  in  Germany  in  the  last  century. 

Philatory,  'a-to-ri.  In  E.  C.  Ch.  a 
transparent  reliquary  placed  horizontally, 
with  an  ornamented  top. 

Philhelle!list,  fil-hel'len-ist.  A  friend 
of  Greece ;  one  who  supports  the  cause 
and  interests  of  the  Greeks  (Hellenes). 

Philip.  The  name  of  two  noted  dukes 
of  liurgund}'^,  four  kings  of  France,  an 
emperor  of  Germany,  five  kings  of  Macedo- 
nia and  five  kings  of  Spain.  P.,  St.,  one 
of  the  twelve  Apostles  ;  b.  at  Bethlehem ; 
martyred  at  Hierapolis,  abt.  80. 

Philippi.  An  ancient  city  of  E.  Mace- 
donia, noted  for  its  proximity  to  the 
battlefield  on  which  Brutus  and  Cassius 
AA-ere  defeated  by  Octavius  and  Aniony. 
It  was  the  place  where  St.  Paul  first 
preached  in  Europe,  and  its  people  were 
the  subject  of  one  of  his  latest  epistles. 

Philippic,  fi-lip'pik.  One  of  a  series  of 
orations  delivered  by  Demosthenc  against 
Phihp,  king  of  Macedon,  father  of  Alex- 
ander the  Great,  in  which  the  orator  in- 
veighs against  the  indolence  of  the  Athen- 
ians, their  jealousy  of  their  allies,  &c. 
Hence,  anj'  discourse  or  declamation  full 
of  acrimonious  invective.  The  fourteen 
orations  of  Cicero  against  Mark  Antony 
are  called  Phihppics. 

Philister,  -lis'ter.  A  cant  name  given 
to  townsmen  by  the  students  in  German 
universities;  a  commonplace  person  of 
limited  culture  and  ideas ;  a  philistine. 

Philistine,  'tin.  An  inhabitant  of  Phil 
istia,  now  a  portion  of  Syria;  ancient 
enemiea  of  the  Hebrews.     The  English 


form  of  Philister,  a  term  appKed  by  Ger- 
man students  to  any  one  who  has  not 
been  trained  in  a  university.  < 

Philogyny,  -loj'i-ni.  Fondness  for  wa- 
men  ;  uxoriousness. 

Philology,  -lol'o-ji.  In  the  ancient 
Greek  sense,  the  love  of  learning  and 
literature  ;  also  the  study  of  language  and 
literature.  The  science  of  language  ;  lin- 
guistics. 

Philomela,  fil-o-me'la.  A  gen.  of  birds 
including  the  nightingale. 

Philosophy,  fi-los'vj-fl.  Lit.  the  love 
of  wisdom,  or  search  after  wisdom.  In 
modern  acceptation  the  universal  science 
which  aims  at  an  exi»lanation  of  all  the 
phenomena  of  the  universe  X)y  ultimate 
causes  ;  the  knowledge  of  phenomena  as 
explained  by,  and  resolved  into,  causes 
and  reasons,  powers  and  laws. 

Philter,  fil'ter.  A  potion  supposed  by 
the  ancients,  and  even  by  the  ignorant  of 
the  present  day,  to  have  the  power  of 
exciting  love. 

Phlebology,  fle-bol'o-ji.  That  branch 
of  anatomy  which  treats  of  the  veins ;  a 
treatise  on  the  veins. 

Phlog-iston,  floj'is-ton.  According  to 
an  obsolete  theory,  the  principle  of  inflam- 
mability ;  the  matter  of  fire  in  composition 
with  otlier  bodies. 

Phobanthropy,  fr>-ban'thro-pi.  A 
dread  of  mankind. 

Phoceena,  se'na.  A  gen.  of  Cetacea, 
fam.  Delphinidse,  comprising  the  por- 
poises. 

Phocidae,  'si-de.  A  family  of  cetaceans, 
of  which  the  seal  (Phoca)  is  the  type.  It 
includes  only  those  seals  which  have  no 
external  ears. 

Phoebus,  fc'bus.  A  name  of  Apollo, 
often  used  in  the  same  sense  as  Sol,  the 
sun. 

Phoenicopterus,  fe-ni-kop'ter-us.  A 
gen.  of  palmipede  or  natatorial  birds,  the 
flamingoes,  ord.  Lamellirostres,  fam. 
Phoenicopterid*. 

Phoenix,  fo'niks.  According  to  the 
ancient  Greek  legend  a  wonderful  female 
bird  of  great  beauty  which  Uved  500  or  600 
years  in  the  wilderness,  when  she  built 
for  herself  a  funeral  pile  of  wood  and  aro- 
matic gums,  lighted  it  with  the  fanning  of 
her  wings  and  then  consumed  herself, 
but  from  her  ashes  she  revived  again  in 
the  freshness  of  youth.  Ilonce,  the  phoe- 
nix often  serves  as  an  emblem  of  immor- 
tality. The  phcenix  i.3  always  drawn  by 
the  heralds  in  flames.  A  paragon  ;  a  per- 
son of  singalav  distinction  or  beauty.    A 


PHOLADID^  I 

constellation  in  tho  northern  hemisphere. 
A  gen.  of  palms,  including  the  date-palm. 

Pholadidse,  fo-lad'i-dG.  A  fam.  of 
lamellibranchiate  bivalve  mollusks,  sub- 
division Sinu-palhata,  sec.  Siphonida, 
comprising  the  genera  Pholas,  Xylophaga 
and  Teredo. 

Pholas,  'las.  A  gen.  of  marine  lamelli- 
branchiate bivalves,  fam.  Pholadidse,  pop- 
ularly known  as  piddocks.  They  pierce 
wood,  rocks,  indurated  clay,  &g.,  by  rasp- 
ing with  their  shell.  They  are  remsu-kably 
phosphorescent. 

Phonascetics,  fo-nas-set'lks.  System- 
atic practice  for  strengthening  the  voice ; 
treatment  for  improving  or  restoring  the 
voice. 

Phonetics,  -net'iks.  The  doctrine  of 
sounds.  The  science  which  treats  of  the 
sounds  of  the  human  voice,  and  the  art  of 
representing  their  combinations  by  writ- 
ing. 

Pnonograph.,  'no-graf.  A  type  or  char- 
acter for  expressing  a  sound ;  'a  character 
used  in  phonographj\  An  instrument  by 
means  of  which  sounds  can  be  permanent- 
ly registered,  and  afterwards  reproduced 
from  the  register. 

Phonography,  -nog'ra-fi.  The  descrip- 
tion of  the  sounds  uttered  by  the  organs 
of  speech.  The  representation  of  sounds 
by  characters,  each  of  which  represents 
one  sound  and  always  the  same  sound ; 
especially,  a  method  of  writing  or  graphic- 
ally representing  language,  invented  by 
Mr.  Pitman,  of  Bath,  England. 

Phosphor,  fos'for.  The  morning  star  or 
Lucifer ;  Yenus,  when  it  precedes  the  sun 
and  shines  in  the  morning  ;  phosphorus. 

Phosphorus,  -us.  A  solid  non-metal- 
lic combustible  substance,  hitherto  unde- 
composed,  occurring  chiefly  in  combina- 
tion with  oxygen,  calcium  and  magnesi- 
um, in  volcanic  and  other  rocks.  It  ex- 
ists also  in  the  plants  used  by  man  as  food, 
and  is  a  never-failing  and  important  con- 
stituent in  animal  structures.  It  was 
originally  obtained  from  urine,  but  it  is 
now  manufactured  ft-om  bones,  which  con- 
sist in  part  of  phosphate  of  lime.  It  is  ex- 
ceedingly inflammable.  Exposed  to  the 
air  it  undergoes  slow  combustion,  emits  a 
white  vapor  of  a  peculiar  alliaceous  odor, 
and  appears  luminous  in  the  dark.  On 
this  account  it  is  kept  under  water.  Phos- 
phorus will  combine  with  most  metals, 
forming  phosphides;  when  dissolved  in 
fat  oils  it  forms  a  luminous  solution  which 
is  chiefly  used  in  the  preparation  of  lucifer 
matches  and  phosphoric  acid.  It  is  of  all 
stimulants  the  most  powerful  and  diflPusi- 


53  PHOTOSPHERE 

ble,  but  highly  dangerous,  and  can  be  safe- 
ly administered  only  -with  the  utmost  cau- 
tion. 

Photics,  fo'tiks.  That  department  of 
science  which  treats  of  light. 

Photius.  A  Greek  who  was  made  pa- 
triarch of  Constantinople  on  the  deposi- 
tion of  Ignatius,  857.  Pope  Nicholas  es- 
poused the  cause  of  I.,  and  pronounced 
anathema  against  P.  The  latter  assem- 
bled a  council  which  excommunicated  the 
Pope,  and  was  the  origin  of  the  schism 
which  divided  the  Eastern  and  Western 
(Greek  and  Latin)  churches  :  p.  in  exile, 
886, 

Photo-electrotype,  'to-e-lek-tro-tip,  A 
process  in  Avhich  a  photographic  picture  is 
produced  in  reUef  so  as  to  afford,  by  elec- 
tro-deposition, a  matrix  for  a  cast,  from 
which  impressions  in  ink  may  be  obtained. 

Photo-engrraving:,  -engraving.  A 
process  in  which  the  action  of  light  on  a 
sensitized  surface  is  made  to  change  the 
nature  and  condition  of  the  plate  or  its 
coating,  so  that  it  may  afford  a  printing 
surface. 

Photo-gralvanography,  -gal-va-nog- 
ra-fi.  The  art  or  process  of  obtaining  from 
a  photographic  negative  on  glass,  by 
means  of  a  gutta-percha  Impression,  an 
electrotype  plate. 

Photoglyphy,  -tog'li-fi.  The  art  of  en- 
graving by  the  action  of  light  and  certain 
chemicals ;  a  method  by  which  photo- 
graphs and  other  transparent  designs  ean 
be  etched  into  steel,  copper  or  zinc  plates. 

Photography,  'ra-fi.  The  science  of 
the  action  of  light  on  bodies;  the  princi- 
ples of  phj'sics  and  chemistry  which  relate 
to  the  production  of  pictures  by  the  action 
of  light.  The  art  of  delineating  objects  by 
the  action  of  light. 

Photo-heliogrraph,  -t6-he'li-<>-graf.  An 
instrument  for  observing  transits  of  Ve- 
nus and  other  solar  phenomena. 

Photo-lithography,  -U-thog"ra-fi.  The 
art  of  engraving  on  stone  by  means  of  the 
action  of  light  and  of  certain  chemicals, 
analogous  to  that  of  producing  such  copies 
on  metal  by  photoglyphy. 

Photologry,  tolo-ji.  The  doctrine  or 
science  of  light. 

Photometer,  -tom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment intended  to  indicate  the  different 
quantities  of  light,  as  in  a  cloudy  or  bright 
day,  or  between  bodies  illuminated  in  dif- 
ferent degrees. 

Photosphere,  'to-sfSr.  The  luminous 
envelope,  supposed  to  consist  of  incandes- 
cent matter,  surrounding  the  son. 


PHRENOLOGY 


664 


PHYTOeEOGRAPHY 


I*hrenology,  fre-nol'o-ji.  The  science 
of  the  human  mind.  The  term  is  now  re- 
stricted, however,  to  a  doctrine  founded  on 
a  presumed  knowledge  of  the  functions  of 
ditferent  portions  of  the  brain  obtained  by 
comparing  their  relative  forms  and  mag- 
nitudes in  different  individuals  with  the 
propensities  and  intellectual  powers  of 
these  individuals. 

Phrygian,  frij'i-an.  A  native  or  inhab- 
itant of  Phrygia.  Eccles.,  one  of  an  early 
Christian  sect  in  Phrygia,  who  regarded 
Montanus  as  their  prophet,  and  laid  claim 
to  the  spirit  of  prophecy.  P.  cap,  the  red 
cap  of  liberty  worn  by  the  French  revolu- 
tionists. 

Phthisis,  thT'sis.  A  disease  commonly 
known  by  the  name  of  consumption ;  pul- 
monary consumption. 

Phylactery,  fi-lak'ter-i 
Any  charm,  spell  or  am- 
ulet worn  as  a  preserva 
tive  from  danger  or  dis- 
ease. In  Jewish  Antiq. 
a  strip  of  parchment  in- 
scribed with  certain  textsl 
from  the  Old  Testament, 
and  inclosed  within  a 
small  leather  case,  which 
was  fastened  with  straps 
on  the  forehead  just 
above  and  between  the 
eyes,  and  on  the  left  arm 
near  the  region  of  the 
heart.  Among  the  primi- 
tive Christians,  a  case  in 
Avhich  they  inclosed  the  relics  of  the  dead. 

Phylarch,  triark.  In  ancient  Athens, 
the  chief  or  governor  of  a  tribe  or  phyle. 

Phyle,  'le.  One  of  the  tribes  into  which 
the  ancient  Athenians  were  divided,  orig- 
inally four,  afterward  ten. 

Phyllium,  fil'i-um.  A  gen.  of  orthop- 
terous  insects,  fam.  Phasmidaa,  popularly 
known  as  leaf-insects  or  walking-leaves. 

Phyllostom- 
id8R,  fil-o- 
stom-'i-de.  The 
specter-bats,  a 
family  of  insec- 
tivorous Cheir- 
optera, which 
have  a  singular 
appendage  to 
the  nose  and  a 
forefinger  of 
two  joints. 
The      family 

comprises  the  vampires  or  biood-sucking 
l>»ts. 


Phylactery. 


Head  of  Vampire-bat, 


Phylloxera,  -ok-sG'ra.  A  gen.  of  in- 
sects which  infest  the  leaves  and  roots  of 
the  oak,  vine,  &c.,  forming  leaf-galls,  and 
causing  much  damage  in  wine-producing 
countries. 

Phylogenesis,  fl-lo-jen'e-sis.  The  his- 
tory of  the  genealogical  development  of  an 
organized  being ;  the  race  history  of  an 
animal  or  vegetable  type,  as  distinguished 
from  ontogenesis,  the  history  of  individ- 
ual development,  and  from  biogenesis,  or 
life-development  generally. 

Physalia,  -sa'H-a.  A  gen.  of  hydrozoa, 
sub-class  Siphonophora,  ord.  Physophori- 
da8,  remarkable  for  its  size,  the  brilliancy 
ofits  hues,  and  the  severe  burning  pain 
produced  by  its  contact.  The  P.  atlantica 
is  known  as  the  Portuguese  man-of-war. 

Physicalist,  fiz'ik-al-ist.  One  who 
maintains  that  man's  intellectual  and  mor- 
al nature  depends  on  and  results  from  hia 
physical  constitution. 

Physicistl  'i-sist.  One  skilled  in  physics; 
a  natural  i)hilosopher. 

Physico-philosophy,  -k6-fi-lo8"o-fl. 
The  philosophy  of  nature. 

Physico-theologT,  'lk-6-the-ol"o-jl. 
Theology  or  divinity  illustrated  or  en- 
forced by  physics  or  natural  philosophy. 

Physics,  'iks.  In  the  widest  sense,  that 
branch  of  science  which  treats  of  the  laws 
and  properties  of  matter ;  the  science  of 
nature  ;  but  the  terra  is  now  universally 
used  in  a  narrower  sense,  and  as  equivalent 
to  natural  philosophy.  It  includes  dy- 
namics and  the  branches  of  science  that  deal 
with  light,  heat,  electricity  and  magnetism. 

Physiognomist,  -i-og'no-mist.  One 
skilled  in  physiognomy  ;  one  able  to  judge 
of  the  particular  temper  or  other  qualities 
of  the  mind  by  signs  in  the  countenance. 

Physiognotype,  -tip.  An  instrument 
for  taking  an  exact  imprint  or  cast  of  the 
countenance. 

Physiography,  'ra-fi.  That  science 
which  treats  of  the  earth's  physical  feat- 
ures. 

Physiology,  -ol'o-jl.  That  science  which 
has  for  its  aim  the  study  and  elucidation 
of  the  actions  and  processes  incidental  to 
ajid  characteristic  of  the  living  state, 
whether  in  animals  or  plants. 

Physique,  fe-zek'.  The  physical  struc- 
ture or  organization  of  an  individual. 

P  h  y  t  o  -  chemistry,  f  l-to-kem'ist-ri. 
Vegetable  chemistry. 

P  h  y  t  o  geography,  f  i'tr)-je-og"ra-fl. 
The  geography  or  geographical  distribu- 
tion of  plants. 


PHYTOGLYPHY 


565 


PIKA 


Phytog-lyphy,  fl-tog'U-fi.  The  art  of 
printing  from  nature  by  taking  impres- 
sions from  plants  on  soft  metal,  from 
which  copies  can  be  taken.  Called  also 
Nature-printing. 

Phytography,  'ra-fi.  A  description  of 
plants;  that  branch  of  botany  which 
concerns  itself  with  the  rules  to  be  ob- 
served in  describing  and  naming  plants. 

.Phytonomy,  -ton'o-mi.  The  science  of 
the  origin  and  growth  of  plants. 

Piano-forte,  pi-an'o-for-ta.  A  metal- 
stringed  musical  instrument,  of  the  keyed 
species. 

Piarist,  pT'ar-ist.  One  of  a  religious 
order  who  devote  themselves  to  the  gra- 
tuitous instruction  of  youth  ;  instituted 
at  Rome  by  Joseph  Casalanza  in  the  17th 
century. 

Piaster,  pi-as'ter.  A  denomination  of 
money  of  various  values.  The  old  Italian 
piaster  was  equivalent  to  about  S5  cents  ; 
the  Spanish  piaster  about  $1 ;  while  the 
Turkish  piaster  is  scarcely  one-twentieth 
the  value  of  the  foregoing. 

Pibroch,  pe'broch.  A  wild  irregular 
species  of  music  peculiar  to  the  Highlands 
of  Scotland,  performed  on  a  bagpipe,  in 
imitation  of  the  different  phases  of  a  battle 
— the  march,  the  conflict,  the  flight,  the 
pursuit  and  the  lament  for  the  fallen. 

Picador,  pik-a-dor'.  In  bull-fighting, 
one  of  the  horsemen  armed  with  a  lance 
who  madden  the  bull  by  pricking  with 
their  weapons,  but  without  the  intention 
of  disabling  him. 

Picard,  'iird.  Eccles.,  one  of  a  sect  of 
Vaudois,  who  in  the  15th  centurj^  attempt- 
ed to  renew  the  practices  of  the  Adamites, 
going  stark  naked  and  believing  in  the 
community  of  women  ;  so  called  from 
Picard,  the  reviver  of  the  heresy. 

Picayune  -a-yun'.  The  name  for  the 
Spanish  half-real  in  Florida,  Louisiana, 
&c.  It  was  of  the  value  of  6i^  cents.  Now 
applied  to  the  half-dime — 5  cents. 

Piccolo,  'ko-lo.  A  small  flute,  the  tones 
of  which  range  an  octave  higher  than  those 
of  the  ordinary  flute.  An  organ  stop,  the 
pipes  being  of  wood  and  having  a  brilliant 
piercmg  tone.    A  small  upright  piano. 

Picidae,  pl'si-de.  The  woodpeckers  and 
wrv-necks.  a  fam.  of  scansorial  or  climbing 
bu-ds. 

Pickaninny,  pik'a-nin-i.  A  negro  or 
mulatto  infant. 

Pickerel,  'er-el.  A  small  pike,  a  fish, 
gen.  Esox. 

Pict,  pikt.  One  of  a  race  of  people  of 
disputed  origin,  who  ancientty  inhabited 


the  northeast  of  Scotland,  by  some  con- 
sidered Teutonic,  by  others  'a  branch  ol 
the  Cwmric  Celts. 

Pictor,  pik'tor.  A  southern  constellation, 

Picnl,  pi-kul'.  In  China,  a  weight  of  133  J 
lbs.  It  is  divided  into  100  catties  or  1,600 
taels.    The  Chinese  call  it  also  tan. 

Piedmont.  A  division  of  N  W.  Italy  \ 
bounded  N.  and  W.  by  the  Alps,  E.  bj 
Lombardv  and  Parma,  8.  by  Liguria*, 
area,  11,867  sq.  m. ;  pop.  abt.  3,000,000. 

Piedouche.  pya-dosh.  In  Arch,  a  brack 
et,  pedestal  or  socle,  serving  to  support  a 
bust,  candelabrum  or  other  ornament. 

Piedroit,  -drwa.  In  Arch,  a  square 
pillar,  partly  hid  -within  a  wall.  It  difl'ers 
from  a  pilaster  in  having  neither  base  nor 
capital. 

Piend,  pend.  The  sharp  point  or  edge 
of  a  mason's  hammer.  Written  also  Peen 
and  Pane. 

Pierce,  Franklin.  Fourteenth  Presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S. ;  b.  in  N.  H,  1304, 
elected  1852,  d.  1869. 

Pierides,  pi-er'i-dez.  A  name  of  the 
nine  Muses,  who  were  so  called  from 
Pieria,  near  Mount  Olympus,  where  they 
were  first  worshiped"  among  the  Thra- 
cians. 

Pietist,  pi'et-ist.  A  designation  given 
since  the  end  of  the  17th  century  to  a  re- 
ligious party  in  Germany  who  proposed 
to  revive  declining  piety  in  the  Reformed 
churches  ;  the  equivalent  of  Methodist, 

Pietra-dura,  pi-et'ra-do-ra.  A  name 
given  to  the  finest  Florentine  mosaic- 
work  executed  in  colored  stones,  as  jasper, 
carnelian,  amethyst,  &c 

Pigreon,  pij'on.  One 
of  the  birds  that  form 
the  fam.  Columbidae, 
sub.-ord.  Columbacei. 
genera  Columba,  Ecto- 
pistes,  Turtur.  &c. ;  a, 
dove  ;  the  migratory  oi* 
wild  pigeon  of  America  i 
The  varieties  are  dis- 
tinguished as  the  car- 
rier, powter,  shaker, 
tumbler,  &c.  P.  English,  a  conglomera- 
tion of  Enelish  and  Portuguese  words 
used  by  English  and  American  residents 
in  China  in  their  intercourse  with  the 
natives. 

Pigment,  pig'ment.  Paint;  any  sub- 
stance used  by  painters,  dyers,  &c.,  to 
impart  colors  to  bodies.  In  Physiol,  the 
coloring  matter  found  in  animal  and  plant 
bodies. 

Pika,  pi'ka.     The  calling-hare,  Doarly  al- 


Pigeon. 


PIKE 


PINNACLE 


Pilaster. 
An  easy  chariot 


lied  to  the  hares,  and  formln<?  the  fain* 
Lagomydse.  It  is  remarkable  tor  the  man 
ner  in  which  it  stores  up  its  winter  pro" 
vision,  and  also  for  its  voice,  the  tone  of 
which  resembles  that  of  a  quail. 
Pike,  pik.  An  ancient  military  weapon  ; 
a  long  wooden  shaft  wth  a  flat  steel  head 
pointed,  displaced  by  the  bayonet.  A 
central  spike  in  targets.  A  fish,  gen.  Esox. 
Pilaster,  pi-las'ter.  A  de- 
based pillar  ;  a  square  pillar 
projecting  from  a  pier,  or 
from  a  wall,  one-quarter  to 
one  third  its  breadth. 
Pile-driver,  pil'drlv-er.  A 
machine  worked  by  steam 
for  driving  piles.  In  the 
most  improved  the  weight  is 
raised  by  steam,  and  auto- 
matically detached  on  reach- 
ing the  top. 

Pilentum,  pi-len'tum, 
used  by  the  Eoman  ladies. 

Pillory,  pil'lo-ri. 
A  frame  of  wood 
erected  on  a  post 
or  pole,  with  holes 
through  which 
were  put  the  head 
and  hands  of  an 
oflFender,  by  way 
o  f  punishment ; 
abolished  in  Gt. 
Britain,  1S37. 

Pillworm, 
'werm.    The  pop-  —11 

nlar  name  of'^the  ^"<»7- 

millipede,  which  can  roll  itself  into  a  ball. 

Pilosity,  pl-los'i-ti.    Hairiness. 

Pilot,  pi'lot.  One  of  a  ship's  crew  or 
company  having  charge  of  the  helm  and 
the  ship's  route  ;  a  steersman.  A  person 
quahfied  and  appointed  by  proper  author- 
ity to  conduct  ships  into  and  out  of  par- 
ticular harbors,  or  along  certain  coasts. 
The  cow-catcher  of  a  locomotive.  Pilot's 
fairway,  any  channel  in  which  a  pilot  must 
be  employed.  Pilot's  water,  any  water 
in  which  the  services  of  a  pilot  must  be  ob- 
tained. 

Pilot-engine,  -en-jin.  A  locomotive 
sent  on  before  a  railway  train  to  clear  the 
way. 

Pilot-fish,  -fish.  A  fish,  fam.  Scomber- 
ida^,  gen.  Naucrates,  called  also  Kudder- 
fish :  so  named  because  it  frequently  ac- 
companies ships. 

Pina.elodus,  -mel-o'dus.  A  gen.  of 
malacopterygian  abdominal  fishes,  sepa- 
rated from  the  gen.  Silurus  of  Linnaeus. 


One  species  (P.  cyclopum),  6  inches  long, 
is  Eometimes  ejected  in  thousands  from  the 
craters  of  volcanoes.  They  are  supposed 
to  abound  in  subterranean  lakes. 
Pin,  pin.  In  China,  a  petition  or  address 
of  foreigners  to  the  emperor  or  any  of  his 
deputies. 

Pina-cloth,  pi'na-kloth.  A  delicate, 
soft,  transparent  cloth  made  in  the  Philip- 
pine Islands  from  the  fibers  of  the  pine- 
apple leaf,  and  made  into  shawls,  scarfs, 
handkerchiefs  and  the  like. 
Pinchbeck,  pinsh'bck.  An  alloy  con- 
sisting of  bO  parts  copper  to  20  parts  zinc, 
somewhat  like  gold  in  color,  and  formerly 
much  used  for  cheap  jewelry.  Hence,  it 
has  frequently  the  meaning  of  sham  ;  not 
genuine. 
Pindar.   An  eminent  Greek  poet; 

D.  441  B.  c. 
Pinion,  pin'yon.  The 
joint  of  a  fowl's  wing  re- 
motest from  the  bodv.  A 
feather;  a  quill;  a  wing. 
A  small  wheel  which  plays  • 
in  the  teeth  of  a  larger. 
Pin-money,  'muni.  An 
allowance  made  by  a  hus- 
band to  his  wife  for  her 
separate  use. 

Pinna,  'a.  A  gen.  of 
marine  bivalves,  fam.  Aviculidse,  com- 
monly called  wing-shells,  remarkable  for 
the  size  of  the  byssus  by  which  they  adhere 
to  rocks.  It  is  long,  delicate,  very  strong, 
has  a  silkv  luster,  and  is  woven  into  ex- 
pensive cloth. 
This  manu- 
facture was 
known  to  the 
ancients,  and 
is  now  prac- 
ticed in  Italy. 
Pinnace,  'as. 
A  small  ves- 
sel propelled 
by  oar«  and 
sails,  having 
two  masts 
rigged  like 
those  of  a 
schooner.  A 
boat  usually 
rowed  with 
eight  oars. 
Pinnacle, 
kl.  In  Arch.  I 
any  lesser 
structure  that 
rises  above  the  roof  of  a  building,  or  that 
caps  and  terminates  the  higher  parts  ot 


Pinnacles. 


PINE 


56T 


PISCICULTURE 


other  buildings  or  of  buttresses,  now  gen- 
erally limited  to  an  ornamental  spire. 

Pine,  pin.  Tlio  popular  name  of  trees, 
gcB.  Pinus,  ord.  Coniferse,  consisting  of 
lofty  evergreens.  About  TO  species  are 
known,  most  of  which  are  of  the  highest 
value  for  their  timber,  as  well  as  for  other 
products,  as  turpentine,  tar,  pitch,  resin, 
&c. 

Pine-apple,  'ap-1.  The  fruit  of  Ananassa 
sativa,  ord.  Bromeliaceae,  so  called  from 
ita  resemblance  to  the  cone  of  the  pine- 
tree.  Its  flavor  is  delicious,  and  it  grows 
to  a  large  size,  weighing  from  6  to  12  lbs. 
Cloth  is  manufactured  from  the  fibers  of 
the  leaves  of  the  plant. 

Pinnigrada,  'i-gra-da.  A  section  of  the 
carnivorous  order  of  mammals,  compris- 
ing seals  and  wah'uses.  Called  also  Pin- 
nipedia. 

Pinniped,  -ped.  A  fin-footed  animal ; 
an  animal  with  swimming  feet ;  one  of 
the  Pinnigrada. 

Pint,  pint.     A  measure  of  capacity,  the 
eighth   of  a    >-^-^:%:f^- -^iC -— =<'^v-\ 
g  a  1  Ion,  or  "^   '^-ni^lVi?  -^^^v^.\X\ 
84.65925  cu-   -j—. 
bic  inches.     ''-'.-":" 

Pipa,  pi 'pa. 


Tobacco  Pipe. 


Its  being  manufactured  into  tobacco-pipes. 
It  is  also  made  into  fine  earthenware  and 
used  by  military  for  cleaning  purposes. 
Pipe-fish, , 


Great  Pipe-fish. 


branchii,  fam.Syngnathidse,  so  called  from 
the  length  and  slenderness  of  the  body. 

Pipra,  pi'pra.  A  gen.  of  passerine  birds, 
tho  manakins. 

Piquet,  pik'et.  A  game  at  cards  played 
between  two  persons,  with  thirty-two 
cards  ;  the  deuces,  threes,  fours,  fives  and 
sixes  being  set  aside,  the  as  de  pique,  or 
ace  of  spades,  being  the  highest  card. 

Pique-work,  pG'ka-work.  A  minute 
kind  of  buhl-work,  employed  to  ornament 
snuff-boxes,  card-cases  and  the  like. 

Pirameter,  pl-ram'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  ascertaining  the  power  required 
to  draw  carriages  over  roads. 

Pirogrue.  A  kind  of  canoe,  made  from  a 
single  trank  of  &  tree,  generally  small,  and 


.^^ 


Pirogue  of  Fiji  Islands. 

worked  by  paddles ;  but  sometimes  large, 
decked,  rigged  with  sails  and  furnished 
with  outriggers. 

Pisa.  Cap  of  province  of  same  narne,  C. 
Italy,  noted  for  the  remarkable  campanile 
of  its  cathedral,  called  the  "  Leaning 
Tower,"  which  inclines  13  ft.  from  the  per- 
pendicular ;  pop.  abt. " 

Pisces,  pis'sez. 
In  Astron.  the 
Fishes,  the  12th 
sign  or  constella- 
tion in  the  zodiac, 
next  to  Aries,  rep- 
resented by  two 
fishes  tied  to- 
gether by  the;^ 
tails.  According 
to  Egyptian  Myth- 
ology'the  Pisces  were  hieroglyphic  of  the 
spring  season,  when  fishing  commences. 
The  name  of  the  first  gi-eat  subdivision  of 
vertebrate  animals,  or  the  class  fishes. 

Pisciculture,  -i-kul'tur.  The  breeding, 
rearing,  preservation,  feeding  and  fatten- 
ing offish  by  artlfidal  means ;  fish-culture, 


Pisces. 


PISMIRE 


PLATA,  PJO  DE  LA 


Pismire,  'mir.    The  ant  or  emmet. 

Pistil,  'til.  In  Bot.  the  seed-bearing 
organ  of  a  flower. 

Piston,  'ton.  A  short  cylinder 
which  fits  the  cavity  of  a  pump, 
and  acts  as  a  syringe.  i 

Pitch-chain,  pich'chan.  A 
chain  of  metallic  plates  bolted 
or  riveted  together,  to  work  in 
the  teeth  of  wheels. 

Pitch-circle,   'ser-kl.     In 
toothed     wheels,    the     circle 
which  would    bisect   all    the    Piston, 
teeth.    When  two  wheels  are 
in  gear  they  are  so  arraifged  that  their 
pitch -circles  touch  one  another.      Called 
also  Pitch-line. 

Pith,  pith.  A  column  of  cellular  tissue  in 
the  stem  of  an  exogenous  plant.  In  endo- 
gens  there  is  no  pith. 

Pithecus,  pi-the'kus.  A  restricted  gen. 
of  apes,  including  the  orang,  the  great 
pongo  of  Borneo,  and  the  P.  Morio.  The 
gen.  is  known  also  as  Simla. 

Pitt,  "William.  An  eminent  English 
statesman  and  orator;  b.  ]759,  n.  1806. 

Pittsburgh.  An  important  manufac- 
turing city  of  "W".  Pennsylvania,  at  the 
head  of  the  Ohio  River ;  pop.  156,389. 

Pius.    The  name  of  nine  R.  C.  pontififs. 

Piwarrie,  pl-w^ar'n.  A  disagreeable  in- 
toxicating beverage  prepared  by  natives 
of  S.  America  from  cassava 

Pixy,  pik'si.    A  sort  of  fairy. 

Pizarro,  Francisco.  A  Spanish  navi- 
gator and  soldier,  the  discoverer  of  the 
Pacific  and  conqueror  of  Pern  ;  b.  1475, 
assassinated  at  Lima,  Peru,  1541. 

Placebo,  pla-se'bo.  An  epithet  given  to 
any  medicine  adapted  rather  to  please 
than  to  benefit  the  patient.  In  R.  C.  Ch. 
the  vesper  hymn  for  the  dead,  beginning 
"  Placebo  Domino." 

Placenta,  -sen'ta.  The  after-birth ;  a 
temporary  organ  developed  within  the 
uterus  of  the  human  female  and  of  certain 
animals  during  pregnancy,  and  expelled 
shortly  after  the  birth  of  the  child  or  young 
animal. 

Placer,  pla-ser'.  A  gravelly  place  where 
gold  occurs ;  a  spot  where  gold  dust  is 
found  in  the  soil. 

Plagiarist,  plil'ji-a-rist.  One  that  pur- 
loins the  ideas  or  language  of  another  and 
pubhshes  them  as  his  own  ;  a  plagiary. 
Plaid,  plad.  A  garment  of  tartan  or 
checked  woolen  cloth  of  several  colors 
worn  in  Scotland,  and  forming  a  prom- 
inenc  part  of  the  national  costume. 


Planchet,  plansh'et.  A  flat  piece  of 
metal  intended  for  a  coin,  with  a  smooth 
surface  for  receiving  the  die  impression. 

Planchette,  plan-shet'.  A  name  given 
to  a  heart-shaped  piece  of  board  mounted 
on  supports,  two  ot  which  are  casters,  and 
one  a  pencil  which  makes  marks  as  the 
board  moves  under  the  hands  of  those 
whose  fingers  rest  upon  it.  A  circumfer- 
entor. 

Plane,  plan.    An  in-         ^      , 

strument     used     i  n  fiPlliiljil^iiiiiiiiijJiii 
smoothing  boards  ;  to  Plane 

make  smooth. 

Planet,  plan'et.  A  celestial  body  which 
revolves  about  the  sun  or  other  center. 
Those  which  revolve  about  the  sun  are 
called  primary  planets ;  those  which  re- 
volve about  other  planets,  and  with  them 
revolve  about  the  sun,  are  called  second- 
ary planets,  satelhtes  or  moons. 

Plane-table,  plan'ta-bl.  An  instrument 
employed  in  land-surveying,  by  which  a 
plan  may  be  made  on  the  spot  without 
the  measurement  of  angles. 

Planetarium,  plan-et-a'ri-um.  An  as- 
tronomical machine  which  represents  the 
motions  and  orbits  of  the  planets. 

Planetoid, 'et-oid.  One  of  a  numerous 
group  of  very  small  planets  revolving 
round  the  sun  between  the  orbits  of  Mars 
and  Jupiter.  Upwards  of  200  have  been 
discovered,  and  the  number  is  being  con- 
stantly increased.    Called  also  Asteroids. 

Planimetry,  pla-nim'et-ri.  The  art 
of  ascertaining  the  area  or  superficial  con- 
tents of  any  surface. 

Planing'-machine,  plan'ing-ma-shen' . 
A  machine  for  planing  wood.  A  machine- 
tool  for  planing  metals. 

Planisher,  plan'ish-er.  A  thin  flat-end- 
ed tool  used  by  tinners  and  braziers  for 
smoothing  tin-plate  and  brass-work.  A 
workman  who  smooths  or  planes. 

Planisphere,  'i-sfer.  A  sphere  project- 
ed on  a  plane ;  a  map  exhibiting  the  cu*- 
cles  of  the  sphere.  A  name  given  to  any 
contrivance  in  which  plane  surfaces  fulfill 
any  of  the  uses  of  a  celestial  globe. 
Plant,  plant.  One  of  the  organs  which 
form  the  vegetable  kingdom  ;  a  vegetable. 
Some  plants  seem  so  nearly  allied  to  some 
of  the  least  highly  developed  animals  that 
it  is  diflicult  to  say  precisely  where 
the  series  of  plants  ends  and  that  of  ani- 
mals begins. 

Plata,  Rio  de  ia  (River  Plate).  A 
large  stream  of  8.  America,  formed  by  the 
junction  of  the  Uruguay,  Paraguay  and 
Parana.    It  ia  125  m.  wide  at  its  moutk. 


Plantain. 


PLANTAIlif  C 

The  important  commercial  cities  of  Buenos 
Ayres  and  Montevideo  are  situated  on  its 
banks. 

Plantain,  plan'tan,  A 
name  applied  to  Musa 
paradisiaca,  cultivated 
in  all  ti-opical  climates 
for  its  fruit,  which 
sembles  the  banana.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  use- 
ful fruits  in  the  vegeta- 
ble kintrdom,  forming 
the  entire  sustenance  ot 
many  of  the  inhabitants  '- 
of  tropical  climates. 

Plantag-enets,  The 
A  line  of  English  mon- 
archs  founded  1154  by 
Henry  II.,  son  of  Geof- 
froi,  Y.,  Duke  of  Anjou,  and  Matilda, 
daughter  of  Henry  I.  of  England  ;  it  be- 
came extinct  vrith  Eichard  III.,  1485. 

Plantigrada,  plan'ti-gra-da.  A  section 
of  carnivorous  animals  in  which  the  whole, 
or  nearly  the  whole,  of  the  sole  of  the  foot 
is  applied  to  the  gi-ound  in  walking.  It 
includes  the  bears,  raccoons,  badgers,  &c. 

Plaque,  plak.  An  ornamental  plate;  a 
brooch ;  the  plate  of  a  clasp.  In  the  fine 
arts,  a  plate  of  metal  upon  which  enamels 
are  painted. 

Plastron,  plas'trun.  A  piece  of  leather 
stuffed,  used  by  fencers  to  defend  the 
breast.  In  Zoul.  the  lower  or  ventral  por- 
tion of  the  bony  case  of  tortoises  and  tur- 
tles. 

Platalea,  pla-ta'le-a.  The  spoonbills,  a 
gen.  ofgrallatorial  birds  closely  resembling 
the  storks. 

Platanista,  -ta-nis'ta.  A  gen.  of  fresh- 
water cetaceans,  fam.  Delphinidaj. 

Plateau,  pla-to.  A  broad,  flat  area  of 
land  in  an  elevated  position ;  a  table-land; 
an  elevated  plain. 

Platinum,  plat'i-num.  A  white  metal 
resembling  silver,  but  of  inferior  luster, 
the  heaviest  of  known  metals.  It  is  ex- 
ceedingly ductile,  malleable,  tenacious  and 
difficult  of  fusion,  and  undergoes  no 
change  from  the  combined  agency  of  air 
and  moisture. 

Plato.  An  eminent  Greek  philosopher; 
B.  at  Athens,  abt.  430  u.  c,  n.  347. 

Platonic,  pla-ton'ik.  Pertaining  to 
Plato,  to  his  philosophy  or  his  school.  P. 
bodies,  the  five  regular  geometrical  solids, 
the  tetrahedron,  the  hexahedron  or  cube, 
the  octahedron,  dodecahedron  and 
icosahedron.  P.  love,  a  pure,  spiritual 
affection   subsisting   between  the  sexes, 


I  PLENIPOTENTIAEY 

unmixed  with  carnal  desires,  a  species  of 
love  for  which  Plato  was  a  warm  advocate. 
P.  year,  the  great  year,  or  the  space  of 
time  in  which  the  stars  and  constellations 
return  to  their  former  places  in 
respect  to  the  equinoxes.  This  revolution, 
which  is  calculated  by  the  precession  of 
the  equinoxes,  covers  about  26,000  years. 

Platte  (Nebraska).  The  principal 
branch  of  the  Missouri  Kiver;  length, 
1,200  m. 

Piatyodon,  -tl'6-don.  A  broad-toothed 
animal. 

Platypod,  plat'i-pod.  A  broad-footed 
animal. 

Pleasant  G-rove  and  Hill.  A  locality 
in  Louisiana,  50  m.  S.  of  Shreveport, 
noted  for  a  series  of  stubbornly  fought 
battles,  April  T-9,  1864,  in  which  the  Fed- 
erals under  Gen.  ]3anks  defeated  the  Con- 
federates under  Gen.  Kirby  Smith. 

Plebeian,  ple-be'an.  One  of  the  com- 
mon people  or  lower  ranks  of  men  ;  orig- 
inally applied  to  those  free  citizens  of 
Eome  who  did  not  come  under  the  class 
of  the  patricians. 

Plebiscite,  pleb'i-sit.  A  vote  of  a  whole 
people  or  community  ;  a  decree  of  a  coun- 
try obtained  by  an  appeal  to  universal 
suffrage,  a  plebiscitum. 

Pleiad,  pll'ad.  One  of  the  Pleiades,  a 
cluster  of  7  stars  in  the  neck  of  the  con- 
stellation Taurus,  only  6  being  visible  to 
the  naked  eye.  They  are  regarded  as  the 
central  group  of  the  Milky  Way.  Ancient 
Greek  legends  derive  their  name  from  the 
seven  daughters  of  Atlas  and'Hhe  nymph 
Pleione,  who  made  away  with  themselves 
from  grief  at  the  death  of  their  sisters,  the 
Hyades,  or  at  the  fate  of  their  father 
Atlas,  and  to  have  been  afterward  placed 
as  stars  in  the  sky. 

Plesiosaurus,  ple'si-o-sa"ru8.  The 
name  of  a  gen.  of  extinct  mju-iue  saurians, 


Plesiosaurus,  partially  Restored. 

chiefly  remarkable   for    their    length  of 
neck,  nearly  allied  to  the  Ichthyosaurus. 
Plenipotentiary,    plen'i-p()-ten"shi-a- 
ri.     A  person  invested  with  full  power  to 
transact  any  business  ;   an  ambassador  or 


PLINY 


570 


POACHAED 


envoy  to  a  foreign  court,  having  power  to 
negotiate  a  treaty  or  transact  other  busi- 
ness. A  plenipotentiary  is  not  necessarily 
accredited  to  any  specific  foreign  court. 
More  frequently  meetings  of  plenipoten- 
tiaries are  held  in  some  neutral  place,  so 
that  they  may  conduct  their  negotiations 
uninfluenced  by  any  special  power. 

Pliny  (Caius  Plinius  Secundus, 
The  Elder).  A  distinguished  Koman 
jurist  and  naturahst;  b.  ti8;  perished  in 
the  eruption  of  Mount  Vesuvius  which 
overwhelmed  Pompeii  and  Herculaneum, 
79.  P.,  the  Younger  (Caius  Plinius  Ca3- 
cilius  Secundus),  adopted  son  of  the  for- 
mer, an  eminent  jurist  and  historian  ;  u, 
61,  D.  122. 

Pliocene,  pll'o-sen.  A  geological  term 
applied  to  the  most  modern  of  the  divis- 
ions of  the  tertiary  epoch,  the  Eocene, 
the  Miocene,  the  Older  Pliocene  and  the 
Newer  Pliocene  or  Pleistocene. 

Pliohippus,  -o-hip'pus.  A  fossil  gen.  of 
pachyderms,  fam.  Equidae,  about  the  size 
of  an  ass. 

Plitt,  plit.  An  instrument  of  punish- 
ment used  in  Kussia,  resembling  the 
knout. 

Ploceinae,  pl6-se-i'ne.  The  weaver-bh-ds, 
a  sub-fam.  of  FringilUdae. 

Plotinist,  plo-tl'nist.  A  disciple  of  Plo- 
tinus,  a  celebrated  Platonic  philosopher 
of  the  3d  century  A,  D.,  who  taught  that 
the  human  soul  emanates  from  the  Divine 
Being,  to  whom  it  is  reunited,  if  good  and 
pure,  at  death.  If  not  sufficiently  purified 
during  life,«it  entered  into  such  animals, 
and  even  plants,  as  it  had  a  liking  to. 

Plover,  pluv'er.  The  common  name  of 
several  species  of  grallatorial  birds,  gen. 
Charadrius,  fam.  Charadriadae,  sec.  Pres- 
sirostres. 

Plum,  plum.  The  fruit  of  a  tree,  gen. 
Prunus,  ord.  Rosacefe  ;  also  the  tree  itself. 

Plumb.  A  weight  attached  to  a  line,  and 
used  to  ascertain  when  walls,  &c,,  ai-e 
perpendicular ;  a  plummet. 

Plunxb-rule,  'ri)l.  A  narrow  board  with 
parallel  edges  having  a  straight  line  drawn 
through'the  middle,  and  a  string  carrying 
a  weight  attached  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
line,  used  by  masons,  carpenters,  &c,,  for 
determining  a  perpendicular. 

Plumiped,  plii'mi-ped.  A  bird  that  has 
feathers  on  its  feet. 

Plural,  plo'ral.  A  form  of  word  express- 
ing more  than  one ;   the  plural  number. 

Plutarch..  An  eminent  biographer ;  b. 
in  Boeotia  abt.  50,  r.  118. 


Pluto  and  Proserpine. 


Pluto,  'to.  In 
Class  Myth,  the 
lord  of  the  in- 
fernal regions, 
son  of  Chronos 
and  Rhea, 
brother  of  Jupi- 
ter and  Nep- 
tune. He  is  re- 
presented as  an 
old  man,  digni- 
fied but  severe, 
bearing  a  two- 
pronged  fork. 
He  was  gener- 
ally called  by 
the  G  r  e  eks 
Hades  and  by 
the  Romans  Orcus,  Tartarus  and  Dia. 
His  wife  was  Proserpine,  daughter  of  Zeus 
and  Ceres,  whom  Pluto  seized  in  the  island 
of  Sicily  and  carried  to  the  lower  world. 

Plutocracy,  -tok'ra-si.  The  power  or 
rule  of  wealth. 

Plutus,  plo'tus.  In  Greek  Myth,  the 
personification  of  wealth,  son  of  lasion 
and  Demeter.  Zeus  is  said  to  have  blinded 
him,  in  order  that  he  might  not  bestow 
his  favors  exclusively  on  good  men,  but 
distribute  his  gifts  without  any  regard  to 
merit. 

Pluvial,  'vi-al.  A  priest's  cope  or  cloak 
for  protection  against  rain. 

Pluviose,  -OS.  The  fifth  month  of  the 
French  revolutionary  calendar,  including 
Jan.  20-Feb.  18  or  19. 

Plymouth.  A  seaport  and  naval  depot 
of  Co.  Devon,  England,  at  the  confluence 
of  the  Tamar  and  Plym  rivers  with  tho 
Atlantic;  pop.  71,400.  P.,  cap.  of  P. 
County,  Mass.,  the  oldest  town  in  New 
England,  noted  as  the  landing-place  of  the 
Pilgrims,  Dec.  22,  1620  ;  pop.  7,093. 

Plymouth  Brethren.  A  sect  of  Chris- 
tians who  first  appeared  at  Plymouth, 
England,  in  1830,  but  have  since  consider- 
ably extended.  They  object  to  national 
churches  as  being  too  lax,  and  to  dissent- 
ing churches  as  too  sectarian,  i-ecognlzing 
all  as  brethren  who  believe  in  Christ  and 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

Pneumatics,  nu'mat'iks.  That  branch 
of  physics  which  treats  of  the  mechanical 
properties  of  elastic  fluids,  and  particu- 
larly of  atmospheric  air. 

Pneumootoka,  -mo-ot'o-ka.  Animals 
that  breathe  air  and  lay  eggs,  that  is,  birds 
and  most  reptiles. 

Poachard,  poch'ard.  A  gen.  of  oceanic 
ducks  (Fuligula),  consisting  of  numerous 


POCAHONTAS 


571 


POLYAUTOGRAPHT 


Pointer. 


species,  natives  of  the  Arctic  Seas,  in- 
cluding- the  canvas-back. 
Pocahontas.      Daughter  of  a  Virginia 
Indian  chief,  Powhatan,  who  saved  the 
life  of  (Japt.  John  Smith,  and  married 
John  Eolfe,  who  took  her  to  England, 
where  she  died ;  b.  1594,  d.  1617. 
Podology,  po-doFo-ji.    A  treatise  on  the 
foot. 
Poe-bird,  pO'e-berd.    The  Prosthemade- 
ra  cincinnata,  a  New  Zealand  bird,  fam. 
honey-eaters.      It  is  a  favorite  cage-bird, 
from  the  iineness  of  its  notes  and   its 
capabihty  of  speaking  and  mimicking. 
Poephaga,  -efa-ga.      A  group  of  mar- 
supials, so  named  from  their  herbivorous 
habits,  including  the  kangaroos  and  the 
kangaroo-rats  or  potoroos. 
Pointer,      ,,^..,.«^:'^ 
p  o i  n  t'er.     A^  ,'  -A^iij 
vaaiety  of  Span- 
ish dog  nearly 
allied    to     the 
true     hounds, 
remarkable  for 
1 1  s    habit    of 
p  o  i  n  ting    at 
game.     In  As- 
tron.  a    name 
given  to  the  two  hindermost    stars    of 
Ursa  Major,   or  Great  Bear,   from  their 
guiding  the  eye  to  the  pole-star  in  Ursa 
Minor. 

Poitiers.  Cap.  of  Dept.  of  Viennef 
France,  on  the  Clair,  58  m.  S.  E.  of  Tours, 
celebrate<l  for  the  decisive  victory  (1356) 
of  the  English,  under  Edward  (the  Black 
Prince)  over  the  French  and  John  I. ; 
pop.  35,724. 

Poitrine,  poi'tren.  The  breast-plate  of  a 
knight ;  also  the  overlapping  metal  scales 
which  covered  the  breast  of  a  war-horse. 

Polacca,  po'lak'a.  A  vessel  with  three 
masts  used  in  the  Mediterranean. 

Polan,  'Ian.  A  piece  of  armor  for  the 
knee. 

Poland.  Anciently,  a  large  kingdom  of 
C.  Europe ;  bounded  N.  by  the  Baltic,  E. 
by  Russia,  8.  by  Hungary  "and  the  Danu- 
bian  provinces,  "W".  by  Germany  ;  but 
later  di\ided  among  its  three  great  neigh- 
bors— Eussia,  Austria  and  Prussia.  The 
larger  section  is  a  Russian  vice-royalty, 
governed  by  a  prince  of  the  Russian  im- 
perial familv ;  area,  49,290  sq.  m,  ;  pop. 
abt.  4.000,000. 

Polaris,  -la'ris.    The  pole-star. 

Polariscope.  -lar'i-skop.  An  optical  in- 
strument for  exhibiting  the  polarization  of 
light. 


Pole.  One  of  the  two  points  in  which  the 
axis  of  the  earth  is  supposed  to  meet  the 
sphere  of  the  heavens;  the  fixed  point 
about  which  the  stars  appear  to  revolve. 
These  are  called  the  poles  of  the  world,  or 
the  celestial  poles.  One  of  the  extremities 
of  the  earth's  axis,  90°  distant  from  the 
equator. 

Polemarch,  pol'e-mark.  A  title  in  an- 
cient Greek  States,  especially,  at  Athens, 
the  third  archon,  a  magistrate  who  had 
under  his  care  all  strangers  and  sojourn- 
ers, and  all  children  of  parents  who  had 
lost  then-  lives  in  the  service  of  their  coun- 
try. 

Polemics,  po-lem'iks.  The  art  or  prac- 
tice of  disputation;  controversy;  controver- 
sial writings,  particularly  those  on  mat- 
ters of  divinity. 

Polemoscope,  '6-sk6p.  A  perspective 
glass  fitted  with  a  mirror  at  an  angle  of 
45°,  designed  for  seeing  objects  that  do 
not  lie  directlj'  before  the  eye. 

Pole-star,  pul'star.  A  star  of  the  second 
magnitude,  the  last  in  the  tail  of  Ursa  Mi- 
nor. It  is  the  nearest  star  to  the  north  ce- 
lestial pole,  round  which  it  describes  a 
small  circle ;  it  is  of  great  use  to  naviga- 
tors in  the  northern  hemisphere. 

Polk.  James  Knox.  Eleventh  Presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S.  ;  b.  in  N.  C,  1795 ;  elect- 
ed from  Tenn.,  1S44,  d.  1849.  The  an- 
nexation of  Texas,  war  with  Mexico  and 
acquisition  of  California  and  N.  Mexico 
occurred  during  his  administration. 

Pollard,  pol'ard.  A  tree  with  the  head  cut 
ofl'  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  It  to  throw 
out  branches.  The  chub  fish.  A  stag 
that  has  cast  his  horns  ;  also  a  hornless 
ox. 

Pollen,  en.  The  male  element  in  flower- 
ing pifents  ;  the  fine  dust  or  powder  which 
by  contact  \\ith  the  stigma  eflfects  the  fe- 
cundation of  the  seeds. 

Pollux,  Tuks.  A  fixed  star  of  the  second 
magnitude  in  the  constellation  Gemini,  or 
the  twins.  A  mineral  of  the  felspar  fami- 
ly, closely  allied  to  castor. 

Polo,  po'ld.  A  game  at  ball  resembling 
hocke}',  played  on  horseback. 

Polo,  Marco.  A  distinguished  Italian 
traveler  and  writer,  the  first  European  to 
penetrate  China;  b.  1252,  d.  1323. 

Polyacoustics,  pori-a-kous"tiks.  The 
art  of  multiplying  sounds. 

Polyarchy,  h-iir-ki.  Th»  government 
of  many,  whether  a  privileged  class  (aris- 
tocracy) or  the  people  at  large  (democra- 
cy). 

Polyautogrraphy,     -a-tog"ra-fi.     Th« 


POLTADELPH 


572 


POMPEII 


Polyadelph. 


act  or  practice  of  multiplying  copies  of 
manuscripts,  by  printing  from  stone;  a 
species  ot  lithography. 

Polyadelph,  -delf".  A 
plant  having  its  stamens 
united  in  three  or  more 
bundles  by  the  filaments. 

Polyandry,       -an'dri. 

The  practice  of  females 

aving    more   husbands 

,'  than  one  at  the  same 
time  ;  plurality  of  hus- 
bands. It  prevails  now 
chietiy  among  the  Buddh- 
ists of  Central  Asia  and 
of  Ceylon,  and  is  in  the 
former  strictly  limited  to  the  marriage  of 
the  women  to  two  or  more  brothers.  The 
surplus  unmarried  women  are  provided 
for  in  Lama  nunneries. 

Polycarp,  St.  One  of  the  earliest  Chris- 
tian fathers,  ordained  bishop  of  Smyrna 
by  the  apostles ;  martyred,  166, 

Polydactylism,  -i-dak'til-izm.  The 
condition  of  having  several  fingers, 

Polygramy,  -lig'a-mi.  A  plurality  of 
wives  or  husbands.  In  Christian  coun- 
tries polygamy  is  punishable,  but  it  is  al- 
lowed in  some  countries  in  the  form  of 
polygamy,  or  a  plurality  of  wives,  espe- 
cially among  Mohammedans,  and  is  held 
a  matter  of  faith  and  duty  by  the  Mormons. 
In  the  form  of  polyandry  it  exists  among 
the  Buddhists  of  Central  Asia  and  Ceylon. 

Polygeny,  -lij'e-ni.  The  doctrine  that 
mankind  do  not  form  one  but  many  dis- 
tinct species,  sprung  from  stocks  specific- 
ally distinct. 

Polyglot,  'i-glot.  A  book  containing 
many  languages,  particularly  the  Bible,  in 
several  languages. 

Polygon,  pol'e-gon 
A  figure  of  many  an 

Polygyny,    po-lij'i-/  \  f  \ 

Hi.      The  practice  of 
having    more 
than  one  at  the  same 
time.  Polygons. 

Polyhymnia,  pol-i- 
him'ni-a.  Among  the  Greeks,  the  Muse 
of  the  sublime  hymn,  inventress  of  the 
lyre,  and  of  mimdS  and  pantomimes.  In 
art  she  is  usually  represented  as  covered 
with  a  white  mantle,  in  a  meditative  atti- 
tude. 

Polynesia.  The  name  given  to  several 
groups  of  islands  in  the  Pacific,  E.  of  Aus- 
tralia, the  principal  being  the  Sandwich, 
Pelew,   Ladrone,  Caroline,  Gilbert,  Mar- 


same  '"■^"•^       ^mm.^ 


Polype. 
The  doctrine 


quesas.  Friendly,  Feejee,  Navigator's  and 
Society  ;  pop.  estimated  3,500,000, 

Polype,  pol'ip.  An 
aquatic  animal  of  the  ra- 
diate kind. 

Polysyllable,  'i-sil-la- 
bl.  A  word  of  four  or 
more  syllables,  words  oi( 
from  one  to  three  being 
called  monosyllables,  dis- 
syllables and  trisyllables. 

Polytechnics,  -tek'- 
niks.  The  science  of 
the  mechanical  arts. 

Polytheism,    'i-the-izm. 
of  a  plurahty  of  gods,  having  an  agency  in 
tho  government  of  the  world. 

Polyl^page,  -tlp-iij.  A  peculiar  mode  ot 
stereotyping  by  which  fac-similes  of  wood- 
engravings,  &c.,  are  produced. 

Poraace,  pom'as.  The  substance  of  ap- 
ples or  of  similar  fruit  crushed  by  grind- 
ing. 

Pomatum,  po-ma'tum.  A  perfumed, 
unguent  used  in  dressing  the  hair ;  pom- 
ade. It  is  also  used  in  medicine  as  an  ex- 
ternal application. 

Pombal,  Sebastiao  Joze  de  Car- 
valho,  Marquis  de.  An  eminent  Por- 
tuguese statesman  ;  b.  1699,  u.  1782.  As 
prime  minister  he  abohshed  the  Inquisi- 
tion, expelled  the  Jesuits  and  gave  liberal 
encouragement  to  commei-ce  and  manu- 
factures. 

Pome,  pom.  In  Bot.  a  fleshy  or  pulpy 
pericarp  without  valve^  containing  a  cap- 
sule or  capsules,  as  the  apple,  pear,  &;c. 
In  the  E,  C.  Ch.  a  ball  of  precious  metal 
filled  with  hot  water,  and  placed  on  the 
altar  during  the  winter  season,  to  prevent 
accidents  with  the  chalice  from  the  hands 
of  the  priests  becoming  numb. 

Pomegranate,  pom'gran-at.  The  fruit 
of  Punicagranatum,  as  large  as  an  orange, 
having  a  pleasant  sub-acid  taste.  The 
tree  that  produces  pomegranates.  An 
ornament  resembling  a  pomegranate  on 
the  robe  and  ephod  of  the  Jewish  high- 
priest. 

Pomologist,  po-mol'o-jist.  One  who 
is  versed  in  pomology;  a  cultivator  of 
fruit-trees. 

Pomona,  -mo'na.  The  Eoman  goddess 
who  presided  over  fruit-trees.  A  small 
planet  between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and 
Jupiter. 

Pompeii.  An  ancient  city  of  Italy,  12 
m.  S.  E.  of  Naples,  at  the  foot  of  Vesu- 
vius ;  totally  overwhelmed,  with  Hercu' 
lanexma,  by  an  eruption,  78,     Its  site  waa 


POMPEY 


673 


POECUPINE 


unknown  for  centuries  ;  but  excavations, 
w'liicli  are  still  carried  on,  were  begun  1T50, 
and  considerable  sections  of  both  cities 
have  been  exhumed. 

Pompey  (Cneius  Pompeius  Mag- 
nus). An  illustrious  Eomau  general  and 
triumvir,  surnained  "The  Great;"  u.  106 
B.  c;  assassinated  in  Egypt,  after  his  defeat 
at  the  battle  of  Pharsalia  by  Caesar,  48  b.  c. 

Pompon,  pon-pon.  An  ornament,  as  a 
feather,  artificial  hower,  &c.,  for  a  bonnet 
or  hat ;  specifically,  the  ball-tuft  of  colored 
wool  worn  by  infantry  in  front  of  the  sha- 
ko instead  of  a  feather. 

Poncho,  pon'cho.  A  sort  of  cloak  worn 
by  S.  American  Indians,  and  also  by  many 
of  the  Spanish  inhabitants  of  South  Amer- 
ica. A  trade  name  for  camlet  or  strong 
worsted. 

Pondicherry.  A  French  seaport,  coast 
of  Coromandel,  S3  m.  S.  W.  of  Madras ; 
pop.  60.146. 

Pong-hee,  'ge.  A  Burman  priest  of  the 
higher  order. 

Pontchartrain,  Lake.  In  Louisiana, 
5  m.  N.  of  New  Orleans  ;  area,  950  sq.  m. 
It  connects  with  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and 
Mississippi  Eiver. 

Pontifex,  'ti-feks.  The  name  by  which 
the  Koraans  designated  the  most  illus- 
trious members  of  their  great  colleges  of 
priests.  The  chief  of  these  was  termed 
Pontifex  Maximus. 

Pontiff,  'tif.  A  high-priest ;  a  Eoman 
pontifex.  The  high-priest  of  the  Jews. 
The  pope. 

Pontifical,  -tif  ik-al.  A  book  containing 
rites  and  ceremonies  ecclesiastical.  The 
dress  and  ornaments  of  a  pope,  priest  or 
bishop. 

Pontine  Marshes.  A  low,  malarial 
section  of  the  Campagna  di  Eoma,  8. 
Italy,  extending  from  Cisterna  to  Terra- 
cina,  80  m. 

Pontoon,  -ton.  In  Milit.  En  gin.  any  light 
framework  or  floating  body  used  in  the 
construction  of  a  temporary  bridge  over  a 
river. 

Pood,  pod.  A  Eussian  weight,  equal  to 
40  Eussian  or  36  English  lbs.  avoirdupois. 

Pope,  pop.  The  Bishop  of  Eome,  the 
head  of  the  E.  C.  Church.  The  appella- 
tion of  pope  was  in  early  times  given  to 
all  Christian  bishops ;  but  about  the  close 
of  the  11th  century,  In  the  pontificate  of 
Gregory  VII.,  it  was  resti-icted  to  the 
Bishop'of  Eome,  whose  peculiar  title  it 
has  ever  since  continued  to  be.  In  the 
Greek  Church,  a  parish  priest ;  a  chaplain 
in  a  regiment,  ship,  &c. 


Poppy-heads. 


Pope,  Alexander.  A  distinguished 
English  poet  and  wit ;  b.  1638,  n.  1744. 

Pope,  John.  An  American  general,  b. 
in  111.,  1S2;3.  He  commanded  the  Army 
of  Virginia  from  June  till  Sept..  1862,  being 
defeated  bv  Gen.  Stonewall  Jackson,  Aug. 
29-30,  in  the  2d  battle  of  Bull  Eun. 

Popocatepetl.  A  volcanic  peak  in  Mexi- 
co, 35  m.  S.  W.  of  Puebla,  1T,T20  ft.  high. 

Poppy-head,  pop'pi-hed.  A  generic 
term  applied 
to  the  groups 
of  fohage  or 
other  orna- 
mentsplaced 
on  the  sum- 
m 1 t  s  of 
bench  ends, 
desks  and 
other  wood- ' 
work  in  ec- 
c  1  e  siastical 
buildings  of  the  middle  ages. 

Poppy-oil,  -oil.  A 
bland,  drying  oil  ob- 
tained from  the  seeds 
of  the  poppy.  It  is 
one  of  the  three  fixed 
oils  used  in  painting. 

Porcelain,  por'se- 
lan.  The  finest  pot- 
tery ware,  originally^ 
manufactured  in  China 
and  Japan,  but  now 
made  in  Europe  and 
America^  p 

Porch,  porch.    In  ^^•' 

Arch,  an  exterior  appendage  to  a  building 
forming  a  covered  approach  or  vestibule 
to  a  doorway.  The  P.,  a  public  portico  in 
Athens,  where  Zeno,  the  philosopher, 
taught  his  disciples. 

Porcupine,  por'kii-pin.  A  quadruped 
of  the  fam.  Hystricidie,  ord.  Eodentia, 
distinguished  from  oth  i^r  rodents  by  hav- 


ing the  body  covered  with  long  spines 
mixed  with  bristly  hairs.  The  crested  or 
common  porcupine  inhabits  Italy  and 
Africa. 


PORPHYET 


574 


P08T-PLEI0CENE 


Porph3rry,  'fi-ri.  A  very  hard  stone  of 
the  nature  of  granite,  but  of  variegated 
colors,  susceptible  cf  a  fine  polish  and 
much  used  for  sculpture.  In  the  fine 
arts  it  is  known  as  Kosso  Antique  and  by 
geologists  as  lied  Syenitic  Porphyry.  The 
art  of  cutting  porphyry  as  practiced  by 
the  ancients  appears  to  be  now  quite  lost. 
In  Geol.  any  igneous  rock  containing  de- 
tached crj'stals  of  felspar  or  other  mineral. 
The  varieties  of  porphyry  are  known  as 
felspar,  clay  stone,  porphyritic  granite  and 
porphyritic  green-stone. 

DPorpoise,  •  pois.  A  cetaceous  mammal, 
gen.  Phocsena,  of  which  five  species  are 
known.  The  common  porpoise  is  the 
smallest  of  the  Cetacea. 

Portcullis,^  ^ — . — P-1 

port-  k  u  1 '  i  s .  l^v — >■■  ■.,.■■ '•"T-^iT^- :', . 
In  Fort.  -^l^-'-T?-  ;  '  ;  '  ■"""'''■br 
strong  grating i::iri7<^ilE'r>c--''J-^ 
of  timber  or. 
iron,  resem- 
bling a  harrow, 
made  to  slide 
in  vertical 
grooves  in  the 
jambs  of  the 
entrance  -  gate 
of  a  fortified 
place,  to  pro- 
tect the  gate 
in  case  of  as- 
6  a  u  1  t  .    P. 

money,      coin  Portcullis, 

struck    in  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign    for 
the  use  of  the  E.  India  Company. 

Porte.  The  Ottoman  Court ;  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  Turkish  Empire. 

Porter,  David  D.  An  American  ad- 
miral ;  B.  in  Penn.  1813.  He  command- 
ed the  fiotlUa,  1862,  which  reduced  Forts 
Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  on  the  Missis- 
sippi below  New  Orleans. 

Port  Hudson.  A  village  of  E.  Feliciana 
parish,  La.,  25  m.  N.  W.  of  Baton 
Ilouge,  on  the  Mississippi,  noted  for  its 
siege  by  the  Federals  in  the  civil  war  ; 
surrendered  after  Vicksburg,  July  7, 
1862. 

Portland,  'land.  In  Geol.  beds  of  hard 
oolitic  limestone  and  freestone  interstrati- 
fied  with  clays,  named  from  the  rocks  of 
the  group  forming  the  Isle  of  Portland  in 
Dorsetshire,  England.  P.  cement,  made 
from  common  limestone,  mixed  with  the 
rauddy  deposits  of  rivers  running  over 
clay  and  chalk.  P.  vase,  a  celebrated  cin- 
erary urn  or  vase,  found  in  the  tomb  of 
the  Emperor  Alexander  Severus.  It  is  of 
transparent  dark-blue  glass,  coated  with 


opaque  white  glass,  which  has  been  cut 
down  in  the  manner  of  a  cameo  so  as  to 
give  on  each  side  groups  of  figures  doU' 
cately  executed  in  relief,  representing  the 
marriage  of  Pelens  and  Thetis.  In  ISIO 
the  Duke  of  Portland,  its  owner,  placed 
it  in  the  British  Museum,  but  in  1845  it 
was  maliciouslj^  broken.  The  pieces  were 
very  successfully  reunited,  and  it  still 
remains  in  the  Museum,  but  is  not  shown 
to  the  pubUc. 

Portland.  Cap.  of  Cumberland  Co.  and 
chief  commercial  city  of  Maine,  on  Casco 
Bay ;  pop.  33,810. 

Porto  Rico.  A  Spanish  W.  India 
Island  ;  area  3,750  sq.  m.;  cap.  San  Juan 
de  Porto  Pdco  ;  pop.  800,657. 

Port-side,  'sld.  The  left  side  of  a  ship 
looking  toward  the  bow. 

Portugal.  The  most  westerly  kingdom 
of  Europe^  bounded  N.  and  E.  by  Spain, 
S.  and  W.  by  the  Atlantic ;  area,  34,502 
sq.  m.;  pop.  5,182,400;  with  its  colonies, 
abt.  10,000,000.  Chief  cities,  Lisbon,  cap., 
Oporto,  Braga,  Coimbra,  Setubal,  Evora 
and  Elvas.  Principal  rivers,  Tagus, 
Douro,  Mmho,  Guadiana  and  Mondego. 
Mountains,  the  Serrado  Monchique  and 
Serro  de  Estrella  ranges. 

Port-wine,  -win.  A  dark-purple  astrin- 
gent ^vine  made  in  Portugal,  so  called 
from  Oporto,  whence  it  is  shipped. 

Poseidon,  po-si'don.  In  Myth,  the 
Greek  god  of  the  sea,  equivalent  to  the 
Latin  Neptune. 

Posse,  pos'se.  A  possibility.  A  thing  is 
said  to  be  in  posse,  when  it  may  possibly 
be  ;  in  esse,  when  it  actually  is.  A  num- 
ber or  crowd  of  people.  Posse  comitatus, 
in  law,  the  body  of  men  which  the  sheriff 
is  empowered  to  raise  in  case  of  riot,  or 
forcible  opposition  to  the  execution  of  jus- 
tice. 

Post,  post.  A  Latin  preposition  signify- 
ing after,  subsequent,  &c.,  and  used  in 
this  sense  in  a  number  of  English  words. 

Postdiluvian,  -di-lii'vi-an.  A  person 
who  lived  after  the  Flood,  or  who  has  lived 
since  that  event. 

Posthetomy,  pos-thet'o-mi.  Circum- 
cision. 

Post-meridian,  p6st-me-rid'i-an.  The 
afternoon  :  contracted  p.  m. 

Post-mortem,  'mor-tem.  After  death. 
P.  examination,  examination  of  a  body  af- 
ter death. 

Post-natal,  'na-tal.  Subsequent  to  birth. 

Post-pleiocene,  -ph'o-sen.  In  Geol. 
the  common  term  for  all  deposits  of  later 
age  than  the  Norwich  crag,  and  older 


POST-PEANDIAL 


5T5 


PRAIEIE-SQUIEEEL 


than  the  peat-messes  and  river  gravels 
which  contain  neolithic  remains. 

Post-prandial,  'pran-di-al.  Happen- 
ing aftor  dinner. 

Postscenium,  -se'ni-um.  The  part  of  a 
theater  behind  the  scenes. 

Post-tertiary,  -ter'shi-a-ri.  In  Geol. 
the  Lyellian  term  for  all  deposits  and 
phenomena  of  more  recent  date  than  the 
Norwich  or  mammaliferous  crag,  divided 
into  three  sections — historic,  pre- historic 
and  post-glacial. 

Potamogrrapliy,  po-ta-mog'ra-fl.  A 
description  of  rivers. 

Potash.,  pot'ash.  The  popular  name  ol 
vegetable  fixed  alkali  in  an  impure  state, 
procured  from  the  ashes  of  plants  by  lix- 
iviation  and  evaporation.  Refined  potash 
is  called  pearlash.  It  is  largely  employed 
in  the  manufacture  of  flint-glass  and  soap, 
the  rectification  of  spirits,  in  medicine, 
bleaching,  making  alum,  scouring  wool, 
«fec.  Pure  potash  is  the  protoxide  of  po- 
tassium. 

Potassium,  po-tas'si-um  The  metallic 
basis  of  potash.  Next  to  lithium,  the 
lightest  metallic  substance  known. 

Potomac.  A  river  of  the  U.  S.,  rising  in 
the  Alleghanies  and  emptying  into  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  forming  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween Maryland  and  Virginia;  length, 
400  m. 

Potsdam.  A  Prussian  city  on  the  Havel, 
17  m.  S  W.  of  Berlia  ;  it  contains  a  mag- 
nificent royal  palace. 

Poulp,  pulp.  An  eight-footed  dibranchi- 
ate  cephalopod,  the  Octopus,  allied  to  the 
Sepia,  or  common  cuttle-flsli. 

Pouter,  poufer. 
A  variety  o  f 
pigeon,  so  called 
from  its  inflated 
breast. 

Powers,  H  i  - 
ram.  An  emi- 
nent American 
sculptor  ;  b.  in 
Vt.,1805.,D.1879.-:^ 

Pow-"WOW,  pou'- 
wou.    Among  the  |n.  : 
N.  American  In-Jl*?' 
dians,  a  priest ;  a       Pouter  Pigeon, 
conjuror.    Hence, 

conjuration  performed  for  the  cure  of  dis- 
eases and  other  purposes.  The  feasts, 
dances,  and  other  public  doings  of  the  In- 
dians preliraininaiy  to  a  gi-and  hunt,  a 
council,  a  war  expedition  or  the  like. 
Hence  the  term  is  often  applied  to  any 
uproarious  meeting. 


Pound,  pound.  A  standard  -weight  con- 
sisting of  12  ounces  troy,  or  16  ounces 
avoirdupois.  The  troy  and  the  avoirdu- 
pois pound  are  not,  however,  the  same. 
The  pound  avoirdupois  weighs  7,000 
grains  tro}',  and  the  pound  troy,  5,760 
grains.  A  British  money  of  account  con- 
sisting of  20  shillings,  or  240  pence,  origi- 
nally equivalent  to  a  pound  weight  of  silver. 
An  inclosure  in  which  cattle  or  other 
beasts  are  confined  when  found  at  large  in 
violation  of  law. 

Poussin,  Nicolas.  The  greatest  of 
French  historical  painters;  b.  1594,  D. 
1665. 

Pozzolana,  pot-zo-lfi'na.  A  volcanic 
product  occurring  in  the  neighborhood  of 
extinct  volcanoes,  largely  employed  in  the 
manufacture  of  Eoman  or  hydi-aulic  ce- 
ment. 

Prsenomen,  pre-no'men.  Among  the 
ancient  Eomans,  a  name  prefixed  to  the 
family  name,  answering  to  our  Christian 
name. 

Praetor,  'tor,  A  title  which  originally- 
designated  the  Eoman  consuls  as  the  lead- 
ers of  the  armies.  Later  two  praetors  were 
appointed,  one  of  whom  tried  causes  be- 
tween citizens,  and  the  other  causes  be- 
tween strangers,  or  between  strangers  ahid 
citizens.  Eventually  the  number  was 
raised  to  eighteen. 

Prague.  Cap.  of  Bohemia,  Austria,  on 
the  Moldau,  75  m.  S.  E.  of  Dresden,  the 
seat  of  the  oldest  Gei-man  University  ; 
pop.  163,709. 

Prairial,  prii-ri-al.  The  ninth  month  in 
the  French  revolutionary  calendar.  It 
commenced  May  20  and  ended  June  18. 

I^rairie-dogr,  'ri-dog.  A  small  rodent, 
the  wistonwish,  allied  to  the  marmot  as 
well  as  to  the  squirrel,  and  found  on  the 
prairies  west  of  the  Mississippi.  They  live 
gr«gariously  in  burrows,  and  are  charac- 
terized by  a  sharp  bark,  like  that  of  a 
small  dog. 

Prairie  G-rove.  A  locality  in  Arkansas, 
near  Boston  Mountain,  noted  for  the  de- 
feat, Dec.  12,  1862,  of  the  Confederates 
under  Gen.  Hindman,  by  the  Federals 
under  Gen.  Blunt. 

Prairie-h.en,  -hen.  The  popular  nam© 
of  the  pinnated  grouse  of  the  U.  S. 
Prairie-squirrel,  -sk^vir-reI.  A  name 
given  to  the  quadrupeds  of  the  gen.  Sper- 
mophilus,  inhabiting  the  prairies  of  Amer- 
ica ;  also  called  Gopher.  They  have  a  re- 
semblance to  the  prairie-dogs,  living  like 
them  in  burrows,  and  generally  associat- 
ing in  considerable  numbers. 


PRAIEIE-WOLF 


576 


PRESTER 


Prairie-wolf, -wolf.    A  small  wolf;  the 

coyote. 

Prakrit,  pra'krit.  The  collective  name 
of  those  Hindu  languages  or  dialects  which 
acquired  greater  prominence  as  the  older 
Sanskrit  passed  gradually  out  of  use. 

Prawn,  pran.  A  small  crustacean,  gen. 
Palaiuion,  "fam.  PalajmonidoB,  highly 
prized  as  a  delicate  shell- lish. 

Praxiteles.  An  eminent  Greek  sculptor, 
who  Uved  abt.  8(30  «.  c. 

Preadamite,  pre-ad'am-It,  One  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth  presumed  by 
some  writers  to  have  lived  before  the  time 
of  Adam.  One  who  holds  that  there  were 
persons  existing  before  Adam. 

Preceptory,  'sep-to-ri.  A  subordinate 
rehgious  house  where  instruction  was 
given.  They  were  establishments  of  the 
Knights  Templars,  the  superiors  being 
called  knights  preceptor.  All  the  precep- 
tories  of  a  province  were  subject  to  a  pro- 
vincial superior,  thre«  of  whom  held  rank 
above  the  rest,  viz.,  those  of  Jerusalem, 
TripoUs,  and  Antioch. 

Precession,  pre-se'shon.  The  act  of 
going  before,  or  forward.  P,  of  the 
equinoxes,  a  slow  motion  of  the  equinoc- 
tial points  from  east  to  west,  or  contrary 
to  the  order  of  the  signs.  The  movement 
is  at  the  rate  of  about  50-i-"  in  a  year,  or  a 
degree  in  71.642  years.  The  precession  of 
the  equinoxes  was  discovered   by  Hip- 

Sarchus  a  century  and  a  half  before  the 
hristian  era,  though  it  is  alleged  that  the 
astronomers  of  India  had  discovered  it 
long  before.  At  that  time  the  point  of 
the  autumnal  equinox  was  about  6°  to  the 
eastward  of  the  star  called  Spica  Virginis. 
In  1750,  about  1900  years  after,  this  point 
was  observed  to  be  about  26°  21'  west- 
ward of  that  star.  Hence  it  appears  thut 
the  equinoctial  points  will  make  an  entire 
revolution  in  about  25,745  years. 

Predacean,  -da'shan.  A  carnivorous 
animal. 

Predestination,  -des'ti-na"shon.  In 
Theol.  the  decree  or  purpose  of  God  by 
which  (according  to  many  theologians)  he 
has  from  eternity  unchangeably  appointed 
or  determined  whatever  comes  to  pass  ; 
particularly,  the  preordination  of  men  to 
everlasting  happiness  or  misery. 

Prefect,  'fekt.  A  name  common  to  sev- 
eral officers,  military  and  civil,  in  ancient 
Rome,  who  held  particular  commands  or 
had  charge  of  certain  departments.  An 
important  functionary  in  France ;  who 
presides  over  the  departments,  having  ac- 
tual direction  of  the  police  and  extensive 
powers  of  municipal  regulation  ;  a  prefet. 


Pregnancy,  preg'nan-si.  The  state  of 
being  preg-nant ;  the  state  of  a  female  who 
has  conceived  or  is  with  child. 

Prelate,  preFat.  An  ecclesiastic  of  the 
higher  order,  having  authority  over  the 
lower  clergy,  as  an  archbishop,  bishop,  or 
patriarch  ;  a  dignitary  of  the  church. 

Prelector,  prii-lek'tor.  A  reader  of  dis- 
courses ;  a  lecturer. 

Premier,  'mi-er.  The  first  or  chief  min- 
ister of  state ;  the  prime  minister. 

Pre-Raphaelitism,  -rafa-el-it-izm. 
The  system  or  style  of  painting  j;racticed 
by  the  early  painters  before  the  time  of 
Raphael;  the  modern  revival  of  their 
style  or  system. 

Presbyterian,  pres-bi-te'ri-an.  One 
that  maintains  the  validity  of  ordination 
and  government  by  presbyters.  A  mem- 
ber of  that  section  of  the  Christian  church 
who  hold  that  there  is  no  order  in  the 
church  superior  to  that  of  presbyters,  and 
who  vest  church  government  in  associa- 
tions of  ministers  and  elders,  without  any 
superiority  among  them  either  in  ollice  or 
in  order. 

Presbytery,  pres-bi-te-ri.  A  body  of 
elders  in  the  Christian  church,  whether 
priests  or  laymen.  A  judicatory,  consist- 
ing of  the  pastors  of  all  the  churches  of 
any  particular  Presbyterian  denomination 
within  a  given  district,  along  with  their 
ruling  (i.  e.,  presiding)  elders. 

Prescott,  "William  BC.  An  eminent 
American  historian  ;  b.  in  Mass.,  1796,  D. 
1S59. 

President,  pres'i-dent.  The  chief  ofBcer 
of  a  corporation,  company,  society,  col- 
lege or  the  Uke  ;  the  highest  officer  of 
state  in  a  republic.  Vice-president,  one 
second  in  authority  to  a  president. 

Pressiros- 
tres,  -i-ros'- 
trGz.  A  section 
of  wading 
birds,  ord. 
Gral  I  a  t  o  r  e  8 , 
divided  into 
two  families, 
the  charadria- 
dse  or  plovers, 
and  the  Otidse 
or  bustards. 

Prester,   'ter. 

usJftr'lld  Bills  of  Pressirostres. 
writers  a"s  the  title  of  a  supposed  Chris^ 
tian  king  and  priest  (Prester  John)  of 
a  mediaeval  kingdom  in  the  interior  of  Asia, 
the  locality  of  which  was  vague  and  unde^ 
fined. 


PRESS 


57T 


PRIORY 


Press,  pres.  An  instrument  or  machine 
by  wbicli  any  body  is  squeezed,  crushed 
or  forced  into  a  more  compact  form.  A 
machine  for  printing;  a  printing-press. 
Tlie  publications  of  a  country ;  ottea  re- 
stricted to  newspapers. 

Prestidig-itation,  'ti-dij'it-a"'shon.  Skill 
in  legerdemain  ;  sleight  of  hand  ;  juggling. 

Pi'etender,  prG-tend'er.  In  Hist,  a  name 
given  to  certain  claimants  to  the  British 
crown,  particularly  to  the  son  and  gi-and- 
son  of  James  II.,  heirs  to  the  house  of 
Stuart,  who  had  been  excluded  by  enact- 
ment of  Parliament. 

Preter,  'tor.  A  Latin  preposition  and  ad- 
verb used  in  some  EngUsh  words  as  a  pre- 
fix. It  signifies  beyond,  beside,  by,  be- 
5'ond  in  time,  more  tlian. 

Preterist,  -ist.  In  Theol.  one  who  be- 
lieves that  the  prophecies  of  the  Apoca- 
lyi)se  have  already  been  fulfilled. 

Priam.  In  Heroic  Hist,  son  of  Laome- 
don,  and  last  king  of  Troy ;  killed  during 
the  sacking  of  that  city  by  Neoptolemus, 
son  of  Achilles ;  he  is  said  to  have  had  50 
sons. 

Priapus,  pri-a'pus.  In  Greek  and  Rom. 
Mytli.  the  god  of  procreation,  and  hence 
of  gardens  and  vineyards,  where  his  statue 
%vas  placed.  He  was  the  son  of  Dionysius 
and  Aphrodite. 

Prichard,  James  Co"wles.  An  em- 
inent English  scientist  and  author;  u.  1785, 
V.  1848. 

Prickly-pear,  prik'- 
li-par.  A  gen.  of 
plants,  ord.  Cactaceae, 
mnch  used  for  hedges. 

Prie-dieu,  pre-de-u. 
A  knceling-desk  for 
prayers. 

Priessnitz,  "Vin- 
cenz.  A  distinguished 
Austrian  physician, 
founder  of  the  hydro- 
pathic svstem  of  treat- 
ijient ;  n.  ITi/S,  d.  1851. 

Priestley,  Joseph. 
An  eminent  English 
natural  philosopher;  b. 
1733;  p.  in  U.  S., 
lSn4.  He  discovered 
oxvgen,  nitrous  and 
muriatic  gases.  Prickly-pear. 

Prim  ^uan  (Conde  de  Reuss  and 
Marques  de  los  Oastillejos).  A  dis- 
tinguished Spanish  general  and  states- 
man; 15.  ISU,  assassinatfld  1871. 

Primia  Donna,  'ma  dou'oa.  The  diief 
female  singer  in  an  opora. 


Primate,  prl'mat.  The  cliief  ecclesiastic 
in  certain  churches,  as  the  Anglican ;  an 
archbishop.  The  Archbishop  of  York  is 
primate  of  England  ;  the  xVrchbishop  of 
Canterbury,  primate  of  all  England. 

Primates,  -ma'tez.  The  name  given  by 
Linnseus  to  his  first  order  of  mammalia, 
including  four  genera,  viz..  Homo,  man; 
Simla,  the  ape,  monkey,  «&c,;  Lemur,  the 
lemurs,  and  Vespertilio,  the  bat. 

Prime-minister,  prim-min'is-ter.  In 
Great  Britain,  the  first  minister  of  state; 
the  premier. 

Primog-eniture,  pri-mO-jen'itur.  The 
state  of  being  born  first  of  the  same  par- 
ents. The  right,  principle  or  rule  under 
which  the  eldest  son  of  a  family  succeeds 
to  the  father's  real  estate  in  absolute  ex- 
clusion of  the  5^ounger  sons  and  daughters. 

Primordial,  -mor'di-al.  A  first  princi- 
ple or  element. 

Primus,  'mus.  The  first  in  disnity 
among  the  bishops  of  the  Scottish  episco- 
pal Church,  chosen  by  the  other  bishops. 

Prince,  prins.  One  holdmg  the  first  or 
highest  rank ;  a  sovereign  ;  the  independ- 
ent ruler  of  a  nation  or  state.  A  sovereign 
who  holds  of  a  superior  to  whom  he  owes 
certain  services.  The  son  of  a  sovereign. 
On  the  continent  the  title  Is  borne  by  some 
families  of  eminent  rank  not  connected 
with  any  reigning  house.  The  only  case 
in  which  the  title  is  a  territ«rial  ono  is 
that  of  the  Prince  of  Wales. 

Prince  Edward  Island.  A  British 
island  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  sep- 
arated from  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 
wick on  the  S.  by  Northumberland  Strait ; 
area,  2,173  sq.  m,  ;  pop.  107,832,  cap. 
Charlotte  Town. 

Princess,  prin'ses.  A  female  sovereign ; 
a  female  having  the  rank  of  a  prince.  The 
daughter  of  a  sovereign.  The  consort  of 
a  prince.  0 

Princess-royal,  -roi'aL  The  eldest 
daughter  of  a  sovereign. 

Princeton.  A  borough  of  Mercer  Co., 
N.  J.,  containing  P.  C/oUege,  one  of  the 
first  educational  institutions  of  the  U.  S. ; 
pop.  4,1(52. 

Prior,  pri'or.  The  sui>erior  of  a  priory 
or  a  monaster}'  of  a  lower  than  abbatial 
rank ;  a  monk  next  in  dignity  to  an  abbot. 
Grand  prior,  a  titl'J  given  to  the  comman- 
dants of  the  priories  of  the  military  orders 
of  St.  Jolm  of  Jerusalem,  of  Malta,  and  of 
the  Teniplai-s. 

Prioress,  -es.  The  female  head  in  a 
convent  of  nuns,  next  in  rank  to  an  abbess. 

Priory,  'o-ri.    A  religious  house  of  which 


PEISCILLTANIST 


578 


PEOPHET 


a  prior  or  prioress  is  the  superior ;  in  dig- 
nity below  an  abbey. 

Priscillianist,  pris-sil'yan-ist.  One  of 
a  sect  so  denominated  from  Priscillian,  a 
Spaniard,  bishop  of  Avila,  who  was  put  to 
death  for  heresy  in  885.  His  doctrine  was 
substantially  that  of  the  Manichaeans. 

Prism,  prizm.  In  Geom. 
a  solid  whose  bases  or 
ends  are  any  similar, 
equal  and  paraHel  plane  je  y 

figures,  and  whose  °^^"'^|ff^-  *- 

are  parallelograms.    An         Prisms, 
optical  appliance  consist- 
ing of  a  transparent  medium  so  arranged 
that  the  surfaces  which  receive  and  trans- 
mit light  form  an  angle  with  each  other. 

Proa,  pro'a. 
A  Malay  vessel 
remarkable  for 
Bwftness,  and 
much  used  by 
pirates  in  the 
Eastern  Archi- 
pelago. 

Proboscidea 
-bos-  sid'c-a. 
An  order  of 
mammals,  in- 
cluding those 
which  have  the 
nose  prolonged 
into  a  prehen- 
sile trunk,  in- 
c  1  u  d  ing  the 

elephant  and  the  extinct  mastodon  and 
dinothcrium. 

Proboscis,  -bos'sis.  The  snout  or  trunk 
of  an  elephant  and  other  animals,  particu- 
larly insects. 

Procida,  Giovanni  da.  An  Italian 
patriot ;  B.  in  Sicily  1225,  d.  1304.  He  is 
credited  with  inciting  the  massacre  of  the 
French,  1282^  known  as  "  The  SiciUan 
Vespers."    •' 

Proconsul,  -kon'sul.  In  ancient  Eome, 
an  officer  who  discharged  the  duties  of  a 
consul  without  being  himself  consul. 

Procreator,  'kro-a-ter.  One  that  begets ; 
a  lather  or  sire. 

Procyon,  'si-on.  A  fixed  star  of  the 
second  magnitude  in  the  constellation 
Canis  Minor.  A  gen.  of  plantigrade  car- 
nivorous mammals,  of  which  the  raccoon 
is  the  most  remarkable  species. 

Progeny,  proj'e-ni.  Oflfepring ;  chil- 
dren. 

Progressionist,  pro-gre'shon-ist.  One 
who  maintains  that  society  is  in  a  state  of 
progress    toward   perfection  ;    one  who 


Proa. 


Profiles  of  Negro  and 
European. 


holds  that  the  existing  species  of  animals 
and  ])lants  were  gradually  developed  from 
one  simple  form. 

Prog-nathic, 
prog-nath'ik.  In 
Ethn.  a  term  ap- 
plied to  the  skull 
of  certain  classes 
and  individuals 
in  whom  the  jaw 
slants  forward ; 
p  r  o  g  n  a  thous. 
The  cuts  show 
the  characteristic 
appearance  of  a  prognathic  and  an  orthog^ 
nathic  head. 

Proletarian,  -le-ta'ri-an.  A  member  ol 
the  poorest  class  of  a  community ;  ore  ol 
the  rabble ;  one  whose  only  capital  is  hia 
labor. 

Prolicide,  'li-sld.  The  crime  of  destroy- 
ing one's  offspring  either  in  the  womb  or 
after  birth. 

Promerops,  -me'rops.  A 
gen.  of  insessorial  birds, 
many  of  which  are  remark- 
able for  the  beauty  of  their 
plumage  and  its  singulail 
arrangement. 

Prometheus.    In  Myth, 
the  Titan  son  of  Tapetus. 
who  made  an  image  in  the. 
form  of  man  and  animated' 
it  with  fire    stolen    from    Piouierops. 
heaven.     For  bis  partiality 
to  mortals  he  was  chained  to  a  rock  in  the 
Caucasus  and  tortured  by  a  vulture,  but 
was  dehvered  by  Hercules. 

Propagranda,  prop-a-gan'da.  A  name 
given  to  those  institutions  by  which  Chris- 
tianity is  propagated  in  heathen  countries, 
more  particularly  to  the  Congregation  de 
Propaganda  Fide,  established  at  Eome  by 
Gregory  XV.  in  1622,  now  charged  vith 
the  management  of  the  E.  C.  missions. 

Propeller,  pro-pel'er.  A 
screw  for  propelling  a 
steam-vessel,  revolving  be- 
neath the  surface  of  the 
water  at  the  stern  of  the 
ship.  Apphed  to  a  vessel 
thus  propelled. 

Prophet,  profet.  Onei 
that  foretells  future  events, 
especially  a  person  illumi- 
nated, inspired  or  instructed  by  God  to 
announce  future  events.  The  Prophets, 
that  division  of  the  sacred  writings  which 
includes  Joshua,  Judges,  Samuel,  Kings, 
Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Ezekiel,  and  the  twelve 
minor  prophets.     School  of  the  prophets, 


I'ropellors. 


PROPHETESS 


6T9 


PEOTOPOPE 


among  the  ancient  Jews,  a  Bchool  or  col- 
lege in  which  young  men  were  educated 
and  qualified  "for  public  teachers.  The 
students  were  called  sons  of  the  prophets. 

Prophetess,  -es.  A  female  prophet ;  a 
woman  who  foretells  future  events. 

Propitiatory,  prO-pi'shi-a-to-ri.  In 
Jewish  Antiq.  the  mercy -seat;  the  lid  or 
cover  of  the  ark  of  the  covenant,  lined 
within  and  without  with  plates  of  gold. 

Proscenium,  -se-ni-um.  The  part  in  a 
theatre  from  the  curtain  to  the  orchestra ; 
also  applied  to  the  curtain  and  the  frame- 
work from  which  it  hangs. 

Proseljrte,  pros'e-lit.  A  new  convert  to 
some  religious  sect,  or  to  some  particular 
opinion,  system  or  party. 

Proserpine,  'er-pln.  In  Class.  Myth,  the 
queen  of  the  infernal  regions.  In  Astron. 
a  planetoid  between  the  orbits  of  Mars 
and  Jupiter. 

Protectionist,  pro-tek'shon-ist.  One 
who  favors  the  protection  of  some  branch 
of  industry  by  legal  enactments ;  one  op- 
posed to  free  trade. 

Protector.  A  title  assumed  by  three 
usurpers  of  the  English  throne  :  Kichard, 
Duke  of  York,  1463 ;  Duke  of  Somerset, 
154S,  and  Cromwell,  1653. 

Protege,  -ta-zha.  One  under  the  care 
and  protection  of  another. 

Protegree.    A  female  who  is  protected. 

Protein,  'te-in.  The  essential  principle 
of  food,  obtained  from  animal  or  vegetable 
albumen,  fibrin  or  casein  ;  composed  of 
carbon,  hydrogen,  nitrogen  and  oxygen. 

Proteles.  A  gen.  of  animals  consisting 
of  a  single  species,  the  aardwolf  (earth- 


Aardwolf. 

wolf)  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.   It  form  s 

the  connecting  link  between  the  hyenas 

and  civets. 
Pro  tempore,  -tem'po-re.    For  the  time 

being ;  temporary.   Abbreviated  pro  tern. 
Protestant,   prot'es-tant.       The   name 

applied  generally  to  those  Christian  de- 


nominations that  differ  from  the  Church 
of  Home  and  that  sprang  from  the  liefbr- 
mation. 

Protestant  Episcopal.  The  name  in 
the  U.  S.  of  the  reUgious  denomination 
which  adheres  to  the  doctrines  and  usages 
of  the  Ch.  of  England. 

Protetis,  pro'te-us.  In  Class  Myth,  a 
marine  deity,  son  of  Oceanus  and  Tethys, 
whose  distinguishing  characteristic  was 
the  faculty  of  assuming  different  shapes  ; 
hence,  one  who  easily  changes  his  form  or 
principles.  In  Zool.  a  gen.  of  perenni- 
branchiate  batrachians.  One  species  only 
has  been  hitherto  discovered,  the  P.  or 
Hypochthon  auguinus,  a  saurian  found  in 
subterranean  lakes  and  caves.  Its  eyes 
are  rudimentary,  and  covered  by  the  skin. 

Prothonotariat,  -thon'o-ta  'ri-at.  The 
college  constituted  by  the  twelve  apostoli- 
cal prothonotaries  in  Eome. 

Prothonotary,  -tarri.  A  chief  notary 
or  clerk.  In  the  E.  C.  Ch.  one  of  12  offi- 
cers constituting  a  college,  who  receive  the 
last  will  of  cardinals,  make  informations 
and  proceedings  necessary  for  the  canon- 
ization of  saints,  &c.  In  the  Eastern 
Church,  the  chief  secretary  of  the  Patri- 
arch of  Constantinople.  A  chief  clerk  ot 
court  in  some  of  the  American  States. 

Protista,  -tis'ta.  A  term  designed  to 
express  those  organisms — protophytes 
and  protozoans — which  occupy  a  jwsition 
between  vegetables  and  animals. 

Protogrenic,  -to-jen'ik.  in  Geol.  ap- 
plied to  crystalline  or  fire-formed  rocks, 
in  contradistinction  to  deuterogenio,  or 
those  formed  by  mechanical  action. 

Protomartyr,  'to-mar-ter.  The  first 
martyr :  a  term  applied  to  St.  Stephen, 
the  first  Christian  martyr.  The  first  who 
suffers  or  is  sacrificed  in  any  cause. 

Protopapas,  -to-pap'as.  .^Jn  the  Greek 
Ch.  a  chief  priest ;  a  priest  of  superior 
rank. 

Protoph3rte,  'to-fit.  A  name  given  to 
the  lowest  organisms  in  the  vegetable 
kingdom,  corresponding  to  the  Protozoa 
of  the  animal  kingdom. 

Protoph3rtolog:y,  -fi-tol"o-ji.  The 
science  of  fossil  botany. 

Protoplasm,  -plazm.  A  substance 
consisting  of  carbon,  oxygen,  nitrogen 
and  hydrogen,  nearly  ide"ntical  with  the 
white  of  an  egg,  and  constituting  the  ba- 
sis of  life  in  animal  and  plant  structures. 

Protoplast,  -plast.  The  original;  the 
first  individual  pair  of  a  species. 

Protopope,  -pop.  In  EuBsia,  apriestof 
superior  rank ;  a  protopapas. 


PE0T0ENI3 


580 


PSEUDOSOOPE 


Protomis,  -tor'nis.  The  name  given  to 
the  earliest  fossil  passerine  bird  yet  known. 
In  size  and  structure  it  approaches  the 
lark,  audit  occurs  in  the  eocene  strata  of 
Claris. 

Protot3rpe,  'to-tip.  An  original  model 
after  which  anything  is  formed;  exem- 
plar ;  ai-chetype. 

Protozoa,  -to-z6'a.  A  sub-kingdom  in- 
cluding the  most  lowly  organized  mem- 
bers of  the  animal  kingdom. 

Protractor.  A 
mathemati  c  a  1  i  n  - 
strument  for  measur- 
ingr  angles  on  paper. 

Provencal,  pro-von- 
sal.     The    Komance         protractor, 
language     lormeriy 
spoken  in  provinces  of  France.    It  is  the 
Langue  d'oc,  and  was  the  tongue  used  by 
the  Troubadours. 

Providence.  Semi-cap.  of  E.  I.,  at  the 
head  of  tide-water  in  Providence  Eiver, 
Narragansett  Bay,  43  m.  8.  W.  of  Boston; 
pop.  104,857. 

Proximo,  prok'si-m5.  The  month  fol- 
lowing the  present ;  next  month.  Con- 
tracted Prox. 

PrudTiomme,  pru-dom.  Lit.  a  pru- 
dent or  discreet  man.  Specifically,  in 
France,  a  member  of  a  tribunal  composetj 
of  masters  and  workmen  whose  principal 
office  is  to  arbitrate  in  trade  disputes. 
Councils  of  prud'hommes  existed  in  the 
15th  century.  They  were  revived  by  Na- 
poleon I.,  1806. 

Prussia.  A  kingdom  of  C.  Europe,  and 
the  principal  state  of  the  German  Empire, 
bounded  N.  by  the  Baltic  and  Denmark, 
E.  by  Eussia,  S.  by  Austria  and  the  states 
of  S.  Germany,  W.  by  France.  Belgium 
and  Holland;  area,  10T,183  sq.  m.;  pop. 
abt.  20,000,000.  Principal  cities,  Berlin, 
cap.,  Breslau,  Cologne,  Konigsberg,  I>ant- 
zig,  Strasbnrg,  Frankfort-on-the-Main, 
Frankfort- on -the-Oder  and  Mentz.  Chief 
rivers,  Niemen,  Pregel,  Yistnla,  Oder, 
Elbe,  Weser,  Ehine  and  tributaries.  Bays, 
Swinemunde,  Liibeck,  Gulf  of  Dantzig. 
Mountains,  Ilartz,  Brocken  and  Eiesenge- 
birge  ranges. 

Prussian,  pru'shan.  The  ancient  lan- 
guage of  Prussia  proper,  belonging  to  the 
Sclavonic  family  of  the  Aryan  tongues  ;  it 
has  been  extinct  for  200  years,  Low-Ger- 
man having  supplanted  it. 

Prytaneum,  pri-ta-ne'um.  A  public 
hall  in  ancient  Greek  states  and  cities 
serving  as  the  common  home  of  the  com- 
munity. That  of  Athens  was  the  most 
fomous. 


Pnith.  A  tributary  of  tlie  Eiver 
Danube,  forming  the  boundary  between 
Eussia  and  Moldavia,  emptying  into  tha 

D.  m.  12  below  Galatz;  length  500  m.  The 
crossing  of  the  I',  by  the  Prussians,  1S68, 
opened  the  Crimean  war. 

Psalm,  sam.  A  song  or  hymn  in  praise 
of  God.  One  of  the  hymns  composed  by 
King  David  and  others,  a  collection  of 
150  of  which  constitute  the  Book  of 
Psalms.  The  word  is  also  applied  to  ver- 
sifications of  the  scriptural  psalms. 

Psalter,  sal'ter.  The  version  of  the  Psalms 
in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer.      In  the 

E.  C.  Ch.  a  series  of  devout  sentences  or 
aspirations,  150  in  number,  in  honor  of 
certain  mysteries,  as  the  sufferings  of 
Christ.  A  large  chaplet  or  rosary,  con- 
sisting of  150  beads,  in  accordance  with 
the  number  of  the  Psalma. 

Psaltery,  -i.  An  in- 
strument of  music 
used  by  the  Hebrews, 
the  form  of  which  is 
not  known.  That 
now  used  is  a  flat  in- 
strument in  the  form 
of  a  triangle,  with  13  , 
chords  of  wire, 
which  are  struck  with 
a  plectrum  or  crooked 
stick. 

Psellismus,    sel-iz'- 
mus.    A  defect  in  enunciation,  such  as  lisp- 
ing. stammoring,&c.;  alsoa  dcjfective  enun- 
ciation due  to  a  hare-lip,  or  defect  of  lip. 

Pseudsesthesia,  su-des-the'si-a.  Im- 
aginary or  false  feeling  ;  imaginary  sense 
of  touch  in  organs  that  have  been  re- 
moved. 

Pseudepig-rapliy,  -de-pig'ra-fl.  The 
ascription  of  false  names  of  authors  to 
works. 

Pseudiso  de- 
mon, -di-sod'6- 
mon.  A  mode 
of  building  in . 
Greece  in  which 
the  courses  dif- 
fered as  to  the 
size  of  the  stones  :  opposed  to  isodomon. 

Pseudo.  A  prefix  signifying  false,  coun- 
terfeit, or  spurious. 

Pseudonym,  su'do-nim.  A  false  or 
feigned  name :  in  French  nom  de  plume. 

Pseudosoope,  su'do-skop.  An  optical 
instrument  somewhat  on  the  principle  of 
the  stereoscope,  but  revei'sing  the  reliefs 
so  that  what  is  nearest  appears  farthest, 
and  a  picture  on  a  wall  as  if  sunk  into  a 
deep  recess. 


Psaltery  of  the 
12th  century. 


Pseudisodomon. 


PSILANTHKOPIST 


6S1 


PULCHEEIA 


Psilanthropist,  sMan'throp-ist.  One 
who  believes  that  Christ  was  a  mere  man  ; 
a  hainanitarian. 

Psittacidae,  sit-tas'i-de.  The  parrot 
tribe,  a  faiu.  of  scansorial  birds,  compris- 
ing' over  300  species,  of  which  the  gen. 
Psittaciis  is  the  type. 

Psyche,   si'kc.      The 
soul ;  th  e    mind  .      In 
Myth,  an  alle^'orical  per- 
sonification of  the  human 
soul,  a  maiden,  so  beauti- 
ful as  to  be  taken  for  Ve- 
nus   herself.      This  god- 
dess, becoming  jealous  of 
her  rival  charms,  ordered 
Cupid  to  inspire  her  with 
love  for  some  contempti- 
ble wretch.     But     Cupid 
fell  in  love  with  her  him- 
self. Psyche,  by  Jupiter's 
command,     became    ira- , 
mortal,  and  was  forever      ^     . ,       , 
united  with  her  beloved.       Cupid  and 
A  small  jdanet  revolving        l^sycne. 
between  the  orbit i  of  3Iars  and  Jupiter. 

Psychologry,  -kol'o-ji.  That  branch  of 
knowledge  which  deals  with  the  human 
soul. 

Ptarmig-an,  tfir'mi- 
gan.  A  gallinaceous 
bird,  gen.  Lagopus, 
fam.  Tetraonids,  or 
gi-onse.  The  willow- 
ptarmigan  abounds 
in  the  Arctic  regions. 

PteridologT,  ter-i- 
dol'o-ji.  The  science 
of  ferns ;  a  treatise  on 
ferns. 

Ptero  d  a  c  - 
tylus,  -o- 
dak'ti-lus.  A 
gen.  of  ex- 
tinct flying 
reptiles  (pter- 
odactyls),ord. 
P  t  e  rosauria. 
Several  spe- 
cies    have 

been    discov-      „^      ^    .  ,  t>    ^      a 
gred.  Pterodactyl  Kestored. 

Pteromys.'o-mis.  A  gen.  of  rodents,  fam. 
Sciuridse  (squirrels)  ;  the  flying  squirrels. 

Pterylography,  -i-log'ra-fi.  A  descrip- 
tion of  the  feathers  of  birds. 

Pthah,  tha.  An  ancient  Egyptian  divin- 
ity, the  creator  of  all  things  and  source 
of  life,  and  as  such  father  and  sovereign  of 
the  gods.  Pthah  is  really  a  special  energy 
of  the  god  Neph. 


urmigau. 


Ptolemy.  The  dj'nastic  name  of  an 
Egyptian  royal  house,  of  whom  13  kings 
reigned  from  823  to  43  b.  c.  P.  Claudius, 
an  eminent  Greek  astronomer  and  geogi*a- 
pher;  b.  in  Alexandria  125,  d.  IGO. 

Publicist,  pub'li-sist.  A  writer  on  the 
laws  of  nature  and  nations ;  one  who  treats 
of  the  rights  of  nations.  A  writer  on  cur- 
rent political  topics. 

Publicola  (Valerius  Publius).  An 
emineat  Eoman  jurist,  pro-consul  with 
Brutus,  509-T  B.  c.  He  was  the  author  of 
the  laws  which  protected  the  liberties  of 
tlie  masses,  and  gained  for  him  his  sur- 
name P.,  "  The  People's  Friesd." 

Puchapat,  pu'cha-pat.  The  leaf  ef  Po- 
gostemon  patchouli,  of  India,  mixed  with 
tobacco  for  smoking,  and  used  for  scent- 
ing women's  hair.  The  essential  oil  (pat- 
chouli) is  employe!  to  scent  clothes. 

Puddle-ball,  pud'1-bal.  In  iron  manu- 
facture, the  lump  of  red-hot  iron  taken 
from  the  puddling  furnace  in  a  pasty  state 
to  be  hammered  or  rolled. 

Puddler,  'ler.  One  employed  at  the  pro- 
cess of  turning  cast-iron  into  wrought- 
iron. 

Puebla,  La.  Cap.  of  a  Mexican  state  of 
same  name,  7G  m.  S.  E.  of  City  of  Mexico; 
pop.  abt.  80,000. 

Pueblos.  A  name  given  to  several  small 
semi-civilized  Indian  tribes  of  New  Mexi- 
co, whose  customs  antedate  the  Spanish 
occupation.  They  number  a'j»t.  20,000. 
Zuni  is  the  principal  village. 

Puffln,  puf'in. 
T  h  e  common 
name  for  the  div- 
ing birds,  gen. 
Fratercula,  auk 
family 

Pugrgri,  pug'i. 

In  India,  a  detect 

ive  who  follow.' 

up  the    pug    oi 

footmark  ;    one 

whose  business  is        „  -.^  ^ 

to  trace  thieves.        Common  Puffin. 

&c.,  by  their  footsteps. 

Puisne,  pu'ne.  A  junior;  an  inferior. 
In  law,  a  judge  af  inferior  rank. 

Pulaski,  Casimir,  Count.  A  Polish 
patriot,  js.  1747.  He  won  distinction  in 
the  revolution  against  IJussia  and  after- 
ward came  to  America,  1777,  when  he 
was  appointed  brigadier-general;  killed  at 
the  siege  of  Savannah,  1779. 

Pulcheria,  St.  Daughter  of  the  em- 
peror Arcadius  ;  b.  899  i).  463.  Shegov- 
erned  the  Eastern  empire  8C  years,414-. 


PULEX 


PYLOEUS 


450,  in  the  name  of  her  brother  Theodo- 
sius,  and  3  years  in  her  own  name.  She 
was  as  eminent  for  piety  as, for  abihty. 

Pulex,  'leks.  A  gen.  of  apterous  insects, 
consisting  of  the  various  species  of  fleas. 

JPuIkha,  pul'ka.  A  Laplander's  traveling 
sledge. 


Laplander  in  his  Pulkha, 

IhlUey,  pul'li.  A  small 
wheel  movable  aboutan  axle 
and  having  a  groove  in  its 
circumference  over  which 
a  cord  passes  ;  it  is  one  of 
the  six  simple  machines  or 
mechanical  powers,  and 
used  for  raising  weights. 

Pulpit,  'pit.    An  elevated  ' 
place  or  inclosed  stage  in  &      puHeys 
church,      in      which     the 
preacher  stands ;    in  ancient  times  often 
made  of  stone  and  richly  carved.    The 
pulpit,  preachers  generally ;    the  public 
teaching  in  churches. 

Pulque,  'ka.  A  vinous  Mexican  bever- 
age obtained  by  fermenting  the  juice  of 
tho  various  species  of  the  agave.  It  re- 
sembles cider,  but  has  an  odor  similar  to 
putrid  meat. 

Pumper-nickel,  pum'per-nik-el.  A 
species  of  coarse  bread  made  from  unbolted 
rye. 

Pumpkin,  pump'kin.  A  climbing  plant 
and  its  fruit,  of  the  gen.  Cucurbita,  the  C. 
Pepo,  ord.  Cucurbitaceae. 

P'Ondit,  pun'dit.  A  learned  Brahman  ; 
cne  versed  in  the  Sanskrit  language  and 
in  the  science,  laws  and  religion  of  India. 

Punic,  pu'nik.  The  language  of  the 
Carthaginians,  which  belongs  to  the 
Canaauitish  branch  of  the  Semitic  tongues 
and  is  allied  to  Hebrew. 

Punjaub,  The.  That  section  of  British 
India  embraced  within  the  Indus  on  theW. 
and  the  Sutlej  on  the  E. ;  pop.  about 
19,000,000. 

Purana,  pu-ra'na.  One  of  a  class  of 
sacred  poetical  writings  in  the  Sanskrit 


tongue,  which  treat  of  the  creation,  de- 
struction and  renovation  of  worlds,  the 
genealogy  and  deeds  of  gods,  heroes  and 
princes,  the  reigns  of  the  Manus,  &c.  The 
number  is  stated  to  be  eighteen,  and,  to- 
gether with  the  Tantras,  they  form  the 
foundation  of  the  popular  creed  of  tho 
Brahminical  Hindus. 

Purim,  'rim.  An  annual  festival  among 
the  Jews  instituted  to  commemorate  their 
preservation  from  the  massacre  with  which 
they  were  threatened  by  the  machinations 
of  Haman, 

Puritan,  'ri-tan.  The  name  by  which 
the  dissenters  from  the  Church  of  England 
were  generally  known  in  the  reign  oi 
Elizabeth  and  the  first  two  Stuarts  ;  the 
original  settlers  of  New  England. 
Purcon,  per'kon.  The  native  name  for 
a  priest  of  the  Oiiental  fire-worshipers. 
Purg-atory,  'ga-to-ri.  According  to  the 
belief  of  Koman  and  Greek  Catholics, 
and  others,  a  place  in  which  souls  after 
death  are  purified  from  venial  sins  or  im- 
dergo  the  temporal  punishment  which, 
after  the  guilt  of  mortal  sin  has  been  re- 
mitted, still  remains  to  be  endured  by  the 
sinner. 

Purple,  'pi.  A  secondary  color  com- 
pounded by  the  union  of  the  primaries 
blue  and  red. 

Pusane,  pu'siin.  In  ancient  armor,  the 
gorget  or  a  substitute  for  it. 
Pusey,  Edward  Bouverie.  An  em- 
inent English  theologian  ;  b.  1800, ».  1882. 
Pushto,  push'to.  The  language  of  the 
Afghans. 

Putnam,  Israel.  An  American  general; 
B.  in  Mass.  1718,  d.  1790. 
Pyaemia,  pl-e'mi-a.  In  Pathol,  blood- 
poisoning,  a  dangerous  disease  resulting 
from  the  introduction  of  decaying  animal 
matter,  pus,  or  other  unhealthy  secretion 
into  the  system. 

Pygrmy,  pig'mi.  A  fabulous  race  of 
dwarfs,  first  mentioned  by  Homer  as 
dwelling  on  the  shores  of  Ocean,  and  who 
had  to  sustain  a  war  against  the  cranes 
every  spring.  A  little  or  dwarfish  person  ; 
a  dwarf.  A  species  of  ape  ;  the  chimpan- 
zee. 

Pylagoras,  pl-lag'nr-as.  In  Ancient 
Greece  a  delegate  or  representrtive  of  a 
city,  sent  to  the  Amphictyonic  council. 
Pylon,  'Ion.  In  Arch,  the  mass  of  build- 
ing on  either  side  of  the  entrance  to  an 
Egyptian  temple. 

Pylorus,  pi-16'ru8.  The  lower  and  right 
orifice  of  the  stomach,  through  which  the 
food  passes  on  to  the  intestine. 


PYRAMID 


5S8 


Pyramid,  pir'a- 
mid.  A  structure 
of  a  well-known 
shape,  erected  in 
different  parts  of 
the  world,  the  most 
noted  being  those 
of  Egypt  and  Mexi- 
co. The  pyramids 
of  Egypt  commence 
immediately  south  of  Cairo,  continuing 
southwards  at  varying  intervals  for  nearly 
70  miles.  The  four  largest  are  near 
Ghizeh,  a  village  about  four  miles  south- 
west of  Cairo.  The  base  of  the  Great 
Pyramid,  or  Pyramid  of  Cheops,  is  746 
feet  square,  occupying  13  acres,  and  it  is 
built  in  platforms  ;"that  at  the  top  contains 
only  1067  square  feet.  The  height  was 
originally  480  feet  9  inches,  present  height 
4C0  feet,  and  the  series  of  platforms  pre- 
sents a  succession  of  203  steps.  The  in- 
terior contains  numerous  chambers.  It  is 
unquestionably  the  most  stupendous  stone 
building  ever  erected,  and  is  said  by 
Herodotus  to  have  employed  100,000  men 
for  20  years. 

P3nrenees,  The.  A  mountain  chain  in 
S.  W.  Europe,  forming  the  boundary  bet. 
France  and  Spain,  270  m.  ;  Mt.  Perdu  is 
10,994  feet  high. 

P  y  r  h  eliometer,  per-he'li-om"et-er. 
An  Instrument  for  measuring  the  inten- 
sity of  the  heat  of  the  sun. 

Pyrochroa,  pir-o-kro'a.  A  gen.  of  cole- 
opterous insects,  distinguished  by  its  pure 
red  color ;  cardinal  beetle. 

P  y  r  o  -  electricity,  '6-e-lek-tri8"i-ti. 
Electricity  produced  by  heat ;  the  science 
which  treats  of  electricity  so  produced  ; 
thermo-electricity. 

Pyrolatry,  pi-rora-tri.  The  worship  of 
fire. 

Pjrroleter,  'e-ter.  An  apparatus  for  the 
extinction  of  fire  by  carbonic  acid  ;  a  fire- 
extinguisher. 

Pyrology,  'o-ji.  The  science  of  heat, 
latent  and  sensible. 

P3rronieter,  -rom'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  gradations  of  temperature 
above  those  Indicated  by  the  mercurial 
thermometer. 


Pyrophone,  pir'o-fon.  A  musical  in- 
strument, in  which  the  various  notes  are 
produced  by  the  burning  of  hydrogen  gas 
within  glas's  tubes  of  various  sizes  and 
lengths. 

PyToteclinics,  -o-tek'niks.  The  art  of 
making  and  using  fireworks. 

Pyroxyline,  pi-rok'sil-in.  A  term  em- 
bracing  all  explosive  substances  obtained 
by  immersing  vegetable  fiber  in  nitric  or 
nitro-sulphuric  acid. 

I*yrrh.ic,  pir'ik.  An  ancient  Grecian 
Avarlike  dance. 

Pyrrho.  A  distinguished  Greek  phil- 
osop\r,  r,  founder  of  the  Skeptic  school ;  b. 
abt.  3s0,  D.  290  b.  c. 

Pj^thagoras.  An  illustrious  Greek 
philosopher ;  b.  in  Samos  abt.  600  b.  c.  ; 
date  and  place  of  death  nnknown.  He 
taught  the  doctrine  of  metempsychosis,  or 
the  transmigration  of  souls  through  dif- 
ferent orders  of  animal  existence. 

Pjrtlion,  pi'thon.  A  gen.  of  large  ser- 
pents, fom.  Boidae,  allied  to  the  boa,  which 
attain  a  length  of  30  feet.  They  are  not 
venomous,  but  kill  their  prey  by  com- 
pression . 

Pythoness,  -es.    The  priestess  of  Apollo 

at  his  temple  at  Delphi,  who  gave  oracular 

answers  :  hence,  any  woman  supposed  to 

have  a  spirit  of  divination  ;  a  witch. 
Pyx,  piks.  In  the 

K.  C.  Ch.  a  cov- 
ered vessel   used 

for    holding    the 

consecrated  host. 

A  box   in  Avhich 

specimen   coins 

are  deposited    at 

the  Mint.      Trial 

of    the    pyx,   the 

final     trial     by 

weight  and  assay 

of  gold  and  silver 

coins     of     Great 

Britain     prior    to 

their    issue    from 

the  Mint.  Pyx. 

Pyxis,  pik'sis.    A  box  ;  a  pyx.     P.  Nau- 

tica,  the  Mariner's  Compass,  a  southern 

constellation 


QIS  the  17th  letter  of  the  alphabet,  a  con- 
sonant having  the  same  sound  as  k  or 
hard  c.  It  is  a  superfluous  letter,  as  the 
combination  qu,  in  which  it  always  occurs, 
could  be  equally  well  expressed  by  kw,  or 


k  alone  when  the  u  is  silent.  It  is  most 
common  as  an  initial  letter ;  it  never 
stands  alone  as  a  final  though  in  such 
Avords  as  pique,  oblique  it  is  really  final, 
the  following  \owel8  being  silent.    The 


QUACK 


584 


QUARTER-MASTER 


name  of  the  letter  is  said  to  be  from  the 
Fr.  queue,  a  tail,  from  its  form.  As  an 
abbreviation,  among  matliematicians,  Q. 
E.  D.  stands  for  quod  erat  demonstrand- 
um, which  was  to  be  demonstrated  ;  Q. 
E.  F.,  quod  erat  faciendum,  which  was  to 
be  done  ;  in  Rom.  literature  and  inscrip- 
tions, Q  stands  for  Quintus. 

Quack,  kwak.  One  who  pretends  to  skill 
or  knowledge  which  he  does  not  possess  ; 
a  cliarlatan. 

duadragrene,  kwod'ra-jen.  A  papal  in- 
dulgence lor  40  daj's  ;  a  remission  of  the 
temporal  punishment  due  to  sin,  corre- 
sponding to  the  40  days  of  the  ancient  can- 
onical penance. 

Quadrag-esima,  -ra-jes'i-ma.  Lent ;  so 
called  because  it  consists  of  40  days.  Q. 
Sunday,  the  first  Sufada}"  in  Lent,  and  about 
the  40th  day  before  Easter. 

Quadrant,  -rant.  A  fourth 
part ;  an  instrument  with 
which  latitudes  are  taken. 

Quadrat,  'rat.  In  Printing, 
a  piece  of  type-metal  cast 
lower  than  a  type,  used  for 
filling  out  blank  spaces.  a,  a,  Quad- 

Quadrigra,  -rl'ga.      An  an-       rants, 
cient     two-wheeled    chariot 
drawn  by  four  horses,  harnessed   abreast. 
It  was  used  in  racing  in  the  Greek  Olym- 
pian games,  and  in  the  Circensian  games 
of  the  Romans. 

Quadrig-enarious,  'ri-je-na"ri-us.  Con- 
sisting of  400. 

Quadrilateral,     -ri-t ■» 

lat'er-al.   A  figure  liav- 1  I 

ing  four  sides  and  con-  \  I 

scquently  four  angles  ;  \  I 

a  quadraiigiihi'-  figure.   \  \ 

The  Q.  famous  in  Aus-  J 

tro-Italian    Jxistory,    is     Quaurihaerai. 
formed     by    the    four 
fortified  po'ints,  Peschiera  and  Mantua  on 
the   Mincio,  and  Verona  and  Legnago  on 
the  Adige. 

Quadrille,  ka-dril'.  A  game  played  by 
four  i)ersons  witli  40  cards,  the  tens,  nines 
and  eights  being  discarded.  A  dance  of 
five  figures  or  movements  executed  by 
four  couples  forming  a  square. 

Quadrillion,  kwod-ril'li-on.  The  fourth 
power  of  a  million,  or  the  number  repre- 
sented by  a  unit  with  24  ciphers  annexed  ; 
acciording  to  the  French,  a  unit  with  15 
ciphers  annexed. 

Quadripennate,  -ri-pen'at.  One  of  a 
so  ;'.iim  ofi'isectis  destitute  of  elytra  and 
}-.;a  ing  four  wings. 

Quadrisacrainentalist,-8ak-ra-men"- 


tal-ist.  A  disciple  of  Melanchthon,  who 
allowed  the  four  sacraments  of  baptism, 
the  eucharist,  penance  and  holy  order. 

Quadroon,  -ron'.  The  offspring  of  a 
mulatto  and  white;  a  person  quarter- 
blooded. 

Quadruxaana,  -rii'ma-na.  An  order  of 
mammals  comprising  apes,  monkeys,  ba- 
boons, lemurs,  «fec. 

Quadruped,  'ni-ped.  An  animal  having 
four  legs  and  feet,  usually  restricted  to 
mammals,  though  many  reptiles  have  four 
legs. 

Four  times  the  sum  or 


-pi. 


Quadruple, 

number. 
Q  u  ag-ga . 

kwag'a.      An 

animal  of  the 

gen.      Equus, 

allied    to    the 

zebra,     found  ^.aj, 

in    8.    Africa.  W-^ 

It     has    been 

bred  with  the 

horse. 
Quahaug", 

kwa'hog.      In 

N.  "  England, 

the  popular  name  of 

a    large    species    of 

clams. 
Quail,     kwfd.       A 

common    name     of 

bird.^,  gen.  Coturnix, 

nearly  allied  to  the 

partridges.        There 

are  several  species, 

all  ftxvorite  table  birds. 
Quaker,  kwiik'er.    One  of  the  religious  "■ 

sect  called  the  Society  of  Friends.    The 

name  was  given    in   reproach,  and  was 

adopted  by  the  Society. 
Quaker-gun,   -gun.     A  wooden  imita- 
tion of  a  cannon  used  for  the  purpose   of 

deceiving  the  enemy. 

Quart,  kwart.     The  fourth  part  of  a  gal- 
lon ;  two  pints ;    equal  to   69.3185  cubic 

inches. 
Quarte,  kiirt.     One  of  the  four  guards  in 

fencing  ;  a  corresponding  position  of  the 

body. 

Quarter-foil.  An  or- 
namental figure  repre- 
senting an  expanded 

flower  of  four  petals. 
Quarter  -  maste  r , 

Milit.    an   oflicer  who 

superintends     the 

tents,  «&«.,  of  a  regiment,  and  keeps  the 


Quail. 


i 


Quarter-foils, 
quarters,     barracks, 


QUAKTZ 


585 


QUININE 


regimental  stores.  Naut.  a  petty  officer, 
who  has  charge  of  the  stowage  of  ballast 
and  pro^^sions,  coiling  of  ropes,  &c.,  and 
attends  to  the  steering  of  the  ship. 

Quartz,  kwarts.  A  name  given  to  numer- 
ous varieties  of  the  native  oxide  of  silicon, 
called  also  silicic  acid.  When  pure  and 
crystalline,  it  is  known  as  rock-crj'stal. 
Hornstone,  amethyst,  siderite,  agate, 
avanturine,  flint,  opal,  chalcedony,  onyx, 
sardonyx  and  jasper  are  varieties  of  this 
mineral.  Quartz  veins  are  often  found  in 
metamorphic  rocks,  and  frequently  con- 
tain rich  deposits  of  gold. 

duass,  kwas.  A  thin,  sour,  fermented 
liquor,  made  by  pouring  warm  water  on 
rye  or  barley  meal,  drank  by  the  peas- 
antry of  Kussia. 

Quaternary,  kwa-ter'na-ri.  The  num- 
ber four.  In  Geol.  the  strata  above  the 
tertiary.  Called  also  post- tertiary.  In 
Chern.  compounds  which  contain  fom- 
elements,  as  gum,  fibrin,  &c. 

duatre  Bras.  A  village  of  Brabant, 
Belgium,  3  m.  S.  E.  of  Gemappe,  where, 
June  17,  1S15,  was  fought  the  indecisive 
battle  between  the  English  and  Freneh 
which  preceded  the  battle  of  Waterloo, 
next  day. 

Quebec.  Cap.  of  E.  Canada,  or  Quebec, 
on  a  high  bluff  bet.  the  St.  Lawrence  and 
St.  Charles  rivers,  the  chief  commercial 
city  of  the  Dominion  ;  pop.  94,324. 

Queen,  kwen.  A  female  sovereign.  Q. 
consort,  the  wife  of  a  king.  Q.  dowager, 
widow  of  a  deceased  king.  Q.  mother,  a 
queen  dowager  who  is  also  mother  of  the 
reigning  sovereign. 

Queen-post. 
One  of  two  sus- 
pending posts  in  a 
trussed  roof. 

Queen  -  regent. 
A  queen  who 
holds  the  crown  in 
her  own  right ;  a    a,  a,  ^ueen  -  posts 


qucen-regnant. 
Queen's-metal, 
kwenz'met-ai.  An 
alloy  of  y  i)arts  ot 
tin,  1  bismuth,  1 
antimony  and  1 
lead,     used       for 


b,  tiebeam 
struts  or  braces ; 
d,  d,  pinlins;  e, 
sti-aining  beam ;    f, 

f,  common  rafters ; 

g,  g,  wall  plates  ;  h, 
ridge-piece. 


making  tea-pots,  spoons,  «s;c. 
Queen-bee.  'be.  The  sovereign  of  a 
swarm  of  bees,  the  only  fully -developed 
and  prolific  insect  in  the  hive,  all  the 
others  being  either  males  or  drones  and 
neuters.  Her  sole  occupation  consists  in 
layir  g  the  eggs  for  the  increase  of  the  pop- 


ulation of  the  hive,  from  300  to  2,000  eggs 
being  deposited  daily. 

Queenstown  (Cove).  A  port  on  Cork 
harbor  10  m.  8.  of  Cork,  a  mail  station  for 
trans-Atlantic  steamers  ;  pop.  16,457. 

Queretaro.  Cap.  of  province  of  v«;ame 
name,  110  m.  N.  W.  of  City  of  Mexico, 
noted  as  the  f)lace  where  the  treaty  of 
peace  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico  was 
ratified,  1S4S,  also  for  the  execution  of  th« 
Emperor  Maximilian,  1867:  pop.  abt. 
52,000. 

Quern,  kwem.  A  stone  hand-miU  for 
grinding  grain. 

Questor,  kwes'tor.  A  certain  magistrate 
of  ancient  Rome  whose  chief  office  was 
the  management  of  the  public  treasury  ; 
receiver  of  taxes,  tribute,  «&c.  Also 
written  Quaestor. 

Quick-march,  kwik'march.  A  march 
at  the  rate  of  Si  miles  an  hour,  110  paces 
(275  ft.)  a  minute.  Called  also  Quick-step. 

Quicksilver,  'sil-ver.  Mercury,  a  met- 
al which  is  liquid  at  ordinary  tempera- 
tures, only  becoming  sohd  at  about  40<* 
below  the  zero  of  Fahrenheit. 

Quietist,  kwl'et-ist.  One  of  a  sect  of 
mystics,  originated  by  Molinos,  a  Spanish 
priest,  in  the  17th  century.  Other  sects 
of  quietists  have  appeared  in  dilterent 
ages,  such  as  the  Messahans  or  Euchites 
in  the  4th  century,  the  Bogomili  in  the 
11th  century,  the  Ceghards,  Beguines 
and  Ilesychasts  in  the  13th  century,  the 
Brethren  of  the  Free  Spirit  in  the  14tli 
century,  and  otners  of  less  note. 

Quince,  kwins.  The  fruit  of  the  Cydonia 
vulgaris,  ord.  liosaceae. 

Quince-seed,  'sed.  The  seeds  of  the 
quince,  used  for  making  a  gummy  sub- 
stance for  imparting  stiffness  and  gloss  to 
the  hair,  as  also  a  mucilage  for  chapped 
lips. 

Quincy,  Josiah..  An  American  lawyer, 
orator  and  essayist ;  b.  in  Mass.  1744,  d. 
1775.  His  son  Josiah,  b.  1772,  ».  18&4, 
was  also  distinguished  as  an  orator.  While 
a  member  of  Congress  he  opposed  the  ad- 
mission of  Louisiana,  also  the  war,  1812, 
with  Great  Britain. 

Quindecagron,  kwin-dek'a-gon.  In 
Geom.  a  plane  tigure  with  15  sides  and  15 
angles. 

Quindecemvir,  -de  sem'ver.  In  Horn. 
Antiq.  one  of  a  body  of  15  magistrates  who 
had  charge  of  the  Sibylhne  books. 

Quinine,  'in.  A  vegetable  alkali,  obtained 
from  the  bark  of  several  trees  of  the  goh. 
Cinchona.    With  acids  It  forms  eryst^liz- 


QUINQTTAGESTMA 


RACK 


able  salts,  the  most  important  of  which  is 
the  sulphate,  largely  used  in  medicine. 

duinquagesima,  -kwa-ies'i-ma.  Fifti- 
eth. Q.  Sunday,  so  called  as  being  about 
the  fiftieth  day  before  Easter ;  Shrove 
Sunday. 

Quinquenniewi,  -kwen'i-ad.  A  period 
of  6  years. 

Quinquevir,  'kwe-ver.  In  Eom.  Antiq. 
one  of  5  special  commissioners  frequently 
appointed  under  the  republic  to  carry  any 
measure  into  effect. 

Quintain,  'tan.  A  figure  or  object  to 
be  tilted  at,  constructed  in  various  ways. 

Quintal, 'tal.  A  weight  of  100  lbs.  The 
French  quintal  is  100  kilograms,  or  220 
lbs.  avoirdupois. 

duintile,  'til.  The  aspect  of  planets 
when  distant  from  each  other  the  fifth 
part  of  the  zodiac  or  72  degrees. 

Q,uintilian,  -til'i-an.  One  of  a  sect  of 
heretics  in  the  second  century,  disciples 
of  Montanus,  who  took  their  name  from 
Quintilia,  a  lady  whom  he  had  deceived 
by  his  pretended  sanctity.  They  made 
the  cucharist  of  bread  and  cheese,  allowed 
women  to  be  priests  and  bishops,  and  de- 
cried baptism  as  useless. 

Q,uintilian,  Marcus  Fabius  Q,uin- 
tilianus.  An  eminent  Eoman  rhetor- 
ician ;  R.  abt,  43,  d.  118. 

Quintillion,  'li-on.  A  number  produced 
by  involving  a  million  to  the  fifth  power. 


or  a  unit  followed  by  30  ciphers  ;  in  French 
and  Italian  notations,  a  unit  followed  by 
18  ciphers. 

duintroon,  -tron.  In  the  "W.  Indies, 
the  child  of  a  white  man  by  a  woman  who 
has  one-tixteenth  part  of  negro  blood. 

Quipo,  kvdp'o.  A  cord  spun  from  vari 
ously  colored  threads,  to  which  smaller 
threads  were  attached  as  a  fringe  ;  used 
among  the  ancient  Peruvians  and  Mexi- 
cans for  recording  events,  &c.  The  colors 
denoted  sensible  objects,  as  white  for  sil- 
ver, yellow  for  gold,  and  the  like ;  also  ab- 
stract ideas,  as  white  for  peace,  red  for 
war. 

Gluirinus,  kwi-ri'nus.  An  Italian  war- 
like divinity,  supposed  to  be  the  same  as 
Mars. 

duirites,  'tt-z.  A  designation  of  the  citi- 
zens of  ancient  Rome  in  their  civil  capac- 
ity ;  that  of  Romani  applying  to  their 
political  and  military  capacity. 

Quito.  Cap.  of  republic  of  Ecuador,  S. 
America,  on  a  plain  bet.  two  ranges  of  the 
Andes ;  pop.  abt.  80,000. 

Quoit,  koit.  A  flat  ring  of  iron,  convex 
on  the  upper  and  concave  on  the  under 
side,  so  that  the  outer  edge  curves  down- 
ward, used  in  playing  (or  pitching)  in  a 
game  called  quoits.' 

Quotidian,  kwo-tid'i-an.  Anything  that 
returns  every  day.  A  fever  whose  parox- 
ysms return  daily. 


R 


RIS  the  18th  letter  of  the  alph.ibet, 
classed  as  a  liquid  and  semi- vowel,  and 
generally  represents  two  shghtly  different 
sounds.  Among  the  Romans  r  was 
called  the  "dog's  letter"  (Utera  canina), 
from  its  sound  being  comparad  to  the 
snarling  of  a  dog.  It  has  close  affinities 
with  1,  and  its  interchange  with  that  con- 
sonant is  common.  It  is  also  closely  al- 
lied to  s  (with  the  z-sound).  In  words  from 
the  Greek  the  Latins  wrote  h  after  r,  as  a 
representative  of  the  aspirated  sound  with 
which  this  letter  was  pronounced  by  the 
Greeks,  but  in  English  h  is  superfluous, 
rhapsody,  rheum,  rhetoric  being  pro- 
nounced as  if  written  rapsody,  i-eum,  rct- 
oric.  As  an  abbreviation  R  stands  for  rex, 
king ;  or  regina,  queen  ;  also  for  royal ;  as 
R.  N.,  Royal  Navy;  R.  A.,  Royal  Acad- 
em}'.  Among  physicians  R  stands  for 
receipt,  take. 

Kabbi,  rab'bi.  A  title  of  respect  given  to 
Jewish  doctors  or  expounders  of  the  law. 
The  rabbi  of  the  present  day  teaches  tha 


young,  delivers  sermons,  assists  at  mar- 
riages and  divorces,  and  decides  some 
questions  of  ritual. 

Kabbinist,  'bin-ist.  Among  the  Jews, 
one  who  adhered  to  the  Talmud  and  the 
traditions  of  the  rabbins,  in  opposition  to 
the  Caraites,  who  rejected  traditions. 

Rabble,  'l.  The  tool  used  in  the  process 
of  puddling  to  stir  the  melted  iron  and 
ekim  oft"  the  slag ;  the  puddling-tool. 

Rabelais,  Francois.  A  distinguished 
French  humorist ;  B.  1495,  d.  1553,  as  cu- 
rate of  Meudou. 

Rabi,  'e.  The  name  given  to  the  great 
grain  crop  of  Hindustan,  consistinij  of 
wheat,  barley,  oats  and  miUets.  It  is  the 
last  of  the" three  crops,  and  furnishes 
about  five-sixteenths  of  the  food   supply. 

Racine,  Jean.  An  en)inent  French 
poet  and  dramatist ;  b.  1639  ;  d.  1699. 

Rack,  rak.  An  ancient  instrument  for  the 
judicial  torture  of  criminals  and  suspected 
pwsons.    It  was  a,  wooden  frame  within 


EACCOO]!*r 


587 


EANA 


Tv-hich  the  prisoner  was  laid  on  his  hack 
upon  the  floor,  with  his  wrists  and  anlcles 
attached  by  cords  to  rollers,  which  were 
moved  in  opposite  directions  till  the  body 
rose  to  a  level  with  the  frame. 

Raccoon,  rak-kdn.  An  American  plan- 
tif,'rade  carnivorous  mammal,  the  com- 
mon raccoon  being  the  Procyon  lotor.  Its 
fur  Is  valuable. 

Racket-court,  'et-kort.  An  are^^  or 
court  in  which  the  game  of  rackets  is 
l>layed  ;  a  tennis-court. 

Rack-rent,  'rent.  A  rent  raised  to  the 
uttermost ;  a  rent  greater  than  any  ten- 
ant can  reasonably  pay. 

Racovian.  ru-ko'vi-an,  Amembt^rofa 
polish  sect  of  Unitarians :  so  called  from 
Kacow,  where  tliey  have  a  seminary. 

Radetzky,  Joseph  Wenzel,  Prince. 
An  Austrian  general,  who  won  distinction 
in  wars  with  the  Turks,  French  and  Ital- 
ians ;  B.  1766,  D.  185S. 

Radiant,  ra'di-ant.  In  optics,  the  lumi- 
nous point  or  object  from  which  light  em- 
anates, that  falls  on  a  mirror  or  lens.  In 
Astron.  the  point  In  the  heavens  from 
which  a  star-shower  seems  to  proceed ; 
thus,  Andromeda  in  the  constellation  Leo 
is  the  radiant  of  the  November  star- 
showers,  known  as  Leonides. 

Radius,  ra'-do-us.  The      y^ — I ^ 

semi-diameter  of  a  cir-    /^       I  >. 


Raffaelle-ware,   rSf  [  j  \ 


Majolica  ware,  so  called 
from  the  supposition 
that  the  designs  were 
painted  by  Kaffaelle.  liadius. 

Rafi3.esia,  raf-lC'si-a. 
A  gen.  of  parasitical  plants,  type  of  the 
ord.  of  liafflesiace*,  natives  of  Sumatra 
and  Java,  having  scales  in  place  of  leaves. 
R.  Arnoldi  produces  a  flower  measuring  3 
feet  in  diameter.  It  Is  used  in  Java  as  a 
powerful  astringent  and  styptic. 

Rag-huvansa,  rag-hfl-van'sa.  ThetUle 
of  one  of  the  most  celebrated  Sanskrit 
I»oems,  the  legendary  history  of  the  kings 
descended  from  the  sun. 

Ragrlan.  James  Henry  Fitzroy 
Somerset,  Lord.  An  English  general, 
a  descendant  of  the  Plantagenets  ;  b.  178S, 
D.  in  the  Crimea  while  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  British  Army,  1855. 

Ragmarok,  riig'na-rek.  In  Scand.  Myth, 
the  day  of  doom,  when  the  present  world 
will  be  annihilated,  to  be  i-eeonsti-ucted  on 
an  imperishable  basis. 


Rahu,  ra'hu.  In  Indian  Myth,  the  demon 
who  is  supposed  to  be  the  cause  of  th« 
eclipses  of  the  sun  and  moon. 

Rajah.,  ra'jii.  In  India,  a  title  which  be- 
longed to  the  princes  of  the  Hindu  race, 
but  now  apjdied  to  Hindus  of  rank  and 
to  large  land-holders,  irrespective  of  theur 
caste. 

Rajput,  raj'pvit.  A  member  of  various 
tribes  of  India  of  Aryan  origin,  descended 
from  the  royal  races  of  the  Hindus  or  from 
the  Kshatriya  or  military  caste.  At  pres- 
ent they  chiefly  occupy  the  province  of 
Eajputana,  but  all  over  India  there  are 
families  who  claim  the  title. 

Rakee,  ra-kc'.  A  coarse  spirit  made 
chiefly  in  Kussia  from  grain  •,  common 
Kussian  brandy. 

Rakshasa,  rak'shas-a.  In  Hind.  Myth, 
one  of  a  class  of  evil  spirits  or  genii.  They 
are  cruel  monsters,  frequenting  ceme- 
teries, devouring  human  beings  and  as- 
suming any  shape  at  pleasure.  They  are 
generally  hideous,  but  some,  especially 
the  females,  allure  by  their  beauty. 

Raleig:h,"W'alter,  Sir.  A  distinguished 
English  politician,  wit,  historian,  soldier, 
navigator  and  poet ;  B.  1552  ;  executed  for 
high  treason,  by  order  of  James  I.,  161S. 

Raleig-h.  Cap.  of  N.  Carohna,  148  m. 
N.  W.  of  Wilmington  ;  pop.  9,265. 

Rallus,  ral'lus.  The  rails,  a  gen.  of  birds, 
fam.  Eallidai. 

Rama,  ra'ma.  In  Hind.  Myth,  the  name 
common  to  three  incarnations  of  Yishnu. 
They  are  all  of  surpassing  beauty.  One 
corresponds  somewhat  to  the  classical 
Bacchus,  another  to  Mai-s,  and  the  third 
is  Yishnu  in  his  6th  incarnation. 

Ramadan,  -dan.  The  9th  month  of  the 
Mohammedan  year.  As  the  Mohammed- 
ans reckon  by  lunar  tinre,  it  begins  each 
year  eleven  days  earUer  than  in  the  preced- 
ing year,  so  that  in  thirty -three  years  it 
occurs  successively  in  all  the  seasons.  The 
great  annual  Mohammedan  fast,  kept 
throughout  the  entire  month,  from  sunrise 
to  sunset.  Written  also  Khamazan  and 
Kamadzan. 

Ramphastos,  ram-fas'tos.  The  true 
toucans,  a  gen.  of  scansorial  birds,  type 
of  the  fam.  Kampliastidw. 

Ramsay.  David.  An  American  states- 
man and  historiiin  ;  b.  in  Penn.,  1749,  D. 
1815. 

Ramus.  Pierre  la  Ramee.  A  dls- 
tinguished  French  philosopher  and  philfil- 
ogi.st:  B.  15'.^0.  killed  on  St.  Bartholomew's 
day,  1572. 

Rana,  ra'na.    A  gen.  of  amphibian  vef 


EAITANITE 


EEAD 


tebrates,  including  the  various  pnecies  of 
fi-ogs  as  distinguished  from  the  toads 
(gen.  Bufo). 

Kananite,  'nan-lt.    A  sect  of  Jews  who 
honored  trogs  because  they  were  one  of 
the  instruHients  in  plaguing  Pharaoh. 
Ranch,  ranch.    In  Southwestern  TJ    8 
a  rancho  ;  &  stock  fai-m.  *      ' 

Rancko,  ran'cho.  In  Mexico,  a  farming 
establishment  for  rearing  cattle  and  horses, 
distmguished  from  a  hacienda,  which  is  a 
cultivated  farm  or  plantation, 
Randolph,  John.  (Of  Roanoke.)  An 
emment  American  statesman  and  orator  ■ 
B.  m  Va.,  1773,  d.  1883.  He  claimed  de- 
scent from  Pocahontas.  He  Mas  a  mem- 
ber of  both  houses  of  Congress  and  minis- 
ter to  Kussia. 

Rannee,  ran-ne'.    The  wife  of  a  Hindu 
rajah  ;  a  queen  or  princess. 
Rang-oon.     A  fortified  seaport  of  Fur- 
ther J  ndia,  on  the  Irrawaddy,  30  m.  from 
the  Indian  Ocv-an  ;  pop.  30,000. 
Ranke,  Leopold.  A  distinguished  Ger- 
man historian  ;  is.- 1796,  d.  1673. 
Ranter,  rant'er.     A   name  given  by  way 
ot  lepioach  to  one  of  a  denomination  of 
?r!^f      rr9^'"stians  which  sprang  up  in 
1G45.      They  called  themselves  Seekers 
their  members  maintsining  that  thev  were 
seeking  for  the  true  churcS.     The  name  is 
also  vulgarly   applied    to    the   primitive 
Methodists. 

Raphael  (Rafaelle  and  Raffaelle) 
i  he  most  eminent  of  modern  painters  ;  r. 
at  IJrbino,  Italy,  1483  ;  d.  at  liome,  1520 ' 
Rappahannock.  A  river  of  Va 
125  m  long,  emptying  into  Chesapeake 
I:>ay.  Its  banks  Avere  the  scene  of  manv 
l^f.?™"t  movements  and  battles  in  the 
Civil  ^  ar. 

Raptores,  rap-to'rez.  Birds  of  prey  The 
oagles,  vultures  and  falcons  are  examples 

Rara  avis,  ra'ra  a'vis.  A  rare  bird  •  a 
prodigy  ;  an  unusual  person  ;  an  uncom- 
mon obiect. 

Raskolnik,  ras-kol'nik.  The  name 
given  t(>  a  dissenter  from  the   Greek   Ch 

in  Eussia. 

Rasores,  ra-so'rez.  Gallinaceous  birds 
or  scratchcrs,  coni],riRing  the  sub-orders 
Gallinacei  and  Golumbacei.  The  domes- 
tic towl  may  be  regarded  as  the  type. 

Rationalist,  rash'on-al-ist.  In  Theol 
one  who  considers  the  supernatural  events 
recorded  in  the  Scriptures  as  events  hap- 
pening m  the  ordinary  course  of  nature 
and  considers  tho  morality  of  the  Scrin- 
tures  subject  to  the  test  of  human  reason 


Ratafia,  rat-a-fe'a.    A  spirituous  liquoi 
liavored  with  the  ker-       ^    ^  -  ^    ^""* 
uels  of  cherries,  apri- 
cots and  peaches. 

Ratchet,  rach-et.  In 
a  watch,  a  small  tooth ' 
at  the  bottom  of  the' 
fusee  or  barrel,  which 
stops  it  in  winding  up. 

Ratel,  rat-el.     A  car- 
nivorous   quadruped,  ~:atchet-wh.-el 
gen.  Mellivora,  of  the     ^"^^'^^'^^  ''^^<^'- 
badger  family  Meiidae.    The  honey-ratel 


Iloney-ratel. 

is  celebrated  for  the  destruction  it  makes 
among  the  nests  of  the  wild  bee. 

Rath,  rath.  A  prehistoric  fortification  in 
Ireland,  consisting  of  a  circular  rampart 
of  earth  with  a  mound  in  the  center. 

Ratitse,  ra-tl'te.  Huxley's  second  divis- 
ion of  the  class  Aves,  the  other  two  being 
the  Saururse  and  Carinatas,  comprising  all 
birds  that  cannot  fly,  such  as  the  ostriches 
emus  and  cassowaries.  ' 

Rattazzi,  XJrbano.    An  eminent  Ital- 


He  was 


ian  statesman  ;  b.  1810,  v.  181 

prime  minister  three  times. 
Rattlesnake,    rat'l- 

snak.      A    venomous 

snake  of  the  gen.  Cro- 

talus,       distinguished 

from  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  by 

the  tail  terminating  in 

a  series  of  articulated 

horny    pieces,    which 

the  animal  vibrates  in 

such  a  manner  as  to 

make  a  rattling  sound. 
Ravenna.  Cap.  of  province  of  same 
name,  C.  Italy,  on  the  Adriatic,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Montone.  43  m.  S.  E.  ot 
Bologna,  at  one  time  cap.  of  the  W.  Em- 
pire ;  pop.  abt.  21,000. 
Re.  A  i)refix  from  the  Latin  denoting 
iteration,  return,  repetition,  retrogression, 
&c.     The  form  red  also  occurs  in  words 

1    beginning  with  a  vowel,  as  redolent,  re- 
deem. 
Read,  Nathan.    An  American  mechan- 


Eatilesnake. 


RAT 


580 


EEDBREAST 


Stnrry  Eay, 


iclan  ;  is.  iuMass.,  1759,  b.   1S49.     lie  in- 
vented the  macliine  -which  makes  headed 
nails  at  a  single  operation. 
Ray,   rfi.      Kaia,   a 
gen.  of  elasmobian- 
chiate     fishes,     in- 
cluding   the  sting- 
ray,     starry      ray, 
spotted       torpedo, 
skate,  <fec. 

Raymond.  Hen- 
ry Jarvis.  An 
American  states- 
man and  journalist ; 
B.  in  N.  Y.,  1820,  D. 
1869.  He  was  lieu- 
tenant-Governor  of 
the  State,  1854,  and 
founder  of  the  N.  Y. 
Times. 

Read,  Thomas  Buchanan.  An 
American  artist  and  poet:  n.  in  PeniK, 
1822,  D.  1ST2. 

Reade,  Charles.     A  popular  English 
novelist ;  n.  1S24,  d.  1884. 
Reag-gravation,  re-ag'gra-VH"8hon,  In 
E.  G.  eccles.  law,  the  last  monitory,  pub- 
lished after  three  admonitions  and  Ijefore 
the  last  excommunication. 
Real,  ra'al.    A  Spanish  silver  coin  worth 
about  5  cents,  100  reals  being  rated  at  $5. 
Realm,    elm.     Aroyal  jurisdiction  or  ex- 
tent of  government ;  a  kingdom. 
Reata,  re-a'ta.    A  rawhide  rope,  used  for 
lassooing  horses  or  mules. 
Rebec,  re'bek.     A  stringed 
instrument  similar   to  the 
\iolin,  having   three  strings 
and  plajed  with  a  bow.     It 
was     introduced     by    the 
Moors  into  Spain. 
Rechabite,'ka-blt.  Among 
the  ancient  Jews,  one  of  a 
family  or  tribe  of  Kenites 
whom  Jonadab  the  son  of 
Eechab   bound   to  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  nom.adic  life, 
and    with    this    view    pre- 
scribed   several    rules,  the 
chief  of  which  were — to  ab- 
stain ti-om  wine,  from  build- 
ing   houses,   from    sowing 
seed  and  planting  vines.    A 
member  of  a  seci-et  benefit 
society  composed  of    total 
aVstiiiners  from  intoxicating 
drinks,  called  the  Independ-       -r,  v 
ent  Order  of  Eechabites.  Kebec. 

Recipe,  res'i-pe.  The  first  word  of  a 
physician's  prescription  ;    hence,  the  pre- 


l^^ectangle 


scription  itself.  Its  abbreviation  is  E,  a 
relic  of  the  astrological  symbol  of  Jupiter. 
The  word  is  now  applied  to  a  receipt  for 
making  almost  any  mixture  or  prepara- 
tion. 

Reaumtir,  Rene  Antoine  Fer- 
chault  de.  An  eminent  French  physi- 
cist and  inventor  ;  n.  1683,  d.  1757.  'lie 
invented  the  thermometer  and  made 
many  experiments  in  the  manufacture  of 
steel,  tin-plates,  &c. 

Rectangrle,  rekt'- 
ang-gl.  A  right- 
angled  parallelogram. 

Rector,  rek'ter.  In 
the  Enphsh  Ch. 
clergj'inan  who  hasf- 
the  Charge  and  care 
of  a  parish,  and  has 
the  parsonage  and  titnes  ;  or  the  parsom 
of  a  parish  where  the  tithes  are  not  im- 
propriate :  in  the  •oatrary  case,  th«  par' 
son  is  a  vicar.  The  chief  elective  officer 
of  some  universities,  as  in  France  and 
Scotland.  The  superior  officer  of  a  con- 
vent or  religious  house ;  among  Jesuits, 
the  superior  of  a  semlnaiy  or  college. 

Rectory,  'to-ri.  A  parish  church,  parson- 
age, or  spiritual  living,  mth  all  its  rights, 
tithes  and  glebes.  A  rector's  mansion  or 
parsonage-house. 

Red,  red.  A  color  resembling  that  of 
arterial  blood  ;  the  color  of  that  part  of 
the  spectrum  which  is  farthest  from  vio- 
let ;  one  of  the  primary  colors  of  rays  of 
light. 

Redan,  re-dan'.     In  i 
field  fort,  the  simplest} 
work  employed, consist- ' 
ing  of  two  parapets  of 
earth  raised  so  as  to  form         Eedans. 
a  salient  angle,  with  the 
apex  toward   the  encmj'  and  unproteeted 
in  the  rear.     Several  r«>dans  connected  by 
curtains  form  fines  of  intrenchment. 

Red-bird,  red'berd.  The  popular  name 
of  several  birds,  as  the  Tanagra  a^stiva  or 
summer  red-bird,  the  Tanagra  rubra  and 
the  15altimore  oriole  or  hang-nest 

Red-book, 'buk.  A  book  containing  the 
names  of  all  the  persons  in  the  service  of 
the  State.  Eed-book  of  the  Exchequer, 
an  ancient  English  record  in  which  are 
registered  the  names  of  all  that  held  lands 
per  baroniam  in  the  time  of  Henry  II. 

Redbreast,    'brest.       A   bird  so  called 

from  the   color  of  its  chest  feathers,  the 

Erythacus  rubecula,  fam.  Sylviadse,  ord. 

Dentirostres.      It  is  also  known   as  the 

I    Eobin-redbreast,  or  simply  as  the  Eobin. 


^^ 


EEDEMPTIONIST 


590 


EEHOBOAM 


An  Americao  name  for  a  singing  bird,  gen. 
Tardus,  wliose  breast  is  a  dingy  orange- 
red  ;  the  migratory  thrush. 
Bedemptionist,  re-dem'shon-ist.  A 
member  of  an  order  of  monks  who  de- 
voted themselves  to  the  redemption  of 
Christian  captives  from  slavery.  More 
frequently  called  Trinitarians. 
Redemptorist, 'tor-ist.    Oaeofarelig- 

1  ions  C'.)ngret,'ation  founded  in  Naples  by 

'  Liguori  in  ITtii,  and  revived  in  Austria  in 
1820.  They  devote  themselves  to  the 
education  of  youth  and  the  spread  of 
Catholicism.  They  style  themselves 
members  of  the  congregation  of  the  If  oly 
Eedeemer.  Called  also  Liguorists,  Li- 
guorians. 

Bed-fire,  red'f  Ir.  A  pyrotechnical  mix- 
ture, consisting  of  nitrate  of  strontia,  sul- 
phur, antimony  and  chlorate  of  potash. 
It  burns  with  a  red  flame. 

Redowa,  '0-a.  A  Bohemian  dance,  a 
sort  of  polka. 

Bed  Biver.  A  large  affluent  of  the  Miss- 
issippi, rising  in  N.  W.  Texas,  skirts  the 
Indian  Ter.,  and  flows  through  Arkansas 
and  Louisiana  ;  length  1,200  m.  K.  K.  of 
the  North,  a  stream  which  rises  in  Minne- 
sota and  empties  into  Lake  Winnipeg, 
British  North  America ;  length,  700  m. 

Bed  Sea  (Arabian  G-ulf ).  A  long 
and  narrow  arm  of  the  Indian  Ocean,  bet. 
N.  E.Africa  and  Arabia;  length,  1,400 
m. ;  maximum  breadth,  280  m. 

Bedshank,  'shangk.  A  bird,  gen.  Te- 
tanus, the  T.  calidris,  so  called  from  its 
red  legs.  A  term  applied  to  a  Highlander 
in  derision  of  his  bare  legs. 

Bedstart,  'stiirt.  A  bird  (lluticilla 
phoenicura),  fam.  Sylviadae,  nearly  allied 
to  the  redbreast.  The  American  redstart 
is  a  small  bird,  fam  Muscicapidae  or  fly- 
catchers. 

Bed-tapiszn,  tap'izm.  The  system  of 
red  tape  or  excessive  ofticial  routine; 
strict  adherence  to  official  formalities. 

Beebok,  rO'bok.  A  species  of  S.  African 
antelope,  the  Pelea  capreola  or  Antilope 
capreolus.  The  horns  are  smooth,  long, 
straight  and  slender,  and  so  sharp  that  the 
Hottentots  and  Bushmen  use  them  for 
needles  and  bodkins. 

Beed-bird,  red'berd.  Same  as  Kice- 
bird. 

Beed-pipe,  'pip.  A  musical  pipe  made 
of  reod.  A  pipe  in  an  organ  in  which  the 
vibration  is  produced  by  means  of  u  reed. 

Beef,  ref  A  chain,  mass  or  range  of 
recks  in  the  ocean,  lying  at  or  near  the 
•ur&«e  of  the  water.    A  portion  of  a  sail 


folded  or  rolled  up  to  contract  it  in  pro- 
portion to  the  increase  of  the  wind. 

Beem,  rem.  The  Hebrew  name  of  an 
animal  mentioned  in  Job.  xxxix.  9,  and 
translated  unicorn.  The  common  belief 
is  that  the  reem  was  the  aurochs  or  urus. 

Beformation.  The  name  given  to  the 
religious  revolution  begun  bj'  Luther  and 
others  about  1517,  and  which  divided  the 
Western  Church  into  the  two  sections 
known  as  Prot- 
estant and  lioman 
Catholic. 

Befractometer, 
re-frak-tom'et-  e  r. 
An  instrument  for 
exhibiting  and 
measuring  the  re- 
fraction of  light. 

Befrig-erator. 
box    lor     keeping  I 
articles  in  hotj 
weather  by  means 

^^^^®-  Refrigerator. 

Beg-al,  'gal.  An  old  musical  instrument ; 
a  small  porfeible  organ  played  with  the 
fingers  of  the  right  hand,  the  left  working 
the  bellows, 

Begratta,  -gat'ta.  Originally  a  gondola 
race  in  Venice  ;  now  any  important  sailing 
or  rowing  race  in  which  a  number  of 
yachts  or  boats  contend  for  prizes. 

Beg-el,  'gel.  A  fixed  star  of  the  first 
magnitude  in  Orion's  left  foot. 

Begent,  'gent.  A  governor ;  a  ruler. 
One  invested  with  vicarious  authority  ; 
one  who  governs  a  kingdom  in  the  mi- 
nority, absence  or  disability  of  the  king. 

Begent-bird,  -berd.  The  Sericulus 
chrysocephalus  of  Australia,  belonging  to 
the"^fem.  Meliphagidye  or  honey-eaters,  and 
to  the  tenuirostral  group  of  the  Insessorea 
or  perchers. 

Beg-icide,  rej'i-sld.  A  king-kifler;  one 
who  murders  a  king. 

Begnlus,  Marcus  Attilius.  A  Eo- 
man  patriot,  captured  by  the  Carthagin- 
ians in  the  first  Punic  war  and  sent  home 
to  urge  his  people  to  make  peace,  under  a 
promise  to  return  if  this  was  refused.  Ho 
eloquently  urged  the  more  energetic  pros- 
ecution of  the  war,  which  was  decided 
upon,  and  on  returning  to  Carthage  was 
executed  Avith  great  cruelty  ;  b.  abt.  300, 
T>.  250  B.  c. 

Begrur,  r^'ger.  The  native  name  for  the 
cotton  soil  of  India,  covering  at  least  one- 
third  of  S.  India. 

Belxoboam.      In  Scrip,  son  of  Solomon 


REICHSEATH 


591 


REQUA-BATTEEY 


and  Naamah,  s,  his  father;  b.  1016; 
crowned,  975 ;  d.  958  b.  c. 

Heichsrath,  rlchs'rat  The  imperial 
Parliament  of  Austria. 

BeicLstadt,  rich'stat.  The  desig^nation 
given  to  the  free  cities  which,  uader  the 
old  German  constitution,  held  immediate- 
ly of  the  empire. 

E^chstag',  richs'tag-.  The  imperial 
Parliament  of  Germany  which  assembles 
at  Berlin  ;  the  German  Diet. 

Held,  Mayne.  An  American  novelist; 
B.  in  Ireland,  1818.  He  served  as  captain 
in  the  U.  S.  army  in  the  Mexican  war. 

Heindeer,  ran'der.  A  species  of  deer 
found  in  the  northern  parts  of  Europe  and 
Asia,  the  Cervus  tarandus,  or  Tarandus 
rangifer.  It  is  keen  of  sight  and  swift, 
being  capable  of  maintaining  a  speed  of  9 
or  10  miles  an  hour  for  a  long  time. 
Among  the  Laplanders  the  reindeer  is  a 


Eeindea:- 
substitute  for  the  horse,  the  cow  and  the 
sheep,  as  he  furnishes  food,  clothing  and 
the  means  of  conveyance.  The  caribou  of 
IS.  America,  if  not  absolutely  identical 
with  the  reindeer,  would  seem  to  be  a 
well-marked  variety  of  it 

Seindeer-moss,  -mos,  A  lichen  (Cen- 
omyee  rangiferina)  which  constitutes  al- 
most the  sole  winter  food  for  reindeer,  &c., 
in  high  northern  latitudes. 

Seis,  res.  Ahead;  a  chief;  a  captain. 
E.  elfeudi,  one  of  the  chief  Turkish  officers 
of  state,  cfcaneeilor  of  the  empire  and 
minister  of  foreign  affairs. 

Seisner-work,  ris-ner-werk.  A  kind 
of  inlaid  cabinet-work  ia  which  woods  of 
contrasted  colors  are  employed. 

S,enibrandt,  Paul  (Van  Byn  or 
Crerritz).  An  eminent  painter  ;  b.  In 
Holland,  1606;  d.  1669. 

Benxiped,  rem'i-ped.  An  aquatic  ani- 
mal whose  feet  serve  as  oars ;  applied 
gpecially  to  a  gen.  of  crustaceans,  fam. 


Hippidse,  and  to  one  of  an  order  of  coleop- 
terous insects,  including  those  which  have 
tarsi  adauted  for  swimming. 

Bemora,  'o-ra.  The  sucking-fish,  a  spe- 
cies of  teleosteaa  fishes  having  an  oval, 
adhesive  disk  o.  the  head  by  which  it  at- 
taches itself  to  other  fishes  or  to  the  bot- 
toms of  vessels. 

Bemphan,  'tan.  In  Scrip,  an  idol  wor- 
shiped by  the  Israelites  while  they  were 
in  the  wilderness. 

Benaissance,  re-nas'sans.  The  revival 
of  anything  which  has  long  been  in  decay 
or  extinct ;  a  term  generally  applied  to 
the  transitional  movement  in  Europe 
fi-om  the  middle  ages  to  the  modern 
world  ;  but  specially  applied  to  the  revival 
of  letters  and  arts  In  the  15th  century.  E. 
architecture,  a  style  which  originated  in 
Italy  in  the  first  half  of  the  15th  century ; 
a  revival  of  Roman  and  Grecian  art. 

Benan,  Ernest.  A  French  Orientalist 
and  skeptical  author ;  b.  1823. 

Bente,  rant.  A  public  fund  or  stock 
bearing  interest;  French  government 
stock. 

Bep,  rep.  A  dress  fabric  having  a  corded 
or  ribbed  appearance. 

Bepousse,  re-pos-sa.  A  term  applied  to 
a  style  of  ornamentation  in  metal,  espe- 
cially silver,  resembling  embossing. 

Bepresentative,  rep-re-zent'a-tiv.  On« 
who  or  that  which  represents  or  exhibits 
the  likeness  of  another ;  that  by  which 
anything  is  represented  or  exhibited. 
House  of  Eepresentatives,  the  popular 
branch  of  the  supreme  legislative  body  in 
the  United  States  :  the  lower  house  of  the 
national  congress.  It  consists  of  members 
chosen  biennially  by  the  people  of  the 
several  states  in  numbers  proportioned  to 
their  population. 

Beptile,  rep'til.  In  a  general  sense,  an 
animal  that  moves  on  its  belly,  or  by 
means  of  small  short  legs,  as  snakes,  liz- 
ards, caterpillars,  &c.;  a  crawling  creature  ; 
speeifieally,  in  Zool.  an  animal  belonging 
to  the  class  Eeptilia. 

Beptilia,  rep-tl'U-a.  A  class  of  verte- 
brate animals,  constituting  with  the  birds, 
to  which  they  are  most  closely  allied, 
Huxley's  2d  division  of  vertebrates,  Sau- 
ropsida.  The  reptiles  lie  between  am- 
phibia and  birds. 

Bepntolican  Fork.  The  main  branch 
of  the  Kansas  Itiver,  rising  in  Colorado 
and  flowing  through  Nebraska,  emptying 
into  the  K.  in  Riley  Co.,  Kansas ;  length, 
500  m. 

Bequa-battery,    re'kwa-bat-er-I.       A 


EEQUTEM 


EETUETT-MATCH 


kind  of  mitrailleuse,  consisting  of  a  num- 
ber of  rifled  breech-loading  barrels  ar- 
ranged upon  a  horizontal  plane  on  a  light 
field  carriage,  used  iu  the  American  civil 
>vur. 

S>eqtiiein,  'kwi-em,  A  funeral  hymn  or 
dii-ge  sung  for  the  repose  of  the  soul  of 
a  dead  person  ;  a  service  or  mass  contain- 
ing a  hymn  beginning  "  Eequiem  seter- 
nain,"  &c.  A  grand  musical  composition 
performed  in  honor  of  some  deceased  per- 
son. 

Rere-brace,  rer'bras.  Armor  for  the 
ai-m  above  the  elbow,  forming  the  connec- 
tion between  the  pauldron  and  the  vam- 
larace. 

Beredos,  'dos.  In  Arch,  the  back  of  a 
fireplace ;  the  open  fire-hearth.  The 
decorated  portion  of  the  wall  behind  the 
altar  in  a  church  ;  the  wall  or  screen  at  the 
iMick  of  a  seat ;  a  partition  wall  separating 
the  chaacel  from  the  body  of  the  church. 

Baeaca.  A  village  of  Gordon  Co.,  Ga., 
8i  m.  N.  W.  of  Atlanta,  noted  tor  a  severe 
battle,  May  15, 1804,  between  the  Federals 
under  Gen.  Sherman  and  the  Confed- 
erates under  Gen.  J.  8.  Johnston,  the 
latter  being  defeated. 

Besaca  de  la  Palma.  A  locality  in 
Cameron.  Co.,  Tex.,  10  m.  N.  E.  of 
Brownsville,  where  (May  9,  1&46)  Gen. 
Taylor,  with  2,000  Americans,  defeated 
Gen.  Arista  yrith  6,000  Mexicans. 

IResin,  rez'in.  An  inflammable  substance 
found  in  most  vegetables,  and  in  almost 
«very  part  of  them.  It  is  divisible  into 
liard  resins  and  soft  resins,  the  latter  being 
generally  called  balsams. 

Resurrectionist,  -er-rek'shon-ist.  One 
whose  business  it  is  to  steal  bodies  fi-om 
the  grave  for  dissection. 

Retepora,  re-te'po-ra.  A  gen.  of  zoo- 
phytes, class  Polyzoa.  The  typical  species 
(K.  cellulosa)  is  known  by  the  name  of 
IJeptnne's  ruffles. 

Ketiariae,  -ti-a'ri-e.  The  name  given  to 
the  spiders  which  spin  a  web  to  entrap 
their  prey. 

Keticulate,  re-tik'u-lat 
Netted ;  resembling  net- 
work ;  having  distinct 
lines  crossing  each  other 
like  net-work  ;  applied  to 
leaves  and  also  to  min- 
erals. K.  glass,  an  orna- 
mental ware  in  which  a 
net-work  of  air-bubbles  is 
inclosed  in  the  glass  and 
arranged  in  regular  inter- 
lacing series,  £,  molding, 


a  member  composed  of  a  fillet  Interiaced 
in  various  ways.  li.  work,  that  variety  ol 
masonry  wherein  the  stones  are  square 


Eeticulated  Work — Eoman. 

and  laid  lozenge-wise,  resembling  the 
meshes  of  a  net,  very  common  among  the 
ancients. 

Betiarius,  -us.  In  Eom.  Antiq.  a  gladi- 
ator who  wore  only  a  short  tunic  and  car- 
rie<l  a  trident  and  net,  with  which  he  en- 
deavored to  entangle  and  dispatch  his 
adversaiy,  armed  with  helmet,  shield  and 
sword. 

Betina,  ret'i-na.  In  Anat.  one  of  tho 
coats  of  the  eye,  being  a  reticular  expan- 
sion of  the  optic  nerve,  which  receives  tha 
Impressions  resulting  in  the  sense  of 
vision. 

Betort,  re'tort.  In 
Chem.  and  the  arts, 
a    vessel    of    glass,  | 

earthenware,  metal,    

&c.,  employed  for  •o^i.^^i.  .„j  t>?" 
the'  purpose'  of  dis-  ^^^^^^^  ^^- 
tilling    or    eflfecting  ceiver. 

decomposition  by  the  aid  of  heat. 

Betriever,  -trev'er,  A  dog  trained  to 
go  in  quest  of  game  which  a  sportsman 
has  shot,  generally  cross-bred,  a  large 
kifid  being  the  progeny  of  the  Newfound- 
land and  setter ;  a  smaller  kind,  a  cross 
between  the  spaniel  and  terrier. 

Betro,  re'tro.  A  prefix  in  words  fi-om 
tho  Latin,  signifying  backward  or  back. 

Betum-ball,  -tern'bal.  A  ball  used 
as  a  plaything,  which  is  "held  by  an  elastic 
string  so  as  to  make  it  return  to  the  hand 
from  which  it  is  thrown. 

Beturn-match, 'mach.  A  second 
match  or  trial  played  by  the  same  sets  of 
players  to  give  the  defeated  party  their 


REVEILLE 


EIIIZOPnOEACE^ 


Beveille,  -val'ya.  Milit.,  the  beat  of 
drum,  bugle  sound,  or  other  signal  given 
about  break  of  day,  to  give  notice  that  it  is 
time  for  the  soldiers  to  rise  and  for  the 
sentinels  to  forbear  challenging. 

Revolutionary  Tribunal,  The.  A 
jjame  given  the  infamous  "  Council  of 
Safety,"  instituted  by  the  French  Conven- 
tion, 1798,  under  the  direction  of  which 
the  "Keignof  Terror"  ■was  inaugurated, 
the  notorious  Fouquier-Tinville  being 
public  accuser,  and  the  court  itself  sim- 
ply giving  force  to  Eobespierre's  com- 
mands. Robespierre  and  his  accomplices 
were  its  last  victims,  perishing  on  the 
guillotine,  July  28-30, 1794. 

Revolver,  -volv'er.  A  fire-arm  having  a 
revolving  barrel  or  breech  cylinder  so  con- 
Btructed  as  to  discharge  several  shots  in 
quick  succession  without  being  reloaded. 

Reynolds,  Joshua,  Sir.  An  eminent 
EugHsh  portrait  painter  ;  b.  1723,  i).  1792. 

R  h.  ae  t  o  -  Romanic,  re'to-ro-man"ik. 
That  member  of  the  Romance  family  of 
tongues  spoken  in  S.  Switzerland  and  in 
districts  north  of  the  Adriatic. 

Rhapsodist,  rap'sod-ist.  Originally, 
among  the  ancient  Greeks,  one  who  com- 
posed, recited  or  sang  rhapsodies  ;  espe- 
cially one  whose  profession  was  to  recite 
or  sing  the  verses  of  Homer  and  other 
poets. 

Rhe,  re.  The  Egyptian  name  for  the 
sun  regarded  as  a  divinity.  Written  also 
Re  and  Ri. 

Rhea,  'a.  In  Myth,  the  daughter  of 
Uranos  and  Ge,  wife  and  sister  of  Cronos, 
and  mother  of  Zeus  (Jupiter),  Hestia 
(Vesta),  Demeter  (Ceres),  Here  (Juno), 
Hades  (Pluto),  &c.  A  gen.  of  birds,  of 
which  the  three-toed  ostriches  of  S.  Amer- 
ica are  the  representatives. 

Rhenish  Prussia.  A  W.  province  of 
Prussia,  on  the  Rhine,  separated  from 
the  main  portion  of  the  Kingdom  by 
several  German  States;  bounded  W.  by 
Holland  and  Belgium  ;  area,  10,230  sq.  m.; 
pop.  abt.  4,000,000. 

Rheochord,  'o-kord.  A  metallic  \vire 
used  in  measuring  the  resistance,  or  vary- 
ing the  strength  of  an  electric  current. 

Rheomotor,  -mo-ter.  Any  apparatus  by 
which  an  electric  or  galvanic  cuiTcutis 
originated. 

Rheoscope,  -skop.  An  instrnment  by 
which  the  resistance  of  an  electric,  gal- 
vanic or  magnetic  current  may  be  ascer- 
tained. 

Rheostat,  -stat.  In  electro-magnetism, 
an  instrument  for  adjusting  a  ch>cait  so 


that  any  required  degree  of  force  may  be 
maintained. 

Rhesus,  'sus.  The  name  of  a  gen.  of 
monkeys,  including  the  bruh  or  pig-tailed 
monkey  (R.  nemestrinus),  which  is  often 
domesticiited.  The  name  is  also  given  to 
the  Macacus  Rhesus,  a  species  of  E.  In- 
dian monkey,  held  in  great  veneration  by 
the  natives,  and  of  which  large  numbers 
swarm  about  the  temples. 

Rhig-olene,  rig'o-len.  A  light  coal-oil 
used  in  surgical  operations  to  render  the 
skin  insensible  to  pain. 

Rhine,  The.  The  principal  river  of  C. 
Europe,  rising  in  Switzerland,  and  flowing 
N.,  empties  into  the  North  Sea  by  a  delta 
110  m.  in  width.  It  forms  the  boundary 
between  Baden  and  Alsace-Lon-aine  and 
passes  through  Prussia  and  Holland. 

Rhine  "Wine,  rin  win.  A  general  term 
for  wines  produced  on  the  Rhine,  but 
more  specifically  for  those  of  the  Rhein- 
gau,  in  the  southwest  of  Nassau.  Among 
the  best  white  Rhine  wines  are  Johannis- 
berg,  Hochheimer.  Rudesheimer,  Stein- 
berger,  Rothenberger  and  Markobrunner. 
Of  the  red  wines  Asmannhauser  is  the 
most  celebrated. 

Rhinobatidae,  ri-no-bat'i-de.  The 
shark-rays  or  beaked  rays,  a  fam.  of  plagi- 
ostomous  elasmobranchiate  fishes,  unit- 
ing the  character  of  the  sharks  and  the 
rays.  The  saw-fish  is  the  most  remark- 
able member  of  the  family. 

Rhinoceros,  -nos'e-ros.  A  gen.  of  per- 
issodactylate  ungulates  or  hoofed  mam- 


Indian  Rhinoceros. 

mals,  co-extensive  with  the  fam. 
Rhinocerotida?,  and  nearly  allied  to  the  ele- 
phant, hippopotamus,  tapir,  &c. 

Rhinoscope,  'no-skop.  A  small  mirror 
lor  inspecting  the  passages  of  the  nose. 

Rhizodont.  'zo-dont.  A  reptile  whose 
teeth,  like  those  of  the  crocodile,  are 
planted  in  sockets. 

Rhizophoracese,  -zof6-ra"se-e.  The 
mangroves  ;  a  natural  order  of  trees  ol 
whicll  the  gen.  Ehizophora  is  the  type. 


RHIZOSTOMID^ 


594 


RICHARDSON 


Rhizostomidee,  -zo-stom'i-de.  A  fam. 
of  Hydrozoa,  ord.  Lncernarida,  in  which 
reproductive  elements  are  developed  in 
free  zooids,  produced  by  fission. 

Bhode  Island.  One  of  the  ori^nal  13 
States  of  the  American  Union,  bounded 
N.  and  E.  by  Massachusetts,  S.  by  the 
Atlantic,  W.  by  Connecticut ;  area,  1,055 
gq.  m.;  pop.  276,531.  Principal  cities, 
Providence  and  Newport,  caps.,  Bristol, 
Warren,  Scituate,  Smithfield,  Pawtuckct 
and  Natick.  Rivers,  Pawtuxet,  Provi- 
dence, Blackstone  and  Pawcatuck.  New- 
Sort  is  the  fashionable  seaside  resort  of 
Few  England. 

Hhodes.  A  Turkish  island,  off  the  coast 
of  Asia  Minor,  area  440  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt. 
33,000.  R.,  its  cap.,  anciently  held  the 
naval  sovereignty  of  the  world,  but  was 
successively  held  by  the  Romans,  Per- 
sians, Saracens,  Knights  Hospitallers  and 
Turks  ;  pop.  20,000. 

Bhodian,  ro'di-an.  Pertaining  to 
Rhodes,  an  island  of  the  Mediterranean. 
R.  laws,  the  earliest  system  of  marine  law 
known  to  history,  said  to  have  been  com- 
piled by  the  Rhodians  after  they  had  ob- 
tained the  sovereignty  of  the  sea,  about  900 
B.  c. 

Hhoxab,  romb.  An  oblique- t~f 
angled  e  quilateral  paraUelo-  \  j 
gram.  \: 

Khomboid,  -boyd.  A  fig-  \, 
uro  approaching  to  a  rhomb. 

Bhone.       A   river     which 
rises  in   Switzerlan  d,   near    /  I 

the  source  of  the  Rhine,  and  /  / 

flows   S.   through     France,  I ——f 

emptying  into  the  Gulf  of    Ehomboid. 
Lyon  ;   length,  650  m. 

IRhubarb.  ro'barb.  The  common  name 
of  plants  of  the  gen.  Rheum,  which  yield 
the  leaf-stalks  used  for  making  tarts,    &c. 

E-byncboceti,  rtn-ko-se'tl.  A  fam.  of 
cetaceans  allied  to  the  cachalots  or  sperm- 
whales. 

Rhyncbophora,  kof  6-ra.  The  curculios 
or  weevils  ;  a  sub-sec.  of  coleopterous  in- 
sects, characterized  by  having  the  head 
prolonged  in  the  form  of  a  snout  or  pro- 
boscis. 

Rhysimeter,  ri-sim'i-ter.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  the  velocity  of  fluids 
or  the  speed  of  ships. 

Rialto,  re-ill'to.  A  bridge  over  the  Grand 
Canal  in  Venice. 

Ribadoquin,  ri-bad'6-kwin.  A  mediaeval 
engine  of  war,  consisting  of  chariot  forti- 
fied with  iron  spikes.     In  the  14th  cen- 


Rhomb. 


tury  they  were  furnished  with  small  can- 
nons. The  name  was  also  given  to  ft  pow- 
erful cross-bow  for  throwing  long  darts. 
Ribbonism,  rib'on-izm.  The  principlea 
of  a  secret  association  of  Irishmen,  which 
had  its  origin  about  ISOS.  The  primary 
object  was  antagonism  to  the  Orange  or- 
ganization, to  which  was  added  the  retal- 
iation  of  agrarian  oppression,  by  the  as- 
sassination of  landlords,  land-agents,  &c. 
The  members  were  bound  to  each  other 
by  an  oath,  and  had  pass-words,  signs,  &c. 
They  had  their  name  from  a  piece  of  rib- 
bon they  wore  as  a  badge. 
Rice,  ris.  A  plant  of  the 
gen.  Oryza  and  its  sei 
There  is  only  one  important  | 
species,  O.  sativa,  the  grain  j 
of  which  forms  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  food  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  warmer  portion  I 
of  the  world.  Canada  rice, 
or  the  wild  rice  of  N.  America, 
is  the  Zizania  aquatica,  quite 
difl'erent  from  the  true  rice. 
The  seeds  are  farinaceous, 
and  much  used  for  food  by 
the  Indians. 
Rice-bird,  'herd.  A  bird  of  the  U.  S., 
the  Emberiza  oryzivora,  or  Dolichonyx 
oryzivorus,  so  named  from  its  feeding  on 
rice  ;  the  reed-bird.  In  N.  England  it  is 
called  bobolink  or  bob-lincolu.  One  of 
the  names  of  the  paddy-bird  or  Java  spar- 
row. 

Rice-wine,  'win.  A  highly  intoxicating 
liquor  made  by  the  Chinese  from  rice. 
Ricbard.  The  name  of  three  kings  of 
England.  R.  I.  (Coeur  de  Lion);  b.  1157, 
2d  son  of  Henry  II.,  s.  his  father  1189.  He 
led  the  English  contingent  in  the  first 
Crusade  to  the  Holy  Land,  and  while  on 
his  return,  1192,  was  imprisoned  by  the 
Emperor  of  Germany,  being  ransomed 
after  two  years ;  killed  at  the  siege  of 
Limoges,  1199.  R.  II.,  son  of  the  Black 
Prince ;  b.  at  Bordeaux,  13G6,  s.  his 
grandfather,  Edward  III.,  1377  ;  deposed 
in  favor  of  Henry  IV.;  he  is  believed  to 
have  D.  in  prison  abt.  1400.  R.  HI.,  son 
of  Richard,  Duke  of  York,  b.  1452,  was 
the  last  of  the  Plantagenet  line.  Ho 
usurped  the  throne  on  the  deatli  of  his 
brother  Edward  IV.,  1483,  imprisoning, 
and  it  is  believed  ordering  the  Tnurder  of 
his  two  young  nephews.  Defeated  by 
Henry,  Earl  of  Richmond,  at  Bosworth, 
R.  was  killed  on  the  field  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  victor,  as  Henry  VII. 
Ricbardson,  Samuel.  A  popular 
English  novelist ;  b.  1689,  d.  1761. 


KTCHELIEU 


595 


ROANOKE 


Richelieu,  Armand  Jean  du 
Plessis,  Cardinal  de.  An  illustrious 
Frenju  statesman,  prime  minister  under 
Louis  XIII,;  B.  15S5,  d.  1642. 
Richmond.  Cap.  of  Va.,  on  the  James 
Eiver,  15()  m.  from  its  mouth.  During 
the  Civil  War  it  was  the  cap.  of  the  Con- 
federate States,  and  the  objective  point  of 
attack  of  the  Union  armies  ;  surrendered 
April  3,  1S65 ;  pop.  G3,6()0. 
Richter,  Jean  Paul  Friedrich.  A 
distinguished  German  author ;  b.  1763, 
D.  at  Bayreuth,  1825. 

Ricinus,  ris'i-nus.  A  gen.  of  apetalous 
plants,  ord.  Euphorbiaceae.  The  best 
known  species  is  the  R.  communis  or 
pal  ma  Christi,  which  produces  castor-oil. 
Riding-,  rid'ing.  One  of  the  three  dis- 
tricts—N.,  E.  and  "W.  Ridings— into 
which  the  county  of  York,  in  England,  is 
divided,  anciently  under  the  government 
of  a  reeve. 

Riffle,  rin.  A  trough  used  in  gold  wash- 
ing. 
Riffler,  'ler.    A    file  with  a  curved  ex- 
tremity, for  working  in  depressions. 
Rig'a.     Cap.  of  Livonia,  Russia,  on  the 
Dwina,  9  m.  from  Gulf  of  R.;  pop.   118,- 
000;  Gulf  of  R.,  an  arm  of  the  Baltic,  100 
m.  long  by  70  wide,   connecting  on  the 
N.  ivith  the  Gulf  of  Finland,  and  on  the 
S.  W.  with  the  Baltic. 
Rig-el,  ri'jel.     A  bright  fixed  star  of  the 
Isl  iiiagnitude  in  the  left  foot  of  Orion, 
Rig"- Veda,    rig-ve'da.      The    first   and 
principal   of  the  Vedas  or  sacred  hymns 
of  the  Hindus.    It  is  probably  the  oldest 
literary  document  extant,  supposed  to  be 
upward  of  3,000  years  old. 
Rime,  rim.     White  or  hoar  frost ;  con- 
gealed dew  or  vapor, 
Rimmon,   'mon.    A  Syrian  god,  whose 

Beat  was  Damascus. 
Ring-finger,   ring'fing-ger.     The  third 
finger  of  the  left  hand,  on  which  the  ling 
is  placed  in  marriage. 

Iling--gauge,  'gaj.  A  gauge  for  measor- 
ing  ro!.i-metal;  also,  a  similar  instru- 
ment for  measuring  shot  and  shell.  A 
conical  piece  of  wood,  or  metallic  slip  with 
a  graduated  scale,  used  by  jewelers  for 
measuring  finger-rings. 
Riiig-grold.  Cap.  of  Catoosa  Co.,  Ga., 
2i7  m.  N.  W.  of  Augusta,  noted  for  a  san- 
guinary battle  Nov.  27, 1863,  between  the 
Federals  under  Gen.  Hooker,  and  the 
rear  guard  of  Gen.  Bragg' a  retreating 
army  under  Gen.  Cleburne;  the  latter 
were  defeated. 


Ring-money,  'mun-i.  A  kind  of  mon- 
ey consisting  of  rings,  in  use  before  tha 
invention  of  coining,  by  the  ancient 
Egyptians  and  generally  in  tlie  East, 
whence  it  spread  into  Europe,  the  Scandi- 
navians using  it  as  late  as  the  12th  cen- 
tury. It  is  still  in  use  in  Africa,  being 
regularly  manufactured  at  Birmingham 
for  traders,  under  the  name  of  Manilios. 

Ri9  Branca  (Parima  or  White 
River).  A  Brazilian  river,  emptying  into 
the  Rio  Negro  near  Mour  ;  length,  700  m, 

Rio  G-rande.  (R.  G.  del  Norte,  E. 
Bravo  del  Norte,  R.  del  Norte.)  A  large 
river,  rising  in  Colorado  and  emptyinar 
into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  forming"  the 
boundary  between  Texas  and  Mexico; 
length,  1,800  m.  R.  G.  do  Norte,  a  Bra- 
zilian river,  emptying  into  the  Parnahvba ; 
length,  600  m.  E.  G.  do  Sul.,a  river  of  S. 
Brazil,  emptying  into  the  Sao  Francisco ; 
length,  250  m. 

Rio  Negrro  (Black  River  or 
Sauces).  A  river  of  S.  America,  rising 
in  the  Andes  and  forming  the  boundary 
bet.  the  Argentine  provinces  and  Patago- 
nia, emptying  into  the  Atlantic  ;  length, 
700  m. 

Ripple,  rip'l.  A  large  comb  or  hatchel 
for  separating  the  seeds  or  capsules  from 
flax  and  broom-corn. 

Rishi,  rish'i.  In  Skr.  Myth,  the  name 
given  to  the  seven  sages  "inhabiting  the 
seven  stars  constituting  the  constellation 
of  Ursa  Major.  The  name  was  given  also 
to  the  inspired  authors  of  the  Yedic 
hymns,  and  later  to  renowned,  though 
not  inspired,  poets. 

Ritual,  rit'ii-al,  A  book  containing  the 
rites  or  ordinances  of  a  church  or  secret 
order.  The  manner  of  performing  divine 
service,  or  the  work  of  a  lodge. 
Rix-dollar,  riks'dol-Ier.  A  silver  coin 
of  Germany,  Holland,  Denmark,  Sweden, 
&c.  Its  value  varies  from  60  cents  to 
$1.12. 

Roach,  r5eh.  A  fish,  gen,  Cyprinus  or 
carps,  the  C.  rutilus. 

Road-steamer,  rod-stem'er.  A  loco- 
motive with  broad  wheels,  for  running  on 
common  roads. 

Roanoke.  A  river  which  rises  in  S,  Ya., 
and  flowing  through  N.  C,  empties  into 
Albemarle  Sound ;  length  450  m.  R. 
Island,  a  small  island  in  A.  sound  which 
was  stronglv  fortified  by  the  Confederates 
in  the  Civil  War,  but  captured,  Feb.  11, 
1862,  by  a  fleet  of  100  vessels  and  a  land 
force  of  16,000  troops  under  Gen.  Burn- 
side. 


EGBERT 


596 


ROEBLING 


Robert.  The  name  of  several  princes 
and  sovereigns  of  Europe,  the  following 
being  the  most  noted  :  R.  I.,  of  France, 
l)roclainied  by  the  revolted  nobles  in 
place  of  Charles  the  Simple,  922  ;  Icilled  in 
a  battle  which  he  won  from  C,  923.  R.  of 
Anjou,  s.  his  father,  Charles  II.,  as  King 
of  Naples,  1309  ;  p.  1343.  R.  I.  (Robert 
Bruce),  of  Scotland.  R.  II.,  first  of  the 
race  of  Stuart;  n.  131G,  waged  unsuc- 
cessful war  against  England  ;  n.  1390.  R. 
III.,  son  and  s.  of  the  former ;  i$.  1340, 
crowned  1390,  p.  1406  ;  he  also  earned  on 
a  disastrous  warfare  v.ith  England.  R.  I. 
(The  Devil),  Duke  of  Normandy,  s.  his 
brother  Richard  III.,  1027,  n.  1035,  after  a 
pilgrimage  to  Palestine.  He  was  s.  by 
his  son  William  the  "  Conqueror"  of  En- 
gland. 

Robertin,  rob'er-tin.  One  of  an  order 
of  monks,  so  called  from  Robert  Flower, 
the  founder,  11S7. 

Robert.  Liouis  Lieopold.  An  eminent 
French  painter  ;  b.  1794,  d.  by  suicide  in 
Venice,  1835. 

Robespierre,  Maximilien  Marie 
Isidore.  A  notorious  French  revolu- 
tionist; B.  1758,  D.  on  the  guillotine,  to 
which  he  had  assigned  thousands  of  inno- 
cent men  and  women  as  President  of  the 
"  Committee  of  Public  Safety,"  in  asso- 
ciation with  Couthon  and  St.  Just,  July, 
28,  1794. 

Robin-Q-oodfellow,  -in-gud'fel-lo.  A 
domestic  spirit  or  fairy,  the  offspring  of  a 
young  woman  and  Oberon,  king  of  Fairy- 
land, analogous  to  the  Brownie  of  Scot- 
land. 

Robinson,  Edward.  A  distinguished 
American  author  and  biblical  exponent ;  b. 
in  Conn.  1794,  d.  1863. 

Robur  Caroli,  ro'ber  kar'o-lT.  The 
Royal  Oak,  a  southern  constellation  of  12 
stars. 

Roc,  rok.  The  well-known  monstrous 
bird  of  Arabian  mythology,  of  the  same 
fabulous  species  with  the  simurg  of  the 
Persians. 

Roccella,  -sel'la.  A  gen.  of  lichens,  one 
species  of  which  (R.  tinctoria)  5ields  the 
dye  60  largely  used  in  dyeing  under  the 
name  of  orchal  or  archil. 

Rocbambeau.  Jean  Baptiste  Don- 
atien  de  Vimeur.  A  marshal  of 
France  ;  b.  1725,  d.  1807.  He  command- 
ed the  French  allies  In  the  American  rev- 
olution. 

Rochester.  Cap.  of  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y., 
at  the  head  of  the  falls  of  the  Genesee 
River,  7  m.  from  its  mouth,  94  m.  E.  of 
Buffalo  ;  pop.  89,366. 


Rochet,  roch'et.  A  short  surplice,  with 
tight  sleeves,  open  at  the  sides,  formerly 
worn  by  priests  and  acol3'tes,  but  now  by 
bishops  and  jn-ivileged  canons.  A  mante- 
let worn  during  ceremonies  by  the  peers 
of  England. 

Rockaway,  rok'a-wa.  A  low  four- 
wheeled  carriage,  with  full  standing  top. 

Rock-drill,  'dril.  A  tool  for  boring 
rock  by  a  chisel  or  rotary  motion. 

Rocky  Mountains.  A  range  of  N. 
America,  divkled  into  two  chains,  of 
which  the  E.  extends  from  the  Mexican 
fi-ontier  to  the  Arctic,  and  the  W.  skirts 
the  Pacific  to  Prince  William's  Sound; 
the  highest  peak  is  Mt.  St.  EUas,  in  Alas- 
ka, 17,900  ft.  above  sea  level. 

Rodentia,  ro-den'shi-a.  An  ord.  of 
mammals  containing  many  genera,  in- 
cluding the  squirrel,  rat,  mouse,  hare, 
rabbit,  beaver,  &c.  They  nibble  and 
gnaw  their  food  (hence  the  name). 

Rodgrers,  John,  An  American  com- 
modore ;  B.  in  Md.  1771,  d.  1838.  He 
won  distinction  in  operations  against 
France,  Tripoli  and  England.  R.,  John, 
son  of  the  preceding,  also  a  naval  officer ; 
B.  in  Md.  1809,  served  with  credit  during 
the  Civil  War,  and  appointed  rear  admiral, 
1870. 

Rodiya,  rod'i-ya.  One  of  a  degraded 
race  in  Ceylon,  living  in  a  more  abject 
state  than  the  Pariahs  of  India,  being  con- 
sidered disqualified  even  for  labor.  Un- 
der British  rule  their  condition  has  been 
improved. 

Rodney,  G-eorg-e  Brydg-es.  A  dis- 
tinguished Engfish  admiral ;  b.  1718,  n. 
1792. 

Rodolph  (Rudolph).  Founder  of  the 
Austrian  monarchy,  son  of  Albert  IV., 
Count  of  Hapsburg,  Switzerland ;  b.  1218, 
elected  Emperor  of  Germany  1278,  d. 
1291. 

Roe,  ro.  The  sperm  or  spawn  of  fishes. 
The  roe  of  the  male  is  called  soft  roe  or 
milt;  that  of  the  female  hard  roe  or 
spawn.  A  mottled  appearance  in  wood, 
especially  in  mahogany. 
Roebling:,  John  A.  An  eminent 
American  civil  engineer  ;  B.  in  Prussia 
1806,  emigrated  to  U.  S.  1881,  p.  1870. 
He  constructed  the  canal  aqueduct  across 
the  Alleghany  River  at  Pittsburgh,  sus- 
pension bridges  at  Pittsburgh  and  Niag- 
ara Falls,  bridge  across  the  Ohio  at  Cin- 
cinnati, and  planned  the  great  Brooklyn 
bridge  over  the  East  River  which  was 
completed,  1883,  under  the  direction  of 
his  son.  Washington  A.  Roebling. 


ROEBUCK 


EOOF 


Roe- 
buck, 
'b  u  k .  A 
species  of 
deer,  the  i 
Capreolu  s 
Ca  p  r  iE  a  , ; 
one  of  the ' 
smallest  of 
the cervine 
genus,  bat  xweuucK. 

of  elegant  shape  and  remarkably  nimble. 
It  is  about  2  feet  3  inches  high  at  the 
shoulder,  and  vreighs  50  or  60  lbs. 

Roland.  A  famous  French  hero,  the 
supposed  nephew  of  Charlemagne,  and 
the  subject  of  numerous  medieval  ro- 
mances :  killed  at  the  battle  of  Konces- 
vailfs,  ITS. 

Roller-skate,  rol'er-skat.  A  skate 
mounted  on  small  wheels  or  rollers,  and 
used  for  skating  upon  asphalt  or  other 
smooth  flooring. 

Rollin,  Charles.  An  eminent  French 
historian;  b.  16G1,  d.  1741. 

Rolling-Tnill,  'ing-mil.  A  combination 
of  machinery  used  in  the  manufacture  of 
malleable  iron  and  other  metals  of  the 
same  nature.  It  consists  of  sets  of  rollers, 
whose  surfaces  revolv*  nearly  in  contact 
while  the  heated  metal  is  passed  between 
them,  and  thereby  subjected  to  a  strong 
pressure,  the  object  being  to  expel  the 
scorise  and  other  impurities,  and  to  shape 
the  mass  into  a  plate,  bolt,  or  bar,  accord- 
ing to  the  form  given  to  the  surfaces  of  the 
rollers. 

RoUo.  Founder  of  the  ducal  family  of 
]^orniandy,  and  ancestor  of  William  the 
Conqueror  ;  b.  in  Norway,  abt.  860  ;  be- 
came a  sea  rover  and  occupied  Normandy, 
which  was  ceded  him  b}'  Charles  the  Sim- 
ple, 911.  He  embraced  Christianity,  and 
married  the  daughter  of  the  French  king; 
».  925. 

Romaic,  ro-ma'ik.  The  vernacular  lan- 
guage of  modern  Greece,  that  is,  of  the 
uneducated  or  the  peasantry,  a  corrupted 
form  of  the  language  of  ancient  Greece. 
The  cultivated  language  of  modern  Greece 
is  called  the  Hellenic. 

Romanesque,  -man-esk'.  The  debased 
^;t;yle  of  architecture  and  ornament  that 
prevailed  in  the  later  Eoman  empire,  and 
the  styles  that  proceeded  from  it,  known 
as  Byzantine,  Lombard,  &c.  The  common 
dialect  of  Languedoc  and  some  other  dis- 
tricts in  the  south  of  France. 

Romanism,  -izm.  The  tenets  of  the 
Cluirch  of  Eouae ;  the  Eoman  CatlioJic 
religion. 


Romanoff  (Romanov  or  Roman- 

OW).  The  surname  of  the  dynasty  ol 
Kussia  founded  by  Michael  Feodoro* 
vitch,  son  of  the  Metropolitan  of  Rostov, 
elected  Czar  1613,  d.  1645.  The  direct 
line  beeame  e.xtinct,  1732,  the  empress 
Elizabeth  being  s.  b}'  her  nephew,  Peter 
III.,  founder  of  the  Romanoft-Olden- 
burg  or  Komanotf-Holstein-Gottorp  dy- 
nasty. 

Romans  (Epistle  to  The).  In  Scrip,  a 
New  Testament  book,  written  by  St. 
Paul  abt.  58,  and  addressed  to  the  Ch.  at 
Eome. 

Romany,  'an-i.  A  gypsy.  The  lan- 
guage spoken  by  the  gypsies,  a  dialect 
brought  from  Hindustan  and  allied  to  the 
Hindustani. 

Romanus.  The  name  of  several  By- 
zantine emperors.  Also  of  a  pope,  s.  to 
Stephen  VI.,  898,  D.  899. 

Romanzieri,  ro-man'tse-a-re.  A 
school  of  Italian  poets  who  took  for  their 
subjects  the  romances  of  France  and 
Spain,  especially  those  relating  to  Charle- 
magne and  his  i)aladins.  Ariosto  oan-ied 
this  poetry  to  its  highest  perfection. 

Rome  (Roma).  The  cap.  of  the  most 
e.xtensive  and  greatest  empire  of  antiquity; 
later  the  metropolis  of  Christendom,  the 
seat  of  the  head  or  pope  of  the  R.  C.  Ch., 
and  present  cap.  of  Italy,  on  both  sides 
the  Tiber,  115  m.  N.  E.  of  Naples.  It  was 
founded  753  years  b.  c.  ;  pop.  227,384. 

Romulus.  The  traditionary  founder  of 
Eome,  twin  brother  of  Eemus,  sons  of 
Ehea  Sylvia,  by  the  God  Mars.  Mother 
and  children  being  cast  into  the  Tiber,  the 
boys  were  rescued  and  nurtured  by  a  she 
wolf.  Eemus  was  killed  in  a  dispute  over 
the  building  of  the  wall.  The  city  was  peo- 
pled by  outlaws,  who  obtained  wives  by 
the  "Eape  of  the  Sabincs".  E.  was  a 
bold  and  successful  warrior,  and  was  trans- 
lated to  heaven  and  made  a  god  under  the 
name  of  Quirinus. 

Roof,  rof.  The  cover  of  any  house  or 
building.    Eoofs  are  distinguished,  bv  th« 

flQ  tfi  e 

Curb  Roof.     Gable  Eoof.      Ogee  Eoof. 


M.  Eoof.        Hip  Eoof.       Shed  Eoof, 
materials   of  which    they    are      mainly 


EOOK 


598 


EOSETTA  STONE 


Kook. 


formed,  by  their 
form  and  mode  of 
construction,  of 
■vvhicli  there  are  a 
great  variety. 

Book,  rok.  A  bird, 
gen.  (.'orvus  (C.  fru- 
gilogns),  resembling 
the  crow,  but  dif- 
fering from  it  in 
not  feeding  on  car- 
rion. 

!Rood,  rod.  A  square  measure,  the  fourth 
of  a  statute  acre,  equal  to  40  square 
perches  or  poles,  or  1210  square  yards.  A 
measure  of  5^  j-ards  in  length  ;  a  rod,  pole 
or  perch  ;  also  a  square  pole,  or  272^ 
square  feet,  used  in  estimating  mason 
work.  A  large  crucifix  placed  at  the  en- 
trance to  the  chancel  in  medieval  churches. 
Sometimes  images  of  the  Yirgin  Mary  and 
St.  John  were  placed  on  either  side  of  the 
image  of  Christ,  in  allusion  to  John  xix. 
26. 

Booxnal,  ro'mal.  The 
slip-knot  handkerchief 
employed  by  the  Thugs 
or  hereditary  strang- 
lers  of  India  in  their 
murderous  operations. 

Booster,  rost'er.  The 
male  of  the  domestic 
fowl ;  a  cock. 

Roquelaure,    ro'ke- 
\or.      A     short    cloak 
much  used  in  the  ear- 
lier portion  of  the  18thy 
century. 

Rorqual,  ror'kwal.  A^ 
cetaceous  mammal  gen.    -^ 
Bala^noptera,  closely  al-      Eoquelaure. 
lied    to    the    common 
whales.    The  northern  rorqual  attains  a 
great    size,   being   found   from  80  to  over 


Eorqual. 

100  feet  in  length.      They  are  ferocious 

and  yield  little  oil. 
Bosa,  Salvator.  A  distinguished  Italian 

painter  ;  b.  1615,  i>.  1673. 
Bosace,  roz-as'.    An  ornamental  piece  of 

plaster-work  in  the  center  of  a  ceiling,  in 

which  a  luster  or  chandelier  is  placed. 


Bosario.  Cap.  of  the  Argentine  Confed- 
eration. 8.  America,  on  the  Parana,  190  m. 
N.  W.  of  Buenos  Ayres  ;   pop.  15,600. 

Bosary,  rd'za-ri,  A  chaplet ;  a  gar- 
land. A  string  of  beads  used  by  Eoman 
Catholics  for  counting  their  prayers.  There 
are  five  or  fifteen  divisions,  each  contain- 
ing ten  small  and  one  large  bead;  for  each 
of  the  small  beads  an  Ave  Maria,  and  for 
each  of  the  larger  a  Paternoster  is  i  epeated. 

Bosecrans,  "William  Stark.  An  Am- 
erican geueral,  b.  in  O.,  1819  ;  at  present 
Member  of  Congress  for  California. 

Bose-cut,  roz'kut.  A  term  applied  to  a 
gem  the  back  of  which  is  left  flat,  and  the 
face  cut  into  a  series  of  inclined  triangular 
facets  arranged  around  a  central  hexagon. 

Bose-diamond,  'diamond.  A  dia- 
mond nearly  hemiepherical,  cut  into  24  tri- 
angular planes  arranged  around  a  hex- 
agonal center. 

Bose-engine,  'en-jin.  An  appendage  to 
the  turning-lathe,  by  which  a  surface  of 
wood  or  metal,  as  a  -watch-case,  is  en- 
graved with  a  variety  of  curved  lines. 

Bose-festival,  'fes-ti-val.  A  festival 
celebrated  June  8,  which  had  its  origin 
in  Salency  in  France.  A  girl  is  selected 
from  three  most  distinguished  for  female 
virtues,  her  name  being  announced  from 
the  pulpit  to  give  an  opportunity  for  ob- 
jections. She  is  then  conducted  to 
church,  where  she  hears  service  in  a 
place  of  honor,  after  which  she  formerly 
used  to  open  a  ball  with  the  seigneur. 
She  is  called  La  Eosi6re,  because  she  is 
adorned  by  roses  held  together  by  a  silver 
clasp  presented  by  Louis  VIII.  The  fes- 
tival has  been  imitated  at  other  places. 

Bose-noble,  'no-bl.  An  ancient  En- 
glish gold  coin,  stamped  with  the  figure  oi 
a  rose,  first  struck  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
III.,  and  current  at  68.  8d.  Eose-noble6 
were  also  coined  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
IV.  of  the  value  of  8s.  4d. 

Bose-rial,  'rl-al.  A  name  for  British 
gold  coins  of  various  reigns  and  various 
values.  The  noble  of  Edward  IV.  was  so 
called  from  the  figure  of  a  rose  which  was 
added  to  the  reverse.  There  were  rose- 
rials  of  James  I.  of  the  value  of  30s. 

Bosetta  Stone,  ro'zet'a  ston.  The 
name  given  to  a  stone  in  the  British 
Museum,  originally  found  by  the  French 
near  the  Eosetto  mouth  of  the  Nile.  It 
is  a  piece  of  black  basalt,  and  contains 
part  of  three  distinct  inscriptions,  the 
first  or  highest  in  hieroglyphics,  the 
second  in  enchorial  characters,  and  the 
third  in  Greek.    According  to  the  Greek 


EOSE-WINDOW 


699 


EOUND-TOWER 


inscription  the  stone  was  erected  in  the 
reig-u  of  Ptoleuiy  Epiphanes,  about  193 
B.  c. 

Rose-window,  roz'win-do.  In  Arch,  a 
circular  window  divided  into  compart- 
ments by  mullions  or  tracery  radiating  or 
branching  from  a  center.  Called  also 
Catherine-wheel  and  Marigold  Window. 

Bosicrucian,  roz'i-kro'shi-an.  One  of  a 
secret  sect  or  society  some  account  of 
■which  was  given  in  works  published  in 
Germany  in  the  17th  century,  and  which 
was  said  to  have  originated  two  or  three 
centuries  previous.  "Whether  such  an  or- 
ganized society  ever  did  really  exist  or  not 
is  an  open  question.  Its  members  are  said 
to  have  made  great  pretensions  to  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  secrets  of  nature,  and  espe- 
cially as  to  the  transmutation  of  metals, 
the  prolongation  of  life,  and  acquaintance 
with  what  was  occurring  in  distant  re- 
gions, «fec.  The  society  was  often  known 
as  Brothers  of  the  Rosy  Cross. 

SfOsin,  roz'in.  The  name  given  to  resin 
when  employed  in  a  solid  state  for  ordi- 
nary purposes. 

Boas,  John,  Sir  An  English  Arctic  ex- 
plorer; B.  1777,  J>.  1866.  His  nephew. 
Sir  James  Clark  Koss,  b.  ISOO,  also  at- 
tained distinction  as  an  Arctic  explorer  ; 
D. 1862. 

Rossini,  GioaccMmo.  The  most 
eminent  of  Italian  composers;  b.  1792,  d. 
at  Paris,  1870. 

Rota,  ro'ta.  An  ecclesiastical  court  at 
Rome,  composed  of  prelates.  In  Eng. 
Hist,  a  political  club  founded  by  Harring- 
ton, 1659,  who  advocated  the  election  of 
officers  of  state  bj^  ballot,  and  the  retire- 
ment of  a  certain  number  of  members  of 
Parliament  annually  by  rotation. 

Rotacism,  ro'ta-sizm.  Faulty  pronun- 
ciation of  the  letter  R,  a  species  of  psel- 
lismus  ;  burr. 

Rotalia,  ro-ta'li-a.  A  gen.  of  the  For- 
aminifera,  so  called  from  their  nautiloid 
wheel-like  contour.  They  are  extremely 
minute. 

Rote,  rot.  An  old  stringed  musical  in- 
strument, a  kind  of  harp,  lute,  guitar,  or 
viol. 

JSothesay.  Cap.  of  Co.  Bute,  a  Scottish 
seaport,  30  m.  S.  W.  of  Glasgow ;  it 
gives  the  title  of  duke  to  the  male  heir  to 
the  British  throne  ;  pop.  9,100. 
Rothscluld..  The  name  of  the  heaviest 
flrni  of  capitalists  in  the  commercial 
world,  of  Jewish  blood;  founded  at 
Frankfort-on-the-Main  by  Anselm  Meyer 
E.;  B.  1743,  D.  1812,  leaving  an  immense 


fortune  to  his  five  sons,  each  of  whom 
opened  and  conducted  a  banking-house  in 
the  larger  European  capitals.  Their  ag- 
gregate wealth  is  estimated  at  nearly 
$6,000,000,000. 
Rotifera,  ro-tifer-a.  A  class  of  animal- 
cules, distinguished  by  their  circles  of  cilia, 
which,  through  the  microscope,  appear 
like  revolving  wheels.  They  can  be  de- 
siccated and  kept  for  months  and  still  be 
revived  on  the  application  of  moisture. 
Rotterdam.  An  important  commercial 
city  of  Holland,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Meuse  and  Rotte,  35  m.  S.  W.  of  Am- 
sterdam ;  pop.  127,600. 
Rottolo,  rot'o-lo.  A  weight  used  in 
parts  of  the  Mediterranean,  varying  from 
li  to  5  lbs. 
Rouble,  ro'bl.  The  unit  of  the  Russian 
money  system.  The  silver  rouble  is  equal 
to  about  60  cents ;  it  is  divided  into  100  co- 
pecks. 

Rouen.  Cap.  of  Dep.  Seine-Inferieure 
and  ancient  metropolis  of  Normandy, 
France,  on  the  Seine,  67  m.  N.  W.  of 
Paris  ;  pop.  109,450. 

Rougre-et-noir,  rozh-e-nwar.  A  game 
of  cards  played  between  a  banker  and  an 
unlimited  number  of  persons  at  a  table 
marked  with  four  spots  of  a  diamond 
shape,  two  colored  black  and  two  red.  A 
player  may  stake  his  money  upon  rouge 
or  noJr  by  placing  it  on  the  red  or  black 
spots,  or  he  may  stake  it  on  two  other 
chances,  couleur  or  inverse. 
ROTllette,  ro-let'.  A  game  of  chance 
played  at  a  table,  in  the  center  of  which  is 
a  cavity  surrounded  by  a  revolving  disk, 
the  circumference  of  which  is  divided  into 
compartments  colored  black  and  red  al- 
ternately, and  numbered  with  a  zero  and 
double  zero.  A  ball  is  rolled  in  an  oppo- 
site direction  to  the  revolving  disk,  and 
the  wager  is  laid  upon  the  color  of  the 
compartment  in  which  it  finallj' stops. 
Roundhead,  round'hed.  A  name 
given  by  the  Cavaliers  or  adherents  of 
Charles  I.,  during  the  English  civil  war,  to 
members  of  the  Puritan  or  parliament- 
ary partj',  who  wore  their  hair  closely 
cut,  the  Cavaliers  wearing  theirs  in  long 
ringlets. 

Round-robin,  'rob-in.  A  written  peti- 
tion, memorial  or  remonstrance  signed  by 
names  in  a  ring  or  circle,  so  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  ascertain  who  heads  the  list. 
Round-tower,  'tou-er.  A  tall,  slender 
tower,  common  in  Ireland,  and  in  two 
places  in  Scotland,  from  30  to  130  ft.  in 
height,  and  from  20  t»  SO  ft.  in  diameter. 


ROUSSEAU 


EUSH 


Antiquaries  generally  agree  that  they  date 
from  the  9th  to  the  l'2tli  century,  and  in 
considering  them  as  strongholds. 
Housseau,  Jean  Jacques.    A  dietin- 
guishcd  French  author;    B.   at  Geneva, 
1712  ;   D.  1778. 
Rousseau,  Lovell  H.     An  American 
general ;  n.  in  Ky.,  1818  ;  d.  1869. 
Routier,  ro'ti-a.      One  of  a  class  of  mili- 
tary adventurers  of  the  12th  century,  who 
hired   themselves  out  to  whoever  would 
pay  them  best :  so  named  from  being  al- 
ways on  the  route  or  move. 

Royalist,  roi'al-ist.  An  adherent  to  a 
king,  or  one  attached  to  a  kingly  govern- 
ment. Specifically  applied  in  history  to  a 
partisan  of  Charles  I.  and  Charles  the  II. 
of  England,  and  to  an  adherent  of  the 
Bourbons  after  the  first  French  revolu- 
tion. 

Bubens,  Peter  Paul.  The  leading 
painter  of  the  Flemish  school ;  b,  at  Sie- 
gen,  1577  ;  d.  1640. 

Bubezahl,  'be-tsal.  Number  STip,  a 
famous  mountain  spirit  of  Germany, 
sometimes  friendly,  sometimes  mischiev- 
ous ;  said  to  be  favorable  to  the  poor  and 
oppressed,  but  waging  war  on  the  proud 
and  wicked. 

Rubicon,  rO'bi  kon.  A  snmll  river 
which  separated  Italy  from  Cisalpine 
Gaul,  the  province  allotted  to  Julius 
Caisar.  The  crossing  of  the  R.  by  Csesar 
■was  the  first  step  in  the  civil  war  between 
him  and  Pompey,  equivalent  to  a  declara- 
tion of  war. 

Ruby.  A  crystallized  gem  next  to  the 
diamond  in  hardness  and  value,  of  various 
shades  of  red,  the  most  highly  prized 
being  crimson  and  carmine  red.  It  con- 
sists of  nearlj'  pure  alumina,  with  small 
quantities  of  magnesia,  &c. 

RudolpMne,  -dol'f  in.  A  set  of  astro- 
nomical tables  composed  by  Kepler, 
founded  on  the  observations  of  Tycho 
Brahe,  named  in  honor  of  Rudolph  II., 
em  neror  of  Bohem  ia. 

Ruff,  ruf.  A  bird 
allied  to  the  wood- 
cock, and  found  in 
Europe  and  Asia. 

Rum,  rum.  Spirit 
distilled  from  cane 
juice,  fi-om  the 
treacle  or  molasses 
which  drains  from 
sugar,  or  from  dun- 
der,  the  lees  of  former 
distillations. 

Ruminant,   ro'mi-  Ruff. 


'  let-  Im 


nant.  A  member  of  the  ord.  Rurainautia ; 
an  animal  that  chews  the  cud,  as  the  cam- 
el, deer,  goat  and  bovine  kind. 

Rumswizzle,  rum'swiz-1.  A  frieze 
cloth  made  in  Ireland  from  undyed  foreign 
wool  which  resists  wet. 

Rune,  run.     A  letter  of 
the  alphabet  peculiar  to 
the  ancient  northern  nar 
tions  of  Europe.    There  • 
were      three       leading 
classes    of    runes— the 
Scandinavian,  the  Ger- 
man    and    the  Anglo- 
Saxon,  agreeing  in  some 
respects.     Of  these  the  ! 
first  consisted  of  16 
ters,   while  the  Ans 
Saxon   consisted  of  40.  -Rune 

Runic   monuments  oc-  -Kune. 

cur  in  Denmark,  Norway,  Sweden,  Ger- 
many, Britain  and  some  parts  of  France 
and  Spain.  The  earliest  mention  made  oi 
the  runes  was  in  the  6th  centui-y. 

Rupee,  rii-pe'.  A  silver  coin  current  in 
India  and  islands  of  the  Eastern  Archi- 
pelago, equivalent  to  50  cents. 

Rupert's  Drop,  'perts  drop.  A  drop 
of  glass  thrown  while  in  a  state  of  fusion 
into  water,  and  thus  suddenly  consoli- 
dated. The  thick  end  may  be  subjected 
to  the  blow  of  a  hammer  without  breaking, 
but  should  the  smallest  part  of  the  tail  be 
nipped  off  or  the  surface  scratched  with  a 
diamond,  the  whole  flies  into  fine  dust 
with  considerable  force.  This  is  due  to 
the  sti-ain  in  the  interior,  caused  by  the 
consolidation  of  the  crust  while  the  in- 
ternal   mass 

is  liquid.  This 
philosophical 
toy  receives 
its  name 
from  being  S 
brought  first 
into  notice 
by  Prince 
Rupert, 
nephew  of 
Charles  I. 

R  u  p  icola, 
-pik'o-la.  A 
gen.  of  inses- 

sorial  birds  termed  rock  manakins  or  cocks 
of  the  rock  ;  they  ai-e  crested  and  of  beau- 
tiful plumage. 

Rush,  Benjamin.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican philanthropist  and  statesman  ;  b. 
in  Penn..  1745;  D.  1813.  Richard,  his 
son,  B.  1780,  D.  1S59,  was  prominent  as  a 
statesman,    acting    as  Attorney-General 


Orange  Rock  Cock. 


EUSKIN 


601 


SABBATH 


and  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of  the  U.  S., 
also  as  Minister  to  England  and  France. 

Kuskin,  Joh.n.  A  distinguished  En- 
glish author  and  art  critic  ;  b.  1S19. 

Russell,  John,  Earl.  An  eminent  En- 
gUsli  statesman,  3d  son  of  the  Duke  of 
Bedford  ;  «.  1792,  d.  1S7S.  He  was  Prime 
Minister  in  1S46  and  1S65. 

Russia.  An  empire  extending  over  a 
large  portion  of  N.  Europe  and  almost  the 
Avhole  of  N.  Asia,  covering  nearly  one- 
seventh  of  the  surface  of  the  globe  ;  total 
area,  8,082,970  sq.  m.  ;  total  pop.  about 
90,000,000,  of  which  nearly  80,000,000  are 
inhabitants  of  European  E.  Principal 
cities,  St.  Petersburg,  cap.,  Moscow,War- 
saw,  Kiga,  Odessa,  Kishinov,  Suratov, 
Wilna,  Kazan,  Kiev,  Nikolaieff  and  Khar- 
koff.  In  Europe ;  Tobolsk,  Omsk,  Yenise- 
isk, Irkoutsk,  Takoutsk  and  Petropaul- 
ovski,  in  Asia.  Chief  rivers,  the  Dneiper, 
Don,  Volga,  Dneister,  Bug,  Dwina  and 
Niemen.  in  Europe ;  the  Anioor,  Lena, 
Obi  and  Yenesei,  in  A  sia.  Lakes,  Ladoga, 
Peipus,  Onega  and  Baikal.  Mountains, 
Ural,  Caucasus,  Great  and  Little  Altai 
chains. 


Russniak,  rus'ni-ak.  A  member  of  a 
branch  of  the  Slavic  race,  inhabiting 
Galicia,  Hungary,  Podolia,  Yolhynia  and 
Lithuania,  distinguished  from  Russians 
proper,  or  Muscovites,  by  their  language 
and  mode  of  life.  They  are  uncultivated 
and  devoted  almost  entirely  to  agricul- 
ture. 

Russud,  'ud.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a  pro- 
gressively increasing  land-tax.  i 

Ruth.  A  book  of  the  Old  Testament,  the 
heroine  being  II.,  the  Moabitic  widow  of 
a  Hebrew,  son  of  Naomi,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Boaz  and  the  ancestress  of  David. 

Rutha,  rut'a.  In  the  E.  Indies,  a  car- 
riage on  two  low  wheels. 

Ruysdael.  Jacob.  A  distinguished 
Dutch  landscape  painter  ;  b.  1630,  d.  1681. 

Ruyter,  Michael  A.  An  eminent 
Dutch  admiral ;  b.  1607  ;  killed  in  battle 
with  the  French,  1675. 

Ryde.  A  popular  sea.shore  resort  on  the 
Isle  of  Wight;  pop.  27,362, 

Ryot,  rl-ot.  A  Hindu  peasant  who  holds 
land  under  the  mode  of  assessment  termed 
ryotwar. 


s 


SIS  the  19th  letter  of  the  English  alpha- 
bet, and  is  both  a  lingual  and  a  dental. 
More  descriptively  it  Is  classed  as  a  sib- 
ilant, from  its  hissing  sound.  It  has  two 
sounds,  the  one  surd,  or  uttered  with 
breath  merely,  as  in  sack,  sin,  this  ;  the 
other  sonant,  or  uttered  with  voice,  as  in 
muse,  wise.  In  a  few  words  it  is  silent, 
as  in  isle  and  viscount.  S  is  a  very  com- 
mon letter  in  English  words,  both  initially 
and  finally,  singly  or  in  conjunction  with 
other  consonants.  The  principal  reason 
for  its  being  so  common  is  that  it  is  the 
characteristic  of  the  plural  and  other  in- 
flections. In  abbreviations  8  stands  for 
South,  8.  E.,  Southeast,  S.  W.,  South- 
west ;  F.  Pv.  S.,  Fellow  of  the  Eoyal  So- 
ciety ;  S.  T.  P.,  Sanctis  Theologiae  Pro- 
fessor, Professor  of  Sacred  Theology.  In 
Chem.  S  is  the  symbol  for  sulphur. 

Saadh,  sa'ad.  One  of  an  Indian  sect  of 
pure  deists,  whose  mode  of  life  in  many 
respects  resembles  that  of  the  Quakers. 

Saadi,  Muslih-ed-Deen.  A  celebrated 
Persian  poet,  b.  11S4,  d.  1291,  living  to 
the  great  age  of  107. 

Sabhathian,  sa-ba'thi-an.  A  member 
of  a  religious  sect  of  the  17th  century,  fol- 
lowers of  Sabbathius  Zwi,  of  Smyrna,  who 
declared  himself  the  Messiah,  sent  to 
shake  olf  the  thralldora  of  Clu-istianity  and 


Mohammedanism  and  to  convert  all  hu- 
manity. Eemnants  of  the  sect  still  exist 
in  Poland  and  Turkey. 

Sabbatarian,  sab-ba-ta'ri-an.  One  who 
observes  the  seventh  day  of  the  week  as 
the  Sabbath  instead  of  the  flrst.  A  sect 
of  Baptists  ;  called  also  Seventh-day  Bap- 
tists, because  they  maintain  that  the  Jew- 
ish Sabbath  has  not  been  abrogated.  One 
who  observes  the  Sabbath  with  extraor- 
dinary rigor. 

Sabbath,  'bath.  The  day  -which  God 
appointed  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  rest 
from  all  secular  labor,  and  to  be  kept  holy 
and  consecrated  to  his  service  and  worship. 
This  was  originally  the  seventh  day  of  the 
week,  and  this  day  is  still  ob.served  bj'  the 
Jews  and  some  Christians.  But  the  Chris- 
tian church  very  early  began  to  observe  the 
first  day  of  the  week  in  commemoration 
of  the  resurrection  of  Christen  that  day. 
Hence  it  is  often  called  the  Lord's-day. 
The  heathen  nations  in  the  north  of  Europe 
dedicated  the  first  day  of  the  week  to  the 
sun,  and  hence  their  Ohristian  descendants 
continue  to  call  the  day  Sunday.  Sabbath 
is  not  strictly  synonyrhous  with  Sunday. 
Sunday  is  the  name  of  the  day ;  Sabbath, 
the  name  of  the  institution.  Sunday  is 
the  Sabbath  of  Christians  ;  Saturday  is  the 
Sabbath  of  the  Jews. 


SABELLIAN 


602 


SAOBARIITM 


Sabelliau,  sa-bel'i-an.  A  follower  of 
Siibellius,  a  philosopher  of  Egypt  in  the 
3d  century,  who  taught  that  there  is  one 
person  only  in  the  Godhead,  and  that 
the  Word  and  Holy  Spirit  are  only  vir- 
tues, emanations  or  functions  of  Deity. 

Sabian,  sa'bian.  A  worshiper  of  the 
sun  and  other  heavenly  bodies.  One  of 
an  obscure  sect,  who  mingled  Christianity, 
Judaism,  Mohammedanism  and  heathen- 
ish superstition  together,  known  as  Chris- 
tians of  St.  John,  and  still  scattered  in 
small  numbers  about  the  Lower  Euphrates 
and  Tigris  and  other  places.  One  of  a 
sect  that  arose  in  the  9th  century,  called 
also  Pseudo-Sabians  or  Syrian  Sabians. 
Their  religion  is  described  as  the  heathen- 
ism of  the  ancient  Syrians,  modified  by 
Hellenic  influences. 

Sabine,  sa'bln.  One  of,  or  pertaining  to, 
an  ancient  people  from  whom  the  found- 
ers of  Home  took  their  daughters  by  force, 
having  invited  them  to  some  public  sports 
or  shows  Avith  this  object.  When  the  Sa- 
bines  came  to  revenge  the  act,  the  women 
acted  as  mediators  and  succeeded  in  es- 
tablishing a  lasting  peace  between  them. 
The  deed  is  known  as  the  "rape  of  the 
Sabine  women." 

Sabine  Cross-Roads.  A  locality  in 
W.  Louisiana,  4  miles  from  Mansfield, 
noted  for  the  defeat  (April  8,  1864)  of  the 
Federals,  under  Gen.  Banks,  by  tihe  Con- 
federates, under  Gen.  Taylor. 

Sable,  'U.  .^..-^^iWmm^W^l^^ 

A  digiti-    "^s3m;lak^W^ 

grade    car- 
nivorous„ 
mammal, It 
nearly    al-'^: 
lied  to  thei 
common' 
marten  and 
pine     mar- 
ten, the  Mustela  zibellina. 
Sabot,  sa-bo.    A  wooden  shoe,  made  of 
one    piece,    worn    by 

Seasants  in  France, 
;elgium,  &G.  A 
wooden  disk  attached 
to  a  projectile  to  main- 
tain it  in  its  proper 
posi  tion  in  the  bore  of 
a  gun  ;  also  a  metiillic 
cup  or  disk  fixed  to  a 
projectile  to  fill  the 
bore  and  take  the  ri- 
fling when  the  gun  is 
discharged. 

Sabotiere,   -bo-te-ar. 
making  ices. 


Sable. 


Sabot. 
A   machine    for 


Saber,  sa'ber.  A  sword  with  a  broad, 
heavy  blade,  thick  at  the  back,  and  curved 
towards  the  point,  specially  adapted  for 
cutting  ;  a  cavalry  sword. 

Saccbarometer,  sak-ka-rom'et-er.  An 
Instrument  for  determining  the  quantity 
of  saccharine  matter  in  any  solution. 

Saccomydse,  -ko-ml'de.  A  family  of 
mammals  comprising  the  pouched  rats 
and  gophers,  which  are  furnished  with 
external  cheek-pouches. 

Sacbem,  sa'chem.  A  chief  among  some 
of  the  native  Indian  tribes ;  a  sagamore. 

Sachet,  sii-sha.  A  small  bag  for  contain- 
ing odorous  substances ;  a  scent-bag  ;  a 
perfume  cushion. 

Sackbut,  sak'-but.  A  musical  instru- 
ment of  the  trumpet  kind,  which  can  be 
lengthened  or  shortened  according  to  the 
tone  required.  In  Scrip,  a  musical 
stringed  instrument  mentioned  in  Dan. 
iii.,  supposed  to  be  identical  with  the 
sambyka  of  the  Greeks,  perhaps  a  kind  of 
guitar. 

Sacque,  sak.  A  kind  of  loose  govni  or 
upper  robe  worn  by  ladies  in  the  17th  and 
18th  centuries,  introduced  from  France. 
A  modern  article  of  female  dress,  fitted  to 
the  waist,  but  hanging  loose  over  the  hips, 
with  close  sleeves. 

Sacrament,  sak'ra-ment.  In  Theol.  an 
outward  and  visible  sign  of  inward  and 
spiritual  grace.  In  the  E.  C.  Oh.  and  the 
Greek  Ch.  it  is  held  that  there  are  seven 
sacraments,  viz.,  baptism,  confirmation, 
the  eucharist,  penance,  extreme  unction, 
holy  orders,  and  matrimony.  Protestants 
in  general  acknowledge  but  two  sacra- 
ments, baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper. 
When  used  without  any  quahfying  word, 
sacrament  means  the  eucharist  or  Lord's 
supper. 

Sacramentarian,  'men-ta"ri-an.  One 
that  difi"ers  from  the  E.  C.  Church  and 
the  Lutherans  in  regard  to  the  sacra- 
ments ;  a  word  applied  by  Eoman  Cath- 
olics to  Protestants,  and  by  the  followers 
of  Luther  in  the  16th  century  to  the  fol- 
lowers of  Zwingle. 

Sacramento.  A  river  of  Central  Cali- 
fornia, rising  in  the  Eocky  Mountains 
and  emptying  into  San  Francisco  Bay  ; 
length  480  m.  A  city  (cap.)  of  California, 
on  the  S.  river,  75  m.  N.  E.  of  San  Fran- 
cisco ;  pop.  21,420. 

Sacrarium,  sa-kra'ri-um.  A  family 
chapel  in  the  houses  of  the  Eomans,  de- 
voted to  some  particular  divinity.  The 
adytum  of  a  temple.  That  part  of  a  church 
where  the  altar  is  situated. 


SACRISTAN 


603 


SAINT  JUST 


Sacristan,  sak'ris-tan.    An  officer  of  the 
church  who  has  charge  of  the  sacristy. 
Sacristy,  -ti.    An  apartment  in  a  church 
where  the  sacred   utensils  and   the  vest- 
ments in  which   the  clergyman  officiates 
are  deposited  ;  the  vestry. 
Sacti,    'ti.     In   Hindu  Myth,  the  female 
power  of  the  universe,  spouse  of  Siva. 
Sadda,  sad'da.     A  work  in   the  modern 
Persian  tongue,  being  a  summary  of  the 
Zendavesta  or  sacred  books. 
Sadducee,  'du-sG.     One  of  a  sect  among 
the  ancient  Jews,  who  denied  the  exist- 
ence of  any  spiritual  beings  except  God, 
and  believed  that  the  soul  died  Avith  the 
body,  and  tliat  there  was  no  resurrection. 
They  rejected  the  oral  law  which  was  up- 
held by  the  Pharisees,  and  adhered  to  the 
text  of  the  Mosaic  law. 

Sadoc.  A  Hebrew  philosopher  who  lived 
abt.  230  B.C.;  founder  of  the  sect  called 
Sadducees. 

Sadowa.  A  village  of  Bohemia,  Austria, 
n*ar  Konigsgratz,  noted  for  the  victorv, 
July  3,  1866,  of  the  Prussians,  220,00(J, 
commanded  by  King  William,  over  the 
Austrians,  190,000,  under  Marshal  Bene- 
dek.  The  latter  lost  160  cannon  and  15,000 
prisoners. 

Safety-valve,  safti-valv.  A  contriv- 
ance for  obviating  or  diminishing  the  risk 
of  explosions  in  steam-boilers,  by  opening 
at  a  certain  pressure. 

Sagra,  sa'ga.  An  ancient  Scandinavian 
legend  or  tradition,  relating  either  myth- 
ical or  historical  events  ;  a  tale ;  a  history. 

Sagramore,  sag'a-mor.  Among  some 
tribes  of  American  Indians,  a  king  or 
chief;  a  sachem. 

Sagritta.  saj'i-ta.  The  Arrow,  a  constel- 
lation of  the  northern  hemisphere.  It 
contains  no  stars  higher  than  the  fourth 
magnitude.  In  Zool.  a  gen.  of  annelids 
forming  Huxley's  ord.  Chaetognatha. 

Sahara,  Desert  of.  (Great  Desert).  A 
vast  section  of  N.  Africa,  bounded  N.  by 
the  Barbary  States,  E.  by  Egj-pt,  S.  by 
the  Soudan,  W.  by  the  Atlantic,  princi- 
pally consisting  of  plains  of  sand,  desti- 
tute of  water  or  vegetation,  but  diversified 
with  small  fertile  tracts  called  oases  ;  area, 
abt.  2,500  sq.  m. 

Sahib,  sa'ib.  A  term  used  by  the  natives 
of  India  or  Persia  in  addressing  or  speak- 
ing of  Europeans.  Sahibah  is  the  corre- 
sponding feminine  form.  Lit.,  master, 
mistress. 

Saic,  sit'ik.  A  Turkish  or  Grecian  vessel, 
common  in  the  Levant, 

Said,  Port.    A  city  of  Egypt,  at    the 


Mediterranean  entrance  to  the  Suez  Canal: 
pop,  12,600. 

Sagittarius, 

-ta'ri-us.  One  of 
the  zodiacal  con- 
stellations which 
the  sun  enters 
Nov.  22.  Eep- 
resented  by  the 
figure  of  a  cen- 
taur shooting  an 
arrow  from  his 
bow. 

Sagro,  sa'go.  A 
kind  of  starch, 
produce  d 
from  the 
st e m  or 
cell  u  1  a  r 
substance 
of  several 
palms  and 
palm-lik  e 
vege  ta  - 
bles. 

Sagrum. 
'gum.  The 
mill  tary 
cloak 
worn   by 
K  o  m  an 
sold  1  er  8 
and  inferi- 
or officers,  Sago  Palm, 
in  contradistinction  to  the  paludamentum 
of  the  superior  officers.     It  was  the  garb 
of  war,  as  the  toga  was  the  garb  of  peace. 

Saigron.  Cap.  of  the  French  possessions 
in  Cochin  China,  on  a  river  of  same  name, 
35  m.  from  the  China  Sea ;  pop.  48,500. 

Saint  Clair,  Arthur.  An  American 
general,  n.  in  Scotland,  1735,  n.  1818.  Ho 
served  with  credit  in  the  Revolution,  was 
elected  to  Congress,  1785,  and  Governor 
of  Ohio.  1789  ;  in  1791  was  disastrously  de- 
feated by  the  Miami  Indians. 

Saint  Clair.  A  small  lake  between 
Lakes  Erie  and  Huron  ;  area  3G0  sq.  m. 

Sainte-Beuve,  Charles  Augrustin 
de.  An  eminent  French  author  and 
critic ;  B.  1804,  v.  1869. 

Saint  John.  Cap.  of  Now  Brunswick, 
at  the  mouth  of  St.  J.  River,  135  m.  N.  W. 
of  Halifax ;  pop.  82,650. 

Saint  John's.  Cap.  of  Newfoundland  ; 
pop.  29.426. 

Saint  Just,  Antoine.  A  French  rev- 
olutionist ;  B.  176S,  guillotined  1794.  He 
was  one  of  Robespierre's  most  violent 
abettors,  and  perished  with  his  diief. 


SAINT  LOUIS 


604 


SAMOYED 


Saint  liouis.  The  commercial  metrop- 
olis of  Missouri,  on  the  Mississippi,  18  m. 
below  its  junctloii  vnth  the  Missouri  and 
196  above  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio ;  pop. 
350,618. 

Saint  Paul.  Cap.  of  Minnesota,  on  the 
Mississippi,  9  m.  below  the  Falls  of  St. 
Anthony  ;  pop.  41,473. 

Saint-Pierre,  Jacques  Henri,  Ber- 
nardin  de.  A  diitiuguished  French 
author,  c.  1737,  d.  1814. 

Saint-Simon,  Claude  Henri, 
Comte  de.  A  versatile  French  philan- 
thropist, political  economist,  philosopher 
and  author ;  b.  1750,  d.  1825.  He  served 
in  the  American  army  in  the  Eevolution  ; 
returning  to  France  he  spent  a  fortune  in 
endeavoring  to  establish  an  ideal  society  ; 
he  was  also  the  founder  of  the  i)hiIo8oph- 
ical  sect  of  which  Thierry,  Comte  and 
Chevalier  Avere  the  principal  apostles. 

Saint-Siraonian,  sant-si-mo'ni-an,  A 
partisan  of  the  Comte  de  St.  Simon,  Avho 
maintained  that  the  principle  of  joint- 
stock  property  and  just  division  of  the 
fruits  of  common  labor  among  all  mem- 
bers of  society  is  the  true  remedy  for  the 
evils  of  society. 

Saiva,  sl'va.  A  votary  of  Siva.  The 
Saivas  ai"0  one  of  the  three  groat  sects  of 
Hindustan.  Its  members  belong  chiefly 
to  the  learned  and  speculative  classes. 

Sakhrat,  sak'rat.  In  Mohammedan 
Myth,  the  name  for  a  sacred  stone,  one 
gi-ain  of  which  confers  miraculous  powers. 
It  is  of  an  emerald  color,  and  the  blue  tint 
of  the  sky  is  due  to  its  reflection. 

Saki.  sfi'ki.  The 
American  name 
of  those  platy- 
rhine  monkeys 
Avhich  constitute 
the  gen.  Pithecia. 
Fox-tailed  mon- 
keys. 

Sakta,  sak'ta.  A 
member  of  one  of 
the  great  Hindu 
sects,  theSaktas. 
comprising  the 
worshipers  of 
the  female  princi- 
ple according    to 

the  ritual  of  the  Tantra.  They  are  di- 
vided into  tlie  followers  of  the  right-hand 
and  left-hand  ritual.  The  latter  practice 
the  grossest  iinpurities. 

Saladin  (Malek-Nasir-Youssoufi. 
An  eminent  Saracen  Sultan  :  n.  1137,  bo- 
came  vizier,  11C8,  and  sovereign  of  Egypt, 


Saki  Cu\io. 


1173.  He  captured  Jerusalem  but  was  de- 
feated and  besieged  in  Acre,  by  Eichai-d 
Coeur  de  Lion  and  Fhiiip  Augustus  of 
France,  11S9,  surrendering  under  a  three 
years  truce,  1191,  retaining  Jerusalem  ;  d. 
1193.  He  was  of  a  chivalric  and  noble 
character. 

Salaam,  sa-lam'.  A  ceremonious  salu- 
tation or  obeisance  among  orientals. 

Salamandri  - 
dee,  sal-a-  man'- 
dri-dc.  Afam. 
of  amphibians, 
comprehending 
the  salamander. 

Salic,  sal'ik.  A 
term  applied  to 
a  code  of  laws 
belonging  to    Common  Salamander, 
the  Sali  a  n 

Franks.  One  of  these  excluded  women 
from  inheriting  certfiin  lands,  j)robably  be- 
cause military  duties  were  connected  with 
the  holding  of  those  lands.  In  the  14th 
century  females  were  excluded  from  the 
throne  of  France  by  the  application  of  this 
law,  and  it  is  in  this  sense  that  the  term 
Salic  law  is  commonly  used. 

Sallust,  Caius  Crispus.  An  eminent 
lloman  historian  of  the  1st  century   is.   e. 

Salmonid  ae ,     ji^^^^- 
-mon'i-de.  The'^ 
salmon  tribe,  ut 
fam.   of    fishe;; 
belonging  to  Salmon, 

the  Malacopterygii  abdominales,  of  which 
the  salmon  is  the  type. 

Salonica.  A  Turkish  seaport  in  Roume- 
lia,  185  m.  N.  W.  of  Athens  ;  pop.   74,800. 

Salt,  salt.  Chloride  of  sodium,  formerly 
termed  nmriateof  soda,  a  substance  which 
has  been  known,  and  in  common  use,  as 
a  seasoner  and  ])reserver  of  food  from  the 
earliest  ages.  It  is  formed  when  chlorine 
and  sodium  or  hydrochloric  kcid  and  soda 
come  together. 

Salt  Lake  City.  Cap.  of  co.  of  same 
name,  and  seat  of  the  territorial  govern- 
ment of  Utah  ;  pop.  20,708. 

Samaveda.  sii'ma-vG  da.  The  name  of 
one  of  the  four  Vedas,  or  sacred  hymns  of 
Hindustan.  The  Samaveda  means  the 
Veda  containing  samans  or  hymns  for 
chanting. 

Sambo,  sam'bo.  The  offspring  of  a 
black  person  and  a  mul.atto ;  a  zambo. 
Often  a[)pliod  to  negroes  in  general. 

Samoyed,  sa-mo'yed.  A  member  of  a 
racoof  people  inhabiting  the  shores  of  the 
Arctic  Oceau  from  about  the  river  Mezen 


SAMPAI5 


605 


SAN-  SALVADOR 


on  the  European  side  to  the  Lena  on  the 
Asiatic.     Their  language  is  Turanian. 

Sampan,  sam'pan.  A  name  applied  to 
boats  of  various  builds  on  the  Chinese 
rivers,  at  Singapore,  &c.  On  the  Canton 
river  sampans  are  often  used  as  habitations. 

Samshoo,  'sho.  A  Chinese  spirit  dis- 
tilled from  rice. 

Samson.  In  Scrip.,  a  Judge  of  Israel, 
son  of  Manoah,  of  the  tribe  of  Dan;  b, 
1155  B.  c.  lie  possessed  extraordinary 
strength,  and  while  a  prisoner  to  the 
Philistines  was  deprived  of  his  sight  and 
destroyed  himself  with  a  large  number  of 
his  enemies  by  pulling  down  the  temple 
in  which  thsy  were  assembled. 

Samuel,  Sam'u-el.  The  name  of  two  ca- 
nonical books  of  the  Old  Testament,  cover- 
ing three  principal  periods,  the  restoration 
of  the  theocracy  of  which  Samuel  was  the 
leader ;  the  history  of  Saul;  David's  reign. 

Samuel.  In  Scrip.,  a  prophet  and  last 
Judge  of  Israel,  of  the  tribe  of  Levi; 
B.  1162,  D.  1072  B.  c.  He  consecrated 
Saul  the  first  king,  and  annointed  David, 
his  successor.  The  two  books  of  the  Old 
Testament  bearing  his  name  are  supposed 
to  have  been  written  by  S. 

San-benito,  san-be-ne'to.  A  loose  up- 
per garment  painted  with  flames,  figures 
of  devils,  the  person's  own  portrait,  &c., 
worn  by  persons  condemned  to  death  by 
the  Inquisition  when  going  to  the  auto  de 
fe.  Those  who  expressed  repentance 
wore  a  garment  of  the  same  kind  with 
flames  directed  downward  ;  that  worn  by 
Jews,  sorcerers,  renegades,  bore  a  St. 
Andrew's  cross  in  red  before  and  behind. 

Sandal,  Mai. 
A  kind  of  shoe, 
consisting  of  a 
sole  fastened  to 
the  foot,  gene- 
rally by  means 
of  straps,  cross- 
ed over  and 
wound  round 
the  an  k  1  e  . 
Ori  g  i  n  a  1 1  y 
made  of  leather, 
they  were  after- 
ward made  of  gold,  silver  and  other  pre- 
cious material.  The  official  shoe  of  a  bish- 
op or  abbot,  commonly  made  of  red 
leather,  and  sometimes  of  silk  or  velvet. 
A  tie  or  strap  for  fastening  a  shoe. 

Sand-blast,  sand'blast.  A  method  of 
engraving  and  cutting  glass  and  other 
hard  materials  by  the  percussive  force  of 
particles  of  sand  driven  by  a  steam  or  air 
blast.    Called  also  sand-jet. 


Grecian  and  Boman 
Sandals. 


Sand  Piper.  A 

bird  of  the  snipe 
femily,  inhabit- 
in.;^  the  sea  - 
shore. 

Sand,  Georgre. 

The  pseudonym 
of  Q  celebrated 
French  novelist, 
Amantine     Lucile 


Sand  Piper. 
Aurore     Dupin 


do 

Franceuil  (Madame  Dudevant),  a  great- 
granddaughter  of  Marshal  Saxe  ;  b.  ISOi, 
D.  1876. 

Sandusky.  Cap.  of  Erie  Co.,  Ohio,  on 
Lake  Erie  ;  pop.  15,SB8. 

Sandwich  Islands.  A  chain  of  13 
islands  in  the  N.  Pacific,  forming  the 
kingdom  of  Hawaii ;  area,  G,000  sq.  m.; 
pop.  abt.  80,000.     Cap.  Honolulu. 

San  Francisco.  The  commercial  me- 
tropolis of  the  American  Pacific  coast,  on 
the  bay  of  the  same  name,  Calilbrnia ; 
pop.  233,959. 

Sangreal,  sang-ra'al.  The  holy  vessel 
from  which  our  Lord  ate  the  paschal 
lamb,  or  from  which  he  dispensed  the 
■wine,  at  the  last  supper. 

Sangu,  sang'gji.  The  native  name  of  the 
Abyssinian  ox,  characterized  by  the  great 
size  of  its  horns. 

San^uisug'a,  sang'gwi-sii-ga.  A  gen. 
of  abranchiate  annelidans,  of  which  the 
medicinal  leach  is  the  type. 

Sanhedrim,  san'he-drim.  The  great 
council  among  the  Jews,  whose  jurisdic- 
tion extended  to  all  important  affairs.  It 
had  power  of  life  and  death.  The  presi- 
dent was  generally  the  high  priest,  and 
the  other  members  consisted  of  chief- 
priests,  elders  and  scribes,  in  all  amount- 
ing to  seventy-one  or  seventy-two. 

Sanhita,  'hi-ta.  The  name  of  that  por- 
tion of  the  A'^edas,  or  sacred  writings  of 
the  Brahmans,  which  contains  the  mantra 
or  hymns. 

Sanjak,  'jak.  A  subdivision  of  an  e.valet 
or  minor  province  of  Turkey,  so  called 
because  the  governor  of  such  district, 
called  sanjak-beg,  is  entitled  to  carry  iu 
war  a  standard  of  one  horse-tail. 

Sankhya,  sang'khya.  The  name  of  on© 
of  the  three  great  systems  of  Hindu  phil- 
osophy. It  teaches  how  eternal  happi- 
ness, or  complete  exemption  from  ill,  can 
be  obtained. 

San  Marino.  A  republic  of  C.  Italy, 
area,  22  sq.  m.,  pop.  abt.  9,500.  Cap.  San 
Marino ;  pop.  T,436. 

San  Salvador.  A  C.  American  re- 
public,  bounded  N.   by  Honduras,  E.  by 


SANS-CULOTTE 


SARDONYX 


Honduras  and  Nicaragua,  8.  and  W.  by 
the  Pacific ;  area  7,230  sq.  m.,  pop.  802,- 
600.  Cliief  city,  San  Salvador,  cap.,  5  m. 
from  its  port.  La  Libertad ;  pop.  23,870. 

Sans-culotte,  sanz-kn-lot'.  Tho  name 
given  in  derision  to  the  popular  party  by 
the  aristocrats  in  the  French  revolution  of 
1789,  and  afterward  assumed  by  the  patri- 
ots as  a  title  of  honor.  Lit,,  a  fellow  with- 
out breeches, 

Sanskrit,  san'skrit.  The  ancient  lan- 
guage of  the  Hindus,  being  that  in  which 
most  of  their  vast  literature  is  written, 
from  the  oldest  portion  of  the  Vedas  (sup- 
posed to  date  from  about  1500  b.  c.) 
downward,  though  it  has  long  ceased  to 
bo  a  spoktu  language.  It  is  one  of  the 
Aryan  or  Indo-European  family  of 
tongues,  and  stands  in  the  same  relation 
to  the  modern  Aryan  languages  of  India  as 
Latin  stands  to  the  Romance. 

Santa  Anna,  Antonio  Lopez  de. 
A  Mexican  general  and  statesman ;  b. 
1798,  i>.  1877.  lie  was  elected  President, 
1833,  and  became  Dictator  1835.  Texas 
revolted  1836,  and  8.  A.  was  defeated  and 
captured  at  San  Jacinto.  Restored  to 
power  1841,  he  was  expelled  the  country 
1845,  but  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
with  the  U.  S.,  1846,  he  returned,  and  was 
made  Commander-in-Chief.  With  the  vic- 
tory of  the  U.  S.  he  left  the  country,  but 
mado  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to 
regain  the  supreme  power. 

Santiag-o  de  Chili.  Cap.  of  the  repub- 
lic of  Chili,  S.  America,  at  the  W.  base  of 
the  Andes;  pop.  121,600. 

Santiagro  de  Cuba.  Ancient  cap.  of  the 
island  of  Cuba,  on  its  S.  E.  coast ;  pop. 
abt.  100.000. 

Santiagro  de  la  Vegra  (Spanish 
Town).  Cap.  of  the  island  of  Jamaica  ; 
pop.  8,400. 

Santon,  san'ton.  An  Eastern  priest,  a 
ki  id  of  dervis,  regarded  by  the  people  as 
a  saint. 

Sao  Francisco.  A  large  river  of  Bra- 
zil, emptying  into  the  Atlantic,  noted  for 
its  falls,  160  m,  above  the  mouth,  rivaling 
Niagara ;  length  1,200  m. 

Saone.  A  river  of  France,  uniting  with 
the  Rhone  at  Lyon ;  length  225  m. 

Sapajou,  sap'a-jo.  A  name  generally 
given  to  a  group  of  8.  American  platy- 
rhine,  prehensile-tailed  monkeys,  includ- 
ing fifteen  or  sixteen  species. 

Sapphire,  safflr.  A  precious  stone, 
next  in  hardness  and  value  to  the  dia- 
mond, belonging  to  the  corundum  class, 
which  embraces  the    ruby,  the  oriental 


amethyst,  the  oriental  topaz  and  the  eme» 
raid,  and  composed  essentiallv  of  crystal- 
lized alumina. 

Saprophag-an,  sa-profa-gan.  A  mem- 
ber of  a  tribe  of  coleopterous  insects,  com- 
prising such  as  feed  on  animal  and  vegeta- 
ble substances  in  a  state  of  decomposition. 

Saracen,  sar'a-sen.  An  Arabian  or  other 
Mussulman  of  the  early  and  proselytizing 
period;  a  propagator  of  Mohammedanism 
in  countries  west  of  Arabia. 

Saragrossa.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name, 
in  Spain,  the  ancient  cap.  of  Aragon,  on 
the  Kbro,  176  m.  N.  E.  of  Madrid ;  pop. 
69,726. 

Saratoga  Springrs.  A  village  and 
popular  watering-place,  cap.  of  S.  Co., 
N.  Y.,  38  m.  N.W.  of  Albany  ;  pop.  8,421. 
In  the  vicinity.  Gen.  Burgoyne  surren- 
dered to  Gen.  Gates,  Oct.  13,  1777. 

Saraswati,  -swa-te.  In  Hindu  Myth, 
the  name  of  tho  female  energy  or  wife  of 
Brahman,  the  first  of  the  Hindu  triad. 
She  is  the  goddess  of  speech,  music,  arts 
and  letters. 

SarcophagXLS,  siir-kof  a-gus,  A  species 
of  stone  used  among  the  Greeks  for  mak- 
ing coffins,  which  was  so  called  because  it 
was  believed  to  have  the  property  of  con- 
suming the  flesh  of  bodies  deposited  in  it 
within  a  few  weeks.  It  was  otherwise 
called  Lapis  Assius,  from  being  found  at 
Assos,  a  city  of  Lycia.  Hence,  coflin  or 
tomb  of  stone.  The  oldest  known  sar- 
cophagi are  Egyptian,  and  are  found  in 
certain  of  the  pyramids.  Sarcophagi  were 
also  used  by  the  Phoenicians,  Persians 
and  Romans ;  and  in  modern  times  stone 
coffins  have  not  been  uncommon  for  roy- 
alty and  persons  of  high  rank. 

Sarcophile,  'ko-fil.  One  of  the  Sarcoph- 
aga,  or  carnivorous  Mai-supialia ;  also 
used  generally  for  any  flesh-eating  animal. 

Sardine,  'deen.  A  small  fish  (Oiupea 
Sardina)  of  the  same  gen.  as  the  herring 
ard  pilchard.  It  is  umch  esteemed  for  its 
flavor,  large  quantities  being  preserved  in 
oil. 

Sardinia.  An  Italian  island,  separated 
from  Cor.sica  by  the  Strait  of  Bonifacio  ; 
area,  9,240  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  600,000;  cap. 
Cagliari. 

Sardius,  'di-us.  A  precious  stone,  prob- 
ably a  sard  or  carnelian,  one  of  which 
was  in  Aaron's  breastplate.  Ex.  xxviii., 
17.    Called  also  Sardel  and  Sardine. 

Sardonyx,  'do-niks.  A  precious  stone, 
a  rare  variety  of  onyx,  consisting  of  alter- 
nate layers  of  sard  and  white  chalcedonj', 
formerly  much  employed  for  the  sculjp- 


SAEGA9S0  SEA 


60T 


SAW-FISH 


Sasln  or  Indian 
Antelope. 


cure  of  cameos.  The  name  has  sometimes 
been  aj)plied  to  a  variety  of  chalcedonic 
quartz  resembling  carnelian,  and  also  to 
carnelians  whose  colors  are  in  alternate 
bands  of  red  and  wbite. 

Sax^asso  Sea.  The  name  given  to  a 
large  expanse  of  water  in  the  center  of  the 
Atlantic,  W.  of  the  Canary  and  Cape  de 
Yerde  islands:  it  is  very  calm  and  covered 
with  sea-weed,  whence  its  name. 

Sarto,  Andrea  del.  An  eminent  Ital- 
ian painter  ;  b.  14S8,  i>, 

S  a  s  i  n,  sa'sin. 
The  common  In- 
d  i  a  n  antelope 
(Antilope  cervi- 
capra),  remark- 
able for  its  swift- 
ness and  beauty. 
It  is  abundant  in 
the  open  dry 
plains  of  India, 
in  flocks  of  from 
ten  to  sixty  fe- 
males to  a  single 
male. 

S  a  s  k  a  t  che- 
■wan.  A  large 
river  of  British 
N.  America,  ris- 
ing in  the  Eocky  Mountains  and  emptying 
into  Lake  Winnipeg ;  length,  1,000  m. 

Sassenach,  sas  sen-ach.  A  general  name 
applied  by  the  Celts  of  the  British  Isles  to 
those  of  Saxon  race ;  a  Saxon  ;  an  English- 
man. 

Satan,  sa'tan.  The  grand  adversary  of 
man  ;  the  devil  or  prince  of  darkness  ;  the 
arch  fiend. 

Satellite,  safel-lit.  An  obsequious  de- 
pendant ;  a  subservient  follower.  A  sec- 
ondary planet  or  moon  ;  a  small  planet 
revolving  round  a  larger  one. 

Satin-stone,  'in-ston.  A  fibrous  gyp- 
sum used  by  lapidaries  ;  satin-spar. 

Saturday,  'er-da.  The  7th  or  last  day 
of  the  week  ;  the  Jewish  Sabbath. 

Saturn,  'em.  An  ancient  Italian  deity, 
popularly  believed  to  have  made  his  first 
appearance  in  the  reign  of  Janus,  instruct- 
ing the  people  in  agi-iculture,  gardening, 
&c.,  thus  elevating  them  from  barbarism 
to  social  order  and  civilization.  He  was 
consequently  elected  to  share  the  govern- 
ment with  Janus,  and  the  country  was 
called  Saturnia  after  him.  His  reign  came 
afterwards  to  be  sung  by  the  poets  as 
"  the  golden  age."  He  was  often  identi- 
fied with  the  Kronos  of  the  Greeks.  His 
temple  was  the  state  treasurj-.  Ops  was 
his  wife.    His  festivals.  Saturnalia,  corre- 


sponded to  the  Greek  Kronia.  One  of  the 
planets  of  the  solar  Rystem,  less  in  magni- 
tude than  Jupiter  and  more  remote  from 
the  sun,  its  distance  being  somewhat 
more  than  812,000,000  miles. 

Satyr,  'er.  In  Class.  Myth,  a  sylvan  deity 
or  demi-god,  half  man  and  half  goat,  hav- 
ing horns  on  his  head,  a  hairy  body,  with 
the  feet  and  tail  of  a  goat.  Satyrs  were 
common  attendants  on  Bacchus,  andAvere 
distinguished  for  lasciviousness  and  riot. 

Saul.  In  Scrip,  the  first  King  of  Israel, 
son  of  Kish,  of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin, 
anointed  by  Samuel  1091  B.C.;  slain  with 
his  sons  on  Mt.  Gilboa,  951  b.  c. 

Saurian,  sa'ri-an.  One  of  the  order 
Sauria  ;  a  lizard  or  lizard-like  animal. 

Sauterne,  so-tem.  A  species  of  white 
Bordeaux  wine,  made  from  grapes  grown 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Sauternes,  depart- 
ment of  Gironde. 

Savannah.  The  commercial  metropolis 
of  Georgia,  on  the  S.  river;  pop.  30,709. 

Savary,  Anne  Jean  Marie  Bene 
(Due  de  Rovigro).  A  distinguished 
French  general  and  statesman  ;  b.  1774, 
».  1833. 

Save.  A  river  of  Austria,  emptying  into 
the  Danube  at  Belgrade ;  length,  590  m. 

Saviour,  sav'yer.  Jesus  Christ,  the  Ke- 
deemer,  who  has  opened  the  way  to  ever- 
lasting salvation  by  his  obedience  and 
death,  and  who  is  therefore  called  the 
Saviour  by  way  of  distinction. 

Savonarola,  Girolamo.  A  distin- 
guished Italian  orator  and  religious  re- 
former; B.  1452,  martyred  1497. 

Savoy.  An  ancient  duchy,  and  later  a 
division  of  the  Kingdom  of  Sardinia;  ceded 
to  France,  1860;  bounded  N.  by  S^Wtzer- 
land,  E.  and  S.  by  Italy.  House  of  S.,  a 
dynastic  race,  founded  by  Berthold,  a 
German  count,  whose  descendants  took 
the  title  of  counts,  1111;  in  1720  the  title 
of  King  of  Sardinia,  and  in  1861  Victor 
Emmanuel  II.  became  King  of  Italy. 

Saw-fish,  sawfish.    An  elasmobranchiat* 


Tentacled  Saw-fish. 


SAXi: 


SCHAMYL 


fish,  gen.  Pristis,  nearly  related  to  both  the 
sharks  and  the  i-ays.  It  attains  a  length 
of  15  to  IS  feet. 

Saxe,  Hermann  Maurice,  Count 
de.  A  distinguished  marshal  of  France, 
son  of  Augustus  (The  Strong),  Elector  of 
Sa.xony  and  King  of  Poland;  b.  1690,  d. 
17o0.  He  gained  the  great  victoi-ies  of 
Fontenoy  and  Laufeld,  in  Flanders. 

Saxe,  John  Godfrey.  An  American 
poet  and  wit ;  b.  in  Vt.  1816. 

Sax-h.orn,  saks'horn.  One  of  several 
brass  wind-instruments  wth  a  wide 
mouthpiece  and  three,  four  or  five  cylin- 
ders, comprising  the  high  small  sax-horn, 
the  fioprano,  the  alto,  the  tenor,  baritone, 
bass,  and  double  bass. 

Saxon,  sak'son.  One  of  the  people  who 
formerly  dwelt  in  N.  Germany,  and  who 
invaded  and  conquered  England  in  the  5th 
and  6th  centuries ;  one  of  their  descend- 
ants ;  an  Anglo-Saxon ;  one  of  English 
race.  The  language  of  the  Saxons,  Anglo- 
Saxon.  A  native  or  inhabitant  of  modern 
Saxony.  S.  architecture,  the  earliest  stage 
of  native  EngUsh  architecture,  its  period 
being  from  the  conversion  of  England  till 
about  the  Conquest,  when  Norman  archi- 
tecture began  to  prevail. 

Saxony.  A  kingdom  of  N.  E.  Grermany; 
area,  1718  German  sq.  m.,  pop.  2,537,819. 
Chief  cities,  Dresden,  cap.,  Leipzig,  Chem- 
nitz, Zuickau  and  Freiberg.  Principal 
rivers,  the  Elbe,  Pleisse  and  Saale. 

Saxophone,  sak'so-fdn.  One  of  a  fam- 
ily of  brass  wind  instruments  invented  by 
M.  Sax,  6i.x  in  number  :  the  high,  the  so- 
prano, the  alto,  the  tenor,  the  baritone 
and  the  bass. 

Saxotronxha,  -trom-ba.  One  of  a  class 
of  brass  instruments  with  three  or  four 
cylinders  ;  the  set  Includes  the  high,  so- 
pVano,  alto,  tenor,  baritone  and  bass. 

Sax-tuba,  saks'tu-ba.  A  brass  instru- 
ment with  wide  mouthpiece  and  three 
cylinders. 

Scagrliola,  skal-yi-o'la.  In  Arch,  a  com- 
position, imitative  of  marble,  composed 
of  gypsum,  or  sulphate  of  lime,  calcined 
and  with  the  addition  of  water  made  into 
a  fine  paste.  While  soft  it  is  bestudded 
with  splinters  of  spar,  marble,  granite, 
bits  of  concrete,  colored  gypsum,  «fec., 
colored  with  ochers,  boles,  &c.,  smoothed 
and  pohshed. 

Scald,  skald.  An  ancient  Scandinavian 
poet ;  one"  whose  occupation  was  to  com- 
pose poems  in  honor  of  distinguished  men 
and  their  achJevemGnts,  and  to  recite  and 
sing  them  on  public  occasions. 


Scaligrer,  Joseph  Justus.    The  most 

eminent  plnloJoger  of  his  age  ;  u,  at  Ageu, 

France,  of  Italian  pai-entage,  1040,  v.  1609. 
Scallop,    skal'lop. 

A   marine    lamelli- 

branchiate  mellusk, 

sec.       Asiphonida, 

fam.  Ostreidae,  gen. 

Pecten. 
Scansores,    skan- 

so'rez.     An  ord.  of 

birds,    popularly 

known  as  cUmblng 

\)ivds.  Scallop  shell. 

Scape-wheel,  skapVhel.  The  wheel 
which  drives  the  pendulum  of  a  clock. 

Scapular,  skap'u-ler.  A  portion  of  dresa 
consisting  of  two  bands — one  going  down 
the  breast  and  the  other  on  the  back — worn 
by  a  religieux.  Tongue  scapular,  a  scap- 
ular on  Avhich  twelve  tongues  of  red  cloth 
were  sewn,  put  on  a  monk  who  had 
offended  with  his  tongue.  In  Surg,  a 
bandage  for  the  shoulder-blade. 

ScarabseidsB,  skar-a-bG'i-de.  A  group 
of  beetles,  forming  the  chief  part  of  the 
section  Lamellicornes,  and  having  the 
gen.  Scaraba;u8  as  its  type.  The  S.  sacer, 
or  saered  beetle  of  the  Egyptians,  was  re- 
garded with  groat  veneration  ;  and  figures 
ofit,  plaia  or  inscribed  with  characters, 
were  habitually  worn  by  the  ancient  Egyp- 
tians as  an  amulet. 

Scauper,  skap'er.  A  tool  having  a  semi- 
circular face,  used  by  engravers  to  clear 
away  the  spaces  between  the  lines  of  an 
engraving. 

Sceptic,  skep'tik.  One  who  doubts  the 
truth  and  reality  of  any  principle  or  sys- 
tem of  principles  or  doctrines.  In  Philos. 
a  follower  of  Pyrrho,  founder  of  a  sect  of 
philosophers  who  maintained  that  no  cer- 
tain inferences  can  be  drawn  from  the  re- 
ports of  the  senses,  and  who  therefore 
doubted  of  everything.  A  person  who 
doubts  the  existence  and  perfections  of 
God  or  the  truth  of  revelation  ;  one  who 
disbelieves  in  the  divine  origin  of  the 
Christian  religion 

Schaffhausen.  A  N.  canton  of  Switzer- 
land, also  a  cit}%  cap.  of  canton,  remark- 
able for  its  wooden  bridge  across  the 
Rhine;  three  miles  from  the  Falls  of  S., 
100  ft.  high  ;  pop.  10,873. 

Schamyl.  A  noted  Circassian  chief  ;  b. 
1797,  i>.  1878.  Elected  imaum  or  king, 
1834,  he  successfully  defended  his  country 
against  Eussia  for  30  years,  but  was  forced 
to  surrender,  1859,  and  afterward  resided 
in  Kalouga,  Russia,  maintaiaing  the  state 
of  a  prince. 


SCHEELE 


SCOTLATTD 


Scheele,  Carl  Wilhelm.  A  distin- 
1,'uished  Swt^Ush  chemist ;  b.  1742,  d.  1786. 
Ho  ma<le  jriany  important  discoveries. 

Scliene,  skGn.  An  Ej^yptian  measure  of 
lenjf th  equal  to  60  stadia  or  al)Out  7^  miles. 

Sclieffer,  Ary.  An  eminent  French 
painter;  n.  17'J5,  d.  1S5S. 

Schelling.  Friedrich.  "Wilhelm 
Joseph,  von.  ( >ne  of  the  most  eminent 
of  German  metapliy»ical  philobophers, 
ranking  \\ith  Kaut,  liegel  and  Fichte;  b. 
1775,  D.  1854. 

Schiller,  Johann  CJhristoph  Fried- 
rich  von.  An  eminent  Gorman  poet 
and  historian  ;  b.  1759,  d.  1805. 

Schlegrel,  August  "Wilhelm  von. 
A  distinguished  German  poet  and  critic, 
B.  1766,  D.  1845. 

Schofield,  John  McAllister.  An 
American  general ;  b.  in  N.  Y.,  1831.  He 
served  with  distinction  during  the  civil 
war. 

Schoolcraft,  Henry  Rowe.  An 
American  ethnologist  and  author  :  b.  in 
N.  y.  1793,  D.  1864. 

Schoolman,  skol'man.  A  man  versed 
in  the  niceties  of  academical  disputation, 
or  of  school  divinity ;  specifically,  philos- 
ophers and  divines  of  the  middle  ages  who 
adopted  the  principles  of  Aristotle,  and 
spent  much  time  in  abstract  speculation. 
They  were  so  called  because  they  taught 
originally  in  the  schools  of  divinity  es- 
tablished by  Charlemagne 

Schooner,  skoon'er. 
A  vessel  with  two 
masts. 

Schubert,  Franz. 
An  eminent  Austrian 
musical  composer ;  b. 
1797,  D.  1828. 

Schw^artz,  Berth- 
old.  A  German 
monk  (Franciscan), 
who  invented  gun- 
powder ;  B.  abt.  1300,  d, 

Schwarzenbergr,  Karl  Philipp, 
Prince  von.  An  Austrian  general ;  b. 
1771,  D.  1820.  He  negotiated  the  marriage 
«f  Napoleon  I.  and  the  Austrian  princess, 
and  commanded  the  allies  at  the  victory 
of  Leipzig,  1813.     ' 

Scisenidee,  sI-G'ni-de.  A  family  of  acan- 
thopterous  fishes,  the  type  of  which  is  the 
genus  Scia&na.  Some  members  of  the 
fiimily  possess  a  remarkable  power  of 
emitting  sounds,  aa  the  maigre  and  drum- 
fish. 

Scilly  Islands.    A  group  of  150  at  the 


W.  extremity  of  the  English  Channel,  but 
few  of  which  are  inhabitable. 

Scimitar,  sim'i-ter.  An  oriental  s'vord, 
the  blade  of  which  is  single-edged,  short, 
curved  and  broadest  at  the  point-en<L 
Also  Avritten  Cimeter. 

Sciopticon,  sl-op'ti-kon.  A  form  of 
magic-lantern  adapted  for  the  exhibition 
of  photographed  objects. 

Scipio,  Publius  Cornelius  Afri* 
caniis.  A  distinguished  lioman  gen- 
eral and  statesman,  the  conqueror  of 
Hannibal ;  b.  241,  d.  179  b.  o.  ^'Emilianus 
African  us,  adopted  son  of  the  above,  was 
also  greatly  distinguished  as  a  general, 
capturing  Carthage  and  Numantia,  Spain ; 
B.  181,  killed  132  b.  c.  in  a  political 
emeute  at  Eome.  The  name  was  also 
borne  by  other  distinguished  Eomans. 

Scissor-tail,  siz'er-tal.  The  Milvulus 
forficatus  or  tyrannus,  belonging  t«  the 
flj'-catchers.  It  has  a  forked  tail,  termi- 
nated by  two  long  feathers,  which  ojien 
and  shut  like  a  pau-  of  scissors. 

Sciuridaa,  sT-u'n-de.  A  family  of  rodents, 
comprising  the  true  squirrels,  the  flying- 
squirrels  and  the  marmots. 

Sclerometer,  skle-rom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  accurately  determining  the  de- 
gree of  hardness  of  a  mineral. 

Scolopacidae,  skol-o-pas'i-de.  A  family 
of  longirostral  wading-birds,  of  wliich  the 
gen.  Scolopax  is  the  type ;  the  snipe  and 
wood-cock  family. 

Scomberidae,  skom-bcr'i-de.  A  family 
of  acanthopterygian  fishes,  of  which  the 
common  mackerel  may  be  regarded  as  a 
type.  The  tunny,  sword-fish,  dory  and 
boar-fish  belong  to  this  group. 

S  c  o  r  pion,        ,,tfr»v"vi=>''^ 
skor'pi-on.        ^e-»\.  ^--;^.~n.. 

The  name  of 

any  species  of . 

Scorpio,  a  gen. ' 

of  pulmonary, 

arachnids,' 

ord.     Arthro- 

gastra  or  Pe- 

dipalpi.  Their 

sting  gives  rise  to  excruciating  pain,  but 

is  rarely  attended  either  with  redness  or 

swelling,  and  is  very  seldom,  if  ever,  fatal 

to  man.    In  Astron.  the  8th  sign  of  the 

zodiac,  which  the  sim  enters  about  Oct 

23. 

Scotland.     One  of  the  principal  divisions 

of  the  kingdom  of  Gt.  Britain  and  Irelandj 

occupying  the  north  portion  of  the  Islana 

Gt.  Britain  ;  bounded  N.  and  W.  by  the 

Atlantic,  E.  by  the  G<irman  Ocean,  S.  by] 


Scorpion. 


SCOTOGEAPH 


61» 


SEA-COW 


England;  area  30,328 sq.  m.,  pop.  8,8T1,- 
418.  Chief  cities,  Edinburgh,  cap.,  Glas- 
gow, Dundee,  Aberdeen,  Inverness,  Leith, 
Perth,  Montrose,  Dumfries,  Stirling,  Kil- 
marnock and  Greenock.  Principal  rivers, 
Clyde,  Forth,  Tay,  Dee,  Don,  Ness,  Nith, 
Ayr  and  Tweed.  Lakes,  Loch  Lomond, 
Ness,  Tay,  Awe,  Maree,  Bhiel,  Lochy  and 
Katrine.  Friths,  Solway,  Clyde,  Dornoch, 
Mm-i-ay,  Tay  and  Forth.  The  N.  part 
is  mountainous  and  known  as  the  Iligh- 
i  lands,  the  ranges  being  the  Grampians, 
Ben  More,  Sidlaws  and  Ochils;  in  the  Low- 
lands, the  Cheviots,  Lammermoors,  Low- 
thers  and  Portlands. 

Scotogrraph.,  skot'o-graf.  An  instru- 
ment by  which  one  may  write  in  the  dark, 
or  for  enabling  the  bhnd  to  write. 

Scott,  Walter,  Sir,  Bart.  An  eminent 
Scottish  poet,  novelist  and  historian  ;  b. 
1T71,  D.  1832. 

Scott,  Winfleld.  An  American  general; 
B.  in  Va.,  1786,  x>.  1866.  He  was  com- 
mander-in-chief from  1841  till  1861,  and  in 
1852  was  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  the 
Presidency. 

Scratch.-race,  skrach'rils.  A  race  in 
which  the  competitors  are  either  drawn  by 
lot  or  taken  without  regard  to  qualifica- 
tions ;  a  race  without  restrictions. 

Scray,  skra.  Sterna  Hirundo,  the  sea- 
swallow  ;  the  tern. 

Screw-jack.  A 
contiivance  for  lift- 
ing heavy  weights 
hy  means  of  a  screw- 
lever  or  handle. 

Scribe,  skrib.  Ono 
who  writes ;  a  pen- 
man. An  official  or 
public  writer  ;  a  sec- 
retary ;  an  amanu- 
ensis. In  Jewish 
and  Sacred  Hist. 
originally  a  military 
officer  whose  duties 
included  the  recruit- 
ing and  organizing  of  troops,  the  levying 
of  war-taxes  and  the  like.  At  a  later 
period,  a  writer  and  a  doctor  of  the  law  ; 
one  who  read  and  explained  the  law  to  the 
people.  In  carpentry  and  bricklaying,  a 
pointed  marking  tool. 

Scribe,  Angrustin  Sug-ene.  A  pop- 
ular French  poet  and  dramatist ;  b.  1T91, 
D.  1861. 

Scriptorium,  skrip-to'ri-um.  In  a 
monastery  or  abbey,  the  room  set  apart 
for  the  writing  or  copying  of  mjinuscripts. 
Scripture,  skrip'tur.    Tho  books  of  the 


Screw-jack. 


Old  and  New  Testaments ;  the  Bible.  Any 
portion  of  tho  sacred  writings. 

Scroll-bead,  skrol'hed.  An  ornamental 
timber  at  the  bow  of  a  vessel,  finished  oil 
with  carved  work  in  the  form  of  a  volute 
or  scroll ;  the  billet-head. 

Scruple,  skro'pl.    A  weight  of  20  grains. 

Scudo,  sko'do.  An  Italian  silver  coin  ol 
diiierent  value  in  the  different  states.  The 
Genoese  scudo  is  equivalent  to  about 
$1.30  ;  the  lioman,  $1.08 ;  the  Sardinian 
and  Milanese,  94  cents.  The  old  lioman 
gold  scudo  was  worth  10  silver  scudi. 

S  c  u  p  p  ernong",  skup'er-nong.  The 
name  for  a  species  of  grape,  supposed  to 
be  a  variety  of  Vitis  vulpina,  found  wild 
and  cultivated  in  the  Southern  States.  I\ 
is  said  to  have  come  from  Greece. 

Scutari.  A  city  of  Turkey  in  Asia,  op- 
posite Constantinople,  on  the  Bosphorus  ; 
l)op.  30,000.  The  Sultan  has  a  palace  hero 
which  he  frequently  occupies. 

Scutibranchiata,  sku'ti-brang-ki-a"ta. 
Tho  name  given  to  an  order  of  honnaphro- 
dite  gasteropodus  inollusks,  having  the 
gills  covered  with  a  shell  in  the  form  of  a 
shield,  as  the  llaliotis  or  ear-sheU. 

Scutum,  'turn.  The 
shield  of  the  heavy- 
armed  Eoman  legion- 
aries. It  was  made|i 
of  wood  or  wicker- 
work,  covered  with 
leather  and  plates  of 
iron.  In  Anat.  the 
patella  or  knee-pan, 
In  Zool.  any  shield- 
like plate,  especially 
such  as  is  developed 
in  the  integument  of 
many  reptiles. 

Sea,  se.  The  general    Various  forms  of 
name  for  the  continu-  Scutum. 

0U8  mass  of  salt 
water  which  covers  the  greater  part  of  the 
earth's  surface;  the  ocean.  The  term  is  also 
applied  to  an  off-shoot  of  the  main  sea  or 
ocean  which,  from  its  position  or  configu- 
ration, is  considered  deserving  of  a  special 
name.  Some  lakes  are  also  called  seas,  as 
the  Caspian,  the  Aral  and  Sea  of  Galilee. 

Sea-anem-One,  'a-nem-o-ne.  The  pop- 
ular name  given  to  the  'actinias,  a  coelenter- 
ate  gen.  (class  Actinozoa)  of  animals,  hav- 
ing somewhat  the  appearance  of  fiowers. 

Sea-calf,  'kaf.  The  common  seal,  a  spe- 
cies of  Phoca. 

Sea-covr,  'kou.  A  name  given  to  the 
dugong  or  balicore,  to  the  manatee ;  also 
to  the  walrus  or  sea-horse. 


SEA-ELEPHANT 


611 


sea^eSpent 


Sea-elephant,  'el-e-fant.    A  species  of 


Sea-elephant. 

seal,  the  Macrorhinus  proboscideus  or 
Morunga  proboscidea ;  the  elephant-seal. 

Sea-fish,  'fish.  Any  marine  fish ;  any- 
fish  that  lives  usually  in  salt  water. 

Sea-fowl, 'foul.  A  marine  fowl;  any 
bird  that  lives  by  the  sea  and  procures  its 
food  from  salt  water. 

Sea-fox,  'foks.  A  fish  of  the  shark  fam., 
Alopias  or  Alopecias  vulpes,  called  also 
Fox -shark  or  Thresher.  It  is  called  sea- 
fox,  from  the  length  and  size  of  its  tail, 
and  thresher  from  its  habit  of  using  it  as  a 
Aveapon. 

Sea  -horse, 
'  h  0  r  s.  The 
morse  or  wal- 
rus. A  fubu-' 
lous  animal 
depicted  with 
fore  i)arts  like 
those  of  a 
horse,  and 
with  hinder 
pai-ts  like  those  of  a  fish.  The  Nereids 
used  sea-horses  as  riding  steeds,  and  Nep- 
tune employed  them  for  drawing  his  char- 
iot. In  the  sea-horse  of  heraldry  a  scal- 
loped fin  runs  down  the  back. 

Sea-king-,  'king.  A  king  of  the  sea ; 
specifically,  one  of  the  piratical  Northmen, 
who  infested  the  coasts  of  W.  Europe  in 
the  8th,  Dth  and  10th  centuries ;  a  viking. 

Seal,  sel.  The  name  given  generally  to 
mammals  of  certain  genera,  ord.  Carnivo- 


feea-hoi-se. 


Crested  Seal, 
ra,  sec.  Pinnigrada.    The  seals  are  divided 


The  male 


into  two  families  :  the  Phocidje  or  com- 
mon seals,  which  have  no  external  ear ; 
and  the  Otaridae,  or  eared  seals,  whichi  in- 
clude the  sea-bear,  sea-hon,  &c. 

Sea-letter,  se'let-er.  A  document  from 
the  custom-house,  expected  to  be  found 
on  boai-d  of  every  neutral  ship  on  a  foreign 
voyage.  It  specifies  the  nature  and  quan- 
tity of  the  cargo,  the  place  whence  it 
comes  and  its  destination.  Called  also 
Sea-brief. 

Sea-lion, 
'll-on.     A 
name       y'- 
com  mon   ^--^ 
to  several,/^, 
large 
members" 
of  the  seal 
family" 

(Otaridaj), '    ^  ^ 

the    best  ^I^^E 

known    of  Sea-Uon. 

which     is 

the  Otaria  jubata  or  O.  Stelleri. 

has  a  mane  on  the  neck  reaching  to  the 

shoulders.    In  Her.  a  monster  consisting 

of  the  upper  part  of  a  lion  combined  wim 

the  tail  of  a  fish. 

Seal-skin,  sGl'skin.  The  skin  of  the  seal, 
which,  when  dressed  with  the  fur  on,  is 
made  into  articles  of  clothing,  or,  when 
tanned,  into  boots,  &c.  The  skin  of  some 
species,  when  the  coarser  long  outer  hair 
is  removed,  leaving  the  soft  under  fur,  ia 
the  expensive  seal-skin  of  which  ladies' 
jackets,  «fec.,  are  made. 

Sea-mile,  sc'mll.  A  nautical  or  geograph- 
ical mile ;  the  60th  part  of  a  degree  of 
latitude  or  of  a  great  cu-cle  of  the  globe. 

Seannachie,  sen'a-che.  A  Ilighland 
genealogist,  chronicler  or  bard. 

Sea-nymph,  sc'nimf.  A  nymph  or  god- 
dess of  the  sea ;  one  of  the  inferior  Olym- 
pian divinities  called  Oceanides. 

Sea-otter,  'ot-er.  A  marine  mammal, 
gen.  Enhydra,  fam.  MustelidiB,  and  closely 
allied  to  the  common  otter.  The  skin  is 
of  great  value. 

Sea-serpent,  'ser-pent,  A  name  com- 
mon to  a  family  of  snakes,  Hydrida;,  of 
several  genera,  as  Hydrus,  Pelamis,  Cher- 
sydrus,  isc,  exceedingly  venemous.  The 
Hydrus  Stokesii  inhabits  the  Australian 
seas  and  is  as  thick  as  a  man's  thigh.  An 
enormous  animal  of  serpentine  form,  said 
to  have  been  repeatedly  seen  at  sea,  some- 
times represented  to  be  as  much  as  700  or 
800  feet  long,  and  its  folds  appearing  like 
a  number  of  hogsheads  floating  in  a  line  at 
a  considerable  distance  from  each  other. 


SEB 


612 


SEDEAT 


Seb,  seb.  One  of  the  great  Egyptian  di- 
vinitiea  represented  as  the  father  of  the 
gods,  a  character  ascribed  to  other  gods, 
as  Neph,  Pthah,  &c.  He  married  his 
Bister  Nutpe,  and  was  father  of  Osiris 
aBd  Isis.  He  corresponds  to  the  Greek 
Kronos. 
Sebastopol.  A  strongly  fortified  sea- 
port of  the  Crimea,  Eussia,  on  a  bay  of 
same  name,  noted  for  its  siege  and 
capture  by  tlie  allied  French,  English  and 
Turkish  armies,  the  investment  lasting 
from  Oct.  9,  1854,  till  Sept.  8,  1855  :  pop. 
abt.  34,000. 

Sebundy,  se-bun'di.    In  the  E.  Indies, 
an    iiTegular    or   native    soldier  or  local 
militia-man,  generally  employed  in  the 
service  of  the  revenue  and  police. 
Secant,      Be'kant. 
In  Geom.    a    line 
that   cuts    another 
or   divides  it    into 

Earts ;  a  straight 
ne  cutting  a  curve 
In  two  or  more 
points;  in  trigon. 
a  straight  line 
drawn  from  the 
center  of  a  circle,  which,  cutting  the  cir- 
cumference, proceeds  till  it  meets  with  a 
tangent  to  the  same  circle. 

Seceder,  -sed'er.  In  Scottish  Eccles. 
Hist,  one  of  a  numerous  body  of  Presby- 
terians who  seceded  from  the  established 
Church,  1733. 

Secessionist,  -se'shon-ist.  One  who 
maintains  the  principle  of  secession; 
specifically,  in  the  U.  S.,  one  who  took  part 
or  sympathized  with  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Southern  States  in  their  struggle, 
1861-65,  to  dissolve  the  Federal  Union. 

Second-cotisin,  sek'und-kuz-n.  The 
son  or  daughter  of  a  cousin-german. 

Second-sight,  -sit.  The  power  of  see- 
ing things  future  or  distant;  prophetic 
vision— a  well-known  Highland  supersti- 
tion. 


Secant. 


Secretary-bircl. 


cab.  Sector. 


Sectary,  'ta-ri.  A  person  who  separates 
from  an  established  church,  or  from  the 
prevailing  denomination  of  Christians ; 
one  that  belongs  to  a  sect ;  a  schismatic  ; 
a  sectarian. 

Sector,  -tur.  That 
which  when  applied  to 
a  circle,  cuts  off  a  part 
of  it  ;  a  mathematical , 
instrument. 

Secularist,  'u-ler-ist.\ 
One  who  theoretically 
rejects  every  form  of 
refigious  faith  and  every 
kind  of  religious  wor- 
ship; one  who  refuses 
to  believe,  on  the  authority  of  revelation, 
in  anything  external  to  man's  present 
state  of  existence.  One  who  believes  that 
education  and  other  matters  of  civil  policy 
should  be  conducted  without  the  intro- 
duction of  a  refigious  element. 

Sedan, 
se-  d  a  n  ' . 
A  covered 
chair  or 
vehicle  for 
can-  y  i  n  g 
one  per- 
son, borne 
on  poles 
by  two 
men,  used 
in  Eng- 
land in  the 
reigns     of 

Anne  and  the  first  Georges,  that  is,  in  ihe 
16th  and  Itth  centuries. 

Sedan.  A  fortified  city  of  France, 
on  the  Mense,  noted  for  the  victory,  Sept. 
1-2,  1870,  by  the  German  army,  com- 
manded by  King  William  I.  and  the 
Crown  Prince  of  Prussia,  over  the  French, 
commanded  by  Napoleon  III.  The  latter 
became  a  prisoner,  with  100,000  of  his  sol- 
diers ;  pop.  16,200. 

Sedilia,  -dil'i-a.  Stone  seats  for  the  priests 
in  the  south  wall  of  the  chancel  of  many 
churches,  usually  three  in  number,  for  tho 
use  of  the  priest,  the  deacon  and  subdea- 
con  duiing  part  of  the  service  of  high 
mass. 

Sedrat,  sed'rat.  In  Mohammedan  Myth. 
the  lotus-tree  which  stands  on  the  right 
side  of  the  invisible  throne  of  Allah. 
Each  seed  of  its  fruit  contains  a  houri, 
and  two  rivers  issue  from  its  roots.  In- 
numerable birds  carol  in  its  branches, 
which  exceed  in  width  the  distance  be- 
tv/een  heaven  and  earth,  and  numberless 
angels  rest  in  their  shade. 


Sedan-chair. 


SEE 


618 


SEMI-PELAGIAN 


See,  Be.     The  seat  of  episcopal  power; 

tbe  diocese  or  jurisdiction  of  a  bishop  or 

archl^i^ho;).    The  authority  of  the  pope ; 

the  paja;  court. 
Seg'ineiit,     seg'ment.  ^/^      ^        ^^ 

A  piece  cut  off  from  ii 

%ure     by    a     line    or 

plane. 
Sefatian,     -fa'shi-an. 

One  of  a  sect  of  Mo- 
hammedans  who  hold 

peculiar  views  with  re-         toegment. 

gard  to  the  essential  at-    a,  b,  chord ;  c, 

tributes  of  God.    They        segment. 

are  opposed  to  the  Motazilites. 
Seine.    A  river  of  Central  France,  which 

flows  through  Paris  and  empties  into  the 

English      Channel    at     Havre-de-Grace  ; 

length.  414  m.     A   N.  dept.   of    France ; 

area,  ISl  sq.  m.;  cap.  Pai-is. 
Selachii,  -lu'shi-T.    A  section  of  clasmo- 

branchiate     fishes,    which    includes    the 

sharks  and  dog-fishes. 
Selenograpliy,   sel-e-nog'ra-fi.      A  de- 
scription of  the  moon  and  its  phenomena  ; 

the  art  of  picturing  the  face  of  the  moon. 
Selenology,  -nol'o-ji.    That  branch    of 

astronomical  science  Avhich  treats  of  the 

moon. 
Seid,   Bed.      One  of  the  descendants  of 

Mohammed  through  his  daughter  Fatima 

and  his  nephew  Ali. 

Seidlitz-water,  sid'lits-wa-ter.  The 
mineral  water  of  SeidJitz,  a  village  of 
Bohemia.  Sulphate  of  magnesia,  sulphate 
of  soda  and  carbonic  acid  are  its  active  in- 
gredients. S.  powder  is  a  well-known  ef- 
fervescing chemical  preparation,  having 
properties  similar  to  this  water. 

Seismology,  sls-mol'o-ji.  The  science 
of  earthquakes  ;  that  department  of  science 
which  treats  of  volcanoes  and  earth- 
quakes. 

Seismometer,  -mom'et-er.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  the  direction  and 
force  of  earthquakes  and  similar  concus- 
sions. 

SeiSTira,  se-zhu'ra.  A  gen.  of  Australian 
birds,  fam.  Muscicapidae  or  fly-catchers. 
The  S.  volitans  is  the  dish-washer  of  New 
8.  Wales. 

Selim.  The  name  of  three  Turkish  sul- 
tans. S.  I.  s.  his  father  Bajazet  II., 
1512  ;  D.  1520.  S.  II.  s.  his  father  Solvman 
the  Magnificent,  1566.  He  took  Cyprus 
from  the  Venetians,  but  was  disastrously 
(defeated  in  the  naval  battlo  of  Lepanto 
1751 ;  D.  1574.  S.  III.  b.  his  father  Mus- 
tapha  III.,  1789.    He  instituted  great  re- 


forms, but  was  deposed  and  murdered  by 
the  Janissaries,  IcJoS. 

Selters-water,  selt'erz-wa-ter.  A  highly 
prized  medicinal  mineral  water  found  at 
Nieder-Selters  in  the  valley  of  the  Lahn, 
Nassau,  Germany.  It  contains  chloride 
wf  sodium,  carbonates  of  magnesium, 
sodium,  and  calcium  and  a  large  quantity 
of  free  carbonic  acid.  Called  less  correctly 
Seltzer- water. 

Semaphore,  sem'a-for.  A  kind  of  tele- 
graph or  apparatus  for  conveying  informa- 
tion by  signals  visible  at  a  distance,  such 
as  oscillating  arms  or  flags  by  day  and  lan- 
terns at  night.  Many  kinds  were  in  use 
before  the  invention  of  the  electric 
telegraph,  and  some  are  still  employed 
on  railways. 

Semele.  In  Myth,  daughter  of  Cadmus, 
and  mother  of  Bacchus  by  Jupiter.  Juno 
in  disguise  persuaded  her  ta  invite  Ju- 
piter to  visit  her  in  his  Olympian  splendor, 
and  she  was  burned  to  death  by  the  light- 
ning. 

Semen,  se'men.  The  seed  or  prohflc 
fluid  of  male  animals;  the  secretion  of  a 
testicle;  sperm.  The  seed  of  plants,  or 
the  matured  ovule. 

Semi,  sem'i.  A  prefix  signifying  half;  in 
])art ;  partially. 

Semi-Arian,  -i-a'ri-an.  A  branch  of  the 
Arians  who  profftssed  to  condemn  the 
errors  of  Arius  but  acquiesced  in  some  of 
them.  They  did  not  acknowledge  the  Son 
to  be  consubstantial  with  the  Father,  but 
admitted  him  to  be  of  a  like  substance,  not 
by  nature,  but  by  a  peculiar  privilege. 

Semi-bull,  'i-bftl.  A  bull  issued  by  a 
Pope  between  the  time  of  his  election  and 
that  of  his  coronation,  having  only  an 
impression  on  one  Bide  of  the  seal.  After 
consecration  the  name  of  the  pope  and  date 
are  stamped  on  the  reverse,  thus  consti- 
tuting a  double-bull. 

Seminole,  -nol.  A  tribe  of  Indians, 
originally  a  vagrant  offshoot  from  the 
Creeks.  They  gave  great  trouble  to  the 
settlers  in  Georgia  and  Florida,  and  after 
a  tedious  war  the  remains  of  the  trib« 
were  removed  to  the  Indian  Territory. 

Semi-Pelagrian,  -pe-la"ji-an.  A  fol- 
lower of  John  Cassianus,  a  monk  who, 
about  the  year  430,  modified  the  doctrine^ 
of  Pelagius,  by  maintaining  that giace  wa? 
necessary  to  salvation,  but  that  our  natural 
faculties  were  suflicientfor  the  commence, 
ment  of  repentance  and  amendment ;  that 
Christ  died  for  all  men  ;  that  his  grace  wai 
equally  ofl'ered  to  all  men  ;  that  man  wai 
born  free,  and  therefore  capable  of  roceiv* 
Ing  its  influences  or  resisting  them. 


SEMIEAMIS 


614 


SEPTUAGESIMA 


Semiramis.  In  Syrian  tradition, 
daughter  of  the  goddess  Derceto,  Avho  was 
abandoned  and  miraculously  nursed  by 
doves,  and  became  wife  of  Ninus,  founder 
of  Nineveh,  whom  she  succeeded.  The 
legends  of  her  warlike  ability,  gross  vo- 
luptuousness, and  final  disappearance  in 
the  form  of  a  dove  are  numerous  and 
familiar. 

Semitic,  se-mit'ik.  Eelating  to  Shem  or 
his  reputed  descendants;  pertaining  to  the 
Hebrew  race  or  any  of  those  kindred  to  it, 
as  the  Arabians,  the  ancient  Phoenicians, 
and  the  Assyrians.  S.  or  Shemitic  lan- 
guages, group  or  family  of  languages  dis- 
tinguished by  triliteral  verbal  roots  and 
vowel  inflection.  It  comprises  three 
branches — Northern,  Aramaean,  Aramaic 
or  Chaldean;  Central  or  Canaanitish;  and 
Southern  or  Arabic. 

Semmes,  Haphael.  An  American 
naval  officer;  u.  in  Md.  1810,  d.  187T.  He 
resigned  his  commission  at  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  War,  and  became  the 
most  daring  and  successful  commander  in 
the  Confederate  service.  His  vessel,  the 
Alabama,  was  sunk  by  the  U.  S.  steamer 
Kearsarge,  Capt.  Winslovv,  off  Cherbourg, 
France,  June  19,  1864,  but  S.  and  most  of 
his  crew  escaped  on  the  British  yacht 
Deerhound. 

Semnopithecus,  sem'no-pi-tho"kus.  A 
gen.  of  catarhine  or  Old  AVorld  apes.  One 
of  the  most  familiar  species  is  S.  Entellus, 
the  sacred  monkey  of  the  Hindus. 

Senate,  sen'at.  In  ancient  Eome,  a  body 
of  elderly  citizens  appointed  or  elected 
from  among  the  nobles  of  the  state,  and 
having  supreme  legislative  power.  The 
number  during  the  best  period  of  the 
Koman  repubhe  was  300.  The  upper  or 
less  numerous  branch  of  a  legislature  in 
various  countries,  as  in  the  U.  S.,  in  the 
separate  States,  in  France,  and  in  some 
Swiss  cantons. 

Senatus,  se-nS'tus.  A  senate  ;  a  govern- 
ing body  in  certain  universities. 

Seneca,  Lucius  Annaeus.  An  emi- 
nent lloman  philosopher,  tutor  of  the 
Emperor  Nero,  by  whose  orders  he  was 
murdered,  65. 

Senegal.  A  large  river  of  "W.  Africa, 
emptying  into  the  Atlantic  ;  length,  1,000 
m. 

Senegrambia.  A  section  of  "W.  Africa, 
bounded  N.  by  the  Desert  of  Sahara,  E. 
by  the  Soudan,  S.  by  Upper  Guinea  and 
Siberia,  W.  by  the  Atlantic  ;  area,  400,000 
sq.  m.;  pop.  abt,  8,500,000. 
Sennacherib.  In  Scrip,  an  Assyrian 
King,  T02-680  B.C.,  whosa  army  of  185,000 


were  slain  by  the  angel  of  the  Lord  as  h« 
was  about  to  invade  Judea.  He  was  mur- 
dered by  his  own  sons  while  worshiping 
his  gods. 

Senor,  sen-yor'.    A  Spanish  title  or  form 
of  address,  corresponding  to  the  English 
Mr.  or  Sir;  a  gentleman. 
Senora,  -yo'ra.    The  feminine  of  Seftor  ; 
Madame  or  Mrs.;  a  lady. 
Sensitive-plant,    sens'i-tiv-plant.      A 
name  given  to  several  plants  which  display 
movements  of  their  leaves  in  a  remarkable 
degree,  not  only  iinder  the  influence  of 
light  and  darkness,  but  also  under  me- 
chanical and  other  stimuli.    The  common 
sensitive-plant   is   a   tropical    American 
leguminous  annual,  gen.  Mimosa. 
Sepal,  se'pal.  In  bot. 
one    of   the    separate 
divisions    of  a   calyx 
when   that    organ   is 
made   up  of  vai-ious ' 
leaves. 

Sepoy,  se'poi.  Na- 
tive E.  Indian  soldiers 
in  the  British  service. 
In  Bombay,  a  foot 
messenger.'  ^>  ^'  b^pals. 

Sept,  sept.  A  clan,  a  branch  of  a  race  or 
family,  used  particularly  of  the  races  or 
families  in  Ireland. 

September,  sep-tem'ber.  The  9th 
month  of  the  year,  so  called  from  being 
the  7th  month  from  March,  formerly  the 
1st  month  of  the  year. 
Septennate,  -ten'at.  A  period  of  seven 
years. 

Septennium,  'ni-ura .  A  period  of  seven 
years. 

Septentrio,  'tri-o.     In  Astron.  the  con- 
stellation Ursa  Major  or  Great  Bear. 
Septentrion,  -on.  The  north  or  northern 
regions. 

Sept-foil,  sept'foil.  A  British  plant,  the 
Potentilla  Tormentilla.  A  figure  of  7  equal 
segments  of  a  circle  used  in  the  E.  C. 
Church  as  a  symbol  of  the  T  sacraments,  7 
gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  &c. 
Septillion,  sep-til'li-on.  In  Eng.  nota- 
tion, a  million  raised  to  the  seventh  power; 
s  number  consisting  of  a  unit  followed 
by  42  ciphers.  In  French  and  Italian  no- 
tation, a  unit  followed  by  24  ciphers. 
Septuagenarian,  sep'tu-a-je-na^ri-an. 
A  person  70  years  of  age  ;  a  person  be- 
tween 70  and  80  years  of  age. 
Septuagesima,  -jes"i-ma.  The  third 
Sunday  before  Lent  or  before  Quadragesi- 
ma Sunday,  so  called  because  it  is  about 
70  days  before  Easter. 


SEPTUAOrNT 


615 


SETTEE 


Beptuag-int,  -jint.  A  Greek  version  of 
the  Old  Testament,  so  called  either  be- 
cause it  was  approved  and  sanctioned  by 
the  sanhedrim,  or  supreme  council  of  the 
Jewish  nation,  which  consisted  of  about  70 
members,  or  because,  according  to  tradi- 
tion, about  70  men  were  employed  on  the 
translation.  It  is  reported  by  Josephus 
to  have  been  made  in  the  reign  and  by  the 
order  of  Ptolemy  Philadelphus,  King  of 
Egypt,  about  270  or  280  years  before  the 
birth  of  Christ.  It  is  supposed,  however, 
by  modern  critics,  that  it  was  the  work, 
not  only  of  different  hands  but  of  separate 
times.  The  S.  was  in  use  at  the  time  of 
our  Saviour,  and  is  that  out  of  which  most 
of  the  citations  in  the  New  Testament  from 
the  Old  are  taken. 

Septuiu,  sep'tum.  In 
Hot.  the  partition  of  an 
ovary  or  fruit  produced  by 
the  sides  of  the  carpef* 
brought  together  and  con- 
solidated. 

Sequin,  se'kwin.  A  gold 
coin  first  struck  at  Venice 
about  the  end  of  the  13th 
century,  equivalent  to  a,  a.  Septa, 
about  $2.32.  Coins  of  the 
same  name  but  varying  in  value  were 
issued  by  other  states. 

Serag-lio,  se-ral'yO.  The  palace  of  the 
Sultau  of  Turkey  at  Constantinople.  It  is 
of  immense  size,  and  contains  government 
buildings,  mosques,  &c.,  as  well  as  the 
sultan's  harem.  Hence,  harem ;  a  place 
for  keeping  ^\ives  or  concubines ;  place  of 
licentious  pleasure. 

Serai,  -ra'.  In  Eastern  countries,  a  place 
for  tiae  accommodation  of  travelers ;  a 
caravansai-y  ;  a  khan. 

Seralbumen,  sc'ral-bu-men.  Albumen 
of  the  blood :  so  called  to  distinguish  it 
from  ovalbumen,  or  the  albumen  of  the 
white  of  an  egg,  from  which  It  differs  in 
chemical  reaction. 

Seraph.,  ser'af.  An  angel  of  the  highest 
order. 

Serapis,  se-ra'pis.  Tho  Greek  name  of  a 
deity  whose  worship  was  introduced  Into 
Eg.vpt  in  the  reign  of  Ptolemy  I.  He  was 
considered  as  a  combination  of  Osiris  and 
Apis.  His  worship  extended  into  Asia 
Minor,  Greece  and  IJome. 

Seraskier,  -ras'ker.  A  Turkish  title 
given  to  every  general  having  command 
of  a  separate  army,  but  especially  to  the 
commander-in-chief. 

Serein,  -ran.  a  mist  or  fine  rain  which 
falls  from  a  cloudless  sky,  a  phenomenon 
frequent  in  tropical  climates. 


Serf,  serf.  A  villein;  one  of  those  who  in 
the  middle  ages  were  incapable  wf  holding 
property,  were  attached  to  tho  land  and 
transferred  with  it,  and  liable  to  feudal 
services  of  the  lowest  description ;  a  forced 
laborer  attached  to  an  estate,  as  formerly 
in  Eussia. 

Sergre,  serj.  In  the  E.  C.  Ch.  the  wax 
candles,  sometimes  weighing  several 
pounds,  burned  before  the  altar. 

Sergrius.     The  name  of  four  Popes. 

Serial,  8«'ri-al.  A  tale  or  other  composi- 
tion commenced  in  one  number  of  a  peri- 
odical work  and  continued  in  successive 
numbers.  A  work  or  publication  issued 
in  successive  numbers  ;  a  periodical. 

Serif orm,  ser'i-form.  Applied  to  a  sec- 
tion of  the  Altaic  family  of  languages, 
comprising  the  Chinese,  Siamese,  Bur- 
mese, &c. 

Sering-apatam.  (City  of  Vishnu.)  A  city 
of  Madras,  Brit.  India,  on  the  Cavery,  260 
m.  S.  W.  of  Madras ;  pop.  about  14,000. 
Tippoo  Saib,  the  celebrated  Eajah  of  My- 
sore, was  killed  when  the  British  took  S., 
1799. 

Seri>ent,  'pent.  An  ophidian  reptile 
without  feet ;  a  snake. 

Serpentarius,  -pen-ta'ri-us.  A  constel- 
lation in  the  northern  hemisphere.  Called 
also  Ophiuchus. 

Serpula,  ser'pu-Ia.  A  gen.  of  ccphalo- 
branchiate  annelidans,  ord.  Tubicola,  in- 
habiting cylindrical  and  tortuous  calcare- 
ous tubes  attached  to  rocks,  shells,  &c., 
in  the  sea.  The  shells  are  in  generaJ  ex- 
quisitely colored. 

Sesha,  sesh'a.  In  Hindu  Myth,  the  kingr 
of  the  serpents,  with  a  thousand  heads,  on 
one  of  which  the  world  rests.  Vishnu  re- 
clines on  him  in  the  primeval  waters. 
When  depicted  coiled  he  is  the  symbol  of 
eternit)-. 

Settee, 
set-te'.  A 
long  seat 
with  a 
back  to  it; 
a  large 
8  o  f  a  - 
shaped 
seat  for 
several 
per  sons. 
A  vessel 
carrying 
t  w  o  or 
three 
masts 
with  la- 
teen sails,  common  in  the  Mediterranean. 


Settee. 


8ESTBECB 


ei6 


SHAMANISM 


Sesterce,  ses'ters.  A  Eoman  coin  or  de- 
nomination of  money,  in  value  the  fourth 
part  of  a  denarius,  and  originally  contain- 
ing two  asses  and  a  half,  about  4  cents. 
The  Romans  generally  reckoned  sums  of 
money  in  sestertii,  although  the  coin  used 
in  making  payments  was  commonly  the 
denarius.  Large  sums  they  reckoned  by 
sestertia,  that  is,  sums  of  a  thousand  ses- 
tertii. 

Seven,  sev'n.  The  number  greater  by 
one  than  six;  a  group  of  things  amount- 
ing to  this  number.  The  symbol  repre- 
senting this  number,  as  7  or  vii. 

Seventeen,  -ten.  The  number  greater 
bj'  one  than  sixteen  ;  the  sum  of  ten  and 
seven.  A  symbol  representing  this  num- 
ber, as  17  or  X  vii. 

Seventh-day,  ''nth-da.  Pertaining  or 
relating  to  the  seventh  day  of  the  week  or 
the  Sabbath  of  the  Jews.  Seventh-day 
JBaptists,  a  religious  sect  holding  generally 
the  same  doctrinal  views  as  the  Baptists, 
but  differing  from  them  in  observing  the 
seventh  day  of  the  Aveek  instead  of  the 
first  as  the  Sabbath  ;  Sabbatarians. 

Seventy,  'n-ti.  The  number  made  up 
of  seven  times  ten,  A  symbol  represent- 
ing this  number,  as  70  or  Ixx.  The  S.,  a 
name  given  to  the  Jewish  sanhedrim. 

Severus.  The  name  of  three  Roman 
emperors,  of  whom  the  most  distinguished 
was  S.  Lucius  Septimius,  193-211,  who  d. 
at  York,  in  Britain. 

Seville.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name, 
Spain,  on  the  Guadalquivir,  62  m.  N.  E. 
of  Cadiz  ;  pop.  86,400. 

Sevres  Ware,  sa-vr  war.  A  kind  of 
porcelain  ware,  of  artistic  design  and  brill- 
iancy of  coloring,  manufactured  at  Sevres, 
France. 

Seward,  William  Henry.  A  distin- 
guished American  statesman,  b.  in  N.  Y. 
1811 ,  D.  1872.  He  was  Governor  of  his  na- 
tive State,  a  member  of  the  U.  S.  Senate 
and  Secretary  of  State  in  President  Lin- 
coln's Cabinet. 

Sexag'enarian,  sek3'a-je-na"ri-an.  A 
person  aged  00  or  between  60  and  70. 

Sexag-esima,  -jes'i-ma.  The  second 
Sunday  l>efore  Lent,  so  called  as  being 
about  "the  60th  day  before  Easter. 

Sexdigitist,  -dij'i-tist.  One  who  has 
six  lingers  on  one  liand  or  six  toes  on  one 
foot. 

Sextant,  'tant.  In  Math,  the  sixth  part 
of  a  circle.  An  improved  form  of  quad- 
rant, capable  of  measuring  angles  of  120°. 

Sextillion,  -til'li-on.  According  to  En- 
glish notation,  a  million   raised  to  the 


Shad. 


sixth  power  ;  a  number  represented  by  a 
unit  with  86  ciphers  annexed  ;  according 
to  French  notation,  by  a  unit  with  21  ci- 
phers annexed. 

Sexualist,  'u-al-ist.  One  who  believes 
and  maintains  the  doctrine  of  sexes  in 
I)Iants ;  or  one  who  classilies  plants  by 
the  sexual  system. 

Seymour,  Horatio.  An  aminent 
Americftu  statesman,  b.  in  N.  Y.  iSll. 
He  was  twice  Governor  of  his  native  State, 
and  in  1868  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for 
the  Presidency  against  Gen.  Grant. 

Sforza.     The  family  name  of  the  dukes 
of  Milan,  Italy, 
from    1450    tUl 
15;35. 

Shad,  shad.  A . 
teleostean  fish, 
gen.  Alosa, 
fam.  Clupeidaj. 

Shadoof,  sha-duf .  A  contrivance  em- 
ployed in  Egypt  for  raising  water  from 
the  Nile  for  the  purpose  of  irrigation.  It 
consists  of  a  long  polo  suspended  on  a 
frame,  the  short  end  being  weighted  so 
as  to  lift  a  bucket  when  filled, 

Shafiites,  shafi-its.  One  of  the  four 
sects  of  the  Sunnites  or  orthodox  Moham- 
medans. 

Shah,  sha.  A  title  given  by  European 
writers  to  the  monarch  of  Persia ;  an 
abbreviation  of  Padishah.  8.  Nam  eh 
[Per.,  the  Book  of  Kings],  the  title  of  sev- 
eral Eastern  works,  the  most  ancient  and 
celebrated  of  which  is  the  poem  by  Fir- 
dousi,  containing  the  history  of  ancient 
Persian  kings. 

Shakee,  sha-ke'.  An  E.  Indian  coin  of 
the  value  of  about  6  cents. 

Shaker,  shak'er.  A  member  of  a  relig- 
ious sect  founded  in  Manchester,  England, 
about  the  middle  of  the  18th  century ;  so 
called  popularly  from  the  agitations  or 
movements  in  dancing  which  form  part 
of  their  ceremonial.  They  call  themselves 
the  United  Society  of  Belie  vers  in  Christ's 
Second  Appearing.  They  teach  a  system 
of  doctrine  founded  partly  on  the  Bible 
and  partly  on  the  supposed  revelations  of 
Mother  Ann  Lee,  their  first  inspired  lead- 
er, and  her  successors.  They  lead  a  celi- 
bate life  and  hold  their  property  in  com- 
mon. They  are  now  mostly  confined  to 
the  U.  S. 

Shakespeare,  William.  England's 
greatest  dramatic  pott;  b.  1564,  d.  1616. 

Shamanism,  sham'an-izm.  A  general 
name  applied  to  the  idolatrous  religions 
of  a  uumber  of  barbarous  nations,  compre- 


SHANGHAE 


617 


8HEREEF 


bending  those  of  tbe  Finnish  race,  as  the 
Ostiaks,  Samoyedes,  and  other  inhabi- 
tants of  Siberia,  as  far  as  the  Pacific  Ocean. 
They  believe  in  a  Supreme  Beinjr,  but 
also  that  the  governiiieut  of  the  world  is  in 
the  hands  of  a  number  of  secondary  gods, 
both  benevolent  and  malevolent  towards 
man,  and  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to 
'  avert  their  malign  influenceby  magic  rites 
and  spells.  Their  beUef  respecting  another 
life  is  that  the  condition  of  man  will  be 
more  wretched  than  the  present ;  hence 
death  is  greatly  dreaded. 

Shanghae  (Shanghai).  A  Chinese 
city  on  the  TVoo-sung,  160  m.  S.  E.  of 
Nankin  ;  pop.  abt.  155,000. 

Shark,  shark.  One  of  a  group  of  elasmo- 
branchiato  fishes,  celebrated  for  the  size 
and  voracity  of  many  of  the  species,  sjme 
species  of  which  are  known  as  "man-eat- 
ers." 

Shannon.  The  principal  river  of  Ire- 
land ;  length,  220  m. 

Shastra,  stias'tra.  A  law  or  book  of 
laws  among  the  Hindus,  particularly  a 
book  containing  the  authorized  Institutes 
of  their  religion,  and  considered  of  divine 
origin.  The  term  is  apphed,  in  a  wider 
sense,  to  treatises  containing  the  laws  or 
institutes  of  the  various  arts  and  science*, 
asxhetoric. 

Shays,  Daniel.  An  American  captain 
in  the  Revolution  ;  b.  in  Mass,  1740  ;  D. 
in  N.  Y.,  IS'25.  He  became  notorious  as 
leader  of  an  abortive  rebellion  against  the 
State  laws  of  Mass.,  1786. 

Shear-water,  shCr'wa-ter.  The  name 
of  several  marine  birds,  gen.  Pufiinus,  be- 
longing to  the  petrel  family. 

Shechinah,  she-kl'na.  The  Jewish 
name  for  the  symbol  of  the  divine  pres- 
ence, which  rested  in  the  shape  of  a  cloud 
or  visible  hght  over  the  raercy-seat. 
Written  also  Shekinah. 

Sheep,  shop.  A  ru 
minant  animal,  gen. 
Ovis,  fam.  Caprida;, 
nearly  allied  to  the 
goat.' 

Sheflaeld.  A  borough/ 
of  England,  W.  Kiding 
Co,  York,  at  junction 
of  the  Don  and  Sheaf, 
noted  for  its  cutlery, 
steel  and  plated-ware 
manufactures ;  pop.  254,671. 

Sheik.  shOk.  A  title  of  dignity  properly 
belonging  to  Arab  chiefs.  The  heads  of 
monasteries  are  sometimes  called  sheiks 
among  the  Mohammedans,  and  it  is  also 


Kooky  Mountain 
Sheep. 


the  title  of  the  higher  order  of  religious 
persons  who  preach  in  tbe  mcsqaes.  Tha 
Sheik-ul-lslam  is  the  chief  mufti  at  Con- 
stantinople. The  name  is  widely  used 
among  Moslems  as  a  title  of  resp'yct  or 
reverence. 

Shell,  Richard  Lalor.  An  eminent 
Irish  orator;  n.  1793,  d.  1S61,  while  Brit- 
ish Minister  at  Florence. 

Shekel,  shek'el.  An  ancient  coin  among 
the  Jews  and  other  nations  of  tha  same 
stock.  Dr.  Arbuthnot  makes  the  weight 
to  have  been  equal  to  9  dwts.  2^  grs.  troy 
weight,  and  the  value  about  57  cents; 
others  make  its  value  about  63  cents.  The 
golden  shekel  was  worth  about  $7.13.  The 
shekel  of  the  sanctuary  was  used  in  calcu- 
lating the  offerings  of  the  temple  and  all 
sums  connected  with  the  sacred  law.  It 
is  supposed  to  have  been  double  the  value 
of  the  common  shekel. 

Shelbume,  "William  Petty,  Earl 
of  (first  Marquis  of  Lansdowne). 
An  eminent  British  statesman  ;  u.  1787, 
D.  1S05.  He  approved  the  policy  which 
resulted  in  the  American  Eevolution,  and 
as  Prime  Minister,  17S2,  negotiated  the 
treaty  which  recognized  the  independence 
ofthelT.  S. 

Shelley,  Percy  Bysshe.  A  distin- 
guished English  poet ;  b.  1792,  drowned 
by  the  capsizing  of  hia  boat  in  the  Gulf  of 
Leghorn,  1S22. 

Shell-fish,  shel'fish.  A  mollusk,  whoso 
external  covering  consists  of  a  shell,  aa 
oysters,  clams,  &c. ;  an  animal  whose 
outer  covering  is  a  crustaceous  shell,  as 
the  lobster, 

Shem.  The  oldest  of  Noah's  three  sons 
and  founder  of  the  Shemitic  (Semitic) 
races.     He  lived  to  the  age  of  600. 

Shenandoah.  A  river  of  Va. ,  emptying 
into  the  Potomac  at  Harper's  Ferry ; 
length,  170  m. 

Sheol,  she'ol.  A  Hebrew  word  of  fre- 
quent occHirence  in  the  Old  Testament, 
and  translated  grave,  hell  er  pit.  The 
word  appears  to  represent  a  subterranean 
place  of  vast  dimensions  in  which  the 
spirits  of  the  dead  rest.  Sometimes  the 
idea  of  retribution  or  punishment  is  con- 
nected with  it,  but  never  that  of  future 
happiness. 

Shepherd  King^,  The  (Hyksos). 
A  foreign  dynasty  which  ruled  in  Egypt 
511  j-ears,  beginning  2100  b.  c.  Specula- 
tions differ  as  to  their  origin  and  fate. 

Shereef,  she-ref.  A  descendant  of  Mo- 
hammed through  his  daughter  Fatima  and 
HasBaa  IbaAli.    WrHtea  Scherif,  Sher- 


SHEEIDAN 


61S 


SHEEW-MOUSE 


rift>,  Cherif.  A  prince  or  ruler  ;  the  chief 
magistrate  of  Mecca. 

Sheridan,  Philip  Henry.  An  Amer- 
ican {general ;  u.  in  O.,  1S;31  ;  made  lieu- 
tenant-general, 1S69.  and  general,  on  Gen. 
Sherman's  retirement,  1SS4. 

Sheridan,  Richai-d  Brinsley.  A 
distinguished  Irish  orator  and  dramatist ; 
B.  1751,  D.  1816. 

{Sherman,  Rogrer.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican btutesman  ;  u.  in  Mass.,  1721 ;  D. 
1798. 

Sherman,  William  Tecumseh.  An 
American  general ;  b.  in  0.,  1820.  His 
celebrated  march  to  the  sea  from  Atlanta, 
Gd.,  18(>4-5,  broke  the  backbone  of  the  re- 
bellion. Made  lieutenant-general,  1866, 
he  fi.  Gen.  Grant  as  general,  1809,  retiring 
on  account  of  age,  1884. 

Sherry,  sher'ri.  A  species  of  wine,  so 
called  from  Xeres  in  Spain,  where  it  is 
made. 

Sheytan,  sha'tan.  An  Oriental  name  for 
the  devil. 

Shield,  sheld.  A  piece  of  defensive  ar- 
mor carried  on  the  arm  ;  a  buckler. 

Shiite,  shi'it.  A  member  of  one  of  the 
two  great  sects  into  which  Mohammedans 
aro  divided,  the  other  being  the  Sunnites 
or  Sunnis.  The  Shiites  consider  Ali  as 
being  the  only  rightful  successor  of  Mo- 
hammed. They  do  not  acknowledge  the 
Sunna  or  body  of  traditions  respecting 
Mohammed  as  any  part  of  the  law,  and 
are  treated  as  heretics  by  the  Sunnites. 
The  Shiahs  represent  nearly  the  Avhole 
Persian  nation,  while  the  Sunnites  are 
rcpnesented  by  the  Ottoman  Turks. 

Shillelah,  shil-lel'a.  An  Irish  name  for 
an  oaken  sapling  or  other  stick  used  as  a 
cudgel. 

Shilling:,  shil'ing.  A  British  coin  of  cur- 
rency and  account,  equal  in  value  to  twelve 
pennies,  or  to  one-twentieth  of  a  i)ound 
sterling. 

Shiloh.  A  locality  in  Hardin  Co.,  Tenn., 
2  m.  W.  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  on  the 
Tennessee,  and  12  m.  S.  W.  of  Savannah, 
noted  for  the  two  days'  severe  battle 
(April  6-7,  1862)  between  the  Federals, 
under  Gen.  Grant,  and  the  Confederates, 
under  Gens.  A.  S.  Johnston  and  Beaure- 
gard, Johnston  being  killed.  The  latter 
were  defeated. 

Shintoism,  shin'to-izm.  One  of  the  two 
great  religions  of  Japan,  originally  a  form 
of  nature  worship,  the  forces  of  nature 
being  regarded  as  gods,  the  sun  being  the 
supreme  god.  The  soul  of  the  sun-god 
founded  the  reigning  house  in  Japan,  and 


Shittah-tree. 


hence  the  emperor  is  Avorshiped  as  of 
divine  origin.  Worship  is  also  paid  to  the 
souls  of  distinguished  persons.  The  es- 
sence of  the  religion  is  now  ancestral  wor- 
ship and  sacrifice  to  departed  heroes. 
Written  also  Sintu,  Sintuism. 

Shittim-wood,  shit'tim-wod,  A  sort 
of  precious 
wood  of 
which  the 
tables,  al- 
tar 8  and 
boards  of 
the  Jewish 
t  a  bernacle 
were  made. 
It  was  pro- 
duced by 
the  shittah- 
tree  (prob- 
a  b  I  y  the 
Acacia 
vera  or  A, 
Seyal). 

S  h  o  gun, 

shd'gun.  The  proper  name  of  the  major- 
domos  of  the  imperial  palace  and  general- 
issimos of  Japan,  who  formerly  usurped 
the  governing  i)ower.    Also  called  Tycoon. 

Short-horn,  short'horn.  One  of  a  breed 
of  ciittle  having  the  horns  shorter  than  in 
almost  any  other  variety.  The  breed 
originated 'in  the  beginning  of  this  century 
in  the  valley  of  the  Tees,  England.  The 
cattle  are  easily  fattened,  and  the  flesh  is  of 
excellent  quality,  but  for  dairying  purposes 
they  are  inferior  to  some  other  breeds. 

Shot-graug-e,  shot'gaj.  An  instrument 
for  testing  cannon  projectiles.' 

Shot-metal,  'met-al.  An  alloy  of  lead 
56  parts,  and  arsenic  1,  used  for  making 
small  shot. 

Shot-silk,  'silk.  A  silk  stuff  whose 
warp  and  weft  threads  are  of  different 
colors  so  as  to  exhibit  changeable  tints. 

Shrapnel-shell,  shrap'nel-shel.  A 
shell,  invented  by  Gen.  Shrapnel,  fdled 
with  bullets  and  a  bursting  charge  suffi- 
cient to  split  the  shell  open  and  release 
the  bullets  at  any  given  point,  generally 
about  80  yards  before  reaching  the  object 
aimed  at.    Called  also  Spherical  Case-shot. 

S  h  r  e  -w  - 
mou  s  o , 
shro'mous.  A 
harmless  lit- 
tle      animal, 

resembling  a  Shrew, 

mouse,    gen. 

Sorex,  ord.  Insectivora,  while  the  mie« 
pi-oper  belong  to  the  Eodentia. 


SHRIKE 


619 


SIDEEOSTAT 


Shrimp. 


Shrike,  shrik.  A  general  name  applied 
to  the  members  of  a  fomily  (Laniidse)  ofin- 
sessorial  birds  belonging  to  the  dentirostral 
division  of  the  order.  The  family  is  di- 
vided into  two  groups,  the  Laniidte,  or 
true  shrikes,  andThamnophihna;,  or  bush- 
shrikes. 

Shrimp,  shrimp. 
A  small  crusta- 
c  e  a  n  ,  gen. 
Crangon,  ord.  De- 
capoda,  sub-ord. 
Macroura,  allied  tc 
the  lobster,  cray- 
fish and  prawn. 

Shroffag'e,  shrof'aj.  The  examination  of 
coins,  and  the  separation  of  the  good  from 
the  debased. 

Shrove-Tuesday,  shrov'tuz-da.  Con- 
fession Tuesday;  the  Tuesday  after 
Quinquagesima  'i^unday,  or  the  day  pre- 
ceding the  first  of  Lent,  or  Ash-Wedn<^s- 
day,  on  which  day  all  the  people  of  Eng- 
land, when  Koman  Cntholics,  confessed 
their  sins  to  the  priests,  after  which  they 
passed  the  day  in  sporU*  and  merry-raak- 
ing,  and  dined  on  i>ancakes  and  fritters. 
The  latter  practice  still  continues,  and  it  has 
given  this  day  the  appellation  of  Pancake 
Tuesday.  The  Monday  preceding  was 
called  Collop  Monday,  from  the  primitive 
custom  of  eating  eggs  on  coUopa  or  slices 
of bread. 

Shroud,  shrowd. 
A  winding-sheet ;  a 
set  of  ropes  reaching 
from  the  mast-head 
to  the  sides  of  a  ves- 
sel ;  to  dress  for  the 
grave. 

Shtshob,  shchob. 
A  machine  used  in 
Eussia  for  making 
calculations,  some- 
thing similar  to  the 
abacus.  Shrouds. 

Shwanpan,  shwan'pan.  A  calculating 
instrument  of  the  Chinese,  similar  in 
shape  and  construction  to  the  Eoman 
abacus,  and  used  in  the  same  manner. 

Siam.  A  large  kingdom  of  Further  In- 
dia, S.  E.  Asia,  bounded  N.  by  Laos  and 
the  Shan  country,  E.  by  Annam,  S.  by 
Gulfof  Siam,  W.  by  Burmah  ;  area2.'50,- 
000  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt.  7,000,000.  Chief 
cities,  Bangkok,  cap.,  Meeklong,  Paknam 
and  Paklat.  Principal  rivers,  the  Meiiam, 
with  several  tributaries.  Gulf  of  S.,  an 
arm  of  the  Indian  Ocean,  500  m.  long  by 
800  wide,  bet.  Lower  Siam  and  Cambodia. 

Siberia.      Eussian     Asia,      'omprising 


nearly  one- fourth  of  the  continent,  and 
the  entire  N.  section,  covering  8,500  m. 
E.  and  W.  and  1,200  N.  and  S.,  bounded 
N.  by  the  Arctic  Ocean,  E.  by  the  Pacific 
and  Sea  of  Kamlchatka,  S.  by  China  and 
Independent  Tartary,  W.  by  European 
Eussia;  pop.  abt.  10,000.000.  (See  de- 
tails under  Eussia.) 

Sibyl,  Ml.  A 
name  common  to 
certain  women 
menti o  n  e d  by 
Greek  and  Eoman 
writers,  said  to  be 
endowed  with  a 
prophetic  spirit. 
Their  number  is 
variously  stated, 
but  is  generally 
given  as  ten. 

Sic,  sik.  Thus,  or 
it  is  so  :  a  word  of-  /r^  / 
ten  used  in  quot-  'frr^  ,  ,._,  ,  ^. 
ing  within  brack-  ^'c>yl  ot  Delphi, 
ets  in  order  to  call  attention  to  the  fact 
that  the  quotation  is  literally  given.  It  is 
generally  used  to  suggest  that  there  is  or 
seems  something  wrong  in  the  quotation, 
to  indicate  a  difference  of  opinion,  or  to 
express  contempt. 

Sicilian  Vespers.  A  massacre  of  the 
French,  who,  under  Charles  of  Anjou,  had 
seized  Sicily  by  Airtue  of  a  grant  from 
Pope  Alexander  IV.,  and  against  whose 
rule  the  natives  rebelled  the  day  after 
Easter,  March  80,  1282,  rose  simultane- 
ously and  destroyed  the  garrisons  at  Pa- 
lermo, Messina  and  other  places. 

Sicily.  An  Italian  island  in  th«  Medi- 
terranean, separated  from  the  mainland 
by  the  Strait  of  Messina ;  area,  10,425  sq. 
m.;  pop.  2,846,819.  Chief  cities,  Palermo, 
cap.,  ^lessina,  Catania,  Syracuse,  Ahcata, 
Caltanisetta,  Marsala  and  Girgenti.  A 
mountain  range,  of  which  Mt.  Etna,  a 
volcanic  peak  10,900  ft.  above  sea  level,  is 
the  highest  point,  intersects  the  N.  por- 
tion from  E.  to  W. 

Siddons,  Sarah.  The  most  distin- 
guished of  English  tragediennes :  p, 
1T55,  D.  1&31.  She  belonged  to  the  Kem- 
ble  family,  noted  as  actors. 

Siderography,  sld-er-og'ra-fl.  The  art 
or  i>ractice  of  engraving  on  steel  :  particu- 
larly applied  to  the  transfer  process. 

Siderolite.  'er-o-llt.  A  meteoric  stone, 
chiefly  consisting  of  iron.  A  nummulite, 
a  fossil  many- chambered  organism  having 
a  stellated  appearance. 

Siderostat,  -stat.  An  apparatus  for  ob- 
serving  the  light  of  the  stars. 


SIDEPwOTTPE 


SIMONIAN 


tS^iderotype,  -tip.  A  method  of  produc- 
Incr  sun-pictures  by  means  of  animonio- 
ferric  citrate.  Paper  Impregnated  with 
this  salt  is  exposed  to  light  in  the  camera, 
and  the  picture  is  developed  with  a  neu- 
tral solution  of  gold  or  silver. 

Sidney,  Sir  Philip.  An  English  sol- 
dier and  poet,  nephew  of  the  famous 
Kol)ert  Dudley,  Earl  of  Leicester ;  b. 
3554,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Zutphen  1586. 
He  is  called  the  "  Bayard"  of  his  age  and 
country'. 

Siexra,  se-er'a.  A  chain  of  hills  or  mass 
of  mountains  with  jagged  or  saw-like 
ridges. 

Sierra  Leone.  An  English  colony  on 
W.  coast  of  Africa,  used  as  a  residence  for 
liberated  slaves ;  area,  468  sq.  m.  Cap. 
Freetown  ;  pop.  44,800. 

Sierra  Nevada.  A  mountain  range  in 
8pain  ;  also  a  range  in  California. 

Siesta,  -es'ta.  The  practice  indulged  in  by 
inhabitants  of  hot  countries  generally,  of 
resting  for  a  short  time  in  the  hot  part  of 
the  day,  or  after  dinner. 

Sigel,  Franz.  An  American  general; 
B.  in  Baden,  Germany,  1824. 

Sigrismund.  Son  of  Emperor  Charles 
IV.;  B.  1368,  became  King  of  Hungary 
13S7,  and  Emperor  of  Germany  1410,  d. 
1437.  He  made  himself  notorious  by  be- 
traying John  Huss,  the  martyr.  The 
name  was  also  box'ne  by  three  Kings  of 
Poland. 

Sigla,  sig'la.  The  signs,  characters,  ab- 
breviations, or  letters  used  for  words  in 
ancient  manuscripts,  printing,  coins, 
medals,  and  the  like. 

Sig'nal-lamp,  'nal-lamp.  A  railway 
lamp,  with  abuU's-eye  in  it,  made  to  give 
out  light  of  different  colors  as  signals. 

Sig-nor,  sen  'y or .  A  n  En  gli  sh  form  of  the 
Italian  Signore,  Spanish  Sefior,  a  title  of 
respect  equivalent  to  the  English  Sir  or 
Mr.,  the  French  Monsieur,  and  the  Ger- 
man Herr.     Written  also  Seignior. 

Sig-nora,  -yO'ra.  An  Italian  title  of  ad- 
dress or  respect,  equivalent  to  Madam, 
Mrs. 

Sigrnorina,  -rc'na.  An  Italian  title  of 
respect,  equivalent  to  the  English  Miss 
and  the  French  Mademoiselle. 

Sikh,  sC'k.  One  of  an  Indian  community, 
half  religious,  half  military,  founded 
about  1500,  which  professes'  the  purest 
Deism,  and  is  chiefly  distinguished  from 
the  Hindus  by  worshiping  one  only  invis- 
ible God.  They  founded  a  state  in  the  Pun- 
jaub  in  the  18th  cenfeucy,  which  was  annex- 
«d  to  the  British  Empii-e  hx  India  1S49. 


Silhouette. 


Silenus,  sMG'nus.  A  Grecian  divinity, 
the  foster-father  and  attendant  of  Bacchus, 
and  likewise  leader  of  the  satyrs.  He 
was  represented  as  a  robust  old  man,  gen- 
erally in  a  state  of  intoxication,  and  riding 
on  an  ass  carrying  a  cantharus  or  bottle. 

Silhouette,  sil'ii-et.  A 
name  given  to  the  rep- 
resentation of  an  objects 
filled  in  of  a  black  color, 
the  inner  parts  being  in- 
dicated by  lines  of  a 
lighter  color,  and  shad- 
ows or  extreme  depths 
by  the  aid  of  a  shining 
medium.  . 

Silk,    silk.     The    fine, 
soft  thread  produced  by 
the  larvffi  of 
num  e  r  o  u  s 
species     be- 
longing     to 
the     gen. 
Bombyx  and 
other  genera' 
of   the   fam.^ 

Bombycidae,  Silk-worm.   • 

1  e  p  idopter- 

ous  insects  of  the  section  popularly  known 
by  the  naire  moth,  the  most  important  of 
which  is  the  Bombyx  mori,  or  common 
silkworm. 

Silvanus,  sil-va'nus,  A  Eoman  rural 
deit}^,  so  called  from  L.  silva,  a  wood.  He 
is  usually  represented  with  a  sickle  in  his 
right  hand  and  a  bough  in  his  left.  He 
was  the  protector  of  herds  and  trees  from 
wolves  and  hghtning,  the  god  of  agricul- 
ture, or  the  defender  of  boundaries. 

Simeon.  In  Scrip,  second  son  of  Jacob 
and  Sarah,  and  progenitor  of  one  of  th« 
twelve  tribes.  S.  Stylites,  a  religious  dev- 
otee ;  B.  in  Asia,  390,  d.  460.  His  sur- 
name came  from  his  having  lived  for  near- 
ly 50  years  upon  the  summits  of  pillars 
from  which  he  preached. 

Simiadae,  sim'i-a-de.  A  quadrumanous 
family  of  mammals  now  limited  to  include 
the  higher  apes,  such  as  the  orangs,  go- 
rilla and  chimpanzee. 

Simnis,WilliamQ-illmore.  An  Amer- 
ican novelist ;  b.  in  S.  C,  1806,  d.  1870. 

Simon,  St.  In  Scrip,  one  of  the  twelve 
apostles,  called  the  Canaanite  or  Zelote. 
He  suffered  martyrdom  abt.  43  in  Persia. 

Simon,  Jules.  A  French  statesman 
and  philosopher ;  b.  1814. 

Simonian,  si-mo'ni-an.  A  follower  of 
Simon  Magus,  whose  system  was  a  spe- 
cies uf  gncsticism. 


SIMONY 


621 


SIVA 


Sine. 


Simony,  sim'o-ni.  The  act  or  practice 
of  trarticking  in  sacred  things;  particularly 
thcbuvini,'  or  selling  of  ecclesiastical  pre- 
ferment, or  the  corrupt  presentation  of 
any  one  to  an  ecclesiastical  benefice  for 
money  or  reward. 

Simoom,  si-mom'.  A  hot  suffooating 
Avind  that  blows  occasionally  in  Aft-ica  and 
Arabia,  generated  by  the  extreme  heat  of 
the  parched  deserts  or  tandy  plains.  It 
is  called  Sirocco  in  S.  Italy,  Samiel  in  Tur- 
key, Solano  in  Spain,  Kamsin  in  Egypt 
and  Syria,  and  Harmattan  in  Guinea  and 
Senegami)ia. 

Simplon,  The.  A  peak  of  the  Italian 
Alps,  11, Ml  ft.  above  sea  level. 

Sinai.  In  Scrip.,  the  mountain  upon 
■which  Moses  received  the  tables  of  the 
law,  believed  to  bo  Mt.  Sel-bal,  bet.  the 
Gulf  of  Suez  and  Akabah,  7,000  ft.  high. 

Sine,  sine.  A  geomet- 
rical line  drawn  irom 
the  end  of  an  arc. 

SingTiltus,  sin-gul'. 
tus.  In  Med.  the  hie 
cough  ;  a  convulsive 
motion  of  the  dia- 
phragm and  parts  ad- 
jacent. 

Sinologue,  sin'o-log. 
A  student  of  the  Chi- 
nese language,  literature,  history,  Ac;  one 
versed  in  Chinese. 

Sioux.  A  powerful  N.  American  Indian 
tribe,  now  located  about  the  head-waters 
of  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri  rivers. 

Siphon,  si'fon.  A 
bent    pipe    whose  i^^^  Yv       \^    ||» 
legs  are  of  unequal 
length,    used     for 
draNving  liquid  out  Siphons, 

of  a  vessel  by  cans-  ^ 

ing  it  to  rise  in  the  tube  over  the  rim  or 
top.  For  this  purpose  the  shorter  leg  is 
inserted  in  the  liquid,  and  the  air  is  ex- 
hausted by  being  drawn  through  tho 
longer  leg. 

Siphon-recorder,  -re-kord-er.  An  in- 
strument invented  by  Sir  W.  Thomson 
for  recording  messages  sent  through  long 
telegraphic  lines,  as  the  Atlantic  cables. 
Sirenia,  -re'ni-a.  An  ord.  of  marine  her- 
bivorous mammals  allied  to  the  whales, 
comprising  the  manatee  and  dugong.  Be- 
sides the  living  members  the  Sirenia  were 
represented  bj'  a  gigantic  species  25  feet 
long  and  20  in  circumference,  noAV  ex- 
tinct, no  specimen  having  been  seen  for 
200  years. 
Sirius,  sir'i-us.      The  large  bright  ibtar 


Siren. 


called  the  Dog-star,  in  the  mouth  of  the 
constellation  Canis  Major. 
Siren,  'ren.  In 
Greek  Myth,  one 
of  several  (ac- 
cording to  some 
writers,  three) 
sea  -nymphs, 
who  by  their 
singing  fascin- 
ated those  that 
sailed  by  their- 
island,  and  then 
destroyed  them. 
In  works  of  art 
they    are    often 

represented  as  having  partly  the  form  of 
birds,  sometimes  only  the  feet  of  a  bird. 
Sirocco,  si-rok'ko.  An  oppressive  relax- 
ing -wind  coming  from  N.  Africa,  over  the 
Mediterranean,  to  Italy,  Sicily,  &c.  Writ- 
ten also  Scirocco. 

Sirvente,  ser-vant.  In  the  literature  of 
the  middle  ages,  a  species  of  poem  in  com- 
mon use  among  the  Troubadours  and  Trou- 
veres,  usually  satirical,  though  sometimes 
devoted  to  love  or  praises,  and  divided 
into  strophes  of  a  pecuhar  construction. 
Sittinae,  sit-ti'ne.  The  nut-hatches,  a 
sub-fiiraily  of  insessorial  birds,  named 
from  the  gen.  Sitta. 

Sivatherium,  -va-the'ri-ura.  An  ex- 
tinct gen.  of  Ruminantia,  found  fossil  in 
the  tertiary  strata  of  the  Sivalik  Sub-Him- 


Sivatherium  Kestored, 

alayan  range,  It  surpassed  all  known 
ruminants  in  size.  It  had  four  horns  and 
a  protruding  upper  lip,  and  must  have  re- 
sembled an  immense  antelope  or  gnu. 
Siva,  si'va.  In  Hindu  Myth,  the  name 
of  the  third  god  of  the  Hindu  triad,  in 
which  he  represents  the  principle  of  de- 
struction. His  emblem  is  tho  lingam  or 
phallus,  symbolical  of  creation  which  fol- 
lows destruction  ;  and  he  is  represented 
with  every  horrible  sign  of  limnaii  blood' 


SIVAN 


SLITTING-MILL 


shed,  and  frequently  accompanied  by  a 
white  bull.  The  worshipers  of  Siva  as- 
sign to  him  the  first  place  in  the  triad, 
and  to  them  he  is  not  only  the  chief  deity, 
but  the  deity  which  comprises  in  itself  all 
other  deities. 

Sivan,  'van.  The  third  month  of  the 
Jewish  ecclesiastical  year,  answering  to 
part  of  May  and  June. 

Six,  siks.  The  number  of  six  or  twice 
three.  A  symbol  rei^resenting  this  num- 
ber, as  G,  yi. 

Sixtus.    The  name  of  five  popes. 

Skag-er-rack,  The.  An  arm  of  the  N. 
Sea,  bet.  Denmark  and  Norway,  connect- 
ing the  German  Ocean  and  the  Cattegat ; 
length,  150  m. ;  breadth,  SO  m. 

Skate,  skat.  A  name  popularly  applied 
to  severai  species  of  the  gen.  liaia,  with 


Gray  Skate. 

cartilaginous  skeletons,  having  the  body 
much  depressed,  and  approaching  to  a 
rhomboidal  form, 

Skean-dhu,  skGn'du.  A  knife  which, 
when  the  Highland  costume  is  worn,  is 
stuck  in  the  stocking. 

Skink,  skingk.  The  common  name  of 
lizards,  gen.  Scincus. 

Skippet,  skip'et.  In  Archaeol.  a  small 
cylindrical  turned  box  with  a  lid  or  cover 
for  keeping  records. 

Skittles,  skit'lz.  A  game  played  with 
nine  pins  set  upright  at  one  end  of  a  skit- 
tle-alley, the  object  of  the  player,  stationed 
at  the  other  end,  being  to  knock  over  the 
set  of  ])ins  with  as  few  throws  as  jjossible 
of  a  flattish-shaped  ball. 

Skunk,  skungk  A  digitigrade  carnivo- 
rous quadruped,  gen.  Mephitis,  fam.  Mus- 
telida?,  approaching  in  form  and  general 
appearance  the  badger  and  glutton.  It 
emits  a  fetid  scent. 

Slav,  sliiv.  One  of  a  race  widely  spread 
over  E.  Europe  ;  a  Slavonian  or  Sclavoni- 
an.  The  oiiginal  names  of  the  tribes  ap- 
pear to  have  been  Wends  or  Winds  and 
Serbs.  The  group  is  cTivided  into  eastern 
and  western.    The  foiiuer  coaiprises  the 


'^i^'h^y^ 


Russians,  Bulgarians,  Illyrians  (Serbs, 
Ci-oats,  Winds);  the  latter  the  Poles,  Sile- 
sians  and  Poniei  anians,  the  Bohemians  or 
Czechs  (including  the  Moravians),  and  the 
Polabians,  comprehending  the  Slavic 
tribes  of  N.  Germany.  The  ancient  Scyth- 
ians and  Sarmatians  seem  to  have  been 
Slavs.  Written  also  Sclav,  Sclave,  Slave, 
Slovak. 

Slave-cofla.e,  slav'kof-1.  A  band  of  slaves 
for  sale  ;  a  coffle. 

Slave- 
fork, 

'fork.      A 
forked 
branch  of 
a  tree  em- 
ployed  to 
inclose  the 
necks     of 
Slav  e  -- 
Avhen     <)• 
t  h^  e  i   1 
marc  h  'jfL 
from    the  .j-y^f^ 
interior  of''^^' 
Africa    to    "' ' 

to  prevent  Slaves  Coupled  by  Slave-forks, 
their  running  away. 

Slavic,  slav'ik.  Same  as  Slavonic.  Church 
Slavic,  an  ancient  dialect  of  Bulgarian  still 
used  as  the  sacred  language  of  the  Greek 
Church.     Called  also  Old  Bulgarian. 

Slavonic,  sla-von'ik.  The  language  of 
the  Slavs  ;  a  name  given  to  a  family  of  Ar- 
yan tongues  spoken  by  the  Slaves  or 
Slavs  ;  it  is  divided  into  two  branches,  the 
eastern  and  western — the  eastern  compre- 
hending Russian,  Polish,  Bohemian,  Ser- 
vian, Bulgarian  ;  the  western,  Lithuanian, 
Lettish,  and  the  extinct  Old  Prussian. 

Sledge,  slej.  A  vehicle  moving  on  run- 
ners for  the  conveyance  of  loads  over 
frozen  snow  or  ice ;  a  sled.  A  kind  of 
traveling  winter  carriage  mounted  on  run- 
ners ;  a  sleigh.  The  hurdle  on  which 
traitors  were  formerly  drawn  to  execution, 

Sleigrll,  sl.a.  A  vehicle  mounted  on  run- 
ners for  transporting  persons  on  the  snoAf 
or  ice.  It  is  of  a  more  elegant  or  orna 
mental  form  than  the  sledge  or  sled  used 
for  heavy  traflie. 

Slibowitz.  slib'o-vits.  An  ardent  spirit, 
distilled  in  Bohemia  from  the  fermented 
juice  of  plums. 

Slittingr-mill,  slit'ing-mil.  A  mill  whera 
iron  bars  or  plates  are  split  into  nail  rods, 
etc.  A  machine  used  by  lapidaries  for 
shtting  or  cutting  gems,  stones,  &c.,  pre' 
vlous  to  grinding  and  polishing. 


SL0GA5I 


623 


SNOW-LINE 


Sioop. 


Slog-an,  slo'gan.    The  war-cry  or  grathor 
iiig  Avord  or  phrase  of  one  of  the  old  High 
hind  chins  ;  any  exciting  call  to  war. 
Sloop,  slop.  A  vessel 
"vvith  one  mast,   and 
often    with    notliing 
bu  t  fore-and-aft  sails. 

Sloth,  sloth.  The 
popular  name  of  cer- 
tain edentate  mam- 
mals, of  which  only 
two  species  are 
known,  the  Brady- 
pus  tridactylus  or  ai, 
of  S.America,  about 
the  size  of  a  common 
cat,  and  Bradypus  or 
Oholoepus  didactylus 
or  unuu,  of  the  W.  Indies,  abo<lt«iiaif  the 
size  of  the  former. 

Slow-le- 
mur, slo 'lo- 
rn er.  A  spe- 
cies of  lemur, 
scarcely  so 
large  as  a  cat. 
so  named 
from  the  slow- 
ness of  its 
gait. 

S  1  o  -w  - 
XD.  a  t  c  h  , 
'  m  a  c  h  .  A 
match  which 
burns  slowly 
and  steadily,  used  for  igniting  a  blast  of 
gunpowder  and  other  purposes  where  the 
operator  requires  time  to  retire  to  a  place 
of  safety. 

Sznalkaldic,  smal-kal'dik.  Pertaining 
to  Smalkalden  in  Central  Germany.  8. 
League,  a  league  entered  into,  1531,  by  nine 
Protestant  princes  and  eleven  free  'cities 
for  the  mutual  defense  of  their  faith  and 
political  independence  against  the  Empe- 
ror Charles  V.  S.  Articles,  the  articles 
di-awn  by  Luther  and  signed  by  the  theo- 
logians present  at  Smalkalden,  1537,  the 
principal  object  of  which  was  to  serve  as  a 
representation  of  the  Protestant  faith  to 
the  Council  at  Mantua. 

Smeir,  smer.  A  kind  of  half-glaze  on 
pottery,  made  by  adding  common  salt  to 
the  orflinary  glazes. 

Smelt,  smelt 
A  small  but  de 
licious  teleos 
lean  fish,  gen 
Osmerus,     the  Smelt. 

O.  ei;>€rlanus,  allied  to  the  salmon,  inhab- 
iting the  tjalt  water  al»out  the  mouths  of 


Slow-lemui\ 


rivers.  When  first  taken  out  of  the  water 
smelts  have  a  strong  smell  of  cucuiaber. 

Smelting-,  'ing.  The  process  of  obtain- 
ing metals,  as  iron,  copper,  lead,  &c., 
from  their  ores  by  the  combined  action  of 
heat,  air  and  flu.xes. 

Sm^ithsonian  Institute,  The.  A 
publi<**cieutiflc  institution  established  al 
Washington,  D.  C,  by  act  of  Congress, 
1&46,  named  from  James  Smithson,  a« 
English  natural  philosopher,  who,  in  his 
will,  gave  over  $500,000  to  the  American 
Nation  for  the  inci'ease  and  diffusion  of 
knowledge. 

Smollett,  Tobias  George.  An  emi- 
nent Scottish  historian  and  novelist ;  b. 
1721,  D.  1771. 

Sm3rma.  A  Turkish  eitj"^  and  seaport  in 
Asia  Minor,  210  m.  S.  W,  of  Constanti- 
nople ;  pop.  162,700. 

Snail,  snal.  A  slimy,  slow-creeping,  air- 
breathing,  gastcropod  moilusk,  gen.  He- 
lix, fam.  Helicidje,  differing  from  the 
slugs  chiefly  in  being  covered  with  a  de- 
Dressed  spiral  shell. 

Snake,  snak.  A  name  commonly  given 
to  any  serpent,  but  more  particularly 
used  to  designate  the  Natrix  torquata, 
fam.  Colubrid^-  It  is  destitute  of  poison- 
fengs. 

Snipe,  snip.  The  English  name  for  those 
grallatorial  bu^ds  which  form  the  gen, 
Scolopacidsei, 

Snow,  sno   Fro-     v      y 
zen  vapor:  watay     ^tev^        ^ 
particles  congeal-  -=::*  ^=-  '^3 
ed      into    white      //\^ 
crystals  in  the  air      ^    ^ 
and  falling  to  the 
earth.     Snow  is 
formed  in  the  air 
when    the   tem- 
perature   of  the 
at  m  o  s  p  h  e  r  e 
sinks    below  the 
freezing-point. 

Snow-eyes,  'iz. 
A  contrivance 
used  by  the  Es- 
quimaux   as     a 


Qystals  of  Snow. 

Sreventive    of  snow-blindness,  made  of 
ght  wood  A\ith  a  bridge  resting  on  the 

nose  like  spectacles,  and  a  naiTow  slit  for 

the  passage  of  the  light. 
Snow-groose,  'gos.    A  web-footed  bird 

the    Anser   hyperboreus,   inhabiting  the 

arctie  regions. 
Snow-line,  'lin.    The  limit  of  perpetual 

snow,  or  the  line  above  which  mountains 

are  covered  with  perpetual  aaow. 


SINOW-PLO'W 


624 


SOLDEE 


Snow-plow,  'plou.  An  implement  for 
clearing  away  the  snow  from  roads,  rail- 
M-ays,  &c. 

Snow-shoe,  'sho.  A  kind  of  flat  shoe  or 
racket,  inn<l&  of  wood,  or  consisting  of  a 
light  frame  crossed  and  recrossed  by 
thongs,  the  broad  surflice  of  which  pre- 
vents the  wearer  from  sinking .  in  the 
snow.  They  are  much  used  in  the  N. 
parts  of  America. 

Snow-skate,  'skat.  A  thin,  narrow, 
clastic  piece  of  wcK>d,  about  6  feet  long, 
used  by  the  Lapps  for  skating  on  snow, 
and  to  some  extent  by  the  Swedes  and 
Norwegians. 

Snuff,  snuf.  A  powdered  preparation  of 
tobacco,  n»ade  by  grinding  the  chopped 
leaves  and  stalks  of  tobacco  in  which  fer- 
mentation has  been  induced  by  moisture 
and  warmth. 

Soap-stone,  sop'ston.  A  species  of 
steatite. 

Sobieski.  The  family  name  of  John  III.  of 
Polantl,  Avho  checked  the  Saracen  advance, 
drove  them  out  of  Poland,  and,  A\ith  the 
aid  of  French  ar  d  German  allies,  raised  the 
Biege  of  Vienna  IGCw;  n.  1648,  created  het- 
man  and  grand  marshal,  1665;  elected 
king  1 67  i,  n.  1696. 

Socialism,  s6'shal-izm.  The  name,  ap- 
pHed  to  various  theories  of  social  organiza- 
tion ha\ing  for  their  common  aim  the  abo- 
lition of  that  individual  action  on  which 
modern  societj^  depends,  and  the  substitu- 
tion of  the  regulated  system  of  co-opera- 
tive action.  The  term  originated  among 
English  communists,  and  was  assumed  by 
them  to  designate  their  own  doctrine,  but 
is  now  employed  in  alarger  sense,  not  nec- 
essarily implying  communism,  or  the  en- 
tire abolition  of  private  propertj-,  but  ap- 
plied to  any  system  which  requires  that 
the  land  and  the  instruments  of  i)roduction 
should  be  the  property  of  communities  or 
associations,  or  of  the  government. 

Society  Islands.  A  cluster  of  13  islands 
in  the  S.  Pacific,  under  the  protection  of 
France.    Tahiti  is  the  chief :  pop.  about 

2o,(m. 

Society  of  Jesus  (Jesuits).  A  religions 
order  in  the  11.  i).  Ch.,  founded  by  Ignatius 
Loyola,  a  Spaniard,  1510. 
Socinianism,  -sin'i-an-izm.  The  teach- 
ing or  doctrines  of  Lailius  and  Faustus 
Socinus  (16th  century),  who  denied  the 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  the  deity  of 
Christ,  the  personality  of  the  devil, 
the  native  and  total  depravity  of  man, 
the  vicarious  atonement  and  the  eternity 
of  punishment.  Their  tlieory  was  that 
Chilst   was    a    man    divinely    commis- 


sioned, who  had  no  existence  before  ha 
was  miraculously  and  sinlessly  conceived 
by  the  Virgin  Mary;  that  human  sin  was 
the  imitation  of  i^dam's  sin,  and  that 
human  salvation  was  the  imitation  and 
adoption  of  Christ's  virtue ;  that  tho  Eiblo 
was  to  be  interpreted  by  human  reason, 
and  that  its  metaphors  were  not  to  bo 
taken  litera!lj\  The  Socinians  are  now 
represented  by  the  Unitarians. 

Sociology,  -shi-oFo-ji.  The  science  which 
investigates  the  laws  or  forces  which  reg- 
ulate human  society,  existing  and  histori- 
cal, savage  and  civilized  ;  the  science 
which  treats  of  the  general  structure  of 
society,  the  laws  of  its  development,  and 
the  progi-ess  of  actual  civilization. 

Soda,  'da.  The  yn'otoxide  of  metal  sodi- 
um, formerly  called  mineral  alkali.  It  has 
likewise  been  called  a  fixed  alkali,  in  con- 
tradistinction from  ammonia,  which  is  a 
volatile  alkali.  It  is  formed  when  sodium 
is  burned  in  dry  air  or  oxygen. 

Soda-water,  -wa-ter.  A  refreshing  sum- 
mer drink,  consisting  of  ordinary  water 
into  which  carbonic  acid  has  been  forced 
imder  })re8sure.  On  exposure  to  the  ordi- 
nary atmospheric  pressure  the  excess  of 
cai-bonic  acid  escapes,  thus  causing  effer- 
vescence. It  rarely  contains  soda  in  any 
form,  but  is  flavored  with  various  syrups.. 

Sodomy,  sod'om-i.  The  crime  of  Sodom; 
a  carnal  copulation  against  nature. 

Sofala.  A  Portuguese  colony  on  the  Mo- 
zambique coast,  S.  E.  Africa ;' area,  10,000 
sq.  m.;  cap.,  Sofala;  total  iK>p.  abt.  320,000. 

Sofl,  so'fi.  One  of  a  religious  order  in 
Persia,  otherwise  termed  dervishes. 

Sofism,  'iizm.  The  mystical  doctrines  of 
the  Mohammedan  sofis.  Written  also 
Sufism. 

Softa,  soPta.  In  Turkey,  a  pupil  of  a 
medrissa  or  secondary  school  engaged  in 
professional  studies  "for  oflices  in  the 
church,  the  law,  the  army  or  the  state: 
often  restricted  to  students  of  the  Koran. 
Written  also  Sophta. 

Soissons.  An  ancient  city  of  France, 
on  the  Aisne,  17  m.  S.  W.  of  Laon,  noted 
as  the  scene  of  the  overthrow  of  Roman 
power  in  Gaul  by  Clovis,  486,  who  made 
S.  his  cap.;  pop.  10,964. 

Sol,  sol.  The  sun.  In  Her.  a  term  imply- 
ing or,  or  gold,  in  blazoning  the  arms  ol 
emperors,  kings ^and  princes  by  planets, 
instead  of  metal  and  color.  Tho  name 
given  to  gold  by  the  old  chemists  and  al- 
chemists, luna  being  used  to  denote 
silver. 

Solder,  'der.    MetalMc  cement;  a  metal 


SOLDO 


G25 


SOEBONNE 


or  metallic  composition  used  in  uniting 
other  metallic  substances  by  being  fused 
between  them. 

Soldo,  'do.  A  small  Italian  coin,  the 
twentieth  i)art  of  u  lira. 

S  o  1  e  a, 
so'lc-a.  The 
under  sur- 
face of  the 
foot  or  hoof 
or  an  ani- 
m  a 1 ;  the 
sole.      The  Sole. 

sole;  a  gen. 

of  malacopteryjsrious  fishes  of  the  Pleuro- 
nectidm  or  flat-fish  family.  S.  vulgaris  is 
the  common  sole. 

Solferino.  A  village  of  Brescia,  N. 
Italy,  20  m.  N.  W.  of  Mantua,  noted  for 
the  victory,  June  24,  1S59,  of  the  Ibdians 
and  French,  commanded  by  their  respec- 
tive sovereigns,  over  the  Austrians  under 
their  emperor;  the  decisive  battle  of  the 
war. 

Soli  dungTila,  sol-id-ung'gu-la.  The 
faraii^v  of  hoofed  quadrupeds,  comprising 
the  horses,  asses  and  zebras.  Called  also 
Equidae. 

Solomon.  In  Scrip,  third  king  of  Israel, 
youngest  son  and  s.  of  David,  and 
the  most  celebrated  of  the  Hebrew  royal 
line;  b.  1035,  o.  1015,  d.  975  b.  c.  He  was 
the  author  of  the  book  of  Ecclesiastes, 
Song  of  Solomon,  Proverbs,  and  part  of 
the  Psalms. 

Solstice,  'stis.  In  Astron.  the  point  in 
the  ecliptic  at  the  greatest  distance  from 
the  equator,  at  which  the  sun  appears  to 
stop  or  cease  to  recede  from  the  equator, 
either  north  in  summer  or  south  in  ivinter; 
a  tropic  or  tropical  point.  There  are  two 
solstices— the  summer  solstice,  the  first 
degree  of  Cancer,  which  the  sun  enters 
about  the  21st  of  June;  and  the  winter 
solstice,  the  first  degree  of  Capricorn, 
-which  the  sun  enters  about  the  22d  of 
December. 

Solon.  The  first  Athenian  constitutional 
lawgiver,  and  one  of  the  Seven  Wise  Men 
of  Greece;  he  flourished  in  the  6th  cen- 
tury B.  c. 

Solway,  Frith  of.  An  arm  of  the  Irish 
Sea,  dividing  Scotland  and  England ; 
length,  40  m.;  breadth,  24  m. 

Solyman  (Suleiman).  The  name  of 
three  Turkish  Sultans,  the  most  noted 
being  S.  the  Magnificent,  b.  M'JG,  s.  his 
father  Selim  I.,  1520.  He  overran  nearly 
the  whole  of  central  Europe,  Arabia  and 
Persia,  but  was  repulsed  at  the  siege  of 
Malta,  1565  ;  d.  1566. 


Soma,  sO'ma.  A  plant,  ord.  Asclepiad- 
aceaj,  the  Asclepias  acida;  also  an  intoxt 
eating  drink  obtained  from  it,  which  played 
an  important  part  in  the  great  Yedic  sacri- 
fices of  the  ancient  Hindus. 

Somaj,  -maj'.  A  Hindu  sect  which  pro- 
fesses a  puro4heism, and  exer«ises  a  system 
of  eclecticism  in  regard  to  Christianity 
and  other  systems  of  religion.  Brahmo 
is  generally  prefixed  to  indicate  its  mono- 
theistic character. 

Somatist,  'mat-ist.  One  Avho  admits  the 
existence  of  corporeal  or  material  beings 
onl}' ;  one  who  denies  the  existence  of 
spiritual  substances;  a  materialist. 

Somerset,  Edward  Seymour, 
Duke  of.  (Lord  Protector  of  England.) 
Uncle  to  Edward  VI.,  and  regent  during 
the  latter's  minority;  b.  1496,  beheaded 
for  treason  1552. 

Somnambulism,  som-nam'bQ-lizm.  A 
peculiar  perversion  of  the  mental  funccions 
during  sleep,  in  which  the  subject  acts 
automatically;  sleep-walking. 

Somniloquy,  -nlFo-kwi.  A  talking  in 
sleep;  the  talking  of  one  in  a  state  of 
somnipathy. 

Somnus,  'nus.  In  Class.  Myth,  the  per- 
sonification and  god  of  sleep,  described  as 
a  brother  of  Death  (Mors). 

Soodra,  so'dra.  The  fourth  or  lowest 
caste  into  which  the  Hindus  are  divided, 
comprehending  artisans  and  laborers. 

Sophist,  sof  ist.  In  Greek  Hist,  one  of  a 
class  of  leading  public  teachers  during  the 
6th  and  4th  centuries  b.  c,  including  Soc- 
rates, Plato,  Aristotle,  and  their  disciples 
and  followers.  As  the  professional  teachers, 
however,  taught  for  pay,  and  their  ranks 
became  swelled  by  shallow  associates, 
the  title  sophist  gradually  acquired  a  bad 
sense,  coming  to  mean,  in  the  language  of 
Aristotle,  "  a  pretender  to  knowledge,  a 
man  who  employs  what  he  knows  to  be 
fallacy,  for  the  purpose  of  deceit  and  of 
getting  money."  A  captious  or  fallacious 
reason  er. 

Sophocles.  An  ancient  Athenian  tragic 
poet ;  B.  495,  b.  406  b.  c. 

Sophomore,  'G-mor.  In  American  col- 
leges, one  belonging  to  the  second  of  the 
four  classes  ;  one  next  above  a  freshman. 

Soprano,  so-pnVno.  In  music,  the 
highest  species  of  female  voice.  A  singer 
having  such  a  voice.  In  both  senses 
equivalent  to  Treble,  the  English  term. 

Sorbonne,  sor-bon'.  A  celebrated  insti- 
tution founded  in  connection  with  the 
University  of  Paris  in  1252,  by  Eobcrt  de 
Sorbon,  chaplain  and  confessor  of  Louis 


80R0RTCIDE 


626 


SOY 


IX.  The  college  of  the  Sorbonne  was  one 
of  the  four  constituent  parts  of  the  faculty 
of  theology  in  the  University  of  Paris.  It 
was  suppressed  dTiring  the  revolution  and 
deprived  of  its  endowments.  At  the  re- 
construction of  tlie  university,  in  1803, the 
building  erected  for  it  by  Kichelieu,  and 
still  called  the  Sorbonne,  was  given  to  the 
theological  faculty  in  connection  "svlth  the 
faculties  of  science  and  belles-lettres. 

Sororicide,  so-ru'ri-sld.  The  murder  of 
a  sister.     The  murderer  of  a  sister. 

Sothiac,  soth'i-ak.  Of  or  pertaining  to 
the  dog-star  Sothis.  Sothic  year,  the 
ancient  Egyptian  year  of  365  days  without 
any  int'^rcalatiou.  It  was  divided  into 
twelve  months  of  thirty  days  each,  \vith 
five  davs  added  at  the  end.  The  period 
of  1460  Julian  years  was  the  Sothiac 
period. 

Sotnia,  sot'ni-a.  A  company  or  squadron 
in  a  Cossack  regiment. 

Sou,  so.  An  old  French  copper  coin,  24 
of  which  made  alivre  or  shilling.  The 
present  five-centime  pieces,  20  of  which 
make  a  franc,  are  still  popularly  called 
sous  ;  but  all  regular  money  accounts  in 
France  are  made  out  in  francs  and  cen- 
times. 

Soubah,  so'ba.  In  India,  a  grand  divis- 
ion of  the  country ;  a  province,  as  Ben- 
gal. 

Soubahdar,  -dar.  In  India,  the  gov- 
ernor of  a  large  province.  A  native  sepoy 
officer  with  the  same  rank  as  a  captain. 

Soudan,  The  (Nign^itis).  A  large 
section  of  N.  Central  Africa  ;  bounded  N. 
by  Sahara,  E.  by  Darfour  and  Kordofan, 
B.  by  Ethiopia,  W.  by  Senegambia; 
area,  abt.  2,5o0,000  sq.  m.  ;  estimated 
pop.  31,000,000.  The  Niger  is  the  princi- 
pal river,  and  the  Kong  is  the  only  moun- 
ttjn  range. 

Soul,  sol.  The  spiritual,  rational  and 
Immortal  part  in  man  which  distinguishes 
Mm  from  the  brutes. 

Soulouque,  Faustin.  A  negro  slave ; 
35.  in  Ilay  ri,  1TS5 ;  n.  in  France,  186T.  He 
■was  manumitted  when  a  child,  joined  the 
army,  rose  to  be  general,  was  elected 
President  and  declared  himself  Emperor, 
under  the  title  of  Faustin  L,  1849.  He 
proved  a  brutal  tyrant,  and  was  driven 
from  his  throne  and  the  island,  1859. 

Soult.  Nicolas  Jean  de  Dieu  (Due 
de  Dalmatia).  A  distinguished  mar- 
shal of  France ;  u.  1T69,  d.  1S51. 

Sound-bow,  sound'bo.  The  part  of  a 
bell  on  which  the  clapper  strikes.  It  is 
the  point  of  greatest  thickness,  and  is  con- 


sidered as  unity  in  stating  the  proportions 
of  the  bell. 

Soutane,  so-tan'.  A  white  woolen  cas- 
sock worn  by  the  E.  C.  clergy  beneath  tho 
rochet. 

South,  south.  One  of  the  four  cardinal 
points  of  the  compass,  directly  opposite 
the  north. 

Southanaipton.  An  English  seaport,  71 
m.  S.  W.  of  London;  pop.  58,426. 

South  Carolina.  One  of  the  original 
thirteen  States  of  the  American  Union  ; 
bounded  N.  by  N.  Carolina,  E.  by  the  At- 
lantic, S.  and  "W.  by  Georgia ;  area,  30,- 
213  sq.  m. ;  pop.  995,577.  Principal  cities, 
Columbia,  cap.,  Charleston,  Beaufort,  Ai- 
ken, Camden,  Spartanburg,  Georgetown 
and  Winnsborough.  Chief  rivers,  the 
Great  and  Little  J'edee,  Congaree,  Wat- 
eree,  Sautee,  Coombahee  and  S.  Edisto. 
Mountains,  the  Blue  liidge  range.  S.  C. 
was  the  first  State  to  secede,  1861,  and 
was  re-admitted  1870. 

Southcottian,  -kot'i-an.  One  of  the 
followers  of  Joanna  Southcott,  a  religious 
fanatic,  n.  in  Devonshire,  Eng.,  1750.  She 
first  pretended  to  a  divine  mission  and 
held  herself  out  as  the  woman  spoken  of 
in  the  book  of  Eevelation.  In  1814  she 
announced  herself  as  the  mother  of  the 
promised  Shiloh,  whose  speedy  advent  she 
predicted.  Her  death,  in  December  of 
that  year,  did  not  undeceive  her  disciples, 
and  the  sect  continued  to  exist  for  many 
years. 

Southern  Cross,  suth'ern  kros.  In 
Astron.  a  small  bright  constellation 
(Crux),  in  the  southern  hemisphere,  tho 
principal  stars  of  which  are  arranged  in  the 
form  of  a  cross. 

Southey,  Robert.  An  English  poet  and 
author ;  b.  1774,  d.  1843. 

South  Mountain.  A  point  near  Mid- 
dletown,  Frederick  Co.,  Md.,  noted  for 
the  defeat  (Sept.  14,  1802)  of  the  Confed- 
erates, under  Gens.  Hill  and  Longstreet, 
by  the  Federals,  under  Gens.  Hooker  and 
Eeno,  the  latter  being  killed. 

Sovereign,  sov'er-in.  One  who  exer- 
cises supreme  control ;  a  supreme  x-uler ; 
a  king,  queen,  emperor,  &c.  ;  a  monarch. 
An  EngUsh  gold  coin,  current  at  22s.  Gd. 
from  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  to  that  of 
James  I.  A  gold  coin  of  the  value  of  20s. , 
the  standard  of  the  English  coinage  of  the 
present  day. 

Soy,  soi.  A  sauce  prepared  in  China  and 
Japan  from  a  small  bean,  tlie  fruit  of  the 
Sqia  Mspida,  eaten  witii  fish,  cold  meat, 
&c. 


SPA 


627 


SPERMACETI 


Spa,  spa.  A  general  name  for  a  mineral 
spring,  "or  the  locality  in  which  such 
springs  exist  ;  from  Spa,  a  celebrated 
watering-place  in  Belgium. 

Spahi,  spa'he.  One  of  the  Turkish  cav- 
alry. The  Spahis  were  disbanded  along 
with  the  eTanissaries,  In  1S26.  A  native 
Algerian  cavalry  soldier  in  the  French 
army. 

Spain.  A  kingdom  of  S.  W.  Europe; 
bounded  N.  by  France,  E.  by  the  Mediter- 
ranean, S.  by  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  W. 
by  Portugal  and  the  Atlantic ;  area.  195,- 
007  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  abt.  19,000,000.  Princi- 
pal cities,  Madrid,  cap.,  Barcelona,  Mala- 
ga, Valencia,  Seville,  Granada,  Cadiz. 
Saragossa,  Valladolid,  Xeres,  Cordova  and 
Palraa,  on  the  island  of  Majolica.  Chief 
rivers,  Ebro,  Douro,  Minho,'Tagus,  Guad- 
iana  and  Guadalquivir.  Mountains,  the 
Pyrenees,  Cantabrian,  Montes  de  Castile 
and  de  Toledo, 
S  i  e  r  ra  Morena 
and  Sierra  Ne- 
vada ranges. 

Spandrel.  The 
space  between 
the  outer  mold- 
ings of  two  con 
tiguons  arches. 

Spaniel,  span' 
yel.  The  nam 
given  to  severa 
distinct  breeds  of 
the  canine  race, 
all  more  or  less 
elegant. 

Spanish-fly, 
'ish-fli.  A  coleop- 
terous insect,  tho 
Cantharis  vesica 
toria,  used  in  vesicatories  or  compositions 
for  raising  blisters. 

Sparks,  Jared.  An  American  author  ; 
B.  inConn.,  17S9  ; 

Sparro-w,  spa'- 
ro.  A  small  in- 
sessorial  bird, 
tron.  Pyrgita, 
fam.  Fringilli- 
d  .Te  ,  sub-ord. 
("onirostros. 

Spa  r  r  o-w- 
liawk.  The' 
common  name 
of  .1  small  hawk, 
very  destructive  to  pigeons  and  small 
birds.  The  American  sparrow-hawk  is 
Falco  sparverius. 

Sparta  (Lacedeemon).  In  Anc.  Geog. 
the  cap.  of  Laconia,  chief  city  of  the  Pelo- 


Spaniel  (Kinj 
Charles). 


Sparrow, 


ponnesus,  and  rival  of  Athens,  on  th» 
right  bank  of  the  KuroTas,  20  m.  from  tho 
sea.  Its  site  is  now  occupied  by  the  town 
of  New  Sparta  and  the  villages  of  Magula 
and  Psychiko. 

Spatterdasll,  spat'ter-dash.  A  covering 
of  cloth  or  leather  for  the  leg.  fitting  upon 
tho  shoe  ;  a  gaiter  ;  a  legging. 

Spatularia,  -u-la'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  fishes 
belonging  to  the  sturgeon  tribe  ;  remark- 
able for  tho  form  of  their  snouts,  which 


Spatularia. 

are  enormously  long  and  leaf-like  in  form. 
The  tyjie  of  the  gen.  is  the  i)addle-flsh  of 
the  Mississippi, 

Spa"wn,  span.  The  eggs  or  ova  of  fishes, 
frogs,  «fec.,  from  which,  when  fertilized  by 
the  males,  a  new  progeny  arises  that  con- 
tinues the  species. 

Spear,  spCr.  A  long  pointed  weapon  used 
in  war  and  hunting,  by  thrusting  or  throw- 
ing ;  a  lance. 

Spectacle,  spek'ta-kl. 
A  show;  a  pageant;  a 
gorgeous  or  splendid  gDectacle 
show  ;  an  exhibition  ^Pec^'c 
mainly  attractive  to  the  eye,  A  well- 
known  optical  instrument  used  to  assist 
or  correct  some  defect  in  the  organs  of 
vision. 

Spectroscope,  'tnl-skop.  The  instru- 
ment employed  in  spectrum  analysis,  con- 
sisting of  a  tube  with  a  slit  at  one  end,  and 
a  convex  lens  at  the  other,  a  prism,  or 
train  of  prisms,  and  a  telescope. 

Spectrum,  'trum.  An  image  of  some- 
thing seen,  continuing  after  the  eyes  are 
closed,  covered,  or  turned  away ;  also 
termed  ocular  spectra.  The  oblong  figure 
or  stripe  formed  on  a  wall  or  screen  by  a 
beam  of  light  received  through  a  small  hole 
or  slit  and  refracted  by  being  pass«d 
through  a  prism. 

Speke.  John  Hanning*.  An  English 
African  explorer;  b.  1S27,  d,  1864.  Ho 
discovered  Lake  N'j-anza,  1858,  and 
claimed  to  have  traveled  the  Nile  to  its 
source,  1862. 

Spenser,  Edmund.  An  eminent  En- 
glish poet ;  B.  1553,  d.  1598. 

Spermaceti,  sper-ma-sG'ti.  A  fatty  ma- 
terial obtained  from  cavities  in  the  skull 
of  the  Physeter  or  Catodon  macrocepha- 
lus,  a  species  of  whale.  It  is  also  found 
diffused  through  the  blubber.  During  the 
life  of  the  animal  the  spermaceti  is  in  a 


SPERMATOZOON" 


SPINNING-JENNY 


fluid  state,  but  on  exposure  to  the  air  it 
concretes  and  deposits  from  the  oil. 
Spermatozoon,  -to-zo'^on.     One  of  the 
inicroscoi)ic  unimalcular-like  bodies  devel- 
oped in   the  semeu  of  animals,  and  es- 
sential to  iuiprejjnation. 
Spermologry,  -molM-ji.    That  brancfli  of 
science  wiiich  investigates  sperm  or  seeds; 
a  treatise  on  si)erm  or  seeds. 
Sphenography,  sfc-nog'ra-fi.    The  art 
of  writing  in   wedge-shaped  and  arrow- 
headed  characters  ;   the  art  of  deciphering 
cuneiform  writings ;  that  branch  of  philo- 
logical science  which  concerns  itself  witli 
such  writings. 
Sphere,    sfer.     An  orb 
or  globe  of  the  mundane 
system.       Armillary, 
sphere,  an  artificial  rei)- 
resentat.ion  of  the  circles 
of  the  sphere,  by  means 
of  rings. 

Sphericity,  sfe-ris'i-ti. 
The  state  or  quality  of 
being  s[)herical  or  or- 
b  i  c  u  1  a  r  ;  globularity  ; 
roundness.  Armillary  Sphere. 

Spherog-raph,  sfo'ro- 
graf.  A  nautical  instrument  consisting  of 
a  stereograi)hic  projection  of  the  sphere 
upon  a  disk  or  pasteboard,  in  which  the 
meridians  and  parallels  of  latitude  are  laid 
down  to  single  degrees.  By  the  aid  of 
this  projection,  and  a  ruler  and  index,  the 
angular  position  of  a  ship  at  any  place 
and  the  distance  sailed,  may  bo 
mined 
Spheroid,  sfc'royd.  A 
figure  aj)proaching  to 
sptierc  ;  but  not  perfectly 
spherical. 

Spherometer,  sfo-rom 
et-er.  An  instrument  for 
measuring  tlie  thickness 
of  small  bodies  when  great 
accuracy  is  required,  as 
the  curvature  of  optical  glasses,  &c. 

Sphinx,  sfingks.  In  „,,„«:^.,5^?r«(f?^ 
Greek   Myth,   a  she-'^-i^^^ '^,^ 


ph, 
del 


eter- 


Spheroid. 


H-' 


1 


monster,  said  to  have 
proposed  a  riddle  to 
the  Thebaiis  and  to 
have  killed  all  who 
were  not  able  to  guess 
it.  It  was  at  last 
solved  by  (Edipus, 
where  up  o  n  the 
sphinx  slew  herself. 
In  art  this  monster  is 
often  rej)resented  as  a 
winged  lion  with  the  breasts  and  head  of 


Greek  Sphinx. 


Egyptian  Sphinx. 


a  woman. 
In  Egyp- 
tian Antiq. 
a  figure  of 
s  omewhat 
8  i  m  i lar 
shape 
having  the 
body  of  a 
lion  and  a 
hum  an 
(male  or 
female)  or 
animal 
kead.  The 

human-headed  figures  have  been  called 
androsphinxes  ;  those  with  the  head  of  a 
ram  criosphinxes,  and  those  with  the  head 
of  a  hawk  hieracosphinxes.  The  Egyp- 
tian sphinx  was  probably  a  purely  symbol- 
ical figure,  and  the  Greeks  may  have  ap- 
plied the  term  sphinx  to  the  Egyptian 
statues  on  account  of  an  external  resem- 
blance between  them  and  their  own  fig- 
ures of  the  sphinx.  A  gen.  of  lepidopter- 
ous  insects,  sec.  Crepuscularia ;  the  hawk- 
moths.  The  cynocephalus  passio,  or 
Guinea  baboon. 

Sphrag-istics,  sfra-jis'tiks.  The  science 
of  seals,  the  chief  object  of  which  is  to  as- 
certain the  age  and  genuineness  of  the 
documents  to  which  seals  are  affixed. 
Sphygmometer,  sfig-mom'et-er.  An 
instrument  for  counting  the  arterial  pul- 
sations :  a  sphygmograph. 
Spice,  spis.  A  vegetable  production,  fra- 
grant or  aromatic  to  the  smell  and  pun- 
gent to  ihe  taste,  as  pepper,  nutmeg,  gin- 
ger, cinnamo'i  and  cloves. 
Spider,  spi'der.  The  common  name  of 
animals  of  the  Linna?an  gen.  Aranea,  now 
divided  not  only  into  many  genera,  but 
into  many  families,  constituting  a  section 
(Araneida)  of  the  class  Arachnida,  ord. 
Puhnonaria. 

Spider-monkey,  mung-ki.  A  name 
given  to  many  species  of  platyrhine  or 
New  World  monkeys,  but  more  especially 
to  members  of  the  gen.  Ateles,  distin- 
guished by  the  great  relative  length,  slen- 
derness  and  flexibility  of  their  limbs  and 
by  the  prehensile  power  of  their  tails. 
Spinet,  spin'et.  A  stringed  musical  in- 
strument, which  differed  from  the  virginal 
only  in  being  of  a  triangular  form. 
Spinning'-jenny,  'ing-jen'ni.  The 
name  given  to  che  first  spinning-machine 
by  means  of  which  a  number  of  threads 
could  be  spun  at  once.  It  consisted  of  a 
number  of  spindles  turned  by  a  wheel  or 
spindle  worked  by  hand. 


SPII^OZA 


SPRING 


Spinoza,  Baruch.  A  distinguished 
Dutch  philosopher,  of  Jewish  descent,  of 
the  Pantheistic  school ;  b.  1632,  ».  1677. 
Spinozism,  spi'no-zizm.  The  system 
of  philosophy  of  Spinoza,  based  on  the 
idea  of  an  original  substance  embracing 
all  existence,  substance  in  this  sense  mean- 
ing something  very  different  from  what  is 
usually  understood  by  the  word.  This 
original  substance,  in  which  ali  antagonism 
between  mind  and  matter,  liberty  and 
necessity,  &c.,  ceases,  all  subjects  of  finite 
consciousness  disappear,  he  called  God ; 
by  which  he  understood  that  which  has 
an  independent  existence 
and  the  understanding  of 
which  does  not  require  thef 
Idea  of  anything  else.  This 
substance  is  infinite  and 
naught  else  exists.  _   .       ,     , 

Spin-wheel.      A  small    Spm-wheel, 
wheel  having  cogs  on  its  outer  edge. 
Spiral,  spl'ral.    Wind- 
ing   like    a   screw ;    a 
wheel  having  its  teeth 
cut  at  an  angle  with  its 
axis. 
Spirit,  spir'it.     Imma- 
terial   intelligence ;    an 
intelligence  conceived  of 
apart  from  any  physical 
organization.      The  in- 
telligent,       immaterial    Spiral  Wheel, 
and  immortal    part  of 
man  ;    the  soul,  as  distinguished  from  the 
body  which  it  occupies. 
Spiritualism,  -u-al-izm.     In  Philos.  the 
doctrine  of  the  existence  of  sphits  as  dis- 
tinct from  matter.      Spiritualism,  as  dis- 
tinguished from   materiaHsm,   maintains 
the  existence  of  spirit,  which  materiaHsm 
denies  or  ignores,  but  it  does  not  neces- 
sarily deny  the  existence  of  matter.    As  a 
system    spirituahsm  originated    in    the 
U.  S.,  1848. 

■  Spitztoergen.  A  group  of  islands,  con- 
stituting the  most  Jiortherly  land  yet  dis- 
covered, 200  m.  N.  of  ^Norway;  they  are 
claimed  by  Eussia. 

S  p  1  ittt-armor, 
splint'iir-mer.  A 
name  given  to  ar- 
mor made  of  over- 
lapping plates.  It 
never  came  into 
very  general  use, 
because  the  con- 
V  e  X  i  t  y  of  the 
breast-plate  would  not  allow  the  body  to 
bend  unless  the  plates  were  made  to  over- 
lap upwards,   and    this  rendered    them 


Splint-armor. 


Spoon-bill. 


liable  to  be  drawn  olf  by  the  martel-de-fer 
of  an  antagonist. 

Spohr,  liUdwigr.  A  German  composer; 
B.  1784,  I).  1859. 
Spoliary,  spo'li-a-ri.  The  place  in  the 
lioman  amphitheaters  where  the  slaugh- 
tered gla<liators  were  dragged  and  wiiere 
the  clothes  were  stripped  from  their 
bodies. 

Spoon-bill,  spon'bil. 
The  popular  name  of 
the  birds,  gen.  Plata- 
lea,  heron   family  (Ar-  ^jj 
deidap),     ord.     Gralla-  ' 
tores,  fr(»m  the  shape  of  l 
the  bill. 

Spoon-drift,     'drift, 
Naut.     a     fine    spray* 
swept  from  the  tops  off 
the  waves  by  the  vio-'' 
lence  of  the  wind  in  a' 
tempest,  covering  the 
surface     of     the    sea. 
Written        sometimes 
Spindrift. 

Sporades,  The.  A  group  of  Mediter- 
ranean islands  surrounding  the  Cyclades, 
of  w  hich  Scio,  Rhodes,  Mitylene  and  Lem- 
nos  belong  to  Turkey,  and  Skyros,  Hydra, 
Andros,  and  others  of  less  note,  to 
Greece. 
Spore,  spor.  In  Bot.  the  reproductive 
body  of  a  cryptogi-am.  As  it  does  not 
contain  an  embryo,  but  consists  merely  of 
one  or  more  cells  variously  combined  to- 
gether, it  is  called  a  spore  to  distinguish  it 
from  a  true  seed. 

Sporogren,  spo'ro-jen.  In  Bot  a  plant 
producing  spores  instead  of  seed. 
Sporran,  spor'- 
an.  The  pouch 
or  large  purse  ■ 
worn  by  High-v] 
landers  'in  fullp^ 
dress,  usually  ( 
made  of  the  skin 
of  some  animal 
with  the  hair  on 
and  often  richly 
ornamented. 
Spring,  s|«ring.  An  elastic  body,  made 
of  steel,  indiu-rubber,  c^c,  which,  when 
bent  or  forced  from  its  natural  state,  ha.i 
the  power  of  recovering  it  again  in  virtue 
of  its  elasticity.  One  of  the  four  seasons 
of  the  year  ; '  the  season  in  which  plants 
begin  to  vegetate.  ¥ov  the  northern 
hemisphere  tprin^  commences  when  the 
sun  enters  ^'.ries,  or  about  the  21st  of 
March,  and  ends  at  the  time  of  the  sum- 
mer solstice,  about  the  22d  of  June.     In 


Sporrans. 


SPEING-BOK 


STAEL-HOLSTEIN 


Spring-bok. 


common    language,    spring    commences 

with  March  and  enda  with  May. 
S  p  r  i  n  g-bok, 

'bok.       Antilope 

euchore,  a  species 

nearly    allied    to 

the   gazelle,  very 

abundant    in    8. 

Aftica. 
S  p  r  i  n  grfleld. 

Cap.    of   Illinois, 

on  the  Sangamon 

river,  97  m.  N.  E.j 

of  St.  Louis  ;  pop. 

19,743. 
Spur,  sper.     An 

instrument  having  a  rowel  or  wheel  with 

sharp  i)oints,  worn  on  horsemen's  heels  to 

prick  the  horses  and  hasten  their  pace. 
Spur-wheel,   sper'whcl.      A   wheel   in 

which  the  teeth  are  perpendicular  to  the 

axis  and  in  the  direction  of  radii,     A  train 

of  such  wheels  working  into  each  other  is 

called  spur-gear. 
Spurzheim,    Johanu    Kaspar.     A 

German   physician  and  phrenologist ;    b. 

1776,  T>.  at  Boston,  1832. 
Square,     skwar.       Having 

four  equal  sides ;  parallel.  A 

figure  having  four  equal  sides 

and    four  right    angles :   an 

area  of  four  sides  :  a  mathe- 
matical instrument. 


Square-coupling",   'ku-pl-     Square, 
ing.    In  mill-work,  a  perman- 
ent coupling,  of  which  the  coupling-box  is 
made  in  halves  and  square,  corresponding 
to  the  form  of  the  two  connected  ends  of 
the  shafts. 

Squaw,  skwa.  Among  N.  American  In- 
dians, a  female  or  wife. 

Squire,  skwir.  The  title  of  an  English 
gentleman  next  in  rank  to  a  knight.  An 
attendant  on  a  knight ;  the  knight's  ar- 
mor-bearer. A  title  popularly  given  to  a 
country  gentleman.  In  the  U.  S.,  a  title 
of  magistrates  and  lawyers,  especially  of 
justices  of  the  peace. 

Squ'.rrel,  ftkwir'- 
rcl.  A  small  ro- 
d  0  n  t  mammal, 
fam.  Sciuiida),  the 
type  of  which  is 
the  gen.  Sciurus, 
or  true  squirrels. 
This  family  com- 
prehends three 
groups — the  true 
squirrels  (Sciurus), 
tho  ground-squirrels  (Tamias),  and   the 


Squirrel. 


flying-squirrels  (Pteromys  and  Sciurop« 
terus). 

Squirrel-monkey,  -mung-ki.  A  pla- 
tyrhino  monkey,  gen.  Callithrix,  inhabit- 
ing Brazil,  resembHng  the  squirrel. 

Squirting-eucumber,  skwert'ing-ku- 
kum-ber.  One  of  the  popular  names  of 
the  fruit  of  Ecballium  agreste,  which, 
when  nearly  ripe,  separates  suddenly  from 
its  peduncle,  at  the  same  time  ejecting  its 
juices  and  seeds. 

Sradha,  sriid'ha.  A  funeral  ceremony 
paid  by  the  Hindus  to  the  manes  of  de- 
ceased ancestors,  to  effect,  by  means  of 
oblations,  the  re-embodying  of  the  soul  of 
the  deceased  after  burning  his  corpse,  and 
to  raise  his  shade  from  this  world  up  to 
heaven  among  the  manes  of  departed  an- 
cestors. 

Sravaka,  sra'va-ka.  A  name  given  to 
those  disciples  of  Buddha  who,  through 
the  practice  of  the  four  great  truths,  attain 
the  dignity  of  saints. 

Stabat  Mater,  sta'bat  ma'ter.  The 
first  words  ("The  mother  stood"),  and 
hence  the  name,  of  a  mediseval  hymn  still 
sung  in  the  ecclesiastical  services  of  the 
E.  C.  Ch.  during  Holy  Week  It  has  been 
set  to  music  by  Pergolesi,  Eossini  and 
other  famous  composers. 

Stadium,  'di-um.  A  Greek  measure  of 
125  geometrical  paces  or  625  Koraan  feet, 
equal  to  606  feet  9  inches  English.  The 
course  for  foot  races  at  Olympia,  which 
was  exactly  a  stadium  in  length.  The 
name  was  also  given  to  all  other  places 
throughout  Greece  where  games  were 
celebrated, 

Stadtholder,  stat'hold-er.  Formerly 
the  chief  magistrate  o.  the  United  Prov- 
inces of  Holland,  or  the  governor  or  lieu- 
tenant-governor of  a  province. 

Staffa.     One  of  the  Hebrides,  oflf  the  S. 
W.   coast    of  Scot- 
land,  noted    for  its 
caves  and  pillars  of 
basalt. 

Stag,  stag.    The" 
male  red-deer  or  a  : 
generic  name  of  the 
red-  deer  (Cervus ' 
claphus) ;  the  male 
of  the  hind  ;  a  hart ; 
sometimes     applied 
particularly      to     a 
hart     in     its     5th 
year.  stag. 

Stael-Holstein,  Anne  Louise  Ger- 
maine  Necker,  Baronne  de 
(Mm.e.   de     Stael).       An     eminent 


STAG-BEETLE 


631 


STAROSTY 


stag-beetle. 


French  authoress,  daughter  of  M.  Necker 
and  wife  of  Baron  de  Stael,  a  Swedish  dip- 
lomat ;  B.  1T66,  D.  1817. 
Stag- -bee- 
tle, stagr'be- 
ti.    A  name 
given  to  bee- 
tles,     gen 
Lucanus,     a" 
genus  of  lar 
mellicorn 
coleopterous 
insects,  fam, 
Lucanidfle. 

S  t  a  hi  , 
Greorg-  Ernst.      An   eminent  German 
chemist  and  physician  ;  b.  1660,  o.  17-34. 

Stair.  James  Dalrymple  (First 
Viscount).  A  distinsruished  Scotch 
jurist  and  statesman  ;  b.  1619,  d.  1695. 

Stalactite,  sta-lak'tlt.  A  mass  of  cal- 
careous matter,  usually  in  a  conical  or  cy- 
lindrical form,  pendent  from  the  roofs  of 
caverns,  produced  by  the  filtration  of  wa- 
ter containing  particles  of  carbonate  of 
lime  through  fissures  and  pores  of  rocks. 
As  some  of  the  wnter  often  drops  to  the 
floor  also,  a  mass  of  the  same  kind  is 
formed  below,  called  a  stalagmite. 

Stalagrmite.  -lag'mit.  A  deposit  of  sta- 
lactitic  matter  on  the  floor  of  a  cavern. 
This  sometimes  forms  sheets  over  the 
surface,  and  sometimes  rises  into  columns, 
which  meet  and  blend  with  the  stalactites 
above. 

Stallion,  staryun.  A  horse  not  castrat- 
ed ;  an  entire  horse ;  a  horse  kept  for 
breeding  purposes. 

Stamp-act,  stamp'akt.  An  act  for  regu- 
lating the  imposition  of  stamp-duties ;  es- 
pecially, an  act  passed  by  the  British  Par- 
liament, 1765,  imposing  a  duty  on  all  pa- 
per, vellum  and  parchment  used  in  the 
American  colonies,  ai.d  declaring  all  writ- 
ings on  unstamped  materials  to  be  null 
and  void.  This  act  roused  a  general  op- 
position in  the  colonies,  and  was  one  cause 
of  the  Kevolution. 

Stanhope,  Charles.  An  English  states- 
man ;  B.  1753,  D.  1S16.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  William  Pitt,  and  in  Parlia- 
ment opposed  the  American  war.  His 
daughter.  Lady  Hester  Stanhopo,  b.  1766, 
was  confidential  secretary  of  her  imcle, 
William  Pitt,  and  on  his  death  took  up 
her  residence  in  Syria,  where  she  was 
considered  a  queen  by  the  Arabs;  d.  at 
her  castle  on  Mt.  Lebanon,  1S.39. 

Stanton,  Edwin  US..  A  distinguished 
American  jurist  and  statesman  ;  b.  in  O., 


1818,  D.  soon  after  being  appointed  to  the 
Supreme  Court  bench,  1869. 

Stapelia,  sta-pe'li-a.  An  extensive  and 
curious  gen.  of  j)lants,  ord.  Asclepiadacete, 
or  milk-weeds.  Most  of  the  species  are 
natives  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  They 
are  succulent  plants,  without  leaves,  fre- 
quently covered  with  dark  tubercles,  giv- 
ing them  a  very  grotesque  appearance.  In 
most  instances  the  flowers  give  ofi:"a  very 
unpleasant  odor,  like  that  of  rotten  flesh, 
and  the  name  of  crrrion-flower  has  been 
given  some  of  them. 

Star,  star.  In  a  popular  sense,  any  celes- 
tial body  whatever  except  the  sun  and 
moon  ;  but  in  Astron.  the  term  is  usually 
restricted  to  one  of  those  self-shining 
bodies,  constituted  like  the  sun,  situated 
at  immense  distances  from  us,  and  doubt- 
less, like  our  sun,  the  centers  of  systems 
similar  to  our  own.  Stars  are  distinguished 
from  pLanets  by  remaining  apparently  im- 
movable with  respect  to  one  another,  and 
hence  they  have  been  called  fixed  stars, 
although  their  fixity  has  been  disproved 
in  numerous  cases,  and  is  no  longer  be- 
lieved in  regard  to  any.  An  ancient  name 
for  all  deeds,  releases'^or  obligations  of  the 
.Tews,  and  also  for  a  schedule  or  inventory. 

Starboard,  'bord.  The  right-ha  d  side 
of  a  ship  or  boat  when  a  spectator  stands 
with  his  face  toward  the  stem  or  prow-f. 
opposed  to  port  or  larboiu-d. 

Star-fish,  'fish.  A 
term  in  its  widest 
application  embrac- 
ing all  the  echino- 
derms  comprised  in 
the  orders  Ophiuroi- 
dea  and  Asteroidea, 
but  more  commonly 
restricted  to  the 
members  of  the  lat- 
ter order,  of  which 
the  common  gen,  As- 
terias  may  be  taken  as  the  type. 

Starling-,  'ling. 
An  i  n  s  e  s  serial 
bird,  ord.  Pas- 
seres,  gen.  Stur- 
nus  and  family 
Sturnida*.  They 
are  often  kept  in 
cages,  and  may  be 
taught  to  whistk 
some  tunes,  andi 
even  to  pronounce 
words  and  sen- 
tences. 

Starosty,  star'os- 
ti.    In  Poland,  a  name  given  to  castles 


Sun  Star-fish. 


STAR-STONE 


C82 


STENTOE 


and  doinatus  conferred  on  noblemen  for 
life  by  the  crowa. 

Star-stone,  stiir'ston.  A  rare  variety 
of  sapphire.  When  cut,  and  viewed  in  a 
direction  perpendicular  to  the  axis,  it  pre- 
sents a  peculiar  reflection  of  light  in  the 
form  of  a  star. 

Staten  Island.  An  island  in  the  Bay 
of  N.  Y.,  6  m.  8.  of  the  city,  14  m.  long 
by  8  wide,  forming  the  co,  of  Eichmond; 
pop.  88,991. 

Statistician,  stat'is-tish"an.  One  versed 
in  statistics,  one  who  collects,  classifies, 
or  arranges  facts,  especially  numeric  I 
facts,  relating  to  the  condition  of  a  com- 
munity or  state. 

Statoblast,  'o  blast.  An  internal  bud, 
developed  in  someof  the  molluscoidPoIy- 
xoa,  and  which,  on  the  death  of  the  parent 
organism,  ruptures  and  gives  exit  to  a 
young  polyzoon.  This  mode  of  reproduc- 
tion is  called  reproduction  by  internal 
gemmation. 

Statue,  stat'ii.  A  lifelike  representation 
of  a  human  figure  or  animal  in  some  sub- 
stance, as  marble,  bronze,  iron,  wood,  &c. 
Ecjuestrian  statue,  a  statue  in  which  the 
figure  is  represented  as  seated  on  horse- 
back. 

Statute,  'lit.  A  law  proceeding  from  the 
government  of  a  state;  an  enactment  of 
the  legislature  of  a  state  ;  a  written  law. 

Steam,  stem.  The  vaporous  substance 
into  which  water  is  converted  under  cer- 
tain circumstances  of  beat  and  pressure  ; 
water  in  a  gaseous  state. 

Steam-engine,  'en-jin.  A-n  engine 
Avorked  by  steam,  or  an  engine  in  Avhich 
the  mechanical  force  arising  from  the  elas- 
ticity and  expansive  action  of  steam,  or 
from  its  property  of  rapid  condensation, 
or  from  the  combination  of  these  princi- 
ples, is  madfl  available  as  a  source  of  mo- 
tive power  in  the  arts  and  manufactures, 
and  in  locomotion.  The  first  actual  work- 
ing steam-engine  of  which  there  is  any 

j  record  was  invented  and  constructed  by 

'  Captain  Savery,  an  Englishman,  to  whoin 
a  patent  was  granted  for  it  in  1698.  It 
Avas  brought  to  a  high  state  of  perfection 
bv  the  celebrated  James  Watt  about  the 
year  1782. 

Steam-graugre,  'gaj.  An  attachment  to 
a  boiler  to  indicate  the  pressure  of  steam ; 
a  pressure-gauge. 

Steam-hammer,  'ham-er.  A  heavy 
forgo  hammer  operated  by  steam. 

Steatite,  ste'a-tlt.  Soapstonc  ;  so  called 
from  its  smooth  or  unctuous  feel ;  a  sub- 
species of  rhomboidal  mica,  a  hydrated 


silicate  of  magnesia  and  alumina.  It  is 
used  in  the  manufacture  of  porcelain,  in 
polishing  marble,  &c.  ;  as  the  basis  of 
rouge  and  other  cosm etic  powders  ;  in  the 
composition  of  crayons,  &c. 
Steamship,  'ship.    A  ship  propelled  by 


Steamship. 

the  power  of  steam. 

Steel,  stCl.  Iron  combined  with  a  small 
portion  of  carbon.  Steel  usually  contains 
also  small  quantities  of  silicon,  phosphorus, 
manganese  and  sulphur,  but  iron  and  car- 
bon are  its  only  essential  constituents. 

Steel-bronze,  'bronz.  A  hard,  tenacious 
alloy,  composed  of  about  90  parts  copper 
to  10  parts  tin,  used  as  a  substitute  for 
steel,  especially  in  the  manufacture  of 
cannon. 

Steele,  Richard,  Sir.  A  distinguished 
Irish  essayist  and  dramatist :  u.  1G71,  D. 
1729. 

Steelyard,  'yard.  An  instrument  for 
weighing  bodies,  consisting  essentially  of 
a  rod  or  bar  marked  with  notches  desig- 
nating the  number  of  tons,  hundred- 
Aveights,  pounds,  &c.,  and  a  Aveight  Avhich 
is  movable  along  this  bar,  and  Avhich  is 
made  to  balance  the  Aveight  of  the  body 
by  being  moved  to  a  proper  distance  from 
the  fulcrum. 

Steeple-chase,  ste'pl-chas.  A  horse- 
race, in  Avhich  ditches,  hedges,  fences  and 
other  obstacles  have  to  be  jumped. 

Stegranogrraphy,  steg-a-nog'ra-fi.  The 
art  of  Avriting  in  cipher,  or  in  characters 
not  intelligible  except  to  the  persons  Avho 
correspond  Avith  each  other ;  cryp- 
tography. 

Stenography,  ste-nog'ra-fi.  A  generic 
term  Avhich  embraces  every  system  of 
shorthand,  Avhether  based  upon  alphabetic, 
phonetic  or  hieroglyphic  principles.  To 
those  based  upon  the  phonetic  principle 
the  name  phonography  is  generally  given. 

Stentor,  sten'tor.  The  name  of  a  Greek 
herald  in  the  Trojan  Avar,  Avho,  according 
to  Homer,  had  a  voice  as  loud  as  that  of  50 
other  men  together ;  hence,  a  person  hav- 
ing a  very  powerful  voice.  A  gen.  of  in- 
fusorial animalcules,  so  named  from  tho 
trumpet-like  shape  of  the  body. 


STEP 


STOLA 


Step,  step.  A  prefix  used  in  composition 
before  father,  mother,  son,  daughter, 
brother,  sister,  cluld,  &c.,  to  indicate  that 
the  person  spoken  of  is  a  relative  only  by 
the  marriage  of  a  parent. 

Stephen.  The  name  of  one  king  of  En- 
gland, who  reigned  1135-11S4.  Also  of 
live  kings  of  Hungary  and  of  nine  popes. 

Stephen,  St.  In  Scrip,  the  first  Chris- 
tian martyr,  stoned  to  death  outside  the 
walls  of  Jerusalem,  by  order  of  the  Sanhe- 
drim. 

Stephens,  Alexander  Hamilton. 
An  eminent  American  jurist  and  states- 
man ;  B.  in  Ga.,  1S12.  lie  was  Vice- 
President  of  the  Confederate  States  and 
both  before  and  since  the  Civil  War  a 
member  of  the  U.  S.  Congress. 

Stephenson,  Georg-e.  A  distinguished 
English  engineer  ;  «.  17S1,  d.  1S4S.  He 
invented  the  first  locomotive  engine 
which  was  put  to  practical  use,  1S14-1S22. 
His  son  Kobert  was  also  eminent  as  an 
engineer,  building  several  of  the  finest 
bridges  in  Great  Britain  ;  also  the  Victo- 
ria tubular  bridge  at  Montreal,  Canada  ; 
B.  18U3,  D.  1S59. 

Stereometry,  ster-e-om'et-rl.  The  art 
of  measuring  solid  bodies  and  finding 
their  solid  contents.  The  art  or  process  of 
determining  the  specific  gravity  of  liquids, 
porous  bodies,  &c. 

Stereopticon,  -op'ti-kon.  A  sort  of 
double  magic  lantern  for  exhibiting  photo- 
graphic pictures  greatly  magnified  upon  a 
wall  or  screen  with  stereoscopic  effect. 

Stereoscope,  'e-«>-sk6p.  An  optical  in- 
strument to  illustrate  the  phenomena  of 
binocular  vision. 

Stereotrope,  -trop.  An  instrument  by 
which  an  object  is  perceived  as  if  in  mo- 
tion and  ^^ith  an  appearance  of  solidity  or 
relief  as  in  nature. 

Stereotype,  -tip.  A  plate  cast  from  a 
stucco  or  papier-mache  mold,  on  which 
is  a  fac-similc  of  the  superficies  of  an-anged 
types,  which  plate  being  fitted  to  a  block 
may  be  used  under  the  press  exactly  as 
movable  tj'pes  are  used.  The  plates  are 
composed  of  an  alloy  similar  to  ordinary 
type-metal. 

Sterlet,  ster'let.  A  ganoid  fish  of  Russia, 
the  Acipenser  ruthenus,  from  whose  roe 
is  made  the  finest  caviare.  It  is  a  small 
species  of  sturgeon. 

Sterne,  Laurence.    A  celebrated  Irish 
author  and  humoi-ist;  b.  1713,  d.  in  London 
1T6S. 
Stethoscope,  steth'6-skop.    An  instru- 
ment used  by  medical  men  for  distinguish- 


Stigma. 


It 


Ing  sounds  within  the  thorax  and  other 
cavities  of  the  body. 

Steuben,  Friedrich  "Wilhelm  Au- 
gust. An  American  general  ;  b.  in 
Prussia  1T30,  ».  1794. 

Stevens,  Thaddeus.  An  American 
statesman,  b.  in  Vt.  1793,  i>.  in  Penn. 
ISGS.  He  was  for  20  years  a  member  of 
the  Lower  House  of  Congress. 

Stewart,  Charles.  A  distinguished 
American  naval  commander ;  b.  in  Penn. 
177S,  1).  1SG9. 

Stickleback,  stik'1-bak.  The  popular 
name  for  certain  small  teleostean  fishes 
which  constitute  the  gen.  Gasterosteus. 
They  are  among  the  few  fishes  which 
build  nests  for  their  young,  and  the  first 
in  which  this  habit  was  observed. 

Stigrma,  stig'-ma.  Any 
mark  of  infamy.  In  Bet. 
that  part  of  the  pistil 
which  receives  the  pol- 
len or  prolific  powder. 

Still,  stil.  An  apparatus  i 
for  separating,  by  means 
of  heat,  volatile  matters 
from  substances  contain- 
ing them,  and  re-con- 
densing them  into  the  liquid  form, 
assumes  many  forms  according  to  the  pur- 
poses for  which  it  is  used.  Tlie  most  im- 
portant use  of  stills  is  in  distilling  spirit- 
uous liquors. 

Stilt-plover,  stilt'-plnv-er.  A  wading 
bird  h.aving  remarkably  long  slender  legs, 
a  feature  from  whichit  derives  its  com- 
mon name. 

Stockholm.  Cap.  of  Sweden,  330  m.  JT. 
E.  of  Copenhagen;  pop.  142,169. 

Stocks,  stoks.  An  apparatus  formerly 
used  for  tlie  punishment  of  petty  oHcnders, 
as  vagrants,  trespassers  and  the  like.  It 
usually  consisted  of  a  frame  of  timber 
with  hides  in  which  tlic  ankles,  and  some- 
times both  ankles  and  wrists,  were  con- 
fined. The  frame  or  timbers  on  which  a 
ship  rests  while  building. 
Stoic,  stO'ik.  A  disciple  of  the  philoiiopher 
Zeno,  who  founded  a  sect  about  303  k.  c. 
He  taught  that  men  sliould  be  free  from 
passion,  unmoved  by  joy  or  grief,  and  sub- 
mit without  complaint  to  the  imavoidable 
necessity  by  which  all  things  are  gov- 
erned. 

Stola,  'la.  A  garment  worn  by  tlie  Eo- 
mau  women  over  the  tunic;  it  came  as 
low  as  tlie  ankles  or  feet,  and  was  fastened 
round  the  body  by  a  girdle,  leaving  broad 
folds  above  the  breast,  and  had  a  flounce 
sewed  to  the  bottom.     It  was  the  char- 


STOLE 


634 


STUAET 


acteristic  dress  of  the  matrons,  as  the  toga 
was  of  the  men,  and  women  divorced 
from  their  husbands,  or  courtesans,  were 
not  allowed  to  wear  it. 

Stole,  stol.  A  long  robe  worn  by  ladies, 
reaching  to  the  ankles  or  heels.  A  long 
narrow  scarf  with  fringed  ends,  worn  by- 
ecclesiastics  of  the  Eoman  and  Enghsh 
churches,  by  deacons  over  the  left 
shoulder,  fastened  under  the  right  arm  ; 
by  bishops  round  the  neck,  with  both  ends 
pendent  in  front;  and  by  priests  similarly, 
but  with  the  ends  crossed  over  the  breast 
at  mass.  Groom  of  the  stole,  the  first  lord 
of  the  bed-chamber  in  the  household  of  the 
English  kings. 

Stomapoda,  std-map'o-da.  An  order  of 
malacostracous  crustaceans,  having  six  to 
eight  pairs  of  legs,  mostly  near  the  mouth 
(hence  the  name). 

Stone-coal,  'kol.    Hard  coal;  anthracite. 

Stone-coral,  ston'kor-al.  Coral  in 
masses,  in  distinction  from  that  in  the 
form  of  branches. 

Stone  River.  A  stream  in  Tennessee, 
emptying  into  the  Cumberland,  6m.  N.  E. 
of  Nashville.  On  its  banks,  Jan.  1-3, 1S63, 
was  fought  ft  sanguinary  battle  between 
the  Federals,  under  Gen.  Rosecrans,  and 
the  Confederates,  under  Gen.  Bragg,  the 
latter  being  defeated.  It  is  also  called  the 
Battle  of  Murfreesboro. 

Stone-ware,  -war.  A  species  of  potter's 
Avare  made  from  a  composition  of  clay  and 
flint. 

Stork,  stork.  A  name  given  to 
birds  gen.  Ciconia,  sub-fam.  Ci- 
conina},  but  especially  to  C.  alba 
(the  common  or  white  stork). 

Storm-siimal,  storm'sig-nal. 
A  signal  for  indicating  to  mar- 
iners and  lishermen  the  probable 
approach  of  a  storm. 

Story,  Joseph.  An  eminent 
American  jurist ;  b.  in  Mass.  1779,  n.  1845. 
He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
lSll-45. 

Stoup,  stop.  A  basin  for  holy  water, 
usually  placed  in  a  niche  at  the  entrance 
of  E.  C.  churches. 

Stout,  stout.  The  strongest  kind  of 
porter.  There  are  several  varieties,  as 
brown  stout,  double  stout. 

Stowe,  Harriet  Beecher.  An  Ameri- 
can novelist,  daughter  of  Eev.  Lyman 
Beecher  ;  n.  in  Conn.  1814. 

Strabo.  A  Greek  geographer  and  histo- 
rian, who  lived  about  the  beginning  of  the 
Christian  era. 


Stork. 


Strasburg  (Strasbourg-).  A  cele- 
brated city  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  noted  for 
its  extensive  fortihcations,  its  cathedral 
and  manufactures  ;  pop.  86,724. 

Strass,  stras.  A  variety  of  flint-glass, 
used  in  the  manufacture  of  artificial 
gems. 

Stratford-on-Avon.  A  village  of  Co. 
Warwick,  England,  on  the  Avon,  0  m.  S, 
"VV,  of  Warwick,  noted  as  the  birthplace 
of  Shakespeare. 

Strathspey,  strath -spiV.  In  Scotland,  a 
species  of  dance  in  duple  time,  supposed 
to  have  been  first  jjracticed  in  the  district 
from  which  it  received  its  name;  also  the 
music  for  this  dance. 

Stratocracy,  stra-tok'ra-si.  A  military 
government  ;  government  by  military 
chiefs  and  an  army. 

Stratum,  stra'tum.  In  Geol.  a  layer  of 
any  deposited  substance,  as  sand,  clay, 
limestone,  &c.,  Avhich  is  spread  out  over 
a  certain  surface  by  the  action  of  water  or 
Avind. 

Strauss,  David  Friedrich.  A  distin- 
guished German  rationalist ;  b.  1808,  ». 
1877. 

Strawberry,  stra'ber-i. 
The  English  name  of  the 
fruit  and  ])lant  of  thei 
gen.  Fragaria,  ord.  Eosa-^ 
cca\ 

S  t  r  a  w  b  e  rry-pear, 
-par.  A  i)Iant,  gen. 
Cereus,  the  C.  triangu- 
laris, ord.  C  a  c  t  a  c  c  a?, 
Avhich  groAvs  in  the  W. 
Indies.  The  fruit  is" 
sweetish,  slightly  acid, 
pleasant,  and  coohng. 

Strelitz,  strel'its.  A  soldier  of  the  ancient 
Muscovite  guards,  abolished  by  Peter  the 
Great. 

Stroke-oar,  strok'or.  The  aftmost  o.ar 
of  a  boat  or  the  man  that  uses  it. 

Struthionidae,  stro-thi-on'i-de.  A  fam- 
ily of  terrestrial  birds  incapable  of  flight, 
including  the  ostrich,  cassoAvary,  emu, 
&c. 

Strychnia,  strik'ni-a.  A  vegetable  al- 
kaloid, the  sole  active  principle  of  Sti'ych- 
nos  Tieute,  the  most  active  of  the  Java 
poisons,  and  one  of  the  active  principles 
of  S.  Ignatii,  S.  nux-vomica,  S.  colubrina, 
&c.  It  is  usually  obtained  froui  the  seeds 
of  S.  nux-vomica.  Strychnine  and  its 
salts  are  most  energetic  poisons. 
Stuart.  The  name  of  a  r.ace  of  British 
monarchs,  founded  by  Walter,  SteAvard  of 
Scotland  (Avhence  the  name),  by  Ms  mar- 


Btrawbeny. 


STUOCO 


«35 


SUDDEE 


riage  with  Mariorv,  a  daujrhter  of  King 
Robert  Brnce.  "  His  son  p.  David  II.,  1371, 
as  King  of  Scotland,  under  the  title  of 
Kobert  II.,  and  the  Scottish  line  ended 
with  James  YI.,  who  became  King  of 
England  as  James  I.  The  English  line 
ended  with  the  abdication  of  his  grandson, 
James  II.,  although  several  of  his  descend- 
ants made  futile  attemjjts  to  regain  the 
crown.  The  last  male  of  the  line,  Henr}', 
Cardinal  of  York,  lived  in  Italy  on  a  pen- 
sion from  the  British  goverment ;  d.  1807. 

Stucco,  stuk'ko.  Fine  i)laster  used  as  a 
coating  or  finish  for  walls. 

Stucco-work,  -werk.  Ornamental  work 
com[)osed  of  stucco,  such  as  cornices, 
moldings  and  other  ornaments  in  the  ceil- 
ings of  rooms. 

Stupa,  sto'pa.  The  name  given  by  Bud- 
dhists to  certain  sacred  monumental  struc- 
tures. As  distinguished  from  the  dagoba, 
the  stupa  commemorates  some  event,  or 
marks  some  spot,  held  dear  by  the  follow- 
ers of  Buddha ;  while  the  dagoba  contains 
relics  of  that  deity. 

Sturgreon,  ster'jon.    A  ganoid  fish,  gen.,, 
Acipenser,  fain.  Sturionida?. 

Style,  stil.  In  Chron.  a  mode  of  reckon- 
ing time  with  regard  to  the  Julian  and 
Gregorian  calendar.  Stj'le  is  Older  New. 
The  Old  style  follows  the  Julian  manner 
of  computing  the  months  and  days,  in 
Avhich  the  year  consists  of  365  days  and  6 
hours.  This  is  something  more  'than  11 
minutes  too  much,  and  in  the  course  of 
time,  between  Caesar  and  Pope  Gregory 
XIII.,  this  accumulated  error  amounted 
to  10  days.  Gregory  reformed  the  calen- 
dar by  retrenching  10  days,  and  fixing  the 
ordinary  length  of  the  civil  year  at  365 
days  ;  and  to  make  up  for  the  odd  hours 
it  was  ordained  that  every  fourth  year 
(called  ^eap-year)  should  consist  of  366 
days. 

Stylite,  stl'lTt.  In  Eccles.  Hist,  a  pillar- 
saint  ;  one  of  those  ascetics  who,  by  way 
of  penance,  passed  the  greater  part  of  their 
lives  on  the  top  of  high  columns  or  pil- 
lars. Perhaps  the  most  celebrated  was 
St.  Simeon  the  Styhte,  who  lived  in  the 
5th  century. 

Styinphalides,  stim-fa'li-dcz.  In  Greek 
Myth,  certain  foul  birds  of  prey — so  named 
from  frequenting  the  lake  StVmph.'ilus  in 
Arcadia,  or  from  a  hero  Stymphalus, whose 
daughters  they  were  supposed  to  be — hav- 
ing iron  wings,  beaks  and  claws.  They 
could  shoot  their  feathers  like  arrows,  and 
thus  kill  man  and  bea*5t.  Eur\'stheus  im- 
l)osod  on  Hercules  the  labor'  of  driving 
them  from  their  abode. 


Styx,  stiks.  In  Class.  Myth,  the  princi- 
pal river  of  the  lower  world,  round  which 
it  passed  seven  times,  and  which  had  to 
be  crossed  in  passing  to  the  regions  of  dis- 
embodied souls. 

Sub,  sub.  A  Latin  preposition,  denoting 
under  or  below,  used  in  EngHsh  as  a  pre- 
fix to  express  an  inferior  position  or  inten- 
tion, and  also  a  subordinate  degree. 

Subdeacon,  'dG-kn.  The  lowest  of  the 
greater  orders  in  the  E.  C.  Ch.  His  office 
is  to  assist  the  deacon  at  mass. 

Subjectivism,  -jek'tiv-izm.  In  Metaph. 
the  doctrine  of  Kant  that  all  human 
knowledge  is  merely  relative,  or  that  we 
cannot  prove  it  to  be  absolute. 

Sublixaation,  -H-ma'shon.  In  Chem.  a 
yn-ocess  by  which  solid  substances  m-e,  by 
the  aid  of  heat,  converted  into  vapor, 
which  is  again  condensed  into  the  solid 
state  by  the  application  of  cold.  Subli- 
mation bears  the  same  relation  to  a  solid 
that  distillation  does  to  a  liquid. 

Sub-order,  -or'der.  A  subdivision  of  an 
order  in  classifications  ;  a  gi-oup  of  ani- 
mals or  plants  greater  than  a  genus  and 
less  than  an  order. 

Subsellium,  -sel'li-um.  A  small  shelv- 
ing seat  in  the  stalls  of  churches  or  cathe- 
drals, made  to  turn  up  upon  hinges,  so 
as  to  serve  either  as  a  seat  or  to  lean 
ag.ain8t  in  kneeling,  as  occasion  requires. 
Subsellia  are  still  in  con- 
stant use  on  th'i  Con- 
t  i  n  e  n  t  of  Europe. 
Called  also  miserere. 

Subtangrent.  In 
Geom.,  the  jjart  of  the 
axis  contained  between 
the  ordinate  and  tan- 
gent, drawn  to  the  same  plane  in  a  curve. 

SubTxlicornes,  sri-bu'li-kor"nez.  A 
division  of  neuropterous  insects,  having 
awl-shaped  antennsv.  It  includes  the 
dragon -files  and  Ephemera;  or  may -flies. 

Succuba,  suk'ku-ba.  A  kind  of  female 
demon  formerly  believed  in.  Such  de-j 
mons  were  fabled  to  have  connection  wjtlk 
men  in  their  sleep.  ' 

Succubus,  -bus.  A  kind  of  male  demon 
formerly  believed  in. 

Sucrose,  sii'kros.  A  general  name  for 
the  sugars  identical  in  composition  and  in 
many  properties  with  cane-sugar,  but  de- 
rived from  different  sources,  as  beet,  tur- 
nip, carrot,  maple,  bh-eh,  Ac. 

Sudder,  sud'er.  In  India,  the  chief  seat 
or  headqTuirters  of  government,  as  distin- 
guished from  the  laoffussil  or  interior  ol 
tho  country. 


Subtangent. 


SUE 


636 


SUMTER 


Sue,  Eugrene,     A  French  novelist ;  b. 

1S04,  D.  1657. 

Suez,  Gulf  of.  The  N.  W.  arm  of  the 
Riid  Sea,  between  Egy])t  and  the  Sinai 
peninsula  ;  length  200  ni.,  width  80  to  40 
m.  Istlinius  of  8.,  a  neck  of  land  connect- 
ing Asia  and  Africa,  CO  to  C5  m.  in  width. 
S.  Canal,  an  ariificial  ship-channel.  100  m. 
long,  connecting  the  Mediterranean  and 
Ilid  seas,  constructed  by  M.  Ferdinand 
de  Lesseps  through  the  Isthmus,  1859- 
ISGD. 

Suffragan,  suf'fra-gan.  A  bishop  wlio 
has  been  consecrated  to  assist  the  ordi- 
nary bishop  of  a  ste  in  a  particular  portion 
of  his  diocese.  A  term  of  relation  applied 
to  every  ordinary  bishop  with  respect  to 
the  archbishop  who  is  his  superior. 

Sugar,  shii'ger.  A  Avell-known  sweet 
granular  substance,  i)repared  chiefly  Irom 
the  expressed  juice  of  the  sugar-cane 
(Saccharmn  olhcinarum),  but  obtained  also 
from  a  great  varietj^  of  other  plants,  as 
maple,  beet-root,  birch,  parsnip,  &c. 

Sugrar-cane,  -k  fm . 
The  cane  or  plant 
from  whose  juice 
sugar  is  obtained ; 
Saccharum  offieiua- 
rum. 

S  u  g-  a  r-maple, 
-ma-pl.  A  tree.  gen. 
Acer,  the  A.  sac- 
charinum,  a  native 
of  N.  America;  also 
known  under  the 
n  a  m  e  of  rock- 
maple. 

Sugar-mill,  -mil.  A  machine  for  press- 
ing out  tiie  juice  of  the  sugar-cane.  It 
consists  usually  of  three  heavy  rollers, 
placed  horizontally  and  parallel  to  each 
other,  one  above  and  between  the  other 
two. 

Suicide.  su'i-s!d.  Self-murder  ;  the  act 
of  designedly  destroying  one's  own  life. 

Suidae,  -de.  The  s%vine,  a  family  of  un- 
gulate (artioda!;tyle  or  "even-toed") 
mammalia.  TL'^  "amily  includes  the  do- 
mestic hog,  of  V. .. .  .eh  there  is  an  endless 
variety  of  breed  ■  1he  Avild  boar,  which  is 
the  parent  stock  r  the  domestic  liog  ;  the 
masked  boar  of .  inica,  or  wart-hog  ;  the 
bai)yroussa  and  the  peccary. 

Sulky,  sul'ki.  A  light  two-wheeled  car- 
riage for  a  single  person,  drawn  by  one 
horse,  used  principally  for  trials  of  speed 
between  trofting-horses. 

Sullivan's  Island.  In  Charleston 
harbor.  6  m.  below  the  city,  defended  by 
Fort  Moultrie. 


Sugar-cane. 


Sully,   Maximilien   de  Beth-une, 

Due  de.  An  eminent  French  soldier  and 
stati-sman  ;  n.  1560,  d.  1041. 
Sully,  Thomas,      a  celebrated  Amer- 
ican   painter  ;    b.   iu  England,  17S3 ;    i>. 
1ST2. 

Sulphur,  'fer.  Brimstone,  an  elementary 
non-metallic  combustible  substance. 
Sulphur-ore,  -or.  The  commercial  name 
of  iron  pyrites,  from  the  fact  that  sulphur 
and  sulphuric  acid  are  obtained  from  it. 
Sulpitian,  -pi'shi-an.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch. 
one  of  an  order  of  priests  established  1642, 
for  the  purpose  of  training  young  men  for 
the  clerical  office  ;  so  called  from  the  prjr- 
ishofSt.  Sulpice,  Paris,  where  they  were 
lirst  organized. 

Sultan,  'tan.  The  ordinary  title  of  Mo- 
hammedan sovereigns  ;  by  "way  of  emi- 
nence, the  appellation  given  to  the  ruler  of 
Turkey,  who  assumes  the  title  of  Sultan 
of  sultans. 

Sultana,  -ta'na.  The  queen  of  a  sultan  ; 
the  empress  of  the  Turks  ;  a  sultaness.  A 
name  given  to  birds  of  the  gen.  Porphyrio, 
fam.  ItallidfB. 

Sumatra.  A  large  British  island  of  the 
E.  Archipelago  ;  area,  125,000  sq.  m. ;  pop. 
abt.  2,700,000.  Principal  cities,  Bencoolen, 
Padang,  Quedah  and  Palembang. 
Summer,  sum'er.  That  season  of  the 
j'ear  when  the  sun  shines  most  directly 
upon  any  region  ;  the  warmest  season  of 
the  year.  North  of  the  equator  it  may  be 
said  to  include  June,  July  and  August. 
Astronomically  considered,  summer  be- 
gins in  the  northern  hemisphere  when  the 
sun  enters  Cancer,  about  the  21st  of  June, 
and  continues  for  three  months,  till  Sep- 
tember 23d.  In  latitudes  south  of  the 
equator  just  the  opposite  takes  place.  The 
entire  year  is  also  sometimes  divided  into 
summer  and  winter. 

Sumner,  Charles.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican statesman  ;  b.  in  Mass.,  1811 ;  n.  1874. 
Sumpitan,  'pit-an.  A  long  straight  cane 
tube  or  blowpipe,  in  which  a  poisoned 
dart  is  placed  and  expelled  by  the  bn-ath  ; 
used  by  the  natives  of  islands  in  the  East- 
ern Archipelago. 

Sumter,  Thomas.  An  American  gen- 
eral ;  B.  in  S.  C,  1784  :  d.  1832.  After  the 
Eevolution  he  served  in  Congress  and  Avas 
Minister  to  Br.izil. 

Sumter,  Fort.  A  fortification  on  an 
artificial  island  in  Charleston  harbor, 
noted  as  the  scene  of  the  first  battle  in  the 
Civil  War.  It  was  occupied  by  Major 
Anderson  with  about  100  men  and  was  at- 
tacked by  the  Confederates,  under  Gen. 


SUN- 


687 


SURINAM 


Beauregard,  April  12,  1S61,  surrendering 
the  next  day. 

Sun,  sun.  The  splendid  orb  or  luminary 
which,  being  in  or  near  the  center  of  our 
system  of  worlds,  gives  light  and  heat  to 
all  the  planets,  an<l  is  the  i)riinary  cause 
of  all  the  motions  and  changes  ejected  on 
the  SHi-face  of  the  globe  by  those  agents. 
All  the  planets  and  comets  of  our  system 
revolve  round  the  sun  as  a  common  center, 
at  different  distances  and  in  different  pe- 
riods of  time.  Its  mean  distance  from  the 
earth  is  about  92,000,000  of  miles  ;  its  real 
diameter  is  860,000  mile$,  and  hence  Its 
volume  is  equivalent  to  about  li  million 
times  the  volume  of  our  earth  ;  bnt  its 
mean  density  is  only  a  fourth  of  that  of 
the  earth.  It  revolv-es  on  its  axis  from 
west  to  east  in  25^^  of  our  mean  solar  days, 
the  axis  beirg  inclined  at  an  angle  of  82" 
40'  to  the  plane  of  the  ecliptic. 

Sun-bear,  'bar.  The  name  given,  from 
their  habit  of  basking  in  the  sun,  t©  a 
group  of  bears,  gen.  llelarctos,  found  in 
Central  Asia,  in  Java  and  other  E.  Indian 
islands.  The  species  climb  cocoa-trees 
and  destroy  the  fruit. 

Sun-bird,  'herd.  A  small  bird,  gen. 
Oinnyris  or  Nectarinia,  fam.  Cinnyridae  or 
Nectariniada>,  found  principally  in  the 
tropical  parts  of  Africa  and  Asia,  with 
plumage  approaching  in  splendor  to  that 
of  the  humming-birds,  which  in  many  re- 
spects they  resemble. 

Sundanese,  'dan-ez.  One  of  a  section 
of  the  ^Slalay  race  inhabiting  Malacca,  the 
Sunda  Archipelago  and  the  Philippines. 

Sunday,  'da.  The  first  day  of  the  week ; 
the  Christian  Sabbath  ;   the  Ij)rd's-day. 

Sun-dial,  'dl-al.  An  instrument  to  show 
the  time  of  day  by  means  of  a  shadow  cast 
by  the  sun. 

Sun-dogr,  'dog.  A  luminous  spot  occa- 
sionally seen  a  few  degrees  from  the  sun, 
supposed  to  be  formed  by  the  intersection 
of  two  or  more  haloes.  Sometimes  the 
spot  appears  when  the  haloes  themselves 
are  invisible. 

Sunfis  h 

'fish.       The  i^^P 

name  of  a  tele  '^     '     ^ 

ostean  fish 

gen .  Orthago-  ^^  '  ^^  '^^"^^^^ 
riscus,      fain.  a-u.^^^  ..  ^.^^^  -^. 

Diodontida3. 
The  sunfish 
appears  like 
the  head  of  a 
large  fi  sb 
8  e  parated 
from     the  Short  Sunfish. 


body.  While  s^\^mming  it  turns  upon 
itself  like  a  wheel.  It  grows  to  a  large 
size,  attaining  a  diameter  sometimes  of  12 
feet. 

Sunna,  sOn'a.  The  name  given  by  Mo- 
hammedans to  the  traditionary  portion  of 
their  law,  which  was  not,  like  the  Koran, 
committed  to  writing  by  Mohammed,  but 
preserved  from  his  lips  by  his  immediate 
disciples  or  founded  on  the  authority  of 
his  actions.  The  orthodox  Mohammedans 
who  receive  the  Sunna  call  themselves 
Sunnites,  in  distinction  to  the  various 
sects  comprehended  under  the  name  of 
Shiites. 

Superf rental,  su-per-front'al.  Eccles., 
the  part  of  an  altar-cloth  that  covers  tlie 
top,  as  distinguished  from  the  antepen- 
dium,  which  hangs  down  in  front. 

Superior,  Lake.  The  largest  and  most 
westerly  of  the  chain  of  N.  American 
lakes  ;  area,  28,600  sq.  m.;  it  is  about  040 
ft.  above  sea-level. 

Supei'naturalism,  -nat'ii-ral-izm.  The 
state  of  being  supernatural.  A  term 
used  in  theology  in  contradistinction  to 
rationalism  ;  the  doctrine  that  religion 
and  the  knowledge  of  God  require  a  revela- 
tion from  God.  It  considers  the  Christian 
rehgion  as  an  extraordinary  phenome- 
non, communicating  truths  above  the 
comprehension  of  reason. 

Supralapsarian,  'pra-lap-sri"ri-an.  In 
Theol.  one  who  maintains  that  God,  ante- 
cedent to  the  fall  of  man  or  any  knowl- 
edge of  it,  decreed  the  apostasy  and  all  its 
consequences,  determining  to  save  some 
and  condemn  others,  and  that  in  all  he 
docs  he  considers  his  own  glory  only. 

Sura,  so'ra.    A  chapter  of  the  Koran. 

Surabaya.  A  fortified  seaport  of  Java, 
cap.  of  Dutch  prov.  of  same  name;  pop. 
131,460. 

Surat.  A  city  of  Bombay,  British  In- 
dia ;  on  the  Taptee,  150  m.  N,  of  Bom- 
bay ;  pop.  abt.  100,000. 

Surcoat,  ser'kot.  An  outer  garment 
worn  in  the  13th  and  14th  centuries,  and 
later,  by  both  sexes,  and  showing  a  vari- 
ety of  forms,  short  or  long.  A  kind  of  loose 
sleeveless  wrajjp^^r  formerly  worn  over  a 
coat  of  mail  to  protect  it  from  wet.  Often 
emblazoned  with  the  wearer's  arms. 

Surgery,  'jer-i.  The  operative  branch  of 
medicine  ;  that  branch  of  medical  science 
and  practice  which  involves  the  perform- 
ance of  operations  on  the  human  sub- 
ject, whether  with  or  without  instru- 
ments. 

Surinam.    A  river  of  Dutch  Guiana,  S. 


SURMULLET 


C88 


SWEDENBOEGIAlsr 


America,    emptying  into    the    Atlantic : 
length  300  m. 

Surmullet,  'mul-et.  The  common 
iiixnief(,u-  fishes,  fam.  Mullidae,  formerly 
included  in  the  perch  family. 
Surname, 'nriui.  An  additional  name; 
a  name  or  appellation  added  to  the  baptis- 
mal or  Christian  name,  and  which  be- 
comes a  family  name,  originally  designat- 
ing occupation,  estate,  place  or  residence, 
or  some  peculiar  thing  or  event  that  re- 
lated to  the  person.  Surnames  were  also 
formed  by  adding  the  name  of  the  father 
to  that  of  the  son. 

Surplice,  'plis.  A  white  linen  garment 
worn  by  priests,  deacons  and  choristers  in 
theCh.  of  England  and  the  It.  C.  Ch.  over 
their  other  dress  during  the  performance 
of  religious  services.  It  is  a  loose,  flowing 
vestment,  reaching  almost  to  the  feet, 
having  sleeves  broad  and  full,  and  differs 
from  the  alb  only  in  being  fuller  and  hav- 
ing no  girdle  nor  embroidery  at  the  foot. 
Surtout,  -tot'.  Originally  a  man's  coat  to 
be  worn  over  his  other  garments  ;  but  in 
modern  usage,  an  upper  coat  with  long 
wide  skirts  ;  a  frock-coat.  In  Her.  an  es- 
cutcheon placed  upon  the  center  of  a 
shield  of  arms  ;  a  shield  of  pretense. 
Surturbrand,  'ter-brand.  Fibrous 
brown  coal  or  bituminous  wood  found  in 
the  north  of  Iceland.  It  resembles  the 
black  oak  found  in  bogs,  is  used  for  fuel, 
and  is  made  into  articles  of  furniture. 
Survejring:,  -va'ing.  The  act  of  deter- 
mining the  boundaries  and  area  of  a  portion 
of  the  earth's  surface,  by  means  of  meas- 
urements taken  on  the  spot ;  the  art  of 
determining  the  form,  area,  surface,  con- 
tour, &c.,  of  any  portion  of  the  earth's 
surface,  and  delineating  the  same  on  a  map 
or  plan. 

Surya,  sor'ya.  In  Hindu  Myth,  the  god 
of  tlie  sun. 

Sus,  sus.  A  gen.  of  pachydermatous  ani- 
mals, which  includes  the  domestic  hog. 

Suslik,  sijs'lik.  A  pretty  little  animal  of 
the  marmot  kind,  Spermophilus  citillus, 
found  in  IJohemia,  and  as  far  north  as  Si- 
beria; tlie  earless  marmot. 

Susquehanna.  A  river  rising  in  Cen- 
tral N.  Y.,  running  through  Penn.,  and 
emptying  into  Chesapeake  Bay  at  Havre 
(le  Grace,  Md.;  length,  400  m. 

Su^lej.  A  river  of  India,  emptving  into 
the  Chenab  :  length,  abt.  1,000  m. 

Sutra,  so'tra.  The  name  given  to  certain 
collections  of  books  of  aphorisms  in  Sans- 
krit literature,  forming  the  Vedangas,  or 
six  members  of  the  Veda. 


Swan. 


Suttee,  sut-te'.  A  Hindu  widow  who 
immolates  herself  on  the  funeral  pile.  The 
voluntary  self-immolation  of  Hindu  wid- 
ows on  the  funeral  pile  of  their  husbands. 
The  origin  of  this  horrid  custom  is  uncer- 
tain. It  is  not  commanded  in  the  sacred 
books,  but  they  speak  of  it  as  highly  mer- 
itorious, and  the  means  of  obtaining  eter- 
nal beatitude.  The  practice  is  now  prac- 
tically extinct. 

Suwarrow,  Alexander  Vaailie- 
vitch.  (Count  liymnikski  and  Prince 
Italiyski.)  A  Russian  general ;  b.  in 
Finland  of  Swedish  parentage,  1T29  :  d. 
ISOO. 

Suzerain,  su'ze- 
ran.  A  feudal  lord 
or  baron  ;  a  lord  par- 
am  ount. 

Swallow,    swol'lo. 
A  common  name  of 
a  number  of  insesso- 
rial  birds  of  the  flssiros- 
tral  section  of  the  or- 
der. 

Swan,  swon.  A  nata- 
torial bird,  gen.  Cyg- 
nus,  fam.  Anatida;. 

Sweden.  A  country  of 
N.  Europe,  forming 
with  Norway  tlie  united  kingdom  of 
S.  and  Norway;  bounded  N.  by  Finmark 
and  Lapland,  E.  bv  the  Gulf  of  Bothnia,  S. 
by  the  Baltic,  W.  by  Norway  ;  area  170,516 
sq.  m. ;  pop.  abt.  5,000,000.  Principal 
cities,  Stockholm,  cap.,  Gothenburg,  Mal- 
mo,  Norrkoi.ing,  Carlscrona,  Gefle,  Up- 
sal,  Jdnkoping  and  Lund.  The  rivers  are 
small,  but  Inkes  are  large  and  numerous, 
including  the  Wener,  Ma-lar,  Wetter, 
Storsg,  Stor  and  Stora  Lulea.  The  prin- 
cipal mountain  range  is  the  Scandinavian 
or  Kiolen,  separating  S.  from  Norway. 

Swedenborg",  Emmanuel  (Swed- 
borg-).  A  distinguished  Swedish  philos- 
opher and  theosophist;  b.  16SS,  d.  in  Lon- 
don, 1772.  He  was  founder  of  the  sect 
known  as  the  Sweden borgians  or  the 
Church  of  New  Jerusalem. 

Swedenborg-ian,  swG-den-bor'ji-an. 
One  wlio  holds  the  doctrines  of  the  New 
Jerusalem  Ch.  as  taught  by  Emmanuel 
Swedenborg.  They  believe  that  the  re- 
generate man  is  in  direct  communication 
with  angels  and  with  heaven  ;  that  the 
Scriptures  contain  three  distinct  senses, 
called  celestial,  spiritual  and  natural, 
united  by  correspondences,  and  accommo- 
dated to  particular  classes,  both  of  men 
and  angels.  They  hold  that  there  havo 
been  various  general  judgments  ending 


SWEET-BEEAD 


SYDNEY 


particular  dispensations.  The  last  was  in 
1757,  wlien  Swedeuborg received  the  office 
of  teaching  the  doctrines  of  the  new  churcli 
promised  in  the  Apocalypse.  As  this 
church  is  to  be  eternal,  there  wU  be  no 
other  general  judgment,  but  each  individ- 
ual is  judged  soon  after  death. 

Sweet-bread,  swet'bred.  The  pancreas 
of  an  animal,  as  of  a  calf  or  sheep,  used  as 
food. 

Sweetmeat,  'met.  An  article  of  confec- 
tionery made  wholly  or  principally  of 
sugar;  fruit  preserved  "«itu  sugar,  as 
peaches,  pears,  melons,  nuts,  orange-peel, 
&c. 

Sweet-rush,  'rush.  A  plant  of  the  gen. 
Acorns  {A.  Calamus)  ;  sweet-flag. 

Swift,  swift.  A  reel 
or  turning  instrument 
for  wiiidmg  yarn.  The 
common  name  of 
birds,  gen.  Cypselus, 
fam.  Cypselidae. 

Swift,  Jonathan. 
An  eminent  Irish  di- 
vine and  wit ;  a.  1667, 
D.  1715. 

Swine,  swln.    An  un- 
gulate ;  a  mammal,  gen.   Bus,  which  fur- 
nislies  man  with  a  large  portion  of  his 
most  nourishing  food  ;  a  hog. 

Swine's-feather.  swTnz'feth-er.  A 
small  si)ear  about  .=ix  inches  long,  called 
also  a  Hog's  Bi-istle,  anciently  used  as  a 
bayonet.  The  name  was  afterward  ap- 
plied to  a  similar  spear  fitted  into  the  mus- 
ket rest  in  order  to  render  it  a  defense 
against  cavalry. 

Switch,  swich.  A  small  flexible  twig  or 
rod.  In  liail.  a  contrivance  for  transfer- 
ring a  railway  train  or  part  of  it  from  one 
line  of  rails  to  another. 

Switzerland.  A  central  European  re- 
public of  22  states  or  cantons,  bounded 
ISr.  by  Germany,  E.  by  the  Tyrol,  S.  by 
Italy,  "W.  by  France ;  area,  15,722  sq.  m. ; 
pop.  abt.  3,000,000.  Chief  cities,  Berne, 
eap.,  Geneva,  Zurich,  Basle,  Lausanne, 
La  Chaux  de  Fonds,  St.  Gall,  Lucerne, 
Neufchatel  and  Freiburg.  Chief  rivers, 
Ehone,  Khine,  Ticino,  Reuss  and  Aar. 
Lakes,  Geneva,  Constance.  Lucerne,  Neuf- 
chatel,  Zurich,  Thun,  Bienne,  "Wallcn- 
stadt  and  Bi-ienz.  The  Alps  intersect  the 
entire  republic,  and  the  Jura  range  forms 
the  W.  boundary. 

Swivel,  swiv'el.  A  fastening  so  con- 
trived as  to  allow  the  thing  fastened  to 
turn  freely  on  its  axis  ;  a  twisting  link  in 
a  chain  consisting  of  a  ring  or  hook  ending 


in  a  headed  pin  which  turns  in  a  link  ol 
the  chain  so  as  to  prevent  kinking.  Milit., 
a  small  cannon,  fixed  in  such  a  manner  ss 
to  be  turned  in  any  direction.  In  Sad- 
dlery, a  loop  or  runner  through  which  the 
check-rein  passes. 

Sword,  sord.  An  offensive  weapon  hav- 
ing a  long  strong  steel  blade,  either 
straight  and  with  ashai-p  point  for  thrust- 
ing, as  the  modern  rapier  ;  yvith  a  sharp 
point  rind  one  or  two  cutting  edges  for 
thrusting  and  striking,  as  the  broadsword, 
or  curved  and  Mith  a  sharp  convex  edge 
for  striking,  as  the  eastern  scimitar,  &c. 

Sword-cane,  'kfm .  A  walking  stick  con- 
taining a  long  pointed  blade,  as  in  a  scab- 
bard, or  from  which  a  shorter  blade  is 
made  to  dart  out  on  the  touch  of  a  spring. 

Sword-dance,  'dans.  A  dance  in  which 
swords  are  brandished  or  clashed  together 
by  the  dancers.  A  dance  peculiar  to  the 
Scotch  Highlanders,  in  which  two  swords 
are  laid  crosswise  on  the  ground,  the  skill 
of  the  dancer  being  shown  in  never  touch- 
ing the  swords  with  his  feet  while  dancing 
over  them  with  various  intricate  steps. 

Sword-fish, 
'fish.  An  acan- 
t  h  o  J)  t  erygious  ; 
(telcostean)  'fish,  ■ 
gen.  Xiphias, 
fam.  Xiphiidae, 
closely  allied  to  the  Scomberidc'e  or  mack- 
erel tribe,  remarkable  for  its  elongated 
upper  jaw,  Avhich  forms  a  sword-like 
weapon,  whence  the  name.  It  attacks 
other  fishes  with  its  jaw,  and  sometimes 
perforates  tha  planks  of  ships  with  the 
same  powerful  weapon. 

Sycamore,  sik'a-mor.  A 
tree  of  the  gen.  Ficus,  the 
F.  Sycomorus  or  sycamore 
of  Scripture.  It  is  very 
common  in  Palestine, 
Arabia  and  Egj-pt,  gi-ow- 
ing  large  and  to  a  great 
height,  and  though  the 
grain  is  coarse,  much  used 
in  building  and  very  du- 
rable. Its  wide-spreading  branches  afford 
a  grateful  sha(?e  in  those  hot  climates,  and 
its  fi-uit,  which  is  produced  in  clustered 
racemes  upon  the  trunk  and  the  old  limbs, 
is  sweet  and  delicate. 

Sycee,  sI-sC.  The  fine  silver  of  China 
cast  into  ingots  in  shape  resembling  a  na- 
tive shoe,  and  weighing  commonly  rather 
more  than  a  pound  troy. 

Sychee,  -cho'.  The  Chinese  name  for 
black  tea. 

Sydney.    Cap.  of  New  South  "Wales  and 


Sword-iish. 


Sycamore. 


SYLPH 


640 


TABAXTD^ 


metropolis  of  AustraLasia,  on  Port  Jackson 
Bay,  E.  Australia ;  pop.  179,442. 
Sylph.,  silf.  An  imaginary  being,  inhab- 
iting the  air  ;  an  elemental  spirit  of  the 
air,  accoi'ding  to  the  system  of  Paracelsus, 
holding  an  intermediate  place  between 
uiaterial  and  immaterial  beings.  They 
are  male  and  female,  have  many  human 
characteristics,  and  are  mortal,  but  have 
no  soul.  The  term  in  ordinary  language 
is  used  as  feminine,  and  often  apphed 
figuratively  to  a  woman  of  graceful  and 
slender  proj)ortions. 

Sylva,  sil'Aa.  The  forest  trees  of  any 
region  or  country. 

Sylvan,  'van.  A  fabled  deity  of  the 
\\0()d  ;  a  satyr ;  a  faun ;  sometimes,  a 
ruslic. 

Sylvester.  The  names  of  two  popes 
and  one  anti-pope.  S.  I.,  elected  814,  d. 
335.  The  Cotincil  of  Nice,  325,  Avas  held 
during  his  pontificate. 
Sylviadse,  -vT'a-de.  A  family  of  denti- 
ro.st!-:il  birds  comprehending  the  blackcap, 
niglitingale,  hedge-sparrow,  redbreast, 
redstart,  stx>nechat,  wheatear,  whitethroat 
and  all  warblers. 

Symposiarch,  sim-po'zi-ark.  In  Greek 
Anti(|.  the  president,  director  or  manager 
of  a  feast. 

Symposium,  -um.  A  drinking  to- 
gether ;  a  merry  feast ;  a  convivial  meet- 
ing. 

Ssmagrogrue,  sin'a-gog.  A  congregation 
or  assembly  of  Jews  met  for  the  purpose 
of  worship  or  the  performance  of  religious 
rites.  The  house  appropriated  to  the  re- 
ligious worship  of  the  Jews. 
Syncretist,  'kret-ist.  One  who  at- 
tempts to  blend  incongruous  tenets  or 
doctrines  of  different  schools  or  churches 
into  a  system ;  especially,  a  follower  of 
Callixtus,  a  Lutheran  divine,  who,  about 
the  beginning  of  the  17th  century,  en- 
deavored to  frame  a  religious     system 


which  should  unite  together  the  different 
Christian  sects. 

Syngrnathidee,  -gna'thi-de.  A  family 
of  lopliobranchiate  fishes,  including  the 
pipe-fish. 

Synod,  'od.  In  Ecclos.  Hist,  a  council 
or  meeting  of  ecclesiastics  to  consult  on 
matters  of  religion.  Synods  are  of  four 
kinds :  General  or  ecumenical,  national, 
provincial  and  diocesan,  and  are  so  called 
from  the  extent  of  territorj-^  represented. 

S3naomiOSy,  si-no'mo-si.  Sworn  brother- 
hood ;  also,  a  society  in  ancient  Greece, 
nearly  resembling  a  modern  political  club. 

S3rracuse.  An  ancient  city  of  Sicily,  8. 
Italy,  the  birth-place  of  Archimedes,  Plato 
and  Cicero  ;  and  famous  from  about  700 
B   c;  pop.  22,710. 

Syria.  A  country  of  Asiatic  Turkey, 
bounded  N.  by  Asia  Minor,  E.  by  the 
Syrian  Desert,  S.  by  Arabia,  W.  by  the 
Mediterranean,  embracing  Palestine  and 
Phcenicia  ;  area,  144,483  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt. 
2,200,000.  Principal  cities,  Damascus, 
cap.,  Jerusalem,  Antioch,  Beyrout,  Alex' 
andrctta,  Aleppo  and  Latakia.  Rivers, 
Jordan  and  Orontes.  Mountains,  tho 
Lebanon  and  Anti-Libanus  ranges. 

Syringe,  sir'inj.  A  portable  hydraulic 
instrument  of  the  pump  kind,  employed 
to  draw  in  a  quantity  of  water  or  other 
fluid  and  to  eject  the  same  with  force. 

Syzygry,  siz'i-ji.  In  Astron.  the  conjunc- 
tion or  opposition  of  a  planet  with  the  sun, 
or  of  any  two  of  the  heavenly  bodies. 
On  the  phenomena  and  circumstances  of 
the  syzygies  depends  a  great  part  of  the 
lunar  theory.  In  Pros,  the  coupling  of  dif- 
ferent feet  together  in  Greek  or  Latin 
verse. 

Sze-Chuen.  (Four  Rivers.)  A  N.  prov. 
of  China,  cap.  Ching-too-foo  ;  pop.  80,000,- 
000. 

Szegredin.  A  Hungarian  city,  53  m.  N. 
W.  of  Arad  ;  pop,  abt.  72,000. 


TIS  the  20th  letter  of  the  alphabet,  a 
sharp  mute  consonant,  closely  alUed  to 
d,  both  being  dentals.  When  t  is  followed 
by  bin  the  same  syllable,  as  in  think,  that, 
with,  the  combination  forms  two  distinct 
sounds — surd  or  bre.athed,  as  in  think, 
and  sonant  or  vocal,  as  in  that.  The  let- 
ters ti  before  a  vowel,  and  unaccented, 
usually  pass  into  the  sound  of  sh,  as 
as  in  nation,  partial.    If  s  or  x  precede  ti 


(as  in  qnestion),  t  retains  its  ovra  sound. 
T  is  often  doubled  in  the  middle  of  words, 
seldom  at  the  end,  as  in  butt,  mitt.  T  is 
often  used  to  denote  things  of  this  form, 
as  the  T-palace  in  Mantua,  T-squ.are,  «fec. 
Tabanidae,  ta-ban'i-de.  A  family  of 
dipterous  insects,  of  which  Tabanus  is  the 
typical  gen.,  popularly  known  by  the 
names  breeze,  cleg,  or  gadfly,  and  particu- 
larly annoying  to  cattle. 


TABAED 


641 


TALBOT 


Tabard,  ta'biird.  An  ancient  close-fit- 
ting garment,  open  at  the  sides,  Avith  wide 
sleeves,  or  flaps,  reaching  to  the  elbows. 
It  was  worn  over  the  body  armor,  and  was 
ponorally  emblazoned  with  the  arms  of 
the  wearer  or  of  his  lord. 
Tabasheer,  tab-a-sher.  A  concretion 
found  in  the  joints  of  the  bamboo  and 
other  large  grasses.  It  consists  of  silica 
mixed  with  a  little  lime  and  vegetable 
matter,  is  highly  valued  in  the  E.  Indies 
as  a  tonic,  and  as  such  is  often  chewed 
along  with  betol.  It  is  used  also  in  cases 
of  bilious  vomiting,  bloody  flux,  piles,  &c. 
Its  optical  properties  are  peculiar,  as  it 
exhibits  the  lowest  refracting  powers  of 
all  known  substances. 
ITabbyingr,  'i-ing.  The  art  or  operation 
of  passing  stuff's  between  engraved  rollers 
to  give  them  a  wavy  appearance.  Called 
also  Watering. 

Tabernacle,  'er-na-kl.  A  slightly  con- 
structed temporary  habitation  ;  especial- 
ly, a  tent  or  pavilion.  In  Jewish  Antiq.  a 
movable  building,  of  a  rectangular  figure, 
46  feet  by  15,  and  15  feet  in  height,  divided 
into  two  compartments,  by  a  vail  or  cur- 
tain, and  covered  with  four  different  car- 
pets. The  outer  compartment  was  called 
the  holy  place,  being  that  in  which  incense 
•was  burned  and  the  show-bread  exhibit- 
ed ;  and  the  inner  the  most  holy  place,  or 
holy  of  holies,  in  which  was  deposited  the 
ark  of  the  covenant.  A  temple  ;  a  place 
of  worship;  a  sacred  place.  Any  small  cell 
or  repository  in  which  holy  or  precious 
things  are  deposited.  In  Goth.  Arch,  a 
canopied  stall  or  niche ;  an  arched  canopy 
over  a  tomb  ;  also,  a  tomb  or  monument. 
Feast  of  tabernacles,  the  last  of  the  three 
great  annual  festivals  of  the  Israelites, 
which  required  the  presence  of  all  the 
people  in  Jerusalem,  commemorative  of 
the  dwelling  in  tents  during  their  journeys 
in  the  wilderness  ;  and  also  a  feast  of 
thanksgiving  for  the  harvest  and  vintage. 
It  was  celebrated  in  autumn,  and  lasted  8 
days. 

Table-diaznond,  ta'bl-dl-a-mond.  A 
diamond  whose  upper  surface  is  quite  flat, 
the  sides  only  being  cut  in  angles. 
Tablintim,  tab-ll'num.  In  Eom.  Antiq. 
an  apartment  in  a  Eoman  house  in  which 
records  were  kept  and  the  hereditary 
statues  placed.  It  was  situated  at  the 
further  end  of  the  atrium,  opposite  the 
door  leading  into  the  hall. 
Taborite,  ta'bor-It.  A  name  given  to  cer- 
tain Hussites,  or  Bohemian  reformers,  in 
the  15th  century,  from  Tabor,  a  hill-fort 
which  was  their  stronghold,  called  after 
Mount  Tabor  in  Palestine. 


Tacbometer,  ta-kom'et-er.  An 
instrument   for    measuring    ve- 

•  locity. 

Tacbygraphy,  -kig'ra-fi.  The 
art  or  practice  of  quick  writing ; 
shorthand;  stenography. 
Tacitus,  Caius  Cornelius. 
An  eminent  Roman  historian  of 
the  first  Christian  century. 

Taconic  System,  -kon'iksis'- 
tem.     In  Geol.  a  system  of  upper 
Cambrian  or  lower  Silurian  rocks  Tach- 
lying  to  the  east  of  the  Hudson,  ometer. 
so  named  from  the  Taconic  range 
in  the  western  slope  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tains. 

Tadpole,  tad'pol.  The  young  of  a  ba- 
trachian  animal,  especially  of  a  frog  in  its 
fii'st  state  from  the  spawn  ;  a  porwigle. 

Tael,  tal.  In  China,  a  denomination  of 
money  worth  about  $1.50  ;  also,  a  weight 
of  1^  oz. 

Tae-pingr,  ta-e-ping'.  One  of  a  body  of 
very  formidable  rebels  who  first  appeared 
in  China  in  1850.  The  tae-pings  were  not 
suppressed  till  1866,  and  this  was  effected 
with  English  assistance. 

Tagrbairm,  ta'ya-rem.  A  mode  of  divina- 
tion practiced  among  the  Highlanders.  A 
person  wrapped  in  a  fresh  bullock's  skia 
was  hid  down  alone  at  the  bottom  of  a 
waterfall  or  precipice,  or  other  wild  place. 
Here  he  revolved  any  question  proposed 
and  whatever  his  exalted  imagination  sug 
gested  was  accepted  as  the  response  in- 
spired by  the  spirits  of  the  place. 

Tag^S.    The  largest  river  of  Portugal, 
rising  in  Spain  and  emptying  into  the  At- 
lantic, forming   the   harbor   of  Lisbon 
length  400  m. 

Tabiti     (Otabeite).       The   principal 
island  of  the  Society  group,  S.  Pacific 
cap.  Papiete. 

Tailor-bird,  'ler-berd.  A  bu-d,  gen 
Orthotomus,  fam.  SylviadsB. 

Taine,  Hippolyte  Adolpbe.  A  distin 
guished  French  essayist  and  critic,  b 
1828. 

Talapoin,  tal'a-poin.    The  title,  in  Siam 
of  a  priest  of  Fo:  a  bonze.    A  species  of 
monkey,  the  cercopithecus  talapoin. 

Talaria,  ta-la'ri-a.  The  small  wngs  at- 
tached to  the  ankles  or  sandals  of  Hermes 
or  Mercury  in  representations  of  this 
deity. 

Talbot,  Jobn  (Earl  of  Sbrews- 
bury).  An  English  general,  b.  1373, 
killed  at  Chatillon,  France,  1453.  He  wiia 
forc«d  to  abandon  the  siege  of  Orleans  by 
the  French  under  Joan  oif  Arc. 


TALC 


645 


TAMIL 


Talc,  talk.  A  magnesian  mineral,  consist- 
ing of  broad,  flat,  smooth  lamina)  or 
plates,  UHctuous  to  the  touch,  of  a  shining 
luster,  translucent,  and  often  transparent. 

Talent,  tal'ent.  The  name  of  a  weight 
and  denomination  of  money  among  the 
ancient  Greeks,  and  also  applied  by  Greek 
writers  and  their  translators  to  various 
standard  weights  and  denominations  of 
money  of  different  nations.  The  Attic 
talent  as  a  weight  contained  60  Attic 
minae,  or  6,000  Attic  drachmie,  equal  to  56 
Ibi.  11  oz.  troy  weight.  As  a  denomina- 
tion of  silver  money  it  was  equal  to  about 
$1,222.50.  The  great  talent  of  the  Eomans 
is  computed  to  be  equal  to  about  $496.66, 
and  the  litt!e  talent  to  $375.  A  Hebrew 
weight  and  denomination  of  money,  equiv- 
alent to  3,000  shekels,  or  about  93}  lbs. 
avoirdupois;  as  a  denomination  of  silver  it 
has  been  variously  estimated  at  from 
$1,700  to  $1,980. 

Taled,  ta'led.  A  sort  of  habit  worn  by 
the  Jews,  especially  when  praying  in  the 
synagogue. 

Talesman,  'iGz-man.  In  Law,  a  person 
summoned  to  act  as  a  juror  from  among 
the  bystanders  in  open  court. 

Taliput,  tal'i-put.  The  great  fan-palm 
(Corypha  umbraculifera). 

Talisman,  'is-man.  A  charm  consisting 
of  a  magical  figure,  engraved  under  cer- 
tain superstitious  observances  of  the  con- 
figuration of  the  heavens;  the  seal,  figure, 
character,  or  image  of  a  heavenly  sign,  con- 
stellation, or  planet  engraven  on  a  sym- 
pathetic stone,  or  on  a  metal  correspond- 
ing to  the  star,  in  order  to  receive  its  in- 
fluence. The  word  is  also  used  as  equiv- 
alent to  amulet. 

T  a  1 1  e  y  r  and-Perig-ord,  Charles 
Maurice  de  (Prince  de  Benevente) 
A  distinguished  French  statesmen,  u. 
1754,  D.  1838. 

Talmnd,  'mud.  The  body  of  the  Hebrew 
civil  and  canonical  laws,  traditions  and 
explanations,  or  the  book  that  contains 
them.  Its  authority  M'as  long  esteemed 
second  only  to  that  of  the  Bible,  and  ac- 
cording to' its  precepts  the  Jewish  people 
order  their  religious  life  down  almost  to 
the  present  day.  It  consists  of  two  parts, 
the  Mishna  and  the  Gemara,  the  former 
being  the  written  law,  and  the  latter  a  col- 
lection of  traditions  and  comments  of 
Jewish  doctors. 

Talookdar,  ta-luk'dar.  In  India,  a  na- 
tive acting  as  the  head  of  a  revenue  depart- 
ment but  under  a  superior,  or  zemindar, 
through  whom  he  pays  his  rent ;  a  petty 
zemindar. 


Talpidee,  tal'pi-de.   The  family  of  inolos. 
Talvas,    'vas.     A   wooden    buckler  or 

shield  used  in  the 

14th  century. 
Tamandua.  A,, 

species     of    ant  [ 

eater   about   the" 

size  of  a  cat. 
Tamarin,  tam'- 

a-rin.    The  com-  m  , 

mon    name    for  Tamandua. 

the  species  of  the  sub-gen.  Midas  of  S. 

American      monkeys. 

They  are  aetive,  rest- 
less, and  irritable  little 

creatures,   two  of  the 

smallest  being  thej 

silky  tamarin  and  the  j 

little  hon  monkey,  the  J 

latter,  though    only  a! 

few  inches  in  length, ' 

presenting  a  wonderful 

resemblance     to     the 

lion. 
Tamarind,   tam'-a-rind. 

A  tree  which  yields  the 

fruit  called  tamarinds. 
Tambourine,    -bu-ren'.  ^ 

A  musical  instrument  of" 

the  drum  species,  having 

small  pieces  of  metal  called  ' 

jingles   inserted   in    the 

hoop,  to  which  also  small 

bells    are    sometimes    at-  Tamarind  Tree 

tached.    It  is  sounded  by 

sliding   the   fingers    along   the 

parchment,  or  by  striking  it  with 

the  hand  or  elbow;  a  timbrel. 
Tamerlane  (Timour).    Snr-'J 

named  "The  Great."     A  Mon- 
gol. B.  in  Independent  Tartary 

1836,     D.     1405.       He     overran    Tam- 

Khorasan,  Armenia,  a  large  part  bourine. 

of  Persia  and  India,  Georgia,  and 

Eussia  as  far  as  Moscow,  and  was  on  his 

march  to  China  when  he  died. 
Tam-tam,  'tam.    A  kind  of  native  drum 


Tam-tams, 
used  in  the  E.  Indies  and  in  W.  Africa. 
Tamil,  '11.    One  of  a  race  of  men  inhabit- 
ing S.  India  and  Ceylon,  belonging  to  the 
Dravidian  stock,  and  forming  the  most 


TAMMUZ 


G48 


TARBOOSH 


civilked  and  energetic  of  the  i-ace.  The 
language  spoken  in  the  southeast  of  the 
Madras  Presidency,  and  in  the  northern 
parts  of  Ceylon.  It  is  a  member  of  the 
bravidian  or  Tamilian  family. 

TamniTlZ,  'muz.  A  word  occurring  Ojt^e 
in  the  Bible  (Ezek.  viii.  14),  and  probably 
designating  the  Phccnician  Adonis.  His 
feast  began  with  mourning  for  his  loss. 

Tanagra,  tan'a-gra.  A  gen.  of  passerine 
birds,  finch  family  (FringilUda;),  contain- 
ing several  species. 

Tancred.  A  Korman  knight  and  leader 
in  tlie  first  crusade  ;  b.  1078,  d.  1112. 

Tangrent,  -jent.     A  right    .  j^  ""V'-'l 
line  which  touches  a  carve, 
but  does  not  cut  it. 

Tang-hin,  'gin.     A  deadly 

poison   obtained  from  the       ^0 

seeds  of  Tanghinia  veneni-     Tangents, 
fera.    Trial  by  tanghin,  a 
kind  of  ordeal  formerly  practiced  in  Mad- 
agascar to  determine  the  guilt  or  innocence 
of  an  accused  person,  by  taking  the  tanghin 
poison. 

Tangriers.  A  fortified  city  of  Morocco, 
on  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar  ;  pop.  12,400. 

TangTim,  'gum.  A  variety  of  piebald 
horse  found  in  Thibet,  of  which  it  is  a  na- 
tive. 

Tanistry,  'ist-ri.  A  mode  of  tenure  that 
l)revailed  among  various  Celtic  tribes,  ac- 
cording to  which  the  tanist  or  holder 
of  honors  or  lands  held  them  only  for  life, 
and  his  successor  was  fixed  by  election. 
According  to  this  custom  succession  was 
hercditaiy  in  the  family,  but  elective  in 
the  individual. 

Tanjore.  A  citv  of  Madras,  Brit.  India, 
170  m.  S.  W.  of  Madras;  pop.  91,870. 

Tanka,  tang'ka.  A  kind  of  boat  at  Can- 
ton, Macao,  &c.,  rowed  by  women,  A 
woman  who  plies  in  such  a  boat. 

Tanna,  tan'na.  In  India,  a  police  station; 
also,  a  military  post. 

Tannadar,  -dar.  In  India,  the  keeper 
or  commandant  of  a  tanna. 

Tantra,  'tra.  A  division,  section  or 
chapter  of  certain  Sanskrit  sacred  works 
of  tlie  worshipers  ot  the  female  energy 
of  Siva.  Each  tantra  has  the  form  of  a 
dialogue  between  Siva  and  his  wife.  They 
are  much  more  recent  productions  than 
the  Vedas,  possibly  posterior  even  to  the 
Christian  era,  although  their  behevers 
regard  them  as  a  fifth  Veda,  of  equal  an- 
tiquity and  higher  authority. 

Tanzimat,  'zi-mat.  The  name  given  to 
the  organic  laws,  conetituting  the  first 


contribution  toward  constitutional  gov- 
ernment in  Turkey,  published  in  1844  by 
Sultan  Abdul-Medjid. 

Tap,  tap.  To  touch 
gently;  to  open  a  cask; 
to  bore  into  ;  a  gentle 
blow  ;  a  spile  or  pipe 
for  drawing  liquor 
from  a  cask.  | 

Tapestry,  tap'es-tri.' 
A  kind  of  hangings  of 
wool  and    silk,  often  Tap. 

enriched  with  gold 
and  silver,  representing  figures  of  men, 
animals,  landscapes,  &c.,  formerly  much 
used  for  covering  walls  and  furniture. 
Tapestry  is  made  by  a  process  interme- 
diate between  weaving  and  embroidery, 
being  worked  in  a  web  with  needles  in- 
stead of  a  shuttle. 

Tape-worm,  tiip'werm.  The  name  com- 
mon to  certain  internal  parasites  (Ento- 
zoa)  constituting  the  ord.  Cestoidea  or 
Tseniada  of  the  sub-kingdom  Annuloida, 
found  in  the  alimentary  canal  of  warm- 
blooded vertebrates.  They  attain  a  great 
length. 

Tapir,  ta'-^, 
pir.  Anun-f., 
gulate      oi''-* 
hoofed  ani- 
mal,  gen. 
Tapirus. 

T  apiridae  ■ 
-  p  i  r '  i  -de. 
The  tapir " 
tribe  of  ani- 
mals, which 
differ  from 
the  pig  tribe  in  possessing  only  three  toes 
on  each  hind  foot,  and  in  the  better  devel- 
opment of  the  proboscis. 

Taqua-nut,  ta'kw3-nut.  The  seed  or 
nut  of  the  S.  American  tree  Phytelephas 
macrocarpa,  popularly  called  vegetable 
ivory,  and  used  as  ivory. 

Taranis,  tar'a-nis.  A  Celtic  divinity, 
regarded  as  the  evil  principle,  but  con- 
founded by  the  llomans  ^vith  Jupiter. 

Tarantass,  -an-tas'.  A  large  covered 
traveling  carriage,  balanced  on  long  poles 
and  without  seats,  much  used  in  Russia. 

Tarantella,  -tel'la.  A  swift,  whirling 
Italian  dance  in  six-eight  measure;  also, 
the  music  suited  for  the  dance. 

Tarboosh,  tar'bosh.  A  red  woolen 
skull-cap,  usually  ornamented  wth  a  blue 
silk  tassel,  and  worn  by  the  Egyptians, 
Turks  and  Arabs ;  a  fez. 


Malay  Tapir. 


TAEGET 


6U 


TATTOOING 


Target. 


Target,  'get.  A  small  shield 
or  hxickler,  cut  out  of  ox-hide, 
mounted  on  light  but  strong 
wood,  strengthened  by  bosses, 
spikes,  &c.,  and  often  orna- 
mented. The  mark  in  archery, 
musketry  or  artillery  practice. 
Targnm,  'gum.  A  translation  or  para- 
phrase of  the  Hebrew  Sci-iptures  in  the 
Aramaic  or  Chaldee  language  or  dialect, 
which  became  necessary  after  the  Baby- 
lonish captivity,  when  Hebrew  began  to 
die  out  as  the  popular  language.  The 
Targum,  long  preserved  by  oral  transmis- 
sion, does  not  seem  to  have  been  com- 
mitted to  writing  until  the  first  centuries 
of  the  Christian  era. 

Tarpan,  'pan.  The  wild  horse  of  Tar- 
tiiry,  belonging  to  one  of  the  races  regard- 
ed as  original,  and  not  descended  from  do- 
mestic animals.  They  are  not  larger  than 
an  ordinary  mule,  are  migratory  and  their 
color  is  invariably  tan  or  mouse,  with 
black  mane  and  tail. 

Tarpeian,  -pe'i-an.  The  rock  on  the 
Capitoline  hill,  at  Rome,  over  which  per- 
sons convicted  of  treason  to  the  state  were 
hurled.  It  was  so  named,  according  to 
tradition,  from  Tarpeia,  a  vestal  virgin  of 
Eome,  daughter  of  the  governor  of  the 
citadel  on  the  Capitohne,  who,  covetous 
of  the  golden  bracelets  worn  by  the  Sa- 
bine soldiery,  opened  the  gate  to  them  on 
the  promise  of  receiving  what  they  Avore 
on  their  left  arms.  Disgusted  with  her 
treachery,  they  crushed  her  to  death  with 
theu-  shields,  and  she  was  buried  at  the 
base  of  the  rock. 

Tarquinius  Lucius  Priscus.  The 
fifth  king  of  Rome,  and  first  of  the  Tar- 
quins  ;  crowned  (514,  d.  576  b.  c.  T.  Lu- 
cius Superbus,  his  grandson,  married  two 
sisters,  daughters  of  Servius  Sullius, 
Avhom  he  assassinated  at  the  instigation  of 
his  later  vdfe,  534  b.  c.  T.  Sextus,  his 
son,  the  notorious  hero  of  the  rape  of 
Lucretia,  was  the  last  of  the  race,  and 
with  his  expulsion,  510  b.  c,  Rome  be- 
came a  republic. 

Tartan,  tar'tan.  A  species  of  cloth,  check- 
ered or  cross-barred  with  threads  of  vari- 
I  ous  colors.  It  was  originally  made  of 
'  wool  or  silk,  and  constituted  the  distin- 
guishing badge  of  the  Scottish  Highland 
clans,  each  clan  having  its  own  pecuUar 
pattern. 

Tartar,  'tar.  A  native  of  Tartary;  a 
name  rather  loosely  apphed  to  members 
of  various  Mongolian  or  Turanian  peoples 
in  Asia  and  Europe.  A  name  given  to 
couriers  employed  by  the  Ottoman  Porte 


and  by  European  ambassadors  in  Constan- 
tinople. A  jjerson  of  keen,  irritable  tem- 
per. 

Tartarus,  'ta-rus.  In  Greek  Myth,  a 
deep  and  sunless  abyss,  as  far  below  Ha- 
des as  earth  is  below  heaven.  It  was 
closed  by  iron  gates,  and  in  it  Jupiter  im- 
prisoned the  rebel  Titans.  Later  poets 
describe  Tartarus  as  the  place  in  which 
the  spirits  of  the  Avicked  receive  their  due 
punishment. 

Tartary.  A  vast  undefined  territory  of 
Central  Asia,  divided  into  E.  and  W.  Tar- 
tary, the  former  belonging  to  China,  the 
latter  to  Russia. 

Tashkend.  A  city  of  Russian  Turkestan, 
Central  Asia,  on  the  Sihoun,  90  m.  N.  E. 
of  Khokan  ;  pop.  43,450. 
Tasimeter,  ta-zim'e-ter.  An  instrument 
for  measuring  extremely  slight  variations 
of  pressure,  and  by  means  of  these  other 
variations,  such  as  those  of  temperature, 
moisture,  &c. 

Tasmania  (Van  Diemen's  Land). 
A  British  island  S.  of  Australia ;  pop. 
abt.  110,000.  Hobart  Town  is  the  cap. 
Tasset,  tas'set.  Armor  for  the  thighs ; 
one  of  a  pair  of  appendages  to  the  corselet, 
consisting  of  skirts  of  iron  that  covered 
the  thighs,  fastened  to  the  cuirass  with 
hooks. 

Tasso,  Torquato.    An  eminent  Itahan 
poet ;   B.  1544,  ».  1595. 
Tata,  ta'ta.     In  W.  Africa,  the  residence 
of  a  territorial  or 
village     chieftain. 
The    larger    tatas 
are    usually  forti- 
fied. 

Tatouay.  A, 
kind  of  armadillo, 
found  in  South' 
America. 

Tattooing,tat-to'- 
i  n  g  .      A  i)ractice 
common  to  several 
uncivilized  nations, 
ancient  and   mod- 
ern, and  to  some 
extent     employed 
among  civilized  na- 
tions.   It    consists 
in  marking  the  skin^ 
with  punctures  or 
incisions,  and    in- 
troducing 
wounds  c  I 
liquids,   so 

produce  an    indel-         ■       ^     ^ 
Ible  stain.  Tattooing. 


into  the:«4'!  ,  i  VW 
iolored-_f      fr      iriliiv 


TAURUS 


645 


TEGUEXDf 


Tautog. 
A  beetle,  fam. 
The  art  of  pre- 


Taurus,   ta'nis.    ,^v 
The  Bull ;  one  of  the /V^ 
twelve  signs  of  theV^ 
zodiac,     which     the 
sun     enters     about 
April  20. 

Tautog.    A  fish 
found  on   the  coast 
of    New    England ; 
the  blackfish. 
Taxi  arch., 
taks'l-iirk.     An 
Athenian  offictr 
commanding    a 
taxis  or  bat- 
talion. 
Taxicorn,  taxs'i-kom 

Taxicornes. 

Taxidermy,  -der-mi. 
paring  and  preserving  skins  of  animals 
and  also  of  stuffing  and  mounting  them. 
Tay.    A  river  of  Scotland,  emptjing  into 
the  German   Ocean   through  the  Frith  of 
Tay,  S  m.  E.  of  Dundee  ;  length,  145  m. 
Taylor,    Bayard.        A   distinguished 
American  author  and  traveler;  b.  in  Penn., 
1825  ;  i>.  while  Minister  at  Berlin,  1SS2, 
Taylor,  Jeremy.    An  eminent  English 
prelate  and  author  ;  b.  1613,  d.  1667. 
Taylor,  Zachary.     Twelfth  President 
of  the  U.  S. ;  b.  in  Va.,  1734 ;  d.  while  in 
office,  1S50.      He  was  commander  of  the 
U.  8.  Army  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  under 
Gen.  Scott.     His  son,  Richard,  b.  in  La., 
1830.  was  a  general  on  the  Confederate 
side  in  the  Civil  War. 
Tcliad,  "Lake.     A  lake  in  the  Soudan, 

Central  Africa,  200  m.  long  by  140  wide. 
Tchetwertak,  chet'ver-tak.     A  Russian 
silver  coin  worth  25  copecks,  or  about  20 
cents. 
Tchudi,    cho'de.        A 
name    applied   by  tho 
Russians  to  the  group 
of  peoples  of  which  the 
Finns,  the  Esthonians, 
the  Livonians  and  Lap- 
landers are  members. 
Tea,   to.      The  dried 
leaves  of  the  Thea  sin- 
ensis, or  chinensis  (the 
tea-plant),    ord.   Tern- 
stromiacea;,  extensive- 
ly cultivated  in  China        Tea-plant, 
and  Japan ;  also  the  plant  itself. 
Teclie.    A  bayou  in  La.,  emptying  into 
the  Atchafalaya ;  length  200  m. 
•Tecum,  tc'kum.    The  fibrous  produce  of 
a.  Brazilian  palm-leaf,    ressmbung  green 
■wool. 


Teal. 


Teal,  tel.  The 
common  name  for.l 
ducks  of  the  g«n._^ 
Querquedula,  the- 
smallest  and  most 
beautiful  of  the 
Anatidje,  or  duck^ 
family. 

Tebeth,  te'beth. 
The  10th  month  of 
the  Jewish  ecclesi- 
astical year,  beginning  with  the  now  moon 
in  December  and  ending  -with  the  new 
moon  in  January. 

Tecumseh.  A  famous  IST.  American  In- 
dian chief  of  the  Shawnees;  b.  in  O.,1770. 
He  formed  an  alliance  of  many  of  the  N. 
W.  tribes,  but  was  defeated  by  Gen.  Har- 
rison at  Tippecanoe,  Ind.,  ISll.  T.  be- 
came an  ally  of  the  British  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  as  brigadier-general  commanded 
the  right  -wing  in  the  battle  of  the  Thames, 
1S13  ;  he  was  mortally  wounded.  In  this 
fight. 

Te  Deum,  dG'um.  The  title  of  a  cele- 
brated Latin  hymn  of  praise,  iisually  as- 
cribed to  St.  Ambrose  and  St.  Augustine, 
and  woll  known  through  the  translation 
commencing,  "We  praise  thee,  O  God." 
It  is  sung  on  particular  occasions  and  on 
high  festival  days  in  the  R,  C.  and  also  in 
some  Protestant  churches.  A  thanksgiv- 
ing service  in  which  this  hymn  forms  a 
principal  part. 

Tee.  In  the  E.  Indies,  an  umbrella.  The 
umbrella-shaped  structure  as  a  termina- 
tion or  finial  crowning  the  Buddhists' 
topes  and  Hindu  pagodas ;  it  is  supposed 
to  be  a  relic  shrine.  A  mark  set  up  in 
playing  at  quoits.  The  mark  made  in  the 
ice,  in  the  game  of  curling,  towards  which 
the  stones  are  pushed.  The  nodule  of 
earth  from  which  a  ball  is  struck  off  at  the 
hole  in  the  play  of  golf. 

Teens,  tenz.  The  years  of  one's  age 
having  the  termination  -teen.  These  be- 
gin with  thirteen  and  end  with  nineteen, 
wiien  a  person  is  said  to  be  in  his  or  her 
teens. 

Tees.  A  river  of  N.  England,  emptying 
into  the  German  Ocean  ;  length,  90  m. 

Teetotaler,  tc'td-tal-er.  One  who  more 
or  less  formally  pledges  or  binds  himself 
to  entire  abstinence  from  intoxicating 
liquors,  unless  medically  prescribed ;  a 
total  abstainer. 

Teheran.  Cap.  of  P^-sia,  210  m.  N .  of 
Ispahan ;  pop.  90,000. 

TegTiexin,  te-gek'sln.  A  lizard  (Teuis 
Teguexin),  fam.  Teidre,  of  Brazil  and  Gui- 
ana,  upwards  of  5  ft.  in  length. 


TELAMON 


64« 


TEMPLE 


Telaraon,  tera-mon.  In  Arch,  the  fig- 
iiro  oia  man  employed  as  a  column  or  pil- 
aster to  support  an  entablature,  in  the 
game  manner  as  caryatides ;  called  Atlan- 
tes  by  the  Greeks. 

Telegrraph.,  'e-graf,  A  general  name  for 
any  instrument  or  apparatus  for  convey- 
ing intelligence  beyond  the  limits  of  dis- 
tance at  which  the  voice  is  audible,  the 
idea  of  speed  being  also  implied.  Thus 
the  name  used  to  be  given  to  a  semaphore 
or  other  signaling  apparatus.  The  word, 
however,  is  now  usually  r««stricted  .in  its 
application  to  the  electric  telegraph. 

Telegrapliy,  te-leg'ra-fl.  The  art  or 
practice  of  communicating  intelligence  by 
a  telegraph ;  the  science  or  art  of  con- 
structing or  managing  telegraphs. 

Telemeter,  -lem'et-er.  An  instrument 
for  determining  the  distance  from  a  gun 
of  the  object  fired  at. 

Telengisoope,  -len'ji-skop.  An  instru- 
ment which  combines  the  powers  of  the 
telescope  and  microscope. 

Teleolog-ist,  tel-c-ol'o-jist.  One  versed 
in  teleology  ;  one  who  investigates  the 
final  cause  or  purpose  of  phenomena,  or 
the  end  for  which  each  has  been  produced. . 

Teleostei,  -os'te-I.  An  order  compris- 
ing almost  all  the  common  fishes,  and 
comprehending  the  sub-orders  Malacop- 
teri,  Acanthini,  Acanthopteri,  Pleetog- 
nathi  and  Lophobranchii. 

Teleozoon,  'G-o-zo-on.  Any  animal 
composed  of  a  number  of  cells  and  ar- 
ranged in  tissues. 

Teleplione,  -fon.  In  a  general  sense 
any  instrument  or  apparatus  which  trans- 
mits sound  beyond  its  natural  limits  of  au- 
dibility ;  the  name  is  generally,  however, 
restricted  to  an  instrument  transmitting 
sound  by  means  of  electricity  and  tele- 
graph wires. 

Telescope,  -skop.  An  optical  instru- 
ment essentially  consisting  of  a  set  of 
lenses  fixed  in  a  tube  or  a  number  of  slid- 
ings  tubes,  by  which  distant  objects  are 
brought  within  the  range  of  distinct,  or 
more  distinct  vision. 

Telescopium,  -e-sko'pi-um.  The  Tele- 
scope, a  constellation  in  the  Southern 
hemisphere,  situated  south  of  the  Cen- 
taur and  Sagittarius.  It  contains  9  stars, 
all,  except  one,  of  less  than  the  fourth 
magnitude.  T.  Herscheh,  Herschel's 
Telescope,  a  new  asterism  inserted  in 
honor  of  Sir  William  Herschel.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  Lynx,  the  Twins  and  Auriga  ; 
IT  stars  have  been  assigned  to  it. 
Telespectroscope,  -spek'tro-skOp.    An 


instrument  composed  of  a  telescope  and 
spectroscope,  used  for  forming  and  ex- 
amining spectra  of  the  sun  and  planets,  or 
their  atmosphere. 

Telestich,  te-les'tik.  A  poem  in  which 
the  final  letters  of  the  lines  make  a  name. 

Tell,  Wilhelm.  A  Swiss  patriot  ;  b. 
abt.  12S5,  said  to  have  been  drowned  in 
the  Schachen,  in  attemping  to  save  the 
life  of  a  friend,  1350. 

Tellina,  tel-h'na.  A  gen.  of  marine  and 
fresh-water  lamellibranchiate  mollusca, 
characterized  by  the  hinge  of  the  shell  hav- 
ing one  tooth  on  the  left  and  two  teeth  on 
the  right  valve,  often  bifid.  About  200 
species  are  known. 

Tellurion,  -lu'rl-on.  An  instrument  for 
showing  in  what  manner  the  causes  ope- 
rate which  produce  the  succession  of  day 
and  night,  and  the  changes  of  the  season; 
a  kind  of  orrery. 

Tellurism,  'lur-izm.  A  theory  account- 
ing for  animal  magnetism,  propounded  by 
Kieser,  who  substituted  the  idea  of  tellu- 
ric spirit  in  place  of  the  universal  fluid  of 
Mesmer  and  the  nervous  atmosphere  of 
Kluge.  This  influence  or  spirit  was  pos- 
sessed by  all  cosmical  bodies,  so  that  the 
moon  Avas  held  to  magnetize  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  earth  by  night,  the  sun  de- 
magnetizing them  in  the  morning. 

Teletype,  te'lo-tlp.  A  printing  tele- 
graph. 

Templar,  tem'plar.  One  of  a  religious 
military  order  fii*st  established  at  Jerusa- 
lem to  protect  pilgrims  traveling  to  the 
Holy  Land.  The  order  originated  in  1118, 
the  members  devoted  themselves  to  the 
service  of  God,  promising  to  live  in  per- 
petual chastity,  obedience  and  poverty, 
after  the  manner  of  canons.  Baldwin  II., 
Kingof  Jerusalem,  bestowed  upon  them 
their  first  place  of  residence,  close  to  the 
temple,  whence  they  received  the  name  of 
the  "poor  soldiers  of  the  Temple,"  after- 
ward converted  into  Templars,  or  Knights 
Templars.  The  knights  wore  a  white 
cloak  adorned  Avith  a  red  Maltese  cross. 
A  branch  or  degree  of  modern  Freema- 
sonry. 

Temple,  'pi.  An  edifice  dedicated  to 
the  service  of  some  deity  or  deities,  and 
connected  Avith  some  pagan  system  of 
Avorship.  The  most  celebrated  and  im- 
posing of  ancient  temples  were  those  of 
Artemis  or  Diana  at  Ephesus,  of  Zeus 
Olympius  in  Athens,  and  that  of  Apollo  at 
Delphi.  Any  one  of  the  three  edifices 
built  on  Mount  Moriah  at  Jerusalem,  and 
dedicated  to  the  public  Avorship  of  Jeho- 
vah.     The   first,    erected    by   Solomon 


TEN 


&47 


TERENCE 


about  1012  B.  c,  was  destroyed  by  Nebu- 
chadnezzar about  5S8  b.  c.  The  second, 
constructed  by  the  Jews  on  then*  return 
from  captivity  about  536  b.  c,  was  pil- 
laged or  i)artially  destroyed  by  Antiochus 
Epiphanes  170  b.  c,  Pompey  (53  b.  c. 
and  by  Herod  37  b.  c.  The  third,  the 
largest  and  most  magnificent  of  the  three, 
was  begun  by  Herod  the  Great  20  b.  c, 
and  completely  destroyed  at  the  capture 
of  Jerusalem  by  the  Komans  70  a.  d.  The 
name  of  two  semi-monastic  estabhsh- 
ments  of  the  middle  ages,  one  in  London, 
the  other  in  Paris,  inhabited  by  the 
Knights  Templars.  The  Temple  Church, 
London,  is  the  only  portion  of  either  es- 
tablishment now  existing. 

Ten,  ten.  The  decimal  number,  or  the 
number  of  twice  five ;  a  figure  or  symbol 
denoting  ten  units,  as  10  or  x.  A  play- 
ing card  with  10  spots. 

Tench,  tensh. 
A  teleostean 
fish,  gen.  Tinea, 
fam.  Cvprinida', 
of  which  T.vul-  ,, 

garis  (the  com-  ieiiuu. 

mon  tench)  is  the  type. 

TenebrsB,  ten'e-brG.  In  the  E.  C.  Ch. 
the  ollice  of  matins  and  lauds  in  the  last 
three  days  of  Holy  "Week,  at  which  is 
used  a  triangular  candlestick  on  which 
are  15  candles,  one  of  which  is  extin- 
guished after  each  psalm. 

Teniers,  David  (The  Elder).  An 
eminent  Dutch  painter  ;  b.  15S'i,  t>.  1649. 
His  son,  D.  "  The  Younger,"  b.  1610,  i>. 
1690.  He  excelled  his  father.  Both  were 
pupils  of  Rubens. 

Tennessee.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  1796,  seceded  1861,  re- 
admitted 1S70 ;  bounded  N.  by  Kentucky, 
E.  by  North  Carolina  and  W.  Virginia,  S. 
by  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  "W. 
by  Missouri  and  Arkansas,  from  which  it 
is  separated  by  the  Mississippi  River ;  area 
45,600  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  1,542,359.  Principal 
cities.  Nashville,  cap.,  Knoxville,  Green- 
ville, Memphis,  Fayetteville,  Murfreesboro 
and  Columbia.  Chief  nvers,  Tennessee, 
Cumberland,  Holstein  and  Clinch.  Moun- 
tains, Cumberland  and  Alleghany  ranges. 

Tennis,  'is.  A  game  in  which  a  ball  is 
driven  against  a  wall  in  a  specially  con- 
structed court  and  caused  to  rebound  be- 
yond a  line  at  a  certain  distance,  by  sev- 
eral persons  striking  it  alternately  wth  a 
small  bat  called  a  racket,  the  object  being 
to  keep  tlie  ball  in  motion  as  long  as  possi- 
ble without  touching  the  ground. 

Tennis-court,  -kort.  An  oblong  edi- 
fice iu  which  the  game  of  tennis  is  played. 


Tennyson,  Alfred.  An  eminent  En- 
glish poet ;  B.  1S09,  made  poet  laureate 
1^51,  and  knighted  1883. 

Tenrec,  'rek.  Centetes  ecaudatus,  an 
animal  allied  to  the  hedgehog,  inhabiting 
Madagascar. 

Tenter,  'ter.  A  machine  or  frame  used 
in  cloth  manufacture  to  stretch  the  pieces, 
and  make  them  set  or  dry  even  and  square. 

Tenuirostres,  'u-i-ros"trez.  A  sub-or- 
der of  passerine  or  insessorial  birds,  com- 
prehending those  which  have  the  beak 
long  and  slender,  gradually  tapering  to  a 
point. 

Teocalli,  te-«-kal'li.  A  temple  among  the 
Mexicans  and  other  aborigines  of  America. 
They  were  generally  solid  four-sided 
truncated  pyramids,  built  terrace-wse, 
with  the  temple  proper  on  the  platform 
at  the  summit,  constructed  of  earth  faced 
^^^tll  brick  ;  many  still  remain  in  a  more 
or  less  perfect  state. 

Tephrosia,  tef-ro'zi-a.  A  gen.  of  plants 
belonging  to  the  papilionaceous  division 
of  the  Leguminosa3.  It  consists  of  shrubs 
or  herbs  scattered  over  every  quarter  of 
the  globe.  T.  apoUinea,  Or  Egjptian  In- 
digo, yields  a  fine  blue  dye.  T.  toxicaria 
affords  a  narcotic  poison,  and  the  leaves 
are  used  for  intoxicating  fish.  T.  virgini- 
ana  is  a  powerful  vermifuge.  The  root  of 
T.  emarginata  is  used  for  poisoning  fish. 
T.  tinctoria  yields  a  blue  coloring  matter, 
used  in  Ceylon  as  indigo.  T.  piscatoria 
contains  the  narcotic  principle  of  the 
genus,  and  is  used  for  poisoning  fish. 

Teraph,  ter'af.  A  household  deity  or 
image  reverenced  by  the  ancient  Hebrews. 
The  teraphim  seem  to  have  been  either 
wholly  or  in  part  of  human  form  and  of 
small'size. 

Teratologry,  -a-tol'o-ji.  That  branch  of 
biological  science  which  treats  of  mon- 
sters, malformations,  or  deviations  from 
the  normal  type  occurring  in  the  vege- 
table and  animal  kingdoms. 

Tercentenary,  -sen'ten-a-ri.  A  day  ob- 
served as  a  festival  in  coinmemoration  of 
some  event,  as  the  birth  of  a  great  man,  a 
decisive  victory,  or  the  like,  that  happened 
300  years  before. 

Teredo,  te-re'do.  A  gen.  of  lamelli- 
branchiatemollusks,  fam.  Pholadida?.  The 
T.  navalis,  or  ship-worm,  is  celebrated  on 
account  of  the  destructioir  which  it  occa- 
sions to  ships  and  submerged  wood.  It 
is  about  1  foot  in  length  and  J  inch  in 
thickness. 

Terence,  Terentiua  Publius  Afer. 
An  eminent  Roman  .ramatist  of  the  2d 
century  b.  c.    He  was  bom  a  slsTe. 


TEEMAGANT 


^i8 


TEST-PLATE 


Termagant,  ter'iiia-gant.  The  name  of 
a  fabled  deity  of  the  Mohammedans,  men- 
tioned V)y  old  writers,  and  introduced  into 
the  moralities  or  other  shows,  in  which  he 
figured  as  a  most  violent  and  turbulent 
personage.  Applied  to  a  vulgar,  quarrel- 
some woman. 

Terminist,  'min-ist.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Christians  who  maintain  that  God  has 
fixed  a  certain  term  for  the  probation  of 
particular  persons,  during  which  time  they 
have  the  offer  of  grace,  but  after  whieh 
God  no  longer  wills  their  salvation. 

Terminus, -us.  A  boundary; 
a  limit;  a  stoneor  other  mark 
raised  for  marking  the  bound- 
ary of  a  property.  The  Ko- 
man  deity  that  presided  over 
boundaries  or  landmarks,  rep- 
resented without  feet  or  arms, 
to  intimate  that  he  never 
moved.  A  bust  or  figure  of 
the  upper  portion  of  the  hu- 
man body,  terminating  in  a 
tapering  block;  a  pillar  statue; 
ahalfstatueorbust.  Termini 
are  employed  as  pillars,  bal- 
usters, or  detached  ornaments 
for  niches,  &c.  The  extreme  '"^ 
station  at  either  end  of  a  rail-  Terminal 
way  or  important  section  of  Statue  of 
a  railwav.  Pan. 

Termites,  'mi-tez.  A  fam.ofneuropter- 
ous  insects,  known  as  white  ants,  corre- 
sponding with  the  Linnsean  gen.  Termes. 

Termitinse,  -mi-ti'ne.  A  division  of 
Neuroptera,  including  the  termites  or 
white  ants. 

Tern,  tern.  A  common  name  of  certain 
natatorial  birds  of  the  gull  fam.  (Larida?), 
constituting  the  gen.  Sterna  ;  sea-swal- 
lows. 

Ternary,  'na-ri.  The  number  three  ; 
group  of  three. 

Terpsicliore,terp-sik'- 
6-re.  In  Greek  Myth. 
one  of  the  Muses,  the 
inventress  and  patron- 
ess of  dancing  and  lyri- 
cal poetry.  Sheis  gene- 
rally represented  with  a 
lyre,  having  T  strings,  or 
a  plectrum  in  the  hand, 
sometimes  In  the  act  of 
dancing,  and  crowned 
with  flowers. ' 

Terra,  ter'ra.  The  I '  ^-^^ -^j^iJi 
Latin  word  for  earth  or  A^;  -.-C?^^!. ) 
the  Earth.  Te?7ichore 

Terra-cotta,-kot'ta.  A 
mixture  of  fine  clay  and  fine-grained  white 


sand,  or  calcined  flints,  with  pulvei-ized 
potsherds  or  crushed  pottery,  air-dried 
and  baked  to  the  hardness  of  stone,  much 
used  in  ancient  and  modern  architecture 
for  decorations,  statues,  vases,  &c. 

Terrapin,  'a-pin.  The  popular  name  of 
several  species  of  fresh-water  or  tide- 
water tortoises,  constituting  the  fam. 
Emydaj. 

Terrestrial,  -res'tri-al.  An  inhabitant  of 
the  earth.  A  section  of  the  class  Aves 
(birds)  corresponding  to  the  orders  Cur- 
sores  and  Easores.  A  family  of  ])ulmo- 
nated  gasteropods.  A  division  of  isopodous 
crustaceans. 


A 


Terrier,  'i-er. 
small  dog,  re- 
markable for  the 
eager  ness  and 
courage  with: 
which  it  goes  to^ 
earth  and  attacks 
foxes,  ba  d  g  e  r  8, 
cats,  rats,  &c. 
There  are  several 

.varieties. 

Tertiary,  'shi-a-ri 
rank  or  formation 


Scotchi  Terrier. 


Of  the  third  order, 
third.  T.  color,  pro- 
duced by  the  mixture  of  Uvo  secondary 
colors,  as  citrine,  russet  or  olive.  T.  era 
or  epoch,  in  Geol.  the  earliest  period  in 
which  mammals  appear. 

Tertullian,  Cluintus  Septimius 
Plorens.  A  distinguished  father  of  the 
church ;  b.  at  Carthage,  abt.  150,  i>.  abt. 
220. 

Tesh.o-lama,  tesh'o-la-ma.  One  of  the 
two  popes  of  the  Buddhists  of  Thibet  and 
Mongoha,  the  other  being  the  Dalai-Lama, 
each  supreme  in  his  own  district.  When 
the  Tesho  dies  his  place  is  filled  by  a  child, 
into  whose  body  he  has  announced  before 
death  his  purpose  of  migrating.  Called 
also  Bogdo-lama,  Pen-chen. 

Tessera,  tes'se-ra.  A  small  cube,  re- 
sembling dice,  of  marble,  precious  stones, 
ivory,  glass,  wood,  &c.,  used  by  the  an- 
cients to  form  mosaic  pavements,  orna- 
menting walls  and  like  pTirposes.  A  small 
square  of  bone,  wood,  &c.,  used  as  a  ticket 
of  admission  to  the  theater,  &c.,  in  ancient 
Eome. 

Test-paper,  test'pa-per.  A  paper  im- 
pregnated wth  a  chemical  reagent,  as 
litmus,  &c.,  used  for  detecting  the  pres- 
ence of  certain  substances,  whose  presence 
causes  a  reaction  and  a  changein  the  color 
of  the  paper.  In  Law,  an  instrument  ad- 
mitted as  a  standard  of  comparison  for 
hand-writing. 

Test-plate,  'plat.    A  finely-ruled  glass 


TESTTJDO 


U9 


THALBETl-G 


plate  used  in  testing-  the  power  and  defin- 
ing qualit}'  of  microscopes.  Some  of  these 
ruled  plates  have  225,000  lines  to  the  inch. 
Testudo,  tes-tu'do,  Amonp  the  ancient 
Ilonians  a  cover  or  screen  which  a  body  of 
troops  formed  with  their  oblonfr  shield's  or 
targets,  by  holding  them  over  their  heads 
when  standing  in  close  order. 

Tetra.  A  prefix  in  compounds,  derived 
from  the  Greek,  signifying  four,  fourfold; 
as,  tetrachord,  tetrarcli. 

Tetracerus,  te-tras'G-rus.  The  generic 
name  of  a  curious  species  of  Indian  ante- 
lope, having  four  horns.  The  females  are 
hornless.  The  height  of  an  adult  is  about 
20  inches. 

Tetra  decapoda,  tet'ra-de-kap''o-da. 
The  name  given  by  Agassiz  to  a  division 
of  malacostracous  crustaceans  from  their 
having,  tv'pically,  7  pairs  of  feet  in  the 
adult.  They  are  the  Edriophthalmata  of 
other  zoologists. 

Tetradite,  -dit.  One  who  regarded  four 
as  a  mystic  number.  Among  the  ancients, 
a  child  born  in  the  fourth  month  or  on  the 
fourth  day  of  the  month.  Eccles.  one  of 
certain  sects  who  held  this  number  in 
especial  honor,  as  the  Manichees,  who, 
thinking  this  the  perfect  number,  believed 
there  were  four  persons  in  the  Godhead. 

Tetragon,  -gon. 
A  plane  figure  hav- 
ing four  sides  ;  a 
quadrangle.  , 

T  e  t  ragramma- 
ton,  -gram 'ma- 
ton.  Among  several 
ancient  nations,  the 
nivstic  number  four 


■[ 


3XD 


Tetragons. 


which  was  often  symbolized  to  represent 
the  Deity,  whose  name  was  expressed  in 
several  languages  by  four  letters,  as  in  the 
Assyrian  Adad,  Egyptian  Amon,  Persian 
Soru,  and  Latin  Deus. 

Tetrahedron,  -he'- 
dron.      In     Geom.   a 
figure   comprehended 
under    four    equilateral 
and  equal  triangles,  or  a 
triangular  pyramid  hav- 
ing four  equal  and  equi- 
lateral  faces.   Itisoneof     Tetrahedron, 
the  five  regular  sohds. 
In  Crystal,  the  tetrahedron  is  regarded  as 
a  secondary  form  of  the  octahedron,  from 
which  it  is'derived  by  cutting  away  the 
alternate  angles. 

Tetrahexahedron,  -heks'a-he"dron. 
A  solid  bounded  by  twenty-four  equal 
foces,  four  corresponding  to  'each  face  of 


the  cube.     Called    also    Tetrakishexahe- 
dron. 

Tetramorph.,  'ra-morf.  In  Christian 
art,  the  union  of  the  fonr  attributes  of  the 
evangelists  in  one  figure,  winged,  and 
standing  on  winged  fiery  wheels,  the 
wings  being  covered  with  eyes.  It  is  the 
type  of  unparalleled  velocity, 
Tetrapla,  -pla.  The  name  given  to  an 
edition  of  the  Bible,  arranged  byOrigenin 
four  columns,  containing  four  Greek  ver- 
sions, Aiz.,  the  Septuagint,  that  of  Aquila, 
that  of  Symmachus,  and  that  of  Theodo- 
sian  ;  also,  a  version  in  four  languages. 
Tetrapod,  -pod,  A  four-footed  animal ; 
especially  an  insect  having  only  four  per- 
fect legs. 

Tetrapteran,  te-trap'ter-an.  An  insect 
which  has  four  wings, 

Tetrarch.,  te'trark,  A  Eoman  governor 
of  the  fourth  part  of  a  province :  &  sub- 
ordinate prince ;  hence,  any  petty  king  or 
sovereign. 

Teuton,  tii'ton.  Originally,  the  name 
given  to  members  of  an  ancient  German 
tribe  first  heard  of  230  n.  c. ;  ultimately 
applied  to  the  Germanic  peoples  in  general, 
and  often  used  to  include  Germans,  Dutch, 
Scandinavians  and  those  of  Anglo-Saxon 
descent.  Teutonic  order,  a  military  re- 
ligious order  of  knights,  established  in  the 
12th  century,  in  imitation  of  tho  Templars 
and  Hospitallers.  It  was  ox>mposed  chiefly 
of  Germans  who  marched  to  the  Holy 
Land  in  the  Crusades,  and  was  established 
in  that  country  for  charitable  purposes. 
At  a  later  period  the  conquests  of  the 
order  raised  it  to  the  rank  of  a  sovereign 
power.  It  began  to  decline  in  the  15th 
century,  and  was  finally  abolished  by 
Napoleon,  1S09. 

Texas.  A  S.  W.  State  of  tho  AmericaH 
Union,  formerly  a  prov.  of  Mexico,  bnt, 
becomingindependent,  1835,  was  admitted 
1845,  seceded  1861.  re-admitted  1S6S; 
bounded  N.  by  Kansas  and  Indian  Ter., 
E.  by  Louisiana  and  Arkansas,  S.  by  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  W.  bj--  Mexico  and  N,  Mexico; 
area,  237,504  sq.  m.;  pop.  1.. 591. 749. 
Principal  cities,  Austin,  cap.,  Galveston, 
San  A'ntonio,  Houston,  Indianola,  Dallas, 
Denison,  Jefferson,  Paris,  Victoria  and 
Waco.  Chief  rivers.  The  Rio  Grande,  Eed, 
Trinity,  Brazos,  Guadalupe.  Colorado, 
Nueces,  Antonio  and  Pecos.  The  Apache 
and  Guadalupe  ranges  of  mountains  in- 
tersect the  S.  W.  corner. 

Thackeray,  "William  Makepeace. 
A  distinguished  English  novelist  ;  b.  in 
Calcutta  1311.  n.  in  London,  1863. 

Thalbergr,  Sigismimd.    An  eminent 


THALIA 


650 


THEOCEAST 


Swiss  pianist  and  composer ;  u.  1S12,  d 
1871.  ' 

Thalia,  tha-ll'a.  In 
(/reek  MytJi.  the  Muse 
of  comedy  and  the  pat- 
roness of  pastoral  and 
comic  poetry.  She  is 
gene  rally  represented 
"With  a  comic  mask,  a 
shepherd's  staff  or  a 
wreath  of  ivy. 
Thames.  Tho  chief 
river  of  England,  flow- 
.  ing  through  London,  and 
emptying  into  tho  Ger- 
man Ocean;  length  215 
in.  Also,  a  river  of  On- 
tario, Can.,  emptying  Thaiii  ' 
into  Lake  St.  Vlair,  ^^''^'''• 
noted  for  tho  defeat  on  its  banks,  Oct.  5. 
1813,  of  the  British  army,  under  Gen. 
Proctor,  by  the  Americans,  under  Gen. 
Harrison,  Tecumseh  being  mortally 
wounded. 

Thammxiz,  tham'Tnuz.  The  10th  month 
of  the  Jewish  civil  year,  containing  29 
days,  and  answering  to  a  part  of  Juno  and 
July.  A  Syrian  deity  for  whom  the  He- 
brew idolatresses  wore  accustomed  to  hold 
an  annual  feast  or  lamentation,  commenc- 
ing with  the  new  moon  of  July;  same  as 
the  Phoenician  Adon  or  Adonis.  His  death 
happened  on  tho  banks  ofthe  river  Adonis, 
and  in  summer  time  the  waters  were  said 
always  to  become  reddened  with  his 
blood. 

ThanatologT,  than-a-tol'o-ji.  The  doc- 
trino  of,  or  a  discourse  on  death. 
Thanatopsis,  -top'sis.  A  view  or  con- 
templation of  death. 
Thane,  than.  A  title  of  honor  among 
the  Anglo-Saxons.  In  England  a  freeman 
not  noble  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  thane 
by  acquiring  a  certain  portion  of  land— 
five  hides  for  a  lesser  thane— by  making 
three  sea  voyages,  or  by  receiving  holy 
orders.  Every  thane  had  the  right  of 
voting  in  the  witenagemot,  notonly'of  the 
shire,  but  also  of  the  kingdom,  when  im- 
I)ortant  questions  were  to  be  discussed. 
After  tho  Norman  conquest  thanes  and 
barons  M^ere  classed  together.  In  the 
reign  of  Henry  II.  the  title  fell  into  disuse. 
In  Scotland  the  thanes  were  a  class  of  non- 
military  tenants  ofthe  crown,  and  the  title 
was  in  use  till  tho  end  of  the  15th  century. 
Thaumaturg-us,  tha'ma-ter-gus.  A 
miracle  worker ;  a  title" given  by  Roman 
Catholics  to  Romo  of  their  saints,  as  Greg- 
ory Thaumaturgus. 
Thea,  thc'a.    A  gea.  of  plants,  ord.  Tera- 


stro?miacea),  comprising  the  species  yield- 
ing the  tea  of  commerce. 
Theanthropism,  -an'thro-pizm.  A 
state  of  being  God  and  man.  A  concep- 
tion of  God  or  of  gods  as  possessing  qual- 
ities essentially  the  same  as  those  of  men 
but  on  a  gi-ander  scale. 
Theater,  'a-ter.  A  building  appropri- 
ated to  the  representation  of  dramatic 
spectacles ;  a  play-house.  Among  tho 
Greeks  and  Romans  theaters  were  the 
chi<"f  public  edifices  next  to  the  temples. 
Thebaid,  'ba-id.  A  poem  concerning 
Thebes.  Several  classical  authors  Avroto 
poems  under  this  name,  but  it  is  applied 
byway  of  pre-eminence,  to  a  Latin  heroic 
poem  in  twelve  books,  written  by  Statins, 
the  subject  being  the  civil  war  between 
Eteocles  and  Polynices,  or  Thebes  taken 
by  Theseus. 

Theine,  'in.  A  bitter  crystallizable  prin- 
ciple found  in  tea,  coffee  and  some  other 
plants,  tea  yielding  2  to  4  per  cent.  It  is 
the  principle  which  gives  to  tea  its  re- 
freshing and  gently  stimulating  qualities. 
Called  also  Caffeine, 
Theism,  'izm.  The  belief  or  acknowledg- 
ment of  tho  existence  of  a  God  as  opposed 
to  atheism.  Theism  differs  from  deism, 
the  latter  denying  revelation,  which  the- 
ism does  not. 

Theiss.    A  river  of  Hungary  emptving 
into  the  Danube ;  length  5CK)  m. 
Thelphusian. 
One  of  a  family 
of  crustaceans  re- 
sembling      the 
land-crab,  which 
live  in  the  earthi 
near  the  shore. 
Themis,     'mis. 
In  Greek  Myth, 
the    goddess    of 


Thelphusian. 


law  and  justice.    In   Astron.   one  of  the 

asteroids. 
Themistocles.    An  eminent  Athenian 

statesman  and  general ;  b.  abt.  510  n.  c. 

Ho  tied  to  the  Persian  court  under  charges 

of  treason,  and  there  D.  449  n.  c. 
Thenar,  the'nar.    In  Anat.   the  palm  of 

tho  hand  or  the  sole  ofthe  foot. 
Theocracy,  -ok'ra-si.      Government  of  a 

state  by  the  impiediate  direction  of  God. 

Of  this  species  the  Israelites  furnish  an 

illustrious  example.    The  theocracy  lasted 

till  tho  time  of  Saul. 
Theocrasy,   -ok'ra-si.    In  Anc.   Philos. 

the  intimate  union  of  the  soul  with  God 

in  0(mtemplation,  which  was  considered 

attainable  by  the  newer  Platonists.    Simi- 


THEODICY 


651 


THESMOPHOEIA 


Theodolite. 


lar  ideas  are  entertained  by  the  philoso- 
pliors  of  India,  and  by  many  relicfious 
sects.  A  mixture  of  tlie  worship  of  dif- 
ferent pods. 

Theodicy,  -od'i-si.  Any  theory  pro- 
fessing to  reconcile  the  attributes  of  God 
■with  the  present  order  of  things  in  the 
■world  ;  more  especially,  an  explanation  of 
the  existence  of  evil. 

Theodolite,  'o-lit.  A 
surveying  instrument 
for  measuring  horizon- 
tal and  vertical  angles  by 
means  of  a  telescope. 

Theodoric  (The 
Q-reat).  A  king  of  the 
Goths,  -who,  after  the  fall 
of  the  W.  Emi>ire,  ruled 
as  King  of  Italy,  493- 
626. 

Theodorus.  The  name 
of  two  popes. 

Theodosius.  The 
name  of  three  emperors, 
T.  I.  (Flavius),  surnamed  "The  Great," 
B.  in  Spain.  846.  reigned  378-^95.  With 
the  close  of  his  reign  the  disintegration  of 
the  Roman  Empire  set  in.  lie  Avas  the 
author  of  the  bloody  massacre  of  Thessa- 
lonica,  for  which  Ambrose,  the  fearless 
archbishop  of  Milan,  compelled  him  to  do 
penance.  T.  II.,  his  grandson,  s.  his  fa- 
ther Arcadius  as  emperor  of  the  East ;  b. 
401,  D.  450.  T.  III.  (Adramyttenus)  s. 
Anastasius  II.  as  emperor  of  the  East ;  b. 
654,  crowned  715,  d.  716. 

Theolo&^y,  -ol'o-ii.  Divinity ;  the  entire 
science  of  the  Christian  religion ;  the 
science  which  treats  of  God  and  man  in 
all  their  known  relations  to  each  other. 

Thepmachy,  rom'a-ki.  A  fighting 
against  the  gods,  as  the  battle  of  the  giants 
with  the  gods  in  mythology.  A  strife  or 
battle  among  the  gods.  Opposition  to  tho 
divine  will. 

Theopathy,  -op'a-thi.  Emotion  excited 
by  the  contemplation  of  God;  piety,  or  a 
sense  of  piety. 

T  h  e  o  p  h  i  lanthropism,  'o-fi-lan"- 
throp-izm.  Love  to  both  God  and  man  ; 
the  doctrines  or  tenets  of  the  theophilan- 
thropists ;  theophilanthropy. 

Theophilanthropist, -fi-lan"throp-ist. 
One  who  practices  or  professes  theophi- 
lanthropism.  One  of  a  society  formed  at 
Paris  during  the  first  French  revolution. 
It  proposed  to  establish  a  new  religion  in 
place  of  Christianity,  which  had  been 
abolished  by  the  Convention.  The  system 
attempted  to  be  established  was  pure  de- 
ism. 


Theopneusty,  'op-nDs-ti.  Divine  in- 
spiration ;  the  supernatural  influence  ol 
the  Divine  Spirit  in  qualifying  men  to  re- 
ceive and  communicate  revealed  truth. 

Theresa,  St.  A  Spanish  Carmelite  nun, 
eminent  for  learning  and  piety,  foimder 
of  a  reformed  society  of  barefooted  mem- 
bers of  that  order  ;  b.  1515,  D.  15S2,  can- 
onized by  Pope  Gregory  XV. 

ThGOSOphist,  -os'of-ist.  One  who  pro- 
fesses to  derive  his  knowledge  from  divine 
reA-^elation. 

Therapeutae,  ther-a-pu'te.  A  Jewish 
sect  of  the  lirst  century  after  Christ,  so 
called  from  the  extraordinary  purity  of 
their  religious  worship.  They  withdrew 
into  solitary  places,  Avhere  they  devoted 
themselves  to  a  life  of  religious  contem- 
plation, and  to  them  with  the  Essenes  tho 
origin  of  monasticism  in  tho  Christian 
church  has  been  traced. 

Therapeutics,  'tiks.  That  part  of  medi- 
cine which  relates  to  the  composition,  tho 
apphcation  and  the  modes  of  operation 
of  tho  remedies  for  diseases. 

Thermidor,  ther'mi-dor.  The  name  of 
the  11th  month  of  the  year  in  the  calen- 
dar of  the  first  French  republic.  It  com- 
menced July  19,  and  ended  August  17. 

Thermo.  The  first  part  of  a  number  of 
compound  words,  and  usually  signifying 
connected  with  heat  or  temj^erature. 

Thermometer,  ther-mom'et-er. 
An  instrument  by  which  the  tem- 
perature of  bodies  are  ascertained;! 
founded  on  the  property  which 
heat  possesses  of  expanding  all  ] 
bodies.  The  ordinary  thermome- 
ter is  a  tube  of  mercury  which  I 
rises  ■with  the  increase  of  heat,  and  j 
sinks  as  the  air  cools. 

Thermopylae.  A  narrow  pass] 
between  Mt.  ^Etna  and  tho  sea, 
which  a  handful  of  Spartans  under 
King  Leonidas  held  against  an  j 
immense  Persian  host  under" 
Xerxes,  perishing  to  a  man.  Ther- 

Thesatirus,  thC-sa'rus.    A  treas-  "l^^^®- 
ury.     T.  verborum,  a  treasury  of 
words;  a  lexicon. 

Theseus.  In  Heroic  Hist,  the  son  of 
vEgeus  and  friend  of  Hercules,  who  slew 
the  Minotaurs  with  the  aid  of  the  Cretan 
Princess  Ariadne.  The  two  eloped,  but 
A.  was  killed  by  the  arrow  of  Artemise  as 
they  landed  on  the  island  of  Naxos.  T. 
was  the  hero  of  numberless  adventures, 
and  was  finally  killed  by  Lycomedes  of 
Scyros. 

Thesmophoria,  thes-mo-fSM-a.    A  t&' 


THESMOTHETE 


THOMAS  A  KEMPIS 


mous  ancient  Greek  festival  celebrated  by 
married  women  in  honor  of  Demeter  as 
the  mother  of  beautiful  offspring. 

Thesmothete,  thez'mo-thet.  A  law- 
giver; a  legislator;  one  of  the  six  infe- 
rior archons  at  Athens. 

Th,espis.  An  eminent  Greek  dramatist, 
called  the  father  of  tragedy.  He  Nourished 
in  the  6th  century  b.  c. 

Thessalonians,  Epistles  to.  In 
Scrip,  two  letters  written  by  St.  Paul  to 
the  Society  at  Thcssalonica.'in  Macedonia, 
abt.  52.  Their  authenticity  has  never  been 
doubted  by  the  church. 

Thetis,  thet'is.  In  Greek  Myth,  the 
daughter  of  Nereus  and  Doris,  one  of  the 
Nereids.  She  was  married  to  Pelous, 
king  of  the  Myrmidons,  and  became  the 

j  mother  of  Achilles.    Thetis  Avas  a  symbol 

(  of  water  in  the  ancient  cosmogonies.  In 
Astron.  a  small  planet  revolving  between 
the  orbits  of  M.ars  and  Jupiter. 

Theurgy,  thC'er-ji.  The  working  of 
some  divine  or  supernatural  agency  in 
human  Mairs ;  effects  or  phenomena 
brought  about  among  men  by  spiritual 
agency  ;  specificallv,  divine  agency  or  di- 
rect interference  of  the  gods  in  human  af- 
fairs or  the  government  of  the  world.  A 
63-stem  of  supernatural  knowledge  or 
powers  believed  by  the  Egyptian  Platon- 
ists  and  others  to  have  been  communi- 
cated to  mankind  by  the  beneficent  deities 
or  good  s])irits,  and  to  have  been  handed 
down  traditionally  by  the  priests.  The 
art  of  invoking  deities  or  spirits,  or  by 
their  intervention  conjuring  up  visions, 
interpreting  dreams,  prophesying,  re- 
ceiving and  explaining  oracles,  &c. 

Thibet.  A  large  coimtry  of  S.  Central 
Asia,  mostly  embraced  within  the  limits 
of  the  Chinese  empire  ;  pop.  estimated  at 
6,000,000.  Lassa  is  the  principal  city.  T. 
is  governed  by  a  grand  lama,  who  is  also 
worshiped  as  divine. 

Thierry,  Amedee  Simon  Domin- 
iCLUe.  A  distinguished  French  historian  ; 
n.  1797,  D.  1876.  His  brother,  Jacques 
Nicolas  Augustin,  was  even  more  eminent 
as  an  author ;  b.  1795,  d.  1856. 

Thiers,  Louis  Adolphe.  An  eminent 
Erench  statesman  and  historian  ;  b.  1797, 
I).  1877.  He  was  the  first  President  of  the 
Eepublic,  elected  1>71,  resitrned  1873,  and 
8.  by  Marshal  MacMahon. 

Thirty,  ther'ti.  The  number  which  con- 
sists of  three  times  ten.  A  symbol  rep- 
resenting thirty  units,  as  30  or  xxx. 

Thirty  Years'  War,  The.  The  war 
in  Germa^iy  betwe^m.  th«  Catholics  and 
Protestant*,  161^1648. 


Thistle. 


Thistle,  this'l. 
The  com  m  o  n 
name  of  prickly 
plants  of  the 
tribe  Cynaracese, 
ord,  Compositic. 
Order  of  the  T., 
a  Scottish  order 
of  knighthood, 
sometimes  called 
the  order  of  St. 
Andrews,  insti- 
tuted by  James 
YII.  (James  II. 
of  England),  1687,  when  eight  knights 
were  nomi- 
nated. The 
insignia  of 
the  order 
consist  of  a 
gold  collar 
composed  of 
thistles  inter-  , 
laced  -with  ' 
spr  i  g  8  of 
rue,  the 
jewel,  a 
figure  of  St. 
Andrew  in 
the  middle  of 
a  star  of  eight 
pointed  rays, 
susp  ended 
from  the  col 
lar;  the  star 
of  silver  and 
eight-ray  c  d , 
four  of  the 
rays  being 
pointed,  the 
others  fan- 
shaped,  -with  a  thiistle  in  the  center  sur- 
rounded by  the  Latin  motto  "Nemo  me 
impune  lacessit ;"  and  the  badge  oval,  with 
the  motto  surrounding  the  figure  of  St. 
Andrew.  The  order  consists  of  the  sov- 
ereign and  16  knights,  besides  extra 
knights  (princes),  and  a  dean,  a  secretary, 
the  lyon-king-at-arras,  and  the  gentleman 
usher  of  the  green  rod. 

Thoznseau,  to-mG'an.  One  belonging 
to  a  church  of  early  Christians,  said  to 
have  been  founded,  on  the  Malabar  coast 
of  India,  by  St.  Thomas. 

Thomaism,  tom'a-izm.  The  doctrines 
of  St.  Thomas  x\quinas  with  sespeot  to 
predestination  and  grace,  and  especially 
tlie  immaculate  conception  of  the  Virgin. 

Thomas,  G-eorg-e  Henry.  An  Amer- 
ican general  ;  b.  in  Va.,  1816,  p.  1870. 

Thomas  a  Kempis.  An  eminent 
German  theologian  ;  b.  1380,  D.  1471. 


Order  of  the  Thistle— Star, 
Jewel,  Badge  and  Collar. 


THOMAS 


HUCYDIDES 


Thomas,  St.  (Didymus).  One  of  the 
twelve  apostles ;  n.  in  Galilee,  and 
believed  to  have  sutTered  martyrdom  in 
Coroinandel,  India. 

Thomsonian,  -so'ni-an.  Applied  to  a 
system  of  botanical  medicine,  one  of 
whose  doctrines  is,  that  as  all  minerals 
are  from  the  earth  their  tendency  is  to 
carry  men  into  their  graves,  whereas  the 
tendency  of  herbs,  from  then-  groA\ing 
upward,  is  to  keep  men  from  their  graves. 

Thor,  thor.  The  second  principal  god  of 
the  ancient  Scandinavians,  the  god  of 
thunder.  He  was  the  son  of  Odin,  or  the 
supreme  being,  and  Jorth,  the  earth.  He 
was  the  champion  of  the  gods,  and  called 
in  to  their  assistance  whenever  they  were 
in  straits.  He  was  also  the  friend  of  man- 
kind, and  the  slayer  of  trolls  and  evil 
spirits.  He  always  carried  a  hea\y  ham- 
mer (mjolnir,  the  crusher),  Avhich,  as 
often  as  he  discharged  it,  returned  to  his 
hand  of  itself ;  his  girdle  had  the  virtue  of 
renewing  his  strength.  Thor  is  repre- 
sented as  a  powerful  man,  Avith  a  long 
red  beard,  a  crown  on  his  head,  a  scepter 
in  one  hand,  and  his  hammer  in  the 
other.  Thursday  is  called  after  him,  and 
his  name  enters  Into  many  proper  names. 

Thomson,  James.  An  EngUsh  poet ; 
B.  1700,  D.  1748. 

Thorwaidsen,  Albert  Bertel.  The 
most  eminent  of  Danish  sculptors;  b. 
1770,  p.  1S44. 

T  h  o  t  h ,  thoth.  An 
Egyptian  divinity  whom 
the  Greeks  considered 
identical  with  Hermes  or 
Mercury.  He  was  the 
inventor  of  the  sciences 
and  arts,  and  especially 
of  speech  and  hiero- 
glyphics or  letters.  He 
is  represented  as  a  hu- 
man figure  with  the  head 
of  a  lamb  or  ibis. 

Thous,  tho'us.    A  name 

given  to  a  gen.  of  African       

dogs,  intermediate    be-F  . '.,      1 
tween  the  wolf,  the  fox         Thoth. 
and  the  jackal. 

Thousand,  thou'zand.  The  number  of 
ten  hundred.  A  symbol  representing  the 
number  ten  hundred,  as  M,  1,000.  Often 
apphed  indefinitely  to  a  great  number. 

Thousand  Islands.  A  chain,  said  to 
number  nearly  1,500,  of  small  islands  at 
the  foot  of  Lake  Ontaj-io  and  the  entrance 
of  the  St.  LawTence  River;  they  are  a 
popular  summer  resort. 

Thrasher,  thrash'er.    One  who  Ihrashes 


grain.  A  species  of  shark,  the  Alopias  or 
Alopecias  vulpes  or  sea-fox,  called  the 
thrasher  from  its  using  its  tail-fin  as  a 
weapon  of  attack.  Krown  thrasher,  an 
American  singing  bird  of  the  thrush  fam- 
ily, the  Turdus  or  Harporhynehus  rufus. 

Thrashingr-machine,  'ing-ma-shen. 
A  machine  for  separating  grain,  as  wheat, 
oats,  barley,  &c.,from  the  straw,  operated 
by  animal  or  steam  power. 

Three,  thrc.  The  number  which  consists 
of  two  and  one.  A  symbol  representing 
three  units,  as  3  or  iii. 

Threnodist,  'no-dist.  A  writer  of  thre- 
nodies ;  a  composer  of  dirges. 

Thresher,  thresh'er.  Same  as  Thrasher. 
A  member  of  an  Irish  Catholic  organiza- 
tion, instituted  1S06,  the  principal  object 
being  to  resist  the  payment  of  tithes. 
Their  threats  and  warnings  were  signed 
Captain  Thresher. 

Throne,  thron.  An  elevated  and  orna- 
mental chair  of  state  used  by  a  king,  em- 
peror or  pope.  The  term  is  also  applied 
to  the  seat  of  a  bishop  in  his  cathedral 
church,  and  to  the  ofiicial  chair  of  the  pre- 
siding oficial  of  certain  societies. 

Throttle- valve,  throt'1-valv.  In  steam- 
engines,  a  valve  which  regulates  the  sup- 
ply of  steam  to  the  cylinder. 

Thrower,  thro'er.  A  person  who  twists 
or  winds  silk  ;  a  throwster.  A  potter  who 
works  a  thro\ring  wheel  or  engine. 

Throwingr-engine,  'ing-en-jin.  'In 
pottery,  a  revolving  disk  or  table  on  which 
the  mass  of  clay  is  first  roughly  molded 
by  the  hand  of  the  potter ;  a'  potter's 
wheel. 

Thrush,  thrush. 
A  name  common 
to  birds,  gen. 
T II  r  d  u  8,  fam. 
Turdidaj,  but 
commonly  ap- 
phed to  the  song- 
thrush  (Turdus 
musicus). 

Thuban,  tho' 
ban.  The  star 
Alpha,  constella- 
tion Draco.  This 
star  was  once  much  brighter  than  it  is  at 

f)resent.  It  has  been  supposed  that  the 
ong  sloping  passage  from  the  northern 
face  of  the  great  pyramid  of  Egypt  was 
constructed  for  the  purpose  of  watching 
the  sub-polar  meridional  passage  of  this 
star,  the  polar  star  (according:  to  this  view) 
when  the  pyramid  was  built. 
Thucydides.  A  celebrated  Greek  histo- 
rian and  general ;  b.  471,  d.  abt.  408  b.  c. 


Thrush. 


THUG 


654 


TIBEEIUS 


Tliug,  thug.  A  member  of  a  i)eculiar 
confraternity  or  association  of  robber  sand 
assassins  formerly  prevalent  in  India. 
They  roamed  about  in  bands,  decoyed 
travelers  and  others  into  retired  spots  and 
there  plundered  and  murdered  them,  pref- 
erably by  strangulation,  and  only  b}'  the 
shedding  of  blood  when  forced  by  circum- 
stances. Their  motive  was  not  so  much 
lust  of  plunder  as  certain  religious  ideas, 
and  of  their  spoil  one-third  was  devoted 
to  the  goddess  Kali,  whom  they  wor- 
shiped. They  were  suppressed  by  the 
Britisli  Government,  1S30. 

Thule,  thu'le.  The  name  given  by  the 
ancients  to  the  most  northern  countiy 
with  which  they  were  acquainted,  believed 
by  some  to  have  been  Iceland,  by  others 
Norway,  and  by  many  one  of  the  Shetland 
Islands.  Probably  the  word  did  not  al- 
ways denote  the  same  country.  The  Eo- 
mans  spoke  of  it  as  ultima  Thule,  "  the 
farthest  Thule." 

Thumbkins,  thum'kinz.  An  instru- 
ment of  torture  much  used  by  the  Spanish 
Inquisitors,  and  occasionally  used  in  Brit- 
ain.    The  last  recorded  instance  of  their 


Scotch  Thumbkins. 
application  in  Great  Britain  was  in  the 
case  of  Principal  Carstairs,  who,  in  16S4, 
was  ineffectually  tortured  at  the  orders  of 
the  Scotch  pri\'y-council  with  the  view  of 
making  him  reveal  the  secrets  of  the  Ar- 
gyle  and  Monmouth  parties.  Called  also 
Thumb-screw. 

Thummini, 'im.  A  Hebrew  word  denot- 
ing perfections.  The  ITrim  and  Thuumiiui 
were  worn  in  the  breastplate  of  the  high- 
priest,  but  what  the)'  %vere  has  never  been 
satisfactorily  ascertained. 

Thunder,  thun'der.  The  sound  which 
follows  a  Hash  of  lightning ;  a  report  due 
to  the  sudden  disturbance  of  the  air  pro- 
duced by  the  violent  discharge  of  atmos- 
pheric electricity  or  lightning. 

Thunderbolt,  -bolt.  A  shaft  of  light- 
ning ;  a  brilliant  stream  of  electricity  pass- 
ing from  one  part  of  the  heavens  to 
another,  and  particularly  from  the  clouds 
to  the  earth.    The  name  originated  in  the 


Thurible 


ancient  notion  that  the  destructive  effects 
of  lighting  could  be  caused  only  by  a  shaft 
or  bolt-hko  hard  body  being  hurled  at  the 
object  destroyed. 

Thurible,  thii'ri-bl. 
A  kind  of  censer,  of 
gold,  silver,  brass  or 
latten,  in  the  shape  of 
a  covered  cup,  perfor- 
ated so  as  to  allow  the 
fumes  of  burning  in- 
cense to  escape.  It 
has  chains  attached, 
by  which  it  is  swung 
at  high  mass,  vespers 
and  other  solemn : 
offices  of  the  E,  C. ' 
Ch.  - 

Th3rrsus,  ther'sus. 
One  of  the  coinmon 
emblems  of  Bacchus 
and  his  followers.  It 
consisted  often  of  a  spear  or  staff  decorated 
"vvith  ivy  and  vine  branches,  or  of  a  lanco 
thrust  into  a  cone  of  pine.  The  Bacchan- 
als carried  thyrsi  when  they  celebrated 
the  orgies  of  Bacchus. 

Tiara,  tl-a'ra.  An  ornament  or  article  of 
dress  vdth  which  the  ancient  Persians  cov- 
ered their  heads  ;  a  kind  of  turban.  The 
king  of  Persia  alone  had  a  right  to  wear 
it  straight  or  erect ;  the  lords  and  priests 
wore  it  turned  doAvn  on  the  fore  side. 
Xenophon  says  the  tiara  was  encompassed 
with  the  diadem,  at  least  in  ceremonials. 
The  pope's  triple  crown.  The  tiara  and 
keys  are  the  badges  of  the  papal  dignity ; 
the  tiara  of  his  civil  rack  and  the  keys  of 
his  jurisdiction.  In  its  present  form  it  is 
composed  of  a  high  cap  of  cloth  of  gold, 
encu-cled  by  three  coronets,  with  a  mound 
and  cross  of  gold  at  the  top.  From  the 
cap  hang  two  pendants,  embroidered  and 
fringed,  and  semee  of  crosses  of  gold. 
The  cap  was  first  adopted  by  Damasus 
II.,  104S.  It  afterwai-ds  had  a  plain  circlet 
of  gold  put  round  it.  The  coronet  was 
attached  by  Boniface  VIII.  and  the  second 
coronet  by  Benedict  XIT.,  to  indicate  the 
prerogative  of  spiritual  and  temporal 
power.  It  is  not  known  who  first  adopted 
the  third  coi'onet,  indicative  of  the  Trinity. 

Tiber.  A  river  of  Italy,  flowing  through 
Eome,  and  emptying  into  the  Mediterra- 
nean at  Ostia ;  length,  212  m. 

Tiberius,  Claudius  Drusus  Nero 
Caesar.  Second  emperor  of  Eome ; 
crowned  14,  ©.  37  a.  d.  He  Avas  a  mon- 
ster of  sensuality  and  brutality.  T.  II. 
(Constantino),  surnamed  Thrax,  from 
Thracia,  his  native  country;  erowned  574, 


TIBIA 


655 


TINTORETTO 


Tibia,  tib'i-a.  A  kind  of  pipe,  the  com- 
monest musical  instrument  of  the  Greeks 
and  liomans- 

Tick,  tik.  The  name  common  to  certain 
small  parasitical  arachnidans  or  mites,  con- 
stituting- the  sec.  Ixodes  (called  also  Suc- 
toria),  fam.  Acarida. 

Ticknor,  Georgre.  An  eminent  Ameri- 
can author;   u.  in  Mass.,  1791,  d.  1861. 

Ticonderogu.  A  village  of  Essex  Co., 
N.  Y.,  95  m.  N.  E.  of  Albany,  noted  for 
its  old  fort,  surprised  and  captured  by 
Col.  Ethan  Allen  and  his  "Green  Moun- 
tain Boys,"  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Eevolu- 
tion. 

Tic-polong-a,  tik-po-long'ga.  An  ex- 
tremely venomous  snake,  a  native  of  In- 
dia, Ceylon,  &c.,  sometimes  called  also 
Katuka,  gen.  Daboia,  fam.  Yiperidae. 

Ticuna-poison,  ti-ko'na-noi-zn.  An 
arrow-poison  used  by  the  Vicunas  and 

1  other  Indian  tribes  dwelling  near  the  Am- 
azojis.  When  given  to  animals  it  pro- 
duces strong  convulsions,  lasting  for 
hours. 

Tide,  tid.  Time  ;  season.  The  alternate 
rising  and  falling  of  the  ocean  and  conuect- 
ing  waters.  It  appears  as  a  general  wave 
of  water,  which  gradually  elevates  itself 
to  a  certain  height,  then  as  gradually  sinks 
till  its  surface  is  about  as  much  below  the 
medium  level  as  it  was  before  above  it. 
It  is  occasioned  by  the  attraction  of  the 
moon. 

Tieck,  Liudwlgr.  An  eminent  German 
poet  and  novehst ;  b.  1T73,  d.  1S53. 

Tien-Tsin.  The  port  of  Pekin,  China, 
on  the  Peiho,  SO  m,  S.  E.  of  Pekin  :  pop. 
1,200,000. 

Tierra  del  Fuegro.  (Land  of  Fire). 
A  group  of  islands  separated  from  the 
southernmost  point  of  S.  America  by  the 
Straits  of  MageUan. 

Tiers  Etat,  ter-zfi-ta'.  In  French  Hist, 
the  third  estate,  that  is,  the  people  exclu- 
sive of  the  nobility  and  clergy  ;  the  com- 
monalty ;  th3  commons.  The  nobles  and 
clergy  constituted  the  first  and  second  es- 
tates previous  to  the  Revolution  of  1789. 

Tiflis.  Cap.  of  Georgia  in  the  Russian 
government  of  Trans-Caucasus,  on  the 
Kur  ;  pop.  abt.  75,000. 

Tiger,  ti'gcr.  A  carnivorous  animal,  the 
largest  and  fiercest  of  the  gen.  Felis,  F. 
tigi-is,  fam.  Felida?. 

Tights,  tits.  A  tight-fitting  under  cov- 
ering worn  on  the  legs  by  acrobats,  actors, 
dancers  and  the  like. 

Tigress,  H'gres.  The  female  of  the  ti- 
ger. 


Tigris.  A  river  of  W.  Asia,  uniting 
with  the  Euphrates  at  Kumah;  length, 
1,150  m. 

Tilbury,  til'be-ri.  A  gig  or  two-wheeled 
carriage  \vithout  a  top  or  cover. 

Tiler,  'er.  In  freemasonry,  the  door- 
keeper of  a  lodge. 

Timbrel,  tim'brel.  An  instrument  o^ 
music  ;  a  kind  of  drum,  taber,  or  tabret, 
which  has  been  in  use  from  the  highest 
antiquity.  It  is  now  known  under  the 
name  of  Tambourine  or  Tambour  do 
Basque. 

Timbuctoo  (Tombuctoo).  A  city  of 
W.  Central  Africa,  neai'  the  boundary  bet, 
the  Soudan  and  Sahara,  8  m.  N.  of  the 
Niger ;  pop,  abt.  22,000. 

Time,  tim.  The  general  idea  of  succes- 
sive existence ;  the  measure  of  duration. 
Time  is  absolute  or  relative.  Absolute  time 
is  considered  without  any  relation  to 
bodies  or  their  motions ;  conceived  as  un- 
bounded, continuous,  homogeneous,  un- 
changeable in  the  order  of  its  parts,  and 
divisible  without  end.  Relative  time  is 
the  sensible  measure  of  any  portion  of 
duration,  marked  by  the  apparent  revohi- 
tion  of  the  sun,  or  the  rotation  of  the  earth 
on  its  axis.  Time  is  divided  into  years, 
months,  weeks,  days,  hours,  minutes  and 
seconds. 

Time-fuse,  'ftiz.  A  fuse  which  can  be 
so  arranged  as  to  explode  a  charge  at  a 
certain  determinate  interval  after  the  time 
of  its  ignition. 

Tim.e-lock,  'lok.  A  lock  having  clock- 
work attached,  which  prevents  the  bolt 
being  withdrawn  when  locked,  until  a 
certain  interval  of  time  has  elapsed. 

Tim.e-piece,  'pes.  A  clock,  watch  or 
other  instrument  to  meastxre  or  show  the 
progress  of  time. 

Timoleon.  A  patriotic  Corinthian  who, 
344-8.38  B.  c,  delivered  all  the  Greek  cities 
of  Sicily  from  the  rule  of  usurping  tyrants, 
and  checked  the  progress  of  Carthaginian 
power. 

Timotliy,  Epistles  to.  In  Scrip.,  two 
letters,  which,  with  the  Epistle  to  Titus, 
form  the  "three  pastoral  epistles"  gener- 
ally ascribed  to  St.  Paul. 

Tin,  tin.  A  raetal  of  a  white  brilliant  color, 
shghtly  tinged  with  gray.  In  hardness  it 
is  intermediate  between  gold  and  lead. 

Tinewald,  tln'wald.  The  ancient  par- 
liament or  annual  convention  of  people  in 
the  Isle  of  Man. 

Tintoretto.  The  artistic  name  of  Gia- 
como  Robust!,  an  eminent  Yenetian 
painter ;  b.  1512,  d,  1S94, 


TIPPECATfOE 


TOISON- 


Tippecanoe.  A  river  of  Indiana,  emp- 
tyin;.'  into  the  Wabash,  9  m.  N.  E.  of  La- 
fayette, noted  for  the  defeat  on  its  banks, 
Nov.  5,  ISll,  of  the  allied  Indians  under 
Tecumseh  and  his  brother,  by  Gen.  Har- 
rison ;  length,  200  ra. 

Tipperary.  Cap.  of  co.  of  same  name, 
prov.  Muuster,  Ireland. 

Tippoo  Sahib.  Eajah  of  Mysore,  India, 
son  and  s.  of  Ilyder  Ali ;  b.  1749,  killed 
at  the  storming  of  Seringapatam,  his  cap- 
ital, by  the  English,  1T99. 

Tirailleur,  ti-ral-yer.  A  name  origi- 
nally applied  In  France  during  the  revolu- 
tion of  1T9'2  to  light-armed  troops  who 
were  thrown  out  from  the  main  body  to 
bring  on  an  action,  cover  an  attack,  or 
annoy  or  deceive  the  enemy  ;  a  skirmisher; 
a  sharp-shooter. 

Tisri,  tiz'ri.  The  1st  Hebrew  month  of 
the  civil  year,  and  the  7th  of  the  ecclesias- 
tical, answering  to  a  part  of  September 
and  October. 

Titan,  ti'tan.  In  Greek  Myth,  one  of  the 
twelve  children  (six  sons  and  six  daugh- 
ters) of  Uranus  (Heaven)  and  Ge  (Earth). 
They  rebelled  against  their  father  and  de- 
posed him,  raising  Cronos,  one  of  their 
number,  to  the  throne.  After  a  long  con- 
test they  were  defeated  by  Zeus  and 
thrown  into  Tartarus.  Poetical  for  the  sun. 

Titania,  -ta'ni-a.  The  queon  of  Fau-y- 
land  and  consort  of  Oberon. 

Titanotherium,  'tan-o-the"ri-um.  A 
large  fossil  herbivorous  mammal,  possibly 
twice  the  size  of  a  horse,  somewhat  allied 
to  the  tapir,  whose  remainil  are  found  in 
the  miocone  stratsi  of  Missouri. 

Titian,  Tiziano  Vecelli.  The  most 
eminent  painter  of  the  Venetian  school; 
B.  1477,  i>.  1576. 

Titmouse,  tit'mous.  An  insessorial 
bird,  ord.  Dentirostres,  and  forming  the 
type  of  the  fom.  Paridae. 

Titus,  Flavius  Sabinus  Vespasi- 
anus.  A  Roman  general  and  emperor, 
8.  Vespasian,  79,  r>.  81.  Before  he  ascend- 
ed the  throne  he  captured  and  destroyed 
Jerusalem,  70. 

Tivoli.  A  city  of  the  Campagna,  Italy, 
18  m.  N.  E.  of  Kome,  at  the  famous  cas- 
cades of  the  Teverone  ;  pop.  abt.  8,500. 

Tiu,  te'u.  In  Northern  Myth,  the  original 
supreme  divinity  of  the  ancient  Teutonic 
mythology,  corresponding  with  Dyaus  of 
India,  Zeus  of  Greece,  and  the  Jove  of  the 
Eomans. 

Toad.  tod.  The  common  name  of  am- 
phibian vertebrates,  gen.  Bufo,  now  con- 
stituted into  a  family,  Bufonidae. 


Tobacco,  to-bak'ko.  A  genus  of  plants 
(Nicotiaiia),  ord.  iSolanacete.  There  are 
several  species,  all  narcotic.  Those  most 
generally  cultivated  are  N.  tabacum  and 
N.  macrophylla,  the  former  being  often 
called  Virginian  tobacco. 

Tobit,  tob'it.  One  of  the  Old  Testament 
Apocryphal  books. 

Tobolsk.  Cap.  of  Siberia,  Asiatic  Rus- 
sia, near  the  junction  of  the  Irtish  and 
Tobol,  976  m.  E.  of  St.  Petersburg ;  pop. 
18,000. 

Tocantins.  A  Brazilian  river,  empty- 
ing into  the  Para ;  length,  1,000  m. 

Tocqueville,  Alexis  Charles  Hen- 
ri Clerel  de.  A  distinguished  French 
statesman,  historian  and  philosopher  ;  b. 
1805,  D.  1859. 

Todas,  to'daz.  A  small  race  of  men,  in- 
habiting the  upper  part  of  the  Neilgherry 
Mountains  in  S.  India.  Under  the  influ- 
ence of  polyandry  and  intemperance  they 
are  rapidly  disappearing.  Their  language 
is  Dravidian,  and  they  are  doubtless  the 
aborigines  oi  the  country. 

Todleben,  Erancis  Edward.  A 
Russian  miUtary  engineer  and  generai ;  b. 
of  German  ancestry,  1818  ;  d.  18Sii.  Ho 
won  distinction  by  his  defense  of  Sebas- 
topol  against  the  French,  English  and 
Turks,  1855-6. 

Togra,  to'ga.  The  principal  outer  garment 
worn  by  the  ancient  Romans.  It  was 
made  of  wool  or  silk,  the  usual  color  being 
white.  It  covered  the  whole  bo<ly  with 
the  exception  of  the  right  arm,  and  the 
right  of  wearing  it  was  the  exclusive  priv- 
ilege of  every  Roman  cicizen.  The  toga 
virihs,  or  manly  gown,  was  assumed  by 
Roman  youths  when  they  attained  the 
age  of  14. 

Toggle.      A  small  wooden  pin,] 
tapering    toward    both  ends  ; 
knee-joint  of  two  b»rs  connected, 
that  may  be  broughc  into  a  straight 
line  and    produo«  great  endwise( 
pressure. 

Toison,  toi'son.  The  fleece  of  a 
sheep.  T.  d'ov,  in  Her.,  the  termf 
for  a  golden  fleece  or  the  Holy'- 
Lamb.  An  order  of  knighthood  Tog- 
instituted,  1420,  by  Philip  the  gle. 
Good,  Duke  of  Bui-gundy,  original- 
Iv  compot^ed  of  24  knights,  the  prince 
being  chief.  The  order  now  belongs  both 
to  Austria  and  Spain.  The  knights  carry 
appended  to  their  coUai-s  the  ligureofa 
sheep  or  fleece  in  gold,  the  chain  consist- 
ing of  alternate  flint  stones  (blue),  emit- 
ting fire,  and  steels,  or  instead  a  ribbon  ii 
used.     They  also  wear  a  special  cap  and 


TOKAY 


657 


TOPOGEAPHY 


rich  robes.  The  motto  is  *'  Pretium  labo- 
rnm  non  vile." 

Tokay,  to-kil'.  A  rich  aromatic  wine 
pi;odiiced  at  Tokay,  in  Upper  Hungary, 
made  of  white  grapes. 

Toledo,  -Itj'do.  A  sword-blade  of  the 
finest  temper,  so  named  from  Toledo,  in 
Spain,  which,  during  the  15th  and  16th 
centuries,  was  famous  for  manufacturing 
sword -blades  of  a  superior  temper. 

Toledo.  Cap.  of  Lucas  Co.,  O.,  on  the 
Mauniee,  near  the  "W.  end  of  Lake  Erie  ; 
pop.  50,137. 

Toltec,  tol'tek,  A  member  of  a  race  of 
Mexico  who,  according  to  tradition,  com- 
ing from  the  North,  ruled  the  country  from 
the  7th  to  the  12th  century,  when  power 
passed  from  them  to  the  Aztecs.  The  re- 
mains of  architecture  ascribed  to  them 
consist  principally  of  monuments  of  colos- 
sal proportions,  temples  and  cities,  show 
them  to  have  been  a  people  far  advanced 
in  civilization,  acquainted  with  the  use  of 
metals,  the  arts  of  weaving,  pottery  and 
hieroglyphic  writing.  Their  religion  is 
said  to  have  been  mild,  and  laws  just. 
Their  civilization  was  overlaid  by  that  of 
the  Aztecs,  who  ingrafted  on  it  many 
bloody  religious  rites  and  childish  social 
practices. 

Tolu-tree.  to-lo'tre.  A  large,  handsome 
tree,  which  yields  the  balsam  of  Tolu. 
The  wood  is  red  in  the  center,  wth  the 
odor  of  balsam  or  of  rose.  The  fruit  is  a 
one-celled  oblique-winged  legume. 

Tomahawk,  t  o  m  '  a  - 
hak.    An  Indian  liatchet, 
used  in  the  chase  and  in 
war,   not   only  in    close 
fighting,  but    by    being 
thrown  to  a  considerable     Tomahawk, 
distance,  and  so  dexter- 
ously often,  that    the  sharp  edge    iirst 
strikes  the  object  aimed  at.     They  were 
originally  made  of  flint,  but  later  of  iron 
and  steel. 

Tombig-bee.  A  river,  rising  in  Missis- 
sippi and  flowing  through  Alabama,  join- 
ing the  Alabama  and  forming  Middle 
Eiver,  45  m.  'N.  of  Mobile  ;  length  450  m. 

Tomjolin,  'jon.  A  kind  of  sedan-chair, 
open  in  front  and  carried  by  a  single  pole 
on  men's  shoulders,  used  in  India  and 
Ceylon. 

Ton,  ton.  The  prevailing  fashion ;  high 
mode ;  as,  ladies  of  ton. 

Ton,  tun.  A  weight  equal  to  20  hundred- 
weight or  2,240  poimds  avoirdupois.  In 
the  U.  S.  the  ton  is  commonly  estimated 
at  2,000  lbs. ;  sometimes  called  the  short 
ton.      A  wine  measure  of  capacity,  equal 


to  252  gallons  or  2  pipes  :  in  this  sense 
usually  written  tun.  A  certain  weight  or 
space — in  the  latter  case  about  40  cubic 
feet — by  which  the  burden  of  a  ship  is 
reckoned,  as,  a  ship  of  300  tons. 

Tone,  Theobald  "Wolfe.  An  Irish 
patriot ;  b.  17t>3,  d.,  by  suicide  in  prison, 
179S 

Tonka-bean,  tong'ka-ben.  The  fruit  of 
the  Dipterix  odorata  or  Coumarouna 
odorata,  ord.  Leguminosae,  sub-ord.  Papil- 
ionaceffi.  The  fruit  is  an  oblong  dry  fibrous 
drupe,  containing  a  single  seed.  The 
odor  of  the  kernel  is  extremely  agreeable 
and  it  is  used  in  perfumery. 

Tonquin.  The  N.  province  of  Anam, 
S.  E.  Asia,  the  scene  of  present  hostilities 
between  the  French  and  Chinese.  Gulf  of 
T.,  an  arm  of  the  China  Sea,  300  m.  long 
by  150  in  breadth. 

Tontine,  ton'tin.  An  annuity  shared  by 
subscribers  to  a  loan,  with  the  benefit  of 
survivorsliip,  the  annuity  being  increased 
as  the  subscribers  die,  until  at  last  the 
whole  goes  to  the  last  survivor,  or  to  the 
last  two  or  three,  according  to  the  terms 
on  which  the  ii'oney  is  advanced.  By 
means  of  tontines  many  government  loans 
were  formerly  raised  in  Esgland. 

Tope,  top.  The  popular  name  for  a  spe- 
cies of  Buddhist  monument,  intended  for 
the  preservation  of  relics  or  the  com- 
memoration of  some  event.  When  for  the 
former  purpose  the  tope  is  called  a  dagoba, 
when  for  the  latter  a  stupa  ;  the  term  tope 
having  reference  to  their  external  shape 
only. 

Topeka.  Cap.  of  Kansas,  in  Shawnee 
Co.,  on  Kansas  liiver,  50  m.  S.  W,  of 
Leavf  nworth  ;  pop.  15,452. 

Tophet,  to'fet.  A  place  situated  at  the 
southeastern  extremity  of  Gehenna,  or 
Valley  of  Hinnom,  to  the  south  of  Jerusa- 
lem, where  the  idolatrous  Jews  wor- 
shiped the  fire-gods  and  sacrificed  their 
children.  In  consequence  of  these  abom- 
inations the  whole  valley  became  the  com- 
mon laystall  of  the  cit}-,  and  symbohcal  of 
the  place  of  torment  in  a  future  life. 

Topia,  'pi-a.  A  fanciful  style  of  mural 
decorations,  generally  consisting  of  land- 
scapes of  a  heterogeneous  character,  re- 
sembling tliose  of  the  Chinese,  much  used 
in  the  I*ompeian  houses. 

Topography,  to-pog'ra-fi.  The  descrip- 
tion of  a  particular  place,  city  or  tract  of 
land ;  the  detailed  description  of  any 
country  or  region,  including  its  cities, 
towns,  villages,  castles,  &c.,  distinguished 
from  geography  in  being  descriptive  and 
more  detailed. 


TOEAH 


65S        TOUSSAINT  L'OUVERTUEE 


Torah,  to'ra.  A  term  in  ancient  Hebrew 
literature  for  any  decision  or  instruction 
in  matters  of  law  and  conduct,  given  by 
sacred  authority  ;  the  revealed  will  of 
God  ;  counsel  or  instruction  proceeding 
from  a  sacred  source ;  hence,  a  book  con- 
taining such  instruction. 

Toreador,  tor-e-a-dor'.  A  general  name 
for  a  bull-fighter  in  Spain,  especially  one 
who  fights  on  horse-back.  Written  also 
Torreador. 

Toreumatologry,  to-ru'ma-tol"o-ji.  The 
science  or  art  of  sculpture,  or  a  treatise  on 
sculpture. 

Toronto.  Cap,  of  Ontario,  in  York  Co., 
Dominion  of  Oaiiada,  on  Lake  Ontario- 
338  m.  S.  W.  of  Montreal. 
Torpedo,  tor-pG'do.  An  elasmobranch- 
iate  fish,  allied  to  the  rays,  forming  the 
type  of  the  fam.  Torpedinidaj,  noted  for 
their  power  of  discharging  electric  shocks 
when  irritated. 

Torque,  tork.  In  Archasol.  a  personal  or- 
nament worn  by  the  ancient  Britons, 
Gauls  and  Germans.  It  consisted  of  a 
stiir  collar,  formed  of  a  number  of  gold 
wires  t\visted  together,  or  a  thin  plate,  gen- 
erally of  gold,  worn  round  the  neck  as  a 
symbol  of  rank  and  command. 

Torricelli,  Evangelista.  An  eminent 
Italian  philosopher ;  b.  1608,  d.  1647.  He 
invented  the  barometer. 

Torsk,  torsk.  A  malacopterygious  teleos- 
tean  fish  of  the  cod  tribe,  Brosmius  vul- 
garis. 

Torso,  tor'so.  In  Sculp,  the  trunk  of  a 
statue,  deprived  of  head  and  limbs. 

Tortois  e ,  '  t  o  i  s. 
The  name  which  is 
generally  restricted 
to  the  family  of 
reptiles  Testud  in  - 
ida?,  or  land -tor- 
toises, or  with  a  m  *-  • 
qualifying  term  is  Tortoise, 
applied  to  the  Emydte,  the  terrajnns  or 
fresh-water  tortoises,  and  the  Trionycida?, 
the  mud-turtles,  or  soft  tortoises.  The 
name  was  often  formerly  apphed  to  all 
turtles. 

Tortoise-sliell,  -shel.  A  name  popularly 
apphed  to  the  scutes  or  scales  of  the  tor- 
toise and  allied  chelonians,  especially  to 
the  shell  of  the  havvk's-bill  turtle,  exten- 
sively used  in  the  manufacture  of  combs, 
snuff-boxes,  <fec.,  and  in  inlaying  and  other 
ornamental  work. 

Tortug-as,  Dry.  A  group  of  ten  small 
islands  belonging  to  the  U.  S.,  120  m.  S. 
W.  of  Cap*  Sable,  Fla.    Also  the  name  of 


Toucan. 


a  Venezuelan  island  in  the  Caribbean  Sea, 
and  of  one  the  W.  Indies,  N.  E.  of  Cuba, 
Totem,  to'tem,  A  rude  figure,  as  of  a 
beast,  bird,  &c.,  used  by  the  N,  American 
Indians  as  a  symbolic 
Toucan,  tou'kan. 
A  name  sometimes 
applied  to  all  the 
scansorial  birds, 
fam.  Ramphas- 
tidaj,  but  some- 
times restricted  to 
those  of  the  gen. 
Kamphastos.  They 
are  remarkable 
among  birds  for  regurgitation  of  food, 
sending  it  back  into  the  bill  to  undergo 
mastication  analogous  to  rumination  in 
quadrHi)ed8.  A  small  constellation  of 
the  southern  hemisphere. 
Touch-needle,  tuch'ne-dl.  A  small  bar 
of  gold  and  silver,  either  pui'e  or  alloyed 
with  various  definite  pi-oportions  of  cop- 
per, &c.,  used  by  assayers  for  trying  arti- 
cles of  gold  and  silver. 
Toulon.  A  city  and  naval  station  of 
France,  on  the  Mediterranean,  32  m.  S.  E. 
of  Marseilles;  pop.  80,000. 
Toulouse.  x\n  inland  city  of  France, 
on  the  Garonne,  130  m.  S.  E.  of  Bor- 
deaux, noted  for  the  defeat,  1812,  of  the 
French  under  Soult  by  the  British  under 
Wellington  ;  pop.  131,460. 
Tournament,  tor'na-ment.  A  martial 
sport  or  species  of  combat  performed  in 
former  times  by  knights  and  cavaliers  on 
horseback.  It  has  recently  been  revived 
in  some  of  the  Southern  States. 
Tournay.  A  city  of  Belgium,  on  the 
Scheldt,  28  m.  N.  W.  of  Mons ;  pop. 
35,210. 

Tournure,  -nur.  Turn  ;  contour ;  fig- 
ure ;  shape.  A  stiff  padded  bandage 
which  women  fasten  round  the  loins  to 
expand  the  skirt ;  a  bustle. 
Tours,  A  French  city,  bet,  the  Loire 
and  Cher,  65  m.  S.  W.  of  Orleans  ;  pop. 
45,796, 

Tourville,  Anne  Hilarion  de 
Cotentin,  Comte  de.  A  distinguished 
French  admiral  and  marshal ;  b,  1642,  d. 
1701. 

Toussaint  L'Ouverture.  A  negro 
general  and  Presidentof  Hayti;  b.  1743,  a 
slave,  u,  1808,  in  France.  In  the  insur- 
rection and  massacre  of  the  whites,  1791, 
he  was  the  leader,  and  was  afterward 
elected  President  for  life.  Treacherously 
arrested  by  Gen,  Leclerc,  1802,  while  ne- 
gotiations were  in  progress,  he  was  car- 


TOWEPw 


TRAWL-NET 


riod  to  France  and  held  a  state  prisoner 
till  his  death. 

Tower,  tou'er.  A  hip:h  commode,  or 
head-dress,  worn  by  English  females  is 
the  reigrns  of  William  III.  and  Queen 
Anne.  It  was  composed  of  paste-board, 
ribbons  and  lace ;  the  latter  disposed  in 
altercate  tiers,  or  the  ribbons  were  formed 
into  high  stiffened  bows  covered  some- 
times by  a  long  laced  scarf  or  veil. 

Townley  Marbles,  toun'lo  mar'blz. 
An  assemblage  of  Greek  and  Koman 
sculpture  in  the  British  Museum,  so 
named  from  Charles  Townley,  who  made 
the  collection. 

Toxicologry,  tok-si-koro-ji.  That 
branch  of  medicine  which  treats  of  poi- 
sons and  their  antidotes,  or  of  the  morbid 
and  deleterious  effects  of  excessive  and  in- 
ordinate doses  and  quantities  of  medicine. 

Toxophilite,  -sofi-lit.  A  lover  of 
archery  ;  one  who  devotes  much  atten- 
tion to'  exercise  with  the  bow  and  arrow, 

Tractarianism,  trak-ta'ri-an-izm.  A 
system  of  religious  opinion  and  practice 
promulgated  within  the  Ch.  of  England  in 
a  series  of  papers  entitled  "Tracts  for  the 
Times,"  published  at  Oxford  1S33-1S41. 
The  leaders  of  the  movement.  Dr.  J.  11. 
Newman,  Dr.  Pusey,  Kev.  John  Keble 
and  other  Oxford  scholars,  sought  to 
mark  out  a  middle  course  between  Eo- 
manism  and  what  they  considered  a  ra- 
tionahsticor  latitudinarian  Protestantism. 
Many  who  fiivored  this  Anglo-Catholic 
movement  subsequently  went  over  to 
the  Ch.  of  Rome,  while  others  remained 
representatives  of  the  extremely  ritualis- 
tic or  High  Church  section  of  the  Ch.  of 
England. 

Trades-union,  tradz-iin'yon.  A  com- 
bination of  workmen  of  particular  trades 
or  manufactures  to  enable  each  member 
to  secure  the  conditions  most  favorable 
for  labor. 

Trade-wind,  trad- wind.  One  of  those 
constant  Minds  which  occur  in  all  open 
seas  on  both  sides  of  the  equator,  and  to 
the  distance  of  abt.  30°  north  and  south  o! 
it.  On  the  north  of  the  equator  their  di- 
rection is  from  the  northeast,  south  of  the 
equator  from  the  southeast. 

Trafalg-ar,  Cape.  A  point  in  S.  W. 
Spain  at  the  entrance  of  the  Straits  of 
Gibraltar,  off  which,  Oct.  21,  1805.  the 
EngUsh  fleet,  under  Nelson,  disastrously 
defeated  the  allied  fleets  of  France  and 
8  pain. 

Trajan,  Marcus  TJlpius  Trajanus. 
One  of  the  ablest  and  most  successful  of 


Roman  Emperors  :  u.  50,  crowned  98,  d. 
117. 

Transcaucasia.  That  section  of  Asiat- 
ic Russia  8.  of  the  Caucasus,  including 
Georgia,  Mingrelia,  Imeritia  and  Abasia. 

Transenna,  tran-sen'na.  In  Chris- 
tian Antiq.  a  term  given  to  carA^ed  lattice- 
work or  gratings  of  marble,  silver,  &c., 
used  to  shut  in  the  shrines  of  martyrs,  al- 
lowing the  sacred  coffer  to  be  seen  but  pro- 
tected from  being  handled. 

Transom,  tran'sum.  A 
beam  or  timber  extend-  cr, 
ed  across  the  sternpost^ 
of  a  ship ;  a  hntel  over  a 
door. 

Transubstantiation, 
^ib-stan'shi-  a ' '  s  h  o  n .  a,  a,  a.Transoms. 
C'nange  of  substance ; 
specifically,  in  Theol.  the  conversion  of 
the  bread  and  vnne  in  the  eucharist  into 
the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  a  behef 
held  by  Roman  Catholics  and  others. 
The  doctrine  is  distinguished  from  that  of 
the  real  presence,  inasmuch  as  the  latter 
is  generally  imderstood  to  mean  that  the 
body  of  Christ  coexists  in  and  along  with 
the  elements,  whereas,  according  to  the 
docti-ine  of  transubstantiation,  the  body  of 
Christ  takes  the  place  of  the  elements, 
only  the  appearance  of  the  latter  remain- 
ing. 

Transylvania.  A  S.  E.  pro  v.  of  Hun- 
gary ;  area,  20,041  sq.  m.;  pop.  abt. 
2,250,000,  Cap.  Klausenburg.  It  Avas 
ti-ibutary  to  Turkey  until  1699. 

Trapezium.  A  plane 
figure  having  four  right 
lines  and  no  two  parallel ; 
a  bone  of  the  wrist. 

Trapezoid,  a  plane  four- 
sided  figure,  having  two 
parallel  sides. 

Trappist,     trap'ist.       A 
member     of     a    religious    Trapezium, 
order  of  the  R.  C.  Ch. 
founded  1140,  remark- 
able for  the  austere  life 
led  by  the  monks. 

Trawl,    tral.    A   line, 
sometimes  upward  ofa       Trapezoid, 
mile    in   length,  from  which  short  lines 
\nt\i  baited  hooks  are  suspended,  used  in 
cod,  ling,  haddock  and  mackerel  fishing. 
A  trawl-net. 

Trawling-,  'ing.  The  act  of  fishing  with 
a  trawl  line  or  net. 

Trawl-net,  'net.  A  net  for  dragging 
behind  a  boat,  in  deep-sea  fishing,  for  tak 
ing  fish  Avhich  lie  near  or  on  the  bottom. 


Loyy. 

■0 

um. 

\ 


TREADMILL 


TRILLION 


Treadmill,  tred'mil.  A  macliine  em- 
ployed iu  prison  discipline,  consisting  of  a 
wheel  made  to  revolve  by  the  walking  of 
the  prisonei*. 

Trebizond.  A  city  of  Asiatic  Turkey, 
on  the  Euxine,  120  m.  N.  W.  of 
Erzeroum,  the  cap.  of  the  empire  of  Tra- 
pezus,  1204-1460 ;  pop.  abt.  80,000. 

Tree-frog",  tre'frog.  The  popular  name 
of  a  gen.  of  amphibian  vertebrates  (Hyla), 
forming  the  type  of  a  distinct  family  (Hy- 
ladae),  ord.  Anoura ;  called  also  tree-toad. 

Trent.  A  city  in  the  Tyrol,  Austria,  on 
the  Adige,  noted  for  its  celebrated  Church 
Council,  1545-1568  ;  pop.  abt.  15,000. 

Trental,  tren'tal.  An  office  for  the  dead 
in  the  E.  C.  service,  consisting  of  80 
masses  rehearsed  for  80  days  successi  vely 
after  the  party's  death.  Hence,  a  dirge ; 
an  elegy. 

Trenton,  Cap.  of  New  Jersey,  on  the 
Delaware,  30  m.  N.  E.  of  Philadelphia. 
Near  T.,  Dec.  26,  1777.  the  Americans, 
under  Washington,  defeated  the  British, 
capturing  1,000  prisoners;  pop.  29,910. 

Trepang,  tre-pang'.  The  sea-slug,  a 
mai-ine  animal,  gen.  Holothuria,  class 
Echinodermata,  ord.  Holothuridaj,  popu- 
larly known  as  sea-cucumbers  or  beches- 
de-mer,  highly  esteemed  as  an  article  of 
food  in  China. 

Trestle-work,  tres'1-werk.  A  viaduct, 
scaifold,  &c.,  on  piers,  with  braces  and 
cross-beams;  or  the  posts,  stringers, 
braces,  and  cross-beams  supporting  a 
roadway,  railway-track,  &c. 

Treves.  An  ancient  city  of  Ehenish 
Prussia,  on  the  Moselle,  GO  m.  S.  W.  of 
Coblentz.  The  archbishops  of  Treves 
were  electoral  princes  of  the  German  em- 
pire from  the  I2th  century  down  to  the 
French  Revolution  ;  pop.  abt.  24,000. 

Triang-le,  'ang-1.  A  fig- 
ure of  three  ang  1  e  s ;  a 
steel  instrument  of  per- 
cussion in  music. 

Triad,  tri'ad.    In  Hindu 
Myth,  the  three  principal 
divinities  in  the  Eig  Veda,  ^  „  . 
to  whom  hymns  are  ad-      Pnangle. 
dressed :  Indra,  the  personifi- 
cation of  the  phenomena  of 
the  visible  firmament,   espe 
cially    of  thunder  and  rain ; 
Agni,    of  fire,     especially    of 
sacrificial  fire  ;  and  gurya  or 
Savitri,  of  the  sun.     The  triad 
of  later  Brahmanic  or  Hindus 
literature  consists  of  Brahma,    Scalene 
Vishnu  and  Siva.  Triangle. 


Tribune,  'biin.  In  Eom.  Antiq.  origin- 
ally an  oflicer  who  represented  a  tribe  for 
certain  purposes ;  especially,  a  magistrate 
chosen  by  the  people  to  protect  them 
from  the  oppression  of  the  patricians  or 
nobles,  and  to  detend  then- liber  ties  against 
the  senate  and  consuls.  There  were  at 
first  but  two.  but  their  number  was  in- 
creased ultimately  to  ten.  There  were 
also  military  tribunes,  each  of  whom  com- 
manded a  division  or  legion,  and  also 
tribunes  of  the  treasury,  of  the  horse,  tfec. 
A  bench  or  elevated  'place  ;  a  raised  seat 
or  stand;  specifically,  the  throne  of  a 
bishop.  A  sort  of  i)alpit  or  rostrum 
where  a  speaker  stands  to  address  an 
assembly,  as  in  the  French  chamber  o  f 
deputies. 

Trichina,  tri-ki'na.  A  minute  nema- 
toid  worm,  the  larva  of  which  was  dis- 
covered in  1835  in  the  tissue  of  the  vol- 
untary muscles  of  man,  giving  rise  to  a 
disease  known  as  trichiniasis.  The  worm 
is  common  to  other  mammals,  especially 
to  the  pig,  and  it  is  generally  from  it  that 
man  receives  the  disease. 

Triclinium,  tri-klin'i-um.  Among  the 
Romans  the  dining-room  where  guests 
were  received,  furnished  with  three 
couches,  occupying  three  sides  of  the 
table,  the  fourth  being  left  open  for  the 
ingress  and  egress  of  servants.  On  these 
couches,  also  called  triclinium,  the  guests 
reclined  at  dinner  or  supper.  Each  couch 
usually  accommodated  three  persons,  and 
thus  nine  was  as  many  as  could  take  a 
meal  together. 

Tridacnidse,  -dak'ni-de.  A  fam.  of  la- 
mellibranchiate  mollusca,  of  which  the  type 
is  the  gen.  Tridacna.  It  comprises  also 
the  gen,  Hippopus. 

Trident,  tri'dent.  A  kind  of  scepter  or 
spear  with  three  barb-pointed  prongs 
with  Avhich  Poseidon  (Neptune),  the  sea- 
god,  is  usually  represented.  In  Eom. 
Antiq.  a  three-pronged  spear  used  in  glad- 
iatorial combats  by  the  retiarius. 

Trierarchy,  'er-ark-i.  The  system  in 
ancient  Athens  of  forming  a  national  fleet 
by  compelling  wealthy  persons  to  fit  out 
aiid  maintain  vessels. 

Trieste.  Chief  seaport  of  Austria,  on 
the  Gulf  of  T.,  at  the  N.  E.  extremity  of 
the  Adriatic,  72  m.  E.  of  Venice ;  pop. 
73,649. 

Trig-amy,  trig'a-mi.  State  of  being  mar- 
ried three  times,  or  the  sfaite  of  liaving 
three  husbands  or  thi-ee  wives  at  the  same 
time. 

Trillion,  tril'yon.  The  product  of  a 
million  Involved  to  the  third  power ;  the 


TRILITHON 


661 


TEITHEISM 


product  of  the  squai-e  of  a  million  multi- 
plied bv  H  inillion.  Thus  1,000,000  X  1,- 
OOO.OOO"'^  1.000.000,000,fM)0,  and  this  prod- 
uct multiplied  by  a  million  =  1,000,000,- 
(»00,000,000,000.  According  to  the  French 
notation  the  number  expressed  by  a  unit, 
with  twelve  ciphers  annexed,  or  1,000,- 
000.000,000. 

Trilithon,  tri'Iith-on.  Three  large  stones 
placed  together  like  door-posts  and  a  lin- 


Trilithons. 
tel,  and  standing  by  themselves  as    in 
sundry  ancient  monuments. 
Trilobite,  tri'lo-bit.    One  of  an  extinct 
and  widely-distributed  family  of  palseozoic 
Crustacea,  nearly  allied  to  the  Phyllopoda. 
Trimurti,  trl'mer-ti. 
The  name  of  the  later 
Hindu  triad  or  trinity, 
Branma,   Vishnu    and 
Siva,  conceived  as  an 
insepar  able  ii  n  i  t  y . 
The  sectaries  of 
Brahma,   Vishnu    and 
Siva  respectively  make 
their  god  the  original 
deity  from  which  the         Trimurti. 
trinity  emanates;   but 
considered  separately,  Brahma  is  the  cre- 
ating, Vishnu    the  preserving,  and  Siva 
the  destroying  principle  of  the  deity,  while 
Trimurti  is  the   philosophical  or  theolog- 
ical unity  which  combines  the  three   sepa- 
rate forms  in  one  self-existent  being.    The 
Trimurti  is  represented   symbolically  as 
one  body  with  three  heads,  Vishnu  at  tho 
right,  Siva  at  the  left,  and  Brahma  in  the 
center. 

Tringana.  A  city  and  seaport  of  Ma- 
Irtcca,  at  the  W.  entrance  to  the  Gulf  of 
Siam;pop.  abt.  60,000. 
Trinitarian,  trin-i-ta'ri-an.  One  who 
believes  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  One 
of  a  religious  order  instituted  11!)S,  who 
made  it  their  business  to  ransom  Christian 
captivestakenby  the  Moors  and  other  in- 
fidels. 


Trinidad.  One  of  the  British  W.  India 
islands,  of  the  Caribbean  group;  area,  1754 
sq.  m. ;  pop.  109,500.   Cap.,  Port  of  Spain. 

Trinity,  'i-ti.  In  Theol.  the  union  of 
three  persons  in  one  Godhead  :  the  Father, 
tho  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.  A  sj^m- 
bolical  representation  of  the  mystery  Oi* 
the  Trinity  frequent  in  Christian  «rt,  one 
of  the  most  general  forms  consisting  of  a 
figure  of  the  Father  seated  on  a  throne, 
the    head 


t^r  i"*^  e  Sy°=^^°^*  °^  *^®  ^^^y  Trinity, 
crown  :  Christ  crucificed  in  front,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit,  in  the  form  of  a  dove,  resting 
on  the  cross.  The  mystic  union  was  also 
symbolized  by  emblems  or  devices,  in 
which  three  elements  were  combined  into 
one  whole,  as  by  the  equilateral  triangle, 
or  a  combination  of  the  triangle,  the  circle, 
and  sometimes  the  trefoil.  T.  Simday, 
the  Sunday  next  after  Whitsunday,  ob- 
served by  the  Eoman,  Anglican,  and 
other  churches  in  honor  of  the  Trinity. 

Trinity.  A  river  of  Texas,  emptying 
into  Galveston  Bay ;  length  550  m. 

Trip-hammer,  trip'ham-mer.  A  large 
hammer  used  in  forges  ;  a  tilt-hammer. 

Tripoli.  One  of  the  Barbary  States  of 
N.  Africa,  a  vilayet  of  the  Turkish  em- 

Eire ;  bounded  N.  by  the  Mediterranean, 
1.  by  the  Libyan  Descrt,  S.  by  Sahara, 
W.  by  Tunis  ;  area,  61,760  sq.  m.  ;  pop. 
abt.  800,000.    Cap.  Tripoli ;  pop.  16,200. 

Triptych,  'tik.  A  picture,  carving,  or 
other  representation  in  three  compai-t- 
ments  side  by  side. 

Trireme,  tri'rem.  A  galley  or  vessel 
with  three  benches  or  ranks  of  oars  on  a 
side,  a  common  class  of  war-ship  among 
the  ancient  Greeks,  Romans,  Carthagin- 
ians, &c.  The  trireme  was  also  provided 
with  a  large  square  sail. 

Trisagrion,  tri-sa'gi-on.  One  of  the  dox- 
ologies  of  the  Eastern  Church,  repeated  in 
the  form  of  versicle  and  responses  by  the 
choir  in  certain  parts  of  the  liturgy,  and 
so  called  from  the  triple  recurrence  in  it 
of  the  word  hagios  (holy). 

Trisoctahedron,  tris-ok'ta-he"dron.  A 
solid  bounded  by  twenty-four  equal  faces, 
three  corresponding  to  each  face  of  an 
octahedron. 

Tritheism,  tri'the-izm.  The  opinion 
that  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit  are 
three  beings  or  Gods. 


TEITON 


TEOUBADOUE 


Triton,  'ton.  In 
Gioek  and  Latin 
Myth,  a  son  of 
Poseidon  and 
Auiphitrite,  who 
dwelt  with  his 
father  and  mother 
in  a  gokien  palace 
at  the  bottom  of 
of  the  sea.  The 
later  poets  speak 
of  Tritons  in  the  plural  as  a  race  of  sub- 
ordinate sea  deities. 

Triuinplial,-um'fa1,  Pertaining  to  tri- 
umph. T  arch,  originally  a  temporary  arch 
erected  in  connection  with  the  triumph  of 


Triton. 


Arch  of  Titus,  Kome. 

a  Roman  general,  and  through  which  he 
aitd  his  army  passed.  Afterwards  the 
triumphal  arch  was  a  massive  and  orna- 
mental permanent  structure,  often  having 
a  central  and  two  side  archways.  T.  col- 
umn, among  the  Romans,  an  insulated 
column  erected  in  commemoration  of  a 
conqueror  to  whom  has  been  decreed  the 
honorsof  a  triumph.  T.  crown,  a  laurel 
crown  awarded  by  the  Romans  to  a  vic- 
torious general. 

Triumvirate,  'vi-rat.  A  coalition  of 
three  men  in  office  or  authority;  partic- 
ularly applied  in  Roman  history  to  two 
famous  coalitions,  the  first  59  «.  c.  be- 
tween Csesar,  Pompeius  and  Crassus  ;  the 
second  43  b.  c.  between  Antonius,  Octavi- 
anus  and  Lepidus.  Government  by  three 
men  in  coalition.  A  party  of  three  men  ; 
three  men  in  company  or  forming  one 
company. 

Triune,  'fm.  Three  in  one ;  an  epithet 
applied  to  God,  to  express  the  unity  of  the 
Godhead  in  a  trinity  of  persons. 

Trocliilidae,  tro-kil'i-de.  The  humming- 
birds, a  family  of  extremely  minute  but 


exquisitely  beautiful  tenuirostral  passerine 

Trochu,  Louis  Jules.  A  French  gen- 
eral; n.  1820,  appointed  Commander-in- 
chief,  1870. 

Troglodyte,  trO'glod-it.  A  cave-dweller; 
one  duelling  in  a  cave  or  underground 
habitation.  The  iincient  Greeks  gave  tha 
name  to  varicms  races  of  savages  inhabit- 
ing caves,  especially  to  the  cave-dwellers 
on  the  coast  of  the  Red  Sea  and  along  the 
banks  of  the  Upper  Nile  in  Nubia  and 
Abyssinia,  the  whole  of  this  district  being 
known  by  the  name  of  Troglodytike. 
Archaeological  investigations  show  that 
cave-dwellers  everywhere  probably  pre- 
ceded house-builders. 

Trogronidse,  tro-gon'i-de,  A  fam.  of 
scausorial  birds,  remarkable  for  their 
beautiful  plumage,  typically  represented 
by  the  trogons. 

TroUope.  The  name  of  an  English  fam- 
ily distinguished  in  literature,  including 
Frances  ;  n.  1T90,  d.  1863  ;  Thomas  Adol- 
phus,  her  eldest  son,  n.  1820,  and  An- 
thony, a  younger  brother,  one  of  the  most 
popular  novelists  of  the  age,  «.  1825. 

Trombone,  trom'bon.  A  deep-toned 
instrument  of  the  trumpet  kind,  consist- 
ing of  three  tubes,  the  middle  one  being 
doubled  and  sliding  into  the  other  two. 

Tromp,  Marten  Harpertzoon  Van- 
A  distinguished  Dutch  admiral ;  b.  15!»T' 
killed  in  battle  with  the  British  fleet  under 
Admiral  Drake,  1653. 

Tropic,  trop'ik.  In  Astron.  one  of  two 
circles  on  the  celestial  sphere,  whose  dis- 
tances from  the  equator  are  each  equal  to 
the  obliquity  of  the  ecliptic,  or  23i° 
nearly.  The  northern  one  touches  the 
ecliptic  at  the  sign  Cancer,  and  is  thence 
called  the  tropic  of  Cancer  ;  the  southern 
one,  for  a  similar  reason,  the  tropic  of  Cap- 
ricorn . 

Tropic-bird,  -herd.  The  common  name 
of  the  natatorial  birds,  gen.  Phaeton,  peli- 
can fam.,  peculiar  to  tropical  regions. 
There  are  two  species,  the  P.  asthereus 
and  P.  pho?nicurus.  They  are  distinguished 
by  two  very  long,  slender  tail-feathers. 

Troubadour,  trii'ba-diir.  A  name  given 
to  a  class  of  early  poets  who  first  appeared 
in  Provence,  in  France,  and  flourished 
from  the  11th  to  the  latter  part  of  the  13th 
century,  in  tlie  south  of  France,  Catalonia, 
Arragon  and  N.  Italy.  The  most  renowned 
were  knights  who  cultivated  music  and 
poetry  as  an  honorable  accomplishment; 
but  in  its  later  days  the  art  was  chiefly 
cultivated  by  minstrels  of  a  lower  class. 


TKOITT 


C63 


TUNKEE 


Trout,  trout.  The  common  name  of  va- 
rious species  offish,  gen.  Salmo. 

Trouvere,  tru-vfir.  A  name  given  to 
tlie  ancient  poets  of  N.  France,  corre- 
sponding to  the  Troubadour  of  Provence. 

Troy,  troi.  A  weight  chiefly  used  for 
gold,  silver  and  articles  of  jewelry.  The 
pound  troy  contains  12  ounces,  each  ounce 
20  pennyweights,  and  each  pennyweight 
24  ei-ains.  Hence  the  pound  contains 
5,760  grains  and  the  ounce  460  grains.  As 
the  avoirdupois  pound  contains  7,000 
grains,  and  the  ounce  437i^  grai:  3,  the 
troy  pound  is  to  the  avoirdupois  as  144  to 
175,  and  the  troy  ounce  to  the  avoirdupois 
as  192  to  175. 

Troy.  In  Heroic  Hist.  cap.  of  Troas, 
Asia  Minor,  noted  for  its  10  years'  defense 
against  the  Greeks. 

Troyes.  Cap.  of  dept.  Aube,  France,  on 
the  Seine,  SS  m.  S.  E.  of  Paris,  noted  for 
severe  battle's  between  the  French  and  al- 
lies, 1814,  and  the  French  and  Germans, 
1870  ;  pop.  87,800. 

Trumbull,  John.  An  eminent  Ameri- 
can pf.inter;  n.  in  Conn.,  1756,  b.  1S43. 
He  was  an  aide-de-camp  on  "Washington's 
staff  in  the  Kevolution. 

Trumpet,  trum'pet.  A  wind  instrument 
of  music  of  the  highest  antiquity.  In  its 
modern  form  it  consists  of  a  tube  of  brass 
or  silver,  doubled  up  in  the  form  of  a  par- 
abola, becoming  conoid  in  tlie  last  fold, 
and  expanding  into  a  bell-shape  end,  the 
other  end  being  fitted  wth  a  mouth-piece 
by  which  the  instrument  is  sounded. 

Trumpeter,  -er.  One  who 
sounds  a  trumpet ;  a  bird 
of  South  America,  resem- 
bling the  pheasant. 

Tudor,  tu'dor.  The  name 
of  an  English  royal  line 
founded  by  Owen  Tudor,  of 
Wales,  who  married  the 
widowed  queen  of  Henry 
V.  The  first  of  the  Tudor 
sovereigns  was  Henry  VI., 
1485,  the  last  Elizabeth, 
1605.  T.  Style,  in  Arch,  a 
name  frequently  applied  to 
the  latest  Gothic  style  in 
England,  sometimes  known  as  Florid 
Gothic,  prevailing  from  1400  to  1537,  but 
the  term  is  sometimes  extended  so  as  to 
include  the  Elizabethan  period  also,  which 
brings  it  down  to  1603. 

Tullius.  Servius.  SLxth  traditionary 
king  of  IJome  ;  is.  a  slave  of  king  Tarquin- 
ius  Priscus,  and  elevated  to  the  throne 
through  the  efforts  of  the>vidowed  queen. 


Trumpets 
(Golden- 
breasted). 


Tulip. 


Tarquia  became  his  son-in-law,  and,  seiz- 
ing the  throne,  put  his  father-in-law  to 
death.  He  is  credited  vrith.  many  reforms. 

Tulipom.ama,  tu'lip- 
6-ma"ni-a.  A  violent 
passion  for  the  cultiva- 
tion or  acquisition  of 
tulips,  which  began  to 
exhibit  itself  in  Hol- 
land about  the  year 
1634,  and  spread  lik© 
an  epidemic.  Tulip 
marts  were  established 
in  the  large  towns, 
where  roots  were  sold 
and  resold  as  stocks  on 
the  exchange.  A  single 
root  of  Semper  Augustus  was  thought 
cheap  at  5500  florins,  and  on  one  occasion 
12  acres  of  building  lots  were  offered  for  a 
single  root  of  this  species  at  Haarlem.  The 
mania  raged  for  several  years  till  the  gov- 
ernment found  it  necessary  to  interfere. 

TuUus,  Hostilius.  Third  traditionary 
king  of  Home,  warlike  and  successful. 
The  singular  contest  bet.  the  Horatii  and 
Curiatii  occurred  during  his  reign. 

Ttilwar,  tul'war.    The  E.  Indian  saber. 

Tumulus,  tii'mu-lus.  A  barrow  or  ar- 
tificial burial  mound  of  earth. 

Tunbridgre  "Wells.  A  popular  English 
spa,  in  Co.  Kent ;  pop.  28,720. 

Tundra,  tun'dra.  A  term  applied  to  the 
immense  stretches  of  flat,  boggy  country 
extending  through  N.  Siberia  and  part  of 
Eussia.  They  are  frozen  the  greater  part 
of  the  year. 

Tunic,  tu'nik.  A  very  ancient  form  of 
garment  among  the  Greeks  and  Eomans. 
It  was  worn  by  both  sexes  under  the  toga 
and  the  palla,  and  fastened  by  a  girdle  or 
belt  about  the  waist.  The  senators  had  a 
broad  stripe  of  purple  (called  latus  clavus) 
sewed  on  the  breast  of  their  tunic,  and  the 
equites  had  a  narrow  stripe  (called  angus- 
tus  clavus)  on  the  breast. 

Tunis.  One  of  the  Barbary  States,  N, 
Africa,  nominally  under  Turkish  rule, 
bounded  N.  and  E.  by  the  Mediterranean, 
S.  by  Tripoli  and  Algeria,  W.  bv  Algeria ; 
area,  50,000  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  2,700",000.  Its 
cap.,  Tunis,  on  bay  of  s.<ime  name,  is  13 
m.  S.  W.  of  the  site  of  ancient  Carthage  ; 
pop.  128,712.  Bay  of  T.,  a  large  arm  of 
the  S.  Mediterranean. 

Tunker,  tnng'ker.  One  of  a  religious 
sect,  founded  by  Conrad  Peysel,  a  German, 
1724,  and  Avhich  takes  its  name  from  the 
mode  of  baptizing  converts  by  plunging 
them  three  times  into  the  water.  They 
reject  infant  baptism  ;  use  ffreat  plainness 


TUNNY 


TUELUPIN3 


of  dress  and  language ;  refuse  to  take 
oaths  or  to  fight ;  and  anoint  the  sickA^ith 
oil  in  order  to  their  recovery,  depending 
upon  this  unction  and  prayer,  and  reject- 
ing the  use  of  medicine.  Every  brother 
is  allowed  to  speak  in  the  congregation, 
and  their  best  speaker  is  usually  ordained 
to  bo  their  preacher.  Also  called  Dipper, 
Dunker  and  Tumbler. 

Tunny,  tun'i. 
A  fish,  gen. 
Thynnus,  fam. 
Scomberidae,  the' 
T.  vulgaris, 
closely  allied  to  Tunny. 

the  mackerel. 

Tupaia,  tu-pi'a.  A  gen.  of  remarkable 
maiuinals,  comprising  three  known  spe- 
cies, natives  of  Sumatra  and  Java,  closely 
resembling  squirrels. 

Turanian,  -ra'ni-an.  One  of  the  great 
classes  into  which  human  speech  has  been 
divided,  including  the  Ugrian  or  Finnish, 
Samoyedic,  Turkish,  Mongolian,  Tungu- 
sic,  and  possibly  the  Dravidian. 

Turban,  ter'ban.  A  form  of  head-dress 
worn  by  the  Orientals,  consisting  of  a 
quilted  cap  without  brim,  fitted  to  the 
head,  and  a  sash,  scarf  or  shawl  wound 
about  the  cap  and  sometimes  hanging 
down  the  neck.  A  kind  of  head-dress 
worn  by  ladies.  In  Conch,  the  whole  set 
of  whorls  of  a  shell. 

Turbine, 'bin.  A  kind 
of  horizontal  water- 
wheel,  made  to  revolve 
by  the  escape  of  water, 
through  orifices,  underj 
the  influence  of  pressure 
derived  from  a  fall. 

Turbo,  'bo.    A  gen.  of 
gastcropodous     m  o  1  - 
lusks,  type  of  the  fam.  Turbine  Wheel 
Turbinidae,  resembling 
a   Umax  or   slug. 
The  periwinkle  is 
an  example. 

Turbot,  'bot.  A 
highly  esteemed 
fish  of  the  gen. 
Ehombus,  c  o  m  - 
mon  on  the  IST.  E. 
coast,  and  attains  Turbot. 

a  weight  of  20  lbs. 

Turenne,  Henri  de  la  Tour 
d'Auverg-ne,  Vicomte  de.  The 
greatest  military  commander  of  his  age, 
grandson  of  Winiam  the  Silent,  Prince  of 
Orange;  B.  at  Sedan,  France,  1611,  acci- 
dentally killed  by  a  shot  while  reconnoi- 


tering  an  intended  battlefield,  1675.  In  the 
civil  Avars  of  France,  he  fought  first  on  the 
Protestant  side  and  afterward  on  the 
Catholic. 

Turin.  Former  cap.  of  Sardinia,  and 
later  of  the  kingdom  of  Italy,  on  the  Po, 
80  m.  S.  W.  of  Milan  ;  pop.  218,500. 
Turkestan.  A  large  region  of  W.  Cen- 
tral Asia,  divided  by  the  Beloor  and  Little 
Altai  mountain  ranges  into  E.  and  W. 
T.  ;  bounded  N.  by  Siberia  and  the  Kir- 
ghis  country,  E.  by  Mongolia,  S.  by 
Thibet,  Persia,  Afghanistan  and  the  Pun- 
jaub,  W.  by  the  Caspian  Sea ;  area,  750,000 
sq.  m. ;  pop.  abt.  25.000,000.  Principal 
cities  in  the  Ji.  division,  Khiva,  Balkh, 
Khoondooz,  Bokhara,  Samarcand  and 
Tashkend  ;  in  the  W.  division,  Yarkand, 
Cashgar  and  Khotan.  E.  T.  (Upper  Tar- 
tary)  belongs  to  China. 
Turkey,  'ko.  A  large  gallinaceous  bird 
(Meleagris  gallo-pavo),  well  known  as  an 
inmate  of  poultry  yards. 
Turkey  (The  Ottoman  Empire). 
An  empire  which  occupies  large  sections 
of  Europe,  Asia  and  Africa,  a  great  por- 
tion being  held  nominally.  T.  in  Europe 
is  bounded  N.  by  Russia  and  Austria,  E. 
by  the  Black  Sea,  8.  by  Greece,  the  Archi- 
pelago and  the  Dardanelles,  W.  by  Dal- 
matia  and  the  Adriatic;  area,  00,000  6<i. 
ra. ;  pop.  abt.  14.000,000.  Principal  cities, 
Constantinople,  cap.  of  the  empire,  Adri- 
anople,  Saloniea,  Serayevo,  Gallipoli, 
Philippopolis  and  Sophia.  Chiefri\er,  the 
Danube.  Mountains,  the  Balkan  range. 
T.  in  Asia,  bounded  N.  by  Kussia  and  the 
Black  Sea,  E.  by  Persia,  S.  by  Arabia, 
W.  by  the  Mediterannean  ;  area,  670,000 
sq.  m. ;  pop.  abt.  16,000,000.  Pi-incipal 
cities,  Smyrna.  Damascus,  Jerusalem, 
Beyrout,  Ei-zeroum,  Brusa,  Aleiipo  and 
Bagdad.  Chief  rivers,  the  Tierris,  Eu- 
phrates and  Jordan,  Mountains,  the 
Taurus  range.  T.  in  Africa  includes 
Egypt,  Tripoli  and  Tunis,  and  they  are 
described  under  their  respective  heads. 
Turkey-buzzard,  'ke-buz-erd.  A  rapa- 
cious bird  belonging  to  the  vulture  fam. 
(Vulturidfe),  gen.  Cathartes  (C.  aura) :  so 
named  from  its  bearing  a  distant  resem- 
blance to  a  turkey. 

Turkoman,  tur'k5-man.  One  of  a  no- 
madic Tai'tar  peoj)le  oecupj-ing  the  teri-i- 
tory  between  the  Caspian  Sea  and  the  Sea 
of  Aral,  the  khanates  of  Khiva  and  Bok- 
hara, Afghanistan  and  Persia. 
Turlupins,  ter'lu-pinz.  In  Fr.  Eccles. 
Hist,  a  nickname  applied  to  tljp  secretaries 
of  the  14th  century,  the  precureors  of  the 
Eeformation. 


TUEMA 


665 


TYPE-SETTING 


Turn-table. 


Turma,  'ma.  Among  the  Eomans  a 
company  of  cavaliy,  consisting  at  first  of 
80,  afterwards  ot'S-2  men. 
Turner,  Joseph  William  Mallard. 
An  euiin cut  English  painter;  e.  1775,  d. 
1S51. 
Turnip,  'nip.  The  common  name  of  the 
Brussica  Eapa.  a  cruciferous,  biennial 
plant,  much  cultivated  both  in  the  field 
and  in  the  garden  on  account  of  its  escu- 
lent root. 

Turnstone,    tern'ston.      A   grallatorial 
bird  of  the  plovor  fara.,  Charadriadte,  gen. 
Strepsilas  (S.  coUaris)  ;  called  also  the  sea- 
dotterel. 
Turn-table, 
'ta-bl.  A  large 
revolving 
platform     for 
turning    rail- 
road  cars,  lo- 
co m  otives, 
&c.,    into     a 
ditferent     di 
rection. 

Turpentine,  ter'pen-tln.  An  oleo-res- 
inous  substance  flowing  naturally  or  by 
incision  from  several  species  of  trees,  as 
the  pine,  larch,  fir,  pistacia,  «fec. 
Turquoise,  'koiz.  A  greenish-blue 
opaque  precious  stone,  consisting  essen- 
tially of  a  phosphate  of  alumina,  contain- 
ing a  little  oxide  oi  iron  and  oxide  of  cop- 
per. The  true  or  oriental  turquoise  is 
only  found  in  a  mountaiu  region  in  Persia. 
Turret,  tur'et.  In  Milit.  Antiq.  a  mova- 
ble building  of  a  square  form,  consisting 
of  ten  or  even  twentj' stories,  and  some- 
times ISO  feet  high,^  usually  moved  on 
wheels,  and  emploj-ed  in  approaches  to  a 
fortified  place  for  carrying  soldiers,  en- 
gines, ladders,  &c.  In  a  modern  sense  a 
small  cupola  •«ith  windows. 
Turret-ship,  -ship.  An  armor-plated 
ship  of  war  with  low  sides,  having  heavy 
guns  mounted  within  one  or  more  turrets, 
which  rotate,  so  that  the  guns  may  be 
brought  to  bear  in  any  required  direction. 
Tuscan,  tus'kan.  The 
simplest  order  of  archi- 

Turtle",  ter'tl.  A  gallina- 
ceous bird,  gen.  Turtur, 
fam.  Oolumbidte ;  the 
turtle-dove  or  turtle- 
pigeon.  The  name 
given  to  the  marine 
members  of  the  ord. 
Chelonia  constituting 
the  fam.  Chelonid«e.  The    Tuscan  Order, 


most  important  species  is  the  green  turtle 
(Chelonia  mydas). 

Tuscany.  A  state  of  Central  Italy,  for- 
merlv  a  grand  duchy  ;  area,  8,374  sq.  m. ; 
pop.  2,219,000.   Cap.,  Florence. 

Tweed.  A  river  in  S.  of  Scotland,  emp- 
tying into  the  German  Ocean  at  Berwick  ; 
length,  95  m. 

Twelfth-day,  twelfth'da.  The  twelfth 
day  after  Christmas ;  the  festival  of  the 
Epiphany.     Twelfth-tide. 

Twelve,  twelv.  The  number  which  con- 
sists often  and  two.  A  symbol  represent- 
ing twelve  units,  as  12  or  xii. 

Twenty,  twen'ti.  The  number  of  twice 
ten ;  a  score.  A  symbol  representing 
twenty  units,  as  20  or  xx. 

Twilight,  twi'lit.  The  faint  light  re- 
flected upon  the  earth  after  sunset  and 
liefore  sunrise  ;  crepuscular  light. 

Two,  to.  The  number  which  consists  of 
one  and  one.  The  symbol  representing 
tliis  number,  as  2  or  ii. 

Twopence,  'pens.  A  small  silver  coin, 
formerly  current  in  England,  equivalent 
to  two  pennies  or  one-sixth  of  a  shilling, 
now  specially  coined  annually  to  a  fixed 
amount,  to  be  given  by  the  sovereign  as 
alms  on  Maundy-Thursday. 

Tycoon,  tl-kon'.  The  generalissimo  of 
the  Japanese  army,  and  formerly  virtual 
emperor  and  real  ruler  of  the  country. 
Called  also  Shogun,  Siogun. 

Tyler,  John.  Tenth  President  of  the 
U.  S.,  elected  Yice-President,  and  suc- 
ceeding to  the  office  on  the  death  of  Presi- 
dent Harrison,  1^1 ;  b.  in  Virginia,  1790, 
D.  1S62,  while  a  member  of  the  Confed- 
erate Congress. 

Tyne.  A  river  in  N.  of  England,  empty- 
ing into  the  North  Sea ;  length,  80  m. 

Type,  tip.  In  printing,  a  rectangular 
solid  or  prism  of  metal,  wood  or  other 
hard  material  having  a  raised  letter,  figure, 
punctuation  mark  or  other  character  on 
the  upper  end,  which,  when  inked,  is  used 
to  make  impressions  on  paper  and  other 
smooth  surfaces. 

Tsrpe-foundingr,  'found-ing.  The  art 
or  practice  of  manufacturing  metallic 
movable  types. 

Type-metal,  'met-al.  An  alloy  of  lead, 
antimony  and  tin,  used  in  making  types. 
The  usual  proportion  is  one  i)art  'of  anti- 
mony to  three  of  lead. 

Type-setting",  'set-ing.  The  act  or  pro- 
cess by  which  type  is  set  up  or  placed  in 
the  composing-stick,  ready  to  be  printed 
from.  Typ«^-setting  machine,  a  machine 
for  composing  or  setting  up  type. 


TYPE-WEITER 


ULEMA 


Type--writer,  'rit-er.  A  machine  used 
as  a  substitute  for  tlie  pen,  by  which  the 
letters  are  produced  by  the  impression  of 
inked  types. 

Typhon,  tl'fon.  The  Greek  name  of  the 
Egyptian  divinity  Set,  the  personification 
of  the  principle  of  evil. 

Typhoon,  -fon'.  One  of  the  violent  hur- 
ricanes which  rage  on  the  coasts  of  China 
and  Japan,  from  May  to  November. 

Typog-rapliy,  -pog'ra-fi.  The  art  of 
printing,  or  the  operation  of  impressing 
letters  and  words  on  paper  by  types.  Em- 
blematical or  hieroglyphic  representation. 

T3rr,  ter.  In  N.  Myth.,  the  god  of  war 
and  victory ;  the  son  of  Odin,  and  the 
same  as  the  Anglo-Saxon  Tyw  or  Tiu. 


Tyre.  A  famous  commercial  city  of  an- 
ti(iuity,  in  Phcenicia,  Asia,  captured  and 
destroyed  by  Alexander  the  Great,  'i-i'3 
B.  c.  ;  rebuilt,  it  was  the  scene  of  fierce 
conflict  between  the  Crusaders  and  Sara- 
cens, and  completely  lost  its  commercial 
importance  in  the  occupation  of  Syria  by 
the  Turks,  1516.  Its  site  is  occupied  by  a 
poverty-stricken  village  of  some  2,500  in- 
habitants, called  Soor. 

T3rrol,  The.  A  prov,  of  Austria,  S.  of 
Bavaria  and  E.  of  Switzerland;  area,  10,- 
689  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  893,000.  Cap.  Inns- 
pruck.  It  is  the  most  mountainous  coun- 
try of  Europe  ;  the  Rhsetian,  Lepontine 
and  Noric  ranges  of  the  Alps  completely 
intersecting  it. 


u 


UIS  the  2l8t  letter  and  the  5th  vowel  in 
the  alphabet.  Its  true  primary  sound 
was  that  which  it  still  retains  in  most  of 
the  languages  of  Europe,  that  of  oo  in 
cool,  tool,  good,  wood,  &c.  The  long 
sound  as  in  mute,  pure,  duke,  diffuse,  &c., 
is  not  a  simple  vowel,  the  u-sound  having 
really  an  i-sound  before  It.  The  words  bury 
and  busy  (with  their  derivatives)  exhibit 
solitary  peculiarities  in  the  pronounciation 
of  this  character.  The  sound  of  u  in  mute 
is  also  represented  by  other  combinations, 
as  by  ue  in  due,  ew  in  dew,  and  ui  in  suit. 
In  plague,  rogue,  &c.,  ue  indicates  that 
the  preceding  vowel  is  to  be  pronounced 
long  and  the  g  with  its  hard  sound  ;  in 
tongue  it  is  a  useless  excrescence.  Besides 
the  sound  in  suit,  ui  has  several  other 
sounds,  as  in  build,  guide,  fruit,  anguish, 
mosquito,  &c.  In  buoy  and  buy  the  u  is 
not  heard.  U  in  Chem.  is  the  sj-mbol  of 
m-anium.  TJ.  C,  in  dates  belonging  to 
Eoman  history,  is  a  contraction  for  ab 
urbe  condita,  from  the  time  the  city  was 
built;  as,  U.  C.  400,  the  year  of  Eome  400. 
U.  K.,  the  United  Kingdom.  U.  P., 
United  Presbyterian.  IT.  S.,  United 
States.  U.  S.  A.,  United  States  of 
America. 

TTbiquist,  ii'bi-kwist.  One  of  a  sect  of 
Lutherans  who  sprung  up  in  Germany, 
1560.  Their  distinguished  tenet  was  that 
the  body  of  Christ  is  omnipresent,  and 
hence  that  he  is  corporeally  present  in  the 
eucharist. 

TJckewallist,  uk-e-wal'ist.  A  member 
of  a  sect  of  rigid  Anabaptists,  essentially 
the  same  as  Mennonites,  except  that  they 
hold  that  Judas  and  the  other  murderers 
of  Christ  are,  or  will  be,  saved. 


TJdal,  ii'dal.  A  term  applied  to  that  right 
in  land  which  prevailed  in  N.  Europe  be- 
fore the  introduction  of  the  feudal  system, 
and  still  prevails  in  Orkney  and  Shetland. 
This  tenure,  which  was  completed  by  un- 
disturbed possession  provable  by  Avit- 
nesses,  has  been  held  by  the  courts  to  be 
the  same  as  allodial. 

Uhlan,  o'lan.  The  name  of  a  variety  of 
light  cavalry  of  Asiatic  origin,  introduced 
first  into  Poland  by  Tartar  colonists,  and 
employed  by  the  Russian,  Austro-Hun- 
garian  and  German  armies  in  skirmishing, 
reconnoitering  and  scouring  the  country 
in  advance  of  their  armies. 

TJhland,  Johann  Ludwigr.  An  em- 
inent German  poet ;  i«.  1787,  d.  1862. 

TJhrich,  Jean  Jacques  Alexis.  A 
French  general  who  defended  Strasburg 
in  the  German  war,  1870  ;  b,  1802. 

TJkase,  u-kas.  A  Russian  edict  or  order, 
legislative  or  administrative,  emanating 
from  the  government,  having  the  force  of 
laws  till  annulled  by  subsequent  decisions. 
A  collection  of  the  ukases  issued  at  differ- 
ent periods,  madeby  order  of  the  Emperor 
Nicholas,  1827,  and  supplemented  since, 
year  by  year,  constitutes  the  legal  code  of 
the  Russian  Empire. 

TJle-tree,  -tre.  A  Mexican  tree,  a  species 
of  Castilloa  (C.  elastica),  from  the  milky 
juice  of  which  caoutchouc  is  obtained. 

Ulema,  -le'ma.  The  collective  name  of 
the  hierarchical  corporation  of  learned 
men  in  Turkey,  wlio  have  the  advantages 
of  freedom  from  military  service,  furnish- 
ing judges,  ministers  of  mosques,  pro- 
fessors, and  having  charge  of  the  depart- 
ment of  government  relating  to  sacred 


ULLOA 


66T 


UNDEEGEADUATE 


matters.  This  body  is  composed  of  the 
Imams  or  ministersof  religion,  the  Muftis 
or  doctors  of  law,  and  the  Cadis  or  ad- 
ministrators of  justice. 

Ulloa.  Antonio,  Don.  A  distin- 
guished Spanish  statesman,  mathematician 
and  author;  k.  1716,  d.  1795.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Governor  of  Louisiana,  1741. 

Ulm,  A  city  of  Wiirtemburg,  Germany, 
on  the  Danube,  foot  of  the  Suabian  Alps ; 
pop.  27,624. 

Ulnxaceae,  ul-ma'se-e.  An  ord.  of  in- 
complete exogens,  of  which  the  gen. 
Ulmus  or  elm  is  the  type. 

"CTlotriclli,  u-lot'ri-kl.  Crisp  or  woolly- 
haired  people.  One  of  the  two  great  divis- 
ions into  which  Huxley  has  classified 
man,  in  accordance  -with  the  character  of 
the  hair,  the  other  di\ision  being  the 
Leiotrichi,  or  smooth-haired  people.  The 
TJ.  comprise  the  Negroes,  Bushmen,  Ma- 
lays, &c. 

"Ulster.  The  N.  prov.  of  Ireland ;  area, 
8,5.50  sq.  m.;  pop.  1,996,443. 

"Ultimo,  ul'ti-mo.  The  month  which 
preceded  the  present ;  last  month,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  current  mouth  and 
all  others.    It  is  usually  contracted  ult. 

"Ultramarine,  'tra-ma-ren.  A  beautiful 
and  durable  sky-blue  ;  a  color  formed  of 
the  mineral  called  lapis  lazuli. 

"Ultramontanism,  -mon'tan-izm.  The 
doctrines  of  that  party  in  the  Ch.  of  Eome 
who  place  absolute  authority  in  matters 
of  faith  and  discipline  in  the  hands  of  the 
pope,  in  opposition  to  the  \iews  of  those 
who  would  make  national  churches  par- 
tially independent  of  the  Koman  curia, 
and  the  pope  subordinate  to  the  statutes 
of  an  oecumenical  council.  According  to 
ultramontanism  the  poi)e  is  superior  to 
general  councils,  independent  of  their  de- 
crees, and  considered  to  be  the  source  of 
all  jurisdiction  in  the  church.  The  Vatican 
Council  of  1S70  virtually  established  the 
views  of  ultramontanism  as  dogmas  of 
the  church. 

Ulysses.  In  Heroic 
Hist.  King  of  Ithaca,  son 
of  Laertes,  and  the  prin- 
cipal hero  of  the  Trojan 
war. 

Uma,  o'ma.  In  Hindu 
Myth,  one  of  the  names 
given  to  the  consort  of 
Siva. 

Umbel.  A  kind  of 
tlower  cluster  in  which 
the  flower  stalks  spread 
regularly  from  a  com- 
mon point. 


Umbel. 


Umber. 


Umber,  um'ber.  An  ocherous  ore  of 
iron ;  a  fish.  An  African  bird,  fam. 
Ardeida",  allied  to  the  storks.  But  one 
species  is  known,  the  Sco[)us  utnbrctta,  or 
tufted  umber:  it  is  about  the  size  of  a  crow, 
is  umber-colored  (whence  the  name),  and 
the  male  is 
crested. 

Umbra,  'bra. 
Among  the  Eo- 
mans,  one  who 
went  to  a  feast 
at  the  solicita- 
tion of  one  in- 
vited, so  called 
because  he  fol- 
lowed the  guest 
as  a  shadow.  In 
Astron.  a  term  applied  to  the  total  shadow 
of  the  earth  or  moon  in  an  eclipse,  or  to 
the  dark  cone  projected  from  a  ])lanet  or 
satellite  on  the  side  opposite  the  sun.  Also 
the  dark  central  portion  of  a  sun-spot, 
which  is  surrounded  by  a  brighter  annular 
portion  called  the  penumbra. 

Umbrina,  -bri'na.  A  g<*n.  of  acanthop- 
terygious  fishes,  fam.  Scifenidae. 

Umiak,  um'yak.  The  native  name  of  the 
women's  or  larger  kind  of  Esquimaux 
boats,  consisting  of  a  wooden  frame 
covered  with  seal-skins,  with  several 
seats. 

Umritsur  (Amritsur).  A  city  of  the 
Punjaub,  N.  W.  Hindustan,  40  m.  E.  of 
Lahore,  noted  for  its  Sikh  temple  which 
many  pilgrims  visit ;  pop.  125,000. 

Un.  A  prefix  with  two  uses,  those  oi 
negation  and  those  of  reversal  orimdoing, 
and  hence  privation. 

Uncaria,  un-ka'ri.  A  gen.  of  plantg, 
ord.  Eubiaceae.  They  are  permanent  cir- 
riferous  ramblers.  The  most  important 
species  is  the  LT.  Gambler,  which  yields 
the  substance  called  gambler  or  gambeer 
by  the  Malays,  and  known  in  commerce 
as  terra  japonica,  catechn  and  cntch. 

Uncial,  'shi- 
al.  An  uncial 
letter. 

UnCOnform-  Unelal  Letters  ICENTESIMOU 

able,  -kon-form'a-bl.  In  Geol.  a  term 
applied  to  strata  whose  planes  do  not  lie 
parallel  with  those  of  the  subjacent  or 
superjacent  strata. 

Undecagon,  -de'ka-gon.  In  Geom.  a 
plane  figure  of  11  angles  or  sides. 

Undercroft,  'der-kroft.  A  vault  under 
the  choir  or  chancel  of  a  church  ;  also,  a 
vault  or  secret  walk  underground. 

Undergraduate,  -gr{^d'u-at.  A  student 


CGOoeSHDo: 


TTOT)EII-9HT1ETPF 


668      TTOTTEB  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


or  member  of  a  university  or  college  Who 
"has  not  taken  his  first  degree. 

TTncler-sheriff,    -sher-if.      A    sheriff's 

-•deputy  ;    generally  applied  to    the  first 

-deputy. 

TTndershot, 
-shot.  Moved 
"by     water 
passing    un- 
der, or  acting 
on  the  lowest! 
part   of.    U, 
wheel,    aiS 
water- whe  e 
turned  by  the' 
moving  force 
■of  a  stream  of    Undershot  Water-wheel, 
water  acting 
on  the  float -boards  at  its  lowest  part. 

Understrapper,  -strap-er.  A  petty 
fellow  ;  an  inferior  agent. 

TJnderstratum,  -stra-tum.  A  substra- 
tum ;  subsoil ;  the  bed  or  layer  of  earth  on 
which  the  mold  or  soil  rests. 

"Under-tow,  -to.  A  current  of  water  be- 
low the  surface  in  a  diff"erent  direction 
from  that  at  the  surface  ;  the  backward 
flow  of  a  wave  breaking  on  a  beach. 

TJnderwriter,  -rit-er.  The  name  given 
to  individual  marine  insurers. 

XTiidress,  'dres.  A  loose  negligent  dress ; 
also,  ordinary  dress,  as  opposed  to  full 
dress  or  uniform. 

^ndulatory,  'du-la-to-ri.  Having  an 
undulating  character  ;  moving  in  the  man- 
ner of  waves,  U.  theory,  in  optics,  the 
theory  which  regards  light  as  a  mode  of 
motion  generated  by  molecular  vibrations 
in  the  luminous  source,  and  propagated 
ty  undulations.  When  these  undulations 
reach  and  act  on  the  nerves  of  the  retina, 
they  produce  the  sensation  of  light. 

TTngrka-puti,  ung'ka-pu-ti.  The  native 
name  of  an  arboreal  gibbon,  remarkable 
for  its  agility,  swingingitself  from  tree  to 
tree,  to  the  distance  of  40  feet. 

TJngTila.  A  section  of 
cylinder,  cone  or  other  sol- 
id, cut  off  by  a  plane  oblique 
to  the  base  ;  a  surgical  in- 
strument. 

TJngulata,  -gu-la'ta.   The 
hoofed    quadrupeds,    vdth 
the  exception  of  the   ele- 
phant, which  forms  a  sep- 
arate   order,    Proboscidea. 
The  order  is  subdivided  into  the  sec.  Pe- 
rissodactyla,  which  includes  the  rhinoce- 
ros, tapirs,  the  horse  and  all  its  allies ; 
and  the  Artiodactyla,  which  comprises  the 


Ungula. 


hippopotamus,  pigs,  oxen,  sheep,  goats, 
antelopes,  camels,  deer,  &c. 
TJniat,  ii'ni-at.  A  church  which  acknowl- 
edges the  supremacy  of  Rome,  although 
not  a  member  of  the  Eoman  communion. 
Unicom,  -korn.  An  animal  with  one 
horn;  the monoceros.  The  "reem"  of 
the  Hebrews,  of  which  unicorn  is  a  mis- 
translation, was  probably  a  urus.  In  Her. 
a  fabulous  animal  having  the  head  and 
body  of  the  horse,  with  a  tuft  of  hair  un- 
der the  chin  like  a  goat,  the  legs  of  the 
buck,  the  tail  of  the  lion,  and  a  long  horn 
in  the  middle  of  the  forehead.  The  uni- 
corn is  one  of  the  supporters  of  the  royal 
arms  of  Great  Britain  ;  it  was  taken  from 
the  arms  of  Scotland,  which  had  two  uni- 
corns as  supporters. 

Uniformitarian,  u-ni-for'mi-ta"ri-an. 
One  who  maintains  that  all  geologic 
changes  and  phenomena  are  due  to  agen- 
cies Avorking  uniformly  and  uninterrupt- 
edly, as  opposed  to  a  catastrophist,  who 
refers  such  changes  to  great  occasional 
convulsions. 

Union,  tin'yon.  The  act  of  joining  two 
or  more  things  into  one,  and  thus  forming 
a  compound  body  or  a  mixture  ;  the  state 
ofbeing  united  ;  junction.  A  confederacy 
of  two  or  more  nations,  or  of  the  various 
states  of  a  nation  :  in  this  sense  the  United 
States  of  America  are  sometimes  called  by 
way  of  pre-eminence  "The  Union."  A 
permanent  combination  among  workmen 
engaged  in  the  same  occupation  or  trade ; 
a  Trades  U.  A  device  for  a  flag  either 
used  by  itself  or  forming  the  upper  inner 
corner  of  an  ensign ;  a  flag  marked  with 
this  device. 

Unionidee,  u-ni-on'i-de.  A  fam.  of 
lamellibranchiate,  bivalve  mollusks,  com- 
prising the  genera  Unio,  Anodon,  Hyria 
and  iridina.  The  U.  margaritiferus  is 
the  pearl-mussel. 

Unit,  'nit.  In  Arith.  the  least  whole 
number,  or  one,  represented  by  the  figure 
1.  Every  other  number  is  an  assemblage 
of  units. 

Unitarian,  -ni-tiVri-an.  One  who 
ascribes  divinity  to  God  the  Father  only. 
One  of  a  religious  sect  or  congeries  of 
sects,  distinguished  by  the  denial  of  the 
received  doctrine  of  the  Trinity. 
United  States  of  America.  Are- 
public  occupying  the  Central  and  South- 
eastern portions  of  N.  America;  bounded 
N.  by  the  Dominion  of  Canada  and  British 
Possessions,  E.  by  the  Atlantic,  8.  by 
Mexico,  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  W.  by 
the  Pacific  ;  area,  3,579,978  sq.  m. ;  pop. 
of  the  States  (18S0),  49,371,840 ;  of  th« 


TJNIVALVE 


URCEOLA 


Territories,  exclusive  of  Alaska  and  the 
Indian  Territory,  and  inclusive  of  tlie 
District  of  Columbia,  902,058  ;  total, 
50,3*3,898.  The  territorial  divisions 
Include  38  states:  Alabama,  Arkan- 
sas, California,  Colorado,  Connecticut, 
Delaware,  Florida,  Georgia,  Illinois,  In- 
diana, Iowa,  Kansas,  Kentucky,  Louisi- 
ana, Maine,  Maryland,  Massachusetts, 
Michigan,  Minnesota,  Mississippi,  Mis- 
souri, Nebraska,  Nevada,  New  Hampshire, 
New  Jersey,  New  York,  N.  Carolina, 
Ohio,  Oregon,  Pennsylvania,  Ehode 
Island,  S.  Carolina,  Tennessee,  Texas, 
Vermont,  Virginia,  "West  Virginia,  Wis- 
consin ;  also  11  territories :  Alaska  (unor- 
ganized), Arizona,  Dakota,  Idaho,  Mon- 
tana, New  Mexico.  Utah,  Washington, 
Wyoming,  the  District  of  Columbia,  gov- 
erned by  Congress,  and  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory (unrepresented).  The  boundaries, 
pop.  and  other  details  of  the  States  and 
Territories  appear  under  their  respective 
heads. 

TJnivalve,  'ni-valv.  A  shell  having  one 
valve  only,  a  moUusk  with  a  shell  com- 
posed of  a  single  piece. 

"CTniversalist,  -vers'al-ist.  One  who 
holds  that  all  men  will  be  saved,  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  doctrine  of  eternal  punish- 
ment. One  of  a  sect  founded  about  1750 
■who  believe  in  the  ultimate  salvation  of 
all  men  and  created  spirits. 

TJniverse,  u'ni-vers.  The  general  sys- 
tem of  things ;  all  created  things  viewed 
as  constituting  one  system  or  whole  ;  the 
whole  creation  ;  the  world  ;  the  to  pan  of 
the  Greeks  and  the  mundus  of  the  Latins. 

XJniversity,  u-ni-ver'si-ti.  An  establish- 
ment or  corporation  for  the  purposes  of 
instruction  in  the  most  important  branches 
of  science  and  literature,  and  having  the 
power  of  conferring  certain  honorary  dig- 
nities, termed  degrees,  in  several  facilities, 
as  arts,  medicine,  law  and  theology, 

XTpanishad,  u-pan'i-shad.  A  series  of 
Sanskrit  treatises  or  commentaries  on  the 
Vedic  hymns,  the  contents  of  which  are 
partly  ritualistic,  partly  speculative.  They 
are  of  dilferent  dates,  some  of  them  being 
as  old  as  several  centuries  b.  c. 

Upas,  ii'pas.  A  tree,  common  in  Java 
and  neighboring  islands,  and  also  in  trop- 
ical Africa.  It  is  a  species  of  the  gen. 
Antiaris  (A.  toxicaria),  ord.  ArtocarpacejE, 
and  its  exhalations  were  formerly  said  to 
be  iiUal  to  both  animal  and  vegetable  life. 
The  truth  is,  the  upas  yields  a  poisonous 
secretion  and  nothing  more.  The  active 
principle  in  this  secretion  has  been  termed 
antiarin.    TJ.  tieute,  a  name  of  the  Strych- 


nos  tieute,  a  very  poisonous  species  which 
>ields  strychnia. 

Upper-world,  up'er-werld.  The  ethe- 
real regions  ;  heaven.  The  earth,  as  op- 
posed to  the  infernal  regions. 

Upupa,  i\'pu-pa.  A  gen.  of  insessorial  or 
perching  birds,  distinguished  by  a  double 
range  of  long  head-feathers,  w'hich  they 
can  erect  at  ■will.  U.  epops,  or  common 
hoopoe,  is  the  type. 

Ural  (Orxral).  A  large  river  of  Eussia, 
forming  the  S.  E.  boundary  of  Europe  and 
emptying  into  the  Caspian  Sea ;  length, 
l,S00'm.  U.  Mountains,  a  chain  forming 
the  principal  division  between  European 
and  Asiatic  Eussia. 

Uralsk.  A  city  of  European  Eussia,  on 
the  Ural,  155  m".  S.  W^.  of  Orenburg,  the 
official  residence  of  the  hetman  of  the 
Cossacks ;  pop.  15,500. 

Urania,  ii-ra'ni-a.  In 
Greek  Myth,  the  muse 
of  astronomy.  She 
was  a  daughter  of 
Zeus  by  Mnemosyne, 
and  is  generally  repre- 
sented holding  in  her 
left  hand  a  celestial 
globe  to  which  she 
points  with  a  little 
staff. 

Uranoffraphy,  -ra- 
n  o  g '  r  a  -  li .      That   / 
branch  of  astronomy/:-^' 
Avhich  treats  of    the^* — 
heavenly  bodies  and 
the    construction    of 
celestial  maps  and  globes,  &c. 

Uranus,  u'ra-nus.  In  Greek  Myth,  the 
son  of  Ga?a,  the  earth,  and  by  her 'the  fa- 
ther of  the  Titans,  Cyclopes,  Hecaton- 
cheirians,  &c.  He  hated  his  children,  and 
conilned  them  in  Tartarus,  but  on  the  in- 
stigation of  Gsea,  Kronos,  the  youngest  of 
tho  Titans,  overthrew  and  dethroned  him. 
In  Astron.  one  of  the  primary  planets, 
discovered  by  Sir  William  Herschel  1781. 
It  was  first  called  Georgium  Sidus  in  hon- 
or of  George  III.,  afterwards  Herschel,  in 
honor  of  the  discoverer.  It  is  the  seventh 
planet  in  order  of  distance  from  the  sun. 

Urban.  The  name  borne  by  eight  popes. 
U.  II.,  lOSa-1097,  urged  the  first  Crusade, 
1095.  U.  VI.,  187a-i389.  Clement  A^II. 
was  elected  at  the  same  time,  and  held 
sway  at  Avignon,  originating  the  "west- 
ern schism  "  which  divided  the  church 
for  nearly  half  a  century. 

Urceola,  er-se'o-la.  A  gen.  of  plants,  ord. 
Apocynaceae.  There  is  only  one  species, 
U.  elastica,  or  caoutchouc-vlae. 


Urania. 


URCEOLE 


670 


UTILITAEIANISM 


Urceole,  'sii-ol.  In  the  E.  0.  Ch.  a  ves- 
sel to  contain  water  for  washing'  the  hands. 
A  vessel  to  contain  wine  and  water. 

Urdu,  ur'dll-  A  native  name  for  the 
present  Hindustani  tongue,  a  member  of 
the  Indie  family  of  Aryan  tongues,  so 
named  because  it  grew  up  since  the  Itth 
century  in  the  camps  (urdu)  of  the  Moham- 
medan conquerors  of  India  as  a  means  of 
communication  between  them  and  the 
subject  population.  It  abounds  with  Per- 
sian and  Arabic  words.  It  is  now,  how- 
ever, the  literary  tongue  of  India  and  the 
means  of  general  intercourse. 

lire,  Andrew.  An  eminent  Scotch 
chemist,  physician  and  author  ;  b.  17T8,  d. 
1857. 

Ureter,  ii-re'ter.  The  excretory  duct  of 
the  kidney,  a  tube  conveying  the  urine 
from  the  kidney  to  the  bladder. 

Urethra, 'thra.  The  canal  by  which  the 
urine  is  conducted  from  the  bladder  and 
discharged. 

Urim,  u'rim.  An  ornament  or  appen- 
dage belonging  to  the  habit  of  the  Jewish 
high  priest  in  ancient  times,  along  with 
the  Thummim,  in  virtue  of  which  he  gave 
oracular  answers  to  the  people,  but  what 
the  Urim  and  Thummim  really  were  has 
not  been  satisfactorily  ascertained. 

Uroscopy,  o-ros'ko-pi.  The  judgment 
of  diseases  by  inspection  of  the  urine. 

Ursa,  er'sa.  A  name, 
of  two  constellations. 
U.  Major,  the  Great 
Bear,  is  one  of  the 
most  conspicuous  of 
the  northern  constel- 
lations, near  the  pole. 
It  is  remarkable  from 
its  seven  brilliant 
stars,  by  two  of  which, 
called  the  pointers, 
the  pole-star  is  readily  found.  IT.  Minor, 
the  Little  Bear,  contains  the  pole-star. 
This  constellation  has  seven  stars  placed 
together  in  a  manner  very  much  resem- 
bling those  in  U.  Major,  the  pole-star  be- 
ing in  the  corner  of  the  triangle  farthest 
from  the  quadrangle.  Called  also  Big  and 
Little  Dipper. 

Ursidee,  'si-de.  A  fam.  of  plantigrade 
carnivorous  animals,  of  which  the  Bear  is 
the  type.  Besides  their  plantigrade  walk 
the  U.  are  characterized  by  grinders  less 
or  more  tuberculated,  claws  litted  for  dig- 
ging, and  generally  by  a  short  tail.  They 
are  carnivorous  and  frugivorous. 
Ursula,  St.  A  traditionary  virgin  mar- 
tyr, reputed  daughter  of  a  British  prince, 
who,  with  11,000  other  virgins,  suffered 


Ursa  Major. 


cruel  martyrdom  at  Cologne  in  the  3d  or 

4th  century. 

Ursulines.  (Nuns  of  St.  Ursula.)  A 
II.  C.  sisterhood  founded  by  Angela  of 
Brescia,  1537.  Originally  they  were  devot- 
ed to  education  and  took  no  religious 
vQws,  but  they  were  formed  into  an  order 
by  Gregory  XIII.,  1577. 

Uirubu,  u-ro'byj.  The  native  name  of  a 
S.  American  vulture,  the  Catharista  Iota 
(black  vulture  or  zopilote),  very  nearly  al- 
lied to  the  turkey-buzzard. 

Urugruay.  A  river  of  S.  America,  rising 
in  Brazil,  and  forming  the  W.  boundary  of 
Uruguay,  uniting  with  the  Parana  to  form 
the  Kio  de  la  Plata ;  length  800  m. 

Urugruay  (Banda  Oriental).  A  re- 
public of  S.  America,  bounded  N.  by  Bra- 
zil, E.  by  the  Atlantic,  S.  by  the  Rio  de  la 
Plata,  W.  by  the  Argentine  Republic; 
area,  71,755  sq.  m.;  pop.  764,856.  Prin- 
cipal cities,  Montevideo,  cap.,  San  Joso, 
Colonia  and  Maldonado.  Chief  rivers, 
Uruguay  and  Rio  Negro. 

Urumiyall.  A  Persian  city,  near  lake 
of  same  name,  35  m.  W.  of  Tabreez,  noted 
as  the  supposed  birthplace  of  Zoroaster. 
Lake  U.,  a  body  of  brackish  water,  abt. 
800  m.  in  circumference. 

Urus,  u'rus.  The  mountain  bull  or  Bos 
Urus,  which  ran  wild  in  Gaul  at  the 
period  ofthe  Roman  invasion. 

Usbeck,  us'bek.  A  member  of  a  Turkish 
or  Tartar  tribe  scattered  over  Turkestan, 
Central  Asia. 

Ushas,  i.i'shas.  In  Hind.  Myth,  one  of 
the  ancient  elemental  divinities,  the  god- 
dess of  dawn.  In  the  Vedic  hymns  she 
is  represented  as  a  young  wife  awakening 
her  children  and  giving  them  new 
strength  for  the  toils  of  the  coming  day. 

Usquebaugrll,  us'kwe-ba.  A  strong 
compound  cordial,  made  in  Ireland  of 
brandy,  or  other  spirits,  raisins,  cinnamon, 
cloves',  &c. 

Ustilag-o,  -ti-liVgo.  A  gen.  of  fungi; 
smut. 

Utah.  A  Territory  ofthe  U.  S.,  bounded 
N.  by  Idaho  and  Wyoming,  E.  by  Colo- 
rado, S.  by  Arizona,  W.  by  Nevada ;  area, 
93,107  sq.  m.;  pop.  125,000.  Cap.,  Salt 
Lake  City.  Chief  rivers,  Colorado  and 
Humboldt.  Mountains,  Humboldt  and 
Wahsatch  ranges.  U.  is  principally  settled 
by  Mormons. 

Utilitarianism,  ii-til'i-ta"ri-an-i8m. 
The  doctrine  that  the  greatest  happiness 
of  the  greatest  number  should  be  the  end 
and  aim  of  all  social  and  political  institu- 
tions.      The    doctrine    that    virtue  is 


UTOPIA 


671 


TALEDICTORT 


founded  on  utility,  or  that  utility  is  the 
sole  standard  of  morality,  so  that  actions 
are  right  because  they  are  useful. 

Utopia,  -t«)'pl-a.  Sir  Thomas  More's 
imaginary  island  which  he  represents  in 
his  celebrated  work  (Utopia)  as  enjoy- 
ing the  utmost  perfection  in  laws,  politics, 
&.G.,  as  contrasted  with  the  defects  of 
those  which  then  existed  ;  hence,  a  place 
or  state  of  ideal  perfection. 

Utrecht.  Cap.  of  prov.  of  same  name, 
in  Holland,  on  the  Old  Ehine,  20  m.  S.  E. 
of  Amsterdam;  pop.  67,142. 


Uva,  u'va.  In  Bot.  such  succulent  inde- 
hiscent  fruits  as  have  a  central  placenta. 
U.  ursi,  bearberry. 

Uxmal.  An  ancient  city  of  Yucatan, 
Mexico,  45  m.  S.  W.  of  Merida,  now  in 
ruins,  noted  for  its  remains  of  Aztec-Indian 
architecture. 

Uxoricide,  uk-sor'i-sid.  The  murder  ol 
a  wife  by  her  husband.  A  husband  who 
murders  his  wife. 

Uzema,  (i'ze-ma.  A  linear  measure  in 
Burmah,  about  12  statute  miles. 


VIS  the  22d  letter  of  the  alphabet,  rep- 
resenting a  labial  or  labiodental  conso- 
nant sound,  accompanied  by  the  same  po- 
sition of  the  organs  as  that  required  for  f, 
but  uttered  with  voice,  and  therefore 
called  sonant,  while  f  is  surd,  or  uttered 
with  breath  merely.  Both  v  and  f  are 
also  continuous  consonants,  and  they  also 
belong  to  the  class  of  the  spirants.  V  and 
u  were  formerly  the  same  letter,  but  they 
have  now  as  distinct  uses  as  any  two  let- 
ters in  the  alphabet.  This  letter  did  not 
belong  to  the  Anglo-Saxon  alphabet,  and 
its  sound  is  believed  to  have  been  repre- 
sented by  f,  but  appears  to  have  occurred 
only  between  two  vowels  (as  in  heofon, 
heaven).  The  giving  of  the  v  sound  to  f 
also  illustrates  the  change  of  consonant  in 
the  plural  of  such  words  as  thief,  thieves, 
wolf,  wolves,  life,  hves.  In  spelling  v  is 
never  flnal,  nor  is  it  ever  doubled.  As  a 
numeral,  v  stands  for  5.  In  music,  V.  S. 
stands  for  volta  subito,  turn  over  (the  leaf) 
quickly.  In  Her.  V.  is  used  to  express 
vert  or  green,  in  the  tricking  or  drawing 
of  arms  with  a  pen  and  ink. 
Vaal.  A  river  of  S.  Africa,  on  the  banks 
ofwhichare  located  the  most  proliiic  dia- 
mond mines  of  the  known  world.  It 
forms  the  boundary  bet.  the  Orange  Free 
State  and  Cape  Colony,  emptjing  into  the 
Orange  Eiver;  length  500  m. 
Vaccination,  vak-si-na'shon.  The  art 
or  practice  of  inoculating  persons  with 
cow-pox,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  them 
from  the  contagion  of  small-pox. 
Vaccinium,  -sin'i-um .  A  gen .  of  plants, 
ord.  Vacciniaceie,  of  which  it  is  the  type. 
The  species  produce  berries  known  by 
the  common  names  of  bilberries,  whortle- 
heiTies,  cranberries,  «&c. 
Vacuist,  vak'u-ist.  One  who  holds  the 
doctrine  of  a  vacuum  in  nature;  opposed 
to  a  plenist. 


Vacuna,  va-ku'na.  In  Latin  Myth,  the 
goddess  of  rural  leisure,  to  whom  hus- 
bandmen sacrificed  at  the  cloge  of  harvest. 
She  was  especially  a  deity  of  the  Sabines. 
Vacuum,  vak'u-um.  Space  empty,  or 
space  devoid  of  all  matter  or  body. 
Whether  there  can  be  absolute  vacuum  in 
nature  has  been  much  controverted. 
The  existence  of  »  vacuum  was  maintained 
by  the  Pythagoreans,  Epicureans  and 
Atomists ;  but  it  was  denied  by  the  Peri- 
patetics, who  asserted  that  "  nature  ab- 
hors a  vacuum."  The  modern  theory  is 
that  an  absolute  vacuum  cannot  exist,  the 
subtle  medium  known  as  ether  being 
everywhere  present.  In  a  less  strict 
sense  a  vacuum  is  said  to  be  produced 
when  air  is  more  or  less  completely  re- 
moved from  the  receiver  of  an  air-pump, 
a  barometric  tube,  «fec. 
Vaiseshika,  vi-sS'shi-ka,  The  second 
of  the  two  great  divisions  of  the  Nyaya 
system  of  Hindu  philosophy,  and  sup- 
posed to  be  a  later  development  of  it,  dif- 
fering from  it  principally  by  its  doctrine  of 
atomic  individualities  (viseshas),  whence 
the  name. 

Vaislinava,  -shna'va.  One  of  the  great 
divisions  into  which  Brahmanism  is  di- 
vided, characterized  by  belief  in  the  su- 
premacy of  Vishnu  over  the  other  gods  of 
the  Trimurti.  This  division  is  broken  up 
into  subordinate  sects  named  after  respect- 
ive founders. 

Vaisya,  vls'ya.  A  member  of  the  third 
caste  among  the  Hindus,  comprehending 
merchants,  traders  and  cultivators,  and 
comprising  the  bulk  of  the  Aryan  popula- 
tion of  India,  after  deducting  the  Brah- 
mans  and  Kshatriyas,  the  priestly  and 
warrior  castes. 

Valedictory,  val-e-dik'to-ri.  An  oration 
or  address  spoken  at  commencement  in 
colleges  by  one  of  the  class  whose  mem- 


VALENCIA 


672 


YANDAL 


hers  recoivo  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts,  and  take  their  leave  of  college  and 
of  each  other. 

Valencia.  Cap.  of  province  of  same 
name,  formerly  a  kingdom  of  Spain,  on 
the  Guadalquivir,  2  m.  from  the  Mediter- 
ranean, 190  m.  S.  E.  of  Madrid  ;  pop.  90,- 
000.     Its  university  Avas  founded  1209. 

Valenciennes,  va-lan-si-en.  A  rich  va- 
riety of  lace  made  at  Valenciennes,  France. 
The  meshes  are  in  the  form  of  an  irregular 
hexagon,  formed  of  two  threads  partly 
twisted  and  plaited  at  the  top  of  the  mesh, 
the  pattern  being  worked  in  the  net. 

Valentine,  val'en-tln.  A  sweetheart  or 
choice  made  on  Valentine's  day.  This 
term  is  derived  from  St.  Valentine,  to 
Avhom  the  14th  of  February  is  sacred.  It 
was  a  very  old  notion  that  on  this  day 
birds  began  to  couple.  Hence,  perhaps, 
arose  the  custom  of  young  men  and  wo- 
men choosing  each  other  as  valentines  by 
a  kind  of  lottery,  and  of  sending  special 
love  missives  on  this  day.  A  letter  or 
missive  sent  by  one  young  person  to 
another  on  St.  Valentine's  Daj^. 

Valentinian,  -en-tin'i-an.  One  of  a 
sect  of  heretics  who  sprung  up  in  the  2d 
century,  so  named  from  Valentinus,  their 
founder.  They  were  a  branch  of  the 
Gnostics,  who  regarded  Christ  as  a  kind 
of  incorporeal  phantom. 

Valentinian.  The  name  of  three  Eo- 
man  emperors  who  reigned  364-455. 

Valerian,  Valerianus  Publius 
Liucinius.  A  Koman  emperor,  crowned 
253,  captured  and  cruelly  put  to  death  by 
Sapor  of  Persia,  260. 

Valetta,  La.  Cap.  of  the  island  of 
Malta,  and  station  of  the  British  fleet  in 
the  Mediterranean ;  pop.  70,146.  It  is 
strongly  fortified. 

Valhalla,  -hal'la.  In  Scand.  Myth,  the 
palace  of  immortality,  inhabited  by  the 
souls  of  heroes  slain  in  battle,  who  spent 
much  of  their  time  in  drinking  and  feast- 
ing. A  name  figuratively  applied  to  any 
edifice  which  is  the  final  resting-place  of 
the  great  men  of  a  nation  ;  and  specifi- 
cally, to  the  Pantheon  or  temple  of  Fame 
built  by  Ludwig  I.  of  Bavaria,  at  Donau- 
stauf,  near  Eatisbon,  consecrated  to  all 
distinguished  Germans. 

Valkyr,  viirkGr.  In  Scand,  Myth,  one 
of  the  "  choosers  of  the  slain,"  or  fatal 
sistersof  Odin,  represented  as  awful  and 
beautiful  maidens,  who,  mounted  on  swift 
horses  and  holding  di*awu  swords  in  their 
hands,  presided  over  the  field  of  battle, 
selecting  those  destined  to  death  and  con- 


ducting them  to  Valhalla,  where  they 
ministered  at  their  feasts,  serving  them 
with  mead  and  ale  in  skulls. 

Valladolid.  Cap.  of  province  of  same 
name.  Old  Castile,  and  ancient  cap.  of 
Spain,  on  the  Esqueva,  100  m.  N.  ^V,  of 
Madrid ;  pop.  41,728.  Also  the  name  of 
two  Mexican  cities. 

Valois.  The  dynastic  name  of  the  French 
kings,  1328-1589,  derived  from  a  province 
conferred  (1285)  by  Philip  III.  on  his 
second  son,  Charles. 

Valparaiso  (Valley  of  Paradise). 
A  seaport  of  Chili,  the  most  important 
commercial  center  of  the  Pacific  S.  Amer- 
ican coast ;  pop.  78,463. 

Valve,  valv.  Any  movable  lid  or  cover 
adapted  to  the  orifice  of  a  passage  into  a 
vessel,  so  formed  as  to  open  communica- 
tion in  one  direction  and  close  it  in  the 
other,  by  lifting,  sliding  or  turning ;  uschI 
to  regulate  the  admission  or  escape  of 
water,  gas  or  steam. 

Vampire,  vam'plr.  A  spectral  being  or 
ghost,  still  possessing  a  human  body, 
which,  according  to  a  superstition  exist- 
ing along  the  lower  Danube,  leaves  the 
grave  during  the  night  and  maintains  a 
semblance  of  life  by  sucking  the  warm 
blood  of  living  men  and  women  while 
they  are  asleep.  Dead  wizards,  were- 
wolves, heretics,  and  such  like  outcasts, 
become  vampires,  as  do  also  the  illegiti- 
mate offspring  of  parents,  themselves  ille- 
gitimate, and  any  one  killed  by  a  vampire. 
A  person  who 
Itreys  on  others ; 
an  extortioner  or^ 
blood-sucker.  A 
vampire-bat. 

Vampire-bat, 
-bat.  A  n  a  m  e 
common  to  the 
blood-  sucking 
Viats. 

Van  Buren,  Martin.  Eighth  Presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S. ;  u.  in  N.  T.,  1782 ;  d. 
1862. 

Vancouver's  Island.  A  large  British 
island  of  the  N,  Pacific,  separated  from 
British  Columbia  by  the  Gulf  of  Georgia, 
and  from  Washington  Ter.  by  the  Strait 
of  Fuca ;  area,  1,300  sq,  m, ;  pop.  abt. 
10,000.     Cap.  Victoria. 

Vandal,  van'dal.  One  of  a  Teutonic  race 
originally  inhabiting  the  S.  shore  of  the 
Baltic.  They  pillaged  Eome  in  the  5th 
century,  and  unsparingly  destroyed  the 
monuments  of  art  and  the  productions  of 
literature  ;  hence  the  name  is  applied  to 
one  who  willfully  or  ignorantly  destroys  or 


Vampire-bat, 


VANDER  HELST 


673 


VASE 


disfijured  any  work  of  art,  literature,  or 
the  iike. 

Vander  Heist,  Bartholomew.  An 
eminent  Dutch  portrait  painter ;  B.  1610, 
p.  1(3TU. 

VanderlyTi,  Jolin.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican liistorical  painter;  B.  in  N.  Y.,1776; 
i>.  1S.V2. 

Van  der  Meer,  Jan  (The  Young-er). 
A  distinguished  Dutch  landscape  painter  ; 
35.  1656,  n.  1706. 

"Vandervelde,  Adrian.  A  famous 
Dutch  animal  painter  ;  b.  1639,  d.  1672. 
William  V.,  his  father,  an  eminent  mai'ine 
painter;  n.  1610,  d.  1693. 

"Vandyke,  -dlk'.  A  pointed  collar  of  lace 
or  sewed  work,  worn  by  both  sexes  during 
the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  and  to  be  seen  in 
portraits  painted  by  Vandyke.  V.  brown, 
a  pigment  obtained  from  a  kind  of  peat  or 
bog-earth,  of  a  fine,  deep,  semi-transpa- 
rent brown  color ;  so  called  from  its  being 
supposed  to  be  the  brown  used  by  Vandyke 
in  his  pictm-es. 

Vandyke,  Anthony,  Sir.  A  distin- 
guished portrait  painter  ;  b.  in  Antwerp, 
1599  ;  D.  in  London,  16il. 

Vanilla,  va-nil'la.  A  gen.  of  orchida- 
ceous plants,  remarkable  on  account  of 
tiieir  climbing  liabit.  The  fruit  of  Vanilla 
aromatica  or  jtlanlfolia  is  remarkable  for 
its  fragrant  odor  and  fur  the  volatile  odor- 
iferous oil  extracted  from  it.  It  has  a 
sweetish  aromatic  taste  and  is  employed 
in  confectionery,  in  the  preparation  of 
liqueurs  and  in  flavoring  chocolate. 

Vanloo.  The  name  of  two  brothers, 
distinguished  French  painters ;  Jean  Bap- 
tistc,  B.  1684,  D.  1746 ;  Charles  Andre,  b. 
1705,  D.  1765. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Stephen  (The 
Patroon).  An  American  statesman  ;  b. 
in  N.  Y.,  1764,  u.  1S39. 

Vaquero,  va-ker'o.  A  term  applied  in 
Mexico  and  the  S.  "Western  States  to  one 
■who  has  the  charge  of  cattle,  horses  or 
mules;  a  herdsman. 

Varangian,  va-ran'ji-an.  One  of  those 
Scandinavians  who  entered  the  service 
of  the  Byzantine  emperors  and  became 
the  Impeml  Guard  at  Constantinople. 
They  were  recruited  by  Anglo-Saxons  and 
Danes  who  fled  from  England  to  escape 
the  yoke  of  the  Normans,  and  long  up- 
held the  Byzantine  throne. 

Varna.  A  city  of  Bulgaria,  Turkey,  on 
tiay  of  same  name.  Black  Sea,  50  m.  E.  of 
Shumla  ;  pop.  82,494. 

Varnish,  viir'nish.  A  solution  of  resin- 
ous matter,  forming  a  fluid  which  hardens 


without  losing  its  transiMircncy,  used  by 
painters,  gilders,  cabinet-makers,  &c.,  for 
coating  over  the  surface  of  their  work  in 
order  to  give  it  a  shining,  transjiarent 
and  hard  surface. 

Varsovienne,  var-so'vi-en.  A  popular 
dance,  named  fi-om  Warsaw,  in  Poland, 
where  it  originated. 

Vartabed,  viir'ta-bed.  One  of  an  order 
of  eccle.siiistics  in  the  Armenian  church 
who  live  like  monks,  cultivate  tlie  sciences 
and  are  the  vicars  of  the  bishops. 

Varuna, 


dian  of  immortality,  cherisher  of  truth, 
the  seizer  and  punisher  of  ill-doers,  the 
forgiver  of  sins,  protector  of  the  good  and 
the  exerciser  generally  of  unlimited  con- 
trol over  man.  Lattcrl}-  he  became  the 
god  of  waters,  the  cause  of  rain,  the  Hin- 
du Neptune.  He  is  represented  as  a  white 
man,  four-armed,  riding  on  a  sea  animal, 
generally  with  a  noose  in  one  of  his  hands 
and  a  club  in  another. 

Varus,  va'rus.  A  variety  of  club-foot  in 
which  the  i)erson  walks  on  the  outer  edge 
of  his  foot. 

Vasari,  Giorgio.  A  distinguished  Ital- 
ian painter,  architect  and  author ;  b.  1512, 
B.  1574. 

Vase,  vas.  A  vessel  made  of  various 
materials,  and  in  various  forms,  and  for 
various  purposes,  often  merely  serving  for 
ornament.     The  Egyptians,  Greeks  and 


Chinese,  Japanese  and  Indian  Vases. 

Eomans  made  them  from  precious  stones, 
bronze,  silver,  gold,  ivory  and  glass,  and 
often  used  them  for  sacrificial  or  oth«r 


VASELTKE 


6T4 


VELASQUEZ 


sacred  pui-poses  ;  but  the  most  prevalent 
matei-ial  for  vases  of  all  kinds  has  been 
baked  clay.  Antique  vases  of  painted 
earthenware  have  been  discovered  by 
thousands  in  tombs  and  catacombs  in 
Etruria,  S.  Italy,  Sicily,  Greece  and  some 

I  of  the  Grecian  islands.  Many  of  them 
exhibit  great  beauty  and  elegance,  are  or- 
namented by  artistic  designs  of  tlie  most 
Taried  character,  and  prized  by  antiquaries 
for  the  light  they  cast  upon  the  history, 
mythology,  religious,  civil  and  domestic 
customs  of  antiquity.      Italy,  France  and 

.  Germany  in  the  16th  and  ITth  ccntm-ies 

J)roduced  many  vases  which  are  the  p©r- 
ection  of  artistic  form  and  execution,  and 
since  the  loth  century  many  masterpieces 
of  glass  art  in  the  form  of  vases  have  is- 
1  sued  from  the  Venetian  manufactories. 
From  India,  China  and  Japan  also  have 
been  obtained  vases  of  various  materials, 
especially  of  porcelain,  vying  In  elegance 
of  form  and  beauty  of  ornamentation  with 
those  of  Europe. 
Vaseline,  vas'e-lin.  A  product  obtained 
from  petroleum  after  the  lighter  hydro- 
carbons are  driven  oft",  and  composed  of  a 
mixture  of  paraffins.  It  is  used  as  a  base 
for  ointments,  pomade,  cold-cream,  &c., 
and  for  coating  steel  surfaces  to  protect 
them  from  rust. 

Vatican,  vat'i-kan.  The  most  extensive 
palace  in  the  world,  built  upon  the  Vati- 
can hill,  immediately  north  of  the  basilica 
of  St.  Peter's  at  Rome.  Since  the  return 
of  the  popes  from  Avignon  the  Vatican 
has  been  their  principal  residence,  and 
since  the  conversion  of  Eome  into  the  cap- 
ital of  Italy  it  is  their  only  residence.  As 
such,  and 'as  the  storehouse  of  valuable 
literary  and  art  collections,  it  is  one  of  the 
chief  attractions  of  modern  Home. 
Vattel,  Emriciivon.  A  distinguished 
Swiss  jurist  and  writer  on  international 
law ;  li.  1714,  p.  176T. 

Vauban,    Sebastien    le    Prestre, 
Seig"neur  de.      A  celebrated  _^French 
uiilitary  engineer  ;  b.  1633,  r>.  170T. 
Vavasor,  vav'a-sor.    In  Feudal  Law,  a 
principal  vassal,  not  holding  immediately 
of  the  sovereign  but  of  a  gi-eat  lord,  and 
having  other  vassals  who  held  of  him  ;  a 
vassal  of  the  second  degree  or  rank. 
Vayu,  va'ii.     In  Hind.   Myth,   the  wind 
or  wind-god,  apparently    of   equal  rank 
with  Indra. 
Veadar,  ve-a'diir.    The  13th  or  intercal- 
ary month  which  is  added  to  the  Jewish 
year  about  every  thurd  year.     It  followed 
the  month  Adar. 
Veda,  'da.     The  general  name  for  tiie 


body  of  ancient  Sanskrit  hymns,  with  ac- 
companying comments,  believed  by  the 
Hindus  "to  have  been  revealed  by  Brahma, 
and  on  which  the  Brahmanical  system  is 
based.  The  hymns  number  upwards  of 
1,000. 

Vedangra,  ve-dan'ga.  A  name  common 
to  six  Sanskrit  works  interpreting  tlie  Ye- 
dic  texts  and  api)lying  them  to  specilic 
purposes.  They  are  elaborate  treatises 
on  pronunciation,  meter,  grammar,  ex- 
planation of  difficxilt  terms,  astronomy  and 
ceremonial.  They  are  composed  in  the 
Sutra  or  aphoristic  style. 
Vedanta,  -diln'ta.  A  system  of  philos- 
ophy among  the  Hindus  founded  on  the 
Vedas.  It  is  chietly  concerned  in  the  in- 
vestigation of  the  Supreme  Spirit  and  the 
relation  in  wliich  the  universe,  and  espe- 
cially the  human  soul,  stands  to  it 
Vega,  ve'ga.  In  Astron.  a  star  of  the 
first  magnitude  in  the  northern  constella- 
tion Lyra. 

Vegretarianism,  vej-e-ta'ri-an-izm.  The 
theory  and  j^ractice  of  living  solely  on 
vegetables,  as  old  as  the  time  of  Pythag- 
oras, and  for  ages  strictly  observed  by 
many  of  the  Hindus. 

Vebrng-erichte,  lam'ge-rich-te.  A  sys- 
tem of  secret  tribunals  Avliich  originated 
during  the  midtWe  ages  in  Westphalia, 
and  tiien  spread  over  Germany  when  the 
regular  administration  of  justice  had  fal- 
len into  complete  disorder.  The  chief 
(Frfcigraf,  free  count)  was  usually  a  man 
of  exalted  rank.  His  associates  (Frei- 
scholfen,  free  justices)  concurred  in  and 
executed  the  senteBces  of  the  court,  being 
bound  by  a  tremendous  oath  to  obey  all 
its  behests,  and  keep  secret  its  proceed- 
ings. The  assemblies  were  sometimes 
held  in  public  and  in  the  open  air,  but 
generally  by  night  in  a  forest  or  some  con- 
cealed place.  The  sentences  imposed  in- 
cluded death.  When  the  governments  of 
the  various  states  became  more  effective 
and  society  more  settled,  the  regular  ex- 
ecutive struggled  to  destroy  the  power  of 
the  V.  and  ultimately  succeeded,  the  last 
tribunal  being  held  at  Zell,  1568. 
Velarium,  ve-lfi'ri-um.  The  great  awn- 
ing drawn  over  the  roofless  Koman  thea- 
ters or  amphitheaters  to  protect  the  spec- 
tators from  the  rain  or  the  sun's  rays. 
Velasquez.  Dieg-o.  A  Spanish  milita- 
ry officer,  who  accompanied  Columbus  on 
his  second  voyage  and  founded  the  city  of 
Havana ;  b.  143S,  d.  1523. 
Velasquez.  Dieg-o  Rodrigruez  de 
Silva  y,  Don.  An  eminent  Spanish 
painter;  b.  155)9,  d.  1600. 


VELLUM 


675 


VERMONT 


Vellum,  vel'am.  A  fine  parchment 
made  of  calf  8  skin,  and  rendered  clear, 
smooth  and  white  for  writing  on.  The 
term  is  also  applied  to  a  saperior  writing 
paper,  and  to  a  kind  of  cotton  cloth  pre- 
pared to  imitate  vellum. 

Velociman,  vG-los'i-man.  A  carriage  of 
the  nature  of  a  velocipede  driven  by  hand. 

Velocipede,  vC-los'i-pC'd.  A  light  vehi- 
cle or  carriage  impelled  by  the  rider's  feet. 

Vendemiaire,  von-du-mi-ar.  The  first 
month  of  the  Fi-ench  republican  calendar. 
It  was  so  called  from  being  the  vintage  sea- 
eon.  It  began  September  22  or  23,  and 
ended  October  21  or  ^2. 

Vendetta,  ven-det'tu.  A  blood-feud; 
the  act  or  practice  of  the  nearest  kin  exe- 
cuting vengeance  on  the  murderer  of  a  rel- 
ative. In  Corsica  the  vendetta  is  regard- 
ed as  a  duty  incumbent  on  the  relatives 
of  the  murdered  man,  and,  failing  to  reach 
the  real  murderer,  they  take  vengeance  on 
his  relatives.  The  practice  exists  to  a 
more  limited  extent  in  Sicily,  Sardinia 
and  Calabria,  as  well  as  among  the 
Druses,  Circassians,  Arabs,  &c. 

Vendome,  Louis  Joseph,  Due  de. 
A  distinguished  French  general,  grandson 
of  Ca?sar,  natural  son  of  Henry  IV.;  b. 
16.>4,  D.  1712. 

Venenosa,  -e-nd'sa.  One  of  the  three 
sections  into  which  the  colubrine  snakes 
are  divided  according  as  they  are  venom- 
ous or  otherwise,  the  other  two  sections 
being  Innocua  and  Suspecta.  It  contains 
some  of  the  most  deadly  of  all  living  ser- 
pents, one  of  the  best  known  being  the 
Cobra  di  Capello,  and  the  venomous  wa- 
ter-snakes. 

Venezeula.  (Little  Venice.)  A  S. 
American  liepuhlic,  bounded  N.  by  the 
Caribbean  Sea,  E.  by  Brit.  Guiana,  S.  bv 
Brazil,  W.  bv  the  U.  S.  of  Colombia"; 
area,  368,236  sq.  m.;  pop.  1,300,000.  Prin- 
cipal cities,  Caracas,  cap.,  Maracaibo,  Ciu- 
dad  BoUvar,  Puerto  Cabello  and  Laguayra. 
Chief  rivers,  the  Oronoco  and  tributaries. 
Mountains,  Andes  and  Parima  ranges. 

Venice.  Cap.  of  pro\ince  of  same  name, 
N.  E.  Italy,  at  the  headof  the  Adriatic,  70 
m.  W.  of  Trieste;  pop.  117,648. 

Venice-glass,  'is-glas.  A  glass  cup  or 
goblet  of  the  rarest  purity,  manufactured 
hear  Venice.  These  glasses  were  anciently 
believed  to  be  so  exquisitely  sensitive  that 
if  poison  were  put  into  them  they  would 
fly  into  pieces. 

Vera  Cruz.  (Holy  Cross.)  Cap.  of 
state  of  same  name,'  in  S.  E.  Aiexico,  on 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  1S5  m.  E.  of  the  City 
of  M.;  pop.  13,600. 


Venus 


Venus,  vc'nus.  In 
Myth,  the  goddess  of 
beauty  and  love,  more 
especially  of  sensual 
love.  Originally  the  Ro- 
man goddess  of  the 
spring,  at  a  compara- 
tively late  period  she 
became  identified  \vith 
the  Greek  Aphrodite. 
She  is  represented  as 
the  highest  ideal  of  fe- 
male beauty  and  love, 
and  was  naturally  a  fa- 
vorite subject  with  an- 
cient poets  and  artists. 
Among  the  most  famous 
of  her  statues  is  that  of 
Cnidus,  by  Praxiteles, 
of  which  the  V.  de  Medici,  found  in  the 
Villa  Hadriana  at  Tivoli,  is  supposed  to  be 
a  free  copy,  and  the  V,  of  Milo,  found  in 
the  island  of  Melos.  Among  the  modern 
statues  one  of  the  most  famous  is  the  V. 
of  Canova,  where  she  is  represented  as 
issuing  from  the  bath.  In  Astron.  one  of 
the  inferior  planets  having  its  orbit  be- 
tween Mercury  and  the  earth,  and  the 
most  brilliant  of  ail  the  planetary  bodies. 
From  her  alternate  appearance  in  the 
morning  and  evening  she  was  called  by  the 
ancients  Lucifer  and  Hesperus,  the  morn- 
ing and  evening  star. 

Verd-antique,  verd-an-tek'.  A  term 
given  to  a  gi-een  incrustation  on  an- 
cient coins,  brass  or  copper.  In  Mineral, 
an  aggregate  of  serpentine  and  white 
crystaUized  marble,  having  a  greenish 
color,  beautifully  mottled,  and  much  used 
for  ornamental  purposes.  A  green  por- 
phyrj'  used  as  marble,  and  known  as  Ori- 
ental verd-antique. 

Verdi,  Giuseppe.  An  eminent  Italian 
composer ;  n.  1S14. 

Verdigris,  ver'di-gi-is.  A  substance  ob- 
tained by  exposing  plates  of  copper  to  the 
air  in  contact  with  acetic  acid,  and  much 
used  as  a  pigment,  as  a  mordant  in  dyeing 
wool  black,  in  several  processes  m  the 
chemical  arts,  and  in  medicine. 

Vermont.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  1791,  bounded  N.  bj- 
Canada,  E.  by  New  nampshlre,  S.  by 
Massachusetts,  W.  by  New  York;  area, 
10,212  sq.  m.:  pop.  332,286.  Principal 
cities,  Montpelier,  cap.,  Burlington,  St. 
Johnsbury,  Brattleboro',  AYoodstock, 
Windsor.  Rutland,  Middlebury,  St.  Al- 
bans and  Manchester.  Chief  rivers, 
Connecticut,  Passumpsic,  Queechy, 
White,  Black,  Deerfield,  Mi-ssisquoi, 
Lamoille   and   Winooski.       The    Green 


VEENET 


6T6 


VESTAIi 


Mountains  extend  through  the  center  of 
the  State,  from  N.  to  S. 

Vernet,  Claude  Joseph.  A  distin- 
giiishe<i  French  marine  painter;  b.  1714, 
V.  IIS'J.  His  mm,  Antoine  Charles  Horace, 
Avas  eminent  aa  a  painter  ofbattle  Kcenes  ; 
B.  1T58, 1).  1836.  Horace,  son  of  the  latter, 
exceeded  his  father  in  the  painting  of  battle 
scenes,  and  ranks  as  the  first  artist  of  his 
age  ;  b.  1789,  d.  1863. 

Vemicle,  'ni-kl.  A  copy  in  miniature  of 
the  picture  of  Christ,  supposed  to  have  been 
miraculously  imprinted  upon  a  handker- 
chief, preserved  m  the  Church  of  St.  Peter 
at  Itome. 

Vernier,  -er. 


A  small  mov 
able     sc  a  1  e 
running    par- 
allel with    the 
fixed  scale  of 


^Xl 


ruT 


XJHIP; 


Vernier. 


a  sextant,  theodolite,  barometer,  or  other 
graduated  instrument,  used  for  measuring 
a  fractional  part  of  one  of  the  equal 
divisions  on  the  graduated  fixed  scale  or 
arc. 

"Verona.  Cap.  of  province  of  same 
name,  in  Lombardy,  Italy,  on  the  Adige, 
22  m.  N.  E.  of  Mantua;  pop.  60,000. 

"Veronese,  Paul.  The  artistic  name  of 
Paolo  Cagliai-i,  an  eminent  Italian  painter ; 
B.  at  Verona  1532.  n.  1588. 

Veronica,  ve-ron'i-ka.  A  portrait  or 
representation  of  the  face  of  our  Saviour 
said  to  have  been  miraculously  stamped 
on  the  sudary  of  the  holy  Veronica,  and 
brought  fiom  Palestine  to  Eome,  where  it 
is  still  preserved  by  the  canons  of  St. 
Peter's ;  a  vei-nicle.  In  Bot.  a  gen.  of 
plants,  speedwell. 

Versailles.  Cap.  of  dept.  Seine-et-Oise, 
France,  11  m.  S.  W.  of  Paris,  noted  for  its 
magnificent  royal  palace  ;  pop.  48,626. 

Verst,  verst.  A  Eussian  measure  of 
length,  containing  1,166|  yards  or  3,500 
feet ;  about  two- thirds  of  an  English  mile. 

Vertebrata,  ver'te-bra'ta.  The  highest 
division  of  the  animal  kingdom,  Including 
the  classes-  Ilsces  (fishes),  Amphibia 
(ti-ogs,  &c.),  Eeptilia  (reptiles),  Aves 
(birds),  and  Mammalia  (quadrupeds  and 
man). 

Vertumnus,  -tnm'nus.  A  deity  among 
the  Eomans  who  presided  over  gar- 
dens and  orchards,  and  who  was  also  wor- 
shiped as  the  god  of  spring  or  of  the  sear 
sons  in  general. 

Vervet,  'vet.  A  small  monkey  (Oerco- 
pithecus  pygerythrus),  allied  to  the  grivet 
or  green  monkey.     The  tame  monkey 


corried  by  the  organ-men  is  commonly 
either  a  vervet  or  grivet. 
Vesalius,  Andreas.  An  eminent  anat- 
omist and  surgeon  ;  a.  at  Brussels,  1514, 
1).  15(34. 
Vesica,  ve-sl'ka.  In  Anat.  the  bladder. 
V.  piacis  (a  fish's  bladder),  a  name  given 
to  a  symbolical  representation  of  Christ,  of 
a  pointed,  oval  or  egg-shaped  form,  made 
by  the  intersection  of  two  equal  circles  cut- 
ting each  other  in  their  centers.  The  ac- 
tual figure  of  a  fish  found  on  the  sarcoph- 
agi of  the  early  Christians  gave  way  in 
course  of  time  to  this  oval-shaped  orna- 
ment, which  was  the  most  common  sym- 
bol used  in  the  middle  ages. 
Vesper,  ves'per.  The  evening-star,  a 
name  given  to  the  planet  Venus  when  she 
is  to  the  east  of  the  sun  and  appears  after 
sunset ;  hence,  the  evening.  Kccles.,  tho 
time  of  evening  service;  originally  the 
last  of  the  canonical  hours,  but  now  suc- 
ceeded by  compline.  Evening  worship  or 
service  ;  evening  prayer  and  praise. 
Vespidas,  'pi-de.  A  fam.  of  hymenop- 
terous  insects,  of  which  the  gen.  Vespa 
(wasps)  is  the  type. 
Vesta,  'ta.  One  of  the 
great  divinities  of  the  an- 
cient Eomans,  identical 
with  the  Greek  Hestia, 
the  virgin  goddess  of  the 
hearth.  She  was  wor- 
shiped along  with  the 
Penates  at  every  meal, 
Avhen  the  family  assem- 
bled round  the  hearth, 
which  was  in  the  center 
of  the  room,  ^neaswas 
said  to  have  brought  the 
sacred  fire,  which  was 
her  symbol,  from  Troy, 
to  Eome,  where  it  was' 
preserved  in  her  temple,  Vesta, 
which  stood  on  the 
Forum.  To  prevent  this  fire  from  becom- 
ing extinguished  it  was  given  into  the  su- 
perintendence of  6  stainless  virgins  called 
vestals.  In  Asti-on.  one  of  the  asteroids 
or  ultra-zodiacal  planets. 
Vestal,  'tal.  Among  the  ancient  Eom»ns 
a  virgin  consecrated  to  Vesta  and  to  the 
service  of  watching  the  sacred  fire  which 
was  perpetually  kept  burning  upon  her 
altar.  They  entered  the  service  of  their 
goddess  at  from  6  to  10  j'cars  of  age,  their 
term  of  service  lasting  80  years.  They 
were  then  permitted  to  marry,  but  few 
did  so,  as  they  were  treated  with  great 
honor,  and  had  important  public  privi- 
leges.   Their  persons  wei-e  inviolable,  and 


VESFVIUS 


677 


VICTORIA  ALEXAimHINA 


the  vestal  found  guilty  of  unchastity  was, 
together  with  her  paramour,  put  to  death. 
Hence,  a  virgin  ;  a  woman  of  spotless 
chastity  ;  sometimes  a  virgin  who  devotes 
her  life  to  the  service  of  religion  ;  a  nun; 
a  religieuse. 

Vesuvius,  Mt.  The  famous  Italian 
volcano,  (jm.  E.  of  Naples  ;  height  3,949 
ft.  above  sea  level.  Its  lirst  recorded  erup- 
tion, 79,  overwhelmed  the  cities  of  Her- 
culaneum,  Pompeii  and  Stabise  ;  its  latest 
eruption  occurred  1872. 

Vetttirino,  vet-tu-re'n6.  In  Italy,  one 
who  lends  for  hire,  or  who  drives  a  vet- 
tura  or  carriage. 

Vexillum,  vek'sil-um.  In  Rom.  Antiq. 
the  standard  of  the  cavalry,  consisting'  of 
a  square  piece  of  cloth  expanded  upon  a 
cross.  The  troops  belonging  to  a  vexil- 
lum ;  a  company  ;  a  troop.  Eccles.,  a  flag 
or  pennon  wound  round  the  upper  part  of 
a  bishop's  pastoral  staff  to  prevent  the 
metal  being  stained  by  the  moisture  of  the 
hand. 

Viaticum,  vl-at'ik-um.  In  Rom.  Antiq. 
an  allowance  to  officers  who  were  sent 
into  the  provinces  to  exercise  any  office  or 
perform  any  service.  In  the  R.  C.  Ch. 
the  communion  or  eucharist  given  to  a 
dying  person. 

Vibrionidee,  -bri-on'i-de.  A  fam.  or 
tribe  of  microscopic  organisms,  doubt- 
fully animal,  abounding  in  decaying  paste 
and  vinegar,  called  microscopic  eels  from 
their  long  filamentous  bodies.  V.  occur 
in  all  infusions  of  animal  or  vegetable  mat- 
ter. 

Vicar-apostolic,  vik'er-ap-os-tol"ik. 
In  the  R.  C.  Ch.  a  bishop  who  possesses  no 
diocese,  but  exercises  iurisdiction  over  a 
certain  appointed  district  by  direct  author- 
ity of  the  pope.  Missionary  dioceses  are 
usually  vicariates-apostolic,  and  as  such 
must  report  to  the  College  of  the  Propa- 
ganda. 

Vice-president,  vis-pres'i-dent.  An 
office-bearer  ne:^  in  rank  below  a  presi- 
dent. 

Viceroy,  'roi.  A  vice-king  ;  the  govern- 
or of  a  kingdom  or  country,  who  rules  in 
the  name  of  the  sovereign  with  regal  au- 
thority, as  the  king's  substitute  ;  as  the 
viceroy  and  governor-general  of  India. 

Vichy.  A  popular  spa  in  S.  France  on 
the  Allier,  85  m.  S.  E.  of  Moulins  :  pop. 
6,170. 

Vicissy-duck,  vi-sis'si-duk.  A  "W.  In- 
dian water-fowl,  smaller  than  the  Europe- 
an duck,  affording  excellent  food. 

Vicksburgr.    Cap.  of  Warren  Co.,  Mis- 


sissippi, on  theM.  River,  50  m.  W.  of  Jack- 
son, noted  for  its  celebrated  siege  and  cap- 
ture by  Gen.  Grant,  July  4,  1S63:  pop. 
11,814. 

Vico,  Giovanni  Battista.  An  emi- 
nent Italian  philosopher  and  political  econ- 
omist;  n.  1G68,  D.  1744. 

Victor,  Claude  Perrin  (Due  de 
Bellune).  A  distinguished  marshal  of 
France  ;  b.  1704,  u.  It^l. 

Victor.  The  name  of  three  popes  and  an 
anti-pope.  V.  I.,  elected  185,  martyred 
202.  V.  IV.,  the  anti-pope  supported  by 
Frederick  I.  of  Germany  against  Alexan- 
der III.,  1159,  i>.  1164. 

Victor  Amadeus.  The  name  of  three 
dukes  of  Savoy.  V.  A.  I.,  b,  1587,  s.  his 
father,  1G30,  i).  1G37.  V.  A.  II.,  b.  1666, 
s.  his  father,  1673,  became  king  of  Sar- 
dinia, but  abdicated,  1730,  i>.  1732.  Y.  A. 
III.,  B.  1726,  8.  his  father,  1773,  n.  1796. 
During  his  reign  the  French  seized  upon 
Savoy  and  Nice. 

Victor  Emmanuel  I.  Brother  of 
Charles  Emmanuel  IV.,  King  of  Sardinia, 
who  abdicated  in  his  favor ;  b.  1759, 
crowned  1802,  abdicated  in  favor  of  his 
brother,  Charles  Felix,  1821,  d.  1S24.  V. 
E.  II.,  B.  1820,  s.  his  father  Charles  Albert 
1849,  and  became  king  of  Italy,  1861,  d. 
1878. 

Victoria,  rik-to'n-a^f.:,^^:^^^^^^^^^!,^  \ 
One  of  the  small  plan- 
ets between  the  orbits 
of  Mars  and  Jupiter, 
named  after  the  Ro- 
man goddess  Victoria; 
called  also  Clio.  A 
wheeled  carriage,  with 
a  calash  top,  seated  for 
two  persons,  and  with 
an  elevated  driver's 
seat  in  front.  V.  cross, 
a  British  naval  and 
military  decoration,  Victoria  Cross, 
consisting  of  a  bronze 
Maltese  cross  having  the  royal  crest  in  the 
center,  with  a  scroll  underneath  bearing 
the  words  "For  Valor,"  and  worn,  in 
the  case  of  the  navy,  with  a  blue  ribbon, 
and  in  that  of  the  army,  a  red  one.  A 
single  act  of  valor  mav  win  this  decoration, 
and  it  is  granted  to  all  ranks.  A  pension 
of  $50  a  year  accompanies  it. 

Victoria.  A  British  colony  in  Australia, 
bounded  N.  by  New  South  Wales,  E.  by 
the  Pacific,  S.  bv  Bass'  Str.-.it,  W.  by  S. 
Australia  and  the  Indian  Ocean  ;  area, 
86,&31  sq.  m. ;   pop.  948,712. 

Victoria  Alexandrina.  Queen  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland  and  Empress 


VICTORY 


6T8 


YIEGINIA 


of  India,  daughter  of  Edward,  Duke  of 
Kent,  4th  son  of  George  III. ;  b.  1819,  s. 
her  uncle  William  1\.,  1837  ;  married 
Albert  of  Saxe  Coburg-Gotha,  1840,  who 
died  1861.  V,  assumed  the  title  Empress 
of  India,  18T6,  by  act  of  Parhament. 

Victory,  vik'to  ri.  A  female  deity 
among  the  Greeks  and  Komans,  the  per- 
sonification of  successful  conquest.  She 
was  represented  as  a  winged  woman, 
bearing  a  palm-branch  and  laurel  crown. 

"Vicugrna,  vi-kon'ya.  A  ruminant  mam- 
mal, Auchenia  vicugna,  fam.  Camehdte, 
closely  allied  to  the  llama,  the  guanaco  and 
the  alpaca. 

Vienna.  Cap,  of  the  Austrian  empire, 
on  the  Danube  ;  pop.  021,852. 

Vigny,  Alfred  Victor,  Comte  de. 
A   popular  French  author;    b.   1799,  i>. 

Viking",  vik'ing.  A  rover  or  sea-robber 
belonging  to  one  of  the  predatory  bands 
of  Northmen  who  infested  the  European 
seas  during  the  Sth,  9th  and  10th  centu- 
ries. Viking  has  been  confounded  Avith 
sea-king,  but  the  latter  was  a  man  of  royal 
blood  and  took  by  right  the  title  of  king  ; 
whereas  the  former  name  is  apphcable  to 
any  member  of  the  rover  bands. 

Villafranca.  A  town  of  Italy,  9  m.  from 
Verona,  noted  for  the  treaty  between  the 
French  and  Austrian  emperors,  June  11, 
1859,  which  closed  the  Italian  war. 

Villars,  Claude  Louis  Hector,  Due 
de.  A  distinguished  French  marshal:  u. 
ICbS,  D.  1734. 

Villemain,  Abel  Francois.  A  dis- 
tinguished French  statesman  and  author ; 
B,  1790,  D.  1870. 

V  'na,  ve'na.  An  E.  Indian  seven-stringed 
guitar,  with  a  long  finger-board  provided 
with  about  20  movable  frets,  and  having 
a  gourd  attached  to  each  end. 

Vinaigrette,  vin-a-gret'.  A  small  box 
of  gold,  silver,  &c.,  with  perforations  on 
the  top,  for  holding  aromatic  vinegar  con- 
tained in  a  sponge,  or  smelling-salts. 

Vincent  de  Paul,  St.  An  eminent 
French  philanthropist  and  reformer;  b. 
1576,  D.  1660  ;  canonized  by  Pope  Clement 
XII.,  1787.  He  organized  the  Congrega- 
tion of  Missions  and  founded  the  order  of 
Bisters  of  Charity. 

Vincent,  St.  The  most  important  of 
the  Cape  Verd  islands,  Miudello,  its  cap., 
being  the  seat  of  government  of  the  group. 

Vinci,  Leonardo  da.  An  eminent 
Italian  painter ;  b.  1462  ;  ».  in  France, 
1519. 

Vingi>un,  vant-fin.    A  popular  game  at 


cards,  depending  on  the  number  of  pips 
on  the  cards  dealt  out,  or  the  esteemed 
value  of  the  cards.  The  object  is  to  get 
as  near  as  possible  to  the  number  without 
exceeding  it. 

Viol,  vl'ol.  An  ancient  musical  instru- 
ment of  much  the  same  form  as  the  vio- 
lin, the  parent  of  modern  instnaiients  uf 
the  violin  kind.  There  were  three  i^orts, 
treble,  tenor  and  bass,  each  having  3  to  0 
strings. 

Viola,  'o-la.  A  large  violin,  to  which  the 
part  between  the  second  and  bsss  is  gen- 
erally assigned.  It  has  4  catgut  strings, 
of  which  the  third  and  fourth  are  covered 
with  silver  wu-e. 

Violin,  -lin.  A  well-known  stringed  mu- 
sical instrument,  having  catgut  strings, 
the  lowest  of  which  is  covered  with  sil- 
vered copper  wire,  stretched  by  means  of 
a  bridge  over  a  hollow  wooden  body  and 
played  with  a  bow ;  a  fiddle.  It  is  consid- 
ered the  most  perfect  of  musical  instru- 
ments. 

Violoncello,  -lon-sel"lo.  A  powerful 
and  expressive  bow  instrument  of  thevio- 
hn  kind,  filling  a  place  between  the  violin 
and  double-bass.  It  has  4  strings,  the 
lower  two  covered  with  silver  wire. 

Viperina,  vl-per-l'na. 
One  of  the  two  sub-" 
orders  of  Ophidia 
(snakes  or  serpents), 
characterized  by  hav- 
ing only  two  perforated 
poison-fangs     in     the  _. 

upper    jaw,    while  Viper, 

in  the  Colubrina  this  jawis  furnished  with 
solid  teeth  either  with  or  without  addi- 
tional canaliculated  fangs.  It  comprises 
two  families,  Viperida3  or  vipers,  and  Cro- 
talida?  or  rattlesnakes. 

Virgil,  Publius  Virg-ilius  Maro. 
The  most  eminent  of  Koman  epic  poets ; 
B.  70,  D.  19  B.  c. 

Virg'inal,  ver'jin-al.  An  obsolete  keyed 
musical  instrument  wit^>  one  string,  jack 
and  quill  to  each  note.  It  differed  from 
the  spinet  only  in  being  square  instead  of 
triangular,  and  was  the  precursor  of  the 
harpischord,  now  superseded  by  the  piano- 
forte. 

Virgrinia.  The  heroine  of  the  tradition- 
ary Koman  tragedj%  daughter  of  Lucius 
Virginius,  who,  abt.  450  b.  c,  was  ab- 
ducted by  Appius  Claudius,  the  lecherous 
decemvir.  Her  father  failing  to  obtain  her 
release,  slew  her  in  the  open  Forum,  and 
headed  a  popular  uprising  which  over- 
threw the  decemvirate  and  restored  tha 
ancient  magistracy. 


VIRGINIA 


679 


TITRUYIAN 


Virg-inia.  One  of  the  original  13  states 
of  the  American  Union,  bounded  N.  by 
Maryland  and  Chesapeake  Bay,  E.  by  the 
Atlantic  and  Potomac  Elver,  S.  by  Ten- 
nessee and  N.  Carolina,  W.  by  Kentucky 
and  W.  Virginia;  area,  40,y04  sq.  m.; 
pop.  1,512,5(55.  Principal  cities,  Eich- 
mond,  cap.,  Norfolk,  Petersburg,  Win- 
chester, Portsmouth,  Lexington,  Freder- 
ickbburg,  Lynchburg  and  Staunton.  Chief 
rivers,  James,  Potomac,  Shenandoah, 
Kappahannock,  York,  Appomattox,  Eapi- 
dan,  Blackwater,  Nottoway,  Meherrin, 
Dan,  Staunton,  Clinch  and  Holston. 
Mountains,  Alleghanies  and  Cumberland. 

Virgin  Islands.  A  group  of  100  small 
rocky  islets  in  tlie  W.  Indies,  belonging 
to  Gt.  Britain  and  Denmark.  Tortola 
(British)  and  St.  Thomas  (Danish)  are  the 
principal.     Many  are  uninhabited. 

Virgro,  'go.  One  of  the  12  signs 
or  constellations  of  the  zodiac, 
which  the  sun  enters  about  the 
22d  of  August.  It  is  the  sixth 
in  order  of  the  signs  beginning 
■with  Aries,  and  contains  110 
stars.  V.  is  usually  represented 
with  an  ear  of  corn  in  her  hand. 
Intended  to  denote  the  jieriod  of  Virgo, 
harvest. 

Viscacha,  vis-ka'cha.  The  Calamys  V,, 
a  S.  American  rodent  mammal,  fam.  Chln- 
chillidje,  of  the  size  of  a  badger.  The  skins 
are  valued  on  account  of  their  fur. 

Visconti.  The  name  of  a  noble  Lom- 
bard family,  which  gave  several  dukes  to 
Milan.  Italy,  1250^1447. 

Viscount,  Ti'kount.  A  title  of  nobility 
next  in  rank  to  an  earl,  and  above  that 
of  baron.  It  is  the  most  recent  English 
title,  having  been  first  conferred  on  John, 
Lord  Beaumont,  by  Henry  VI.,  1440.  In 
Britain  the  title  is  frequently  attached  to 
an  earldom  as  a  second  title,  and  is  held 
by  the  eldest  son  during  the  lifetime  of 
the  father.  The  coronet  of  a  viscount  of 
England  is  composed  of  a  circle  of  gold, 
chased,  having  on  the  edge  12,  14  or  16 
pearls  ;  the  cap  of  crimson  velvet,  turned 
up  with  ermine  and  closed  at  the  top  with 
a  tassel  of  gold. 

Viscountess,  -es.  The  wife  of  a  vis- 
count ;  a  peeress  of  the  fourth  degree  of 
nobility. 

Visigoth,  viz'i-goth.  One  of  that  branch 
of  the  Gothic  tribes  which  settled  in  Dacia, 
as  distinguished  from  the  Ostrogoths  or 
Eastern  Goths,  who  had  their  seats  in 
Pontus. 

Visor,  'or.  A  head-piece  or  mask  used  to 
eonceal  the  fiace  or  disguise  the  wearer. 


That  part  of  a  helmet  which  defends  the 
face,  which  can  bo  lifted  up  and  down,  and 
is  perforated  for  seeing  and  breathing. 
The  fore-piece  of  a  cap. 

Vishnu,  vish'no.  In  Hind. 
Myth,  the  god  who,  with  the 
other  two  great  gods,  Brah- 
ma and  Siva,  forms  the  tri- 
murti  or  trinity ;  the  Pre- 
server, considered  by  his 
worshipers  to  be  the  su- 
preme god  of  the  Hindu 
pantheon.  In  the  early 
Vedas  he  appears  as  the^ 
manifestation  of  the  sun, 
and  was  not  regarded  as  the 
most  exalted  deity,  this  rank 
being  accorded  to  him  by 
the  later  writers  of  the 
KuTnayana,  the  Mahabhilrata,  Vishnu  on 
and  more  especially  of  the  his  Man-bird 
Puranas.  The  Brahmanic  Gai-uda. 
myths  relating  to  Vishnu 
are  characterized  by  the  idea  that, 
whenever  a  great  physical  or  moral 
disorder  aifected  the  world,  Vishnu  de- 
scended in  a  small  portion  of  his  essence 
to  set  it  right.  Such  descents  are  called 
avataras  or  avatars,  and  consist  in  Vishnu 
assuming  the  form  of  some  wonderful 
animal  or  superhuman  being,  or  as  being' 
born  in  human  form  of  human  parents, 
but  endowed  with  miraculous  power. 
These  avatars  are  generally  given  as  10,  9 
of  which  are  already  past,  the  10th,  the 
Kalkiavatara,  being  yet  to  come.  V.  is 
sometimes  represented  as  riding  on  Garu- 
da,  a  being  half  bird  and  half  man  ;  as 
holding  in  one  of  his  four  hands  a  conch- 
shell  blown  in  battle;  in  another  a  disk,  an 
emblem  of  supreme  jjower  ;  in  the  third 
a  mace  as  the  emblem  of  punishment;  and 
in  the  fourth  a  lotus,  type  of  creative 
power. 

Vistula,  A  large  river  of  Central  Europe 
rising  in  Austria,  flowing  through  Poland, 
and  emptying  into  the  Gulf  of  Dantzig, 
Prussia  ;  length,  534  m. 

Vitis,  vi'tis.  A  gen.  of  plants,  the  type 
of  the  ord.  Vitaceae  ;  the  vines. 

Vitro-di-Trino,  vit'r6-de-tru"n6.  A 
kind  of  filigree  or  reticulated  glasswork, 
invented  by  the  Venetians  in  the  15th 
century,  consisting  of  a  lace-work  of  white 
enamel  or  transparent  glass,  forming  a 
series  of  diamond-shaped  sections.  In  the 
center  of  each  an  air-bubble  was  allowed 
to  remain  a.s  a  decoration. 

Vitruvian,  vi-tro'vi-an.  Of  or  pertain- 
ing to  MarcusVitrnvius  Pollio,  a  celebrated 
Eoman  architect,  born  about  80  b.  c.  V. 
scroll,  an  architectural  ornament  couBirt' 


VITTA 


660 


¥OX-HUMANA 


Ing  of  a  series  of  convoluted  scrolls,  very 
fanciful  and  varied,  frequently  occurring 
in  friezes  of  the  Composite  order. 

"Vitta,  vit'a.  A  headband,  fillet  or  gar- 
land ;  specifically,  among  the  ancient 
Greeks  and  Komans,  ariblion  or  fillet  used 
as  a  decoration  of  priests,  victims,  statues, 
altars,  &c. 

Vittoria.  Cap.  of  province  of  Alava, 
Si)ain,  27  m.  S.  of  Bilbao,  noted  for  the 
victory  (1818),  of  Wellington  over  the 
French. 

"Viverridse,  vT-vrr'i-de.  A  fam,  of 
digitigrade  carnivora,  many  of  the  species 
of  which  are  furnished  with  anal  glands, 
which  secrete  the  peculiar  fatty  substance 
known  as  civet.  It  includes  the  civet-cat, 
genet,  palm-cat  (Pamdo.xurus  typus).  bin- 
tnrongs  (Arctictis),  cynogale,  suricate, 
ichneumon,  Ac. 

Vizier,  viz'i-er.  The  title  of  a  high  po- 
litical officer  in  the  Turkish  Empire  and 
other  Mohammedan  states.  In  Turkey 
the  title  is  given  to  the  heads  of  the  various 
ministerial  departments  and  to  the  pashas 
of  three  tails.  The  president  of  the  divan, 
or  prime  minister,  is  known  as  grand  viz- 
ier, Tizier-azam  or  sadr-azam. 

"Vladimir  (The  Great).  Grand 
l)uke  and  first  Christian  ruler  of  Russia ; 
B.  940,  V.  1015. 

"Vodka,  vod'ka.  An  intoxicating  spirit 
distilled  from  rye. 

"Voiture,  Vincent.  A  distinguished 
French  poet  and  wit  ;  B.  1598,  r>.  1648. 

Volcano,  vol-ka'no. 
A  hill  or  mountain 
VFith  a  circular  cup- 
hko  opening  or  basin,' 
called  a  crater,  at  its 
summit,  which  sends 
out  clouds  of  hot  va- 
por, gases,  and,  at 
times,  showers  of  ash- 
es, rocks,  and  streams 
of  fiery  liquid  lava. 

Vole,  vol.      A  name  Volcano, 

common  to  members 
of  a  gen.  (Arvicola)  of  rodents  resembling, 
and  in  many  cases  bearing  the  names  of 
rats  and  mice,  belonging  to  a  group  (Arvi- 
colida")  which  some  naturalists  regard  as  a 
distinct  family,  others  as  a  sub-family  of 
the  Muridaj.     Some  are  aquatic. 

Volgra.  A  large  river  of  European  Rus- 
sia, emptying  into  the  Caspian  Sea  ;  length 
2,400  m. 

Volta,  Alessandro,  Comte.    An  em- 

-inent  Italian  chemist  and  natural  philo.^o- 
pher,  inventor  of  the  Voltaio  pile ;  b.  1746, 
V.  1827. 


Voltaire,  Francois  Marie  Arouet 

de.      A  distinguished  French  historian, 
poet,  dramatist  and  philosopher ;  b.  1694, 
.  m  Switzerland,  1778. 

Voltaism,  vol'ta-izm.  That  branch  ol 
electrical  science  which  treats  of  the 
chemical  action  between  metals  and  differ- 
ent liquids,  so  named  from  the  Italian 
jihilosopher  Volta,  whose  experiments 
contiibuted  greatly  to  the  establishment  of 
this  branch  of  science.  It  is,  however, 
more  usually  called  galvanism,  from  Gal- 
vani,  who  first  brought  to  notice  the  re- 
markable influence  produced  on  animals 
by  this  s])ecies  of  electricity. 

Voltameter.  An  instru- 
ment for  measuring  vol- 
taic electricity. 

Voltaplast,  -plast.  A 
voltaic  batteiy  used  in 
electro  typing. 

Voltigeur,  'ti-zher.  A 
foot-soldier  in  a  select 
company  of  every  regi- 
ment ol""  French  infantry, 
organized  by  Napoleon. 

Volturno.      A  river  of^ 
S.    Italv,   emptying   into    Voltameter, 
the  Gulf  of  Gaeta,  20  m. 
N.  W.  of  Naples.    Oct.  1,  18G0,  Garibaldi 
defeated  the  Neapolitan  army  on  its  banks. 

Volumenometer,  'u-men-om'e-ter.  An 
instrument  for  measuring  the  volume  of  a 
solid  body  by  the  quantity  of  a  liquid  or  of 
air  which  it  displaces  ;  ^iso  for  determin- 
ing its  specific  gravity. ' 

Volute,  vo-lut'.  In  Arch,  a  spiral  scroll 
used  in  the  Ionic,  Corinthian  and  Compos- 
ite capitals,  of  which  it  is  a  principal  orna- 
ment. 

Volutidae,  'i-de.  A  fam.  of  gasteropo- 
dous  moUusks,  of  which  the  gen.  Voluta 
is  the  tvpe.  The  music-shells,  mitre- 
shells  anil  date-shells  are  examples. 

Von.  A  German  preposition,  equivalent 
to  the  Englisli  word  of,  used  before  sur- 
names to  indicate  titled  descent. 

Von  Moltke,  Helmuth  Karl  Ber- 
nard, Count.  A  distinguished  Ger- 
man general,  b.  1800.  He  was  created 
Count,  1870,  and  Chief  Marshal,  1871. 

Voussoir,  vos'war.  In  Arch,  a  stone 
in  the  shape  of  a  truncated  wedge  which 
forms  part  of  an  .irch.  The  under  sides 
of  the  voussoirsform  the  intrados  or  soflSt 
of  the  arch,  and  the  upper  sides  the  ex- 
trados.  The  middle  voussoir  is  termed 
the  keystone. 

Vox-humana,  voks-hii-ma'na.  A  reed* 


VULCAN 


631 


WAFER 


Yulcan. 


stop  5n  an  organ,  so  called  from  Its  sup- 
posed resemblance  to  the  human  voice. 

Vulcan,  vul'kan.  In 
Eoni.  Myth,  the  god 
who  presided  over  fire 
and  the  working  of 
metals.  The  Koman 
poets  transferred  all 
the  stories  which  are 
related  of  the  Greek 
Jlephapstos  to  their  own 
Vulcan,  the  two  divini- 
ties becoming  in  the 
course  of  time  com- 
pletely identified.  By- 
some  writers  he  is  said 
to  have  been  borB  lame, 
but  by  others  his  lame- 
ness id  attributed  to  his  haTingbeen  thrown 
from  Olympus.  Vulcan  patronized  handi- 
craftsmen of  every  kind,  and  to  this  or  to 
his  lameness  th*  poets  most  frequently  re- 
fer. In  sculpture  heis  generally  represented 
as  a  strong,  bearded  man,  with  a  hammer 
and  pincers  and  a  pointed  cap.  The  name 
of  a  hypothetical  intra-Mercurial  planet, 
believed  to  have  been  discovered  in  1859. 

Vulcanist,  -ist.  One  who  supports  the 
Vulcanian  or  Plutonic  theory,  which 
ascribes  the  changes  on  the  earth's  sm-- 
face  to  the  agency  of  fire. 

Vulcanization,  -iz-a"shon,  A  method 
of  treating  caoutchouc  or  india-rubber 
with  some  form  of  sulphur  to  effect  cer- 
tain changes  in  its  properties,  and  jield  a 
soft  (vulcanized  india-rubbei-)  or  a  hard 
(vulcanite)  product. 


Vulcanology,  -ka-nol'o-jl.  That  de- 
partment of  science  which  concerns  itseli 
with  igneous  phenomena,  as  volcanoes, 
warm-springs,  &c. 

Vulgate,  gat.  The  anthonzed  Latin 
version  of  the  Scriptures  in  theK.  C.  Ch. 
The  V.  of  the  Council  of  Trent  was  a 
combination  of  the  old  Itahc  version,  a 
literal  translation  from  the  Septuagint, 
and  an  amended  version  of  St.  Jerome. 
The  version  now  in  use  was  published  by 
Clement  VIII.,  1592. 

Vulpes,  'pes.  The  subgeneric  name  for 
the  foxes,  adopted  by  those  zoologists 
who  distinguish  the  foxes  from  the  dogs, 
jackals  and  wolves,  to  which  they  con.<5e- 
quently  restrict  the  term  Canis. 

Vulture,  'tur.  The  com- 
mon name  for  raptorial 
bird  s,  fam .  Vult  u  r  i  d  se . 
The  strength  of  their  talons ! 
does  not  correspond  Mith  ' 
their  size;  and  they  make 
more  use  oftheir  beak  than 
of  their  claA's.  In  general 
they  ai-e  cowardly,  living 
chiefly  on  dead  carcasses 
and  offal.  They  nro  divided  Into  several 
genera,  the  chief  being  Vnltur,  Cathartes, 
Sarcorhamphus,  Neophron  and  Gypaetos, 
of  which  the  last  approaches  the  Falcon - 
Idae.  In  some  recent  systems  the  vultures 
of  the  Old  World  are  grouped  into  one 
family,  Gypaetida?,  while  those  of  the 
New  World  form  another,  Cathartidse,  tho 
two  having  disttnctive  peculiarities. 


Vulture. 


w 


WIS  the  28d  letter  of  the  alphabet.  It 
takes  its  form  and  name  from  the 
union  of  two  Vs,  the  character  V  having 
fprmerl}'  the  name  and  force  of  U.  This 
letter  represents  two  sounds,  the  one 
whi  '.h  distinctively  belongs  to  it,  being  that 
Avhich  it  has  at  thebeginningof  a  syllable 
and  followed  by  a  vowel,  as  in  wave, 
dwell,  forward,  &c.  This  sound  has  some- 
what the  character  of  a  vowel,  and  w  in 
such  a  position  is  often  spoken  of  as  a 
Bemi-vov.'el.  At  the  end  of  syllables,  in 
which  position  it  is  always  preceded  by  a 
vowel,  it  has  either  no  force  at  all  (or  at 
most  lengthens  the  vowel),  as  in  law,  sow, 
hollfiw.  &c.,  or  it  forms  the  second  ele- 
ment in  a  diphthong,  as  in  now,  few, 
being  then  really  a  vowel  and  equivalent 
to  the  u  in  nentral.  bough,  &c.  Followed 
by  r  it  is  a  silent  Initial  in  a  conslderablo 


number  of  English  words,  as  wrap,  vmte, 
&c.  Wh  is  another  initial  coml/ination ,  as 
in  what,  where,  whale.  &c.  As  an  abbre- 
viation W.  stands  for  west :  W.  N.W.  for 
west-north-west,  &c. 

"Wabash.  A  river  rising  in  Ohio  and 
forming  the  boundary  line  bet.  Illinois  and 
Indiana,  for  some  distance,  emptying  into 
the  Ohio  :  length,  550  m. 

Wade,  Benjamin  Franklin.  An 
American  statesman;  b.  in  Mass.,  1800, 
I).  1ST9.  He  represented  Ohio  in  the  U. 
S.  Senate  fo||piany  years. 

"Wafer,  wa'fer.  A  small  thin  cake,  made 
of  flour,  cream,  white  wine  and  lump 
sugar,  flavored  with  cinnamon.  A  thin 
circular  portion  of  unleavened  bread,  gen- 
erally stamped  with  the  Christian  mono- 
gram, the  cross,  or  other  sacred  symbol^ 


WAFFLl 


WALPURGIS-NIGHT 


Wagtail. 


used  in  the  R.  C.  Ch.  in  the  admimatra- 
•tion  of  the  eucharist.  A  thin  disk  used 
fur  SRaling  letters,  fastenlug  documents 
together,  and  the  like,  usually  made  of 
flour,  mixed  with  water,  gum  and  color- 
ing matter.  Fancy  wafers  are  made  of 
gelatine  and  isinglass  in  a  variety  of 
forms. 

"Waffle,  wof  1.  A  thin  cake,  baked  hard 
and  rolled ;  or  a  soft  indented  cake,  baked 
in  an  iron  utensil  on  coals. 

"Wagonette,  -on-et'.  An  open  four- 
wheeled  pleasure  vehicle  of  light  con- 
struction, seated  for  six  or  eight  persons. 

Wag-ner,  Richard.  A  popular  German 
composer;  b.  1813,  d.  1880. 

"Wagrani.  A  village  of  lower  Austria, 
on  the  Ro?sbach,  10  m.  N.  E.  of  Vienna, 
noted  for  the  decisive  victory  gained  bj- 
Napoleon  I.  over  the  Austrians,  July  5-G, 
1S0». 

Wagtail,  'tai. 
A  small  bird, 
gen.  Motacilla, 
fam.  Motacillidae, 
regarded  as  a 
sub-fam.  (Mota- 
cillinia)  of  the 
Sylviadae. 

Wahabee,  wa- 
ha'be.  A  follower  of  Abdel  Wahab,  a  re- 
former of  Mohammedanism  about  1760. 
The  reformer  did  not  add  anything  to  the 
Mohammedan  code,  but  the  Wahabees 
rigidly  observe  the  laws,  which  the  others 
neglect.  The  members  are  brave,  but 
iiinatical  and  intolerant.  They  have  a 
well-organized  government,  holding  sway 
over  a  large  part  of  .Arabia. 

Waldemar  I.  (The  Great).  King  of 
Denmark;  b.  1131,  D.  1181.  He  con- 
quered 8.  Norway  and  Wendish  Germany. 
W.  II.,  2d  son  of  the  former,  s.  his  brother 
Canute  VI.,  1203,  n.  1241.  W.  III., 
crowned  1340,  d.  1375. 

Waldenses,  wal'den-sfz.  A  sect  of 
Christians  professing  principles  substan- 
tially the  same  as  those  of  the  Reformed 
churches.  They  first  ap]>eared  in  the  r2th 
century  in  the  upper  valleys  of  Dauphine 
and  Piedmont,  but  the  persecutions  of  the 
14th  and  15th  centuries  drove  them  into 
many  parts  of  Europe.  They  were,  for 
several  centuries,  the  subjects  of  cruel  per- 
Becutions,  and  it  was  not  ti%lS  8  that  they 
enjoyed  the  same  religious  rights  as  the 
Catholics  of  Italy.  At  present  the  W.  in- 
habit the  Val  Martino,  the  Val  Angrona, 
and  the  Val  Lucerna,  b.  AV".  of  Turin. 

Waldgrave,  wald'grav.  In  the  old 
Gwman  Empii-e,  ii  head  forest  ranger. 


Waldo,  Peter.  A  merchant  of  Lyons, 
France,  the  reputed  founder  of  the  sect 
known  as  Waldenses.  He  flourished  abt. 
1150-1200. 

Wales.  A  British  principahty,  occupy- 
ing the  W.  central  portion  of  the  island, 
bounded  N.  by  the  Irisli  8ea,  E.  bv  Eng- 
land, S.  by  Bristol  Channel,  W.  by  St. 
George's  Channel;  area,  7,425  sq.  m.;  pop. 
1,642,718.  Principal  cities,  Bangor,  Car- 
narvon, Wrexham,  Holywell,  Holyhead, 
Aberystwith,  Carmarthen,  Pembroke, 
Swansea  and  Merthyr-Tydvil.  W.  was 
ruled  by  native  princes  until  1282,  Avhcn 
Edward  I.,  of  England,  subjugated  the 
country.  His  son,  Edward  it.,  was  born 
in  W.,  and  assumed  th(?  title  Prince  of  W., 
which  has  ever  since  been  borne  by  the 
male  heir  to  the  British  throne. 

Walker,  Robert  James.  An  Ameri- 
can statesman  and  political  economist;  b. 
in  Penn.,lS01,  d.  1869. 

Walker,  William.  A  noted  fllibuster; 
B.  in  Tenn.,  1S24;  captured  and  shot  at 
Truxillo,  C.  America,  1860. 

Wallace,  William,  Sir.  An  eminent 
Scotch  patriot ;  b.  1270,  beheaded  in  Lon- 
don, 1805. 

Wallaichian,  wal-lak'yan.  One  of  the 
natives  of  Wallachia,  descendants  of  Ro- 
man and  other  colonists.  That  member 
of  the  Romance  family  of  tongues,  spoken 
in  Roumania  (Wallachia  and  Moldavia) 
and  adjoining  regions. 

Wallenstein,  Albrecht  Wenzel 
Eusebius,Count  von(Waldstein). 
A  distinguished  German  general;  b.  1588, 
assassinated  1634. 

Waller,  Edmund.  An  eminent  En- 
glish poet ;  B.  1605,  x>.  1687. 

Walloon,  -Ion'.  One  of  the  descendants 
of  the  old  Gallic  Belgse  who  occupy  the 
Belgian  provinces  of  Hainault,  Liege  and 
Namur,  S.  Brabant,  W.  Luxembourg,  and 
a  few  villages  in  Rhenish  Prussia.  The 
language  of  the  same  territory  ;  a  dialect 
or  patois  of  French,  with  many  Gallic 
words  preserved  in  it. 

Walnut,  wal'nut.  The  common  name  of 
trees  and  their  fruit,  gen.  Juglans,  ord. 
JuglandacefP. 

Walking-fish,  wak'ing-fish.  The  nam© 
given  to  an  acanth'opterygious  fish,  gen, 
Antennarius  ( .\.  hispidus),  from  its  ability 
to  use  its  pectoral  fins  as  legs  in  traversing 
the  land. 

Walpole,  Robert,  Sir.  A  distin- 
guished English  statesman ;  b.  1676,  d. 
1745. 

Walpurgis-night,  val-purg'is-mt.  The 


WALRUS 


WATERFOED 


"VN'ah'UB. 


eve  of  May  1,  associated  with  the  most 
popular  witch  superstitions  of  Germany, 
tlioujirh  its  connection  AvithWalpurgis,  Wal- 
purga,  or  Walburga,  a  female  saint  of  the 
!^th  century,  is  not  satisfactorily  accounted 
for,  her  feast  falling  properly  on  the  25th  of 
February.  On  this  night  witches  rode  on 
broomsticks  and  he-goats  to  some  ap- 
pointed rendezvous,  such  as  the  highest 
])oint  of  the  Hartz  Mountains  or  the 
lirocken,  where  they  held  high  festival 
with  their  niaster,  the  devil. 

"Walrus,  worrus. 
A  marine  carniv- 
ore us  mammal, 
the  single  species 
constituting  a  gen. 
Trichecus,  as  well 
as  the  fam.  Triche- 
cidip,  and  belonging,  with  its  alhes  the 
saals,  to  the  pinnigrade  section  of  the  ord. 
Carnivora.  The  walrus  (T.  rosmaras)  is 
also  known  as  the  morse,  sea-horse  and 
sea-cow. 

"Wampum,  wom'pum.  Small  beads 
made  of  shells,  used  by  the  N.  American 
Indians  as  money,  or  wrought  into  belts, 
etc.,  as  au  ornament. 

"Warbeck,  Perkin.  An  English  adven- 
turer who  raised  an  insurrection  against 
Henry  YII.,  claiming  to  be  the  younger 
son  of  Edward  IV..  who,  with  his  brother 
the  heir,  was  murdered  in  the  Tower,  by 
order  of  Richard  III.  W.  was  captured 
and  beheaded,  1499. 

Warbler,  war'bler.  A  popular  name  ap- 
plied to  all  birds  of  the  dentirostral  fam. 
Sylviadfe,  comprising  most  of  the  small 
woodland  songsters  of  Europe  and  N. 
America.  The  type  gen.  is  Sylvia.  The 
nightingale,  robin-redbreast,  'wheat-ear, 
whinchat,  stonechat,  redstart,  accentors. 
Sec,  belonging  to  this  family. 

Ward.  Edward  Matthew.  A  distin- 
guished English  historical  painter;  b.  1S16, 
T).  ISTP. 

Warlock,  'lok.  In  Scotland,  a  man  pre- 
pumed  to  have  supernatural  power  and 
knowledge  by  compact  with  evil  spirits  ; 
.1  male  witch  ;  a  wizard. 

Wart-hog-,  wart'- 
bog.  A  name  com- 
mon to  pachyderms, 
gen.  Phacdchoerus, 
fam.  SuidiB. 

Warsaw.  Former. 
cai>.  of  Poland,  on  the 
Vistula ;  pop.  abt, 
190,000. 

Warwick,  Rich- 
ard Nevil,  Earl  of. 


Wart-hog. 
(The  King  Ma- 


ker.) One  of  the  most  prominent  states- 
men and  soldiers  in  English  history,  of 
royal  descent ;  b.  1428,  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Bai-net,  14TI.  He  first  seated  Edward 
Duke  of  York  on  the  throne  as  Edward 
IV.,  but  being  slighted  by  the  latter  took 
sides  with  the  Lancastrians,  drove  Ed- 
ward from  the  kingdom  and  reinstated 
Henry  VI. 
Warm  Springrs.  (Bath  Court  House  ) 
A  popular  spa  in  Virginia,  64  m.  N.  W. 
of  Richmond  ;  pop.  1,300. 

Warren.  Joseph.    An  American  pa- 
triot ;  B.  in  Mass. .  1 741,  killed  at  the  Battle 
of  Bunker  Hill,  while  serving  as  a  volun- 
teer under  Gen.  Putnam,  1TT5. 
Wasp,  wosp.      The 
common  name  of  in- 
sects of  various  gen- 
era belonging  chiefly 
to  the  fam.  Vesjudje, 
ord.      Hymenoptcra. 
Those    best    known 
belong  to    the    gen. 
Vespa.  Wasp. 

Washington.  Cap.  of  the  IT.  S.,  in  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  on  the  Potomac,  39  m. 
S.  W.  of  Baltimore ;  pop.  147,293.  The 
name  of  a  Territory  of  the  U.  S.,  bounded 
N.  by  British  Columbia.  E.  by  Idaho,  S, 
bv  Oregon,  W.  bv  the  Pacific  ;  area, 
69,994  sq.  m.;  pop.  75,116.  Chief  cities, 
Olympia,  cap.,  Seattle.  Post  Townsend, 
Whatcom,  Steilacoom,  Vancouver,  Walla- 
Walla,  Cascade  City  and  Pacific  City. 
Chief  rivers,  the  Columbia  and  tributa- 
ries, Skokomish,  Skayit  and  Chehalis. 
Mountains,  the  Cascade  range  and  several 
independent  groups.  Also  a  name  given 
to  a  section  of  the  Arctic  regions,  discov- 
ered by  Dr.  Kane's  expedition,  1854. 

Washington,  Georg-e.  (Father  of  his 
Countrv.)  First  President  of  the  U.  S.:  b. 
in  Va.,'l732,  d.  1799.  He  evinced  rare  mil- 
itary talents  as  commander  of  the  Conti- 
nental troops  in  the  war  Avith  France.  1753- 
1758,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution 
was  appointed  Commander-in-Chief, 
After  the  close  of  the  war.  1789,  he  was 
elected  President,  and  re-elected,  1792, 
declining  a  third  nomination, 

Washita  (Ouachita.)  A  river  rising  In 
Arkansas,  and  forming  for  some  distance 
the  boundary  between  that  State  and 
Louisiana,  emptying  into  the  Red  River  ; 
length  500  m. 

Waterford.  An  Irish  seaport.  In  Mnn- 
ster,  on  W.  Harbor,  at  the  conflnenoe  of 
the  Suir  and  Barrmv  rivers,  C2  m.  N.  K 
of  Cork  ;  pop.  35,791. 


WATCH 


684 


WEBER 


Watch. 


"Watch,       A    small 
time  piece,  now  uni- 
versally circular    in 
fliape,  to  be  carried 
in     the    pocket     or 
nbout  the  person. 
Water-color,  wa'- 
ter-kiil-er.    In  paint- 
ing, a  color  carefully 
ground      up      with 
water  and  isinglass  or  other  mucilage  In- 
stead of  oil. 
"Water-gas,  -gas.    An  illuminating  gas 

obtained  by  decomposing  water. 
"Water-gilding-,  -gild-ing.  The  gilding 
of  metallic  surfaces  by  covering  them 
Avith  a  fliluto  solution  of  nitrate  of  mer- 
cury and  gold,  called  quick-water,  and 
then  volatilizing  the  mercury  by  heat. 
The  gold  is  thus  left  adhering  to  the  sur- 
face, upon  which  it  is  afterward  burnished. 
"Water-God,  -god.  In  Myth,  a  diety  that 

l)resides  over  the  water. 
Water-nixie,  -nik-si.      A  water-spirit  ; 

an  elf  inhabiting  the  water. 
"Water-plant,  -plant.    A  name  common 
to  plants  living  entirelyin  water,  or  requir- 
ing a  preponderating  quantity  of  water. 
All  the   species  of    the  orders  Nymph- 
teaceie,    Callitrichaceaj,    Ceratophyllaceas. 
Podostemaceft',    Butomaceaj,   Naiadace^e, 
Pistiace*,   Alismaceje    are  water  plants, 
also  the  cryptogamie  plants,  tam.  Algic. 
"Water-sapphire,  -saf-f  Ir.      A  precious 
stone  of  an  intense  bine  c.»lor  and  trans- 
parent, found  in  small  rolled  masses  in 
Ceylon.     It  is  a  variety  of  iolite  consist- 
ing of  silica,   alumina,   magnesia,  with  a 
small  proportion  of  protoxide  of  iron  and 
a  trace  of  manganese.     Called  also   Sap- 
phire d'eau. 
"Watershed,  -shed.  An  imaginary  line  or 
boundary  which  runs  along  the  ridge  of 
separation    between   adjacent  seas,  lakes, 
or    river-basins,    representing    the  limit 
from  which  water  naturally  flows  in  op- 
posite directions. 
Water-spout,   -spout.      A  remarkable 
meteorological    jihcnomenon    frequently 
observed  at  sea,  analogous   to  whirlwinds 
on  land.     It  occurs  when  opposite  winds  of 
dilferent  temperatures  meet  in  the  upper 
atmosphere,  whereby  a  great  amount  of 
vapor  is  condensed    into  a  thick    black 
cloud,  to  which  a  vertical  motion  is  given, 
causing  it  to  take  the  form  of  a  vastfunnel, 
which  draws  up  the  water  in  its  vortex. 
The  whole  column  assumes  a  magnificent 
appearance,  being  of  a  light  color  near  its 
axis,  but  dark  along  the  side«.  Sometimes 
th«  upper  aiwl  lower  parts  move  with  dif- 


ferent velocities,  causing  the  parts  to  sepa- 
rate from  each  other,  often  with  a  loud 
report.  The  vapor  is  at  length  absorbed 
in  the  air,  or  it  descends  to  the  sea  in  a 
heavy  shower  of  rain. 

Water-wraith,  -rath.  A  supposed 
water-spirit,  whose  presence  prognosti- 
cates death  or  woe  to  the  person  seeing  it. 
Watt,  James.  A  distinguished  British 
engineer  and  inventor:  u.  at  Greenock, 
1786,  D.  1S19. 

Watteau,  Antoine.  A  distinguished 
French  painter  ;  «.  1684,  v.  1721, 
Wax,  waks.  A  thick,  viscid,  tenacious 
substance,  excreted  by  bees  from  their 
bodies,  and  employed  in  the  construction 
of  their  cells  ;  usually  called  Bees'-wax. 
Wax-insect,  'in-sekt.  A  name  given 
to  insects  other  than  the  bee  which  pro- 
duce wax.  The  most  important  is  a  small 
white  insect  (Coccus  sinensis  or  C.  pela), 
a  native  of  China,  closelv  allied  to  the 
cochineal,  which  deposits"  its  wax  on  the 
branches  of  plants.  The  wax  known  as 
Chinese  wax  or  pela,  is  collected  and 
made  into  a  very  fine  kind  of  candles 
Avhich  are  used  by  only  the  higher  classes 
in  China. 

Wayland,     Francis.     An     eminent 
American  divine  and  author  of  the  Baptist 
denomination ;    b.    in  JST.   Y.,    1796,    d. 
1865. 
Wayne,     Anthony.       An     eminent 
American   general;  n.  in    Penn.,1745,  d, 
1796,     He  was  the  hero  of  the  assault  and 
capture  of  Stony  Point,   1779,  and  at  tho 
close  of  the  lievolution    led    successful 
campaigns     against    the   Southern    and 
Western  Indians, 
Wealden,  Avel'den,    In  Geol,  the  Weal- 
den  group  or  formation. 
Weasel,  wG'zl.     A  name  common  to  the 
digitigrade  carnivorous  animals,  gen.  Mus- 
tela,  iiun.  Mustelidse. 
Weaver,    wev'er.      A 
name  given  to  insesso- 
rial   birds     of    various, 
genera,     belonging    to_ 
the  conirostral  section  ■^ 
of  tho  order,  and  form- 
ing a  group  or  sub-fam. 
(Ploceinae),  of  the  Frin- 
gillidae       or      finches. 
Their  nests  are  woven 
in  a  wonderful  manner 
of  various  vegetable  substances, 
Weber,    Karl    Maria,     Friedrich 
Ernst,  Baron  von.    A  distinguished 
German  composer :  B.   1786,  d.  in  Lon- 
don, 1826. 


Weaver  Bu-d. 


WEBSTER 


685 


WEST  INDIES 


Webster,  Daniel.  An  eminent  Amer- 
ican Btiitesmiin,  jurist  and  orator;  u. 
in  N.  H.,  1782,  d.  1852.  He  represented 
Mass.  in  the  U.  S.  House  of  Eejjresenta- 
tives  and  Senate  several  j-ears,  and  was 
Secretary  of  State  in  the  Cabinets  of  Presi- 
dents Harrison,  Tyler  and  Fillmore. 

"Webster,  Ifoah..  An  eminent  Ameri- 
can lexicojrrapher ;  b.  in  Conn.,  1758,  D. 
1843.  His  well-linown  "Dictionary" 
■was  first  published  1828,  and  new  edi- 
tions are  being  constantly  issued. 

Wedgre,  Avej.  A  tai)ered  piece 
of  metal  or  wood,  used  in  split- 
ting woods,  rocks,  &c. 

Week,   wek.      The  space    of 
seven  days  ;  the  space  from  one 
Sunday  to  another;  a  cycle  of 
time  which  has  been  used  from 
the  earliest    ages    in   Eastern 
countries,  and  is  nownniver- 
sall^'  adopted  over  the  Christian     "^  edge, 
and  Mohammedan  worlds.      It  is   com- 
monly regarded  as   a   ihemorial  of   the 
creation  of  the  world  in  that  space  of  time. 

Weevil,  we'vil.  The  name  applied  to 
coleopterous  insects,  fam.  Curculionidaj, 
many  of  which  are  dangerous  enemies  to 
the  agriculturist 

Welding-,    weld  

^^t.ovl J5  S. 

unitmg 
intense 


or£ U 


ing.  The 
process  of 
iron  by 
heat. 

Weimar.     Cap.  of  Modes  of  Welding. 
Saxe- Weimar,  Ger-    a,    butt     weld,     or 
many,  on   the  Ilm,        jumping  weld;  b, 
52  m'.  S.  W.  of  Leip-        scai-f  weld, 
zig,  the  recognized 

literary  social  center  of  the  empire;  pop. 
If),  826. 

Wellington,  wel'ing-ton,  A  kind  of 
lonir-legged  boot,  named  after  the  Duke 
ofW. 

Wellington,  Arthur  Wellesley, 
Duke  of.  A  distinguished  British  states- 
man and  general,  the  conqueror  of  Najio- 
leon  I. :  i;.  in  County  Meath,  Ireland,  1769, 
V.  in  England,  1862. 

Wellingrton.  Cap.  of  N"ew  Zealand  on 
New  Ulster,  or  North  Island;  pop.  26,319. 

Welsh.,  welsh.  The  language  of  Wales. 
It  is  a  member  of  the  Celtic  family,  form- 
ing with  the  Breton  language  and  the  now 
extinct  Cornish  branch  the  Cymric  group. 
It  is  distinguished  for  the  beauty  of  its 
comjiounds.  which  it  possesses  the' capac- 
ity of  forming  to  an  almost  unlimited  ex- 
tent. The  general  name  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Wales. 


Wend,  wend.  One  of  a  powerful  Slavic 
people,  now  absorbed  in  the  German  race, 
which  formerly  inhabited  the  N.  and  E. 
of  Germany.  A  remnant  remains  in  the 
E.  district  of  Sachsen-Altenburg,  and  in 
the  country  between  the  Vistula  and  Per- 
sante,  Avhere  they  still  speak  the  Wendio 
tongue  and  preserve  their  peculiar  man- 
ners and  customs.     Written  also  Vend. 

Wenlock  Q-roup,  wen'lok  grop  In 
Geol.  that  subdivision  of  the  Silurian  sys- 
tem lying  immediately  below  the  Ludlow 
rocks.  The  thickness  of  the  Wenlock 
strata  is  estimated  at  4,000  feet. 

Werewolf,  wCr'wulf.  Lit.  a  man-wolf. 
A  man  transformed  either  for  a  time  or 
periodically  into  a  wolf.  Sometimes  the 
Averewolf  was  a  man  by  day  and  a  wolf  by 
night.  A  belief  in  the  transformation  of 
man  into  a  wolf  is,  in  some  form,  common 
to  Europe  and  elsewhere,  both  in  ancient 
and  modern  times.  Some  of  the  classic 
fables  (c,  g.  Lycaon)  are  reflections  of  this 
Myth. 

Werg-ild,  wer-'gild.  In  Anglo-Saxon  and 
ancient  Teutonic  law,  a  fine  for  man- 
slaughter and  other  crimes  against  the  per- 
son, by  paying  which  the  offender  escaped 
further  obligation  or  punishment. 

Werner,  Abraham  Grottlob.  An 
eminent  German  scientist  and  author  ;  b. 
1750,  1).  1817. 

Weser.  A  river  of  N.  W.  Germany 
emptying  into  the  N.  Sea;  length,  100  m. 

Wesley,  John.  A  distinguishtnl  En- 
glish divine  and  founder  of  the  sect  known 
as  Wesleyans  or  Methodists  ;  b.  1703,  d. 
1791.  Charles  W.,  brother  of  the  above, 
also  a  clergyman  and  poet,  was  associated 
^nth  John  in  his  religious  labors. 

Wesleyanism,  wes'li-an-izm.  Armin- 
ian  Methodism  ;  the  system  of  doctrines 
and  church  i)olity  of  the  Wesley  an  Meth- 
odists. 

West,  west.  That  point  of  the  horizon 
where  the  sun  sets  at  the  equinox,  and 
midwaj'  between  the  north  and  south 
points  ;  the  intersection  of  the  prime  ver- 
tical with  the  horizon,  on  that  side  where 
the  sun  sets.  West  is  directly  opposite 
to  east,  and  one  of  the  cardinal  points. 

West,  Benjamin.  A  distinguished 
American  painter  ;  b.  in  Penn.,  1738,  d. 
in  London,  1820. 

West  Indies,  The.  The  collective 
name  of  the  ^y-eat  archipelago,  comprising 
nearly  1,000  islands,  situated  between  the 
two  contin«!nt.-j,  and  lying  between  the 
Atlantic,  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  Caribbean 
Sea.  The  principal  islands  are  mentioned 
under  theti-  respective  names. 


WESTMINSTER 


WHISKY 


Greenland  Whale. 


Westminster.  The  W.  division  or 
court  quarter  of  London,  Eng.;  pop.  abt. 
800,000. 

West  Point.  A  village  of  Orange  Co., 
N.  Y.,  on  the  Hudson,  52  m.  JST.  of  N.  Y, 
City.  It  is  the  seat  of  the  U.  S.  Military- 
Academy,  founded  1794. 

West  Virginia.  A  State  of  the  Ameri- 
can Union,  set  off  from  Va.,  1S62,  bounded 
N.  by  Ohio,  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland, 
E.  and  S.  by  Virginia,  W.  by  Ohio  and 
Tennessee;  area,  59,642  sq.  m.;  pop.  618,- 
45T.  Principal  cities.  Wheeling,  cap.,  Park- 
ersburg,  Martinsburg,  Lewisburg,  Bar- 
boursville,  Buckhannon  and  Clarksburg. 
Chief  rivers,  Ohio,  Great  and  Little  Kan- 
awha, Guyandotte,  Elk  and  Monomrnhela. 
Kidges  of  the  Alleghany  IMountaina  in- 
ters ect  the  a — ^^. 
State. 

Whale,  whul. 
The  common 
name  given  to 
the  larger 
mammals  of 
the  ord.  Cetacea. 

Whalebone,  'bon.  An  elastic  horny 
substance  which  adheres  in  thin  parallel 
plates  to  the  upper  jaw  of  the  family  of 
whales  called  Batenida?.  These  laminae 
vary  from  a  few  inches  to  12  feet  in  length; 
the  breadth  of  the  largest  is  about  a  foot, 
and  the  average  thickness  is  from  four  to 
live-tenths  of  an  inch.  Called  also  Ba- 
leen. 

Whallahee,  wharia-be.  A  variety  of 
kangaroo  of  N.  S.  Wales  (Halmaturus 
ualabatus).  It  is  not  so  large  as  the  com- 
mon or  woolly  kangaroo. 

Wheat- ear. 
An  ear  of  wheat; 
a  small  bird  al- 
lied to  the 
finches. 

W  h  e  at  on, 
Henry.  A  n 
eminent  Ameri- 
can jurist  and 
diplomat;  b.  in  Wheat-ear. 

K.  I.,  1TS5,  T>.  1848.  He  was  minister  to 
Denmark  and  Germany.  His  work  on 
international  law  is  a  standard  authority. 

Wheatstone,  Charles.  A  distinguished 
English  scientist ;  b.  1802,  d.  1878.  He 
was  the  inventor  of  several  important 
electrical  appliances,  and  introduced  the 
electric  telegraph  into  England. 

Wheeling-.  Cap.  of  W.  Va.,  on  the  Ohio, 
92  m.  S.  W.  of  Pittsburgh  ;  pop.  30,737. 

Whelp,  whelp.    The  young  of  the  cania© 


species,  and  of  several  other  beasts  ol 
prey  ;  a  puppy  ;  a  (Sub. 

Whelk,  whelk.  A  mollusk,  the  Buccin- 
um  undatum  or  trumpet-shell. 

Whewell,  William.  An  English  phi- 
losopher and  author  ;  b.  1795,  n.  1866. 

Whey,  wha.  The  serum  or  watery  part 
of  milk,  separated  from  the  more  thiek 
or  coagulable  part,  particularly  in  the 
process  of  making  cheese.  In  this  X)roces8 
the  thick  part  is  called  curd  and  the  thin 
part  whey. 

Whidah-finch,  whi'da-finsh.  A  name 
given  to  birds,  gen.  Vidua.  In  size  it  re- 
sembles a  linnet  or 
canary-bird,  and 
during  tie  breeding 
season  the  male  is 
supplied  with  long, 
drooping,  dispro- 
portioned  tail-fea- 
thers. 

Whimbrel.  A' 
bird  closely  allied  to 
the  curlew. 

Whin-chat.  A 
small  singing  bird; 
the  Saxicola  rubetra. 

Whig",  whig.  A  des- 
ignation formerly 
given  to  the  meni- 
bers  of  one  of  the 
great  pohtical  parties 
in  Britain,  now 
known  as  Conserva- 
tives. The  name  of  the  political  party  in 
the  U.  S.  opposed  to  the  Democratic,  now 
called  Kepublican. 

Whip-poor- 
will,  whip'por- 
wil.  The  popular 
name  of  an  Amer  i 
ican  bird,  the 
Chordeiles,  A  n  - 
trostomus,  or  Cap- 
rimulgus  vocifer- 
us,  fara.  Capri- 
mulgidje,  alUed  to  the  European  goat-suck- 
er or  night-jar ;  so  called  from  its  cry. 

Whirl-bat,  wherl'bat.  An  old  name  for 
the  ancient  cestus,  a  boxing-glove  used  by 
the  Greeks  and  Eomacs. 

Whirlwind,  wherl'wind.  A  violent 
wind  moving  in  a  spiral  form,  as  if  mov- 
ing round  an  axis,  this  axis,  having  at  the 
same  time  a  progressive  motion,  rectilin- 
ear or  curvilinear. 

Whisky,  whis'ki.  An  ardent  spirit  dis-' 
tilled  generally  from  barley,  but  some- 
times from  wheat,  rye,  s«gar,  molasses, 


Wliin-chat. 


Whip-poor-will. 


WHIST 


WHITTIER 


&c.    There  are  two  chief  varieties,  malt- 
whisky  and  grain-whisky. 

Whist,  whist.  A  well-known  ?ame  at 
cards,  played  with  the  full  pack  of  52  cards 
by  four  persons,  two  being  partners 
against  the  other  two,  each  player  receiv- 
ing thirteen  cards  dealt  out  one  by  one  in 
rotation. 

White,  whit.  One  of  the  natural  colors 
of  bodies,  but  not  strictly  a  color,  as  it  is 
produced  by  the  combination  of  all  the 
pris'natic  colors,  mixed  in  the  same  pro- 
portions as  they  exist  in  the  solar  rays 
the  color  of  snow. 

White-bait, 
'bat.  A  fish,  gen. 
Clupea,  the  C. 
alba,   long  re-  „,  .^    ,    . 

garded  as  the  fry  "  hite-bait. 

of  the  shad. 

Whiteboy,  'boi.  ^  member  of  an  illegal 
association  formed  in  Ireland  about  1760. 
The  association  consisted  of  starving  day 
laborors,  evicted  farmers  and  others  who 
used  to  assemble  at  nights  to  destroy  the 
property  of  harsh  landlords  or  their  agents, 
the  tithe  collectors,  or  others  that  had 
m.ade  themselves  obnoxious.  In  many 
cases  they  did  not  confine  their  acts  to 
plunder  and  destruction,  but  went  the 
length  of  murder. 

White-coat,  'kot.  A  seal-fisher's  name 
for  the  skin  of  a  seal-calf,  when  such  skins 
weigh  only  GO  or  TO  lbs.  to  the  dozen. 

Whitefleld,  George.  An  English 
divine  celebrated  as  an  orator;  b.  1714,  d. 
in  Mass.,  1770.  He  was  for  some  time 
associated  with  the  Wesleys,  but  in  his 
later  days  was  an  independent  itinerant. 
White-friar,  'tri-er.  A  friar  of  the  Car- 
melite order,  so  called  from  their  white 
cloaks. 

White-lead,  'led.  A  carbonate  of  lead, 
used  in  painting  ;  ceruse.  It  is  prepared 
by  exposing  sheets  of  lead  to  the  fumes  of 
an  acid,  u.sually  vinegar,  and  suspending 
them  until  the  surface  becomes  incrusted 
with  a  wliite  coat.  When  mixed  with 
ground  sulphate  of  baiyta  it  is  known  as 
Venice  White,  Hamburg  White,  Dutch 
White,  &c. 
White-leather,  -leth'er.  Leather  tanned 
wth  alum  and  salt,  a  process  which  does 
not  discolor  the  hide  or  give  it  the  brown 
appearance  due  to  tanning  by  oak  or  hem- 
lock bark. 
White-metal,  -met'al.  A  general  name 
applied  to  any  alloy  in  which  zinc,  tin, 
nickel,  or  lead  is  used  in  such  quantity  as 
to  give  it  a  white  color  :  Britannia-metal, 


German  silver,  queen's  metal  and  pew- 
ter are  examples.  Any  of  the  soft  metals, 
usually  of  a  light  color,  used  for  bearings 
in  machinery. 

White  Mountains.  A  range  of  the 
Appalachians,  extending  from  Maine 
across  New  Ilampshu-e  ;  Mt.  Washington 
is  the  highest  j)eak. 

White  River.  A  stream  which  arises 
in  Arkansas,  flows  through  Missouri  and 
empties  into  the  Mississippi ;  length,  80§ 
m. 

White  Sea.  A  large  arm  of  the  Arctio 
Ocean,  N.  of  the  Kussiau  dominions ;  area, 
47,000  sq.  m. 

Whitesmith,  'smith.  A  tinsmith.  A 
worker  in  iron  who  finishes  or  polishes 
the  work,  in  distinction  fi:om  those  who 
forge  it. 

White-squall,  'skwal.  A  violent  and 
dangerous  gust  of  wind  which  occurs  in 
or  near  the  tropics,  wthout  haNing  its  ap- 
proach indicated  by  clouds,  but  accom- 
panied with  white  broken  water  on  the 
surface  of  the  sea. 

White  Sulphur  Springs.  A  popular 
watering-place  of  W.  Va.,  205  m.  W.  of 
Eichmond. 

Whitworth-ball,  whit'werth-bal.  A 
projectile  invented  by  Sir  J.  Whi'tworth 
for  rifled  fire-arms,  great  or  small.  It  is  an 
elongated  cylinder,  terminating  in  a 
pointed  cone,  its  length  being  3|  times  its 
diameter,  and  made  to  fit  accurately  the 
bore  of  the  gun. 

Whitworth-gun,  -gun.  A  rifled  fire- 
arm, whether  great  or  small,  having  a  hex- 
agonal bore,  with  a  twist  more  rapid  than 
usual,  invented  by  Sir  J.  Whitworth. 

Whiting,  'ing.  '  A  fish  of  the  Gadidns  or 
cod  tribe,  gen.  Merlangus,  M.  vulgaris. 

Whit-Monday,  whit-mun'da.  The 
Monday  following  Whitsunday,  in  Eng- 
land generally  observed  as  a  holiday. 
Called  also  W'hitsun  Monday. 

Whitney,  Eli.  A  distinguished  Amer- 
ican inventor  :b.  in  Mass.,  1765,  i>.  in 
Conn.,  1S25.  He  invented  the  cotton  gin 
and  important  improvements  in  fire-arms. 

Whitsunday,  -sun'da.  The  7th  Sunday 
after  Easter ;  a  festival  of  the  church  in 
commemoration  of  the  descent  «f  the  Holy 
Spirit  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 

Whitsuntide,  'sun-tid.  The  English 
name  for  the  season  of  Pentecost,  com- 
prehending the  entu-e  octavo  or  the  week 
which  follows  Pentecost  Sunday;  the 
term  being  strictly  applied  to  the  Sunday, 
Monday  and  Tuesday  of  that  week. 

Whittier,  John  Greenleaf  .    An  em- 


WICKET-KEEPER 


688 


"WILLOW 


ineiit  Americfin  poot  and  philanthropist ; 
B.  in  Mass.,  18(»S. 

"Wicket-keeper,  wik'et-kep-er.  In  crick- 
et, tho  player  belonfpn'j  to  the  side  which 
in  out,  who  stands  immediately  behind 
thf'  wicket  to  catch  such  balls  as  pass  it. 

"Wide-a"wake,  wid'a-wak.  A  soft  felt 
li'it  witli  abroad  brim  turned ui)alIround. 

"Widgreon,  wi.j'- 
on.  A  species 
of  n  atatorial 
bird  allied  to  the 
A  n  a  t  i  d  re  or 
ducks;  t  h  e 
Mareca  pen  el- 
ope. 

W  i  d  O  TV  e  r  ,  W  in-  eon. 

wid'o-er.  A  man 
who  has  lost  his  wife  by  death. 

Wieland,  Christoph  Martin.  A 
rrenn.'in  poetaml  novelist;  u.  1TB3,  o.  1813. 

"Wiesbaden.  A  famous  watering-place 
in  llesse-Nassau,  Germany,  6  m.  N.  W.  of 
Mentz ;  pop,  34,700. 

"Wig",  wig'.  An  artificial  covering  of  hair 
for  the  head,  used  (jfenerally  to  conceal 
baldness,  but  formerly  worn  as  a  fashion- 
able means  of  decoration. 

"Wigrht,  Isleof.  An  Enf^hsh  island,  off 
the  y.  coast  of  Hampshire,  from  which  it  is 
sei)arated  by  a  strait  called  the  Solent ;  area 
180  sq.  m.  ;  pop.  abt.  70,000. 

"Wild-cat,  wlld'kat.  A  ferocious  animal 
of  tho  '^eu.  Felis,  thoF.  catus. 

"Wild-duck,  'duk.  An  aquatic  fowl,  gen. 
Anas,  the  A.  boschas,  otherwise  called 
the  Mallard.  It  is  tho  stock  of  the  com- 
mon domestic  duck. 

"Wilderness,  The.  A  section  of  Spott- 
sylvania  Co.,  Va.,  16  m.  W.  of  Freder- 
icksburg;  noted  for  the  desperately 
fought  but  indecisive  battle,  May  5-6,  lSf4, 
between  the  Federals  under  Gen.  Grant 
and  the  Confederates  under  Gen.  Lee. 

"Wild-groose,  'gos.  A  water -fowl,  gen. 
Ansei-.  the  A.  ferns,  a  bird  of  passage,  and 
the  stock  of  the  domestic  goose. 

"Wild-swan,  'swon.  The  Cygnus  ferus 
or  CVgruis  mnsieus,  an  aquatic  bird,  called 
also  the  Whistling-swan  and  Hooper. 

Wilkes,  Charles.  An  American  naval 
officer;  u.  in  N.  Y.,  ISOl,  o.  1877.  He 
discovered  the  Antarctic  continent  and  cir- 
cumnavigated the  globe  in  an  exploring 
expedition,  188S-42 ;  and  in  1861  nearly 
involved  his  countiy  in  war  with  Gt. 
Britain  by  boarding  an  Enghsh  mail  steam- 
er and  seizing  Messrs.  Mason  and  Slidell, 
confederate  envoys.  He  was  made  rear- 
admiral,  1866. 


Wilkie,  David,  Sir.  A  distinguished 
IJritish  painter  ;  u.  1805,  d.  1841. 

"William.  The  name  of  several  Em-ope- 
an  sovereigns,  tho  most  noted  of  Avhich 
are:  W.  1.  (Tho  Conqueror)  of  England, 
founder  of  the  Norman  d5'nasty,  iUogiti- 
mato  son  of  Ilobert,  Duke  of  Normandy;  n. 
1025,  s.  his  father  1035,  and  on  the  death 
of  Edward  the  Confessor,  1065,  claimed 
the  English  throne  by  adoption.  Ijauding 
at  Hastings,  he  defeated  Harold,  1066,  and 
firmly  established  his  throne ;  n.  at  Eouen. 
France,  1087.  W.  II.  (Kufus),  2d  son  o( 
the  preceding;  b.  in  Normandy,  1056, 
killed  by  Sir  Walter  Tyrrel,  1100.  W. 
III.,  stadtholder  of  tho  Netherlands  an4 
kingof  England,  was  son  of  William  II., 
Princeof  Orange,  and  Maiy,  daughter  of 
Charles  I.  of  England;  n.  atthe  llague.lOSO. 
He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  James  I. 
of  England,  and  on  the  deposition  of  thnt 
monarch,  1688,  he  assumed  the  crown  at 
the  invitation  of  the  leading  nobilitv  ;  i>. 
1702.  W.  IV.,  4th  son  of  George  lit. :  u. 
1765,  8.  his  brother  George  IV.  1830,  u. 
1837.  He  was  s.  by  Queen  Victoria,  his 
neice,  and  reigning  sovereign.  W.  III.  is 
the  reigning  king  of  the  Netherlands.  W. 
I.,  King  of  Prussia  and  present  Emperor 
of  Germany ;  b.  1797,  a  younger  son  of 
Frederick  W.  III.,  of  Prussia,  8.  his 
brother,  F.  W.  IV.,  1861,  made  Emperor 
of  Germany,  1870.  W.  (The  Lion),  King 
of  Scotland,  s.  his  brother  Malcolm  1165, 
».  1214.  He  invaded  England,  was  de- 
feated and  made  prisoner,  and  became  a 
vassal  of  that  country.  W.  (The  Silent), 
Prince  of  Orange,  b.  1533,  eldest  son  of 
W.,  Count  of  Nassau,  inheriting  the  prin- 
cipality of  Orange,  and  immense  estates 
in  the  Low  Coimtries  from  his  cousin. 
When  the  Netherlands  revolted  against 
tho  attempt  of  Philip  II.  to  estabhsh  tho 
Inquisition  in  that  country,  W.  placed 
himself  at  the  head  of  the  revolt  and  suc- 
ceeded after  years  of  a  bloody  and  varying 
contest  in  expelling  the  Spaniards.  The 
Dutch  republic  was  formed  1579,  and  W. 
was  made  stadtholder  ;  assassinated,  1534. 

"Williams,  Rog-er.  Founder  of  Bhode 
Island,  a  minister  of  the  Ch.  of  England  ; 
B.  in  Wales,  1606,  emigrated  to  Mass.  as  a 
Puritan,  16^31  ;  expelled  from  that  colony, 
16;36,  he  obtained  a  charter  for  R.  I.,  1643, 
and  was  its  president,  1654-7,  d.  1683. 

"Williamsbxxrg'.  Cap.  of  James  Co., 
Va..  60  m.  E.  of  Eichmond,  noted  for  the 
battle.  May  5,  1802,  bet.  tho  Federals  un- 
der Gen.  Hooker  and  the  Confederates 
under  Gen.  Johnston,  the  latter  being  de- 
feated ;  pop.  4.109. 

"Willow,  wil'lo.    The  common  name  of 


WILMINGTON 


WINE 


different  species  of  plants,  gen.  Salix,  the 
type  of  the  ord.  Salicaceae.  In  Woolen 
Manuf.  a  macliine  for  opening  and  disen- 
tin^'linjr  the  locks  of  wool  and  cleansing 
tlieiii  from  sand  and  other  impurities. 

"Wilmington.  The  most  important 
city  of  Delaware,  at  the  junction  of  Bran- 
dywine  River  and  Christina  Creek,  near 
lielaware  River,  28  m.  S.  W.  of  Philadel- 
phia;  pop.  51.000.  In  N.  Carolina,  the 
meti-opolis  of  the  State,  on  Cape  Fear 
River,  34  m.  from  the  Atlantic;  pop.  20,230. 

Wilmot,  David.  An  American  states- 
man, author,  1S46,  of  the  "Wilmot  Pro- 
viso," a  bill  declaring  that  slavery  should 
not  be  permitted  to  exist  in  any  territory 
acquired  from  Mexico.  The  bill  passed  the 
House  but  failed  in  the  Senate.  B.  in 
Penn.,  1814,  d.  1868.  He  represented  his 
State  in  both  houses  of  Congress. 

Wilson,  Alexander.  A  distinguished 
American  ornithologist ;  b.  in  Scotland, 
17(56,  D.  1813. 

Wilson.  Henry.  An  American  states- 
man ;  B.  in  N.  H.,  1812,  d.  1876.  He  rep- 
resented Mavss.  in  both  Houses  of  the  Fed- 
eral Congress,  and  was  elected  Vice-Pres- 
ident on  the  ticket  with  Gen.  Grant,  1872. 

Wilton-carpet,  'ton-kar-pet.  A  varie- 
ty of  Brussels  carpet,  in  which  the  loops 
are  cut  open  into  an  elastic-velvet  pile. 

Wimple,  wim'pl. 
A  covering  of  silk, 
linen,  or  other  ma- 
teri.al,  laid  in  plaits, 
over  the  head  and 
round  the  chin,  sides 
of  the  face  and  neck, 
formerly  worn  by 
women  out  of  doors, 
and  still  retained  as 
a  conventual  dress 
for  nuns. 

Wince,  wins.  The 
dyer's  reel  upon 
which  he  wnds  the 
jiiece  of  cloth  to  be 
dyed. 

Wincll,  winsh.  The 
crank,  projecting 
handle,  or  lever  by 
which  the  axis  of  a 
revolving  machine 
is  turned,  as  in  the 
common  windlass, 
the  grindstone,  Ac. 
A  kind  of  hoistinir 
machine  or  wind- 
lass. 

Windagre;  wind'- 
aj.    lu  Gun.  the  difference  between  the 


Winch. 


Windmill. 


diameter  of  the  bore  of  a  gun  or  other  fire- 
arm and  that  of  a  ball  or  shell.  The  rush 
or  concussion  of  the  air  produced  by  the 
rapid  passage  of  a  shot.  The  influence  of 
the  wind  in  deflecting  a  ball  or  shell. 
Windlass,  'las.  A  modification  of  the 
wheel  and  axle,  used  for  raising  weights, 
&c.  The  common  form  of  windlass  is  the 
winch  used  for  raising  water  from  Avells, 
&c.,  having  an  axle  turned  by  a  crank, 
and  a  rope  or  chain  for  raising'the  weight 
by  being  wound  round  the  axl 

Windmill,  'mil.  A  mill 
Avhich  receives  its  motion 
from  the  impulse  of  the 
wind,  used  for  grinding 
corn,  pumping  water,  &c. 

Wind  River  Moun- 
tains. An  isolated  range  i 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in' 
E.  Oregon ;  Fremont's 
Peak,  the  highest  summit, 
is  13,370  ft.  above  sea-level. 

Windsor.  A  borough  of  Co.  Berks, 
England,  on  the  Thames,  22  m.  W.  of 
London,  noted  for  its  immense  Gothic 
castle,  the  principal  residence  of  the  Brit- 
ish sovereigns  for  900  years ;  pop.  abt. 
13,800. 

Windward  Islands.  The  name  of 
one  of  two  groups — the  other  being  called 
"Leeward  Islands"— forming  the  Carib- 
bean division  of  the  W.  Indies,  The  W. 
group  includes  Martinique,  St.  Lucia,  Bar- 
badoes,  Trinidad,  &c. ;  the  Leeward 
group  includes  Domfnica,  Guadaloupe, 
Montserrat,  St.  Kitts,  Antigua  and  Nevis. 

Wine,  win.  The  fermented  juice  of  the 
grape  or  fruit  of  the  vine  (Vitis  vinifera). 
The  amount  of  alcohol  in  the  strongest 
ports  and  sherries  is  from  16  to  25  per 
cent.;  in  hock,  claret,  and  other  light 
wines,  from  7  per  cent.  Wine  containing 
more  than  13  per  cent,  of  alcohol  may  be 
assumed  to  be  fortified  with  brandy  or 
other  spirit.  The  most  celebrated  an- 
cient wines  were  those  of  Lesbos  and 
Chios  among  the  Greeks,  and  the  Faler- 
nian  and  Cecuban  among  the  Romans. 
The  principal  modern  wines  are  port, 
sherry,  claret,  champagne,  Madeira, 
hock,  Marsala,  &c.  The  principal 
wine-producing  countries  are  France, 
Germany,  Spain,  Portugal,  Sicily,  Greece, 
Cape  Colony,  Australia  and  America. 
The  juice  of  certnin  fruits  prepared  in  im- 
itation of  wine  obtained  from  grapes,  but 
distinguished  by  naming  the  source 
whence  it  is  derived  ;  as  currant  wine  ; 
gooseberry  wine.  Wine  of  iron,  sheriy  with 
tartrated  iron  in  solution.     Quinine  wine, 


WINGED 


690 


WITENAGEMOT 


sherry  with  sulphate  of  quinine  in  solu- 
tion. Oil  of  \vine,  ethereal  oil,  a  reputed 
anodyne,  but  only  used  in  the  preparation 
of  other  compounds.  Spirit  of  wine, 
alcohol. 

"Winged,  wingd.  In  Iler.  represented 
with  wingfs,  or  having  wings  of  a  ditt'er- 
ent  color  from  the  body.  W.  bull,  an  ar- 
chitectural decoration  in  ancient  Assyrian 
temples,  where  winged  human-headed 
bulls  and  lions  of  colossal  size  usually 
guarded  the  portals.  They  were  evi- 
dently typical  of  the  union  of  the  greatest 
intellectual  and  physical  powers.  W. 
lion,  the  symbol  of  the  evangelist  St. 
Mark,  adopted  as  the  heraldic  device  of  the 
Venetian  iiepubhc,  when  St.  Mark  sup- 
planted St.  Theodore  as  the  patron  saint 
of  Venice.  A  celebrated  bronze  figure 
of  the  winged  lion  of  St.  Mark  surmount- 
ing a  magnificent  red  granite  column, 
formed  out  of  a  single  block,  stands  in 
the  Piazzetta  of  St.  Mark  at  Venice. 

Winnipeg-,  Lake.  A  large  lake  of 
Bintish  N.  America,  connectel  with  Hud- 
son's Bay  by  Nelson  Elver  ;  length  240 
tn.  ;  breadth  55  m. 

"Winter,  win'ter.  The  cold  season  of  the 
year.  Astronomically  considered  vvinter 
commences  in  northern  latitudes  when 
the  sun  enters  Capricorn  or  at  the  sol- 
stice about  the  21st  of  December,  and 
ends  at  the  equinox  in  March ;  but  in  or- 
dinary discourse  the  winter  months  are 
December,  January  and  February. 

"Wirt,  "William.  An  eminent  Ameri- 
can jurist  and  author ;  b.  in  Md.,  1772, 
p. 1S34. 

Wisby.  Cap.  of  the  Swedish  island  of 
Gothland,  in  the  Baltic,  130  m.  8.  of 
Stockholm  ;  pop.  7,100.  In  the  12th  and 
13th  centuries  it  was  among  the  chief 
commercial  cities  of  N.  Europe,  and  its 
code  of  marine  laws  was  the  foundation  of 
existing  maritime  statutes, 

"Wisconsin.  A  State  of  the  American 
Union,  admitted  1S47,  bounded  N.  by 
Lakes  Superior  and  Michigan,  E.  by  the 
latter,  S.  by  Illinois,  W.  by  Iowa  and  Min- 
nesota; ar*>a,  58,924  sq.  m.;  pop.  1,315,497. 
Principal  cities,  Madison,  cap.,  Milwaukee, 
Eacine,  Fond  duLac,  Oshkosh,  Janesville, 
Kenosha,  La  Crosse,  Sheboygan,  Green 
Bay,  Watertown  and  "Whitewater.  Chief 
rivers,  Mississippi,  St.  Louis,  Montreal, 
Burnt  Wood,  Menomonee,  Peshtego, 
Oconto,  Fox,  St.  Croix,  Chippewa,  Black, 
Wisconsin  and  Bock.  The  larger  inter- 
nal lakes  are  Winnebago,  Horicon  and 
Court  Oreilles. 

"Wise,  Henry  Alexander.  An 
American  statesman  :  b.  in  Va.,  1S06,  d. 


1876.  IIo  was  a  member  of  Congress  for 
many  years,  governor  of  his  native  State, 
and  served  througli  the  war  as  brigadier- 
general  in  the  Confederate  army. 

Wishing-cap,  wish'ing-kap.  The  cap 
of  Fortunatus,  in  the  fairy  tale,  upon 
wearing  which  he  obtained  whatever  he 
wished. 

"Wishing-rod,  -rod.  The  pure  gold  rod 
of  the  Nibelungs,  the  possession  of  which 
conferred  the  power  of  keejiing  the  whole 
world  in  subjection. 

"Wistaria,  wis-ta'ri-a.  A  gen.  of  plants, 
ord.  Leguminosa\  The  species  are  decid- 
uous, twining  shrubs. 

Witchcraft,  'kraft.  The  practices  of 
wtches ;  sorcery  ;  a  supernatural  power 
which  persons  were  formerly  supposed  to 
obtain  by  entering  into  compact  with  the 
devil.  The  behef  in  witchcraft  was  com- 
mon in  Europe  till  the  16th  century,  and 
maintained  its  ground  with  tolerable  firm- 
ness till  the  middle  of  the  17th,  and  is  not 
yet  altogether  extinct.  Numbers  of  re- 
puted witches  were  condemned  to  be 
burned,  so  that  in  England  alone  it  is 
computed  that  no  fewer  than  30,000  of 
them  suffered  at  the  stake. 

Witches'-Sabbath.,  'ez-sab-bath.  A 
stated  meeting  of  witches  and  devils  at 
night  for  communicating  the  mischief 
they  had  done,  and  concocting  more,  at 
which  the  most  obscene  rites,  or  revels, 
were  indulged  in.  The  witches  rode  to 
the  rendezvous  on  broomsticks,  or  on 
their  demon-lovers  in  the  shape  of  goats, 
having  previously  anointed  themselves 
with  the  fat  of  a  murdered  or  unbaptized 
child.  Neophytes  were  introduced  to  the 
devil  at  such  meetings,  where  they  re- 
ceived his  mark  on  their  bodies  as  evi- 
dence that  they  had  sold  their  souls  to 
him.  In  Germany  the  witches'-Sabbath 
was  held  on  Walpurgis-night. 

Witenagemot,  wit'en-a-ge-mot.  Among 
the  Anglo-Saxons,  the  great  national 
council  or  parliament,  consisting  of 
athelings  or  princes,  nobles  or  ealdormen, 
the  large  landholders,  the  principal  eccle- 
siastics, «fec.  The  meetings  formed  the 
highest  court  of  judicature  in  the  king- 
dom ;  they  were  siimmoned  by  the  king 
in  any  i)olitical  emergency  ;  their  concur- 
rence was  necessary  to  give  validity  to 
laws,  and  all  treaties  were  submitted  to 
their  approval.  They  had  even  power  to 
elect  the  king,  and  if  the  scepter  de- 
scended in  his  race  it  was  by  means  of  the 
formal  recognition  of  the  new  king  by 
the  nobles,  bishops,  &c.,  in  an  assembly 
convened  for  the  purpo»«. 


WITTEKINT) 


WOOL 


"Wittekind  (The  Great).  A  famous 
Saxon  chief,  who  long  defied  Charle- 
magne, but  was  finally  defeated  and  cap- 
tured 7S3.  He  was  released  and  confirmed 
iu  his  title  and  property  on  recognizing 
G.'s  authority  and  accepting  Christianity; 
0.  807. 

Woad,  wod.  A  cru- 
ciferous plant,  gen. 
Isatis,  the  I.  tinctoria, 
formerly  cultivated  on 
account  of  the  blue  dye 
extra  cted  from  its 
pulped  and  fermented 
leaves. 

Woden,  wo'den.  The  Woad. 

Anglo-Saxon  form  of  the  name  of  the  deity 
called  by  the  Norse  Odin.  Wednesday  de- 
rives its  name  from  him,  and  his  name  is 
also  seen  iu  several  English  place-names, 
as  Wednesbury,  &c. 

"Wolf,  w^lf.    A  quadruped  belonging  to 


Common  Wolf, 
the  digitigrade  carnivora,  fam.  Canidse,  in 
habits  and  physical  development  closely 
related  to  the  dog,  some  naturalists  con- 
sidering it  as  the  progenitor  of  existing 
races  of  the  dog,  with  which  it  has  been 
known  to  Interbreed. 

"Wolfe,  James.  A  British  general ;  b. 
1726;  mortally  wounded,  in  the  moment 
of  victory,  on  the  Heights  of  Abraham, 
Quebec,  1751),  his  antagonist,  the  Marquis 
de  Montcalm,  falling  in  the  same  battle. 
The  victory  ended  the  rule  of  France  in 
Canada. 

"Wolf-fish.,  'fish.  A  teleostean  acanthop- 
terygious  fish  (Anarrhichas  lupus),  so 
called  from  its  ferocious  aspect  and  habits. 
Called  also  Sea-cat,  Cat-fish  and  Sea-wolf. 

"Woirs-bane,  wulfs'ban.  A  poisonous 
plant,  gen.  Aconitum  (A.  napellus).  All 
parts  of  the  plant,  especially  the  roots,  are 
very  poisonous,  containing  a  narcotic 
alkaloid  called  aconitin  or  aconitine,  one 
of  the  most  virulent  of  all  known  poisons. 
The  plant  is  u.sed  in  medicine  for  nervous 
and  other  diseases.  Called  also  Monk's- 
hood. 


WoUaston.  "Williaia  Hyde.  A  dis- 
tinguished English  chemist  and  natural 
philosopher  ;  b.  1766,  d.  1&2S. 
"Wolverine,  wul'ver-In.  A  carnivoroua 
mammal,  the  Gulo  arcticus  (or  luscus)  or 
glutton.  W.  State,  a  popular  name  for 
Michigan. 

Wolsey,  Thomas.  A  distinguisbed 
English  statesman  and  cardinal ;  b.  1471, 
D. ,  in  prison, while  under  charge  of  treason, 
1580. 

"Woodbine,  wnd'bln.  The  wild  honey- 
suckle (Lonicera  periclymenum).  The 
name  is  also  given  to  the  Virginian  creeper 
(Ampelopsis  hederacea),  and  formerly 
given  to  the  bind-weed  (Convolvulus). 

"Woodbnry-type,  'ber-i-tlp.  A  process 
in  photographic  printing  in  which  a  relief 
image,  obtained  on  gelatine  hardened  after 
certain  operations,  is  made  to  produce  an 
intaglio  impression  upon  a  plate  of  lead  or 
other  soft  metal,  from  which  prints  are 
thrown  off  in  a  press.  A  picture  produced 
by  the  above  process. 

"Wood-carpet,  'kar-pet.  A  floor  cover- 
ing made  of  slats  or  ornamental  shapes  of 
wood  of  different  colors  fastened  to  a  cloth 
backing.  The  different  pieces  of  wood  are 
arranged  so  as  to  produce  the  effects  of 
tessellated  floors,  mosaic-work,  «fcc. 

"Wood-chuck,  'chuk.  The  popular  name 
of  a  rodent  mammal,  a  species  of  the  mar- 
mot tribe,  the  xlrctomys  monax,  or  gi-ound- 
hog. 

"Woodcock,  'kok.  A  bird,  gen,  Scolopax, 
the  S.  rusticola,  allied  to  the  snipe  tribe. 

"Wood-engrraving,  'en-grav-ing.  The 
art  of  engraving  on  wood  from  Avhich  im- 
pressions can  be  transferred  by  means  of 
a  colored  pigment  to  paper  or  other  suit- 
able materiak  The  wood  generally  used 
is  box,  the  blocks  being  cut  across  the 
grain. 

"Wo  o  d  p  e  c  ker, 
'pek-er.  The  com- 
mon name  of  scan- 
sorial  birds,  gen. 
Picus,  forming  the  j^ 
Picidge  of  modem  i 
ornithologists. 

Wood-swallow,  Woodpecker. 
'swol-lo.  A  name  given  in  Australia  to  a 
gen.  of  birds  (Artamus),  fam.  Ampelidje 
or  chatterers,  much*  resembling  swallows 
inhabit.  The  Australian  species  (A.  sor- 
didus)  is  remarkable  for  its  habit  of  hang- 
ing suspended  from  branches  in  clusters 
resembling  swarms  of  bees. 

Wool,  wul.  The  soft  hair  on  sheep  and 
some  other  animals,  a-s  the  alpaca,  some 


WOOL 


WYOMING 


species  of  goats,  &c.,  whicli  in  fineness 
ap{)roacbes  to  fur. 

Wool,  John  Ellis.  An  American 
g-eneral  ;  n.  in  N.  Y,,  1789.  d,  1869. 
"Woolsack,  'sak.  A  sack  or  bag  of  wool. 
The  seat  of  the  lord -chancellor  in  the 
British  House  of  Lords,  being  a  large 
square  bag  of  wool,  without  back  or  arms, 
covered  with  green  cloth. 
■Woolwich.  A  ci;,y  of  Co.  Kent,  Eng- 
land, 8  in.  S.  E.  of  London,  containing  a 
strongly  fortified  dockyard,  naval  arsenal 
and  immense  manufactories  of  war  ma- 
terial ;  also  the  seat  of  the  Eoyal  Military 
School ;  pop.  abt.  40,000. 

Wootz,  wHts.  A  superior  steel  made  in 
the  E.  Indies,  it  is  believed,  by  a  process 
direct  from  the  ore,  and  imported  into 
Europe  and  America  for  making  the  finest 
classes  of  edge-tools. 

Worcester,  Edward  Somerset, 
Marquis  of.  An  Enghsh  mechanician, 
and  one  of  the  claimants  to  the  invention 
of  the  steam-engine  ;  n.  1601,  d.  166T. 

Worcester,  Joseph  Emerson.  An 
eminent  American  lexicographer,  author 
of  the  popular  Dictionary  bearing  his 
name  ;  n.  in  N.  11.,  1784,  d.  1865. 

World,  werld.  The  whole  system  of 
created  things  ;  the  whole  creation  ;  the 
universe.  Any  celestial  orb  or  planetary 
body,  especially  considered  as  peopled, 
and  as  the  scene  of  interests  kindred  to 
those  of  mankind.  The  earth  and  all 
created  things  thereon  ;  the  terraqueous 
globe. 

Wordsworth,  William.  A  popular 
English  poet,  head  of  the  "Lake  School;" 
n.  1770,1).  1850. 

Worm,  werm.  A  term  loosely  applied  to 
any  small  creeping  animal  or  reptile,  en- 
tirely wanting  feet  or  having  but  very 
short  ones,  including  such  various  forms 
as  the  earthworm  ;  the  larvsc  or  grubs  of 
certain  insects,  as  caterpillars,  maggots, 
&c. ;  intestinal  parasites,  as  the  tape-worm, 
thread-worms,  &c.  ;  certain  lacertilians,  as 
the  blind-worm,  &c. 

Worms.  An  ancient  city  of  Hesse,  Ger- 
many, on  the  Ehine,  25  m.  S.  E.  of 
Mentz,  noted  for  the  memorable  Diet,  1521 , 
at  which  Luther  defended  himself  before 
Charles  Y.  :  pop.  12.176. 

Woronzoff,  Michael  Semenovitch, 
Prince.  A  Kussian  general  who  served 
with  distinction  in  the  war  with  Turkey 
and  against  Napoleon  I.,  and  later,  as  vice- 
roy of  tlie  Caucasus,  conquered  the  heroic 
Schamyl ;  b.  1782,  d.  1856. 

Wort,  wert.  New  beer  unfermented  or 
in  the  act  of  fermentation. 


Worth,     William    Jenkins.      An 

Amei-ican  general ;  15.  in   N.   Y.,  1794,   d. 
1849. 

Wrangrel,  Karl  Gustaf ,  Count  von. 
A  distinguished  Swedish  general:  n.  1618, 
D.  1675. 

Wren,  ren.  A  gen- 
eral name  given  to 
tenuirostral  birds  of  a 
sub-fam.  of  Insecs- 
ores. 

Wryneck,  ri'nek.  A 
deformity  in  which 
the  neck  is  drawn  to 
one  side.  A  disease 
of  the  spasmodic  kind 
in  sheep,  in  which  the 
head  is  drawn  to  one 
side.  A  small  migra- 
tory scansorial  bird, 
gen.  Yuux,  allied  to 
and  resembling  the 
wo odpeckers;  so' 
called  from  the  singu- 
lar manner  in  which,  i 
when  surprised,  it 
turns  its  head  over  its 
shoulders.  Wryneck. 

Wurtemberg-.  A  S.  German  Kingdom 
bounded  N.  and  W.  by  Baden,  E.  by 
Bavaria,  B.  by  Lake  Constance  ;  area,  7,675 
sq.  m.  ;  pop.  1,892,412.  Principal  cities, 
Stuttgart,  cap.,  Ulm,  Heilbronn  and  Ess- 
lingen.  Chief  rivers,  Danube  and  Neckar 
with  their  tributaries.  The  Schwarzwald 
mountain  range  intersects  it. 

Wych-hazel,  wich'ha-zl.  The  common 
name  of  ])]ants,  gen.  Ilamamelis,  the 
type  of  theord.  IIamamelidacea3. 

Wycliflfe,  John  (Wickliff).  An  En- 
glish Keformer,  founder  of  the  Lollards, 
and  translator  of  the  Scriptures  into  En- 
glish ;  B.  1824,  D,  1384. 

Wyoming.  A  territory  of  the  U.  8., 
bounded  N.  by  Montana,'E.  by  Nebraska 
ani  Dakota,  S.  by  Colorado  and  Utah,  W. 
by  Idaho  ;  area,  97,883  sq.  m.;  pop.  20,789. 
Principal  towns,  Cheyenne,  cap.,  Benton, 
Wyoming,  Green  Kiver  City  and  Fort 
Laramie.  Chief  rivers,  Laramie,  Sweet- 
water, N.  and  8.  forks  of  the  Big  Chey- 
enne, Green,  Big  Horn  and  Yellowstone. 
The  Wind  Pviver,  Snow,  Big  Horn,  Elk 
and  Black  Hills  constitute  the  mountain 
ranges,  with  the  isolated  groups  known  as 
Medicine  Bow  and  the  Ked  Buttes. 

Wyoming.  A  valley  of  Luzerne  Co., 
Penn.,  with  the  Susquehanna  running 
through  it,  noted  for  the  horrible  massa- 
cre, 1778,  of  American  prisoners  by  th« 
Indian,  allies  of  a  British  force. 


XIS  the  24th  letter  of  the  alphabet.  It 
was  borrowed  by  the  Komans  in  com- 
paratively late  times  from  the  Grseks, 
and  passed  from  the  Roman  into  the  An- 
glo-Saxon alpliabet.  Except  when  iised 
at  the  bepinuing  of  a  word,  x  in  English 
is  a  double  consonant  and  has  usualh'  the 
sound  of  ks,  as  in  wax,  axis,  &c.';  but 
when  terminating  a  syllable,  if  the  sylla- 
bi© following  is  open  or  accented,  it  often 
takes  the  sound  of  gz,  as  in  luxur^v,  ex- 
haust, exotic,  «fec.  At  the  beginning  of  a 
word  it  has  precisely  the  sound  of  z. 
Hence  it  is  entirely  a  superfluous  letter, 
representing  no  sound  that  could  not 
easily  be  otherwise  represented.  As  a 
numeral  X  stands  for  10.  It  represents 
one  V  placed  above  another,  the  lower  one 
being  inverted.  When  laid  horizontally, 
^  stands  for  1,000,  and  with  a  dash  over 
it^  it  stands  for  10,000.  As  an  abbreviation 
X.  stands  for  Christ,  as  in  Xn.,  Christian; 
Xmas.,  Christmas.  X  on  beer-casks  is  said 
to  have  originally  indicated  beer  which 
had  to  pay  10  shillings  duty. 

Xang-i,  zan'gi.  In  Chinese  Myth,  the 
supreme  ruler  of  heaven  and  earth,   God. 

Xanthin,  'thin.  A  name  applied  to  sev- 
eral substances  from  color  ;  as  that  portion 
of  the  yellow  of  flowers  insoluble  in  water; 
the  yellow  coloring  matter  in  madder;  a 
gaseous  product  of  the  decomposition  of 
xanthates.  The  name  is  now  generally 
confined  to  xanthic  oxide,  the  ingredient 
of  urinary  calculi ;  it  is  a  white  crystalline 
substance. 

Xanthippe.  The  Athenian  general  who 
defeated  the  Persian  fleet  at  Mycales,  479 
15.  c. 

Xanthocliroi,  -thok'ro-T.  In  Ethn.  one 
of  the  five  groups  into  which  Huxley  clas- 
sifies man,  comprising  the  fair  Avhites, 

Xebec,  ze'bek.  A  small,  three-masted 
vessel,  formerly  much  used  by  the  Alge- 
rine  corsairs,  and  now  to  a  small  extent  in 
Mediterranean  commerce.  It  differs  from 
the  felucca  chiefly  in  having  several  square 
as  well  as  lateen  "sails,  while  the  latter  has 
only  lateen  sails. 

Xenoph.011.    A  Greek  historian  and  gen- 


eral, who  flourished  abt.  400  b.  c.  He 
was  a  pupil  and  friend  of  Socrates,  and 
successtully  conducted  the  celebrated  re- 
treat of  the  10,000  Greek  mercenaries  from 
Persia. 

Xeriff,  ze-rif .  A  gold  coin  formerly  cur- 
rent in  Egj'pt  and  Turkey  of  the  value  of 
abt.  $2.88.  A  name  for  the  ducat  in  Mo- 
rocco. 

Xerxes.  King  of  Persia,  4S0-4S2  b.  c. 
He  invaded  Greece,  480,  with  an  immense 
army,  but  was  finally  forced  to  fly  with 
a  few  personal  attendants,  his  army  be- 
ing destroyed  at  Plata^a  and  his  fleet  at 
Mj^cale  on'the  same  day,  479. 

Ximenes  de  Cisneros,  Francisco, 
Cardinal.  An  eminent  Spanish  sUtes- 
man  ;  b.  1436,  d.  1517. 

Xingn.  A  Brazilian  river,  emptying  into 
the  Amazon  ;  length,  1300  m. 

XuUa  Islands.  A  group  in  the  E.  Ar- 
chipelago, of  which  X.  Bessey,  400  m. 
long  by  100  in  breadth,  is  the  chief 

Xylocopa,  zl-lok'o-pa.  The  carpenter- 
bee,  a  gen.  of  hymenopterous  insects  with 
sharp-pointed  imandibles  which  puncture 
wood. 

Xylography,  -log'ra-fi.  A  process  of 
decorative  painting  on  wood.  A  design 
Is  drawn  on  wood,  which  is  then  engraved, 
or  the  design  is  reproduced  in  zinc.  An 
electrotype  cast  is  then  taken,  and  smooth 
surfaces  of  wood  are  i)rinted  from  this  with 
l)igments  prepared  for  the  purpose.  The 
color  penetrates  the  wood,  and  after  being 
French  polished  or  covered  with  a  fluid 
enamel  the  wood  may  bo  sand-papered 
without  destrojing  the"  pattern. 

Xylophag-a.  -lof'a  ga.  a  group  of  col- 
eopterous insects  noted  for  their  habit  of 
excavating  wood.  They  resemble  weevils, 
but  have  no  proboscis. 

Xyst,  zist.  In  Anc.  Arch,  a  covered  por- 
tico or  open  court,  of  great  length  in  pro- 
portion to  its  width,  in  which  athletea 
exercised.  Written  also  Xystus. 
Xystarch,  zis'tark.  An  Athenian  officer 
who  presided  over  the  gymnastic  exercises 
of  the  xystos. 


YIS  the  25th  letter  of  the  alphabet.  It 
was  taken  from  the  Latin,  and  origin- 
ally from  the  Green  upsilon.  In  the 
Anglo-Saxon  it  was  always  a  vowel,  and 
is  believed  to  have  had  a  sound  resemljling 


that  of  French  u.  In  modern  English  It 
is  both  a  consonant  and  a  vowel.  At  the 
beginning  of  syllables  and  followed  by  a 
vowel  it  is  a  consonant  of  the  j)alatal  class. 
In  the  middle  and  at  the  end  of  words  y  is 


TACAEE 


YAEMOUTH 


a  vowel,  and  is  sounded  as  1  long,  when 
accented,  as  In  defy,  dying,  and  as  i  short 
when  unaccented,  as  in  vanity,  synony- 
mous. Y  is  sometimes  called  the  Pytha- 
gorean letter,  from  its  Greek  original  rep- 
resenting the  sacred  triad.  In  Chem.  Y 
is  the  symbol  of  yttrium.  Y,  as  a  numeral, 
stands  for  150,  and  with  a  dash  over  it  for 
150,000. 

Yacare,  yak'a-ra.  The  native  name  of 
a  Brazilian  alligator  ( Jacare  sclerops) ;  the 
spectacled  cayman.    Written  also  Jacare. 

Yacht,  yot.  A  light  and  elegantly  fitted 
up  vessel,  used  either  for  pleasure  trips 
or  racing,  or  as  a  vessel  of  state  to  convey 
kings,  princes,  &c. 

Yager,  ya'ger.  A  member  of  certain 
regiments  of  light  infantry  in  the  armies 
of  various  German  states,  originally  com- 
posed of  jiiger  or  huntsmen,  whence  the 
name. 

Yahoo,  ya'ho.  A  name  given  by  Swift, 
in  Gulliver's  Travels,  to  a  race  of  brutes, 
having  the  form  of  man  and  all  his  degrad- 
ing passions.  They  are  placed  in  contrast 
with  the  Houyhnhnms,  or  horses  endowed 
with  reason,  the  whole  being  designed  as 
a  satire  on  the  human  race.  Hence,  a 
rough,  boorish,  uncultivated  character. 

Yale.  An  American  college,  at  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  founded  at 
Saybrook  as  the  collegiate 
school  of  the  colony,  and 
removed  to  N.  H.,  1716; 
named  after  Gov.  Yale, 
one  of  its  first  patrons. 

Yam,  yam.  A  large 
esculent  tuber  or  root 
prod  uced  by  various 
plants,  gen.  Dioscorea, 
growing  in  tropical  cli- 
mates ;  the  sweet  potato. 

Yak,  yak.    A  ruminant  mammal  of  the 


Yam. 


Yak. 


bovine  tribe,  the  Bos  poephagus,  or  Poe- 
phagus  grunniens,  a  small  species  of  ox, 
■with  horas  curving  outward,  long  silky 


Yama. 


hair  fringing  its  sides,  a  bushy  mane  of  fine 
hair  and  villous,  horse-like  tail;  sometimes 
called  the  grunting  ox,  from  its  peculiar 
voice,  which  sounds  much  like  the  grunt 
of  a  i)ig  ;  known  also  as  Sarlac,  Sarlik. 

Yama,  yii'ma. 
In  Hind.  Myth, 
the  god  of  de- 
parted spirits 
and  the  ap- 
pointed judge 
and  punisherof 
the  dead ;  the 
embodiment  of| 
power  without 
pity,  and  stern, 
tinbending  fate. 
He  is  generally 
represented  as 
c  r  o  wned  and 
seated  on  a  buf- 
falo, which  he 
guides  by  the 
horns.  He  is 
four-armed  and 
of  austere  countenance.  In  one  hand  he 
holds  a  mace,  in  another  a  noose  which  is 
used  to  draw  out  of  the  bodies  of  men  the 
souls  which  are  doomed  to  appear  before 
his  judgment-seat. 

Yangr-tse-Kiang.  A  large  river  of 
China,  emptying  into  the  Yellow  Sea ; 
length,  2,500  m. 

Yankee,  yang'ke.    A  cant  name,  of  dis- 

Euted  origin,  for  a  citizen  of  New  England, 
•uring  the  American  Revolution  the 
name  was  applied  to  all  the  patriots,  and 
during  the  civil  war  it  was  the  common 
designation  of  the  Federal  soldiers  by  the 
Confederates. 

Yankee-Doodle,  do'dl.  A  famous  air  re- 
garded as  American  and  national.  In  reali- 
ty it  is  an  old  English  air  called  Nankey 
Doodle,  and  had  some  derisive  reference 
to  Cromwell.  It  is  said  that  the  brigade 
under  Lord  Percy,  after  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington, marched  out  of  Boston  playing 
this  tune  in  punning  allusion  to  the  name 
Yankee,  and  the  New  Englanders  adopt- 
ed it  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that  they 
had  made  the  British  dance  to  it.  The 
national  tune  of  the  U.  S.,  however,  is 
"  Hail  Columbia  1" 

Yaqui.  A  river  of  Mexico,  emptying 
into  the  Gulf  of  M.;  length,  400  m. 

Yarkand.  Cap.  of  Bohkara,  Chinese 
Turkestan,  on  river  of  same  name ;  pop. 
160,000. 

Yarmouth,  Q-reat.  A  popular  water- 
ing place,  of  Co.  Norfolk,  on  E.  coast  of 
England  ;  also  the  headquarters  of  th& 
herring-fishing  fleet ;  pop.  44,826. 


YATAGHAN 


695 


TOEK 


Yatagrhian,  yat'a-gan.  A  d&gger-]ike 
sabtir,  with  double-curved  blade,  the 
handle  without  a  cross-guard,  much  worn 
in  Mohammedan  countries. 

Yawl,  yal.  A  small  ship's  boat,  usually 
rowed  by  four  or  six  oars ;  a  jolly-boat. 
The  smallest  boat  used  by  fishermen. 

Yazoo.  A  river  of  Mississippi,  emptying 
into  the  M.  12  m.  N.  of  Vicksburg; 
le.ng-th,  290  m. 

Year,  yer.  The  period  of  time  during 
■which  tiie  earth  makes  one  complete  rev- 
olution in  its  orbit ;  or  the  space  of  time 
which  elapses  between  the  sun's  leaving 
either  equinoctial  point,  or  either  topic, 
and  its  i-eturn  to  the  same.  This  is  the 
tropical  or  solar  year,  aud  the  year  in  the 
strict  and  proper  sense  of  the  word. 
This  period  comprehends  the  twelve  cal- 
endar months,  and  is  calculated  to  com- 
mence January  1,  and  to  end  December 
81,  It  is  not  quite  uniform,  but  its  mean 
length  is  365  days,  5  hours,  48  minutes, 
and  51.0  seconds.  In  popular  usage,  how- 
ever, the  year  consists  of  865  days,  and 
every  fourth  year  of  366. 

Yeast,  yest.  Barm  ;  ferment  ;  the  vel- 
lowisii  substance,  having  an  acid  reaction, 
produced  during  the  vinous  fermentation 
of  saccharine  fluids,  rising  partly  to  the 
surface  in  the  form  of  a  frothy,  flocculent, 
viscid  matter  (surface  yeast),  and  partly 
falling  to  the  bottom  (sediment  yeast). 
Yeast  consists  of  aggregations  of  minute 
cells,  each  cell  constituting  a  plant,  Tor- 
ula  cerevisiae. 

Yeddo  (Jeddo).  Lit.  "Water  Gate," 
cap.  of  the  Japanese  empire,  on  the  island 
ofNiphon;  pop.  abt,  1,000,000, 

Yellow,  yel'lo.  One  of  the  prismatic 
colors  ;  a  bright  golden  color,  the  type  of 
which  may  be  found  in  the  field  buttercup. 

Yellow-bird,  -herd,  A  small  singing 
bird,  fam,  Fringillidse,  common  in  the  U. 
S.,  the  Fringilla  or  Chrysometris  tristis. 

Yellow-hammer,  -ham-mer.  A  pas- 
serine bird,  gen.  Emberiza,  the  E.  citrin- 
ella  ;  called  also  Y,  Bunting. 

Yellow  Sea.  A  large  arm  of  the  N. 
Pacilic,  bet.  the  Gulf  of  Pe-che-le  and 
the  Eastern  Sea,  separating  Corea  from 
the  N.  E,  Chinese  provinces. 

Yellowstone  Park,  A  tract  of  ro- 
mantic mountain  and  valley,  lying  around 
the  sources  of  the  Missouri  and  Yellow- 
stone rivers,  in  Montana  and  ■W"5'oming 
territories,  secured  by  act  of  Congress, 
1872,  as  a  public  park.  It  includes  Y, 
Lake,  covering  330  sq.  m,,  the  geyser 
region,  and  mountains  10,000  to  12,000  ft. 


Tew. 


high,  whose  peaks  are  perpetaally  covered 
with  snow, 

Yellowstone  River,  The  largest 
tributary  of  the  Missouri,  rising  in  Sub- 
lette's Lake,  Montana,  and  joining  the 
Missouri  after  a  N,  E,  course  of  1,000  m. 

Yemen,  The  S,  W,  portion  of  Arabia, 
an  evalet  of  the  Turkish  government; 
pop, 'abt,  500,000. 

Yenesei,  A  river  of  Siberia,  emptying 
into  the  Arctic  Ocean  ;  length,  2,300  m. 

Yesso  (Jesso),  The  most  northerly  of 
the  group  of  isLands  forming  the  empire 
of  Japan;  area,  62,500  sq.m.  Cap.  Mats- 
mai. 

Yew,  yu.  An 
evergreen  tree, 
gen.  Ta.xus,  ord, 
or  sub-ord.  Tax- 
aceas.  The  com- 
mon yew  is  T. 
baccata. 

Yezd,  A  city 
of  Persia,  near 
the  desert  of 
Luth,  and  prin- 
cipal entrepot  of 
the  commerce 
with  India,  Persia  and  Afghanistan ;  pop. 
42,786. 

Yezdegrerdian,  yez'de-ger"di-an.  A 
term  applied  to  an  era,  dated  from  the 
overthrow  of  the  Persian  Empire,  when 
Yezdegerd  was  defeated  bv  the  Arabians, 
in  the  11th  year  of  the  Heg'ira,  a.  d.  636. 

Yezidee,  'i-de.  A  member  of  a  small 
tribe  bordering  on  the  Euphrates,  whose 
religion  is  said  to  be  a  mixture  of  the  wor- 
ship of  the  devil,  with  some  of  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Magi,  Mohammedans  and 
Christians. 

Y-moth,  wi'moth.  A  species  (Plusia 
gamma)  of  moth  common  in  Europe,  so 
called  from  the  pr-isence  of  a  shining 
mark  resembling  the  letter  Y  on  its  beau- 
tifuUy  marked  upper  wings. 

Yojan.  'Jan.  In  Hindustan,  a  measure  of 
distance  varying  from  4  to  10  miles,  but 
generally  valued  about  5. 

Yokahama.  The  port  of  Yeddo,  and 
the  principal  trading  port  open  to  for- 
eigners ;  pop,  12,700. 

York.  Cap,  of  Co,  York,  England,  on 
the  Ouse,  22  ra,  N.  of  Leeds,  n»ted  as  the 
place  where  the  first  English  Parliament 
sat,  1160  ;  pop,  46,320. 

York,  House  of.  The  name  of  an 
Englisli  dynasty  descended  from  the 
Plantagenets,  which  gave  that  country 
tliree  kings,  Edward   IV.    and  V.  and 


TOEKTOWN 


696 


ZEBU 


Klchard  III.  It  became  incorporated 
■with  the  house  of  Tudor  by  the  marriage 
of  Henry  VII.  and  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Edvvai-d  IV. 

Yorktown.  Cap.  of  York  Co.,  Va.,  on 
York  Kiver,  70  m.  S.  E.  of  Pachmond, 
noted  as  the  scene  of  the  surrender  of 
Lord  Cornvvallis  and  his  array  of  8,000 
men,  to  the  American-French  force  nnder 
Gen.  Washington.  Y.  was  also  besieged 
and  captured  during  the  civil  war  by  Gen. 
McClellan,  May  3,  1862. 

Young,  Edward.  An  English  poet; 
n.  1684,  D.  1765. 

Young-,  Brig-ham.  A  Mormon 
prophet,  s.  of  Joseph  Smith  as  President 
Bishop;  B.  in  Vt.,  1801,  B.  1877. 

Yosemite  Valley.     A  most  romantic 


spot  in  Mariposa  Co.,  Cal.,  near  the  foot  of 
the  Sierra  Nevada  ;  it  is  traversed  by  the 
Merced  Elver,  which  falls  over  a  precipice 
1,800  to  2,000  feet,  and  is  hemmed  in  by 
granite  mountains  2,000  to  4.000  ft.  in 
height. 

Yucatan.  An  E.  peninsular  State  of 
Mexico,  separated  from  Cuba  by  the  chan- 
nel of  Y.,  120  m.  wide;  area,  52,947 sq. 
m.;  pop.  428,770.    Cap.  Merida. 

Yule.  yiil.  The  Old  English,  and  still  to 
some  extent  the  Scotch  and  N.  English, 
name  for  Christmas,  or  the  feast  of  the 
nativity  of  our  Saviour. 

Yule-log,  'log.  A  large  log  of  wood, 
forming  the  basis  of  a  Christmas  fire  in 
the  olden  times. 


ZIS  the  last  letter  of  the  alphabet,  -It  is 
a  sibilant  consonant,  and  is  merely  a 
vocal  or  sonant  s,  having  precisely  the 
same  sound  that  s  has  in  wise,  ease, 
please,  &,g.  It  did  not  have  a  place  in  the 
Anglo-Saxon  alphabet,  but  in  old  English 
of  the  14th  century  it  was  common.  The 
words  in  modern  English  which  begin 
with  z  are  all  derived  from  other  languages, 
mostly  from  the  Greek.  When  not  initial, 
however,  it  often  represents  an  older  s  in 
genuine  English  words,  as  in  blaze,  freeze, 
guzzle,  hazard,  size,  &c.  As  a  final  it  oc- 
curs in  some  onomatopoetic  words,  as 
in  buzz,  whizz.  In  Britain  its  name  is 
zed,  In  America  zod  and  zee. 

Zachariah.  King  of  Israel,  s.  his  father 
Jeroboam  II.  773  b.  c.  ;  assassinated  the 
same  year. 

Zacliarias.  Pope,  s.  to  Gregory  III.. 
741,  1).  752. 

Zaire  (Congo).  A  large  river  of  S. 
W.  Africa,  emptying  into  the  Atlantic  in 
Lower  Guinea;  length,  1300  m. 

Zambesi.  A  great  river  of  S.  E.  Africa, 
emptying  into  Mozambique  Channel; 
lengtli  abt.  1,500  m. 

Zambo,  zam'bo.  The  child  of  a  mulatto 
and  a  negro,  also  sometimes  of  an  Indian 
and  a  negro.    Written  also  Sambo. 

Zangnebar.  A  region  of  E.  Africa, 
bounded  IST.  by  the  Somanii  countrj',  E. 
b.y  the  Indian  Ocean,  S.  by  Mozambique, 
W.  by  Ethiopia ;  it  is  little  known.  Cap. 
Zanzibar,  on  an  island  of  same  name,  40 
m.  long  by  15  broad,  the  island  having  a 
pop.  of  220,000. 

Zealand.      The  largest  of  the  Danish 


islands,  forming  a  province,  S.  of  the  Catte- 
gat;  area,  2,675  sq.  m.  ;  pop.,  including 
the  small  islands  of  Moen  and  Samsoe,  694,- 
816.    Cap.  Copenhagen. 

Ze  bra, 
zG'bra,  A 
p  achyder- 
ma  tons, 
solidungu- 
late  mam- 
mal, the 
Equus  or 
Asinus  ze- 
br  a,  a 
q  u  a  d  r  u- 
ped  of  S. 
A fri  c  a  , 
nearly  as 
large  as  a 

horse,    white,    striped 
brownish -black  bands. 

Zebu,  'bu. 
A  rumin- 
ant of  the 
ox  tribe  , 
the  Taurus 
indicus  or 
Bos  indi- 
cus.having 
one,  or 
more  rare- 
1 y  two, 
humps  of 
fat  on  the 
shoulders.  It  varies  in  size  from  a  large 
mastiff  dog  to  a  full-grown  domestic  bull, 
and  is  often  called  the  Indian  Bull  or  Ox 
and  Cow.  The  Z.  are  used  as  beasts  of 
burden,  and  theu-  fiesh  as  an  article  of 


Zebra. 


with     numerous 


'Zebu. 


ZEDEKIAH 


ZODIAC 


food,  especially  the  hump,  which  is  es- 
teemed a  frreat  delicacy.  To  this  stock 
beloiifT  the  Brahman  bulls  or  sacred  bulls 
of  Siva. 

Zedekiah..  The  last  king  of  Judah, 
placed  on  the  throne,  59S  b.  c,  by  Neb- 
Tichadnezzar,  Jehoiachin,  his  nephew  and 
piedecessor.  being  carried  captive  to  Baby- 
lon. Z.,  ha vinf? rebelled,  was  taken  prisoner 
to  Babylon,  5S6  B.  c,  and  put  to  death. 

Zein,  ze'in.  The  gluten  of  maize,  a  sub- 
stance of  a  yellowish  color,  soft,  insipid 
and  elastic, 'procured  from  the  seeds  of 
Zea  Mays  or  Indian  corn. 

Zeiuindar,  zem-in-dar.  In  India,  one 
of  a  class  of  officials  created  under  the 
Mojjul  government.  They  have  been  re- 
garded, first,  as  district  governors;  second, 
as  landed  proprietors,  and  third,  as  farm- 
ers or  collectors  of  the  government  rev- 
cime  on  land. 

Zenana,  ze-na'na.  The  portion  of  a 
house  reserved  exclusively  for  the  females 
in  a  family  of  good  caste  in  India. 

Zend,  zend.  An  ancient  Iranian  language, 
in  which  are  composed  the  sacred  writings 
of  the  Zoroastrians.  It  is  a  member  of  the 
Aryan  family,  very  closely  allied  to  the 
Sanskrit  of  the  Yedas,  by  means  ofwhich, 
and  by  the  help  of  comparative  philology, 
it  has  been  deciphered.  Called  also  Avestan. 
A  contracted  name  for  the  Zend-Avesta  or 
sacred  v.-ritings  of  Zoroaster. 

Zenith,  zo'nith.  The  vertical  point  of  the 
heavens  at  any  place,  or  point  right  above 
a  spectator's  head  ;  the  upper  pole  of  the 
celestial  horizon  ;  that  point  in  the  visible 
celestial  hemisphere  from  which  a  line 
drawn  perpendicular  to  the  plane  of  the 
horizon  would  pass  through  the  earth's 
center,  supposing  the  earth  a  perfect 
sphere.  Each  point  on  the  surface  of  the 
earth  has  therefore  its  corresponding  ze- 
nith. The  opposite  i)ole  of  the  celestial 
horizon  is  termed  the  nadir,  and  a  verti- 
cal line  or  plane  will,  if  produced,  pass 
through  the  zenith  and  nadir,  the  specta- 
tor's place  being  considered  the  center  of 
the  celestial  sphere. 

Zeno.  A  Greek  philosopher,  founder  of 
the  Stoics  ;  b.  in  Cyprus  abt.  800  n.  c. 

Zeolite,  'o-llt.  A  generic  name  of  hy- 
drated  double  silicates  in  which  the  prin- 
cipal bases  are  aluminium  and  calcium. 
Zeolites  frequently  contain  iron,  magne- 
sium and  alkalies  ;  they  intumesce  before 
the  blow-])ip«  and  are  decomposed  by 
acids,  yielding  silica. 

-Zephaniall,  zef-a-nl'a.  The  name  of 
one  of  the  books  of  the  Bible,  the  work  of 
one  of  the  min»r  prophets.     The  author 


lived  in  the  reign  of  Josiah,  In  the 
7th  century  b.  c.  The  subjects  of  his 
prophecy  are  the  temporary  desolation  ol 
Judea,  the  destruction  of  the  Philistines, 
Moabites,  Ammonites,  Assyrians,  &c., 
and  the  promise  that  God  will  leave  a 
righteous  remnant  in  Israel. 

Zero,  ze'ro.  No  number  or  quantity ;  a 
cipher ;  nothing.  * 

Zeus,  zus.  In  Myth,  the  supreme  divin- 
ity among  the  Greeks  ;  the  ruler  of  the 
other  gods;  generally  treated  as  the  equiva- 
lent of  the  Roman  Jupiter. 

Zif,  zif.  The  2d  mouth  of  the  Jewish 
sacred  year  and  the  Sth  of  the  civil,  an- 
swering to  part  of  our  April  and  May. 

Zimmermann,  Johann  G-eorg- von. 
An  eminent  Swiss  philosopher  and  physi- 
cian ;  B.  1728,  D.  1795. 

Zinc,  zingk.  A  metal  frequently  called 
spelter.  It  has  a  strong  metallic  luster 
and  a  bluish-white  color.  Its  texture  is 
lamellated  and  crystalline,  and  its  specific 
gravity  about  7.  It  is  very  hard,  being 
acted  on  by  the  file  with  difficulty,  and  it 
is  very  tough. 

Zion,  zT'on.  A  mount  or  eminence  in 
Jerusalem,  the  royal  residence  of  Da\id 
and  his  successors  ;  at  present  only  par- 
tially within  the  city  walls. 

Ziska,  John.  A  distinguished  Hussite 
leader,  who  won  distinction  in  war  against 
the  Teutonic  Kniirhts,  Turks,  French  and 
Imperialists,  defeating  the  latter  in  IS 
pitched  battles ;  b.  1360,  d.  1424. 

Zither,  tsit'er.  A  stringed  musical  in- 
strument consisting  of  a  sounding-box 
pierced  with  a  large  circular  sound-hole 
near  the  middle,  the  strings,  to  the  num- 
ber of  30  in  the  more  perfect  forms  of  the 
instrument,  being  made  of  steel,  brass, 
cat-gut,  and  silk  covered  with  fine  silver 
or  copper  wire,  and  tuned  by  pegs  at  one 
end.  Five  of  the  strings  are  stretched 
over  a  fretted  keyboard,  and  are  used  for 
playing  the  melody,  the  fingers  of  the  left 
hand  stopping  the  strings  on  the  frets, 
the  right-hand  thumb  armed  with  a  metal 
ring,  striking  the  strings. 

Zodiac,  'di-ak. 
An  i  m  aginary 
belt  or  zone  in 
the  heavens, 
extending  about 
8°  on  each  side 
of  the  eoliptic. 
Itis  divided  into 
twelve  equal 
parts  called 
signs.  It  was 
marked  out  by 


;:ecums 


Zodiac. 


ZOLLVEREm 


ZYMURGT 


the  ancients  as  distinct  from  the  rest  of 
the  heavens  because  the  apparent  places 
of  the  sun,  moon  and  the  planets  known 
to  them  were  always  mthin  it.  This,  how- 
ever, is  not  true  of  all  tho  newly  dis- 
covered planets. 

Zollverein,  tsol'ver-In.  The  German 
commercial  or  customs  union,  founded 
about  1S18,  and  afterwards  greatly  ex- 
tended. Its  principal  object  was  the  estab- 
lishmejit  of  a  uniform  rate  of  customs 
duties  throughout  the  various  states  join- 
ing the  union. 

Zone,  zon.  In 
Geog.  one  of 
the  five  great 

divisions  of  f,  7- _  r  f,  \v  v?, 
the  earth,  ^  ^ejn/fcTatc-  N^j^'; 
bounded  by 
circles  pai-allel 
to  the  equator, 
and  named  ac- 
cording to  the 
temp  erature 
prevailing  in 
each.  The  tor- 
rid zone  ex-  _. 
!>ends  from  Zones, 
tropic  to  tropic,  or  23i»  north  and  28J° 
south  of  the  equator;  two  temperate  zones, 
situated  between  the  tropics  and  polar  cir- 
cles, or  extending  from  the  parallel  of  23^° 
to  that  of  eejo  north  and  south,  and  called 
the  N.  and  8.  temperate  zone  respectively, 
and  two  frigid  zones,  situated  between  the 
polar  circles  and  the  north  and  south  poles. 

Zoo.  A  common  prefix  in  Greek  com- 
pounds signifying  animal ;  as,  zoology,  a 
description  of  animals  ;  zoophyte,  an  ani- 
mal plant. 

Zoology,  -oFo-ji.  That  science  which 
treats  of  the  natural  historj--  of  animals  or 
their  structure,  physiology,  classification, 
habits  and  distribution. 

Zoophyte,  'o-flt.  The 
name  given  byCuvierto' 
liis  4tli  and  last  primary 
division  or  sub-kingdom 
of  animals,  including 
Echinodermata,  Entozoa, 
Acalepha,  Polypi  and  In- 
fusoria, from  their  struc- 
ture outwardly  presenting 
a  likeness  to  that  of  vege- 
tables and  the  polyps  often  resembling 
flowers. 

Zootomy,  -ot'o-mi.  The  anatomy  of  the 
lower  animals  ;  that  branch  of  anatomical 
science  which  relates  to  the  structure  of 
the  lower  animals. 

Zoroaster.    A  legendary  Persian  or  Bac- 


mm 


Zoophyte. 


trian  philosopher,  founder  or  reformer  c 
the  Magian  religion.  Of  his  history  n( 
thing  is  known,  and  the  time  in  which  h 
lived  varies  in  the  traditions  by  som 
thousands  of  years,  the  latest  placing  hir 
as  contemporary  with  Darius  Hystaspuf 
The  Zend-Avesta,  Avhich  recognizes  th 
existence  of  two  mighty  spirits  in  contesi 
Ormuzd  and  Ahriman— God  and  Satan- 
are  ascribed  to  Z. 

Zouave,  zo-iiv.  A  soldier  belonging  t 
the  light  infantry  corps  in  the  Frenc 
army,  organized  in  Algeria,  and  origir 
ally  intended  to  be  composed  exclusivel 
of  a  tribe  of  Kabyles,  but  which,  havin 
gradually  changed  its  character,  is  no^ 
constituted  almost  exclusively  of  Frencl 
men. 

Zschokke,  Joliann  Heinrich  Dan 
iel.  A  German  historian  and  iiovehst 
B.  1771,  D.  1848. 

Zuchetto,  tso-ket'to.  In  the  E.  C.  CI 
the  skull-cap  of  an  ecclesiastic  coverin 
the  tonsure.  A  priest's  is  black,  a  bishop' 
purple,  a  cardinal's  red  and  the  pope' 
white. 

Zulu,  zo'16  or  zii-16.  A  member  of  a  wai 
like  branch  of  the  Kafir  race  inhabiting 
territory  in  S.  Africa  on  the  coast  of  th 
Indian  Ocean,  immediately  north  of  th 
British  colony  of  Natal. 

Zurbaran,  Francesco.  A  distin 
guished  Spanish  painter;  b.  1598,  d.  1665 

Zurich.  Cap.  of  a  N.  canton  of  the  Swis 
republic,  at  the  IST.  end  of  lake  of  sam 
name,  56  m.  N.E.  of  Berne  ;  pop.  28,765 
Lake  Z.,  one  of  the  most  romantic  c 
Swiss  lakes,  23  m.  in  length,  ^  to  2^-  m.  i 
breadth. 

Zuyder-zee,  The.  A  large  area  of  th 
German  Ocean,  inclosed  by  the  Dutc 
provinces  of  Guelderland,  Utrecht,  i> 
Holland,  Overyssel  and  Friesland.  A  grea 
inundation  in  1282  united  it  Avith  th 
ocean . 

Zwingle,  Ulrich  (Zuingrlius).  A  dis 
tinguished  Swiss  reformer:  b.  1484,  kille 
at  the  battle  of  Cuppel,  1531. 

Zymologrist,  zl-mol'o-jist.  One  who  i 
skilled  in  zymolog}^  or  in  the  fermentatio 
of  liquors. 

Zymometer,  -mom'e-ter.  An  instni 
ment  for  ascertaining  the  degree  of  fer 
mentation  of  a  fermenting  liquor. 

Zsnnurgy,  'mer-ji.  A  name  applied  t 
that  department  of  technological  chem 
istry  which  treats  of  the  scientific  princi 
pies  of  wine-making,  brewing,  distillinj 
and  tho  preparation  of  yeast  and  vinegai 
in  which  processes  fermentation  plays  th 
principal  part. 


AGEICULTURAL     SUPPLEMENT. 


Abele,  a-beel,  A  name  from  the  Dutch 
of  the  white  or  silver  poplar,  Populus 
alba,  of  Europe.  A  useful  tree  in  paved 
streets ;  suckers  too  freely  to  plant  else- 
where. 

Acarus,  a-ka-rus.  A  genus  of  mites  which 
gives  the  name  Acaridic  to  the  mite  fam- 
ily, which  includes  the  itch,  sugar,  cheese, 
and  other  mites. 

Acer,  ji'ser.  The  maple  genus  ;  trees 
valuable  for  shade,  fuel  and  timber.  Sugar 
maple,  A.  saccharinum,  yields  the  maple 
sugar.  Silver  M.,  A.  darycarpum,  grows 
fuel  rapidly.  A.  pseudo-platanus,  Euro- 
pean Sycamore,  and  A.  platanoides,  Nor- 
way M.,  are  valued  shade  trees. 

Aftermath.  The  name  in  England  for 
the  second  crop  of  grass,  which  in  this 
country  is  usually  called  Eowen. 

Ag-riculture.  (Lat.  ager,  a  field,  and 
colo,  1  till.)  In  its  broadest  meaning,  A. 
comprises  cultivation  of  the  Boil  of  every 
kind.  It  is  now  subdivided  into  horticul- 
ture, arboriculture,  dairying,  breeding 
and  raising  domestic  animals  and  others. 
The  history  of  A.  dates  back  to  the  early 
days  of  Egypt  and  Palestine,  and  the 
primitive  iiiethods  of  those  times  are  in 
marked  contrast  to  its  present  status.  The 

Erogress  in  the  sciences  and  in  the  arts 
as  had  great  influence  upon  A.  within 
the  past  century.  Besides  the  contribu- 
tions of  chemistry  and  other  sciences  and 
of  the  mechanic  arts,  other  agents  have 
had  a  marked  influence  within  recent 
years  in  the  advancement  of  A.  by  educat- 
ing those  who  follow  it.  Among  these  are 
agricultural  societies,  which,  by  holding 
ffdrs  and  by  meetings  for  discussion,  have 
done  much  to  diflfuse  information.  In  the 
same  direction  is  the  work  of  agricultural 


papers,  which  were  never  so  numerous  or 
so  useful  as  at  present.  To  these  may  be 
added  agricultural  colleges,  which  though 
they  have  not  done  all  that  was  expected 
of  them,  have  had  an  influence  in  the  right 
direction,  and  they  are  yearly  improving 
and  increasing  their  usefulness. 

Albuminoids.  Substances  resembling 
albumen  in  their  composition,  also  called 
protein  bodies.  Besides  carbon,  oxygen 
and  hydrogen,  they  contain  nitrogen,  a 
small  proportion  of  sulphur  and  some- 
times phosphorus.  The  white  of  egg, 
animal  muscle  and  the  curd  of  milk,  casein, 
are  examples  of  A.  and  illustrate  the  three 
groups  into  which  they  are  subdivided. 
The  A.  are  produced  by  vegetables,  and 
the  value  of  these,  in  feeding  animals,  de- 
pends upon  the  proportions  of  A.they  con- 
tain. 

Albumuza.  Sap-wood.  A  woody  exo- 
genous stem  (tree  or  shrub).  Increases  in 
diameter  by  an  annual  layer  of  wood  de- 
posited outside  of  the  old,  or  heart  wood. 
This  being  white  or  pale  the  early  botan- 
ists called  it  A.  (Lat.  albus,  Avhite).  In 
timber  the  A.  is  sap-wood,  and  is  rejected 
by  builders,  as  it  readily  decays. 

Alfalfa.  A  Spanish  name  for  hicerne, 
Medicago  sativa,  and  in  general  use  on 
the  Pacific  slope. 

Alfilaria,  al-feel-a-ree-a.  The  Spanish- 
American  name  for  Erodium  cicutarium 
of  the  geranium  family,  from  Europe,  and 
extensively  naturalized  in  California  and 
neighboring  States,  where  it  appears  as  a 
forage-plant  when  there  is  but  little  else. 
It  is  called  A.  and  also  Pin-grass. 

American  Blight.  A  misnomer  given 
in  England  to  a  European  insect,  the 
Wooly  Aphis,  Eriosoma  lauigera.     This 


ARRHElS^ATirEPvUil 


TOO 


BTTCKTHORIT 


Aphis  (p.  54)  covers  itself  with  a  cottony 
substance  which  exudes  from  its  body. 
Has  sometimes  injured  younp  fruit  trees 
here  ;  very  destructive  abroad.  Wliale 
oil  soap  and  kerosene  emulsion  will  de- 
stroy it. 

Arrhenathemm,  Meadow  Oat-grass. 
Oat-grass,  formerly  placed  in  Avena,  with 
the  oat,  from  which  it  differs  in  having 
one  of  its  flowers  sterile.  A  valuable 
grass  for  meadow  or  pasture  and  gives  an 
abundant  aftermath,  especially  valuable 
in  the  Southern  States. 

Asarum.  Canada  Snakeroot.  "Wild 
Ginger.  A  genus  of  low  herbs  of  the 
Aristolochia  family.  A  slender  root-stock 
bears  two  heart-shaped  or  kidney-shaped 
leaves,  between  whieh  is  a  brownish 
flower  lying  close  to  the  ground.  A.  Can- 
adense  is  the  common  Northern  species. 
The  root-stock  is  strongly  aromatic,  tast- 
ing like  ginger,  for  which  it  is  sometimes 
used  as  a  substitute. 

Astrin??ents.  Medicines  <hich  cause 
the  animal  libres  and  vessels  to  contract, 
to  check  bleeding,  diarrho?a,  &c.  The 
vegetable  A.  contain  tannin,  to  which 
their  action  is  due.  Alum  is  a  common 
mineral  A. 

Atomizer.  An  apparatus  byAvhich  a 
small  stream  of  liquid  is  broken  up  into 
the  finest  possible  spray  by  means  of  a 
current  of  air  supplied  by  the  mouth  or  a 
bellows.  An  excellent  contrivance  for 
applying  insecticides  to  delicate  plants. 

Aveus.  The  common  name  in  England 
and  this  country  for  species  of  Geum, 
plants  of  the  Eose  family.  The  root-stocks 
are  powerfully  astringent  and  tonic.  Water 
A.,  G.  rivale,  is  common  in  wet  places 
in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States  and 
also  in  Europe.  A  decoction  of  the  root, 
prepared  with  milk  and  sugar,  like  coff'ee, 
is  a  popular  domestic  remedy  in  bowel 
complaints. 

Awn.  In  Bot.  the  bristle-like  appendage 
to  many  grasses ;  in  the  cereals,  called 
beard. 

Balsam  Apple,  Balsam  Pear.  Fruits 
of  species  of  Momordica,  plants  of  the 
Cucurbita  family.  Tender  climbing  vines, 
inconspicuous  yellow  flowers,  \vith  orange 
colored  fruits,  which  break  irregularly  and 
expose  the  scarlet-coated  seeds.  Infnsed 
in  spirits,  and  the  liquid  applied  to  wounds. 
M.  balsamina  is  the  B.  Apple,  and  M. 
charantia,  the  B.  Pear. 

Basswood.  A  common  name  for  the 
American  Linden,  Tilia  Americana, 
valued  as  a  source  of  honey. 

Bast.    Originally  the  tough  inner  bark  of 


the  European  linden,  made  into  mats  in 
Russia,  much  usei  by  gardeners  for  tying. 
The  American  linden  yields  equally  "good 
bark.  Name  also  applied  to  inner  bai'k  of 
other  plants.  Cuba  bast  is  from  the  Pari- 
tiuni  elatum. 

Berm.uda  Grass.  Cynodon  Dactylon, 
a  creeping  perennial,  forming  a  dense  turf; 
troublesome  as  a  weed,  but  valuable 
southward  as  a  meadow  and  pasture  grass. 
Not  known  to  perfect  seeds  in  this  country. 
Bindweed.  Convovulus  arvensis,  from 
Europe,  a  low  slender  vine  with  flowers 
like  a  small  Morning  Glory.  Its  roots  are 
most  difficult  to  extirpate.  Black  B.,  also 
introduced,  is  Polygonum  Convolvulus, 
an  annual  with  the  ajjpearance  of  buck- 
wheat. 

Birdlime.  An  adhesive  preparation  to 
bespread  upon  twigs  to  catch  small  birds. 
It  is  prepared  by  boiling  and  fermenting 
the  inner  bark  of  the  European  Holly. 
Bittersweet.  Solanum  dulcanara,  an 
introduced  slender,  trailing,  shrubby 
stem,  with  halberd-shaped  leaves,  pink- 
purple  flowers  and  scarlet  berries.  Used 
in  medicine  as  a  narcotic. 
Bladderwort.  Utricularia  vulgaris,  and 
several  others,  mostly  rootless  native 
aquatic  plants  which  "float  by  means  of 
small  bladders  on  their  finely  divided 
leaves.  These  bladders  entrap  animal- 
cules and  recently  hatched  small  fishes. 
Bligrllt.  A  disease  which  suddenly  attacks 
fruit  trees,  especially  the  pear,  killing  a 
branch  or  the  whole  tree.  Cause  not 
known. 

Blister  Beetles  or  Flies.  Several 
species  of  Lytta,  often  injurious  to  potato 
vines.  When  killed  and  dried  may  be 
used  the  same  as  the  Spanish  Fly  (Can- 
tharis)  of  the  shops. 

Blue-joint-grrass.  A  tall,  coarse  na- 
tive perennial,  Calamagrostis  Canadensis, 
grows  in  wet  places,  valuable  for  hay. 
Blue-g-rass,  Kentucky.  Poa  praten- 
sis,  called  Junegra^sin  the  Eastern  States. 
Grows  so  luxuriantly  on  the  limestone 
soils  of  Kentucky  tiiat  it  was  at  one  tima 
supposed  to  be  a  different  species. 
Bollworm.  The  larva  of  a  nigbt  flying 
moth,  Heliothis  armigera.  Very  destruc- 
tive to  young  cotton  bolls;  also  eats  green 
corn,  tomatoes,  &c.  Remedy:  trap  the 
moths. 

Broom-sedg'e.      A   common    grass  in 

cultivated  fields  at  the  South,  Andropogon 

Virginicus. 

Buckthorn.   Rhamnus  catharticus.     A 

small  tree,  in  the  older  States,  somewhat 


BUFFALO  GPwASS 


701 


DUTCHMAN'S  PIPE 


naturalized  from  Europe;  makes  an  excel- 
lent hedge.  Berries  yield  sap  green  and 
are  powerfully  cathartic. 

Buffalo  Grass.  Bucliloe  dactyloides,  a 
low  extensively  creeping  grass  of  the  plains 
of  the  Far  West.  The  sterile  and  fertile 
flowers  are  much  unlike  and  are  borne  on 
dilferent  plants. 

Cabbage  "wonn.  The  caterpillars  of 
several  sj)ecies  of  Pieris,  white  butterflies 
■with  black  markings  ;  very  destructive  to 
the  cjibbage  crop.  Hot  water  and  py- 
rethrum  the  best  remedies. 

Cane.  The  largest  native  grass,  Arundi- 
naria  macrospernia,  sometimes  40  feet 
high ;  often  covers  large  tracts  along 
streams,  cane  brakes,  which  are  resorts 
of  wild  animals.  Stems  sent  all  over  the 
country  for  use  as  fishing  rods,  For- 
merly converted  into  paper  stock  by  firing 
from  a  long  gun  charged  with  high  pres- 
sure steam.  When  suddenly  liberated 
the  canes  were  reduced  to  fiber. 

Canada  Thistle.  Cirsium  arvense. 
Not  from  Canada  but  from  Europe  ;  a 
weed  of  cultivation  all  over  the  world. 
Its  long  root-stocks  make  it  a  most  per- 
sistent weed,  but  frequent  cutting  down 
will  kill  it. 

Carbolic  Acid,  also  Phenic  Acid. 
Obtained  by  distilling  coal  tar  ;  crystallizes 
in  needles,  and  slightly  soluble  in  water. 
Used  as  a  disinfectant  and  insecticide. 

Catalpa.  Trees  of  the  Bignonia  family, 
with  ample  leaves  and  large  clusters  of 
nearly  white  flowers.  The  new  C.  spec- 
iosa  is  hardier  than  C.  bignonioides.  The 
wood  of  both  is  remarkably  durable. 

Charlock.  A  species  of  wild  mustard, 
Sinapis  arvensis  (Brassica  sinapistrum  of 
some),  a  troublesome  weed  in  the  grain- 
fields  of  the  older  States. 

Cheat,  or  Chess.  A  grass,  Bromus  se- 
cahnus,  into  which  ignorant  persons  as- 
sort wheat  will  degenerate. 

Chick  Pea.  A  coarse,  hairy,  pea-like 
plant  with  two-seeded  pods  ;  the  peas 
much  wrinkled.  A  native  of  the  East, 
where  it  is  used  for  food.  One  of  the 
many  substitutes  for  cofl'ee. 

Chufas.  The  tubers  produced  by  a 
sedge,  Cyperus  esculentus  ;  they  are 
about  the  size  of  a  small  almond  kernel 
which  they  resemble  in  taste.  Cultivated 
as  food  for  swine. 

Cockle.  Agrostemma  Githago,  a  plant 
of  the  Pink  family,  a  common  weed  in 
grain-fields.  Its  black  seeds  injure  flour 
made  from  the  wheat. 

Cock's-f  OOt  Grass.    The  most  frequent 


name  in  England  for  Ductylis  glomerata, 
our  Orchard  giass. 

Comfrey,  Prickly.  Symphytum  as- 
perrimum,  of  Central  Europe,  a  plant  in- 
troduced a  few  years  ago  as  green  food  for 
milch  cows.  Itdid  not  maintain  its  Euro- 
pean reputation. 

Cottonwood.  The  name  for  several 
species  of  poplar,  especially  Populus 
moniJifera. 

Couch  Grass,  also  known  as  Quack, 
Quitch,  Twitch,  &c.  Triticum  repens,  a 
perennial  with  long  root-stocks,  each  joint 
of  which  will  make  a  plant,  hence  it  is 
difficult  to  eradicate. 

Cutworms.  Larva?  of  several  species  of 
Agrotis,  dull  looking  moths.  The  worms 
during  the  night  cut  off  small  plants  at 
the  level  of  the  ground  and  retire  to  their 
holes  for  the  day.  Setting  leaves  dusted 
Avith  Paris  green  will   exterminate  them. 

Daisy.  The  plant  of  English  meadows 
is  Bellis  perennis,  which  is  barely  hardy 
-with  us.  The  plant  of  our  fields  so  called 
is  properly  the  Ox-eye  Daisy,  Leucan- 
themum  ATilgare ;  both  belonff  to  the 
Composite  family. 

Dandelion.  Taraxacum  dens-leonis.  A 
widely  introduced  composite,  the  bright 
yellow  flowers  of  Avhich  appear  in  early 
spring.  The  leaves  are  Ui3ed  as  a  pot- 
herb, and  when  blanched,  as  a  salad.  Cul- 
tivation greatJy  improves  it. 

Dock.  Several  species  of  Rumex  are 
native,  the  Curled  or  Narrow  D.  (R.  cris- 
pus)  and  the  bitter  D.  (R.  obtu.sifolius) 
are  both  unsightly  weeds  and  should  be 
exterminated  by  pulling  up  by  the  roots. 

Dodder.  Parasitic  plants  of  the  ger  us 
Cuscuta.  The  young  plants  spring  from 
seed,  fasten  upon  succulent  stems  of  other 
plants  by  means  of  sucker-like  disks  and 
draw  their  nourishment  from  them,  the 
stem  connecting  with  the  ground  dying 
away.  Flax,  clover  and  lucerne  are  at- 
tacked by  particular  species  of  Dodder. 

Dogwood.  Native  shrubs  or  small 
trees,  of  the  gen.  Cornus.  The  Flower- 
ing D.,  C.  florida,  is  very  shoAvj',  its 
clusters  of  flowrrs  being  surrounde'd  by 
large  white  involucres. 

Durra.  One  of  the  Oriental  names  for 
Sorghum  vulgare,  the  grain  of  which  is 
largely  consumed  as  food  in  the  East.  It 
is  cultivated  as  a  forage-plant  in  this 
country  to  some  extent. 

Dutchman's  Pipe.  Aristolochia  sipho, 
a  woody  climber,  native  of  Virginia  and 
southward.  Its  ample  leaves  make  a 
dense  shade,  and  curiously  formed  flowers 
which  suggest  the  common  name. 


ELDER 


JBlder.  The  common  Ei,  Sfttnbucus 
Canadensis,  a  shj-ub  8  to  10  feet  high,  is 
found  all  over  the  country.  It  has  flat 
clusters  of  white  flowers',  followed  by 
Iblack  berries.  In  cultivated  grounds  it  is 
to  be  regarded  as  a  weed.  The  fruit  is 
used  to  make  a  substitute  for  wine.  The 
^ed-berried  E.,  S.  pubens,  in  rocky 
-woods,  has  pyramidal  clusters  of  red  fruit ; 
incorrectly  called  Poison  E. 

Xlusilag'e.  A  term  used  for  the  process 
of  preserving  green  fodder  (see  Silo),  and 
also  employed  as  the  name  for  the  fodder 
thus  preserved.  The  first  meaning  is 
equivalent  to  the  term  "  pitting." 

^rg'Ot.  When  the  young  grain  of  rye  is 
attacked  by  a  minute  fungus,  it  is  devel- 
oped in  a  peculiar  manner,  and  appears  in 
the  head  like  a  dark -colored  spur,  several 
times  longer  than  the  sound  grain,  and 
acquires  marked  properties,  and  is  capable 
of  affecting  the  womb  and  cause  it  to  ex- 
pel its  contents.  Under  the  name  of  Er- 
got the  changed  rye  is  employed  by  phy- 
sicians to  aid  in  difficult  labor.  Those 
who  have  eaten  bread  made  from  rye  con- 
taining a  large  proportion  of  Ergot  have 
been  made  dangerously  ill.  Other  grains 
when  attacked  by  fungi  are  changed  in 
a  similar  manner,  and  ergotized  grass 
should  not  be  fed  to  animals. 

Pingrer-grass.  A  prostrate  introduced 
annual,  Panicum  sanguinale.  It  takes 
root  at  every  joint,  and  is  a  troublesome 
weed.  Also  called  Crab-grass,  and  in  some 
southern  States  is  gathered  for  hay. 

Pleabane.  Species  of  Erigeron,  plants 
of  the  Composite  family.  Canada  F., 
E.  Canadense,  is  one  of  the  most  gener- 
ally distributed  weeds.  An  annual,  from  2 
inches  to  6  feet  high,  in  cultivated  grounds 
and  waste  places.  In  parts  of  the  country 
known  as  Mare's-tail  and  Colt's-tail. 
I*urze.  Ulex  Europaeus ;  also  called 
Gorse  and  Whin.  A  low  evergreen  Euro- 
pean shrub,  of  the  Eea  family,  the  numer- 
ous short  branches  of  which  terminate  in 
sharp  spines  ;  the  flowers  yellow.  Some- 
times planted  on  the  top  of  banks  to  make 
a  kind  of  hedge. 

Garaa  Q-rass.    The  Mexican  name  for 

several  species  of  Bouteloua,  valued  for 

grazing,  as  they  retain  their   nutritious 

qualities  throughout  the  long  dry  season. 

Gargret.    An  inflammation  of  the  udder 

in    cows,    accompanied   by   clotted   and 

bloody  milk.  Fomentations  and  medicines 

to  allay  the  fever  usually  effect  a  cure. 

Garlic.     Allium  sativum,  belonging  to 

the  same  genus  with  the  onion  ;  has  flat 

^  leayea  and  bulbs  made  up  of  a  cluster  of 


T02  HELLEBOBE 

small  pointed  ones,  called  cloves.  The 
odor  and  taste  are  very  pungent ;  used  for 
flavoring. 

Gas  liime.    In  gas  works,  the  gas  is 
purified  by  passing  it  through  boxes  con- 
taining lime,  which  takes  up  the  sulphur 
and  ammonia   compounds.    When  satu- 
rated, the  lime  is  thrown  out  as  gas  lime. 
When  recent  it  has  a  powerful  odor,  and 
is  fatal  to  plant  and  insect  life.    Exposed 
some  months  to  the  air  the  calcium  sul- 
phide is  converted  Into  sulphate  and  the 
G.  L.  Is  finally  a  mixture  of  sulphate  and 
carbonate  of  lime  (Gypsum)  with  a  large 
proportion  of  unaltered  lime. 
Gourd.  In  England,  pumpkins,  squashes 
and  some  others  of  the  family  are  called 
gourds.     In  this  country  the  term  is  ap- 
plied to  species  of  Lagenaria,  and  some  of 
Cucurbita  cultivated  for  ornament.    The 
common  bottle  G.,  L.  vulgaris,  from  Afri- 
ca, varies  greatly  in  size  and  shape.    Some 
of  depressed  pear-shape  form  hold  several 
gallons  ;  others  of  hour-glass  form  are  of 
the  capacity  of  a  few  pints.    When  ripe 
the  rind  is  hard  and  woody,  and  when  the 
seeds,   &c.,   are  removed    they  may   be 
formed  into  various  useful  utensils,  such 
as  bottles,  dippers,  cups,  &c. 
Grafting.     Planting  or  setting  a  cutting 
(cion)  of  one  tree  or  plant  in  the  tissues  of 
another  (stock),       Cions  are  usually  of 
several  bads ;  grafting  with  a  single  bud 
is  called  Budding.   In  nurseries  the  stocks 
are  seedling  trees,  grafted  or  budded  with 
some  desirable  variety.    There  are  more 
than  a  dozen  different  methods  of  insert- 
ing the  cions. 

Hazel-nut.  Shrubs  of  the  genus  Cory- 
lus,  of  the  oak  faimily.  C.  Avellana  pro- 
duces the  European  H.  or  filbert.  C. 
Americana  and  C.  rostrata  are  natives  and 
have  small  edible  nuts. 
Hedge.  A  lino  fence  made  by  f5etting 
woody  plants  closely  and  keeping  them 
properly  trimmed.  Of  deciduous  hedge 
plants  the  best  are  Osage  Orange,  Three- 
thorned  Acacia,  Buckthorn  and  a  few  na- 
tive thorns.  The  Hawthorn  or  White  thorn 
of  Europe  is  not  suited  to  our  climate. 
Among  evergreens.  Arbor  Vitas,  Hemlock, 
Norway  Spruce  and  Pyracanth  tliorn. 
Heeling-in  or  liaying-in-by-the- 
heels.  A  garden  term  for  temporarily 
planting  trees,  etc.,  to  keep  the  roots  from 
Injury  by  drying. 

Hellebore.  A  name  for  plants  of  the 
genus  Helleborus,  and  for  unlike  plants. 
Black  H.  is  Helleborus  niger,the  Christmaa 
Eose;  roots  violently  catharic.  White 
H.,  Yeratrum  album,  roots  actively  poi- 


HEMP 


708 


PEANUT 


sonous,  used  in  powder  to  kill  currant 
worms  and  rose  slugs.  V.  viride  is  a  na- 
tive spocies  :  roots  control  the  Dulse  and 
used  in  medicine. 

Hemp.  Cannabis  satlva  is  an  annual 
plant  of  the  Nettle  family,  cultivated  for 
its  liber,  and  common  as  a  weed.  The 
seeds  are  used  as  food  for  birds.  In  parts 
of  India  the  plant  produces  a  resin  used  in 
medicine  as  Cannabis  Indica  or  Indian 
Hemp,  a  nervous  stimulant  and  the  chief 
ingredient  in  the  intoxicating  Hasheesh. 

Hornbeam.  Carpinus  Americana,  a 
small,  native  tree  of  the  oak  family;  dis- 
tini>-uishcd  by  its  strongly  rigid  trunk; 
wood  very  hard  and  tough,  used  for 
turned  work,  &c.  Also  called  Iron-wood 
and  Blue  and  Water  Beech.  Hop  Horn- 
beam, Ostrya  Virginica,  nearly  related  to 
the  II.,  grows  larger  and  has  a  fruit-cone 
resembling  hops. 

Huckleberry.  Fruiting  native  shrubs 
of  the  genera  Gaylussacia  and  Vaccinium, 
of  the  Heath  family.  In  some  localities 
the  fruit  of  Y.  is  called  Blueberries.  Im- 
mense quantities  of  the  fruit  are  gathered 
for  market  from  half  a  dozen  ditferent 
species. 

Hung-arian  Grass.  A  variety  of  Se- 
taria  Italica,  an  annual  which  in  rich 
warm  ground  yields  abundantly.  UsefUl 
in  supplementrhg  a  short  hay  crop. 

Hurdle.  A  light  movable  fence,  used  to 
confine  animals  to  a^  portion  of  a  field. 
Made  of  wicker,  split  stuflF,  and  even  of 
iron,  in  great  variety. 

Ichneumon  Flies.  Hymenopterous 
insects,  often  mistaken  for  wasps.  Their 
ep^s  are  laid  in  and  their  larvaa  live  within 
the  bodies  of  caterpillars  or  other  larvae, 
ultimately  causing  their  death. 

Insect  Powder.  The  powdered 
flowers  of  several  species  of  Pyrethrum. 
This  dry,  diffused  in  water,  or  in  tincture, 
kills  or  stupifles  most  insects.  Imported 
from  the  Caucasus  and  now  largely 
raised  in  California  under  the  name  of  Bu- 
hach. 

T\=-y.  Hedera  Helix  of  the  Araliaceas,  and 
other  species.  Evergreen  climbers, 
clinging  to  walls,  &c.,  by  small  aerial 
roots.  Ivy  American,  a  name  incorrectly 
given  to  Ampelopsis  quinquefolia.  Ivy, 
Poison,  Ehus  Toxicodendron,  also  called 
Poison  oak.  Ivy,  German  or  Parlor. 
Senecio  mikanoides,  a  climbing  compo- 
site. 

Jolinswort  and  St.  Jolmswort. 
Hypericum  perforatum.  A  perennial 
weed ;  leaves  with  numerous  translucent 
dots  containing  an  acrid  oil. 


June-berx^y.  Also  Shad-flower  and  Sugar 
Pear,  Amelanchier  Canadensis.  A  small 
tree  of  the  division  Pomeae  of  the  Kose 
family.  Its  long-petaled  white  flowers 
appear  in  early  spring,  followed  by  a  berry- 
like edible  jwme.  Very  variable. 
Kainit.  A  commercial  fertilizer  obtained 
from  Stassfurt,  Germany,  and  elsewhere, 
consisting  of  chloride  of  potassium,  sul- 
phate of  magnesium,  &c.  It  contains  13 
to  14  per  cent,  of  potash,  upon  which  its 
value  depends. 

Kentucky  CofPee-tree.  Gymnocla- 
dus  Canadensis.  A  large  tree  of  the  Legu- 
minosai,  with  stout  branches,  large  twice- 
pinnate  leaves,  and  mostly  di<]ecious  regu- 
lar flowers,  succeeded  by  a  large  oblong 
pod,  containing  several  flattish  seeds,  for- 
merly used  as  a  substitute  for  coffee. 
Native  of  Middle  and  Southern  States. 
Ladies'  Slipper.  Showy  ten-estrial  or- 
chids, several  of  which  are  natives  of  the 
IT.  S.  Cypripedium  spectabile  is  the  most 
beautiful, 

Iiarch.  Large  deciduous,  coniferous 
trees,  of  the  genus  Larix.  The  European 
species,  L.  Europeaea,  is  noted  for  the 
durability  of  its  timber.  The  native,  L. 
Americana,  is  also  called  Tamarack. 
Laurel.  Properly  the  European  Lanrua 
nobilis,  but  in  this  coimtry  applied  to  spe- 
cies of  Kalmia,  shrubs  belonging  to  the 
Heath  family.  The  Mountain  L.,  K. 
latifolia  is  a  tall  shoAvy  shrub.  The  low 
L.,  K.  augustifolia,  is  poisonous  to  lamba 
in  spring ;  hence  is  called  Lambkill. 
Mildew.  A  minute  parasitic  plant  of  the 
fungus  group,  attacking  the  grape,  rose 
and  many  other  shrabs,  herbs  and  trees. 
Flowers  of  sulphur  applied  with  a  bellows 
is  the  most  effective  remedy. 
Naphtha.  One  of  the  light  hydro- 
carbons obtained  in  refining  petroleum, 
used  as  solvent  for  resins,  to  mix  with 
paint  and  as  a  dangerous  adulteration  of 
kerosene. 

Oil-cake.  The  marc  or  residuum  left 
after  pressing  the  oil  from  hnseed.  When 
ground  it  is  oil-cake  meal,  used  as  cattle 
food. 

Oleomargrarine.  A  preparation  of  ani- 
mal fat  Tised  in  place  of  butter.  When 
sold  as  butter  it  is  a  fraud.  Its  manufac- 
ture has  been  prohibited  in  some  States, 
Osagre  Orange.  Madura  aurantiaca,  a 
native  spiny  tree  of  tho  Mulberry  family. 
Much  used  in  mild  climates  for  hedges. 
Peanut.  Arachis  hypogaea,  a  legu- 
minous plant  which  pushes  its  forming 
pod  into  the  ground  to  mature.     Grown 


PECAIT 


704 


TELLOW-WOOD 


In  Virg-inia  and  southward,  lloasted  and 
eaten  ;  used  also  to  express  for  its  oil. 
Pecan.  Carya  olivaeformis,  a  hickory- 
tree  of  the  Southern  States  ;  produces  a 
rich  dessert  nut ;  supplied  to  commerce 
mainly  by  Texas.  Expressed  for  oil. 
Persimmon.  Trees  of  the  Ebony  fam- 
ily. The  native  Diospj'ros  Vir^dniana, 
inost  abundant  at  the 'South,  yields  a 
small  fruit,  edible  when  fro>*ted.  The 
Japanese  P.,  D.  Kaki,  has  a  lar^e,  much- 
esteemed  fruit,  in  several  varieties. 
Poke.  Phytolacca  decandra,  a  peren- 
nial herb,  4  to  6  feet  high,  with  racemes  of 
black-purple  berries.  Root  poisonous, 
yonnjiT  shoots  used  as  asparagus.  Also 
called  Scoke,  Garget  and  Pigeon  berry. 

Rag-weed.  Ambrosia  arteraisiiefolia.  A 
jiative,  annual,  widely  disseminated  weed 
of  tho  Composite  family.  It  has  much- 
divided  leaves  and  a  strong  unpleasant 
odor.  Tho  hay  fever  is  attributed  to  its 
irritating  pollen.  Also  called  Bitterweed 
and  Koman  Wormwood. 

Ramie.  China  Grass,  a  fiber  from  Bceh- 
meria  nivea,  and  other  species  of  B.,  be- 
longing to  the  Nettle  family.  A  perennial 
herb,  4  to  6  feet  high,  may  be  cultivated 
in  the  Middle  States  and  southward.  The 
ultimate  fibers  cannot  be  separated  me- 
chanically ;  when  treated  by  a  solvent  are 
fine  and  silky. 

Rust.  A  microscopic,  parasitic  plant 
(Uredo),  preying  upon  various  grains  and 
coating  their  leaves  and  stems  with  an 
orange  or  rusty  substance,  consisting 
of  the  spores  (seeds)  of  the  fungus  plant. 

Salsify.  The  roots  of  Tragopogon  por- 
rifoUus,  a  biennial  liguhfloral  composite. 
Stewed  or  fried  they  taste  like  the  oyster, 
and  are  called  oyster  plant  and  vegetable 
oyster. 

Saffron.  The  dried  stigmas  of  Crocus 
sativns  of  Europe,  used  in  medicine  for 
ttieir  color  and  flavor.  Name  also  given  to 


Safliower,  the  flowers  of  Carthamus  tinc- 
torius,  a  composite,  used  as  a  dye. 
Silo.  A  receptacle  for  holding  green  fod- 
der (ensilage)  and  is  made  of  earthen, 
brick,  stone  or  thick  wooden  air-tight 
walls. 

Smut.  A  microscopic  plant  allied  to  tho 
rusts,  mildews  and  molds  (Fungi)  at- 
tacting  many  plants,  but  most  distinctive 
to  the  cereals,  especially  Indian  corn. 
Cut  off  the  affected  parts  and  burn  them. 

Teosinte.  Euchena  luxurians,  a  gigantic 
grass  from  East  Indies.  It  bears  cutting 
frequently  and  valued  in  warm  climates 
as  a  forage  plant. 

"Walnut.  The  fruit  of  the  genus  Juglans 
including  J.  cinerea,  Butter-nut ;  J.  nigra. 
Black  Walnut,  and  J.  regia,  the  English 
walnut.  The  Hickory  nut,  often  called 
walnut,  belongs  to  the  Jaearly  related  genus 
Carya. 

Water-cress.  An  aquatic  plant  (Nastur- 
tium officinale)  of  the  mustard  family, 
frequently  grown  in  streams  as  a  salad 
herb. 

Weed.  Any  plant  that  is  out  of  place, 
and  therefore  not  serving  its  best  ends  to 
man.  The  foUovving  are  weeds  :  Thistles, 
purslane,  quack  or  quitch  grass,  docks, 
bindweeds,  &c. 

Yam,  Chinese.  Dioscorea  batalus,  a 
plant  from  China  and  Japan,  in  cultiva- 
tion for  its  large  'edible  starch-bearing 
roots  and  for  ornament. 

Yarrow.  Achillea  millefolium,  Milfoil. 
An  herb  of  the  Composite  family ;  common; 
from  Europe  and  very  bitter,  i'he  usually 
white  flowers  are  sometimes  rose-colored. 

Yellow-wood,  Cladastris  tinctoria,  a 
native  in  rich  woods  in  Kentucky  and 
southward,  and  one  of  our  handsomest 
ornamental  trees.  The  wood  is  light 
yellow,  and  the  flowers  creamy  white  hx 
large  pendent  cluster*. 


r>3^^ 


^m. 


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